Anti-drain back/pressure relieved filter cartridges

In a lubricating oil filter cartridge, a housing with an annular filter element therein;

• the annular filter element having a hollow core and an end cap with an inner axially extending flange, the housing including an end plate having a central outlet therethrough surrounded by a plurality of inlet openings for allowing lubricating oil to enter the housing through the inlet openings in the end plate, to flow through the filter element to the hollow core thereof and to flow out of the filter element through the central outlet, the improvement comprising:
• an annular valve support disposed between the end plate and the filter element, the annular valve support having an inner sleeve bearing against the end plate proximate the outlet and an outer sleeve spaced from the inner sleeve and including a plurality of holes therethrough, the outer sleeve having a radially extending flange extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the annular filter element;
• and
• an annular valve member disposed between the filter element and the outer sleeve of the valve support, the annular valve member comprising an expandable collar fitting around the outer sleeve and covering the holes, the expandable collar spreading to uncover the holes when the filter element is clogged so that liquid can flow through the holes in the outer sleeve and through the central outlet to bypass the clogged filter, the expandable collar having a plurality of ribs disposed in spaced relation therearound, the ribs engaging the inner axially extending flange of the end cap.

In a lubricating oil filter cartridge, a housing with an annular filter element therein;

• the annular filter element having a hollow core, the housing including an end plate having a central outlet therethrough surrounded by a plurality of inlet openings for allowing lubricating oil to enter the housing through the inlet openings in the end plate, to flow through the filter element to the hollow core thereof and to flow out of the filter element through the central outlet, the improvement comprising:
• an annular valve support disposed between the end plate and the filter element, the annular valve support having an inner sleeve bearing against the end plate proximate the outlet and an outer sleeve spaced from the inner sleeve and including a plurality of holes therethrough, the outer sleeve having a radially extending flange extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the annular filter element;
• and
• an annular valve member made of a resilient resinous material and having a radially extending skirt overlying the inlet openings in the end plate, the radially extending skirt functioning as an anti-drain back valve by preventing oil from flowing out of the filter through the inlet openings while allowing oil under pressure to deflect the flaps and to flow pass the annular valve member and through the annular filter element when the annular filter element is not clogged, the valve member further including an expandable collar fitting around the outer sleeve and coveting the holes, the expandable collar spreading to uncover the holes when the filter element is clogged so that liquid can flow through the holes in the outer sleeve and through the central outlet to bypass the filter element when the filter element is clogged and the annular collar including a plurality of ribs thereon, the ribs being disposed in a location between the skirt and expandable collar to stiffen the location.

In a lubricating oil filter cartridge, a housing with an annular filter element therein;

• the annular filter element having a hollow core, the housing including an end plate having a central outlet therethrough surrounded by a plurality of inlet openings for allowing lubricating oil to enter the housing through the inlet openings in the end plate, to flow through the filter element to the hollow core thereof and to flow out of the filter element through the central outlet, the improvement comprising:
• an annular valve support disposed between the end plate and the filter element, the annular valve support having an inner sleeve with one end bearing against the end plate proximate the outlet, and an outer sleeve spaced from the inner sleeve extending substantially parallel thereto and including a plurality of holes therethrough, the outer sleeve having a radially extending flange extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the annular filter element and having an outer surface facing away from the inner sleeve;
• and
• an annular valve member made of a resilient resinous material and having a radially extending skirt overlying the inlet openings in the end plate, the radially extending skirt functioning as an anti-drain back valve by preventing oil from flowing out of the filter through the inlet openings while allowing oil under pressure to deflect the flaps and to flow pass the annular valve member and through the annular filter element when the annular filter element is not clogged, the valve member further including an expandable collar fitting around the outer surface of the outer sleeve and covering the holes, the expandable collar spreading to uncover the holes when the filter element is clogged so that liquid can flow through the holes in the outer sleeve and through the central outlet to bypass the clogged filter.