Cartridge filter unit

Claim 2

A filter for filtering fluids, comprising: a head having an inlet passage and an outlet passage; a filter cartridge removably attached to said head for communicating said inlet passage with said outlet passage; a first valve means associated with said inlet passage and positioned within said head for selectively opening and closing fluid communication between said inlet passage and said filter cartridge; and a second valve means associated with said outlet passage and positioned within said head for opening and closing fluid communication between said outlet passage and said filter cartridge; said inlet passage and said outlet passage being diametrically opposed to one another and when said first and second valve means are in their open positions fluid entering said inlet passage passes through said first valve means into said filter cartridge for filtering and then out said filter cartridge through said second valve means to said outlet passage; said filter cartridge being positioned below said first valve means and said first valve means including a ball valve member, rotatably mounted in said head, having an elbow-shape flow passage formed therein effective to direct fluid passing therethrough into said filter cartridge when in said open position; said ball valve member having downstream sealing ring means associated therewith which is partially recessed into a groove formed in said head and upstream sealing ring means associated therewith which is recessed into a groove formed in said head concentric with said inlet passage, said upstream sealing ring means having annular retainer ring means associated therewith for preventing said upstream sealing ring means from blowing out at high pressures.

Claim 3

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said filter cartridge is of the outside-in flow type and said head includes a connecting passage formed therein for directing fluid flow from an inner chamber of said filter cartridge to said outlet passage.

Claim 4

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said second valve means includes a valve member associated therewith having an open position permitting fluid flow through said connecting passage and a closed position preventing fluid flow through said connecting passage, said valve member being biased towards said closed position until the fluid pressure within said inner chamber of said filter cartridge is sufficient to move said valve member into said open position against said bias.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein spring means biases said valve member towards said closed position.

Claim 6

A filter for filtering fluids comprising a head having a substantially horizontal inlet passage and a substantially horizontal outlet passage in a diametrically opposed relationship to one another, said head havin a partition wall integral therewith between said inlet and outlet passages, a filter cartridge of the outside-in flow type removably attached to said head below said inlet and outlet passages for communicating said inlet passage with said outlet passage, said inlet passage being in fluid communication with an outer chamber of said filter cartridge and said outlet passage being in fluid communication with an inner chamber of said filter cartridge, a first valve means associated with said inlet passage and positioned within said head for selectively opening and closing fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outer chamber of said filter cartridge, said first valve means includes a ball valve member, rotatably mounted within said head, said ball valve member having an elbow-shape flow passage formed therein effective to receive horizontal fluid flow from said inlet passage at one end anD to exit vertical fluid flow to said filter cartridge at the other end, a substantially vertical connecting passage formed integral with said head for directing fluid flow from said inner chamber of said filter cartridge to said outlet passage, said head includes a first circular groove formed therein for receipt of upstream sealing ring means positioned to contact said ball valve member and annular retainer ring means positioned about said ball valve member effective to partially close off said first groove and thereby prevent said upstream sealing ring means from blowing out at high pressures, and a second valve means associated with said connecting passage and mounted within said head for opening and closing fluid communication between said outlet passage and said filter cartridge, said second valve means includes a check valve member movable between an open position permitting fluid flow through said connecting passage and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough, said valve member being biased towards said closed position until the pressure differential across said check valve member is sufficient to move said valve member into said open position against said bias.

Claim 7

A filter for filtering fluids comprising a head having a substantially horizontal inlet passage and a substantially horizontal outlet passage in a diametrically opposed relationship to one another, said head havin a partition wall integral therewith between said inlet and outlet passages, a filter cartridge of the outside-in flow type removably attached to said head below said inlet and outlet passages for communicating said inlet passage with said outlet passage, said inlet passage being in fluid communication with an outer chamber of said filter cartridge and said outlet passage being in fluid communication with an inner chamber of said filter cartridge, a first valve means associated with said inlet passage and positioned within said head for selectively opening and closing fluid communication between said inlet passage and said outer chamber of said filter cartridge, said first valve means includes a ball valve member, rotatably mounted within said head, said ball valve member having an elbow-shape flow passage formed therein effective to receive horizontal fluid flow from said inlet passage at one end anD to exit vertical fluid flow to said filter cartridge at the other end, a substantially vertical connecting passage formed integral with said head for directing fluid flow from said inner chamber of said filter cartridge to said outlet passage, said head includes a first circular groove formed therein for receipt of upstream sealing ring means positioned to contact said ball valve member and annular retainer ring means positioned about said ball valve member effective to partially close off said first groove and thereby prevent said upstream sealing ring means from blowing out at high pressures, and a second valve means associated with said connecting passage and mounted within said head for opening and closing fluid communication between said outlet passage and said filter cartridge, said second valve means includes a check valve member movable between an open position permitting fluid flow through said connecting passage and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough, said valve member being biased towards said closed position until the pressure differential across said check valve member is sufficient to move said valve member into said open position against said bias.

Claim 8

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said partition wall includes a socket formed therein for receipt of a portion of said ball valve member, said socket having a second circular groove formed therein for receipt of downstream sealing ring means.

Claim 9

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said check valve member includes a valve stem portion and a valve stop portion, said check valve member being positioned within said head so as to permit reciprocal movement thereof between said open position wherein said valve stop member is spaced from said connecting passage and said closed position wherein said valve stop member closes off the upper end of said connecting passage.

Claim 10

The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein spring means biases said check valve member towards said closed position.

Claim 11

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said filter cartridge includes a housing which is releasably secured to said head below said inlet and outlet passages and a disposable filter element positioned within said housing so as to define said outer chamber in communication with said inlet passage and said inner chamber in communication with said connecting passage.

Claim 12

The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said housing includes means associated therewith for selectively equalizing the pressure with said filter cartridge.