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 method of making a filter cartridge comprising:
 forming a body portion configured to contain at least one filter media;   forming a neck portion depending from the body portion, wherein the neck portion comprises an inlet port for directing a fluid into the body portion and an outlet port for directing the fluid out of the body portion;   forming at least two lugs depending radially from the neck portion, wherein each lug comprises an engagement surface;   configuring a keyed surface formation for reception within corresponding surface features of a reception area of a valve member;   forming the keyed surface formation onto the engagement surface of at least one lug.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the keyed surface formation comprises at least one tooth. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the keyed surface formation comprises at least one tooth projecting axially from an upper surface of the lug and facing substantially away from the body portion, wherein configuring the keyed surface formation for reception comprises:
 disposing each tooth in a tooth position of a defined tooth configuration. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the defined tooth configuration comprises one of 4 tooth positions, 5 tooth positions, or 6 tooth positions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the tooth configuration comprises a number of available tooth combinations:
     N= 2 n-2 −1,
 
 wherein “n” is the number of tooth positions. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         10 . The filter cartridge of  claim 3  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.