Abstract:
A filter includes a replaceable filter element cartridge in a housing. A valve is actuatable between a first condition passing dirty fluid from the housing inlet to the filter cartridge for filtration, and a second condition blocking passage of the dirty fluid from the inlet to the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge and the valve engage in keyed relation, with the keying feature utilizing an identifier, e.g. a brand, a logo, etc., verifying authenticity of the filter cartridge.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority from provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/612,556, filed Mar. 19, 2012, hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The invention relates to filters, and more particularly to filter security systems. 
         [0003]    It is desired to discourage intentional or inadvertent use of inappropriate filter elements, including replacement filter elements, to avoid undesirable characteristics, including unacceptable filtration removal properties, pressure drop, filter life, etc. By ensuring the installation of a correct and genuine filter, the component to be protected, e.g. an internal combustion engine or other component, is protected over the life of the component, and the required filtration performance is maintained. 
         [0004]    The present disclosure arose during continuing development efforts in the above technology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing a filter in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of the filter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is like  FIG. 2  and shows another operational condition. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a component of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the components of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is like  FIG. 5  and shows another embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is like  FIG. 1  and shows another embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is like  FIG. 7  and shows another operational condition. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a component of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a filter  20  including a housing  22  having an inlet  24  receiving dirty fluid to be filtered, as shown at arrow  26 . The housing has an outlet  28  discharging clean filtered fluid after filtering, as shown at arrow  30 . A replaceable filter element cartridge  32  is located in the housing and has a dirty side  34  receiving dirty fluid from inlet  24 , and has a clean side  36  delivering filtered clean fluid to outlet  28 . The fluid is filtered by flowing radially inwardly as shown at arrow  38  from outer dirty side  34  through the filter media to inner side  36 . A valve  40  in the housing is actuatable between a first condition,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , passing dirty fluid from inlet  24  to dirty side  34  of the filter cartridge, and a second condition,  FIG. 3 , blocking passage of dirty fluid from inlet  24  to dirty side  34  of the filter cartridge. In one embodiment, in the noted second condition,  FIG. 3 , the dirty fluid  26  flows to a second outlet  42  of the housing, for example which may be a bypass to return the dirty fluid, unfiltered, for example to a fuel return line, a sump, etc. 
         [0017]    Filter cartridge  32  and valve  40  engage in keyed relation in housing  22 . In one embodiment, the filter cartridge has a first interference portion  44 ,  FIG. 5 , and valve  40  has a second interference portion  46  engaging first interference portion  44  in mating engagement. Filter cartridge  32  has an operatively mounted position in housing  22 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , passing filtered clean fluid to outlet  28  only when the filter cartridge is in the noted operatively mounted position. Second interference portion  46  permits mounting of filter cartridge  32  in the noted operatively mounted position only when the filter cartridge has the noted first interference portion  44  and only when the filter cartridge  32  and the valve  40  engage in keyed relation and the first interference portion  44  engages the second interference portion  46  in mating engagement. The engagement of first and second interference portions  44  and  46  in mating engagement enables actuation of valve  40  to at least one of the noted first and second conditions. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the filter cartridge is a driver member movable between first and second user-actuated positions, e.g. rotated a partial-turn about axis  48 , and valve  40  is a driven member movable between first and second driven positions,  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , respectively, corresponding to the above noted first and second conditions, respectively, if enabled by the noted mating engagement of first and second interference portions  44  and  46  in keyed engagement of filter cartridge  32  and valve  40 . 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, first interference portion  44  is a first identifier identifying at least one of the filter cartridge, the supplier of the filter cartridge, and the user of the filter cartridge, to enable verification of authenticity. Second interference portion  46  is a second identifier uniquely complemental to the first identifier. In one embodiment, the first identifier is a first embossed identifier, and the second identifier is a second embossed identifier, wherein one of the embossed identifiers is a male embossment with at least one raised convex protuberance, and the other of the embossed identifiers is a female embossment with at least one depressed concave recess, with the depressed concave recessed being uniquely complemental to the raised convex protuberance. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, valve  40  is a rotatable puck,  FIG. 4 , rotated by filter cartridge  32  in torque transmitting relation between the noted first and second positions providing the noted first and second conditions, respectively. Puck  40  has a first surface  50 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , passing the dirty fluid  26  therealong from inlet  24  of the housing to dirty side  34  of filter cartridge  32  when the puck  40  is in the first position. Puck  40  has a second surface  52 ,  FIG. 3 , blocking passage of dirty fluid  26  from inlet  24  of the housing to dirty side  34  of filter cartridge  32  when puck  40  is in the noted second position,  FIG. 3 . Puck  40  has a third surface  54  passing dirty fluid  26  therealong from inlet  24  to second outlet  42  when puck  40  is in the noted second position,  FIG. 3 , wherein dirty fluid  26  passes from inlet  24  along third surface  54  of the puck to second outlet  42  of the housing without passing through filter cartridge  32 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 6-11  show another embodiment and use like reference numerals from above where appropriate to facilitate understanding. Rotating puck  40   a  includes the noted first surface at passage  50   a , the noted second surface at  52   a , and the noted third surface at passage  54   a . A torsion spring  56  bears between the puck and the housing to bias and return the puck to a bypass default condition,  FIG. 8 . The bottom wall of the housing has a peg or stop  58  extending upwardly into an arcuate slot  60 ,  FIG. 11 , in the puck to limit rotation of the latter to the noted partial-turn. Filter cartridge  32   a  includes a lower endplate  62 ,  FIG. 9 , with a trunnion or boss  64  extending downwardly therefrom, on the lower surface of which is the noted first interference portion or embossment  44 . The filter cartridge includes a top endplate  66  closing housing  22  and rotational about axis  48  and having a plurality of circumferential hooks  68  to engage and lock with radial spokes or pegs  70  of the housing. Upper and lower plates  66  and  62  are fixedly secured to the filter element  32   a  therebetween and all rotate together and provide a replaceable filter cartridge. 
         [0022]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different configurations, systems, and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other configurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Each limitation in the appended claims is intended to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, only if the terms “means for” or “step for” are explicitly recited in the respective limitation.