Patent ID: 6495042
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B01D,F02M

Abstract:
A filter element comprising:a ring of filter media circumscribing a central axis, said ring of filter media having a first end and a second end; first and second end caps fixed to said first and second ends, respectively, of said filter media, the second end cap having an annular end cap portion sealingly bonded to the second end of said filter media and a valve-actuating portion, the valve-actuating portion including an axially extending cylindrical portion unitary with the annular end cap portion and circumscribing the inner diameter of said annular end cap portion and an annular base connected to the cylindrical portion and extending radially inward from said cylindrical portion to define a first central opening which can receive a pipe, and at least one key projecting radially inwardly from a radially inner surface of said cylindrical portion and axially away from said base, said key having first and second free surfaces for engaging a latch device and a valve device, respectively, wherein said first and second free surfaces extend generally perpendicularly relative to said axis, wherein said first free surface is positioned radially inwardly relative to the inner surface of said cylindrical portion and said second free surface is positioned radially inwardly relative to said first free surface, and wherein said first free surface is axially spaced apart from said base by an axial spacing distance that is greater than an axial spacing distance between said second free surface and said base.