Filter with localized flow attachment and filter head

A filter assembly comprising:

• 1) a fluid filter that includes:
• a housing having a filter cartridge disposed therein, the filter cartridge containing a filter media;
• and
• a cap configured to communicate fluid to be filtered to the filter media, and configured to communicate fluid filtered by the filter media out of the fluid filter, the cap comprises a stem and a flow separating structure configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter, the stem and the flow separating structure being molded as a single component, and a seal structure disposed about an outer surface of the stem, the seal structure configured to substantially prevent or confine leakage from the cap;
• and
• 2) a filter head that includes:
• a shell connectable to the fluid filter, the shell is configured to cover and seal with an area of fluid flow of the fluid filter;
• an inlet configured to allow entry of fluid into the shell;
• an outlet configured to allow exit of fluid from the shell;
• and
• a mount connected to the shell, the mount includes a sidewall and ribs, the mount defining a plurality of openings,
• the plurality of openings are configured to allow the filter head to mount onto another piece of equipment, the sidewall extend from an outer wall structure of the shell,
• the ribs including upper ribs and lower ribs,
• the upper ribs directly connect to and extend between the plurality of openings,
• the plurality of openings and the ribs define an interior hollow region of the mount, wherein the plurality of openings and the upper ribs extend from a first end of the hollow region to a second end of the hollow region, the first end of the hollow region being enclosed by at least one of the sidewall of the mount and/or a portion of the outer wall structure of the shell,
• the inlet and the outlet extend away from the fluid filter in an opposite direction with respect to the ribs,
• wherein the ribs extend relative to the sidewall the sidewall of the mount and are configured to provide structural support, and
• wherein the shell, the mount, the inlet and the outlet are integrally molded from a composite material as a one-piece component.

A filter head comprising:

• a shell configured to cover and seal with an area of fluid flow of a fluid filter;
• a mount connected to the shell;
• an inlet configured to allow entry of fluid into the shell;
• and
• an outlet configured to allow exit of fluid from the shell,
• wherein the mount includes a sidewall and ribs, the mount defining a plurality of openings,
• the ribs extending relative to the sidewall of the mount,
• the plurality of openings configured to allow the filter head to mount onto another piece of equipment, the sidewall extending from an outer wall structure of the shell,
• the ribs including upper ribs and lower ribs,
• the upper ribs directly connect to and extend between the plurality of openings,
• the plurality of openings and the ribs define an interior hollow region of the mount, wherein the plurality of openings and the upper ribs extend from a first end of the hollow region to a second end of the hollow region, the first end of the hollow region being enclosed by at least one of the sidewall of the mount and/or a portion of the outer wall structure of the shell,
• the inlet and the outlet extend away from the fluid filter in an opposite direction with respect to the ribs,
• wherein the outer wall structure of the shell fluidly separates the interior hollow region of the mount from an interior region of the shell, and
• wherein the shell, the mount, the inlet, and the outlet are integrally molded from a composite material as a one-piece component.

A filter assembly comprising:

• 1) a fluid filter that includes:
• a housing having a filter cartridge disposed therein, the filter cartridge containing a filter media;
• and
• a cap configured to communicate fluid to be filtered to the filter media, and configured to communicate fluid filtered by the filter media out of the fluid filter, the cap comprises a stem and a flow separating structure configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter, the stem and the flow separating structure being molded as a single component, and a seal structure disposed about an outer surface of the stem, the seal structure configured to substantially prevent or confine leakage from the cap;
• and
• 2) a filter head that includes:
• a shell connectable to the fluid filter, the shell is configured to cover and seal with an area of fluid flow of the fluid filter;
• an inlet configured to allow entry of fluid into the shell;
• an outlet configured to allow exit of fluid from the shell;
• and
• a mount connected to the shell,
• the mount includes a sidewall and ribs, the mount defining a plurality of openings,
• the plurality of openings configured to allow the filter head to mount onto another piece of equipment, the sidewall extending from an outer wall structure of the shell,
• the ribs including upper ribs and lower ribs,
• the upper ribs directly connect to and extend between the plurality of openings,
• the plurality of openings and the ribs define an interior hollow region of the mount, wherein the plurality of openings and the upper ribs extend from a first end of the hollow region to a second end of the hollow region, the first end of the hollow region being enclosed by at least one of the sidewall of the mount and/or a portion of the outer wall structure of the shell,
• the inlet and the outlet extend away from the fluid filter in an opposite direction with respect to the ribs,
• wherein the ribs extend relative to the sidewall of the mount, wherein the outer wall structure of the shell fluidly separates the interior hollow region of the mount from an interior region of the shell, and
• wherein the shell, the mount, the inlet, and outlet are integrally molded from a composite material as a one-piece component.