Fleetguard, Inc.

Thomas H Steger, Jr

Paul D Miller

A Caner Demirdogen

Jeffrey B Sharp

Bruce Bounnakhom

Samuel T Masters

A unitary centertube, molded out of a synthetic material and designed for use as part of a fluid filter, includes a tubular body portion arranged with a plurality of annular ribs in alternating sequence with a plurality of annular recessed sections, the tubular body portion defining a plurality of fluid flow apertures and an interior opening. The plurality of fluid flow apertures are arranged in two styles to facilitate the mold design. Included as part of the unitary centertube is a cross-beam section positioned in the interior opening for providing reinforcement to a corresponding filtering element when subjected to a differential pressure.

Unitary centertube for a fluid filter

A fluid filter has a filter element for filtering fluid. A nutplate having a threaded mounting portion is adapted to threadedly engage an externally threaded filter head. An inner seal retainer is positioned between the nutplate and the filtering element in order to define a hollow interior. The inner seal retainer has at least one stiff hollow web extending in a radial direction adapted to provide a space for transmitting fluid between the nutplate and the filter element. An inner radial seal is attached to the inner seal retainer for sealing the filter element with the filter head.

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Cookeville, TN, United States of America

Thomas H Steger, Jr