Transmission sump filter with bypass valve

A transmission fluid filter comprising:

• a filter housing presenting a filter inlet, a bypass inlet spaced from the filter inlet, and an outlet spaced from the inlets;
• filter media in the housing such that fluid flowing from the filter inlet to the outlet passes through the media and fluid flows from the bypass inlet to the outlet without passing through the media;
• and
• a bypass valve assembly shiftable into and out of a closed position in which fluid flow through the bypass inlet is prevented,
• said bypass valve assembly including a projecting valve seat and a valve body shiftable in a first direction into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat,
• said valve body including a first positioning element extending toward the valve seat and cooperating therewith to restrict movement of the valve body in a second direction, wherein the first and second directions are at least generally unparallel to one another,
• said bypass valve assembly including a lug in an opposed relationship with the valve seat,
• said valve body including a second positioning element projecting oppositely relative to the first positioning element,
• said second positioning element extending toward the lug and cooperating therewith to restrict movement of the valve body in the second direction,
• each of said positioning elements comprising a plurality of spaced apart tabs.

In a powered vehicle including a lubricated transmission having a transmission sump and a transmission pump, a fluid filter fluidly interposed between the sump and the pump, the filter comprising:

• a filter housing presenting a filter inlet, a bypass inlet spaced from the filter inlet, and an outlet spaced from the inlets;
• filter media in the housing such that fluid flowing from the filter inlet to the outlet passes through the media and fluid flows from the bypass inlet to the outlet without passing through the media;
• and
• a bypass valve assembly shiftable into and out of a closed position in which fluid flow through the bypass inlet is prevented,
• said bypass valve assembly including a projecting valve seat and a valve body shiftable in a first direction into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat,
• said valve body including a first positioning element extending toward the valve seat and cooperating therewith to restrict movement of the valve body in a second direction, wherein the first and second directions are at least generally unparallel to one another,
• said positioning element comprising a plurality of spaced apart tabs.