Rotating container

Abstract

A rotary container for a filter assembly is provided. The rotary container includes: a rotor body rotatable about a rotation axis; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the rotor body. The socket extends from the rotor body along the rotation axis for engagement with a bearing. The socket facilitates the transfer of rotational movement between the rotor body and the bearing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary container. The present invention particularly, but not necessarily, relates to a rotary container for a filter assembly. Background Art

[0002] Known filter assemblies are used to remove contaminant particles from the lubricating oil circuit of an internal combustion engine. They are also known for separating particulate matter from liquids and separating liquids of different densities from one another in various industrial processes. Typically, a filter assembly includes a housing having a rotor supported therein for rotation about a main shaft which provides an axis of rotation. A working fluid (from which contaminants are to be removed), such as engine oil, is supplied along the axis of rotation of the rotor under elevated pressure. Subsequently, the pressurized fluid is ejected tangentially from the rotor such that the rotor rotates. As the working fluid flows through the rotating rotor, denser contaminants or particles are separated therefrom by centrifugal force and retained within the rotor, typically as a cake adhering to the inner surface of the rotor. The ejected fluid is discharged into a reservoir.

[0003] As the retained contaminant particles accumulate within the rotor, it is necessary to replace or maintain the rotor at appropriate regular intervals to ensure the continued cleaning effectiveness of the filter assembly. Maintaining the rotor typically requires removing it from the housing. If the filter assembly is in situ, maintaining and replacing the rotor can be time-consuming and difficult due to limited available space. An object of embodiments of the present invention is to at least reduce problems associated with one or more known devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary container for a filter assembly, the rotary container comprising: a rotor body rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the rotor body and extending therefrom along the axis of rotation for engagement with a bearing. Such a device can inhibit rotation of the socket when engaged with a bearing in a filter assembly, thereby reducing wear of the socket.

[0005] In some embodiments, the non-circular cross-section can be a polygonal cross-section. The socket can include one or more fingers, each finger having a free end furthest from the rotor body, and the fingers can at least partially define the circumference of the socket. One or more of the fingers can each include a substantially flat surface that at least partially defines the circumference of the socket. One or more of the fingers can each taper away from the rotor body. A plurality of the one or more fingers can be spaced around the socket among a plurality of gaps separating adjacent fingers. The rotary container can be self-powered because the rotor body can have a drive nozzle from which a pressurized working fluid is ejected to cause rotation of the rotor body by reaction force.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter assembly comprising: a rotary container; a housing having a body and a closure member separably attached to the body for holding the rotary container within the housing, the closure member being separable from the body to permit removal of the rotary container from the housing; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the rotary container, the socket being engageable with a bearing to rotatably support the rotary container to the housing.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter assembly comprising: a housing having a body and a closure member separably attached to the body for holding a rotary container within the housing, the closure member being separable from the body to permit removal of the rotary container from the housing; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the housing, the socket being engageable with a bearing to rotatably support the rotary container to the housing. The filter assembly can include a rotary container.

[0008] Optionally, the closure member can be separated from the body by rotation of the closure member relative to the body. The rotary container and the socket can be as described above and the bearing is integral with or coupled to the closure member. The bearing can include a sleeve, the socket can engage with the sleeve, and the sleeve can rotate relative to the closure member and is configured to inhibit rotation of the socket relative to the sleeve.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter assembly comprising: a housing having a body and a closure member separably attached to the body to hold a rotary container within the housing, the closure member being separable from the body by rotation of the closure member relative to the body to permit removal of the rotary container from the housing; and a locking member releasably engageable with the housing to inhibit rotation of the closure member relative to the body. The locking member can inhibit accidental separation of the closure member from the body. In some embodiments, the locking member can be releasably engaged with the housing by snap-fit engagement. The locking member can be releasably engaged with the body to inhibit rotation of the locking member relative to the body.

[0010] Optionally, the locking member can be axially moved into and out of a locked position relative to the body in which rotation of the locking member relative to the housing is inhibited. The locking member can be axially movable relative to the body between the locked position and a release position in which the locking member can be rotated relative to the body to release the locking member from engagement with the body. The locking member can be releasably engaged with the closure member to inhibit rotation of the locking member relative to the closure member. The locking member can be axially moved into and out of the locked position relative to the closure member.

[0011] In some embodiments, the locking member can be releasably engaged with the closure member by inserting the locking member into an open end of the closure member. The locking member can be releasably engaged with the closure member because the locking member achieves a form fit with at least a portion of the closure member to inhibit rotation of the locking member relative to the closure member. The closure member can include a first configuration having a non-circular cross-section and / or the locking member can include a second configuration complementary to the first configuration to at least partially provide the form fit. The first configuration can be a non-circular orifice. The locking member can include a body portion. The locking member can include one or more lugs that can radially extend from the body portion to effect releasable engagement of the locking member with the body.

[0012] One or more of the lugs may each include a hooked portion to effect releasable engagement of the locking member with the body by abutting against one or more retaining surfaces of the body. One or more of the lugs may each be elastically deformable such that the respective hooked portions are each radially movable relative to the body portion by deformation of the respective lug. Optionally, the body may include one or more rotation inhibiting surfaces against which one or more of the lugs may each abut in use to inhibit rotation of the locking member relative to the body. In the released position, one or more of the lugs may each be deformed by rotation of the locking member relative to the body to effect release of the locking member from engagement with the body. The locking member may have a one-piece construction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the body and the closure member include respective threaded portions that may cooperate with each other to detachably attach the body to the closure member. The closure member may be detachably attached to the body by inserting the closure member into the open end of the body. The closure member may be sealed against the body by an elastomeric seal extending circumferentially along the closure member. The filter assembly may include a rotary container within the housing. Optionally, the rotary container may be self-powered in that the rotary container may include a rotor body having drive nozzles for ejecting pressurized working fluid from the drive nozzles to cause rotation of the rotary container by reaction forces.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a rotary container for a filter assembly, the rotary container comprising: a rotor body rotatable about a rotation axis; and a socket integral with or coupled to the rotor body and extending therefrom along the rotation axis, the socket having an abutment surface against which, in use, a cooperating surface abuts to inhibit movement of the rotary container relative to the cooperating surface and parallel to the rotation axis. When installed as part of a filter assembly, such a device may assist in removing the rotary container.

[0015] The abutment surface may be provided at least in part on or coupled to one or more protrusions extending radially from the socket relative to the axis of rotation. Additionally or alternatively, the abutment surface may be provided at least in part on or coupled to one or more recesses or grooves extending radially into the socket relative to the axis of rotation. The abutment surface may be a discontinuous surface extending around the socket. In some embodiments, the socket may include one or more elastically deformable portions, and the abutment surface is provided on or coupled to the elastically deformable portions such that the abutment surface may move radially relative to the axis of rotation by deformation of the one or more elastically deformable portions. Each of the one or more elastically deformable portions may be a radially deformable finger having a free end furthest from the rotor body. The abutment surface may be provided at least in part on or coupled to one or more free ends of each of the radially deformable fingers. Each of the one or more radially deformable fingers may taper away from the rotor body. A plurality of the one or more elastically deformable portions may be spaced around the socket among a plurality of substantially non-deformable portions.

[0016] Optionally, each of the one or more substantially non-deformable portions may be a substantially non-deformable finger. Each of the one or more elastically deformable portions may include a respective cam surface, and each of the elastically deformable portions may be deformed by a force acting against the respective cam surface parallel to the axis of rotation. Each of the one or more cam surfaces may be provided on or coupled to one or more of the protrusions. The cross-section of the socket may be substantially circular. The rotary container may be self-powered as the rotor body may have a drive nozzle for ejecting a pressurized working fluid from the drive nozzle to cause rotation of the rotor body by reaction force.

[0017] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter assembly including: a housing having a body and a closure member separably attached to the body for holding a rotary container within the housing, the closure member being separable from the body to permit removal of the rotary container from the housing; and a connector for releasably coupling the closure member to the rotary container such that the rotary container can be at least partially removed from the housing by separation of the closure member and the body. The closure member may be separated from the body by rotation of the closure member relative to the body. The connector is a snap-fit connector. The filter assembly may include a rotary container.

[0018] In some embodiments, the rotary container can be the rotary container as described above, the socket at least partially forms the connector, and the closure member includes the cooperating surface such that abutment of the abutment surface and the cooperating surface inhibits movement of the rotary container relative to the cooperating surface to releasably couple the closure member to the rotary container. The closure member can include a sleeve for receiving the socket to rotatably support the rotary container in the housing, the sleeve including the cooperating surface. The sleeve can include the cooperating surface at an open end of the sleeve. The closure member can include a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including the sleeve.

[0019] Features described above with reference to one aspect of the invention should be understood to be compatible with features described above with reference to other aspects of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filter assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly having a locking member shown in a locked position;

[0022] Figure 2 is shown separately from the filter assembly Figure 1 perspective view of the locking member of;

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 another cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of, in which the locking member is shown in a released position.

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 1 side view of the filter assembly of, in which the locking member is shown in a locked position.

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 1 another side view of the filter assembly of, in which the locking member is shown in a released position.

[0026] Figure 6 is Figure 1 magnified region of the cross-sectional view of, showing the socket of the rotor container according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0027] Figure 7 is Figure 6 perspective view of the socket of, showing the socket engaged with the bearing in section to make the socket visible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1Shows a filter assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The filter assembly 10 has particular application in motor vehicles, for example for cleaning engine oil in an engine lubrication system. However, other applications may also be considered, for example, for oil recovery and food manufacturing.

[0029] The filter assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a body 14 and a closure member 16. The closure member 16 is detachably attached to the body 14. As in the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 16 can be detachably attached to the body 14 by inserting the closure member 16 into the open end 18 of the body 14. The open end 18 can be the bottom side end of the body 14, i.e., the end that can be accessed from below during use. The open end 18 can be defined, i.e., bounded, by an annular wall 18a of the body 14. To effect the attachment of the closure member 16 to the body 14, each of the body 14 and the closure member 16 can include corresponding threaded portions 14a, 16a. Thus, the body 14 and the closure member 16 can be detachably attached to each other by a threaded engagement, i.e., the body 14 and the closure member 16 can be screwed together and unscrewed by a user. However, in alternative embodiments, any suitable means for attaching the closure member 16 to the body 14 can be used, for example, each of the body 14 and the closure member 16 can be configured to form a bayonet connection. As in the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 16 can be separated from the body 14 by rotating the closure member 16 at least partially relative to the body 14.

[0030] The filter assembly 10 further includes a rotary container 20 and a locking member 22. The rotary container 20 includes a rotor body 24 that is rotatable about a rotational axis 26. (References herein to axial movement, axial extension, etc. are at least generally parallel to the rotational axis 26. References herein to radial movement, radial extension, etc. are at least generally perpendicular to the rotational axis 26). The rotary container 20 and the rotor body 24 can rotate together as a unit about the rotational axis. The rotary container 20 further includes a lower socket 28 and an upper socket 30. Each of the lower socket 28 and the upper socket 30 can be coupled to or integral with the rotor body 24 and axially extend therefrom along the rotational axis 26. Accordingly, the lower socket 28 and the upper socket 30 are collinear. It should be understood that the lower socket 28 can extend from the lower end of the rotor body 24, and the upper socket 30 can extend from the upper end of the rotor body 24, i.e., opposite the lower socket 28. The rotary container 20 is held within the housing 12 by attaching the closure member 16 to the body 14. In some embodiments, the body 14 can position and support the upper socket 30 within the housing 12. Additionally or alternatively, the closure member 16 can position and support the lower socket 28 within the housing 12. To this end, the body 14 and the closure member 16 can be provided with corresponding bearings 34, 36 that are configured to receive the lower socket 28 and the upper socket 30, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearings 34, 36 are shown as multi-piece components. However, the bearings 34, 36 can be any device suitable for allowing the rotary container 20 to rotate relative to the housing 12. For example, one or each of the bearings 34, 36 can be an aperture or recess configured to receive one of the lower socket 28 and the upper socket 30. The closure member 16 can be separated from the body 14 to effect removal of the rotary container 20 from the housing 12.

[0031] Attaching the closure member 16 to the body 14 can form a fluid-tight volume 32 that, in use, surrounds the rotary container 20. To this end, the closure member 16 can be fluid-tight against the body 14 via an elastomeric seal 38 that extends circumferentially along the closure member 16. In some embodiments, the elastomeric seal 38 can alternatively be provided on the body 14.

[0032] The filter assembly 10 may further include a fluid supply conduit 50 extending through the center of the rotor body 24 (i.e., extending along the axis of rotation 26) for supplying a working fluid, i.e., the fluid to be cleaned / filtered, such as engine oil, to the inner chamber 46 of the rotor body 24. The inner chamber 46 may be fluidly connected to the fluid supply conduit 50 through one or more through-holes 52 provided in the side wall of the fluid supply conduit 50. The through-holes 52 may extend through the side wall substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation 26. An inlet conduit 54 may extend through the closure member 16 to supply the working fluid from an inlet port 56 to the fluid supply conduit 50. In use, the working fluid may be supplied to the inlet port 56 at an elevated pressure to flow from the inlet port 56 to the through-holes 52 via the inlet conduit 54 and the fluid supply conduit 50. The working fluid exits the through-holes 52 and enters the inner chamber 46 of the rotor body 24. As in the illustrated embodiment, the rotary container 20 may be self-powered, i.e., the pressurized supply of the working fluid may drive the rotation of the rotor body 24. To this end, the rotor body 24 may further include a pair of radially opposed drive nozzles 58 fluidly connected to the inner chamber 46 of the rotor body 24. The drive nozzles 58 are each provided at a radial distance from the axis of rotation 26 (about which the rotor body 24 is rotatable) and are configured such that the working fluid exits the inner chamber 46, passes through the drive nozzles 58, in a direction substantially tangential to the rotor body 24. It should be understood that the tangential ejection of the working fluid at an elevated pressure causes a reaction force that causes the rotor body 24 to rotate about the axis of rotation 26.

[0033] As the working fluid flows through the rotating rotary container 20, centrifugal force causes the separation of contaminant material within the working fluid. The separated contaminant material may accumulate within the inner chamber 46 of the rotor body 24, primarily as a cake adhering to the inner surface of the inner chamber 46 or to a liner provided therein. The fluid exiting the rotor body 24 may be discharged through the outlet port 44 to a reservoir and out of the filter assembly 10. When contaminants accumulate within the inner chamber 46, the filter assembly 10 must be maintained, e.g., by cleaning or replacing the rotary container 20. To maintain the filter assembly 10, it may be necessary to remove the rotary container 20 from within the housing 12. Removal of the rotary container 20 from within the housing 12 requires separation of the closure member 16 from the body 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 16 is rotatable, e.g., it may be unscrewed by the user relative to the body 14 in a first direction to effect the necessary separation. The first direction may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0034] The problem is that the rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14 may be caused by the vibration of the filter assembly 10. Vibration may occur due to the rotation of the rotor body 24 within the housing 12. This induced rotation of the closure member 16 is undesirable because it may cause the closure member 16 to accidentally separate from or open the body 14, thus causing leakage of the working fluid from the filter assembly 10. The leaked working liquid may be flammable and may cause a fire. In addition, as in the case of the illustrated embodiment, the undesirable rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14 may be exacerbated by the weight acting downward on the closure member 16 through the rotary container 20. The undesirable rotation of the closure member 16 can be inhibited by the locking member 22. To this end, the locking member 22 releasably engages at least a portion of the housing 12 to inhibit the rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14, as described in more detail below.

[0035] The locking member 22 can releasably engage at least a portion of the housing 12 by snap-fit engagement. As in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 22 can releasably engage the body 14 by snap-fit engagement. Snap-fit engagement is advantageous because it can assist in rapid construction, i.e., assembly and / or maintenance of the filter assembly 10 without the use of tools, and can reduce the number of loose and / or separable component parts that make up the filter assembly 10. It should be understood that various types of snap-fit engagements are possible, e.g., cantilever snap-fit engagement, twist snap-fit engagement, and annular snap-fit engagement. (A non-limiting device for providing a cantilever snap-fit engagement of the locking member 22 to the housing 12 is described herein.)

[0036] As shown in the drawings, the locking member 22 can releasably engage the closure member 16. More specifically, the locking member 22 can releasably engage the closure member 16 by inserting the locking member 22 into the open end of the closure member 16. The releasable engagement of the locking member 22 with the closure member 16 can inhibit the rotation of the locking member 22 relative to the closure member 16 in at least one direction. Additionally or alternatively, the locking member 22 can releasably engage the body 14. The locking member 22 can releasably engage the body 14 such that the rotation of the locking member 22 relative to the body 14 is inhibited in at least one direction. Thus, in the case where the locking member 22 engages both the closure member 16 and the body 14, the locking member 22 can be inhibited from rotating relative to the body 14 in a first direction and from rotating relative to the closure member 16 in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. Thus, the rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14 in the first direction can be inhibited to prevent the closure member 16 from accidentally separating from or opening the body 14.

[0037] Figure 2An embodiment of the locking member 22 is shown. To achieve releasable engagement of the locking member 22 with the closing member 16, at least a portion of the locking member 22 may be shaped to mate with a portion of the closing member 16, i.e., the profile and / or shape of the locking member 22 may permit close engagement of the locking member 22 with the closing member 16. To this end, the locking member 22 may include a first configuration 60 and the closing member 16 may include a second configuration 62 that is complementary to the first configuration 60. It should be understood that the shape mating of the locking member 22 with the closing member 16 may inhibit relative rotation of the two parts. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first configuration 60 may be non-circular, e.g., polygonal. The first configuration 60 may be an aperture extending through a portion of the locking member 22. In certain embodiments, the circumferential surface of the locking member 22 may be shaped to mate with the surface of the closing member 16. Additionally or alternatively, the locking member 22 may include one or more radially extending ribs 48 that may engage complementary notches in the closing member 16. As shown in the drawings, the locking member 22 may be a one-piece structure. The locking member 22 may be molded from a plastic material.

[0038] As shown in the drawings, the locking member 22 may include a body portion 40 and one or more lugs 42. The body portion 40 may be annular. The lugs 42 may extend radially from the body portion 40. Each lug 42 may include a respective hooked portion 42a. The hooked portion 42a may be formed at or coupled to the free end 42a of the lug 42, i.e., the end of the lug 42 furthest from the body portion 40. The hooked portion 42a may permit each lug 42 to extend around an annular wall 18a at the open end 18 of the body 14 to engage a respective radially extending configuration 64 coupled or integral with the circumferential surface of the body 14. Each radially extending configuration 64 may extend radially from or into the circumferential surface of the body 14. Each radially extending configuration 64 may form one or more rotation inhibiting surfaces 66 (e.g., see Figure 4 ), against which the respective lug 42 abuts to inhibit rotation of the closing member 16 relative to the body 14, i.e., each such rotation inhibiting surface 66 may block (i.e., interrupt) the circumferential path of the lug 42 around the body 14. This is described in more detail below. The one or more rotation inhibiting surfaces 66 may be surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis of the rotation axis 26.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the lug 42 may effect releasable engagement of the locking member 22 with the body 14, i.e., the lug 42 may be configured to cooperate with the body 14 to releasably engage the locking member 22 with the body 14 such that axial movement of the locking member 22 relative to the body 14 is inhibited at least in one direction. More specifically, the lug 42 may bear against one or more retaining surfaces 68 integral with or coupled to the body 14 to prevent release of the locking member 22 from its engagement with the body 14. To this end, the retaining surface 68 may impede the axial path of the lug 42. In addition to or instead of the one or more rotation inhibiting surfaces 66, each of the radially extending formations 64 may form one or more of the retaining surfaces 68. One or more of the retaining surfaces 68 may be surfaces substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotational axis 26.

[0040] At least a portion of each of the lugs 42 may be elastically deformable, i.e., flexible / pliable. Accordingly, radial movement of the hook portion 42a may be permitted by deformation of the lug 42. This radial movement may effect release of the locking member 22 from its engagement with the body. This is described in more detail below. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 22 may have a one-piece structure.

[0041] Figure 6 and 7 An embodiment of the lower socket 28 is shown. The lower socket 28 may have an abutment surface 70 configured to abut a cooperating surface 72. The abutment surface 70 abutting the cooperating surface 72 may inhibit axial movement of the rotary container 20 relative to the cooperating surface 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooperating surface 72 is formed as part of the lower bearing 34. More specifically, the cooperating surface 72 may be provided as an annular surface extending around the surface of a sleeve 74, the sleeve 74 forming part of the lower bearing 34 and being rotatable therein. Accordingly, since the lower bearing 34 may be provided as part of the closure member 16, the abutment surface 70 abutting the cooperating surface 72 may inhibit axial movement of the rotary container 20 relative to the closure member 16. Thus, in the case where the lower socket 28 is engaged with the lower bearing, separation of the closure member 16 from the body 14 may remove the rotary container 20 from within the housing 12. The lower socket 28 may include one or more protrusions 76 extending radially therefrom, where the abutment surface 70 is integral with or coupled to the one or more protrusions 76. However, in some embodiments, the abutment surface 70 may be provided at least in part by one or more recesses extending radially into the lower socket 28. This may be in addition to or instead of at least a portion of the abutment surface provided by the protrusions 76. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the abutment surface 70 may be a discontinuous surface.

[0042] In some embodiments, the lower socket 28 may include one or more fingers 78a, 78b extending away from the rotor body 24, i.e., each finger 78a, 78b having a free end furthest from the rotor body 24. As shown in the drawings, each finger 78a, 78b may extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 26. The fingers 78a, 78b together may define (i.e., delimit) or surround an opening 80, which may be an opening for the fluid supply conduit 50. Additionally or alternatively, the fingers 78a, 78b may define the circumference of the socket. The circumference may be non-circular, i.e., the lower socket 28 may have a non-circular cross-section. To this end, each of the fingers 78a, 78b may include a substantially flat surface, which may be the radially outermost surface of each respective finger 78a, 78b. It should be understood that each respective substantially flat surface may be inclined with respect to the surface of an adjacent finger 78a, 78b. The fingers 78a, 78b may abut against each other, or there may be a gap between at least a plurality of adjacent fingers 78a, 78b. To receive the lower socket 28 with a non-circular cross-section, the sleeve 74 may have a shape complementary to the shape of the lower socket 28. Such an arrangement inhibits rotation of the lower socket 28 within the sleeve 74 when received therein, thereby reducing wear of the lower socket 28.

[0043] A subset of one of the one or more fingers 78a may be radially elastically deformable by a radial force applied thereto, i.e., flexible / pliable. The subset of radially elastically deformable fingers 78a may include three fingers. The radially deformable fingers 78a may provide one or more elastically deformable portions of the lower socket 28. However, in alternative embodiments, the elastically deformable portion may be provided by any suitable means, e.g., by narrowing a portion of the lower socket 28. Each radially elastically deformable finger 78a may taper away from the rotor body 24, i.e., narrow in the radial direction away from the rotor body 24, and this may provide the required elastic deformability. Additionally or alternatively, a subset of the fingers 78b may be substantially non-deformable at least in the radial direction, i.e., rigid. Thus, the substantially non-deformable fingers 78b may provide one or more non-deformable portions of the lower socket 28. The elastically deformable portions and the non-deformable portions may be alternately arranged around the lower socket 28, i.e., each elastically deformable portion may be spaced around the socket in between substantially non-deformable portions.

[0044] Each of the protrusions 76 and / or the recesses may be disposed at least partially on one or more of each of the elastically deformable fingers 78a or may be coupled at least partially to one or more of each of the elastically deformable fingers 78a. Each of the protrusions 76 and / or the recesses may be disposed at the free ends of the radially elastically deformable fingers 78a. However, alternatively, each of the protrusions 76 and / or the recesses may be disposed at any suitable location along the length of one or more of the radially elastically deformable fingers 78a. Accordingly, it should be understood that the surface 70 can be radially displaced by the deformation of the radially elastically deformable fingers 78a. This deformation may be caused by a force acting radially inwardly on the radially elastically deformable fingers 78a or a portion thereof.

[0045] In constructing the filter assembly 10, the rotary container 20 may be inserted through the open end 18 into the body 14 of the housing 12. When the rotary container 20 is inserted into the body 14, it may be guided into place by guide ribs 82 coupled to or integral with the inner surface of the housing 12. When the rotary container 20 is positioned within the housing 12, the guide ribs 82 may assist in aligning the upper socket 30 with the upper bearing 36. One or both of the upper socket 30 and the upper bearing 36 may be configured to frictionally engage the other. In the case where the rotary container 20 is fully inserted into the housing 12, the upper socket 30 may frictionally engage the upper bearing 34 to support the weight of the rotary container 20, i.e., to inhibit the rotary container 20 from falling out of the housing 12 under the action of its weight. Such a device may assist in the construction of the filter assembly 10 because the rotary container 20 may not need to be held in place when the construction of the filter assembly 10 is continued and / or completed. However, conversely, such a device may weaken the disassembly of the filter assembly 10, e.g., for maintenance and / or repair, since the frictional engagement of the upper socket 30 with the upper bearing may make it difficult to withdraw the rotary container 20 from within the housing 12.

[0046] When the rotary container 20 is received within the body 14 of the housing 12, the closure member 16 can be releasably attached to the housing 12 to form a fluid-tight volume 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 16 is screwed into the open end 18 of the body 14. When the closure member 16 is attached to the body 14, the lower socket 28 can engage with the lower bearing 34. More specifically, in some embodiments, the lower socket 28 can engage with the sleeve 74 of the lower bearing 34. When the lower socket 28 is initially, i.e., partially, engaged with the lower bearing 34, an elastically deformable portion, such as a radially elastically deformable finger 78a, can be caused to elastically deform. In the illustrated embodiment, when the lower socket 28 engages with the lower bearing 34, the projection 76 of the radially elastically deformable finger 78a contacts the inner wall of the sleeve 74 to radially inwardly push, i.e., deform, the radially elastically deformable finger 78a. This is because the outermost diameter of the lower socket 28 including the projection 76 is greater than the innermost diameter of the sleeve 74. To assist the engagement of the lower socket 28 with the lower bearing 34, each projection 76 can include a cam surface 84 that is inclined with respect to the inner wall of the sleeve 74. Thus, when the lower socket 28 is introduced into the sleeve 74, a force will again act on each cam surface 84 in the axial direction to initiate the radially inward deflection of the projection 76 and the radially elastically deformable finger 78a. The radially inward deflection of the radially elastically deformable finger 78a allows the closure member 16 to axially move relative to the lower socket 28 in a first axial direction.

[0047] Once the closure member 16 is releasably attached to the housing 12, the lower socket 28 can fully engage the lower bearing 34. Thus, the lower socket 28 can axially move relative to the sleeve 74 such that the projection 76 has axially moved beyond a portion of the inner wall of the sleeve 74 that defines (i.e., bounds) the innermost diameter of the sleeve 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 76 remains within the sleeve 74 and is radially aligned with a portion of the inner wall of the sleeve 74 whose diameter is substantially equal to or greater than the outermost diameter of the lower socket 28. The inherent elasticity of the radially elastically deformable fingers 78a allows them to return to their undeformed state when radially aligned with a portion of the sleeve 74 whose diameter is substantially equal to or greater than the outermost diameter of the lower socket 28. Thus, each projection 76 radially outwardly moves.

[0048] A transition portion between inner wall portions of sleeves 74 of different diameters forms a step 86. As in the illustrated embodiment, the step 86 can provide a abutment surface 70. Thus, in the case where the lower socket 28 is fully engaged with the lower bearing 34 and the radially elastically deformable finger-like members 78a return to their undeformed state, the step 86 can block, i.e., interrupt, the axial path of the protrusion 76. This means that in the case where the closure member 16 axially moves relative to the lower socket 28 in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction, one or more protrusions 76 can abut against the step 86. The device can inhibit the axial movement of the closure member 16 relative to the lower socket 28 in the second axial direction. Thus, once the lower socket 28 is fully engaged with the lower bearing 34, the device can inhibit the separation of the closure member 16 from the rotary container 20. This has the advantage that when disassembling the filter assembly 10, the closure member 16 is separated from the body 14. For example, by unscrewing the closure member 16 from the body 14, the rotary container 20 can be removed from the housing 12. Thus, the lower socket 28 can provide a connector to releasably couple the closure member 16 to the rotary container 20 such that by separating the closure member 16 and the body 14, the rotary container 20 can be at least partially removed from the housing 12.

[0049] In the case where the closure member 16 is releasably attached to the housing 12, a locking member 22 can be attached to the body 14 to inhibit the accidental opening and / or separation of the closure member 16 from the body 14. To releasably attach the locking member 22 to the housing 12, the locking member 22 can be introduced into the open end of the closure member 16. In the illustrated embodiment, prior to introducing the locking member 22 into the open end of the closure member 16, the axial alignment of the lug 42 with the retaining surface 68 can assist in attaching the locking member 22 to the housing 12. Also, when the locking member 22 is releasably attached to the body 14, the lug 42 can be radially deformed outwardly. The radial deformation of the lug 42 can allow the hook portion 42a to axially move through the corresponding retaining surface 68. Once the hook portion 42a has axially moved through the corresponding retaining surface 68, the inherent elasticity of the lugs 42 causes them to return to their undeformed state, i.e., move radially inwardly. The lugs 42 can be radially deformed outwardly by contact of the hook portion 42a with the circumferential surface of the body 14 and / or with the radially extending structure 64. To assist in the radial outward deformation of the lugs 42, each hook portion 42a can include a corresponding cam surface.

[0050] When the locking member 22 is releasably engaged with the body 14, axial movement of the locking member 22 can be inhibited by abutting each hook portion 42a against one or more corresponding retaining surfaces 68. Accordingly, release of the locking member 22 from its engagement with the body 14 can be inhibited, thereby ensuring that the locking member 22 remains engaged with the housing 12 during use. However, when the locking member 22 is releasably engaged with the body 14, the locking member 22 can be axially moved into and out of a locking position relative to the body 14. The locking position is shown in Figure 1 and 4 wherein rotation of the locking member 22 relative to the housing 12 is inhibited by abutment of the lug 42 against the rotation inhibiting surface 66. The self-weight of the rotary container 20 can act on the closure member 16 and thus on the locking member 22 to hold the locking member 22 in the locking position. In some embodiments, the locking member 22 can be axially moved relative to the body 14 between the locking position and a release position. The release position is shown in Figure 3 and 5 In the release position, the locking member 22 can be rotated relative to the body 14 to cause release of the locking member 22 from its engagement with the body 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 22 moves in a first axial direction, e.g., upward from the locking position to the release position. In the release position, the circumferential path of the lug 42 extending around the body 14 can be clear, i.e., unobstructed, at least in one direction, e.g., in a first direction, by the rotation inhibiting surface 66. As in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 22 can also be axially moved relative to the closure member 16. This is because when the closure member 16 is separably attached to the body 14, the locking member 22 may not move axially without rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14. Accordingly, the locking member 22 can be axially moved into and out of the locking position relative to the closure member 16.

[0051] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, to remove the rotary container 20 from the housing 12, e.g., for cleaning / maintenance, the locking member 22 is moved from the locking position to the release position and rotated relative to the body 14 in a first direction. This action moves the lug 42 out of axial alignment with the corresponding retaining surface 68 and allows the locking member 22 to be released from the body 14. Rotation of the locking member 22 initiates rotation of the closure member 16. Continued rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14 in the first direction separates the closure member 16 from the body 14 and thus allows the closure member 16 to be separated from the body. Separation of the closure member 16 from the body 14 withdraws the rotary container 20 from within the body 14.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention may not include the locking member 22. The present invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims and drawings), or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed as being limited only to the foregoing embodiments, but also cover any embodiment falling within the scope of the claims.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the features described above with reference to the lower socket 28 and the lower bearing 34 are equally applicable, respectively, to the upper socket 30 and the upper bearing 36. Additionally, the lower socket 28 and the upper socket 30 may be provided on the housing 12 and the bearings 34, 36 may be provided on the rotary container 20. The lower socket 28 may have a non-circular cross-section defined by a single part, i.e., bounded, i.e., not defined by the fingers 78a, 78b. In any case, the non-circular cross-section may be a polygonal cross-section, for example, a hexagonal cross-section. In certain embodiments, the non-circular cross-section may be a semi-circular cross-section. Of course, in certain embodiments, the cross-section of the lower socket 28 may be circular. For this purpose, each of the fingers 78a, 78b may include a curved surface that may be the radially outermost surface of each respective finger 78a, 78b.

[0054] In certain embodiments, in addition to rotation of the closure member 16 relative to the body 14, the closure member 16 may be separated from the body 14 in other ways. The locking member 22 may be releasably engaged with the body 14 by means other than snap-fit engagement. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to, for example, the self-powered filter assembly as described above. In certain embodiments, the filter assembly may include a drive device, for example, an electric motor, configured to rotate the rotor body 24.

[0055] All features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive combinations.

[0056] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature for the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless otherwise explicitly stated, each disclosed feature is only an example of a general series of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

1. A rotary container for a filter assembly, the rotary container comprising: a rotor body rotatable about a rotation axis; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the rotor body and extending therefrom along the rotation axis for engagement with a bearing, the socket including a plurality of fingers, each finger having a free end furthest from the rotor body, the fingers at least partially defining the circumference of the socket, one or more of the fingers each include a flat surface at least partially defining the circumference of the socket, the fingers together forming an outer surface of the socket having a non-circular cross-section configured to engage a complementary non-circular cross-section of an annular inner surface of a bearing such that the bearing rotates with the socket.

2. The rotary container according to claim 1, wherein, the non-circular cross-section is a polygonal cross-section.

3. The rotary container according to claim 1, wherein, one or more of the fingers each taper away from the rotor body.

4. The rotary container according to claim 1, wherein, the plurality of fingers are spaced around the socket among a plurality of gaps separating adjacent fingers.

5. The rotary container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the rotary container is self-powered as the rotor body has a drive nozzle for ejecting a pressurized working fluid from the drive nozzle to cause rotation of the rotor body by reaction force.

6. A filter assembly, comprising: a rotary container; a housing having a body and a closure member separably attached to the body to hold the rotary container within the housing, the closure member being separable from the body to permit removal of the rotary container from the housing; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the rotary container and capable of engaging a bearing to rotatably support the rotary container to the housing, the socket including a plurality of fingers, each finger having a free end furthest from the rotor body, the fingers at least partially defining the circumference of the socket, one or more of the fingers each include a flat surface at least partially defining the circumference of the socket, the fingers together forming an outer surface of the socket having a non-circular cross-section configured to engage a complementary non-circular cross-section of an annular inner surface of a bearing such that the bearing rotates with the socket.

7. The filter assembly according to claim 6, wherein, by rotation of the closure member relative to the body, the closure member is capable of separating from the body.

8. The filter assembly according to claim 6, wherein, the rotary container is the rotary container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the bearing is integral with or coupled to the closure member.

9. A filter assembly, comprising: A housing having a body and a closure member separably attached to the body for holding a rotary container within the housing, the closure member being separable from the body to permit removal of the rotary container from the housing; and a socket having a non-circular cross-section, the socket being integral with or coupled to the housing, the socket being adapted to engage a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotary container to the housing, the socket including a plurality of fingers, each finger having a free end furthest from the rotor body, the fingers at least partially defining the circumference of the socket, one or more of the fingers each include a flat surface at least partially defining the circumference of the socket, the fingers together forming an outer surface of the socket having a non-circular cross-section, the outer surface configured to engage a complementary non-circular cross-section of an annular inner surface of a bearing such that the bearing rotates with the socket.

10. The filter assembly according to claim 9, wherein, the filter assembly includes a rotary container.

11. The filter assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, by rotation of the closure member relative to the body, the closure member is separable from the body.

12. The filter assembly according to claim 10, wherein, the rotary container is the rotary container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the bearing is integral with or coupled to the closure member.

13. The filter assembly according to claim 12, wherein, the bearing includes a sleeve, the socket being adapted to engage the sleeve, the sleeve being rotatable relative to the closure member and being configured to inhibit rotation of the socket relative to the sleeve.

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