Filter element and method of making

摘要

A filter element ( 10 ) is provided which can be used to remove microsize contaminant particles (i.e., about 0.5 mum to about 25.0 mum) from aviation fuel. The filter element ( 10 ) includes a cylindrical pleated filter media ( 14 ) and an exoskeleton support structure ( 16 ) supporting the filter media ( 14 ). The filter media ( 14 ) has a pleat density of about eight to about thirteen pleats per inner diameter inch and is formed only from cellulose-fiber-free and woven-mesh-free layers. The exoskeleton support structure ( 16 ) is a screen which is thermally bonded to the pleats' peaks in such a manner that the filter media ( 14 ) is sufficiently supported without conventional endoskeleton support layers.