Liquid filter assemblies; features; components; and, methods
Liquid filter assemblies, features, components and methods are described. In general, a liquid filter cartridge is provided which includes features that help ensure that when the assembly is serviced, the cartridge positioned within the assembly is a proper one, in proper sealing orientation, for appropriate use. Features that can be used to provide for this include: a seal on the filter cartridge that defines a seal pattern non-orthogonal to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the filter cartridge; and, a member of a projection/receiver arrangement on the filter cartridge which is orientated to engage a portion of a liquid filter assembly, for example a liquid flow collar, to allow sealing when the cartridge is a properly positioned cartridge and a properly configured cartridge. Assembly features are described. Also, a flexible radial projection arrangement providing snap-fit interaction between a cartridge and housing is provided. Methods of assembly and use as described.
1. A liquid filter cartridge configured for use, in installation, in removable sealing engagement with a liquid flow collar of a liquid filter assembly; the liquid filter cartridge comprising:
(a) a filter media pack comprising filter media surrounding an open filter interior;
(i) the filter media having first and second, opposite, ends; and, defining a central axis;
(b) a first end construction positioned at the first end of the filter media; and,
(c) a second end construction positioned at the second end of the filter media;
(i) the second end construction being open, and including a central spigot projecting away from the filter media and surrounding and defining a central liquid flow aperture in liquid flow communication with the open filter interior;
(ii) a seal member positioned on the spigot to define a seal pattern non-orthogonal to the central axis of the filter media; and,
(iii) a non-seal member of a projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement positioned on the second end construction at a location to engage another member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the liquid flow collar, in selected rotational alignment, in use;
(A) the non-seal member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the second end construction includes a radial abutment member having an abutment surface; and,
(B) the radial abutment member defining a gap between a portion of the radial abutment member and a portion of the central spigot.
2. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the seal member is configured to define a circular perimeter definition in projection.
3. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end construction is a closed end construction.
4. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 3 wherein:
(a) the first end construction is closed by a bypass valve arrangement.
5. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the seal member is positioned radially outwardly from the central axis no more than a maximum extent of projection of the media from the central axis.
6. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:
(a) the seal member is positioned radially outwardly from the central axis no more than 80% of a maximum extent of projection of the media from the central axis.
7. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the seal member extends at an angle of at least 5° and not more than 40° to a plane orthogonal to the central axis.
8. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the abutment surface of the radial alignment abutment member projects in a direction away from the media pack a distance further than at least a portion of the seal member closest to the media pack.
9. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the radial abutment member defines a collar receiving gap between a portion of the radial abutment member and a portion of the spigot;
(i) the collar-receiving gap being traversed by a radial fin member at a location between the gap and the media pack.
10. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the radial abutment member defines a cam end remote from the media pack which is slanted from a peak, adjacent the abutment surface, toward the media pack.
11. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the central spigot includes an end tip having an end surface non-orthogonal to the central axis of the media.
12. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the second end construction includes an outer perimeter with a housing-engagement radial projection arrangement thereon comprising a pair of spaced radially flexible tabs each having a radially outwardly direction projection arrangement thereon.
13. A liquid filter according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the spigot includes a notch therein positioned to extend from engagement with an end tip of the spigot, in a direction toward the media.
14. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the spigot has a maximum extension radially from the central axis that is not greater than 80% of a maximum radial extension of the media from the central axis.
15. A liquid filter assembly including:
(a) a liquid flow collar defining a central liquid flow passageway therethrough with a central axis and having a first member of a projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement positioned thereon;
(i) the liquid flow collar including a seal surface oriented to be sealingly engaged by a seal, the seal surface defining a seal pattern non-orthogonal to a central axis of the liquid flow collar; and,
(b) a liquid filter cartridge oriented in releasable, sealed, liquid flow engagement with the liquid flow collar, the liquid filter cartridge comprising:
(i) a filter media pack comprising filter media surrounding an open filter interior;
(A) the filter media having first and second, opposite, ends; and, defining a central axis;
(ii) a first end construction positioned at the first end of the filter media; and,
(iii) a second end construction positioned at the second end of the filter media;
(A) the second end construction being open, and including a central spigot projecting away from the filter media and surrounding and defining a central liquid flow aperture in liquid flow communication with the open filter interior;
(B) a seal member positioned on the spigot to define a seal pattern non-orthogonal to the central axis of the filter media; and,
(C) a non-seal member of a projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement positioned on the second end construction at a location to engage another member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on a liquid flow collar, in selected rotational alignment, in use;
(1) the non-seal member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the second end construction includes a radial abutment member having an abutment surface; and,
(2) the radial abutment member defines a gap between a portion of the radial abutment member and a portion of the central spigot;
(c) the liquid filter cartridge being positioned with:
(i) the open filter interior of the filter cartridge in liquid flow communication, through the spigot on the second seal construction, with the liquid flow collar central liquid flow passageway;
(ii) the seal member on the spigot in sealing engagement with the seal engagement surface on the liquid flow collar; and,
(iii) the first member of a projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the liquid flow collar engaged with the non-seal member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the second end construction in selected rotational alignment between the cartridge and the liquid flow collar.
16. A liquid filter assembly according to claim 15 wherein:
(a) the liquid flow collar is secured to a housing of an in-tank filter assembly.
17. A liquid filter assembly according to claim 15 wherein:
(a) the liquid flow collar comprises a portion of a liquid filter head for an in-line filter assembly; and,
(b) the liquid filter cartridge is positioned in a housing of a filter arrangement removably secured to the liquid filter head.
18. A liquid filter cartridge configured for use, in installation, in removable sealing engagement with a liquid flow collar of a liquid filter assembly; the liquid filter cartridge comprising:
(a) a filter media pack comprising filter media surrounding an open filter interior;
(i) the filter media having first and second, opposite, ends; and, defining a central axis;
(b) a first end construction positioned at the first end of the filter media; and,
(c) a second end construction positioned at the second end of the filter media;
(i) the second end construction being open, and including a central spigot projecting away from the filter media and surrounding and defining a central liquid flow aperture in liquid flow communication with the open filter interior;
(ii) a seal member positioned on the spigot to define a seal pattern non-orthogonal to the central axis of the filter media; and,
(iii) a non-seal member of a projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement positioned on the second end construction at a location to engage another member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the liquid flow collar, in selected rotational alignment, in use;
(A) the non-seal member of the projection/receiver rotational alignment arrangement on the second end construction includes a radial abutment member having an abutment surface;
(B) the radial abutment member defining a gap between a portion of the radial abutment member and a portion of the central spigot; and
(iv) the second end construction including an outer perimeter with a housing-engagement radial projection arrangement thereon.
19. A liquid filter according to claim 18 wherein:
(a) the spigot includes a notch therein positioned to extend from engagement with an end tip of the spigot, in a direction toward the media.
20. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
(a) the spigot has a maximum extension radially from the central axis that is not greater than 80% of a maximum radial extension of the media from the central axis.
21. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
(a) the seal member is positioned radially outwardly from the central axis no more than a maximum extent of projection of the media from the central axis.
22. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 21 wherein:
(a) the seal member is positioned radially outwardly from the central axis no more than 80% of a maximum extent of projection of the media from the central axis.
23. A liquid filter cartridge according to claim 18 wherein:
(a) the seal member extends at an angle of at least 5° and not more than 40° to a plane orthogonal to the central axis.