Replaceable fuel filter element and fuel filter assembly

Abstract

One embodiment is a unique replaceable filter element. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

1 . A method of servicing a filter cartridge that is removably installed in a filter housing with a pre-designed releasable connection therebetween retaining the filter cartridge in the filter housing in a releasable locked position, comprising:
 engaging a tip of a hand tool with a portion of the filter cartridge, and using the tip of the hand tool to pry up on the filter cartridge until the pre-designed releasable connection between the filter cartridge and the filter housing is released and the filter cartridge is released from the locked position;   removing the filter cartridge from the filter housing; and   installing a replacement filter cartridge in the filter housing with the pre-designed releasable connection retaining the replacement filter cartridge in the filter housing in the releasable locked position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein engaging the tip of the hand tool with the portion of the filter cartridge comprises inserting the tip of the hand tool into a clearance space defined between the portion of the filter cartridge and a surface of the filter housing. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein engaging the tip of the hand tool with the portion of the filter cartridge comprises inserting the tip of the hand tool into a clearance space defined between the portion of the filter cartridge and an axial facing surface of the filter housing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising disconnecting the filter housing from a filter head. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filter cartridge is designed to filter an engine fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the engine fluid comprises fuel, lubricant or hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 instructing a user to service a filter cartridge that is removably installed in a filter housing with a pre-designed releasable connection therebetween retaining the filter cartridge in the filter housing in a releasable locked position, the user being instructed to perform the following:
 engage a tip of a hand tool with a portion of the filter cartridge, and use the tip of the hand tool to pry up on the filter cartridge until the pre-designed releasable connection between the filter cartridge and the filter housing is released and the filter cartridge is released from the locked position; 
 remove the filter cartridge from the filter housing; and 
 install a replacement filter cartridge in the filter housing with the pre-designed releasable connection retaining the replacement filter cartridge in the filter housing in the locked position. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , instructing the user to insert the tip of the hand tool into a clearance space defined between the portion of the filter cartridge and a surface of the filter housing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , instructing the user to insert the tip of the hand tool into a clearance space defined between the portion of the filter cartridge and an axial facing surface of the filter housing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , instructing the user to disconnect the filter housing from a filter head. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the filter cartridge is designed to filter an engine fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the engine fluid comprises fuel, lubricant or hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 designing a filter cartridge and a filter housing with a pre-designed releasable connection therebetween so that the filter cartridge can be installed in the filter housing in a releasable locked position; and   designing the filter cartridge and the filter housing to enable a tip of a hand tool to be engaged with a portion of the filter cartridge, when the filter cartridge is installed in the filter housing, so that the tip of the hand tool can pry up on the filter cartridge until the pre-designed releasable connection between the filter cartridge and the filter housing is released and the filter cartridge is released from the locked position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising designing the filter cartridge and the filter housing so that the tip of the hand tool is insertable into a clearance space defined between the portion of the filter cartridge and a surface of the filter housing when the filter cartridge is installed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising designing the filter cartridge and the filter housing so that the tip of the hand tool is insertable into a clearance space defined between the portion of the filter cartridge and an axial facing surface of the filter housing when the filter cartridge is installed. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , designing the filter cartridge to filter an engine fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the engine fluid comprises fuel, lubricant or hydraulic fluid.