Pleated fluid filter elements and methods

The filter element has an upstream side and a downstream side. A filter media assembly of the filter element has an upstream side and a downstream side and has a first layer of filter media and a second layer of filter media adjacent the first layer of filter media. A majority of the first and second layers are uncoupled, and at least one of the first and second media layers includes binder fibers. The second dielectric layer has an average flow aperture equal to or smaller than that of the first dielectric layer. A support layer system is adjacent the downstream side of the filter media assembly, and a first screen layer is adjacent the support layer system. At least the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer, the support layer system, and the first wire mesh layer collectively define a plurality of pleats at a pleat bulk density greater than 125%. 过滤器元件具有上游侧和下游侧。所述过滤器元件的过滤介质组件具有上游侧和下游侧并且具有第一过滤介质层和与所述第一介质层相邻的第二过滤介质层。所述第一层和第二层的绝大部分是未联接的，并且所述第一介质层和第二介质层中的至少一者包括粘合纤维。所述第二介质层具有等于或小于所述第一介质层的平均流动孔径。支撑层