Filter element locking mechanism for clean service

摘要

A filter element may include a tubular element, first and second end caps, each associated with an opposite end of the tubular element, filter media positioned around the tubular element and between the first and second end caps, a biasing element associated with the tubular element, and a retainer element positioned at a first end of the tubular element. The retainer element may include a retainer aperture including a central circular portion and two opposite lateral slots extending from opposite sides of the central circular portion, and two arcuate shoulder segments extending between opposite sides of the two opposite lateral slots. A full tab may extend a first axial distance from a bottom surface of one of the two arcuate shoulder segments at a circumferential position in between the two opposite lateral slots, and a partial tab may extend a second axial distance less than the first axial distance from a bottom surface of the other of the two arcuate shoulder segments at a circumferential position on an opposite side of the lateral slots from the full tab.