Filter assembly

A tubular filter element for location in a housing for collecting material that is entrained in a gas stream by passing the gas stream through the wall of the element which comprises a filter medium, the element comprising first and second end fittings by which connections are formed between the filter element and a housing in which it is located in use, in which:

• (a) the first end fitting includes a support comprising a plurality of fingers which extend between the filter element at or towards its end and the support surface on the internal side wall of the housing, each of the fingers being resiliently flexible so that they can be deformed resiliently when force is applied to the filter element in the direction towards the second end of the assembly, and
• (b) the second end fitting bears a tang which can be deformed resiliently during formation of a connection between the filter element and a housing, and which, when the connection is formed and when the filter element engages the internal side wall of the housing as aforesaid, can be received in a recess in the housing which allows the configuration of the tang to be restored at least partially towards its undeformed configuration.

A tubular filter element for location in a housing, the tubular filter element comprising:

• a tubular wall extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the tubular wall being comprised of a filter medium adapted to collect material that is entrained in a gas stream when the gas stream is passed through the wall, a central longitudinal axis extending through the tubular wall between the first end and the second end;
• and
• a support mounted on and outwardly projecting from the tubular wall, the support being adapted to bias against the housing when the filter element is disposed within the housing, the support comprising a plurality of resiliently flexible fingers, at least a portion of each of the flexible fingers being inclined relative to the central longitudinal axis.