Oval centerpost and cooperating filter cartridge

Abstract

A fluid filter centerpost assembly in combination with a fluid filter cartridge for creating a “no filter-no run” design according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an oval-shaped design for the centerpost assembly and an oval-shaped design for a seal that is positioned between the centerpost assembly and the fluid filter cartridge. The centerpost assembly includes a main body having an oval shape in lateral cross section in unitary construction with a radial flange and interior shelf. The interior shelf defines a flow opening and a movable valve ball is positioned on the interior shelf and is able to move in the direction of the flow opening due to incoming fluid pressure. The fluid filter cartridge includes a closed endcap with a blocking pin such that when the fluid filter cartridge is installed, the blocking pin is positioned to prevent the valve ball from closing off the flow opening.

1. In combination:
 a fluid filter centerpost assembly comprising: 
 a main body defining a first flow opening and an open interior and having an oval shape in lateral cross section;  
 an oval-shaped radial flange;  
 an oval-shaped interior shelf defining a second flow opening and being positioned on an incline in said open interior;  
 a closing cap assembled into said main body; and  
 a movable valve ball positioned on said interior shelf; and  
 
 a fluid filter cartridge received by said fluid filter centerpost assembly comprising: 
 a filtering media;  
 a closed endcap assembled to one end of said filtering media, said closed endcap including a blocking pin, said blocking pin being constructed and arranged for limiting any movement of said movable valve ball in the direction of said second flow opening;  
 an open endcap assembled to another end of said filtering media; and  
 an oval-shaped seal received by said open endcap and being positioned around said main body and resting on said radial flange.  
 
 
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1  wherein said main body is a unitary, molded plastic structure. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 2  wherein said interior shelf defines a track for guiding any movement of said valve ball. 
     
     
       4. In combination:
 a fluid filter centerpost assembly comprising: 
 a main body defining a first flow opening and an open interior and having an oval shape in lateral cross section;  
 an oval-shaped radial flange;  
 an oval-shaped interior shelf defining a second flow opening and being positioned on an incline in said open interior;  
 a closing cap assembled into said main body; and  
 a movable valve ball positioned on said interior shelf; and  
 
 a fluid filter cartridge received by said fluid filter centerpost assembly comprising: 
 a filtering media;  
 a first endcap assembled to one end of said filtering media;  
 a second endcap assembled to another end of said filtering media;  
 an oval-shaped seal received by said second endcap and being positioned around said main body and resting on said radial flange; and  
 blocking means for limiting any movement of said movable valve ball in the direction of said second flow opening.  
 
 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 4  wherein said main body is a unitary, molded plastic structure. 
     
     
       6. The combination of  claim 5  wherein said interior shelf defines a track for guiding any movement of said valve ball. 
     
     
       7. The combination of  claim 4  wherein said blocking means includes a protrusion extending from said first endcap in the direction of said second flow opening. 
     
     
       8. The combination of  claim 4  wherein said filtering media is shaped with a hollow interior and said fluid filter cartridge further includes a centertube positioned within said hollow interior. 
     
     
       9. The combination of  claim 8  wherein said blocking means includes a structural member positioned within said centertube and a protrusion extending from said structural member in the direction of said second flow opening. 
     
     
       10. In combination:
 a fluid filter centerpost assembly comprising: 
 a main body defining a first flow opening and an open interior and having an oval shape in lateral cross section;  
 an oval-shaped radial flange;  
 an oval-shaped interior shelf defining a second flow opening and being positioned on an incline in said open interior;  
 a closing cap assembled into said main body; and  
 a movable valve ball positioned on said interior shelf; and  
 
 a fluid filter cartridge received by said fluid filter centerpost assembly comprising: 
 a filtering media formed into a shape to define a hollow interior;  
 a first endcap assembled to one end of said filtering media;  
 a second endcap assembled to another end of said filtering media;  
 an oval-shaped seal received by said second endcap and being positioned around said main body and resting on said radial flange; and  
 a support plug positioned in said hollow interior, said support plug including a blocking pin extending in the direction of said second flow opening for limiting any movement of said movable valve ball in the direction of said second flow opening.  
 
 
     
     
       11. The combination of  claim 10  wherein said main body is a unitary, molded plastic structure. 
     
     
       12. The combination of  claim 11  wherein said interior shelf defines a track for guiding any movement of said valve ball. 
     
     
       13. The combination of  claim 12  wherein said support plug includes an alternate blocking pin extending in a direction opposite to the direction of said blocking pin. 
     
     
       14. The combination of  claim 13  wherein said support plug is constructed and arranged to be assembled into said hollow interior in either of two orientations wherein one orientation has said blocking pin extending toward said second flow opening and wherein the other orientation has said alternate blocking pin extending toward said second flow opening. 
     
     
       15. The combination of  claim 10  wherein said support plug includes an alternate blocking pin extending in a direction opposite to the direction of said blocking pin. 
     
     
       16. The combination of  claim 15  wherein said support plug is constructed and arranged to be assembled into said hollow interior in either of two orientations wherein one orientation has said blocking pin extending toward said second flow opening and wherein the other orientation has said alternate blocking pin extending toward said second flow opening. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus comprising:
   a fuel filter cartridge including:      a filtering media;        a hollow interior;        a first endcap coupled to one end of said filtering media;        a support plug positioned in said hollow interior;        a blocking pin extending from said support plug into said hollow interior in a direction toward said first endcap; and        a second endcap coupled to another end of said filtering media and a second blocking pin extending from said support plug into said hollow interior in a direction toward said second endcap.       
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the support plug is centered axially between a first end of the filtering media and a second end of the filtering media and occupies a portion of the hollow interior effective to accommodate a fluid flow though the hollow interior past the support plug. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a seal received by one of said first endcap and said second endcap, said seal having an oval shaped aperture leading to said hollow interior. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a filter centerpost assembly; wherein said centerpost is received by said hollow interior. 
     
     
       21. A system comprising:
   a fuel filter centerpost including an internal flow passage and a sidewall having an inlet flow opening leading to said flow passage;        an inclined shelf positioned within said flow passage and having flow opening defined therein; and        a ball positioned adjacent said inclined shelf and being moveable by a fluid flow from a position not obstructing said flow opening to a position obstructing said flow opening.     
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21  wherein said centerpost has an oval shape in lateral cross section. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 21  wherein said ball is positioned in a recessed track provided in said shelf. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 21  further comprising a filter element including a blocking pin, said filter element being coupled with said centerpost such that said blocking pin prevents said ball from moving to said position obstructing said flow opening.