Hot disconnect replaceable water filter assembly

Abstract

A filter assembly for filtering water from an external source, the filter assembly having a manifold assembly and a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes a cartridge engagement means while the manifold includes a manifold engagement means. The cartridge engagement means and manifold engagement means cooperatively interfacing for removable attachment of the filter cartridge to the manifold assembly. The cartridge engagement means and manifold engagement means oriented in a retaining relation during removal of the cartridge filter from the manifold assembly such that any entrained pressure within the cartridge filter is vented while the cartridge engagement means and manifold engagement means are in the retaining relation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

such that both the underside surface 128 and a topside surface of each tab 104 spirals upward at an angle greater than zero to an edge of the margin, at an approximate 8.degree. angle along margin 101 to a. The tabs circumscribe the body, presently preferred, position less than half the a circumference away from their point of origin of the body. The underside surface 128 of these tabs is, presently preferably, supported by top surface 84 of interior helical tabs 70 of manifold assembly 12, shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, exterior helical tabs 104, presently preferably, have at their end points ramps 120 for facilitating engagement with interior helical tabs 70.

Cartridge top member body 100 has, presently preferably, defined therein interior receiver well 106 with inside margin 112 for sealing with O-ring 34 of manifold assembly 12 as shown in FIG. 1. This effects a fluid seal between unfiltered inlet water within receiver well 106 and the cavity of manifold assembly body 20.

As illustrated FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, a plurality of inlet orifices 114 are, presently preferably, formed within the bottom surface of receiver well 106. These orifices 114 are, presently preferably, spaced circumferentially and equidistant from each other, although other spacing and numbers of orifices can be used, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. A distinct feature of these orifices 114 is that the inside diameter of any individual orifice is designed such that the adhesive forces between the inside surface and any remaining water within that orifice, presently preferably, allow for capillary action to prevent dripping when the cartridge assembly 14 is disengaged from the manifold assembly 12. These orifices 114, presently preferably, direct inlet water to cartridge housing 18.

Outlet bore 122 is, presently preferably, bored through the to center of cartridge top member 16. Within outlet bore 122 reduced body portion 56 of cartridge insert 50 is, presently preferably, engaged for conveyance of filtered water. A lip 124, presently preferably, protrudes from the underside of outlet bore 122, providing proper positioning of filter 19 within cartridge assembly 14. Dual ramps 102, presently preferably, extend upward from the bottom of receiver well 106. One or the other of the ramps 102, presently preferably, radially aligns with high-flow valve 28 contact surface 41 to compress and open the valve 28 when cartridge top member 16 is, presently preferably, rotatably moved into place to operatively connect with manifold assembly 12.

The underside surface 128 of each helical tab 104, presently preferably, has a locking tab 108 for, presently preferably, operatively connecting with a cooperative depression 109 located in interior helical tab 70 of manifold assembly 12. As will be seen, these locking tabs 108, presently preferably, interface with depressions 109 during engagement of cartridge assembly 14 with manifold assembly 12 to lock the cartridge assembly 14 in place and to provide a degree of burst protection to the components of filter assembly 10, i.e. to resist unexpected disconnection of the cartridge assembly 14 from the manifold assembly 12. The locking tabs 108 will, presently preferably, disengage from the respective depressions 109, presently preferably, permitting the cartridge assembly 14 to back off from manifold assembly 12 at a predefined level of hydraulic pressure for the benign disengagement thereof.

Without locking tabs 108, normal pressure levels of the incoming water service and associated vibrations would slowly cause the cartridge assembly 14 to disconnect from manifold assembly 12, resulting in leakage and the eventual total disengagement of the cartridge assembly 14 from the manifold assembly 12. One unique feature, among others, of locking tabs 108 in the representative embodiment of the Figures, is that they can be designed such that they do not allow for this gradual disconnecting of the filter assembly under normal line pressure conditions and within normal line pressure tolerances, but will commence disconnecting at a certain pressure condition below the structural strength limits of the filter assembly. Generally, normal line pressure conditions range from about 20 psig to about 120 psig. In this representative embodiment and in other representative embodiments such as those described below, the filters can be designed to disconnect at pressures above about 120 psig, and in other presently preferred embodiments at pressures above a value from about 150 psig to about 180 psig. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of pressure values within these explicit pressure ranges are contemplated and are within the present disclosure. The design of the locking tabs 108, presently preferably, determines this pressure condition by being a more aggressive design, such as with deeper depressions 109, or a less aggressive design, such as with shallower depressions 109, a more aggressive design seating more firmly in the depression 109 and requiring greater pressure relative to less aggressive designs to unseat the locking tabs 108 from the depressions 109.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, manifold assembly 12 and cartridge top member 16, presently preferably, have alignment markers, 200 and 202 respectively, to indicate alignment of both components and engagement of locking tabs 108.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the cartridge top member 16, presently preferably, has a margin 116 extending circumferentially from body 100. The interior face 117 of surface 116, presently preferably, progressively slopes centerward to inlet orifices 114. This slope allows for a smoother transition and flow pattern from the interior space within surface 116. Also on the interior face 117 are, presently preferably, two weld facilitators 118. The weld facilitators 118 are, presently preferably, diametrically opposed from each other.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, defined around along the perimeter edge of upper sealing surface 112 of receiver well 106 are, presently preferably, a plurality of vent port or a row of vent ports 110. Vent ports 110 are, presently preferably, spaced equidistant around along the diameter of sealing surface 112. These vent ports 110, presently preferably, separate the surface 112 from the interior cavity of manifold assembly body 20, as shown in FIG. 1. As will be seen, these vent ports 110, presently preferably, allow for relief of pressure trapped in the cartridge assembly 14 before complete disengagement during the disassembly of cartridge assembly 14 from manifold assembly 12. The top edge 126 of receiver well 106 is, presently preferably, chamfered to facilitate this relief of pressure.

Turning now to the representative cartridge housing assembly 18 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, cartridge housing assembly 18, presently preferably, comprises cartridge housing body 150 and its components as well as filter assembly 19. Cartridge housing body 150 is, presently preferably, a cylindrical housing tapered at one end for insertion of filter assembly 19. Lateral supports 154, presently preferably, protrude inward from the narrow end and herein defined as bottom of body 150 for longitudinally supporting filter assembly 19 in place. Concentric and center to supports 154 is, presently preferably, an upward directed alignment projectile 156, also used to support and center filter assembly 19 within cartridge housing body 150. Handle 158 is, presently preferably, formed from the bottom of housing body 150 and is utilized, presently preferably, to assist in applying rotational force to cartridge assembly 14.

Filter 19 comprises, presently preferably, carbon filter 180 or other type filter. The carbon filter 180 is, presently preferably, made of activated carbon with roughly about one micron particle size in a binder. The carbon block forming the carbon filter 180 has, presently preferably, an inner margin 191 that defines an axial bore 190. The presently preferred representative embodiment of carbon filter 180 is a molded design as shown in FIG. 10 in which axial bore 190 does not, presently preferably, extend all the way through filter 180, but instead to a point in which a portion of filter medium, presently preferably, exists between the end of axial bore 190 and alignment projectile 156. With this design, the full exterior surface of filter 180 in fluid contact with the inlet water, presently preferably, serves as a filter medium.

Another representative alternative embodiment. presently preferably, comprises an extruded design in which axial bore 190 does extend all the way through carbon filter 180. The extruded design, presently preferably, necessitates an end dam on the bottom of carbon filter 180 to prevent unfiltered water migration into axial bore 190. The extruded embodiment is defined by dashed lines 199 extending through carbon filter 180, as shown in FIG. 10.

The outlet of filter element 19, presently preferably, comprises adhesive 182 and glue dam 184. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, glue dam 184 further consists of disc 185, supports 186, and outlet tube 188. Disc 185, presently preferably, has a diameter that is less than that of the inside surface of cartridge housing body 150, resulting in a flow path for unfiltered water to filter 180, shown as annular space 152 in FIG. 10. To facilitate the flow of water, the outer edge of disc 185 angles downward via outer edge 187.

Disc 185 further includes spacers 189, presently preferably, placed equidistant around outer edge 187, further defining the annular space available as a path for unfiltered water. Angled supports 186 are, presently preferably, spaced equidistant around the top face of glue dam 184 to brace outlet tube 188. The interior surface of outlet tube 188 is defined herein as sealing surface 192. Sealing surface 192 is sized to accept, presently preferably, O-rings 32 or the like as described above in FIG. 3 for the purpose of separating unfiltered inlet water from filtered outlet water. The bottom of sealing surface 192 is defined as outlet face 195. Within outlet face 195 is a bore defining outlet orifice 194, for operatively fluidly connecting filtered outlet water of filter bore 190 to outlet bore 40 of cartridge insert 50.

As shown in FIG. 9, cartridge top member 16 operatively connects with cartridge housing assembly 18 through the coupling of margin 116 with the inside surface 196 of cartridge housing 150.

In operation, from an external connection (not shown) unfiltered water flows through inlet port 22 of FIG. 1 to inlet flow passage 29 and into valve well 42. When manifold assembly 12 is not engaged with cartridge assembly 14, biasing spring 26 imparts a force upon high-flow valve 28, depressing it from valve well 42 into inlet bore 52 of cartridge insert 50. This effects a watertight seal at annular surface 37 between valve well 42 and inlet bore 52 of cartridge insert 50.

In coupling operation, manifold assembly 12 is engaged with cartridge assembly 14 and specifically, cartridge top member 16 as follows: Manifold assembly 12 is engaged with cartridge assembly 14 by matching up external helical tabs 104 of cartridge top member 16 with internal helical tabs 70 of manifold assembly 12, using a ramp 120 as an initial guide. The operatively connecting helical tabs 70, 104 will begin to engage the manifold assembly 12 with the cartridge assembly 14 when a rotational motion is imparted to the cartridge assembly 14 relative to manifold assembly 12. This rotational motion will translate into a longitudinal displacement of cartridge assembly 14 into manifold assembly 12, sealing both interior sealing surface 192 of outlet tube 188 on FIG. 8, as well as sealing surface 112 of cartridge top member 16.

When alignment marker 200 of manifold assembly 12 (see FIG. 4) is lined up with alignment marker 202 of cartridge top member 16 (see FIG. 6), then ramp 102 of cartridge top member 16 will have fully depressed high-flow valve 28 within valve well 42 of manifold assembly 12 against the compressive force of biasing spring 26. This allows inlet water to flow through as described above. The alignment of markers 200 and 202 also indicates that locking tabs 108 have engaged the depressions 109.

During normal engagement, as described below, the axial force imparted on high-flow valve 28 by ramps 102 of cartridge top member 16 translates through the body of valve 28, compressing biasing spring 26 and allowing inlet water to flow from inlet flow passage 29 through to receiver well 106 of cartridge top member 16.

Within receiver well 106, pressurized water is forced through inlet bores 114 (see FIG. 6) along interior surface 117 of FIG. 7 and guided around to the outer circumference of disc 185 and down outer edge 187 of FIG. 9. Flow proceeds into the annular space 152 defined between the exterior of filter 180 and the interior surface of cartridge housing 150 as shown in FIG. 10. Differential pressure between the exterior of filter 180 and axial bore 190 forces this inlet water from annular space 152 through the filter to axial bore 190. From bore 190, filtered water now flows through the flow restriction outlet orifice 194 through outlet bore 40 of cartridge insert 50 to outlet flow passage 31 of manifold assembly 12. From there, filtered water exits manifold assembly 12 through outlet flow passage 35 and out outlet port 24 to an external means connected thereto (not shown).

In an alternative embodiment, an adapter could be used to facilitate interconnection of the cartridge assembly 14 and the manifold assembly 12. Such an adapter would allow for the use of filter assembly components 10 not originally designed for use with one another.

The disengagement of manifold assembly 12 from cartridge assembly 14 proceeds as follows, under the definition that alignment marker 200 of manifold assembly 12 is lined up with alignment marker 202 of cartridge top member 16, at 0.degree. It should be noted that all relative rotational motion between manifold assembly 12 and cartridge assembly 14 also provides relative motion along the longitudinal axis. As rotational force is applied to cartridge assembly 14 to disengage it from manifold assembly 12, from 0.degree. to substantially 17.degree. from alignment, locking tabs 108 are unseated from depressions 109. Simultaneously, the compressive force of biasing spring 26 acts to close the high-flow valve 28 as the valve 28 rides down the ramp 102 (see FIG. 6). As valve 28 descends (longitudinal relative motion), ridge 33 approaches annular sealing surface 37. At substantially 17.degree. of rotation, biasing spring 26 has fully pressed ridge 33 of high-flow valve 28 into contact with annular sealing surface 37, thereby stopping the flow of inlet water to the cartridge assembly. As rotation proceeds, at substantially 34.degree. from alignment, sealing surface 112 will, presently preferably, begin to disengage longitudinally from O-ring 34, thus opening vent ports 110 to ambient and allowing vent ports 110 to relieve any excess pressure within cartridge assembly 14. As separation of cartridge assembly 14 from manifold assembly 20 advances, presently preferably, at approximately 120.degree. from alignment, cartridge assembly 14 will be free to fully disengage from manifold assembly 12.

Under normal conditions of system pressure and vibration, the existence of locking tabs 108 and depressions 109 will, presently preferably, necessitate the manual disengagement of manifold assembly 12 from cartridge assembly 14 as described above. However, upon an overpressure condition within the filter assembly, as defined by the level of aggressive design utilized in tabs 108 and depressions 109, internal pressure will, presently preferably, unseat locking tabs 108 from depressions 109 without the aid of external means, thereupon commencing the benign disengagement sequence as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 13-23, a representative embodiment of a filter cartridge 300 comprising a filter cap 302, a filter media 303 and a filter body 304 is illustrated in which the filter cartridge can be used to complete a two stage engagement structure. Filter media 303 can comprise a wide variety of filtering medias for example depth filtration media, surface filtration media, sand filtration media, activated carbon filtration media, ion exchange filtration media, cross-flow membrane filtration media and hollow fiber filtration media. Filter cap 302 and filter body 304 can be fabricated of suitable polymeric materials such as polypropylene, polycarbonate or polyethylene. Alternatively, filter cartridge 300 can be fabricated from modified polyolefins such as, for example, metallocene modified polypropylene or polyethylene polymers and copolymers as well as either high or low density polyethylene polymers, having advantageous properties such as increased strength, elasticity or increased ultimate elongation percentages such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/377,022, which is herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure. In some embodiments, filter cap 302 may be constructed of a first polymer, such as polypropylene, having a specific quality such as, for example, strength or rigidity while filter body 304 is constructed of a second polymer having a different design quality such as, for example, increased ultimate elongation percentage or increased stretch, with suitable polymers being metallocene modified polypropylene or polyethylene polymers and copolymers as well as either high or low density polyethylene polymers. Filter cap 302 and filter body 304 are operatively joined using any suitable joining technique such as, for example, an engageable thread 305 as illustrated in FIG. 15 or other alternative joining techniques such as adhesives, heat welding, spin welding, ultrasonic welding and the like. Filter cartridge 300 generally comprises an attachment end 306 and a handling end 308.

Filter A body of filter cap 302 can comprise a pair of opposed and identically configured multi-stage filter attachment members 310a, 310b, for example attachment ramps as illustrated in FIGS. 13-23. As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 17, 20 and 21, multistage filter attachment member 310a can comprise a first angled portion 312a, a first horizontal portion 314a, a second angled portion 316a that circumscribes the body less than half a circumference of the body and whose underside and topside surfaces spiral upward at an angle greater than zero to an edge of an insertion wall 320, a second horizontal portion 318a that is adjacent to the second angled portion 316a and a third angled portion 319a while correspondingly, multi-stage filter attachment member 310b can comprise a first angled portion or ramp 312b at its end point, a first horizontal portion 314b, a second angled portion 316b, a second horizontal portion 318b and a third angled portion 319b.

As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 18, 20, 21 and 23, filter cap 302 comprises a projecting insertion wall 320. A plurality of venting notches 322 is spaced about the inner rim of the insertion wall 320, although a single vent or a different number of venting notches can be used relative to the venting notches shown in the Figures. Filter cap 302 further comprises an interface surface 324 having a plurality of feed throughbores 326 and a return throughbore 328. As illustrated, interface surface 324 can further comprise a pair of arcuate kick-off ramps 330a, 330b.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-30, an embodiment of a distribution manifold 332 configured for operable interfacing with filter cartridge 300 is illustrated. Distribution manifold 332 generally comprises a filter end 334 and a distribution end 336, although alternative embodiments can have distribution connections along a side and/or in the same general direction as the filter end. In one representative embodiment, distribution manifold 332 is constructed of the same polymeric material as cartridge filter 300. Alternatively, distribution manifold 332 can comprise an alternative material selected for qualities such as strength, rigidity, cost and/or ease of fabrication. As illustrated in FIGS. 26. 29 and 30, distribution end 336, presently preferably, comprises a pair of tube connectors 338a, 338b for interconnection to a feed water tube 340 and a filtered water tube 342. As illustrated in FIGS. 25, 29 and 30, filter end 334, presently preferably, comprises an exterior wall 344, an engagement surface 346 and an engagement body 348. Engagement surface 346 can comprise a feed throughbore 347a, configured to operatively accept a feed valve assembly 349, and a return throughbore 347b. Feed valve assembly 349 can comprise a valve body 349a and a spring 349b. Engagement body 348 can comprise a projecting member 350, a projecting feed throughbore 351a, a projecting return throughbore 351b, a pair of projection grooves 352a, 352b, a pair of projection seals 353a, 353b, a circumferential groove 354 and a circumferential seal 355. Engagement body 348, presently preferably, is operatively connected to engagement surface 346 such that a feed fluid circuit 357a is defined by the projecting feed throughbore 351a, the feed throughbore 347a, the tube connector 338a and feed water tube 340 while a filtered fluid circuit 357b is defined by the projecting return throughbore 351b, the return throughbore 347b, the tube connector 338b and filtered water tube 342. Return throughbore 351b is, presently preferably, fluidly interconnected with the filtered water tube 342 while the feed throughbore 347 is fluidly interconnected with the feed water tube 340.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25, 28 and 33, filter end 334, presently preferably, comprises a pair of multi-stage manifold attachment members 356a, 356b, illustrated as attachment ramps, on an interior perimeter wall 359 of the distribution manifold 332. Manifold attachment members 356a, 356b are configured correspondingly to multi-stage filter attachment members 310a, 310b such that manifold attachment member 356a, presently preferably, comprises a first angled portion 358a, a first horizontal portion 360a, a second angled portion 362a, second horizontal portion 364a and third angled portion 365a while manifold attachment member 356b similarly comprises a first angled portion 358b, a first horizontal portion 360b, a second angled portion 362b, second horizontal portion 364b and third angled portion 365b.

In order to provide filtered water, filter cartridge 300 is operatively connected to distribution manifold 332 to form a filtration system 366, as illustrated in a disconnected configuration in FIGS. 31, 32 and 33. First, attachment end 306 is oriented to face filter end 334, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. Filter cartridge 300 is directed toward distribution manifold 332 such that the insertion wall 320 enters the interior space defined by exterior wall 344. At the same time, projecting member 350 is aligned with return throughbore 328. At this point, filter attachment members 310a, 310b are in proximity to manifold attachment members 356a, 356b, for example as illustrated in FIG. 34. While engagement of the filter attachment members 310a, 310b and manifold attachment members 356a, 356b is only described and illustrated with respect to filter attachment member 310a and manifold attachment member 356a, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that filter attachment member 310b and manifold attachment member 356b, presently preferably, simultaneously engage in a like manner. Furthermore, it will be understood that in some embodiments both filter attachment members 310a, 310b and manifold attachment members 356a, 356b are, presently preferably, configured in an opposed relation such that filter attachment member 310a engages similarly with both manifold attachment members 356a, 356b while filter attachment member 310b, presently preferably, is also engageable with both manifold attachment members 356a, 356b. In some alternative embodiments, there can be instances in which, only one operable orientation is desired for filter cartridge 300 to operatively connect to distribution manifold 332 to form filtration system 366. One representative example can comprise filtration system 366 utilizing crossflow filtration media with filter cartridge 300, such as, for example, membrane or hollow-fiber based crossflow filtration systems as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/838,140, which is herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure. With respect to crossflow filtration systems, the addition of an additional concentrate fluid circuit in the cartridge filter and/or manifold can necessitate that filter attachment members 310a, 310b and manifold attachment members 356a, 356b engage in a single, specified orientation so as to properly define and complete the additional fluid circuit associated with crossflow filtration systems.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, filter attachment member 310a and manifold attachment member 356a can be positioned such that first angled portion 312a is in proximity to first angled portion 358a. The installer rotatably directs handling end 308, presently preferably, such that the filter cartridge 300 is rotatably inserted with respect to the distribution manifold 332. As the first angled portion 312a and first angled portion 358a, presently preferably, engage each other, the filter cartridge 300 and distribution manifold 332 are drawn closer together. As the filter cartridge 300 is rotated further, first horizontal portion 314a and first horizontal portion 360a are, presently preferably, directed into intimate contact as shown in FIG. 35. This corresponds with the first engagement stage (partially engaged configuration) and is a stable engagement position.

As the filter cartridge 300 is rotated further, first angled portion 312a interfaces with second angled portion 362a while the second angled portion 316a engages the first angled portion 358a in a transition between the partially engaged configuration and the fully engaged configuration as shown in FIG. 36, thus, further drawing together filter cartridge 300 and distribution manifold 332 such that projection seals 353a, 353b sealingly engage the wall surrounding return throughbore 328 while circumferential seal 355 sealingly engages the interior perimeter surface of the projecting insertion wall 320. Continued rotation of the filter cartridge 300 causes first horizontal portion 314a to, presently preferably, slidingly contact second horizontal portion 364a while the second horizontal portion 318a engages the first horizontal portion 360a, as shown in FIG. 37. This is the second engagement stage. It will be understood by a person of skill in the art that horizontal portions are substantially horizontal in that they provide resistance against rotation in response to standard operating pressures exerted on the filter cartridge. Attachment of the filter cartridge 300 to the distribution manifold 312 is complete and is in a fully engaged configuration when first angle portion 312a seats against the third angled portion 365a while the third angle portion 319a engages the first angle portion 358a, as illustrated in FIG. 38. As the filter cartridge 300 and distribution manifold 312 approach an installed position the fully engaged configuration, one of the arcuate kick-off ramps 330a, 330b engages the feed valve assembly 349 such that spring 349b is compressed and feed fluid circuit 357a is opened to incoming water. As the rotation of cartridge filter 300 is completed, cartridge filter 300 and distribution manifold 332, presently preferably, cannot disengage without rotating the cartridge filter 300 in a direction opposed to that indicated in FIGS. 40-44.

In operation, feed water flows through the feed flow circuit 357a into the filter cartridge 300. The feed water is directed through the filter media 303 such that selected contaminants such as, for example, ionic, organic or particulate, are removed from the water such that filtered water is present in the center of the filter media 303. Purified water flows out of the filter cartridge 300 by way of the return throughbore 328 and filtered fluid circuit 357b.

During operation of the filtration system 366, pressure such as, for example, water or gas pressure, can become entrained with the filter cartridge 300. If gases are entrained within the filter cartridge 300 during operation, the gases will become compressed by pressure within the system. Depending upon the mounting orientation of the filter cartridge 300, compressed gases can provide for violent disengagement of the filter cartridge 300 from the distribution manifold 332. For example if a filter cartridge 300 is, presently preferably, mounted such that the filter cartridge 300 is above the distribution manifold 332, any compressed gases will be found at the top end of the filter cartridge 300. When the filter cartridge 300 is removed from the distribution manifold 332, compressed gases may drive a pressurized fluid out the bottom of the cartridge filter 300 whereby the cartridge filter 300 is essentially launched from the distribution manifold 332 as gases expand upon release of pressure upon disengagement.

In a filtration assembly with a single stage disengagement mechanism, stored energy within a cartridge filter can cause the violent disengagement of the cartridge filter from a distribution manifold. As described in the present disclosure, any stored energy, stored in the form of a compressed gas or pressurized fluid, is vented prior to the filter cartridge 300 and distribution manifold 332 becoming disengaged. For example, to remove the filter cartridge 300, a user would, presently preferably, direct the handling end 308 in a direction opposed to the installation direction. As the first angle portion 312a slides down unseats from the third angle portion 365a, projecting member 350, presently preferably, begins to withdraw from the return throughbore 328 and one of the arcuate kickoff ramps 330a, 330b disengages from the feed valve assembly 349 such that spring 349b is released and feed fluid circuit 357a is closed to incoming water. This, presently preferably, prevents any pressure energy from being imparted to the filter cartridge 300. Further rotation of the cartridge filter causes first angle portion 312a to slide down second angle portion 362a causing projecting member 350 to withdraw further from the return throughbore 328. This, presently preferably, causes the seal created by projection seals 353a, 353b to be broken when any entrained energy in the filter cartridge 300 is dispelled. The energy, present as fluid or gas pressure, is then vented out venting notches 322. While the pressure is vented, first horizontal portion 314a and first horizontal portion 360a are engaged such that filter cartridge 300 cannot detach from the distribution manifold 332. Venting notches 322 quickly vent any entrained gases allowing the user to continue with the rotatable removal of the filter cartridge 300 such that the first angle portion 312a slides down first angled portion 358a until the filter attachment member 310a and manifold attachment members 356a are no longer engaged and filter cartridge 300 can be completely removed from the distribution manifold 332.

As illustrated in FIG. 39, an adapter 400 can be used to impart features such as, for example, multi-stage engagement mechanisms and controlled energy venting as previously described in this disclosure, to water filtration systems lacking such features. Adapter 400 can, presently preferably, comprise a manifold end 402 and a filter end 404. As shown in FIG. 39, adapter 400 is, presently preferably, adapted such that the previously described manifold assembly 12 can operatively accept filter cartridge 300. As shown in FIG. 39, manifold end 402 can substantially resemble cartridge top member 16 while filter end 404 can substantially resemble filter end 334. Manifold end 402 can comprise, for example, a pair of manifold attachment members 406a, 406b, shown in FIG. 39 as helical engagement members, such that manifold end 402 is operatively connectable to the manifold assembly 12. Filter end 404 can comprises a pair of multi-stage engagement mechanism 408, such that filter end 404 is operatively connectable to the filter cartridge 300. Manifold end 402 can be adapted such that the adapter 400 remains either permanently operatively connected to the manifold assembly 12 or removal of adapter 400 from manifold assembly 12 required significantly excess torque as compared to removal of the filter cartridge 300 from the filter end 404 such that adapter 400 need only be attached to manifold assembly 12 one time.

In addition to rotational engagement of a filter cartridge to a manifold, a filter cartridge 500 and a distribution manifold 502 can be linearly engaged in a multi-stage manner so as allow venting of any entrained energy within filter cartridge 500, for example, as shown in FIG. 40. Filter cartridge 500 can comprise a filter body 504, a pair of engagement arms 506a, 506b, a filter inlet 508 and a filter outlet 510. Engagement arms 506a, 506b can comprise an engagement tab 512. Filter inlet 508 and filter outlet 510 can each comprise at least one sealing member 514. Distribution manifold 502 can comprise a manifold body 516, a feed supply tube 518, a distribution tube 520, a supply bore 522 and a return bore 524. Supply bore 522 and return bore 524 can each comprise at least one vent channel 526. Manifold body 516 can comprise a first engagement recess 528 and a second engagement recess 530 on each side of the manifold body 516.

Filter cartridge 500 is slidably attached to distribution manifold 502 by directing filter inlet 508 into the supply bore 522 and filter outlet 510 into the return bore 524. At substantially the same time, engagement arms 506a, 506b are, presently preferably, slidably advancing over the outside of manifold body 516 until engagement tab 512 is retainably positioned within the corresponding first engagement recess 528. At this point, sealing members 514 sealingly engage the inside perimeters of the supply bore 522 and return bore 524 such that water to be filtered can flow from feed supply tube 518, through supply bore 522, into filter cartridge 500 through the filter inlet 508, out the filter cartridge 500 through the filter outlet 510 and to points of use through distribution tube 520.

To remove or replace the filter cartridge 500, one slidably directs the filter cartridge 500 away from the distribution manifold 502. As the engagement tab 512 approaches the second engagement recess 530, the seal created by sealing members 514 and the inner perimeter of supply bore 522 and return bore 524 are, presently preferably, broken allowing any retained energy in the filter cartridge 500 to be released or vented through the vent channel 526. As the filter cartridge 500 is vented, filter cartridge 500 is retainably attached to the distribution manifold 502 through the interaction of engagement tabs 512 and the second engagement recesses 530. In alternative embodiments, the fluid connections and engagement structures or portions thereof can be reversed relative to the filter cartridge and the manifold assembly to form other slidably engaging filter assemblies. Similarly, other designs of flow connectors can be effectively used for slidably engaging structures.

While the applicant has disclosed and discussed a variety of representative embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternative embodiments are contemplated within the scope and breadth of the present application. Accordingly, the applicant intends to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A filter cartridge comprising

a filter inlet;

a filter media;

a filter outlet;

a two-stage cartridge engagement mechanism comprising:

a fully engaged configuration corresponding to full engagement of the filter cartridge with a compatible manifold assembly; and

a partially engaged configuration corresponding to partial engagement of the filter cartridge with the compatible manifold assembly;

wherein at least one of the fully engaged and partially engaged configurations comprises a horizontal portion;

a sealing surface configured to facilitate a first seal isolating a fluid flow from a non-wetted portion of the compatible manifold assembly when the filter cartridge is in the fully engaged configuration; and

at least one vent port positioned on the filter cartridge and providing a fluid flow passage past the first seal when the filter cartridge is in the partially engaged configuration.

2. The filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the at least one vent port comprises a notch in the sealing surface.

3. The filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the at least one vent port comprises a row of ports along an edge of the sealing surface.

4. The filter cartridge of claim 3 wherein each vent port comprises a notch in the sealing surface.

5. The filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the fully engaged configuration of the two-stage cartridge engagement mechanism comprises a first horizontal portion and the partially engaged configuration of the two-stage cartridge engagement mechanism comprises a second horizontal portion.

6. The filter cartridge of claim 5 wherein the two-stage cartridge engagement mechanism further comprises a second angled portion connecting the first horizontal portion to the second horizontal portion.

7. The filter cartridge of claim 6 wherein the two-stage cartridge engagement mechanism further comprises a first angled portion adjacent the first horizontal portion.

8. The filter cartridge of claim 7 wherein the two-stage cartridge engagement mechanism further comprises a third angled portion adjacent the second horizontal portion.

9. The filter cartridge of claim 6 wherein the cartridge engagement mechanism further comprises a transition between the fully engaged configuration and the partially engaged configuration, wherein the second angled portion serves to transition the filter cartridge from the fully engaged configuration to the partially engaged configuration.

10. A filter cartridge configured to engage a compatible manifold assembly in a fully engaged configuration and a partially engaged configuration, the filter cartridge comprising:

a projecting insertion wall comprising:

an attachment end;

a sealing surface depending from an interior perimeter of the attachment end and configured to facilitate a first seal isolating a fluid flow from a non-wetted portion of the compatible manifold assembly when the filter cartridge is fully engaged; and

a margin surface depending from an exterior perimeter of the attachment end;

a pair of opposed multi-stage filter attachment members disposed on the margin surface, each multi-stage attachment member comprising:

a first horizontal portion facing away from the attachment end;

a second horizontal portion facing away from the attachment end; and

a second angled portion connecting the first horizontal portion to the second horizontal portion;

wherein, in the fully engaged configuration, both first and second horizontal portions seat against the compatible manifold assembly and, in the partially engaged configuration, the second horizontal portion does not seat against the compatible manifold assembly; and

at least one vent port positioned on the sealing surface and providing a fluid flow passage past the first seal when the filter cartridge is in the partially engaged configuration.

11. The filter cartridge of claim 10 wherein the at least one vent port comprises a notch in the sealing surface.

12. The filter cartridge of claim 10 wherein the at least one vent port comprises a row of ports along an edge of the sealing surface.

13. The filter cartridge of claim 12 wherein each vent port comprises a notch in the sealing surface.

14. The filter cartridge of claim 10 wherein each multistage filter attachment member further comprises a first angled portion adjacent the first horizontal portion.

15. The filter cartridge of claim 14 wherein each multistage filter attachment member further comprises a third angled portion adjacent the second horizontal portion.

16. The filter cartridge of claim 15 wherein the third angled portion seats against the compatible manifold assembly when the filter cartridge is fully engaged and does not seat against the compatible manifold assembly when the filter cartridge is partially engaged.

17. The filter cartridge of claim 14 wherein the first angled portion seats against the compatible manifold assembly both when the filter cartridge is fully engaged and when the filter cartridge is partially engaged.

18. The filter cartridge of claim 10 wherein the second angled portion seats against the compatible manifold assembly both when the filter cartridge is fully engaged and when the filter cartridge is partially engaged.

19. The filter cartridge of claim 10 wherein the filter cartridge engages the compatible manifold assembly in a transition between the fully engaged configuration and the partially engaged configuration.

20. The filter cartridge of claim 19 wherein, in the transition, the second angled portion seats against the compatible manifold assembly, and the first and second horizontal portions do not seat against the compatible manifold assembly.

21. A filter cartridge for use with a manifold assembly, the filter cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

a filter element contained in the cartridge housing;

a cartridge top member comprising:

a body comprising two-stage threaded cartridge engagement mechanisms that circumscribe the body less than half a circumference of the body,

a receiver well having one or more inlet orifices in fluid communication with the filter element,

an outlet bore;

wherein a first stage is a fully engaged configuration in which there is flow from the manifold through the filter and returning to the manifold; and a second stage is a partly engaged configuration in which the filter cartridge is stably engaged with the manifold but the filter is vented to ambient pressure.

22. The cartridge of claim 21 further comprising a ramp on the receiver well wherein during a full engagement configuration of the cartridge top member with the manifold assembly, the ramp contacts a valve of the manifold assembly to permit the fluid flow into the filter element.

23. The filter cartridge of claim 21, wherein the cartridge top member further comprises a row of vent ports along the edge of the receiver well.

24. The filter cartridge of claim 21, wherein the cartridge top member further comprises a vent port along an edge of the receiver well.

25. The filter cartridge of claim 21, wherein the two-stage threaded cartridge engagement mechanisms comprise one or more angled portions and one or more horizontal portions.

26. The filter cartridge of claim 24, wherein when the cartridge top member is no longer in the full engagement configuration, the ramp disconnects from the valve to prevent the fluid flow into the filter element and to allow the filter cartridge to attain pressure equilibrium through the vent port.

27. The cartridge of claim 25 comprising a first angled portion, a first horizontal portion, a second angled portion, and a second horizontal portion.

28. The cartridge of claim 21, wherein both an underside surface and a topside surface of a portion of each two-stage threaded cartridge engagement mechanism spiral upward at an angle greater than zero to an edge of the body.

29. The cartridge of claim 21, wherein when the two-stage threaded cartridge engagement mechanisms are in a second engaged configuration, the filter cartridge is stably engaged with the manifold assembly.