Filter element for a liquid filter

Abstract

An annular filter element, including: a filter medium having circumferentially closed about an axis and extended along the axis, the axis defining an axial direction; wherein the filter medium has a radially outer flow face and a radially inner flow face, the radially inner flow face surrounding an inner clean space in the filter element; wherein the filter element is through-flowable radially from a radial outside to a radial inside of the filter element; a water separation screen inserted into the clean space, the water separation screen formed separately from the filter element, the water separation screen connected to the filter element or to a component situated at the filter element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An annular filter element, comprising:
 a filter medium having circumferentially closed about an axis and extended along the axis, the axis defining an axial direction;   wherein the filter medium has a radially outer flow face and a radially inner flow face, the radially inner flow face surrounding an inner clean space in the filter element;   wherein the filter element is through-flowable radially from a radial outside to a radial inside of the filter element;   an end plate having:
 an axial inner surface; and 
 an opposite axial outer surface; 
 wherein the axial inner surface of the end disk is arranged on an axial end face of the filter medium; and 
   a water separation screen inserted into the clean space, the water separation screen formed separately from the filter element, the water separation screen connected to the filter element or to a component situated at the filter element.   
     
     
         2 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the filter element has an end plate arranged on an axial end face of the filter medium;   wherein the water separation screen is connectable to the end plate.   
     
     
         3 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the water separation screen has a collar arranged proximate to an axial end of the water separation screen;   wherein a sealing element is provided between the collar and the end plate.   
     
     
         4 . The filter element according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the sealing element is configured as a sealing lip integrally molded onto the collar.   
     
     
         5 . The filter element according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the sealing element is configured as a separate sealing ring situated between the collar and the end plate.   
     
     
         6 . The filter element according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the water separation screen has a separation shell having an outer diameter;   wherein the collar has an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the separation shell.   
     
     
         7 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the water separation screen is connected via a latch connection to the end plate.   
     
     
         8 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the water separation screen is cylindrically formed.   
     
     
         9 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the water separation screen is conically formed.   
     
     
         10 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a coalescing element is arranged adjacent to the filter element.   
     
     
         11 . The filter element according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the coalescing element is arranged at a clean side of the filter element.   
     
     
         12 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a tubular center pipe is inserted into the clean space of the filter element;   the water separation screen is inserted into and arranged in the center pipe.   
     
     
         13 . A liquid fuel filter, comprising:
 a filter housing;   a filter element according to  claim 1  arranged within an interior of the filter housing.   
     
     
         14 . The liquid fuel filter according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the housing includes a water collecting space for collecting water separated from the fuel;   wherein the clean space in the filter element is flow-connected at a first axial end to the water collecting space;   wherein the clean space is flow-connected at an opposing second axial end to a liquid outflow line for the cleaned liquid.