A filter element for filtering liquids or gases, having a concentrically arranged filter medium with zigzag pleats. The filter medium is provided with end disks on its axial end faces, each end disk having an inside that is connected to the filter medium and an outside that faces away from the filter medium. At least a first end disk carries a valve element which is situated concentrically inside the filter medium. This valve element includes a valve seat which bulges outward above the plane of the outer side of the end disk. The valve element includes a valve body which cooperates with the valve seat and which is arranged on the first end disk so that it is axially movable and is inside of and surrounded by the filter medium.

A filtering membrane module and a filtering apparatus having the same, which is capable of remarkably reducing a vibration of filtering membrane module during an aeration process for a maintenance cleaning of filtering membrane, and preventing a crack from occurring in the filtering membrane module by the vibration, wherein the filtering membrane module comprises a filtering membrane; a header, to which the filtering membrane is potted, including a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side; a first coupling unit provided at the first lateral side; and a second coupling unit provided at the second lateral side.

A filtering membrane module and a filtering apparatus having the same, which is capable of remarkably reducing a vibration of filtering membrane module during an aeration process for a maintenance cleaning of filtering membrane, and preventing a crack from occurring in the filtering membrane module by the vibration, wherein the filtering membrane module comprises a filtering membrane; a header, to which the filtering membrane is potted, including a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side; a first coupling unit provided at the first lateral side; and a second coupling unit provided at the second lateral side.

An apparatus for a switchable filter assembly includes a first conduit coupled to a second and a third conduit, where a liquid has the ability to flow through the first conduit to the second conduit and the third conduit, and where the second conduit and the third conduit are arranged in parallel. A first assembly is capable of sliding inside the first conduit, such that a position of the first assembly determines an amount of liquid flowing to the third conduit. The first assembly includes a compressible member coupled to a first structure, where the first structure prevents the liquid from passing through the first conduit to the third conduit. An amount of compression of the compressible member coupled to the first structure is dependent on a pressure of the liquid flowing from the first conduit to the second conduit.

Keyed fluid-handling devices comprise a fluid-handling device such as a filter, a bypass, or an adapter and an optical key. The optical keys are amenable to all types of filter component and can be readily retrofitted to existing designs. The optical keys may be formed from a variety of materials and combination of phases. That is, optical keys may comprise one or more solid materials, or perhaps may result from a combination of: solid materials, such as in transparent or semi-transparent polymers or glass; liquid fluids, such as water; and gaseous gaps such as an air gap. Optical keys may be light conduits or light guides. Filter manifolds comprise optical locks to ensure compatibility of the filter components.

Keyed fluid-handling devices comprise a fluid-handling device such as a filter, a bypass, or an adapter and an optical key. The optical keys are amenable to all types of filter component and can be readily retrofitted to existing designs. The optical keys may be formed from a variety of materials and combination of phases. That is, optical keys may comprise one or more solid materials, or perhaps may result from a combination of: solid materials, such as in transparent or semi-transparent polymers or glass; liquid fluids, such as water; and gaseous gaps such as an air gap. Optical keys may be light conduits or light guides. Filter manifolds comprise optical locks to ensure compatibility of the filter components.

A water filter cartridge has an end cap with separate inlet and outlet nozzles connected to the end of a cylindrical tube that extends from the end cap. The nozzles are slanted and laterally offset from the cylindrical tube. A cam surface on the outer side of the nozzles actuates valves in a mating manifold. The passage in the nozzles is conical, expanding toward the nozzle end and opening onto a portion of the nozzle side to form a sharper tip. Expanding ice pushes itself out of the conical passage and facilitates ice removal. The narrow end of the conical passage facilitates breakage and removal of ice from the nozzle.

A water filter cartridge has an end cap with separate inlet and outlet nozzles connected to the end of a cylindrical tube that extends from the end cap. The nozzles are slanted and laterally offset from the cylindrical tube. A cam surface on the outer side of the nozzles actuates valves in a mating manifold. The passage in the nozzles is conical, expanding toward the nozzle end and opening onto a portion of the nozzle side to form a sharper tip. Expanding ice pushes itself out of the conical passage and facilitates ice removal. The narrow end of the conical passage facilitates breakage and removal of ice from the nozzle.

A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.

A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.