protrusion 14 or the tabs 214 314 the restriction helps to maintain the pressure of the bypass flow through the annular space 160 with specific reference to the second and third axial bypass sleeves 210 310 the bypass flow pushes and holds the tabs 214 314 in the extended position while in the extended position a fluid path is created between the annular space 160 through the access ports 216 316 and into the outer layer 116 of the spiral wound membrane element 100 based upon the pressure gradient between the annular space 160 and the outer layer 116 a portion of the bypass flow will pass through the access ports 16 216 316 and enter the outer layer 116 when inside the outer layer 116 the bypass flow will enter the feed spacer sheets and flow into the mixed layer 110 this increases the flow rate and pressure within the feed spacer sheets through out the spiral wound membrane element 100 which increases the transmembrane pressure and contributes to increase the permeate production along the longitudinal axis of the pressure housing 150 at or past the downstream end 106 of the spiral wound membrane element 100 the bypass flow that does not pass through.