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 surface formation.

1 . A filter cartridge comprising:
 a body portion configured to contain at least one filter media, said body portion coaxially surrounding a central axis; and   a neck portion depending from the body portion, said neck portion coaxially surrounding said central axis;   at least two lugs depending radially from the neck, each of the at least two lugs comprising:
 an upper surface facing substantially axially away from the body portion relative to said central axis; 
 a radially outer surface facing substantially radially away from the neck portion relative to said central axis; 
 an inclined cam surface facing substantially axially toward the body portion relative to said central axis and a horizontal surface facing toward the body portion and adjoining the inclined cam surface; and 
 a keyed surface formation comprising at least one tooth projecting axially from the upper surface of the lug and facing substantially away from the body portion, each tooth being disposed in a tooth position of a defined tooth configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the inclined cam surface comprises a rounded surface. 
     
     
         3 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises one of 4 tooth positions, 5 tooth positions, or 6 tooth positions. 
     
     
         4 . The filter cartridge of  claim 3  wherein the tooth configuration comprises a number of available tooth combinations:
     N= 2 n-2 −1   
       , wherein “n” is the number of tooth positions. 
     
     
         5 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 1 tooth position is filled and the remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         6 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 2 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         7 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 3 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         8 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 4 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         9 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 5 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         10 . A filter cartridge comprising:
 a body portion configured to contain at least one filter media, said body portion coaxially surrounding a central axis; and   a neck portion depending from the body portion, said neck portion coaxially surrounding said central axis;   at least two lugs depending radially from the neck, each of the at least two lugs comprising:
 an upper surface facing substantially axially away from the body portion relative to said central axis; 
 a radially outer surface facing substantially radially away from the neck portion relative to said central axis; 
 an inclined cam surface facing substantially axially toward the body portion relative to said central axis; and 
   a keyed surface formation comprising at least one tooth projecting axially from the upper surface of the lug and facing substantially away from the body portion, each tooth being disposed in a tooth position of a defined tooth configuration comprising a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 1 tooth position is filled and the remaining tooth positions are not filled.   
     
     
         11 . The filter cartridge of  claim 10  wherein the inclined cam surface comprises a rounded surface. 
     
     
         12 . The filter cartridge of  claim 10  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises one of 4 tooth positions, 5 tooth positions, or  6  tooth positions. 
     
     
         13 . The filter cartridge of  claim 12  wherein the tooth configuration comprises a number of available tooth combinations:
     N= 2 n-2 −1   
       , wherein “n” is the number of tooth positions. 
     
     
         14 . A filter cartridge comprising:
 a body portion configured to contain at least one filter media, said body portion coaxially surrounding a central axis; and   a neck portion depending from the body portion, said neck portion coaxially surrounding said central axis;   at least two lugs depending radially from the neck, each of the at least two lugs comprising:
 an upper surface facing substantially axially away from the body portion relative to said central axis; 
 a radially outer surface facing substantially radially away from the neck portion relative to said central axis; 
 an inclined cam surface facing substantially axially toward the body portion relative to said central axis; and 
   a keyed surface formation comprising at least one tooth projecting axially from the upper surface of the lug and facing substantially away from the body portion, each tooth being disposed in a tooth position of a defined tooth configuration comprising a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, at least three tooth position are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled.   
     
     
         15 . The filter cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the inclined cam surface comprises a rounded surface. 
     
     
         16 . The filter cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises one of 4 tooth positions, 5 tooth positions, or  6  tooth positions. 
     
     
         17 . The filter cartridge of  claim 16  wherein the tooth configuration comprises a number of available tooth combinations:
     N= 2 n-2 −1   
       , wherein “n” is the number of tooth positions. 
     
     
         18 . The filter cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 3 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         19 . The filter cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 4 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled. 
     
     
         20 . The filter cartridge of  claim 14  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises a plurality of tooth positions, wherein, on at least one lug, 5 tooth positions are filled and any remaining tooth positions are not filled.