U.S. patent application number 10/005086 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-04 for cartridge adapter.
This patent application is currently assigned to PentaPure Incorporated. Invention is credited to Fritze, Karl.
Application Number | 20020038668 10/005086 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24479647 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020038668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fritze, Karl |
April 4, 2002 |
Cartridge adapter
Abstract
An adapter assembly for use in mating a filter cartridge to a
filter manifold, includes an adapter body having a manifold coupler
and a cartridge coupler. The manifold coupler is for mating with
the filter manifold and has an inlet being fluidly communicable
with a filter manifold fluid inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly
communicable with a filter manifold fluid outlet and having sealing
means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered
water from an outlet flow of filtered water. The cartridge coupler
is for mating with the filter cartridge and has an inlet being
fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge inlet and being in
fluid communication with the manifold coupler inlet and a fluid
outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge outlet
and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler outlet
and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow
of unfiltered water to the filter cartridge from an outlet flow of
filtered water form the filter cartridge.
Inventors: |
Fritze, Karl; (Denmark
Township, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.
4800 IDS Center
80 South 8th Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Assignee: |
PentaPure Incorporated
|
Family ID: |
24479647 |
Appl. No.: |
10/005086 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10005086 |
Dec 5, 2001 |
|
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|
09618912 |
Jul 18, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/15.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2201/4046 20130101;
Y10T 137/794 20150401; F16K 15/18 20130101; B01D 35/306 20130101;
B01D 35/157 20130101; Y10T 137/87153 20150401; Y10T 137/0402
20150401; B01D 35/153 20130101; Y10T 137/0536 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/15.1 |
International
Class: |
F02K 011/00 |
Claims
1. An adapter assembly for use in mating a filter cartridge to a
filter manifold, comprising: an adapter body having a manifold
coupler and a cartridge coupler; the manifold coupler for mating
with the filter manifold and having a manifold coupler inlet being
fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid inlet and a fluid
outlet and further being fluidly communicable with a filter
manifold fluid outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means
isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water from an outlet flow of
filtered water; and the cartridge coupler for mating with the
filter cartridge and having a cartridge coupler fluid inlet, said
inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge inlet and
being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler inlet and
having a cartridge coupler fluid outlet, said outlet being fluidly
communicable with a filter cartridge outlet and being in fluid
communication with the manifold coupler outlet and further having
sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of
unfiltered water to the filter cartridge from an outlet flow of
filtered water form the filter cartridge.
2. The adapter assembly of claim 1 further including at least a
first pair of shoulders for compressive, retaining engagement with
the filter manifold.
3. The adapter assembly of claim 2 further including at least a
first pair of lugs for compressive, retaining engagement with the
filter cartridge.
4. The adapter assembly of claim 1, at least one adapter assembly
valve being disposed in the adapter body to control a flow of water
therethrough.
5. The adapter assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one adapter
assembly valve has a fluted shaft, a plurality of flutes defined by
the fluted shaft comprising a plurality of flow passages.
6. The adapter assembly of claim 5 wherein the at least one adapter
assembly valve has an integral seal.
7. The adapter assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one adapter
assembly valve integral seal is formed by overmolding on a valve
body.
8. The adapter assembly of claim 4 wherein mating the manifold
coupler to the filter cartridge acts to open the at least one
adapter assembly valve.
9. The adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein mating the manifold
coupler to the filter manifold acts to open a valve disposed in the
filter manifold.
10. The adapter assembly of claim 9 wherein the adapter body
includes a margin, the margin bearing on the filter manifold valve
during mating the manifold coupler to the filter manifold and
thereby acting to open the filter manifold valve.
11. An adapter assembly for use in mating a filter cartridge to a
filter manifold, comprising: adapter body means for mating the
filter cartridge to the filter manifold, the adapter body means
having manifold coupler means and cartridge coupler means; the
manifold coupler means for mating with the filter manifold and
having a manifold coupler inlet, said inlet being fluidly
communicable with a filter manifold fluid inlet and a fluid outlet
being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid outlet and
further having sealing means, the sealing means for isolating an
inlet flow of unfiltered water from an outlet flow of filtered
water; and the cartridge coupler means for mating with the filter
cartridge and having a cartridge coupler fluid inlet, said inlet
being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge inlet and being
in fluid communication with the manifold coupler inlet and a
cartridge coupler fluid outlet, said fluid outlet being fluidly
communicable with a filter cartridge outlet and being in fluid
communication with the manifold coupler outlet and further having
sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of
unfiltered water to the filter cartridge from an outlet flow of
filtered water from the filter cartridge.
12. The adapter assembly of claim 11 further including at least a
first pair of shoulders for compressive, retaining engagement with
the filter manifold.
13. The adapter assembly of claim 12 further including at least a
first pair of lugs for compressive, retaining engagement with the
filter cartridge.
14. The adapter assembly of claim 11, at least one adapter assembly
valve being disposed in the adapter body to control a flow of water
therethrough.
15. The adapter assembly of claim 14 wherein the at least one
adapter assembly valve means has a fluted shaft, a plurality of
flutes defined by the fluted shaft comprising a plurality of flow
passages.
16. The adapter assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least one
adapter assembly valve means has integral seal means.
17. The adapter assembly of claim 16 wherein the at least one
adapter assembly valve means integral seal means is formed by
overmolding on a valve body.
18. The adapter assembly of claim 11 wherein mating the manifold
coupler means to the filter cartridge acts to open the at least one
adapter assembly valve means.
19. The adapter assembly of claim 11 wherein mating the manifold
coupler means to the filter manifold acts to open a valve disposed
in the filter manifold.
20. The adapter assembly of claim 19 wherein the adapter body means
includes a margin, the margin bearing on the filter manifold valve
during mating the manifold coupler means to the filter manifold and
thereby acting to open the filter manifold valve.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/618,912 filed Jul. 18, 2000.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an adapter for adapting a
filter cartridge to a manifold. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an adapter for use with a manifold mounted on
a major appliance, such as a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Major appliances, most particularly refrigerators, are
frequently supplied to the end user with a filtration manifold as
an integral component of the appliance. This manifold, when mated
to a filter cartridge, is used to filter incoming tap water, the
filtered water then being used in an automatic ice maker or is made
available at a chilled water spigot. The manifold is plumbed into
the appliance and is fixedly coupled thereto by a bracket or other
mounting means. The manifold is intended to not be replaced, but to
remain a component of the appliance throughout the life of the
appliance.
[0004] The manifold is typically designed to receive only a
particular type of filtration cartridge. The filtration cartridge
is typically replaced on a regular basis as the active elements of
the cartridge and filter media become spent with use. The end user
of the appliance must then procure a filtration cartridge that is
designed to be specifically mated to the cartridge manifold that is
a component of the appliance.
[0005] The particular cartridge that is designed to mate with the
manifold may not be the best filtration cartridge on the market.
The particular cartridge may be more expensive than competing
cartridges. Further, the filtration technology of the particular
cartridge may not have kept pace with the advances in filtration
technology prevalent in the industry. Accordingly, for a variety of
reasons, there is a need in the industry to be able to adapt a
plurality of filtration cartridges to a specific manifold. An
adapter to make possible use of a cartridge not specifically
designed for mating with the manifold should be readily insertable
in the manifold and thereafter be generally a permanent part of the
manifold. The adapter should then be available to readily receive a
filtration cartridge for which the adapter is designed. The adapter
should permit the engagement and disengagement of the filtration
cartridge so that replacement thereof is readily facilitated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The adapter of the present invention substantially meets the
aforementioned needs of the industry. The adapter is mateable with
a specific filtration manifold and thereafter, effectively, becomes
a component of the filtration manifold. The adapter is further
mateable with a specific cartridge such that, for all intents and
purposes, once the adapter is mated to the filtration manifold, the
filtration manifold is modified to regularly accept filtration
cartridges of a different design.
[0007] The adapter is designed to appropriately actuate any valves
that may exist in the filtration manifold and additionally may
include a valve or valves of its own. The adapter is further mated
in sealing engagement with the manifold, acting to prevent
intermingling of incoming unfiltered water and outgoing filtered
water. The adapter is further in sealing engagement with the
filtration cartridge, again acting to isolate the incoming
unfiltered water from the outgoing filtered water.
[0008] The adapter is readily disengageable from the filtration
manifold, but is designed to be engaged with the filtration
manifold and remain in such disposition for substantial lengths of
time. Once in place, the adapter effectively modifies the
filtration manifold such that for the end user, the filtration
manifold becomes a manifold that is designed to accept the
filtration cartridge of choice.
[0009] The present invention is an adapter assembly for use in
mating a filter cartridge to a filter manifold and includes an
adapter body having a manifold coupler and a cartridge coupler. The
manifold coupler is for mating with the filter manifold and has an
inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid inlet
and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter
manifold fluid outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means
isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water from an outlet flow of
filtered water. The cartridge coupler is for mating with the filter
cartridge and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter
cartridge inlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold
coupler inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a
filter cartridge outlet and being in fluid communication with the
manifold coupler outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means
isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water to the filter cartridge
from an outlet flow of filtered water from the filter cartridge.
The present invention is further a method for mating a filter
cartridge to a filter manifold.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter
assembly of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the adapter assembly disposed
in an exemplary manifold, the section being taken along the line
2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the adapter assembly disposed
in an exemplary manifold, the section being taken along the line
3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter body of the
adapter assembly;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the adapter assembly disposed
in a manifold and supporting a cartridge, the section being taken
along the section line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the adapter assembly disposed
in a manifold and supporting a cartridge, the section being taken
along the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The adapter assembly of the present invention is shown
generally at 10 in the figures. The adapter assembly 10 has two
major subcomponents: adapter body 12 and cartridge insert 14. The
adapter assembly 10 is designed to mate with a manifold 300 and a
cartridge 400. The manifold 300 is depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6
and the cartridge 400 is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0017] The manifold 300 has two major subcomponents: bracket 302
and cartridge receiver 304. The bracket 302 is preferably formed of
a metallic material. Bracket 302 has a bore 306 defined therein for
receiving the cartridge receiver 304 therein. An upper lip 307 is
defined peripheral to the bore 306 and extends radially outward
therefrom. The bracket 302 has an upward directed support 308. The
support 308 may have bores defined therein through which fasteners,
such as sheet metal screws and bolts may be passed for fastening
the manifold 300 to an appliance.
[0018] The second subcomponent of the manifold 300 is the cartridge
receiver 304. The cartridge receiver 304 is preferably formed of a
plastic material. The cartridge receiver 304 preferably has a
receiver chamber 310 defined therein. An inlet 312 is fluidly
coupled to the receiver chamber 310. The inlet 312 has an inlet
valve 314 disposed therein. The inlet valve 314 is biased in a
closed disposition sealing off the inlet 312 when no cartridge or
adapter assembly 10 is disposed within the receiver chamber 310 in
order to prevent the flow of incoming unfiltered water
therethrough. The inlet valve 314 has a depending valve actuator
316. The distal end of the valve actuator 316 is valve actuator
margin 318. When a cartridge which is specifically designed to mate
with the manifold 300 or the adapter assembly 10 of the present
invention is disposed within the receiver chamber 310, the valve
actuator margin 318 bears on the cartridge and the inlet valve 314
is opened to permit flow from the inlet 312 to the inlet chamber
320. The inlet chamber 320 is defined in part by the cartridge
receiver 304 and comprises a portion of the receiver chamber
310.
[0019] The cartridge receiver 304 further has an outlet 321. The
outlet 321 is in fluid communication with an outlet chamber 322.
The outlet chamber 322 is defined in part by the receiver chamber
310.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cartridge 400 has a
cylindrical cartridge body 402. The cartridge body 402 is
substantially closed to define an interior filtration chamber by a
generally circular top member 404 disposed within the body 402. It
is understood that the top member 404 may be welded or bonded in
place or may be formed integral with the cartridge body 402.
[0021] The top member 404 of the cartridge 400 has an insert
receiver 406 defined therein. An inlet 408 is defined through the
top member 404. The inlet 408 is offset from the center axis of the
top member 404. It is understood that a plurality of such inlets
408 may be defined in the top member 404. An axial outlet 410 is
defined in the top member 404.
[0022] The preferably cylindrically shaped filter media 412 is
disposed in the filtration chamber defined within the body 402.
Unfiltered water flows into the inlet chamber 414 through the inlet
408 across the top of the filter media 412 and into the ambular
chamber 415 defined between the filter media 412 and the body 402.
The unfiltered water then passes through the filter media 412 into
the axial passage 417 defined central to the filter media 412 and
then out the outlet 410.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 6, the cartridge 400 includes a pair of
spaced apart shoulders 416. The shoulders 416 are preferably
arcuate in shape (but may be other designs as desired) and are
designed to be engaged by a manifold or, in this case, by the
adapter assembly 10.
[0024] Turning now to the description of the adapter assembly 10 of
the present invention, the adapter assembly 10 is preferably formed
having two major components: adapter body 12 and cartridge insert
14. While the adapter assembly 10 could be formed as an integral,
unitary device, forming the adapter assembly 10 of an adapter body
12 and cartridge insert 14 and subsequently mating the components
12, 14 facilitates the formation process of the adapter assembly
10.
[0025] The adapter body 12 of the adapter assembly 10 has two major
subcomponents: manifold insert 16 and cartridge receiver 18. The
manifold insert 16 of the adapter body 12 has a cupola 20 disposed
on a base 22. Generally, the cupola 20 has a substantially lesser
diameter than the diameter of the base 22. A descending inlet 24 is
defined in the top margin of the cupola 20. The inlet 24 is
generally semicircular on one side and straight on a second side.
The second (straight) side of the inlet 24 is defined by a septum
28 that extends diametrically across the top margin of the cupola
20.
[0026] An outlet 26 is defined in the side margin 30 of the cupola
20. An O-ring groove 32 is defined in the side margin 30 of the
cupola 20 above the outlet 26 and below the inlet 24. An O-ring 33
is disposable within the O-ring groove 32 to provide a fluid seal
between the inlet 24 and the outlet 26.
[0027] The base 22 of the manifold insert 16 has a generally planar
top margin 34 extending radially outward from the cupola 20. The
base 22 has a generally cylindrical side margin 36. It should be
noted that no inlets or outlets are defined in either the planar
top margin 34 or the cylindrical side margin 36 of the base 22. An
O-ring groove 38 is defined in the cylindrical side margin 36 and
an O-ring 39 is disposable within the O-ring groove 38.
[0028] A pair of generally diametrically opposed shoulders 40
project outward from the cylindrical side margin 36. The underside
of each of the shoulders 40 is a bearing surface 42. An engaging
ramp 44 extends to the bearing surface 42 at a first end thereof
and disengaging ramp 46 extends to the bearing surface 42 at a
second end thereof. A pair of diametrically opposed flats 48 are
defined in the side margin 36 of the base 22.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, descending inlet passage 50 extends
downward from the inlet 24 and is in fluid communication with a
valve well 52. The valve well 52 is fluidly open at the underside
of the base 22. An ascending outlet passage 54 is defined in the
base 22 adjacent to but separated from the descending inlet passage
50. The ascending outlet passage 54 is in fluid communication with
the outlet 26.
[0030] The cartridge receiver 18 extends radially outward from the
lower margin of the base 22. The cartridge receiver 18 has
substantially greater diameter than the base 22. The cartridge
receiver 18 has a substantially planar upper margin 56. A plurality
of cutouts 57 may be defined through the cartridge receiver 18
proximate the peripheral margin thereof.
[0031] The peripheral margin of the cartridge receiver 18 is
defined by a depending rim 60. The rim 60 has a rim outer margin 62
and a rim inner margin 64. The rim inner margin 64 is best depicted
in FIG. 4. The rim inner margin 64 has a pair of diametrically
opposed inwardly directed lugs 66. Each of the lugs 66 has an upper
margin surface, as depicted in FIG. 4, that comprises a lug bearing
surface 68. The lugs 66 each have a lug engaging ramp 70 defined at
a first end of the respective lug 66. As will be seen, the
cartridge 400 is rotatably mated to the adapter assembly 10 by
first engaging the ramp 70 with the shoulder 416 and then riding on
the ramp 70 to draw the cartridge 400 into the adapter assembly 10
and to engage the lug bearing surface 68.
[0032] A pair of diametrically opposed lug disengaging kickoff
ramps 72 are disposed at the opposite second end of the respective
lug 66 from the lug engaging ramp 70. The kickoff ramps 72 extend
downward to fair into the bottom margin of the respective lug 66.
As will be seen, the kickoff ramps 72 provide for a gradual
disengagement of the cartridge 400 from the adapter assembly 10.
The use of the kickoff ramps 72 permits the user that is removing a
cartridge 400 to gradually and smoothly overcome the sealing
friction that exists as a result of the o-ring seals 92, 94,
described in detail below, so that the cartridge 400 is removed
without a jerking motion as is otherwise felt when the sealing
friction is released suddenly.
[0033] The cartridge insert 14 is the second major subcomponent of
the adapter assembly 10. The cartridge insert 14 is preferably
fixedly coupled to the adapter body 12 as by welding, bonding or
the like. In order to seat the cartridge insert 14 on the adapter
body 12 prior to welding, the upwardly directed couplers 82 of the
body 80 of the cartridge insert 14 are engaged with the radial
walls 83 of the adapter body 12.
[0034] The body 80 of the cartridge insert 14 has a first expanded
body portion 84 that presents a generally cylindrical outer margin
85. The outer margin 85 has an O-ring groove 86 defined
therein.
[0035] A second reduced body portion 88 depends from the expanded
body portion 84. The reduced body portion 88 presents a
substantially cylindrical outer margin 89. The outer margin 89 has
a significantly reduced diameter when compared to the diameter of
the expanded body portion 84. Two O-ring grooves 90 are defined in
the outer margin 89. An O-ring 92 may be disposed in the O-ring
groove 86 and an O-ring 94 may be disposed in each respective
O-ring groove 90.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the cartridge insert 14 has a valve
receiver 96 defined therein. The valve receiver 96 is fluidly
coupled to the valve well 52. The valve receiver 96 terminates in
an inlet discharge 98 that is in fluid communication with the inlet
chamber 414 defined in cooperation with the cartridge 400. An axial
outlet passage 100 is defined through the cartridge insert 14.
[0037] A high flow valve 102 is translatably disposed in the valve
well 52 and the valve receiver 96. Details of the construction of
the high flow valve 102 may be had with reference to FIGS. 1, 3,
and 6. The high flow valve 102 has an efficient hydrodynamic shape
to ensure a high rate of flow when the valve 102 is in the open
disposition, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 6. Further, as will be
seen, the fluted shaft 104 of the high flow valve 102 ensures both
a high rate of flow thereby and further acts to maintain the axial
alignment of the high flow valve 90 with respect to the valve
receiver 96.
[0038] The high flow valve 102 has a valve body 106. The valve body
106 has a head 108 tapering to the fluted shaft 104. In a preferred
embodiment, the flutes of the fluted shaft 104 are defined between
four equal angularly spaced flute walls 110. In practice, one of
the flute walls 110 may be thicker than the others in order to
assist in mold ejection. A bearing surface 112 is defined at the
distal end of the fluted shaft 104. A tip 114 is disposed at the
opposite end of the high flow valve 102 from the bearing surface
112.
[0039] A coil spring 116 is disposed in the valve well 52 and
engages the head 108 of the valve 102 to bias the valve 102 in the
closed, seated disposition. Several coils of the spring 96
preferably spiral around the head 108 of the high flow valve 102.
The first coil of the spring 116 is retained within a spring
retainer groove 118 defined circumferential to the head 108. A
circumferential seal 120 is disposed around the waist of the head
108. In a preferred embodiment, the seal 120 is integrally molded
by an injection over molding of thermal plastic rubber material
subsequent to formation of the body of the high flow valve 102 and
eliminates the need to use an O-ring in conjunction with the valve
102.
[0040] The exterior shape of the seal 120 continues the curved
shape of the head 108 and contributes to the hydrodynamic
efficiency of the high flow valve 102. In the past, the use of an
O-ring seal provided a substantial impediment to the flow of water
around the valve. By forming the valve 102 of a material that is
not affected by the type of plastic welding used to weld the
cartridge insert 14 to the adapter body 12, the valve 102 may
reside in the well 52 and valve receiver 96 during welding without
being affected by the welding operation. For example, the valve 102
may be formed of polypropylene and the adapter body 12 may be
formed of ABS in the event that sonic welding is used.
[0041] In operation, the manifold insert 16 of the adapter assembly
10 is inserted through the bore 306 defined in the bracket 302 of
the manifold 300 and into the receiver chamber 310 defined in the
cartridge receiver 304. The adapter assembly 10 is then rotated
clockwise approximately one-quarter of a turn. This rotation brings
the engaging ramp 44 of the shoulders 40 of the manifold insert 16
into engagement with the upper lip 307 defined peripheral to the
bore 306. The rotary motion causes the manifold insert 16 to ride
upward into the receiver chamber 310 to a position where the
bearing surface 42 of the shoulders 40 is in compressive engagement
with the lip 307.
[0042] Such upward motion causes the septum 28 on the top margin of
cupola 20 of the manifold insert 16 to bear on the valve actuator
margin 318 of the cartridge receiver 304. The upward motion of the
manifold insert 16 acts to open the inlet valve 314. When the inlet
valve 314 is opened, untreated water is free to flow in the inlet
312 and down through the descending inlet passage 50 of the
manifold insert 16. Such flow is arrested by the valve 102 being
biased in the closed, sealed disposition by the spring 116.
[0043] To disengage the adapter assembly 10 from the manifold 300,
an opposite rotary motion is imparted to the adapter assembly 10.
Such motion causes the disengaging ramp 46 of the shoulder 40 to
engage a tab formed internal to the bore 306 of the manifold 300.
Such engagement causes the bearing surface 42 to disengage from the
upper lip 307 and the adapter assembly 10 may be withdrawn from the
receiver chamber 310 by pulling down slightly on the adapter
assembly 10. Such downward motion causes the septum 28 to disengage
from the valve actuator margin 318 and the inlet valve 314 is then
biased into the closed disposition sealing off the inlet 312.
[0044] When the adapter assembly 10 is engaged within the manifold
300 as indicated above, the adapter assembly 10 is ready to receive
the cartridge 400. The cartridge 400 is slid upward to dispose the
insert receiver 406 in a substantially encompassing relationship
with the cartridge insert 14 of the adapter assembly 10. Such
motion brings the cartridge insert receiver 406 into sealing
engagement with the O-rings 86, 94. Further, the inlet chamber 414
is cooperatively defined between the insert receiver 406 and the
cartridge insert 14.
[0045] After engagement of the insert receiver 406 with the
cartridge insert 14, the cartridge 400 is rotated to engage the
shoulders 416 with the lugs 66 of the cartridge receiver 18. The
shoulders 416 ride up the lug engaging ramp 70 defined at an end of
the respective lugs 66 until the lug bearing surface 68 is in
compressive engagement with the shoulder 416. Such motion causes
the cartridge 400 to bear on the bearing surface 112 of the valve
102, thereby unseating and opening the valve 102, as described
below.
[0046] Removal of a cartridge 400 from the adapter assembly 10 is
by opposite rotation of the cartridge 400 and a downward withdrawal
motion. Such rotation causes the shoulder 416 of the cartridge 400
to engage the lug disengaging kickoff ramp 72 of the lug 66 that is
disposed opposite the lug 66 with which the respective shoulder 416
is engaged. Such rotational motion causes the shoulder 416 to ride
downward on the lug disengaging kickoff ramp 72 to slowly disengage
the insert receiver 406 from sealing engagement with the O-rings
86, 94. Such motion causes the cartridge 40 to disengage from the
bearing surface 112 of the valve 102. The spring 116 then biases
the valve 102 in the seated, closed disposition as described
below.
[0047] In operation, the head 108 and the spring 116 of the high
flow valve 102 reside within the valve well 52. The fluted shaft
104 of the high flow valve 102 resides in the valve receiver 96
defined in the cartridge receiver 18 (see FIGS. 1, 3, and 6). The
valve receiver 96 has seat 97 defined therein. In the closed
disposition of the high flow valve 102, the seal 120 bears on the
seat 97 under the biasing effect of the spring 116 in cooperation
with the pressure exerted by the incoming water to be filtered. In
the closed disposition, the high flow valve 102 prevents the flow
of unfiltered water through the adapter assembly 10.
[0048] When a cartridge 400 is rotatably engaged with the adapter
assembly 10, the bearing surface 112 is acted on by the actuating
surface 418 to force the high flow valve 102 upward as depicted in
FIGS. 3 and 6. Such translation of the high flow valve 102 causes
the seal 120 to unseat from the seat 97. The unseating of the high
flow valve 102 causes the incoming water that is to be filtered to
flow around the head 108 and through the flutes defined by the
flute walls 110. The outer margin of the flute walls 110 have a
dimension measured diametrically from flute wall 110 to the opposed
flute wall 110 that is only slightly less than the inside diameter
of the valve receiver 96. Accordingly, the exterior margin of the
flute walls 110 can bear on the wall of the valve receiver 96 to
maintain very close axial alignment of the high flow valve 102 with
the longitudinal axis of the valve receiver 96. Such alignment
ensures that the bearing surface 112 is adequately engaged by the
actuating surface 418 to open the high flow valve 102 and to
maintain the valve 102 in an aligned open disposition. It should be
noted that at all times when the cartridge 400 is rotatably engaged
with the adapter assembly 10, the high flow valve 102 is maintained
in an open disposition. It should also be noted that a valve could
additionally be disposed in the ascending outlet passage 54 for
control of the flow of filtered water as desired.
[0049] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other
embodiments in addition to the ones described herein are indicated
to be within the scope and breadth of the present application.
Accordingly, the applicant intends to be limited only by the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *