Filter

1 . A filter, comprising:

a canister;

filter media disposed within the canister, the filter media having a first axial end, a second axial end and circumscribing a central axis; and

an end cap having an inner radial surface disposed adjacent the first axial end of the filter media, the end cap defining a centralized axial passage therethrough having a sidewall surrounding said passage that extends to a valve actuation portion that is axially offset from the inner radial surface of the end cap, wherein the actuation portion includes at least one cross member that extends from a position on the sidewall across the centralized axial passage, the cross member having a first radial surface closer to the inner radial surface of the end cap than a second radial surface, and wherein the first radial surface of the at least one cross member is substantially planar.

2 . The filter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one cross member extends from a first position of the sidewall to a second position and defines at least two openings within the passage.

3 . The filter according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation portion includes two cross members that extend across the centralized axial passage to define four openings therewithin.

4 . The filter according to claim 3 , wherein the two cross members are each substantially the same thickness.

5 . The filter according to claim 3 , wherein the two cross members intersect.

6 . The filter according to claim 5 , wherein the centralized axial passage is substantially circular and the two cross members intersect at a center point thereof.

7 . The filter according to claim 3 , further including a support member disposed adjacent the second axial end of the filter media and within a cavity defined by the filter media, the support member including a second end cap disposed adjacent to the second axial end of the filter media to axially support the filter media.

8 . The filter according to claim 7 , wherein the canister includes a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion, the end cap being arranged closer to the first axial end portion than the second axial end portion, the filter element further comprising:

at least two retention members disposed upon the inner axial surface of the canister in a circumferential relationship, wherein the at least two retention members each include a retaining portion disposed between a ramped portion and a shoulder portion, the ramped portion being closer to the first axial end portion of the canister than the shoulder portion or the retaining portion.

9 . The filter according to claim 8 , wherein the second end cap includes a circumferential ring member extending axially away from an outer diameter of the end cap and towards the first end cap, wherein the circumferential ring member includes a tang body extending radially outwardly from the circumferential ring member to secure the filter element to an inner surface of the canister.

10 . The filter according to claim 9 , wherein the actuation portion includes two cross members that extend across the centralized axial passage to define four openings therewithin.

11 . The filter according to claim 10 , wherein the second end cap is annular and defines a central opening at an inner diameter thereof, and the support member includes a tubular member axially extending from the inner diameter of the second end cap into an interior portion of the filter media towards the first end cap.

12 . The filter according to claim 11 , wherein the tubular member includes an impervious wall that axially separates the tubular member into a first cavity separated from a second cavity such that fluid resident within the first cavity must pass through the filter media to reach the second cavity and vice versa.

13 . The filter according to claim 9 , wherein the end cap includes an outer radial surface opposite the inner radial surface and a seal retainer portion having a body that extends axially away from the outer radial surface and axially away from the second end cap.

14 . The filter according to claim 13 , wherein the body of the seal retainer portion is radially offset from the sidewall such that a ledge is defined therebetween.

15 . The filter according to claim 14 further comprising:

an annular seal disposed around the centralized axial passage, the seal axially supported by the ledge and having a portion that extends radially into the centralized axial passage.

16 . The filter according to claim 15 , wherein the seal is a washer seal having an inner lip that defines an opening to seal against an outer radial surface of a valve body.

17 . The filter according to claim 7 , wherein the second end cap is annular and defines a central opening at an inner diameter thereof, and the support member includes a tubular member axially extending from the inner diameter of the second end cap into an interior portion of the filter media towards the first end cap.

18 . The filter according to claim 17 , wherein the tubular member includes an impervious wall that axially separates the tubular member into a first cavity separated from a second cavity such that fluid resident within the first cavity must pass through the filter media to reach the second cavity and vice versa.

19 . The filter according to claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes an outer radial surface opposite the inner radial surface and further includes a seal retainer portion having a body that extends away from the outer axial surface and axially away from the second axial end of the filter media.

20 . A filter, comprising:

a canister having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, the inner surface defining a cavity between the first axial end and the second axial end;

retention members circumferentially located around the inner surface of the canister closer to the first axial end then the second axial end, the retention members having a retaining portion disposed between a ramp portion and a shoulder portion and defines a recess therebetween, wherein the ramp portion is closer to the second axial end then the retaining portion;

filter media disposed within the cavity, the filter media having an inner axial surface, an outer axial surface, a first axial end, and a second axial end;

an annular end cap disposed adjacent to the second axial end of the filter media having a circumferential ring member extending axially away from an outside diameter of the end cap and axially toward the filter media, wherein the circumferential ring defines a tang having a portion that extends radially outwardly, and further wherein the tang is registered within the recess of the retaining portion;

a center tube axially extending from an inside diameter of the annular end cap into an interior portion of the filter media,

a second end cap disposed adjacent to the first axial end of the filter media and having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, wherein the end cap defines a centralized axial passage between the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface and includes a sidewall surrounding the centralized axial passage that further extends axially away from the inner radial surface of the end cap and into an interior portion of the filter media to a valve actuation portion, wherein the valve actuation portion includes at least two cross members that extend across the centralized axial passage, the cross members having a first radial surface closer to the inner radial surface of the end cap than a second radial surface, wherein the first radial surface of the at least one cross member is substantially planar.