An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure.

An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure.

An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure.

A filter element assembly comprises a filtration media and an end fitting through which a sealing connection is made between the assembly and a housing so that the end fitting defines a flow path between the housing and the filtration media. The end fitting has first and second parts which can be separated axially, and the filter media extends axially away from the second part in a direction away from the first part. Each of the parts has an outer wall with an external threaded cylindrical surface, and each of the first and second parts has an axially facing edge surface which faces the other of the first and second parts, the facing edge surfaces shaped to define a pre-determined relative rotational alignment of the first and second parts, where the parts fit together so that the threads on the external surfaces of the parts form a continuous thread.

A filter element assembly comprises a filtration media and an end fitting through which a sealing connection is made between the assembly and a housing so that the end fitting defines a flow path between the housing and the filtration media. The end fitting has first and second parts which can be separated axially, and the filter media extends axially away from the second part in a direction away from the first part. Each of the parts has an outer wall with an external threaded cylindrical surface, and each of the first and second parts has an axially facing edge surface which faces the other of the first and second parts, the facing edge surfaces shaped to define a pre-determined relative rotational alignment of the first and second parts, where the parts fit together so that the threads on the external surfaces of the parts form a continuous thread.

An apparatus and method for filtering a liquid utilize a filter apparatus including a bypass filter, a full flow filter, and a flow balancing element for dividing a total inlet flow of fluid to the filter apparatus into a bypass portion, passing through the bypass filter, and a full flow portion, passing through the full flow filter. The bypass filter has a lower filtering efficiency than the full flow filter element, so that a venturi tube is not required for causing the bypass portion to pass through the bypass filter. The flow balancing element divides the flow into a desired bypass portion and a desired full flow portion, at a predetermined operating temperature. Below the operating temperature, the bypass portion increases and the full flow portion decreases, the bypass portion becoming greater than the full flow portion at a second predetermined temperature below the operating temperature.

An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure.

An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure.