Fluid quality monitoring and filtration system
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring a fluid within a fluid filter assembly, comprising:
- integrating a sensor probe into a filter element of the fluid filter assembly by mounting the sensor probe to an endplate of the filter element, wherein the sensor probe comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, and wherein the second chamber of the sensor probe includes a chemically reactive material whose electrical properties change as a result of at least one property of the fluid being filtered;
exposing the first and second chambers of the sensor probe to the fluid;
measuring a first conductance or capacitance of the fluid in the first chamber;
measuring a second conductance or capacitance of the fluid in the second chamber; and
comparing the first conductance or capacitance to the second conductance or capacitance to determine a characteristic of the fluid or fluid quality parameter.
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Abstract
A fluid filtration system may include a fluid filter assembly that includes a filter element configured to filter a fluid and a sensor probe incorporated into the fluid filter assembly. The sensor probe may include a chemically reactive material sensitive to at least one property of the fluid and at least a portion of the sensor probe may be exposed to the fluid.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a fluid within a fluid filter assembly, comprising:
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integrating a sensor probe into a filter element of the fluid filter assembly by mounting the sensor probe to an endplate of the filter element, wherein the sensor probe comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, and wherein the second chamber of the sensor probe includes a chemically reactive material whose electrical properties change as a result of at least one property of the fluid being filtered; exposing the first and second chambers of the sensor probe to the fluid; measuring a first conductance or capacitance of the fluid in the first chamber; measuring a second conductance or capacitance of the fluid in the second chamber; and comparing the first conductance or capacitance to the second conductance or capacitance to determine a characteristic of the fluid or fluid quality parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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6. A method of monitoring a fluid within a fluid filter assembly, comprising:
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integrating a sensor probe into a filter element of the fluid filter assembly by mounting the sensor probe to an endplate of the filter element, wherein the sensor probe comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the second chamber of the sensor probe includes a chemically reactive material whose electrical properties change as a result of at least one property of the fluid being filtered; exposing the first and second chambers of the sensor probe to the fluid, wherein the filter element comprises the endplate, a second endplate, and filter media arranged in a cylindrical shape and positioned between the endplate and the second endplate, the filter media defining a hollow interior space, and wherein the sensor probe comprises a probe portion and an electrical contact, and wherein the sensor probe is mounted to the second endplate of the filter element such that the probe portion extends away from the second endplate and into the hollow interior space; measuring a first conductance of the fluid in the first chamber; measuring a second conductance of the fluid in the second chamber; and comparing the first conductance to the second conductance to determine a characteristic of the fluid or fluid quality parameter. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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7. A method of monitoring a fluid within a fluid filter assembly, comprising:
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integrating a sensor probe into a filter element of the fluid filter assembly by mounting the sensor probe to an endplate of the filter element, wherein the sensor probe comprises a first chamber and a second chamber separated by an insulator, wherein the second chamber of the sensor probe includes a chemically reactive material whose electrical properties change as a result of at least one property of the fluid being filtered; exposing the first and second chambers of the sensor probe to the fluid; measuring a first conductance of the fluid in the first chamber between a first outer electrode and a first inner electrode; measuring a second conductance of the fluid in the second chamber between a second outer electrode and a second inner electrode; and comparing the first conductance to the second conductance to determine a characteristic of the fluid or fluid quality parameter. - View Dependent Claims (8, 10)
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Specification