Oil filter.

摘要

An oil filter is disclosed which has an improved relief valve assembly permitting the oil to flow out of the filter without contacting a filter element. It comprises a housing opened at one end thereof, a base plate fixed to the housing at its open end, a separator unit disposed in the housing for removing solid contaminants from the oil, and the relief valve assembly arranged to operate for providing a bypass passage for the oil when the separator unit is clogged. The base plate has formed therein an aperture which allows the oil to flow into the housing, a central opening forming an outlet of the oil, and a circular wall defining the central opening and arranged to be used for attaching the housing to a mount in an oil lubricating system. The separator unit is in the form of a hollow cylinder and defines a central space. The relief valve assembly comprises a support member fitted on the outer surface of the circular wall to sealingly support a bottom of the separator unit adjacent the base plate, a hole formed through the support member to open into the central space within the separator unit, and a valve member disposed in the central space and arranged to normally close the hole. <IMAGE>