Cartridge and cover assembly for fluid filters

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A top loading filter with a spin on combination cartridge element/cover assembly, in which an inexpensive cover assembly is disposed of with the filter element at the element change out, provides the advantages outlined above.
In this arrangement, the filter housing having an open upper end provides a stationary structure which is typically bolted to a vehicle panel or the like and which is plumbed with inlet and outlet ports to provide a fluid flow path throughout the housing.
A central tubular stand pipe is typically employed in such filter housing to provide a part of the flow path whereby fluid is routed outwardly of the housing from an internal location near the top thereof, but different configurations could be employed in this regard as well.
Typically, the housing is threaded at its open upper end and is adapted to receive the combination cartridge element/cover assembly.
The cartridge assembly is in the configuration of an annular filter medium of fairly conventional structure consisting of a perforated center tube supporting the filter medium and having a bottom end cap in which the filter medium and center tube are secured by a bed of potting compound to provide a unitary structure.
The bottom end cap includes a central opening and an annular seal at that location which is adapted to slide over the periphery of the stand pipe when the cartridge is inserted into the filter housing.
A cover is provided at the open upper end of the housing and includes an externally threaded depending flange adapted to engage and close the open end of the housing.
An elastomeric seal is provided as well for this purpose.
The cover includes a central well therein in which the filter medium and center tube are disposed and retained in place by means of a bed of potting compound so that the filter medium and end cover are an integral unit.
Preferably, the cover is formed of glass-filled nylon to provide a relatively strong and yet inexpensive device for support of the filter medium and closure of the end of the housing