Collapsible filter element

A liquid filter element assembly for use in liquid filtration systems adapted to be accommodated within a bag type filter housing, said filter element assembly comprising:

• an annularly shaped support basket for placement within said filter housing and a filter insert removably carried within said basket, said basket having first and second cylindrically shaped and concentrically arranged screens allowing for the free flow of liquid therethrough, said first screen arranged interiorly of said second screen forming a first annular space therebetween, said cylindrical screens being connected to each other by a connecting element located at one longitudinal end thereof,
• said filter insert adapted to be supported within said first annular space and having first and second cylindrical filter sleeves formed of flexible bag-type 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 a second annular space therebetween and a cylindrical space interiorly of said first filter sleeve,
• an inlet plate connected at one longitudinal end of both the first and second filter sleeves having openings provided therein for communicating with said second annular space between said first and second filter sleeves to thereby permit the flow of liquid to be filtered into said second annular space, said inlet plate being closed to direct fluid flow therethrough and into said cylindrical space at all times during filtering operations, when said filter insert is supported within said first annular space, and
• a terminal plate connected at the other longitudinal end of said first and second filter sleeves to prevent the flow of liquid from said second annular space therethrough,
• whereby when said filter insert is carried within said basket said first filter sleeve of said filter insert is positioned adjacent and concentrically exteriorly of said first screen of said basket, and said second filter sleeve of said filter insert is positioned adjacent and concentrically interiorly of said second screen of said basket so that said first and second screens of said basket support said first and second filter sleeves respectively of said filter insert against the pressure of liquid flow, and said inlet plate of said filter insert will be oriented to receive liquid to be filtered so that said liquid will pass through said openings into the annular space between said first and second filter sleeves to effect filtration of impurities or particles therefrom and not into said cylindrical space.

A collapsible liquid filter element for use in bag type filtration systems comprising:

• first and second cylindrical filter sleeves formed of flexible bag-type 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 first filter sleeve forming a cylindrical space interiorly thereof;
• an inlet plate connected to both the first and second filter sleeves at one longitudinal end thereof, said inlet plate having an outer circumferential edge and a central area approximately corresponding to the area of said cylindrical space, said first filter sleeve being connected to said inlet plate proximate to the circumference of said central area of said inlet plate, said second filter sleeve being connected to said inlet plate proximate to the outer circumferential edge of said inlet plate, said inlet plate having openings provided therein between said outer circumferential edge and the circumference of said central area for communicating with said annular space between said first and second filter sleeves to thereby permit the flow of liquid to be filtered into said annular space, said central area having no bore holes therethrough to prevent the flow of said liquid into said cylindrical space;
• a terminal plate connected at the other longitudinal end of both said first and second filter sleeves, said terminal plate having a closed surface to prevent the flow of liquid from said annular space therethrough;
• said filter element being collapsible so that said inlet plate and said terminal plate are moveable toward and away from each other when said filter element is outside of said filtration system, and adapted to be carried within a support basket with said inlet plate oriented to receive liquid to be filtered so that said liquid to be filtered will pass through said openings into said annular space between said first and second filter sleeves for passing through said filter sleeves for filtration of impurities or particles therefrom when said filter element is positioned within said filtration system and to prevent the flow of unfiltered liquid to bypass said filter media.

A liquid filter element for use in filtration systems comprising:

• filtration means including first and second cylindrical, flexible, bag-type filter media and arranged to form an annular space and an interior cylindrical space;
• an inlet plate connected to said filtration means at one longitudinal end thereof, said inlet plate having spaced openings provided therethrough for permitting fluid communication with said annular space to thereby permit the flow of liquid to be filtered into said annular space and a central area with no bore holes preventing the flow of said unfiltered liquid into said cylindrical space;
• terminal end means connected at the other longitudinal end of said filtration means for preventing the flow of liquid from said annular space therethrough;
• said filter element being collapsible so that said inlet plate and said terminal end means are moveable toward and away from each other when said filter element is outside of said filtration system, and adapted to be carried within a support basket with said inlet means oriented to receive liquid to be filtered so that said liquid to be filtered will pass through said openings into said annular space for passing through said filtration means for filtration of impurities or particles therefrom when said filter element is positioned within said filtration system.