US 11,806,648 B1
Filter assembly
David P. Cooper, Dowagiac, MI (US); Mark C. Graff, Michigan City, IN (US); James C. L. Guarino, Kalamazoo, MI (US); Chad Rotter, Saugatuck, MI (US); Daniel Louis Sigmund, Golden, CO (US); Steven J. Kuehl, Sylva, NC (US); Joseph R. Peters, St. Joseph, MI (US); and Justin Glasgow, Sulphur Springs, TX (US)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/308,305.
Application 18/308,305 is a continuation of application No. PCT/IB2022/054007, filed on Apr. 29, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/182,175, filed on Apr. 30, 2021.
Int. Cl. B01D 35/30 (2006.01); B01D 15/30 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 15/30 (2013.01) [B01D 2201/16 (2013.01); B01D 2201/302 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter unit, comprising:
a body portion configured to receive a water filter;
an engaging portion coupled to the body portion, wherein the engaging portion includes:
a first projection defining an inlet; and
a second projection defining an outlet; and
a bypass actuator extending through the body portion and the engaging portion, wherein the bypass actuator includes:
an actuating end positioned between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the actuating end defines an interlock for engaging a bypass valve of a fluid manifold and an interface for engaging retaining features of the fluid manifold, and wherein the interface includes a helical section;
an operating end positioned at an opposing end of the body portion relative to the actuating end, wherein rotation of the operating end causes rotation of the actuating end; and
a shaft coupled to the actuating end and the operating end, wherein the bypass actuator is configured to rotate relative to the engaging portion and the body portion to rotationally and axially operate the bypass valve, and wherein the bypass actuator is further configured to drive axial engagement of the engaging portion with a valve assembly of the fluid manifold.