Filter element and housing having non-circular cross-sections

A filter element for a filter assembly, comprising:

• a filter media;
• a first sealing member positioned circumferentially at a filter media first end of the filter media;
• and
• an alignment feature positioned on at least a portion of an outer surface of the filter media and protruding radially beyond the first sealing member, the alignment feature comprising:
• a ring member positioned circumferentially around the filter media at a filter media first end proximate to the housing;
• and
• a filter baffle extending from the ring member away from the filter media first end along the outer surface of the filter media, the filter baffle spaced axially apart from an axial end of the filter element by the first sealing member, the filter baffle circumferentially positioned on at least a portion of the outer surface of the filter media and defining an alignment channel structured to receive a corresponding alignment protrusion of a housing of the filter assembly,
• wherein the alignment channel defines a first cross-section proximate to a filter media first end that is configured to be inserted into the housing, and a second cross-section distal from the filter media first end, the second cross-section different from the first cross-section such that alignment channel has a cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the alignment protrusion.