Filter element with pleat support combs

A filter element, comprising:

• a frame member defining an aperture for fluid flow therethrough;
• a pleated filter media secured to said frame member and fully covering said aperture;
• a support grid as a separate component from said frame member and positioned on a downstream side of said filter element and having a second fluid flow aperture aligned with said frame member fluid flow aperture, said support grid including
• a plurality of edge rails extending circumferentially around an outer boundary of said second aperture,
• wherein said edge rails are secured to said frame member;
• a plurality of elongated web members extending across said second aperture and secured at opposing ends to said edge rails, said web members dividing said second aperture into a plurality of fluid flow openings;
• at least one comb member extending across and secured onto at least a portion of said web members, said at least one comb member arranged in a spaced parallel arrangement on said web members, each of said at least one comb member including
• a plurality of spaced apart tapered teeth protruding from said web members towards and received into at least a portion of grooves between said pleats of said filter media;
• wherein said comb member teeth are sized and spaced to be received into at least a portion of grooves between said pleats of said filter media;
• wherein said at least one comb member is sufficiently rigid to support said filter media against forces induced on said filter media by said fluid flow without undue flexure;
• wherein said comb member teeth are spaced to regulate filter media pleat separation and spacing.