Fluid filtration system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a new fluid filter system including, but not limited to, structure for enabling a filter cartridge to be installed and removed from a manifold with a straight line push/pull motion, an innovative latching mechanism and an innovative water manifold, the latching mechanism providing a unique mechanism interface between an innovative manifold and a filter cartridge, the latching mechanism providing a compact and simple mechanism between the innovative manifold and the filter cartridge that significantly reduces the installation and removal force previously found with fluid filtration cartridges by including a low force filter cartridge installation and removal mechanism for utilization by the end consumer and the manifold assembly includes an inlet and an outlet port, the manifold assembly having structure for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric cavity of the fluid filtration system that contains fluid during installation and operation of the filter therein and removal of the filter therefrom and that has an automatic shut-off system, as the inlet water pressure increases past a predetermined desired maximum system operating pressure, the inlet water will automatically be shut-off, i.e., will not flow into (or out of) the filter cartridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter cartridge for installation and removal from a manifold assembly by linear translation of the filter cartridge, the filter cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body, a filter disposed therein, and a stem comprising a stem body and a stem tip, the stem body extending from one end of the cartridge body and ending at the stem tip;   an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the stem;   a cartridge latching structure on an outer surface of the cartridge body to interact with a latching mechanism of the manifold assembly, the cartridge latching structure being effective to:   (i) latch the filter cartridge into engagement with the manifold assembly by linear translation of the filter cartridge toward the manifold assembly; and   (ii) unlatch the filter cartridge from engagement with the manifold assembly by linear translation of the filter cartridge toward the manifold assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge latching structure comprises a cam surface. 
     
     
         3 . The filter cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cam surface is angled such that linear translation of the filter cartridge toward the manifold assembly rotates a component in the manifold assembly about a longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge. 
     
     
         4 . The filter cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge latching structure further comprises a notch to receive a member of the latching mechanism to latch the filter cartridge into engagement with the manifold assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The filter cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the notch is formed between two surfaces, with one of the surfaces extending beyond the other surface. 
     
     
         6 . The filter cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge latching structure further comprises a second cam surface to interact with the member of the latching mechanism to unlatch the filter cartridge from engagement with the manifold assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more alignment members that interface with an alignment collar of the manifold assembly to align the filter cartridge with the manifold assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The filter cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more alignment members comprises a protrusion on the outer surface of the filter cartridge. 
     
     
         9 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge latching structure comprises:
 a first cam surface that is angled such that linear translation of the filter cartridge toward the manifold assembly rotates a component in the manifold assembly about a longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge; and   a second cam surface to interact with the member of the latching mechanism of the manifold assembly to unlatch the filter cartridge from engagement with the manifold assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The filter cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the cartridge latching structure is a first cartridge latching structure, and the filter cartridge further comprises a second cartridge latching structure comprising:
 a first cam surface that is angled such that linear translation of the filter cartridge toward the manifold assembly rotates a component in the manifold assembly about a longitudinal axis of the filter cartridge; and   a second cam surface to interact with the member of the latching mechanism of the manifold assembly to unlatch the filter cartridge from engagement with the manifold assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The filter cartridge of  claim 10 , wherein the second cartridge latching structure is located at about 180 degrees relative to the first cartridge latching structure. 
     
     
         12 . The filter cartridge of  claim 10 , further comprising a third cartridge latching structure comprising features different than the first cartridge latching structure and comprising features different than the second cartridge latching structure. 
     
     
         13 . The filter cartridge of  claim 12 , wherein the third cartridge latching structure comprises a notch formed by three surfaces, with at least one surface extending beyond at least one other surface. 
     
     
         14 . The filter cartridge of  claim 12 , further comprising a fourth latching structure located at about 180 degrees relative to the third cartridge latching structure. 
     
     
         15 . The filter cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet opening is located in the tip of the stem and the outlet opening is located in the stem body.