Modular inlet filter for a compressor system

1. A reconfigurable modular fluid filter comprising:

a base filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof,

a secondary filter housing removably coupled to the base filter housing, the secondary filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof;

wherein each opening in the base filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with one of a filter element module, an outlet port and a flow blocking cover, wherein the base filter housing is coupled with at least one filter element module, and wherein the opening in the secondary filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with another of a filter element module;

an unrestricted internal flowpath within the base filter housing fluidly connected between each filter element module and the outlet port; wherein each filter element module is configured to filter a working fluid in parallel with one another and discharge filtered working fluid into the internal flowpath;

wherein each filter element module comprises: a single preloading cover, a primary filter element positioned downstream of the single preloading cover, and a secondary filter element positioned downstream of the primary filter; and

wherein each filter element module includes an outer case for holding the single preloading cover, the primary filter element and the secondary filter element in a desired position; and

wherein the primary filter element is positioned directly adjacent the secondary filter element.

2. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the secondary filter element includes a plurality of separable filter elements.

3. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the single preloading cover is formed from a mesh material.

4. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the primary filter and the secondary filter are formed of one of a replaceable material and a washable material.

5. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the base filter housing is box shaped and the openings are optionally formed in a top, a bottom, either side, and either end thereof.

6. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein each secondary filter housing includes:

a plurality of openings formed therein; wherein each opening is adapted to removably couple with one of a filter element module, another secondary filter housing and a flow blocking cover; and

a secondary unrestricted internal flowpath fluidly connecting each filter element module to the internal flowpath of the base filter housing.

7. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein one or more secondary filter housings are connectable to the base filter housing along a horizontal and/or a transverse direction.

8. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein each filter element module includes filter media comprising a plurality of materials and densities.

9. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is connectable to a system operable for compressing a fluid.

10. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein means for coupling the base filter housing and secondary filter housing to one another includes at least one of threaded fasteners, clips, press fit, weld, braze, and/or adhesive.

11. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the opening in the secondary filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with one of the filter element module, another secondary filter housing, and a flow blocking cover.

12. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the single preloading cover is positioned directly adjacent the primary filter element and the secondary filter element is spaced apart from the single preloading cover.

13. The modular fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the primary filter element and the secondary filter element are accessible and removable when the single preloading cover is removed from the outer case.

14. A reconfigurable modular fluid filter comprising:

a base filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof,

a secondary filter housing removably coupled to the base filter housing, the secondary filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof;

wherein each opening in the base filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with one of a filter element module, an outlet port and a flow blocking cover, wherein the base filter housing is coupled with at least one filter element module, and wherein the opening in the secondary filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with another of a filter element module;

an unrestricted internal flowpath within the base filter housing fluidly connected between each filter element module and the outlet port;

wherein each filter element module is configured to filter a working fluid in parallel with one another and discharge filtered working fluid into the internal flowpath;

wherein each filter element module comprises: a preloading cover, a primary filter element positioned downstream of the preloading cover, and a secondary filter element positioned downstream of the primary filter; and

wherein each filter element module includes an outer case for holding the preloading cover, the primary filter element and the secondary filter element in a desired position; and

wherein the primary filter element contacts the secondary filter element when each of the primary filter element and the secondary filter element are positioned in the desired position within the outer case.

15. The modular fluid filter of claim 14 , wherein the primary filter element is positioned directly adjacent the secondary filter element without an additional preloading cover positioned therebetween.

16. The modular fluid filter of claim 14 , wherein the primary filter element and the secondary filter element are slidably insertable into the desired position within the outer case.

17. The modular fluid filter of claim 14 , wherein the outer case is an uninterrupted, single-piece outer case.

18. A reconfigurable modular fluid filter comprising:

a base filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof,

a secondary filter housing removably coupled to the base filter housing, the secondary filter housing having an opening formed in one or more walls thereof;

wherein each opening in the base filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with one of a filter element module, an outlet port and a flow blocking cover, wherein the base filter housing is coupled with at least one filter element module, and wherein the opening in the secondary filter housing is constructed to be selectively removably coupled with another of a filter element module;

an unrestricted internal flowpath within the base filter housing fluidly connected between each filter element module and the outlet port; wherein each filter element module is configured to filter a working fluid in parallel with one another and discharge filtered working fluid into the internal flowpath;

wherein each filter element module comprises: a single preloading cover, a primary filter element positioned downstream of the single preloading cover, and a secondary filter element positioned downstream of the primary filter; and

wherein each filter element module includes a one-piece outer case for holding the single preloading cover, the primary filter element and the secondary filter element in a desired position.

19. The modular fluid filter of claim 18 , wherein the secondary filter element includes a plurality of separable filter elements.

20. The modular fluid filter of claim 18 , wherein the secondary filter housing is connectable to the base filter housing along a horizontal and/or a transverse direction.