STAR PLEATING WITH INSIDE OUT FLOW HAVING WATER DRAINAGE THROUGH THE CENTER

A filter cartridge includes an open-ended housing and filter element supported in the housing and defining an annular region between a periphery of the filter element and a side housing wall. A water collection region is between an end of the filter element and a lower-housing wall. The filter element includes pleated media surrounding an axially-extending central area, and pleats of different heights round the central area. An end plate is bonded to the filter element to prevent fluid flow through the pleats' upper ends. One passage is through a plate opening into the central area. Another passage is between the end plate and peripheral region. The filter element has freely-supported lower ends. A seal between the lower periphery of the filter element and the housing prevents fluid bypass of the filter element. Fluid passes through the pleats, and water coalesces on the media and drains into the collection region.