Filter element using non-woven mat and multi finger separators

Claim 1

A filter assembly, comprising: a plurality of annular filter elements having axially opposite faces, an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter; a set of first annular filter supports each having axially opposite faces, an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, and including a perimetrically continuous outer wall and a plurality of medially inwardly-directed fingers having free inner ends, said inwardly-directed fingers being disposed on and forming corresponding parts of said perimetrically continuous outer wall, said inwardly-directed fingers defining said inner perimeter; a set of second annular filter supports each having axially opposite faces, an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, and including a perimetrically continuous inner wall and a plurality of laterally outwardly-directed fingers having free outer ends, said outwardly-directed fingers being disposed on and forming corresponding parts of said perimetrically continuous inner wall, said outwardly-directed fingers defining said outer perimeter; said filter elements, first filter supports and second filter supports being arranged face to face in series, in alternation, to provide a stacked set of components; and means holding said components in tight touching contact, axially neighboring component to axially neighboring component, in said stacked set; said annular filter elements, first filter supports and second filter supports of said stacked set defining among them a flow path for fluid to be filtered, which flow path extends from laterally outwardly of said stacked set, medially inward between said fingers of said second filter supports, axially through said annular filter elements and medially inwardly between said fingers of said first filter supports, to a longitudinal bore defined axially centrally of said stacked set.