A filter element for filtering a fluid flow, e.g., lubricating oil, is disclosed. The filter element includes a cylindrical fine filter body that forms a fine filter stage, a cylindrical main filter body that forms a main filter stage, and a cylindrical protection filter body that forms a protection filter stage. The fine filter body and the main filter body follow one another axially and enclose a cavity so that the fine filter stage and the main filter stage are arranged fluidically parallel. The protection filter body is arranged in the cavity so that the protection filter stage is fluidically arranged downstream of the fine filter stage and the main filter stage. A bypass valve is disposed on a first end plate for bypassing the fine filter stage and the main filter stage. An intermediate plate axially connects the fine filter body to the main filter body.

An end cap for a fuel filter includes a metal body with a first surface opposite a second surface. A hole extends through the first surface and the second surface of the body. A metal spring is connected to the first surface of the metal body and extends at least partially over the hole.

An electronic system providing unique identification of a genuine filter system assembly to the engine control unit (ECU). A resistor is made to be an integrated part of the filtration system hardware such that when connected through a wired connection, the ECU detects a particular voltage signal and identifies the system as a genuine filter. The resistor could be integrated in any part of the filter system such that it could be used to recognize the filter or the cartridge. The resistor connection could be made via male/female pins, conducting wires, plates, conductive plastic material or other mechanisms.

A fuel filter insert for a fuel filter has a low-pressure region with prefilter element arranged therein. A high-pressure region arranged fluidically downstream of the low-pressure region has a main filter element arranged therein. Prefilter element and main filter element are arranged one atop the other axially in the fuel filter insert. A wall element projects away from the main filter element in axial direction and extends at least partially through the prefilter element. Low-pressure region and high-pressure region at least over sections thereof are separated from each other by the wall element. A fuel filter is provided with a filter housing in which the fuel filter insert is arranged. The filter housing has a fuel outlet and a fuel inlet for fuel prefiltered by the prefilter element. Fuel inlet and fuel outlet are fluidically positioned between low-pressure region and high-pressure region and a fuel pump is connectable thereto.

A fuel filter insert for a fuel filter is provided with a prefilter element and a main filter element which are arranged one atop the other in an axial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the fuel filter insert. The main filter element has a water separating unit configured to separate water contained in a fuel to be filtered. The water separating unit has a water discharge channel for water separated from the fuel, wherein the water discharge channel is extending in the axial direction at least partially through the prefilter element. A fuel filter with such a fuel filter insert has a filter housing accommodating the fuel filter insert and the water discharge channel of the fuel filter insert is fluidically connected with a water collecting chamber of the filter housing.

A filter element includes at least first and second opposing pleated media sections and at least first and second support structures supporting, absent an inner liner, the at least first and second media sections and being layered between the at least first and second media sections. In another embodiment, the filter element includes a continuous construction of pleated media forming the first and second opposing pleated media sections, in which the pleats have portions of differing lengths, and a support structure within the interior volume supporting the first and second media sections. The filter element can be in the form of two racetracks, a V-pack, or two V-packs. The racetracks can be polygon shaped.

A filter device may include a filter housing, a ring filter element arranged within the filter housing, a tubular dome engaging in an interior of the ring filter element, and a valve arranged in a clean channel. The ring filter element may include a lower end disc and a pin. The ring filter element may engage a first channel via the pin. The tubular dome may have a guiding contour which may interact with a guiding element of the ring filter element. The guiding contour may include an axial groove. The pin may be introducible into the first channel when the guiding element enters the axial groove. The guiding element and the valve may be structured and arranged such that the guiding element interacts with a valve body of the valve and transfers the valve body into an opening position when the guiding element is slid into the axial groove.

A fuel filter has a filter housing and a fuel filter insert exchangeably arranged in the filter housing and provided with a prefilter element and a main filter element. Prefilter element and main filter element are positioned one behind the other in the filter housing in axial direction of the filter housing. A fuel discharge channel is arranged in the filter housing below the fuel filter insert. In operating position of the fuel filter insert in the filter housing, the raw sides of prefilter element and of main filter element are sealed relative to the fuel discharge channel by seal-tight contact of the fuel filter insert on the filter housing. The raw side of the main filter element, when the fuel filter insert is moved by axial movement away from the operating position, is fluidically connected with the fuel discharge channel via the raw side of the prefilter element.

An end cap for a fuel filter includes a metal body with a first surface opposite a second surface. A hole extends through the first surface and the second surface of the body. A metal spring is connected to the first surface of the metal body and extends at least partially over the hole.

A drop-in filter element assembly with axial staged treatment includes a proximal endcap configured to be positioned within a filter housing adjacent the inlet flow through the filter element, first filter media extending from the proximal endcap and configured to treat the fluid flowing therethrough, an intermediate endcap unit coupled to the first filter media and spaced from the proximal endcap, second filter media extending from the intermediate endcap unit and configured to treat the fluid flowing therethrough, wherein the second filter media is a distinct type of media from the first filter media, and a distal endcap configured to be positioned within the filter housing adjacent the outlet flow through the filter element and coupled to the second filter media and spaced from the intermediate endcap unit, wherein the first and second filter media provide axially staged treatment to the fluid.