摘要 |
<p>A gas-separating filter assembly (10) has cooperating hydrophobic (30, 38) and hydrophilic (18) membranes. Hydrophilic membrane (18) separates inlet chamber (20) from outlet chamber (22). Two vent openings (28, 36) are in housing (12) adjacent inlet chamber (20) for venting same. First vent opening (28) is upstream of hydrophilic membrane (18) and adjacent inlet port (24) joined in fluid flow communication with inlet chamber (20). Second vent opening (36) is at the opposite end of inlet chamber (20). Each vent opening (28, 36) is covered by hydrophobic membranes (30, 38), respectively. Substantially all gas and air is separated from the liquid flow by passage adjacent to hydrophobic membrane (30), with passage through hydrophilic membrane (18) disposed downstream thereof desirably providing redundant filtering action for consistent and reliable operation.</p> |