Filter device, particularly for filtering gaseous fluids

A filter device for filtration of gaseous fluids, comprising:

• a filter housing defining a receptacle therein and including
• an inlet;
• and
• an outlet, said receptacle in fluid flow communication with said inlet and said outlet;
• a first filter element and a second filter element arranged within said receptacle behind one another in an axial direction of said filter housing;
• a first bypass passage that bypasses fluid from said inlet around said first filter element to said second filter element;
• a second bypass passage that bypasses said second filter element;
• wherein an inflow side of said second filter element arranged axially behind said first filter element is fluidically connected to said first bypass,
• wherein an outflow side of said first filter element is fluidically connected to said second bypass,
• wherein fluid to be filtered passes in a flow direction through said first bypass to said inflow side of said second filter element,
• wherein said first filter element and said second filter element are arranged in a parallel flow connection with each filter element filtering a different mass flow portion of an entire mass flow of gaseous fluids entering said inlet, and
• wherein at least one of said bypass passages extends through an interior of one of said filter elements.