U.S. patent application number 12/317409 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for filter assembly.
Invention is credited to Timothy M. Sasur, Jeremiah Sazama.
Application Number | 20100155321 12/317409 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42264503 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100155321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sasur; Timothy M. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2010 |
Filter assembly
Abstract
A fuel filter assembly includes a header and a can-shaped
housing removeably attached to the header. The can-shaped housing
has an upper rim portion provided with a plurality of notches
therein. A filter unit has an upper end cap provided with a
plurality of tabs extending from the periphery and positioned
within the notches of the housing. The spacing of the notches about
the axis of the housing must be the same as the spacing of the tabs
about the axis of the filter unit to permit the filter unit and
housing to be properly assembled, thereby preventing the use of an
incorrect filter unit within the housing. Additionally, the header
has a plurality of key slots that receive the tabs on the filter
unit. The spacing of the key slots and tabs must be the same to
permit the housing and received filter unit to be properly
connected to the header.
Inventors: |
Sasur; Timothy M.;
(Newington, CT) ; Sazama; Jeremiah; (Hartford,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALIX YALE & RISTAS LLP
750 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1400
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
42264503 |
Appl. No.: |
12/317409 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 29/96 20130101;
B01D 2201/4076 20130101; B01D 2201/296 20130101; B01D 2201/295
20130101; B01D 2201/4046 20130101; B01D 29/21 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/232 |
International
Class: |
B01D 29/00 20060101
B01D029/00 |
Claims
1. A fuel filter assembly comprising: a header; a housing
removeably attached to said header, said housing including an upper
edge portion having a plurality of notches therein; and a cartridge
unit within said housing, said cartridge unit having an upper end
cap provided with a plurality of tabs extending from the periphery
thereof, said tabs being positioned in said notches in said
housing.
2. The fuel filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said tabs include a
finger portion at the ends thereof positioned against the outer
surface of the housing.
3. The fuel filter assembly of claim 2 wherein there are at least
three tabs.
4 The fuel filter assembly of claim 3 wherein said housing has an
axis, said notches have a predetermined angular spacing about said
housing axis, and said tabs have an angular spacing coincident with
said angular spacing of said notches.
5. The fuel filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said header includes
radially protruding features and said housing includes a
circumferential rim on its outer surface, and said filter assembly
further including a locking ring for engaging said features and
said rim for locking said housing to said header.
6. The fuel filter assembly of claim 5 wherein said housing
comprises two parts, the first part being an upper cap portion
having said notches therein and said second part being a
bowl-shaped lower portion, said first and second parts being
connected by a rolled seam, said rolled seam providing said
circumferential rim on said housing.
7. The fuel filter assembly of claim 2 wherein said header includes
a downwardly extending skirt having an inner surface and a
plurality of circumferentially spaced key slots in the inner
surface, said key slots being equal in number to said tabs and
having the same circumferential spacing as said tabs and being
adapted to receive said tabs when said housing is attached to said
header.
8. The fuel filter assembly of claim 7 wherein said header has a
rim extending around the upper portion of the inside surface of
said skirt, said key slots being formed in said rim.
9. The fuel filter assembly of claim 7 wherein said skirt has an
outer surface, said outer surface having a plurality of lugs
thereon, and further including a locking ring for attaching said
housing to said header, said locking ring having a portion in
engagement with said housing and an upper surface with a plurality
of slots extending downwardly therefrom in the internal surface
that communicate with a slanted internal ramp thereof, each said
slot aligned to receive one of said lugs therein to permit said
locking ring to be moved upwardly and rotated with the keying lugs
riding along the slanted ramp.
10. The fuel filter assembly of claim 9 wherein said header has a
fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, said fuel inlet communicating with
the interior of said header at a point above cartridge unit, said
upper end cap having a periphery excluding said tabs that is spaced
from said upper edge portion of said housing to form a gap for fuel
to flow into the interior of said housing.
11. The fuel filter assembly of claim 10 wherein said filter unit
has a center aperture and said header has a center post extending
into said aperture, said fuel outlet connected to the center
aperture by a passageway extending though said center post.
12. The fuel filter assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing is
molded from plastic or metal.
13. A filter unit for a fuel filter assembly comprising: a filter
element having a generally cylindrical profile; upper and lower end
caps at the ends of said filter element, said upper end cap having
a plurality of tabs extending from the peripheral edge thereof, the
distal end of each of said tabs having a down-turned finger portion
spaced from the filter element to form gap between an inside
surface of said down-turned finger portion and the filter
element.
14. The filter unit of claim 13 wherein there are at least three
tabs.
15. The filter unit of claim 13 wherein the tabs have a
predetermined spacing about the axis of the filter element.
16. The filter unit of claim 13 wherein said filter element has a
center aperture and said upper end cap has an aperture coaxial with
the center aperture, and further including a grommet mounted in the
aperture in said upper end cap.
17. A filter cartridge assembly for connection to a header of a
fuel filter assembly comprising: a housing having an upper edge
portion, said upper edge portion having a plurality of notches
therein spaced about an axis of the housing, a filter unit
including a filter element having a generally cylindrical outer
profile and an upper and lower end cap, said upper end cap having a
plurality of tabs extending from an outer periphery thereof, said
tabs being equal in number to said notches in said housing and
being spaced about the axis of said filter unit in the same
configuration as the spacing of said notches about the axis of said
housing, said tabs being positioned in said notches.
18. The filter cartridge assembly of claim 17 wherein each of said
tabs has a down-turned portion at its end, said down-turned portion
positioned against an outside surface of the housing.
19. The filter cartridge assembly of claim 18 wherein there are at
least three notches.
20. The filter cartridge assembly of claim 18 wherein the periphery
of said upper end cap excluding said tabs is radially spaced from
said upper edge portion of said housing to form a gap between the
upper end cap and the housing.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates generally to filter assemblies
employed in connection with internal combustion engines. More
particularly, the present application relates to filter assemblies
having a replacement cartridge for removing foreign particles
and/or separating water from fuel of the fuel supply system of an
internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It has long been recognized that trouble-free operation of
an internal combustion engine requires some form of filtering of
the fuel consumed by the engine. In particular, the absence of high
standards of quality control in diesel fuel supplies dictates that
an effective fuel filter be incorporated into the fuel supply
system for a diesel engine. It is not uncommon for diesel fuel to
contain significant quantities of abrasive particles and water. The
abrasive particles present the potential for permanent damage to
components of the fuel injection system. The abrasive particles can
adversely affect the performance of the fuel injection pump by
destroying the ability of the fuel injection pump to precisely
meter and deliver fuel at high pressures. The presence of water in
the diesel fuel supply can cause rusting of engine components, and
during freezing conditions, can result in interruption of the fuel
injection system and/or seizure of moving components.
[0003] A number of conventional fuel filter systems perform the
dual functions of removing particulate matter from the diesel fuel
and separating water from the fuel. Conventionally, the fuel filter
systems employ a disposable filter cartridge which is replaced at
pre-established intervals of filter usage. In practice, the filter
cartridge requirements may vary depending upon such characteristics
as the type and make of the internal combustion engine, the
specific applications for which the engine is employed, the climate
in which the combustion engine is operated and/or regional
characteristics as to the quality of the fuel supply. The filter
cartridges thus commonly vary as to their dimensions, their
capacity, and the qualities of their filter media.
[0004] One of the problems that is frequently encountered in
connection with replacement of the filter cartridge is ensuring
that the replaced cartridge is compatible with the filtering
requirements for the fuel system. Because numerous types and
qualities of filter cartridges may dimensionally conform to the
base of a given filter system, the replacement filter cartridge
frequently does not comply with the specifications for the filter
system, thereby jeopardizing the integrity of the fuel filtering
system. Use of an incompatible filter cartridge can have very
serious effects on the operation of the internal combustion engine,
and may also be unnecessarily expensive when a less costly
cartridge is fully suitable. Frequently, either the owner or the
maintenance personnel servicing the internal combustion engine are
totally unaware of the replacement filter cartridge specifications
and requirements and unknowingly jeopardize the integrity of the
filtering system by using non-conforming filter cartridges. There
are also instances where inferior or improper replacement filter
cartridges are intentionally installed without the knowledge of the
owner or operator of the vehicle.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,797, which is assigned to the assignee
of the present invention, discloses a key system for a filter
system intended to address issues of filter cartridge
compatibility. Fuel filter systems commonly comprise fuel inlet and
outlets disposed in a base or header and a disposable filter
cartridge that mounts to the base. Disposable filter cartridges
constructed according to this invention have slots which are
designed to mate with axial projections of the base. The
projections interfere with the use of an incompatible cartridge by
interfering with the mounting and sealing of the cartridge to the
base.
[0006] Fuel filters have typically been constructed in the form of
a metal can, permanently enclosing the filter element in a single
use assembly. While these assemblies have proved to be effective
and reliable, they are less than ideal in terms of waste of
materials and disposal cost.
[0007] Increased awareness of environmental protection and
recycling of materials have led to a need for more efficient
filtration systems having a minimum disposable component. In
addition, environmental protection agencies seeking to reduce the
volume of waste items associated with the automotive and trucking
industries may no longer permit unrestricted disposal of used fuel
filters into the normal waste stream, thereby necessitating
specialized and consequently more expensive disposal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of the disclosure there is provided
a fuel filter assembly including a header and a housing removeably
attached to the header. The housing has an upper edge portion
having a plurality of notches therein. A filter unit is positioned
within the housing, forming a cartridge assembly. The filter unit
has an upper end cap provided with a plurality of tabs extending
from the periphery thereof, the tabs being positioned in the
notches in the housing.
[0009] According to a further aspect, the header may include a
downwardly extending skirt having an inner surface and a plurality
of circumferentially spaced key slots in the inner surface. The key
slots are equal in number to and have the same circumferential
spacing as the tabs and are adapted to receive the tabs when the
housing and received filter unit are inserted into the header.
[0010] According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is
provided a filter unit for a fuel filter assembly that includes a
unit element having a generally cylindrical profile. The filter
element includes upper and lower end caps at the ends of the filter
element. The upper end cap has a plurality of tabs that extend from
the outer periphery thereof. The distal end of each of the tabs has
a down-turned finger portion spaced from the filter element to form
a gap between the inside surface of the down-turned finger portion
and the filter element.
[0011] According to a yet another aspect of the disclosure, there
is provided a filter unit and housing assembly for connection to a
header of a fuel filter assembly that includes a housing having an
upper edge portion, the upper edge portion having a plurality of
notches therein spaced about the housing, the filter unit includes
a plurality of tabs extending from the outer periphery of the upper
end cap. The tabs are equal in number to the notches in the housing
and are spaced about the axis of the filter unit in the same
configuration as the spacing of the notches about the axis of the
housing, with the tabs being positioned in the notches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a filter assembly
according to the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom portion or bowl
of the housing of the filter assembly of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top portion or cap of
the housing of the filter assembly in claim 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing with the cap of
FIG. 4 attached to the bowl of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the combined cap and
bowl of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view in
perspective of a portion of the filter assembly of FIG. 1 showing
the details of the interconnection of the header, housing and
filter unit;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the filter unit used in the
filter assembly of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the header of the filter
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom inside of the
header shown in FIG. 7; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the locking collar of the
fuel filter assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, the fuel
filter assembly 2 comprises generally a header 4 to which is
removeably attached a can-shaped housing 6. A filter unit 8 is
positioned within the can-shaped housing 6 as shown. A locking
collar 10 serves to attach the can-shaped housing 6 containing the
filter unit 8 to the header 4.
[0023] The can-shaped housing 6 may be formed from two separate
components as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each fabricated from a
suitable material such as steel. The two pieces include a bottom
bowl-shaped member 12 and top cap 14. The bowl-shaped member 12 has
a circular flange 16 adjacent its upper end that extends
perpendicular to the axis of the bowl as shown in FIG. 2. The top
cap 14 as shown in FIG. 3 has a circular flange 18 that extends
perpendicular to the axis of the top portion. The two flanges 16
and 18 provide means whereby the bowl-shaped 12 and top portion 14
are joined together by a conventional rolled seam 20. The resulting
seam 20 provides a circumferentially extending shoulder 22 about
the housing 6 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0024] The bowl-shaped member 12 is hollow, has a cylindrical wall
portion 24 and is closed at its lower end 25. An aperture 26 is
provided in its lower end 25 as shown on FIGS. 1 and 5 that is
adapted to receive a drain cock (not shown). The drain cock is
typically used for draining water separated from the fuel, and can
also serve the ecological function of draining fuel from the
housing 6 before the housing is separated from the header 8.
[0025] As shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the top cap 14 has a
cylindrical wall that includes a circular rim portion 28, an upper
cylindrical wall portion 30 having an outer diameter greater than
the rim portion 28 and a lower cylindrical wall portion 32 having
an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the upper
cylindrical wall portion 30. An inwardly extending circumferential
groove 34 is formed between the upper cylindrical wall portion 30
and the lower cylindrical wall portion 32. A sealing ring, such as
an O-ring 36, is mounted in the groove 34.
[0026] A plurality of notches 38 is provided in the upper edge of
rim portion 28 of the top cap 14 of the housing 6. The notches 38
extend downwardly from the top surface of the rim portion 28 to a
point slightly spaced upwardly from the upper cylindrical wall
portion 30 as shown in the drawings. There are three such notches
38 shown although an alternative plurality of such notches may be
provided. The three notches 38 shown are symmetrically spaced about
the axis of the housing. The spacing between each of the notches
may be varied to provide different configurations that are unique
to a given fuel filter assembly.
[0027] Although the housing 6 has been shown as being formed from
two members, it may be fabricated as a one-piece element. For
example, the housing 6 may be a one-piece injection-molded member
using a suitable plastic material. The plastic material may be
transparent to permit inspection of the water level in the housing.
Alternatively, the housing 6 may be cast from aluminum.
[0028] The filter unit 8 includes a filter element 40 having an
outer cylindrical profile. The filter element 40 may be a fan
folded paper element in the form of a cylinder with a center
aperture 42 that typically filters particulates and separates water
from fuel. An upper end cap 44 is provided at the top of the filter
element 40 and a lower end cap 46 is provided at the bottom of the
filter element 40. The end caps 44 and 46 enclose the axially
spaced ends of the filter element 40 and provide structure to the
paper element. The upper end cap 44 has an aperture 48 that is
coaxial with the axis of the aperture 42 through the filter element
40. A grommet 50 is mounted in the aperture 48 of the upper end cap
44. The grommet 50 has a circumferential slot 52 that receives the
edge portion 54 defining the aperture 48 in the upper end cap 44 to
secure the grommet 50 on the filter unit 8. The grommet 50 has an
axial bore 55 therethrough that is coaxial with the axis of the
filter element 40.
[0029] The upper end cap 44 of the filter unit 8 includes a
plurality of tabs 56 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 that extend
outwardly from the outer periphery thereof. A down-turned finger
portion 58 is provided at the ends of each of the tabs 56 that
forms a space or gap 60 between the outer periphery of the filter
element 40 and the inner surface 61 of the finger portion 58. The
gap 60 should be of a width such that the thickness of the rim
portion 28 of the housing 6 can be inserted within the gap 60 and
still leave a space between the inner surface 62 of the rim portion
28 and the outer periphery of the filter element 40 as shown in
FIG. 6.
[0030] The number of tabs 56 is equal in number to the notches 38
in the housing 6. The tabs 56 are spaced about the axis of the
filter unit 8 in a manner identical to the spacing of the notches
38 about the axis of the housing 6. The width of each of the tabs
56 and notches 38 should be such that each tab 56 can be positioned
within a corresponding notch 38 with little or no rotational
movement occurring between the filter unit 8 and the housing 6. The
outer diameter of the upper end cap 44 (excluding the tabs) is less
than the inner diameter of the rim portion 28 of the housing 6 so
that there is a gap 63 between outer periphery of the upper end cap
44 and the inner surfaces of the rim portion 28 and groove 34 when
the filter unit 8 is inserted into the housing 6 as shown in FIG.
1.
[0031] With the arrangement of tabs 56 and notches 38 as described
above, the filter unit 8 can be inserted into the top of the
housing 6, moved downwardly into the housing 6 and rotated until
the tabs 56 are aligned with the notches 38 at the top of the
housing 6. Further insertion of the filter unit 8 into the housing
6 will result in the tabs 56 being positioned within the notches 38
and the down turned finger portions 58 being positioned on the
outside of the rim portion 28 of the cylindrical wall of the
housing 6. The finger portions 58 engage the outside wall of the
rim portion 28 and serve to maintain the filter unit 8 in a
centered position coaxial within the housing 6.
[0032] As mentioned above, three notches 38 are provided in
connection with the housing 6 that are spaced symmetrically about
the axis of the housing 6. With a housing 6 having this
configuration, only a filter unit 8 having three tabs 56 with a
similar spacing about the axis of the filter unit can be properly
inserted into the housing 6. Incompatible housings 6 and filter
units 8 cannot be properly assembled.
[0033] The number of, or special orientation of the notches about
the axis, can be changed so that only a unit 8 having that
configuration of tabs 56 will be accepted within the housing 6. A
compatibility matrix is provided comprising an infinite number of
configurations of compatible housings 6 and filter units 8 to
differentiate between filter assemblies having different flow
capabilities, filter media, disposal options, ecological qualities
or other characteristics.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the header 4 includes a
downward extending skirt 64 into which the cap 14 of the housing 6
is inserted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the inside diameter of
the cylindrical wall 24 of the bowl 12 of the housing 6 is larger
than the outside diameter of the cylindrical wall portions 30 and
32 of the cap 14, so that upon formation of the rolled seam 20, a
U-shaped pocket 66 is formed that extends around the housing 6 with
the shoulder 22 formed by the rolled seam 20 on the outside of the
housing 6. The filter unit 8 and housing 6 assembly is inserted
into the header 4 so that the upper portion of the housing 6 and
upper end cap 44 of the filter unit are positioned within the skirt
64 and the sealing ring 36 is in sealing engagement with the inside
surface of the skirt 64. The bottom end 68 of the skirt 64 extends
into the pocket 66 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0035] The inside surface of the skirt 64 of the header 4 is
provided with an inwardly protruding shoulder 70 extending around
the upper portion of the inside surface of the skirt 64 and
projecting downward from the inside upper surface 74 of the header
4. The shoulder 70 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced
key slots 76 in its bottom surface 78 that are adapted to receive
the tabs 56 on the filter unit 8 when the assembly of the housing 6
and filter unit 8 is inserted into the header 4. The number and
circumferential spacing of the key slots 76 must coincide with the
number and spacing of the tabs 56 on the filter unit 8 to enable
the assembly of the housing 6 and filter unit 8 to be properly
inserted into the header 4 and secured by the locking collar 10. If
the tabs 56 are of different configuration than the keys slots 76,
the housing 6 and filter unit 8 assembly will not be properly
received in the header 4 to allow the locking collar 10 to be
properly secured. Also, if the tabs 56 on the top end cap 44 of the
filter unit 8 are not properly located in the notches 38 of the
housing 6, the assembly of the filter unit 8 and housing 6 cannot
be properly inserted into the header 4 to be locked by the locking
collar 10.
[0036] The skirt 64 of the header 4 is provided with a plurality of
locking lugs 80 on its outer surface that are engaged by the
locking collar 10 to secure the housing 6 to the header 4. The
locking collar 10 surrounds the housing 6 and includes an inwardly
extending flange 82 as shown in FIG. 6 that engages the
circumferential shoulder 22 around the housing 6.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, the locking collar 10 is provided with
a series of circumferentially spaced cutouts 84 that extend
downward from its top surface and communicate with a
circumferentially extending ramp 86. The ramp 86 tapers downward
from its connection with the cutout 84 to a non-tapering slot 88
defined by surfaces that lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis
of the locking collar 10. A detent portion 90 interconnects the
tapering ramp 86 and non-tapering slot 88. The number of cutouts 84
is equal in number to the number of lugs 80 on the skirt 64.
[0038] To attach the housing 8 and filter unit assembly to the
header 4, the housing 6, with the filter unit 8 in place, is
inserted into the header 4. The tabs 56 on the filter unit 8 extend
up into the key slots 76 in the shoulder 70 that extends downward
from the inside bottom surface 74 of the header 4.
[0039] The locking ring 10 is positioned around the housing 6 and
is moved up so that lugs 80 of the header 4 enter the cutouts 84 in
the locking ring 10. As the locking ring 10 is rotated, the tapered
ramp 86 rides along the lugs 80 of the locking ring 10 whereby the
locking ring 10 moves upwardly relative to the header 4 pulling the
housing 6 upward with it by virtue of the engagement of the flange
82 with the shoulder 22 on the housing 6. The locking ring 10 is
rotated until the detent portion 90 by passes the lugs 80 and the
lugs 10 are positioned in the non-tapering slot 88.
[0040] In an alternative header/collar configuration, the header
includes radially protruding threads which are engaged by
complementary threads on the collar (not illustrated). The collar
is rotated so that the threads bring the collar toward the header.
The threads include detents to define the fully installed position
of the collar with respect to the header. The engagement between
the collar 10 and header 4 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8-10
should be considered interchangeable with a threaded
engagement.
[0041] The header 4 is provided with an inlet port 92 and an outlet
port 94 as shown particularly in FIG. 1. The header 4 also includes
a central downward extending circular post 96 that is adapted to
extend through the grommet 50 in the filter unit 8 when the filter
unit 8 and housing 6 assembly is connected to header 4. The inlet
port 92 is connected by an inlet passage 97 to the area within the
header 4 immediately above the filter unit 8. The output port 92 is
connected to the center aperture 42 of the filter unit 8 by means
of an outlet passageway 98 extending from the outlet port 94
radially through the header 8 and downwardly through the central
downward extending post 96 and opening into center aperture 42 of
the filter unit 8.
[0042] With this arrangement, the flow path of the fuel is through
the inlet port 92 and inlet passageway 97 into the area above the
top of the filter unit 8. The fuel passes through the gap 63
between the outer periphery of the upper end cap 44 and the inner
surface of the cylindrical rim portion 28 of the housing 6 into the
interior of the housing 6 down around the side of the filter unit
8. Fuel then passes through the filter element 40 into the central
aperture 42 and up the central aperture 42 and through the outlet
passageway 98 to the outlet port 94.
[0043] To provide for this flowpath, the outer diameter of the
periphery of the top end cap 44 (excluding the tabs 56) is less
than the inner diameter of the cylindrical rim portion 28 of the
housing 8. This results in the gap 63 through which the liquid fuel
can flow down past the filter unit 8 into the interior of the
housing 6.
[0044] In use, the header 4 is physically attached to a vehicle
engine or chassis by means of bolts (not shown) passing through the
apertures 100 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The header 4 provides an
inlet and outlet for the fuel line (not shown). A suitable filter
unit 8 of the type designed to be used with that particular vehicle
and with the particular configuration of notches 38 in the housing
6 is inserted into the housing 6 with the tabs 56 positioned in the
notches 38 and the finger portions 58 positioned on the outside of
the cylindrical rim 28 of the housing 6. The housing 6 is then
inserted into the header 4 so that the tabs 38 are received in the
key slots 76 in the inside of the header 4. The locking ring 10 is
positioned about the housing and moved upwardly so that the flange
82 engages the shoulder 22 on the housing and aligned so that its
cutouts 84 align with the lugs 80 on the outside of the header 4.
The locking ring is moved toward the header until the lugs 80 are
aligned with the ramp 86 whereupon the locking ring is rotated
until the lugs 80 pass the detent portion 90 and enter the
non-tapering slot 88.
[0045] By providing at least three spaced tabs 56 with down turned
finger portions 58, the upper end cap 44 will stay centered and
coaxial with the housing 6 by virtue of the fact that the down
turned finger portions 56, being in engagement with the outer
surface of the cylindrical rim portion 28 of the housing 6,
prevents radial movement between the housing 6 and filter unit 8.
This ensures that the flow passage between the outer periphery of
the top end cap 44 and the inner surface of the housing 8 remains
symmetrical about the axis of the housing 6.
[0046] The key slots 76 in the header 4 control upward movement of
the housing 6 and filter unit 8 into the header 4. If the tabs 56
on the filter unit 8 do not properly align with the key slots 76,
and if the tabs 56 are not properly received in the notches 38 in
the top of the housing 6, the filter unit 8 and housing 6 assembly
will not be received into the header 4 the proper distance. Unless
the filter unit 8 and housing 8 assembly is properly inserted into
the header 4, the locking ring 10 cannot be rotated properly.
[0047] For example, if the tabs 56 on the filter unit 8 and the
notches 38 in the housing 6 do not match so that the tabs are
positioned within the notches 38, the tabs 56 will rest on the very
top edge of the housing 8. Assuming that the notches 38 in the
housing 6 and the key slots 76 in the header 4 are of the same
spacial alignment, then, in such a case, when the housing 6 and
filter unit 8 assembly is inserted into the header 4, the
nonsymmetrical tabs 56 will engage the shoulder 70 rather than
enter the key slot 76 and further insertion into the header 4 is
prevented. Under this circumstance, the shoulder 22 on the outside
of the housing 6 is be positioned at a point axially spaced
downward from the lugs 80 on the outside of the header 4 such that
when the locking ring 10 is moved upwardly, the inclined slot 86 in
the locking ring would not be properly aligned with lugs 80 on the
header 4 so that the locking ring 10 can be properly rotated into
the locked position. This prevents a housing 6 with a non-matching
filter unit 8 from being connected to the header 4.
[0048] Also, even if the tabs 56 on the upper end cap 44 of the
filter unit 8 are properly positioned within the notches 38 of the
housing 6, if the configuration of the notches 56 doesn't match the
configuration of the key slots 76 in the header 4, the housing 6
and filter unit 8 assembly will not be properly received into the
header to enable the locking ring to be properly secured. In this
case, the top surface of the tabs 56 will engage the shoulder 70 in
the header 4 and further insertion of the filter unit 8 and housing
6 assembly will be prevented. As a result, housing 6 will not be in
proper axial position relative to the lugs 80 so that when the
locking collar 10 is moved upward into a position where it engages
the shoulder 22 on the housing 8, the locking collar 10 can
properly engage the lugs 80 to properly lock the filter unit 8 and
housing 6 assembly in place. Thus even though the filter unit 8 and
housing 6 might match, unless the notches 38 on the housing also
match the orientation of the key slots 76 in the header 4, the
filter unit 8 and housing 6 cannot be properly attached to the
header 6.
[0049] By virtue of the above-described construction, a filter
cartridge assembly is provided in which an ecological filter unit
may be utilized and which provides for an infinite number of
configurations to differentiate between filter cartridge assemblies
having different flow capabilities, filter unit disposal options
and or other characteristics.
[0050] Only when a correctly configured filter unit has been fully
received and retained with the housing can the filter unit and
housing (cartridge assembly) properly engage with the header to
permit the cartridge assembly to be properly secured to the header.
This will ensure that the cartridge assembly will be one that is
compliant with the specifications of the fuel system of that
particular vehicle.
[0051] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described,
various substitutions and modifications may be made thereto.
Accordingly, it is understood that the present embodiments have
been described by way of illustration and not limitation.
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