Concentrically-arranged, multi-sleeve bag-type filter element assembly

A filter element assembly in a liquid filtration system, said filter element assembly adapted to be accommodated within a filter housing, said filter element assembly comprising:

• a support basket for placement within said filter housing and a collapsible filter insert removably carried within said basket;
• said basket having first, second and third rigid cylindrically shaped and concentrically arranged mesh screens allowing for the free flow of liquid therethrough;
• said first cylindrically shaped screen defining a cylindrical space interiorly thereof;
• said first screen arranged interiorly of said second screen forming a first annular space therebetween, said second screen arranged interiorly of said third screen forming a second annular space therebetween;
• said second and third cylindrical screens being connected to each other by a flat annularly shaped mesh screen located at one longitudinal end thereof, said first screen connected to a flat circular mesh screen located at one longitudinal end thereof;
• said filter insert adapted to be supported within said cylindrical space and said second annular space and having first, second and third cylindrical filter sleeves formed of flexible filter media, said first filter sleeve having a cross-sectional diameter less than the cross-sectional diameter of said second filter sleeve and arranged concentrically within said second filter sleeve forming an annular space therebetween, said second filter sleeve having a cross-sectional diameter less than the cross-sectional diameter of said third filter sleeve and arranged concentrically within said third filter sleeve forming an annular space therebetween;
• a rigid inlet plate connected at one longitudinal end of said first, second and third filter sleeves, and a first rigid circularly shaped terminal plate connected at the other longitudinal end of said first filter sleeve, and a second rigid annularly shaped terminal plate connected at the other longitudinal end of said second and third filter sleeves,
• said inlet plate having at least one plate opening provided therein for communicating with said second annular space and the annular space between said second and third filter sleeves to thereby permit the flow of liquid to be filtered into said second annular space, and a central opening provided in a center area of said inlet plate for communicating with said cylindrical space to thereby permit the flow of liquid to be filtered into said cylindrical space;
• said first and second terminal plates each having a closed surface to prevent the flow therethrough of liquid from said second annular space and said cylindrical space.
• said filter insert being collapsible so that said inlet plate and said terminal plates are moveable toward and away from each other when said filter insert is outside of said basket;
• whereby when said filter insert is carried within said basket said inlet plate and said terminal plates are positioned remote from each other, said first and second terminal plates being positioned adjacent said flat circular and annular mesh screens respectively, and said first sleeve of said filter insert is positioned adjacent and concentrically interior of said first screen of said basket, said second sleeve of said filter insert is positioned adjacent and concentrically exterior of said second screen of said basket, and said third sleeve is positioned adjacent and concentrically interior of said third screen so that said cylindrical screens of said basket support said sleeves of said filter element against the pressure of liquid flow, and whereby when said filter element assembly is arranged within a filter housing said inlet plate of said filter insert will be oriented to receive liquid to be filtered which enters said filter housing so that liquid will pass through said at least one plate opening into the annular space between said second and third filter sleeves and through said central opening into said cylindrical space for passing first through said filter sleeves and then through said screens of said basket to effect filtration of impurities or particles therefrom.