Auto drain plug for a filtration apparatus

A filtration apparatus, comprising:

• a housing defining an internal volume sized to receive a filter element, the housing comprising an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid;
• a retention mechanism disposed in the housing, the retention mechanism comprising:
• a base having a circular protrusion disposed thereon, and
• a retention ring slidably disposed on the base;
• a ball plug fixedly coupled to the retention ring, the ball plug configured to be selectively displaced in an axial direction relative to the housing;
• and
• an engagement member disposed within the housing, the engagement member comprising a port having an opening and a ramp, at least a portion of the port disposed within the outlet of the housing,
• wherein the ball plug is movable between a first position in which the ball plug rests on the ramp, a first portion of the ball plug is distal from the protrusion and a second portion of the ball plug is in contact with the ramp of the engagement member such that the opening of the port is not sealed and the fluid can be expelled from the outlet of the housing, and a second position in which the ball plug is aligned with the port, the first portion of the ball plug is in contact with the protrusion of the base, and the second portion of the ball plug is in contact with the port and seals the opening of the port such that the fluid cannot be expelled from the outlet of the housing.

An apparatus for allowing selective removal of fluid from a housing sized to receive a filter element, the housing including an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• a cage defining an internal volume, the cage having at least one sidewall and a roof, an end of the at least one sidewall opposite the roof defining a protrusion;
• a ball plug positioned within the internal volume of the cage and retained therein by the protrusion, the ball plug configured to be selectively displaced in an axial direction relative to the housing;
• and
• an engagement member positioned within the housing, the engagement member comprising a port having an opening and a ramp, at least a portion of the port positioned within the outlet of the housing,
• wherein the ball plug is movable between a first position, in which the ball plug rests on the ramp and the ball plug does not seal the opening of the port such that the fluid can be expelled from the outlet of the housing, and a second position, in which the ball plug is aligned with the port and the ball plug seals the opening of the port such that the fluid cannot be expelled from the outlet of the housing.

An apparatus for allowing selective removal of fluid from a housing sized to receive a filter element, the housing including an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for expelling the fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• a retention mechanism positioned in the housing, the retention mechanism comprising a base having a circular protrusion positioned thereon, and a retention ring slidably disposed on the base;
• a ball plug coupled to the retention ring, the ball plug configured to be selectively displaced in an axial direction relative to the housing;
• and
• an engagement member positioned within the housing, the engagement member comprising a port having an opening and a ramp, at least a portion of the port disposed within the outlet of the housing,
• wherein the ball plug is movable between a first position, in which the ball plug rests on the ramp and the ball plug does not seal the opening of the port such that the fluid can be expelled from the outlet of the housing, and a second position, in which the ball plug is aligned with the port and the ball plug seals the opening of the port such that the fluid cannot be expelled from the outlet of the housing.