Filter assembly for a fresh air filtration system, fresh air filtration system made therewith, and method of filtering fresh air

1. A filter assembly comprising a filter housing and at least one filter element supported within the housing, the housing having at least one inlet for receiving a fluid to be filtered and at least one outlet for discharging filtered fluid, wherein the at least one inlet and at least one outlet are on a common side of the housing;

wherein the housing includes a base portion and a connector cap portion releasably coupled to the base portion, the base portion and the connector cap portion defining a chamber;

wherein the connector cap portion has a central passageway including a cylindrically-shaped portion extending into the chamber, and a plurality of openings adjacent the central passageway, and wherein the at least one filter element is supported in the chamber such that fluid flows from the plurality of openings to the central passageway via the at least one filter element;

wherein the at least one filter element is at least partially supported on the cylindrically-shaped portion of the connector cap portion; and

whereby fluid is drawn into the chamber via the plurality of openings and passes through the at least one filter element before being discharged from the chamber via the central passageway.

2. The filter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second filter element at least partially supported on the cylindrically-shaped portion of the connector cap portion, whereby fluid is drawn into the chamber via the plurality of openings and passes through the first and second filter elements before being discharged from the chamber via the central passageway.

3. The filter assembly of claim 2 , wherein the connector cap portion includes at least one tab configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding retaining barb of the base portion for securing the connector cap portion to the base portion.

4. The filter assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first and second filter elements are spaced apart from a bottom of the base portion.

5. The filter assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first and second filter elements are coextensive with the cylindrically-shaped portion of the connector cap portion.

6. The filter assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first filter element has twenty-five pores per inch and the second filter element has sixty pores per inch.

7. The filter assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of openings includes at least one rectangular-shape opening and at least one circular-shape opening.

8. The filter assembly of claim 7 , wherein the position of the first and second filter elements is fixed relative to the connector cap portion by one or more ribs formed on an inner surface of the base portion.

9. A fresh air filtration system comprising a filter assembly as set forth in claim 1 , and a fresh air line coupled to the filter assembly for supplying filtered air to an associated component.

10. A method of filtering fresh air comprising:

providing filter assembly including a filter housing and at least one filter element supported within the housing, the housing having at least one inlet for receiving air to be filtered and at least one outlet for discharging filtered air, wherein the at least one inlet and at least one outlet are on a common side of the housing; and

causing air to flow between the inlet and the outlet through the at least one filter element;

whereby air exiting the outlet is filtered;

wherein the housing includes a base portion and a connector cap portion releasably coupled to the base portion, the base portion and the connector cap portion defining a chamber;

wherein the connector cap portion has a central passageway including a cylindrically-shaped portion extending into the chamber, and a plurality of openings adjacent the central passageway, and wherein the at least one filter element is supported in the chamber such that fluid flows from the plurality of openings to the central passageway via the at least one filter element;

wherein the at least one filter element is at least partially supported on the cylindrically-shaped portion of the connector cap portion; and

whereby fluid is drawn into the chamber via the plurality of openings and passes through the at least one filter element before being discharged from the chamber via the central passageway.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing a second filter element at least partially supported on the cylindrically-shaped portion of the connector cap portion, whereby air is drawn into the chamber via the plurality of openings and passes through the first and second filter elements before being discharged from the chamber via the central passageway.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the connector cap portion includes at least one tab configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding retaining barb of the base portion for securing the connector cap portion to the base portion.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first and second filter elements are spaced apart from a bottom of the base portion.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second filter elements are coextensive with the cylindrically-shaped portion of the connector cap portion.