A filter assembly includes a filter housing configured as a singular unitary component defining a fluid flow passage through the filter assembly. A filter element is fixed within the housing and spaced apart from both ends of the filter housing to filter a fluid as the fluid flows through the filter housing. A method of insert molding a filter assembly includes providing a mold shaped to form the filter housing as a singular unitary component, locating a filter element in the mold at a location corresponding to where the filter element is to be fixed within the filter housing, and injection molding a molten plastic filter housing material around the filter element such that a portion of the filter element is encapsulated by the molten plastic filter housing material to form the filter housing in a manner that bonds the filter element in place within the filter housing. The filter assembly alternatively may be made by 3D printing the filter housing around the filter element.

Approaches to providing z-filter media constructions are provided. Preferred media, filter constructions having such media, and filter systems using such filter constructions are provided. Also, preferred methods of forming filter constructions are provided.

An apparatus, system and method have a rod attached to and extending across a screen to engage with a receptacle. A box is positioned beneath the filtration screen. An air bag is activated to inflate the filtration screen to compress against a plate. A junction extends from the plate, and the air bag rises to move the junction toward the receptacle to compress the rod against the receptacle to hold the rod. The filtration screen may be constructed from mesh material sized to permit materials to flow through the filtration screen. A vibratory element in the box vibrates to assist filtration.

An apparatus, system and method have a rod attached to and extending across a screen to engage with a receptacle. A box is positioned beneath the filtration screen. An air bag is activated to inflate the filtration screen to compress against a plate. A junction extends from the plate, and the air bag rises to move the junction toward the receptacle to compress the rod against the receptacle to hold the rod. The filtration screen may be constructed from mesh material sized to permit materials to flow through the filtration screen. A vibratory element in the box vibrates to assist filtration.

A transmission oil filter is assembled from a filter element, a base, and a cover. Each of the three pieces extends beyond the filtration media to form an inlet channel. The inlet channel is low enough to fit under a valve body. Placing the inlet in this channel ensures that the inlet draws transmission fluid at road gradients and acceleration rates at which an inlet under the filtration media would draw air.

A filter arrangement for the filtration of oil or an ATF fluid, in particular a transmission oil filter, has at least a first and a second filtration layer which are arranged spaced apart by at least one spacer in a filter housing to form at least one intermediate chamber. At least one magnet or a magnet arrangement for keeping iron particles out of the oil flow are provided between the first and the second filtration layers.

A filter arrangement for the filtration of oil or an ATF fluid, in particular a transmission oil filter, has at least a first and a second filtration layer which are arranged spaced apart by at least one spacer in a filter housing to form at least one intermediate chamber. At least one magnet or a magnet arrangement for keeping iron particles out of the oil flow are provided between the first and the second filtration layers.

Systems and methods for automated fabrication of pleated filters that promote user-selected adjustment of the pleat spacing generated by the system. A lower conveyor of a pleat spacing station is operated at a selected conveyor rate. A gathered pleated segment of filter material is received at the pleat spacing station. The pleat spacing station expands a pleat spacing of the gathered pleated segment in forming a pleated filter segment. Expansion of the pleats at the pleat spacing station is accomplished by initially engaging the filter material along the lower conveyor, with the conveyor rate being alterable by a user, including on the fly alteration, to establish a desired pleat spacing and thus pleat density in the pleated filter.

A suction filter for an automatic transmission utilizes two different types of filter media: a coarse filter media and a fine filter media. The two types of media are arranged in series within a housing such that fluid flows through only one of the two filter media. A hinge valve is arranged in series with the coarse media. The hinge valve passively opens in response to a pressure differential. The hinge valve defines a non-zero flow area when in the closed position and an increasing flow area as it opens. The flow restriction associated with the hinge valve permits a larger ratio of coarse media area to fine media, thereby decreasing the flow restriction when the oil is cold without decreasing the clean-up rate in normal operating conditions.

A suction filter for an automatic transmission utilizes two different types of filter media: a coarse filter media and a fine filter media. The two types of media are arranged in series within a housing such that fluid flows through only one of the two filter media. A hinge valve is arranged in series with the coarse media. The hinge valve passively opens in response to a pressure differential. The hinge valve defines a non-zero flow area when in the closed position and an increasing flow area as it opens. The flow restriction associated with the hinge valve permits a larger ratio of coarse media area to fine media, thereby decreasing the flow restriction when the oil is cold without decreasing the clean-up rate in normal operating conditions.