Patent ID: 7407148
Filing Date: 2008-08-05
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for use in conjunction with a replaceable filter cartridge comprising: a) a head member having an interior valve chamber defining a central axis, the head member having inlet and outlet passages which extend parallel to and communicate with the interior valve chamber; b) a valve member having an planar upper surface, an inlet path and an outlet path and a bypass path extending through said planar upper surface, said valve member being adapted for rotation within the interior valve chamber of the head member between a filter position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is in fluid communication with the inlet passage of the head member and the outlet path of the valve member is in fluid communication with the outlet passage of the head member, and a bypass position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out of fluid communication with the inlet passage of the head member and the outlet path of the valve member is out of fluid communication with the outlet passage of the head member and the inlet passage and the outlet passage of the head member are in fluid communication with each other via the bypass path; and c) a seal member seated in the upper planar surface of the valve member and positioned to seal against an opposing surface of the interior valve chamber, the seal member including first and second seal portions dimensioned and configured to sealingly isolate the inlet path and outlet path of the valve member, respectively, when the valve member is in the filter position, and including third and fourth seal portions dimensioned and configured to sealingly isolate the inlet passage and outlet passage of the head member from the atmosphere to permit fluid to flow therebetween when the valve member is in the bypass position.