Wire mesh filter

A downhole filter apparatus, comprising:

• a supporting body;
• a porous element mounted to said body;
• a jacket mounted over said porous element, said jacket comprising a plurality of defined flowpaths beginning from openings defined in an outer face, said defined paths configured so that a substantial portion of the fluid flowing therethrough between said outer face and an inner face on said jacket makes at least one turn of at least approximately 45.degree. before passing through openings on said inner face and contacting said porous element, whereupon said jacket dissipates energy of the fluid flowing therethrough to reduce erosion of said porous element;
• and
• said porous element further comprises:
• a woven wire mesh layer mounted on said supporting body;
• said woven wire mesh layer comprising a weave of wires which define an inner and outer surface and a plurality of paths running between said surfaces and generally parallel thereto;
• said weave configured so that openings that begin at said outer surface are offset from outlets on said inside surface;
• and
• said openings in said jacket are uniform.

A downhole filter apparatus, comprising:

• a supporting body;
• a porous element mounted to said body;
• a jacket mounted over said porous element, said jacket comprising a plurality of defined flowpaths, each defined flowpath extending from an inlet opening and making at least one turn before exiting said jacket at an outlet opening near said porous element, whereupon said jacket dissipates energy of the fluid flowing therethrough to reduce erosion of said porous element;
• and
• said openings are formed by punching the jacket so that the punched segment is still retained as part of said jacket.

A downhole filter apparatus, comprising:

• a supporting body;
• a porous element mounted to said body;
• a jacket mounted over said porous element, said jacket comprising a plurality of defined flowpaths, each defined flowpath extending from an inlet opening and making at least one turn before exiting said jacket at an outlet opening near said porous element, whereupon said jacket dissipates energy of the fluid flowing therethrough to reduce erosion of said porous element;
• said porous element further comprises:
• a woven wire mesh layer mounted on said supporting body;
• said woven wire mesh layer comprising a weave of wires which define an inner and outer surface and a plurality of paths running between said surfaces and generally parallel thereto;
• said weave configured so that openings that begin at said outer surface are offset from outlets on said inside surface;
• and
• said openings in said jacket are uniform.

A downhole filter apparatus, comprising:

• a supporting body;
• a porous element mounted to said body;
• a jacket mounted over said porous element, said jacket comprising a plurality of openings directing the fluid flowing therethrough to flow along paths, each making at least one turn of at least approximately 45.degree. before contacting said porous element;
• said openings are formed by punching said jacket so that the punched segment is still retained as part of said jacket.

A filter apparatus, comprising:

• a supporting body;
• a woven wire mesh layer mounted on said supporting body, said woven wire mesh layer further comprising an outer surface and an inner surface such that fluid can flow from said outer surface to said inner surface in a path which is not substantially perpendicular to said outer surface or said inner surface;
• a jacket mounted on said woven wire mesh layer, said jacket further comprising a plurality of openings;
• wherein said jacket comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and forms an annulus between said inner surface of said jacket and said outer surface of said woven wire mesh layer, and wherein said openings define at least one fluid pathway between said outer surface of said jacket and said annulus such that fluid flowing through said fluid pathway makes at least one change of flow direction as it passes therethrough.

A filter apparatus, comprising:

• a supporting body;
• a woven wire mesh layer mounted on said supporting body, said woven wire mesh layer further comprising an outer surface and an inner surface such that fluid can flow from said outer surface to said inner surface in a path which is not substantially perpendicular to said outer surface or said inner surface;
• a wire-wrap inner jacket mounted on said supporting body and placed between said supporting body and said woven wire mesh layer;
• a jacket mounted on said woven wire mesh layer, said jacket further comprising a plurality of openings;
• wherein said jacket comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and forms an annulus between said inner surface of said jacket and said outer surface of said woven wire mesh layer, and wherein said openings define at least one fluid pathway between said outer surface of said jacket and said annulus such that fluid flowing through said fluid pathway makes at least one change of flow direction as it passes therethrough.