Filter assembly with authenticating filter element coupling and replaceable drop-in twist locking filter element therefor

A replaceable drop-in twist locking filter element and locking guide comprising:

• A filter element including i) an upper endcap;
• ii filter media extending from the upper endcap;
• and iii) a lower endcap coupled to an end of the filter media, the lower endcap including a sealing O-ring;
• and
• a locking guide coupled to the lower endcap and having a sleeve with a set of at least three slots in an end thereof wherein the end includes a circular opening and wherein the set of at least three slots extend radially outwardly from the circular opening and the slots of the set of at least three slots are unequally circumferentially spaced about the circular opening, and wherein the set of at least three slots is configured to receive a set of keys of an associated keyed bushing on a filter housing.

A filter assembly comprising:

• a filter element housing;
• an authenticating filter element coupling including a keyed bushing having a set of at least three keys on a radial periphery of the keyed bushing wherein the keys of the set of at least three keys are unequally circumferentially spaced from each other about a periphery of the keyed bushing, and including a locking guide having a sleeve with slots in an end thereof that match the set of at least three keys of the keyed bushing;
• and
• a replaceable filter element including upper and lower endcaps and filter media extending from the upper endcap to the lower endcap, the lower endcap including a sealing O-ring;
• wherein the locking guide includes interconnect tab structures for coupling the locking guide to the lower end cap of the replaceable filter element.