FILTER HOUSING AND ELEMENT THEREFOR

摘要

A filter (10) comprises a housing having a container (12) and a cover (14) which enclose a filter element (30). The container includes a hollow central post (34) which extends upwardly from a base (32). The upper end cap (72) for the filter element includes a base (76) supporting the filter media (70) and a cylinder (112) extending downwardly within the central cavity of the filter media. A first seal (84) is provided around the periphery of the upper end cap to seal the intersection between the container and the cover. A second seal (104) on an upwardly-extending flange (100) on the upper end cap seals against a corresponding downwardly-extending flange (110) on the cover. A plurality of slots (90) in the upper end cap provide a flow path from an inlet (16) on the cover to the outer surface of the filter media. A plurality of slots (118) in the upper end cap provide a flow path from the inner surface of the filter media to an outlet (18) on the cover. The lower end cap (74) also includes a base (120) supporting the filter media and a cylinder (130) extending upwardly within the cavity of the filter media and defining a central lower opening for receipt of the post. The cylinders (112, 130) of the upper and lower end caps axially overlap and define a radially inwardly-facing groove which receives a third O-ring seal (138). The third O-ring seal provides a seal between the filter element and the central post of the filter element. A bolt (50) is received within the hollow central post of the container and extends upwardly through an opening (51) formed in the cover. A nut (57) is tightened down on the bolt to fasten the cover and the container together. The head (54) of the bolt includes a surface geometry which cooperates with the surface geometry of the bore (60) in the central post to prevent the bolt from rotating as the nut is tightened down.