Fuel filter assembly with replacement element

A filter assembly comprising a filter element and a cover, said filter element comprising:

• a first imperforate end cap, said first end cap having a major cap portion and a first longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion;
• a continuous ring of filter media, said ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area, said ring being bonded in fluid tight relation to said first end cap, and said interior area being closed at an end thereof by said first end cap;
• a second end cap longitudinally disposed from said first end cap and attached in fluid tight relation to said media ring, said second end cap having a standpipe opening therethrough axially aligned with said first longitudinally extending projection and through which a standpipe can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• wherein said first longitudinally extending projection extends in said interior area and is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and is longer than it is wide, such that said first longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the standpipe when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the standpipe;
• and
• said major cap portion including an annular portion to which the filter media ring is bonded and a well area radially inwardly of said annular portion, said well area extending longitudinally into said interior area and including a radially extending bottom wall and an annular side wall extending between said bottom wall and annular portion, said bottom wall having a planar extent extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said filter element, said longitudinally extending projection having a base end supported by said bottom wall radially inwardly of said annular wall, said longitudinally extending projection including a tubular wall forming a portion of a recess that opens away from said interior area to an axially outer side of said bottom wall, and said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap;
• and
• said cover including a cover projection abuttingly engaged in said recess of said first end cap.

A filter assembly comprising a replaceable filter element and a standpipe, said filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior enclosure for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a first imperforate end cap, said first end cap having a major cap portion, a first longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion, and attachment structure directly fixedly joining said first longitudinally extending projection to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first imperforate end cap;
• a continuous ring of filter media, said ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area, said ring being adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to said major cap portion of said first end cap, and said interior area being closed at an end thereof by said first end cap;
• a second end cap longitudinally disposed from said first end cap and attached in fluid tight relation to said media ring, said second end cap having a standpipe opening therethrough axially aligned with said first longitudinally extending projection and through which a standpipe can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• wherein said first longitudinally extending projection extends in said interior area and is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and is longer than it is wide, such that said first longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of said standpipe when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to said standpipe;
• and
• said standpipe extending longitudinally in said interior area and having an actuator opening in a first longitudinal end of said standpipe, said first longitudinally extending projection accepted in said actuator opening, and a valve flow element mounted on said standpipe, said valve flow element in engagement with said first projection, whereby said valve flow element is held in an open condition.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior enclosure for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring;
• said first end cap closing one end of said interior area bounded by said filter media ring and having a major cap portion at which said first end cap is adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to said filter media ring, a longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion, and attachment structure directly fixedly joining said longitudinally extending projection to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first end cap;
• said second end cap having an opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• said longitudinally extending projection (i) extending in said interior area of said filter media ring parallel to said longitudinal axis, (ii) being disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, (iii) being smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and (iv) being longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the external member when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the external member;
• and
• said major cap portion including an annular portion to which the filter media ring is bonded and a well area radially inwardly of said annular portion, said well area extending longitudinally into said interior area and including a radially extending bottom wall and an annular side wall extending between said bottom wall and annular portion, said bottom wall having a planar extent extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said filter element, said longitudinally extending projection having a base end supported by said bottom wall radially inwardly of said annular wall, said longitudinally extending projection including a tubular wall forming a portion of a recess that opens away from said interior area to an axially outer side of said bottom wall, and said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap.

A filter assembly comprising a replaceable filter element and an external member, said filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior enclosure for the filter element,

• said filter element comprising:
• a ring of filter media having longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring;
• said first end cap closing one end of said interior area bounded by said filter media ring and having a major cap portion at which said first end cap is adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to said filter media ring, a longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion, and attachment structure directly fixedly joining said longitudinally extending projection to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first end cap;
• said second end cap having an opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which said external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• said longitudinally extending projection (i) extending in said interior area of said filter media ring parallel to said longitudinal axis, (ii) being disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, (iii) being smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and (iv) being longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of said external member when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the external member;
• and
• said external member extendable longitudinally into said interior area and including a flow passage and a valve flow element mounted in said external member for movement from a normally closed position to an open use position, and said valve flow element being engaged and moved by said longitudinally extending projection from said normally closed position to said open use position when said external member is inserted into said interior area.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior chamber for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring, said first end cap closing one end of said interior area bounded by said filter media;
• said second end cap having an opening therethrough and through which an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• and there being provided
• a longitudinally extending projection unitary with an annular portion of the first end cap which is adhesively bonded to the filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection being axially aligned with said opening and extending in said interior area of said filter media ring parallel to said longitudinal axis, said longitudinally extending projection being disposed radially, inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, being smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and being longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the external member when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the external member;
• and
• said major cap portion including a well area, said well area extending longitudinally into said interior area and including a radially extending bottom wall and an annular side wall, said bottom wall having a planar extent extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said longitudinally extending projection having a base end supported by said bottom wall radially inwardly of said annular wall, said longitudinally extending projection including a tubular wall forming a portion of a recess that opens away from said interior area to an axially outer side of said bottom wall, said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, and said tubular wall of said longitudinally extending projection having parallel wall surfaces extending longitudinally.

A filter assembly comprising a replaceable filter element and an external member, said filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior chamber for the filter element,

• said filter element comprising:
• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring, said first end cap closing one end of said interior area bounded by said filter media:
• said second end cap having an opening therethrough and through which an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• and there being provided
• a longitudinally extending projection unitary with an annular portion of the first end cap which is adhesively bonded to the filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection being axially aligned with said opening and extending in said interior area of said filter media ring parallel to said longitudinal axis, said longitudinally extending projection being disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, being smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and being longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the external member when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the external member;
• and
• said external member extendable longitudinally into said interior area and including a flow passage and a valve flow element mounted in said external member for movement from a normally closed position to an open use position, and said valve flow element being engaged and moved by said longitudinally extending projection from said normally closed position to said open use position when said external member is inserted into said interior area.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior chamber for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring, said second end cap having an opening therethrough and through which an end of an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• and there being provided:
• a longitudinally extending projection unitary with an annular portion of the first end cap which is adhesively bonded to the filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally in said interior area of said filter media ring and disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection having an end portion located in said interior area radially inwardly of an imaginary longitudinal projection of said opening, whereby said longitudinally extending projection can engage and actuate a valve flow element associated with the end of the external member, and said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap;
• and
• an annular seal radially inwardly bounding said opening in said second end cap, said annular seal being fixed to and thereby carried by said second end cap, and said annular seal protruding radially inwardly of said opening for sealing to the external member when inserted into said interior area.

A filter assembly comprising a replaceable filter element and an external member, said filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior chamber for the filter element,

• said filter element comprising:
• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring, said second end cap having an opening therethrough and through which an end of an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• and there being provided:
• a longitudinally extending projection unitary with an annular portion of the first end cap which is adhesively bonded to the filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally in said interior area of said filter media ring and disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection having an end portion located in said interior area radially inwardly of an imaginary longitudinal projection of said opening whereby said longitudinally extending projection can engage and actuate a valve flow element associated with the end of the external member, and
• an annular seal radially inwardly bounding said opening in said second end cap, said annular seal being fixed to and thereby carried by said second end cap, and said annular seal protruding radially inwardly of said opening for sealing to the external member when inserted into said interior area;
• and
• said external member extendable longitudinally into said interior area and including a flow passage and a valve flow element associated with said external member for movement from a normally closed position to an open use position, and said valve flow element being engaged and moved by said longitudinally extending projection from said normally closed position to said open use position when said external member is inserted into said interior area.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior chamber for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a continuous ring of filter media, said ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• a first imperforate end cap closing an end of said interior area, said first end cap having a major cap portion and a longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion and fixedly joined to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first imperforate end cap, said major cap portion having an annular portion bonded in fluid tight relation to an end of said ring of filter media;
• a second end cap longitudinally disposed from said first end cap and attached in fluid tight relation to said media ring, said second end cap having a standpipe opening therethrough axially aligned with said first projection and through which a standpipe can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• wherein said longitudinally extending projection extends in said interior area and is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface, is smaller in transverse cross-section than the opening in said second end cap and is longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the standpipe when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the standpipe;
• and
• said major cap portion further having a central portion unitary with said annular portion, said central portion extending radially inwardly from said annular portion so as to radially overlap in axially offset relation the standpipe opening, and said longitudinally extending projection being directly joined to said central portion;
• and
• said central portion includes a radially extending wall extending radially inwardly of said interior surface a distance greater than the width of said longitudinally extending projection, said longitudinally extending projection having a base end supported by said radially extending wall radially inwardly of said interior surface of said filter media ring, and said longitudinally extending projection includes a tubular wall forming a portion of a recess that opens to an axially outer side of said radially extending wall.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior enclosure for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a first imperforate end cap, said first end cap having a major cap portion, a first longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion, and means for directly fixedly joining said longitudinally extending projection to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first imperforate end cap;
• a continuous ring of filter media, said ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area, said ring being adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to said major cap portion of said first end cap, and said interior area being closed at an end thereof by said first end cap;
• a second end cap longitudinally disposed from said first end cap and attached in fluid tight relation to said media ring, said second end cap having a standpipe opening therethrough axially aligned with said longitudinally extending projection and through which a standpipe can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• wherein said first longitudinally extending projection extends in said interior area and is radially disposed inwardly from said interior surface, is smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in the second end cap and is longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the standpipe when inserted longitudinally through said opening in said second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the standpipe;
• and
• said major cap portion including an annular portion to which the filter media ring is bonded and a well area radially inwardly of said annular portion, said well area extending longitudinally into said interior area and including a radially extending bottom wall and an annular side wall extending between said bottom wall and annular portion, said bottom wall having a planar extent extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said filter element, said longitudinally extending projection having a base end supported by said bottom wall radially inwardly of said annular wall, said longitudinally extending projection including a tubular wall forming a portion of a recess that opens away from said interior area to an axially outer side of said bottom wall, and said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior enclosure for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring;
• said first end cap closing one end of said interior area bounded by said filter media ring and having a major cap portion at which said first end cap is adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to said filter media ring, a longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion, and means for directly fixedly joining said longitudinally extending projection to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first end cap;
• said second end cap having an opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• said longitudinally extending projection (i) extending in said interior area of said filter media ring parallel to said longitudinal axis, (ii) being disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, (iii) being smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and (iv) being longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the external member when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the external member;
• and
• said major cap portion including an annular portion to which the filter media ring is bonded and a well area radially inwardly of said annular portion, said well area extending longitudinally into said interior area and including a radially extending bottom wall and an annular side wall extending between said bottom wall and annular portion, said bottom wall having a planar extent extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said filter element, said longitudinally extending projection having a base end supported by said bottom wall radially inwardly of said annular wall, said longitudinally extending projection including a tubular wall forming a portion of a recess that opens away from said interior area to an axially outer side of said bottom wall, and said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap.

A filter assembly comprising a replaceable filter element and an external member, said filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior enclosure for the filter element,

• said filter element comprising:
• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bounded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring;
• said first end cap closing one end of said interior area bounded by said filter media ring and having a major cap portion at which said first end cap is adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to said filter media ring, a longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally from said major cap portion, and means for directly fixedly joining said longitudinally extending projection to said major cap portion independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first end cap;
• said second end cap having an opening therethrough axially aligned with said projection and through which an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area;
• said longitudinally extending projection (i) extending in said interior area of said filter media ring parallel to said longitudinal axis, (ii) being disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, (iii) being smaller in transverse cross-section than said opening in said second end cap and (iv) being longer than it is wide, such that said longitudinally extending projection can fit within an actuator opening in the end of the external member when inserted longitudinally through said opening in the second end cap for actuating a valve flow element mounted to the external member;
• and
• said external member extendable longitudinally into said interior area and including a flow passage and a valve flow element mounted in said external member for movement from a normally closed position to an open use position, and said valve flow element being engaged and moved by said longitudinally extending projection from said normally closed position to said open use position when said external member is inserted into said interior area.

A replaceable filter element removably positionable within a housing composed of mating parts forming an interior chamber for the filter element, said filter element comprising:

• a ring of filter media having a longitudinal axis, said filter media ring having an interior surface bounding an interior area;
• and
• first and second end caps respectively adhesively bonded in fluid tight relation to opposite ends of said filter media ring, said second end cap having an opening therethrough and through which an end of an external member can be inserted longitudinally into said interior area, and said first end cap having an annular portion to which the ring of filter media is adhesively bonded;
• and there being provided:
• a longitudinally extending projection extending longitudinally in said interior area of said filter media ring and disposed radially inwardly from said interior surface of said filter media ring, said longitudinally extending projection having an end portion located in said interior area radially inwardly of an imaginary longitudinal projection of said opening, whereby said longitudinally extending projection can engage and actuate a valve flow element associated with the end of the external member, and said longitudinally extending projection being directly fixedly joined to said annular portion by attachment structure independently of the mating part of the housing that would be adjacent to said first end cap;
• and
• an annular seal radially inwardly bounding said opening in said second end cap, said annular seal being fixed to and thereby carried by said second end cap, and said annular seal protruding radially inwardly of said opening for sealing to the external member when inserted into said interior area;
• and
• said longitudinally extending projection terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap.