Keyed filter assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a unique filter assembly for ensuring replacement cartridge compatibility in filtration systems having replaceable filter cartridges with lugged mounting systems. One representative filter assembly includes a representative cartridge member having a body portion for enclosing filter media and a neck portion depending therefrom. The representative neck portion of the representative cartridge includes at least one axial inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the body portion and at least one axial outlet port for directing filtered fluid out of the body portion. The representative neck portion also has at least two representative lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom, wherein at least one lug defines a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface. The at least two representative lugs wherein at least one lug defines a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface could be operatively positioned on other components of the representative filter assembly as well.

1 . A filter cartridge comprising: 
 a) a body portion for enclosing filter media for filtering a fluid; and    b) a neck portion including at least one inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the body portion and at least one outlet port for directing filtered fluid out of the body portion, the filter cartridge having at least two lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom, at least one lug defining a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface, the keyed engagement surface enabling the cartridge to mate with a compatible reception assembly and the trailing inclined cam surface facilitating the mating therewith.    
     
     
         2 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein each lug comprises a keyed engagement surface, 
 a leading inclined cam surface; and    a trailing inclined cam surface.    
     
     
         3 . The filter cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the keyed engagement surface is substantially similar.  
     
     
         4 . The filter cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the keyed engagement surface is different.  
     
     
         5 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the neck portion includes a pair of diametrically opposed lugs.  
     
     
         6 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the neck portion includes three circumferentially spaced apart lugs.  
     
     
         7 . The filter cartridge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the neck portion includes first and second pairs of diametrically opposed lugs, wherein the first pair of lugs is disposed at a first height on the neck portion and the second pair of lugs is disposed at a second height on the neck portion.  
     
     
         8 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lug has an axially facing surface and the keyed engagement surface is operatively positioned on the axially facing surface.  
     
     
         9 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the neck portion of the cartridge member includes a first surface axially facing surface having the at least one inlet port formed therein.  
     
     
         10 . The filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the neck portion of the cartridge member includes a second surface axially facing surface having the at least one outlet port formed therein.  
     
     
         11 . A filter cartridge comprising: 
 a) a body portion for enclosing filter media for filtering a fluid; and    b) a neck portion including at least one axial inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the body portion and at least one axial outlet port for directing filtered fluid out of the body portion, the filter cartridge having at least two lugs operatively positioned thereon and depending radially outwardly therefrom.    
     
     
         12 . The filter cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one lug comprises: 
 a keyed engagement surface; and    a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface, the keyed engagement surface enabling the cartridge to mate with a compatible reception assembly.    
     
     
         13 . The filter cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein the neck portion comprises: 
 first and second circumferential grooves formed therein which are adapted and configured for receiving an O-ring seal, the first circumferential groove  5  being positioned between the at least one inlet port of the neck member and the body portion and the second circumferential groove being positioned between the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port.    
     
     
         14 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the neck portion has at least two lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         15 . The filter assembly of  claim 1  wherein the body portion has least two lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         16 . The filter cartridge of  claim 11  wherein the neck portion has at least two lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         17 . The filter assembly of  claim 11  wherein the body portion has least two lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         18 . A filter assembly comprising: 
 a) a cartridge member including a body portion for enclosing filter media and a neck portion including at least one inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the body portion and at least one outlet port for directing filtered fluid out of the body portion, the filter assembly having at least two lugs depending radially outwardly operatively positioned thereon, at least one lug defining a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface;    b) a head member defining an axial chamber and including inlet and outlet passages which communicate with the axial chamber; and    c) a support member, operatively disposed between the head member and the cartridge member, the support member including an aperture for receiving the neck portion of the cartridge member, the aperture having an inner surface defining at least two cam ramps for interacting with the leading inclined cam surface formed on at least one of the lugs to facilitate engagement of the lugs of the cartridge member with the support member.