Claims
- 1. A filter arrangement for removing contaminants from a fluid passed therethrough, comprising:
- (i) a filtering medium in which the contaminants coalesce;
- (ii) a filter drainage layer disposed adjacent said filtering medium for receiving coalesced contaminants therefrom; and
- (iii) a transport layer disposed in abutment with said filter drainage layer, said transport layer comprising fibers having grooves which draw through capillary action coalesced contaminants from said filter drainage layer.
- 2. The filter arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said filter drainage layer includes open cell foam.
- 3. The filter arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said filter drainage layer includes polyester fibers.
- 4. The filter arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the grooved fibers are disposed in substantially parallel relation.
- 5. An elongated tubular filter element extending along a tubular axis thereof for removing condensable contaminants from a gas, comprising:
- (i) a porous core extending about the tubular axis;
- (ii) a filtering medium extending about said porous core in which the contaminants coalesce;
- (iii) a filter drainage layer extending about said filtering medium for receiving coalesced contaminants therefrom; and
- (iv) a transport layer extending about and in abutment with said filter drainage layer, said transport layer comprising fibers having grooves which draw through capillary action coalesced contaminants from said filter drainage layer.
- 6. The tubular filter element as recited in claim 5, wherein said filter drainage layer includes open cell foam.
- 7. The tubular filter element as recited in claim 5, wherein said filter drainage layer includes polyester fibers.
- 8. The tubular filter element as recited in claim 5, wherein the grooved fibers are disposed in substantially parallel relation to the tubular axis of the filter element such that coalesced contaminants are wicked along the tubular axis through capillary action.
- 9. The tubular filter element as recited in claim 5, further comprising an end cap defining a well extending about the tubular axis of the filter element, wherein an end of said filtering medium is retained within said end cap well, wherein said filter drainage layer and said transport layer extend circumferentially about said end cap, and wherein said end cap is disposed completely within an interior spaced defined by said filter drainage layer.
- 10. The tubular filter element as recited in claim 5, further comprising an end cap defining a well extending about the tubular axis of the filter element, wherein an end of said filtering medium is retained within said end cap well, wherein said transport layer extends circumferentially about said end cap, and wherein said end cap is disposed completely within an interior space defined by said transport layer.
- 11. The tubular filter element as recited in claim 10, further comprising a retention clip releasably attached to said end cap and defining a recess for receipt therein of said end cap and said transport layer, said retention clip extending about said transport layer and retaining said transport layer against said end cap.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/499,478, filed Jul. 7, 1995 for FILTER DRAINAGE LAYER ATTACHMENT, abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (52)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 452 592 A1 |
Dec 1990 |
EPX |
27 39 290 |
Aug 1977 |
DEX |
88 08 333 |
Jun 1988 |
DEX |
2 033 247 |
Oct 1979 |
GBX |
2 261 830 |
Jun 1993 |
GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
499478 |
Jul 1995 |
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