Filter device

Abstract

A filter element includes an upper end disc, a lower end disc, a filter material arranged between the upper end disc and the lower end disc, a dirt pot on the lower end disc, a pin attached at an attachment location and configured to be received within a channel in an installation orientation, the pin extending away from the attachment location along an axis, the pin having a base of a first width at the attachment location, the pin having a free end and a groove defined between the attachment location and the free end, the pin having a second width that defines a circumference of the groove, the second width approximately orthogonal to the axis, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, and an opening in the dirt pot.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A filter element having a central axis, comprising:
 an upper end disc;   a lower end disc;   a filter material arranged between the upper end disc and the lower end disc;   an enclosure attached to the lower end disc and extending away from the lower end disc;   an opening in the enclosure centrally aligned with the central axis; and   a pin attached to the filter element and extending away from the lower end disc, the pin offset from and parallel with the central axis and extending below the enclosure.   
     
     
         10 . The filter element of  claim 9  wherein the pin is fixedly attached to the filter element. 
     
     
         11 . The filter element of  claim 10 , wherein the pin is fixedly attached to the enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The filter element of  claim 9 , wherein an open space is defined between the enclosure and a bottom-most surface of the lower end disc. 
     
     
         13 . The filter element of  claim 12 , wherein the enclosure is a dirt pot. 
     
     
         14 . The filter element of  claim 9 , wherein the pin is attached at an attachment location and configured to be received within a channel in an installed orientation, the pin extending away from the attachment location in a direction parallel to the central axis, the pin having a base of a first width at the attachment location, the pin having a free end and a groove defined between the attachment location and the free end, the pin having a second width that defines a circumference of the groove, the second width approximately orthogonal to the axis, wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
         15 . The filter element of  claim 14 , further comprising a sealing element positioned in the groove and configured to tightly close with the channel in the installed orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The filter element of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing element is an O-ring. 
     
     
         17 . The filter element of  claim 16 , wherein the pin includes an inner shoulder and an outer shoulder that axially contain the sealing element within the groove, and the inner shoulder is located along an axis of the pin and between the sealing element and the attachment location. 
     
     
         18 . The filter element of  claim 15 , wherein a width of the pin includes a portion that varies in a continuous and non-narrowing fashion between the inner shoulder and the attachment location. 
     
     
         19 . The filter element of  claim 18 , wherein the width of the pin along the portion increases between the inner shoulder and the attachment location. 
     
     
         20 . The filter element of  claim 14 , wherein the pin is positioned at an offset radial location from the central axis, such that the free end of the pin engages with a guide of a functional element prior to positioning the pin within the channel in the installation orientation. 
     
     
         21 . The filter element of  claim 9 , wherein the lower end disc includes a circumferential outer surface that partially forms an outer surface of the filter element. 
     
     
         22 . The filter element of  claim 9 , wherein the enclosure is an internal space for a separate water separator arranged therein. 
     
     
         23 . A filter element having a central axis, comprising:
 an upper end disc;   a lower end disc having a circumferential outer surface that partially forms an outer surface of the filter element;   a filter material arranged between the upper end disc and the lower end disc;   an enclosure on the lower end disc having an internal space;   an opening in the enclosure passing through the enclosure; and   a pin attached to the filter element and extending away from the lower end disc, the pin offset from and parallel with the central axis and extending below the enclosure.   
     
     
         24 . The filter element of  claim 23 , wherein the pin is fixedly attached to the filter element. 
     
     
         25 . The filter element of  claim 24 , wherein the pin is fixedly attached to the enclosure. 
     
     
         26 . The filter element of  claim 23 , wherein an open space is defined between the enclosure and a bottom-most surface of the lower end disc. 
     
     
         27 . The filter element of  claim 26 , wherein the enclosure is a dirt pot. 
     
     
         28 . The filter element of  claim 23 , wherein the pin is positioned at an offset radial location from the central axis, such that a free end of the pin engages with a guide of a functional element prior to positioning the pin within the channel in the installation orientation. 
     
     
         29 . The filter element of  claim 28 , wherein the free end extends below the opening of the enclosure. 
     
     
         30 . The filter element of  claim 23 , wherein the enclosure is an internal space for a separate water separator arranged therein.