Filter seating monitor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for insuring the proper seating of a sealing element, comprising:
- a. providing a conductive sealing element;
b. providing a circuit adapted to measure the conductivity of said sealing element;
c. utilizing said circuit to measure said conductivity; and
d. determining whether said measured conductivity is within a predetermined range, wherein said predetermined range represents conductivity values of a properly seated sealing element.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of seals, especially those in filtering elements. In one embodiment, an electrically conductive material is used as the sealing material. The resistance of this material is monitored, since it is known that electrical resistance is a function of the compression or strain on the material. In a second embodiment, one or more switches are installed in or on the end cap of the filtering element. These switches engage when the filtering element is properly seated. This information can then be conveyed to the operator, such as via wireless communication.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for insuring the proper seating of a sealing element, comprising:
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a. providing a conductive sealing element;
b. providing a circuit adapted to measure the conductivity of said sealing element;
c. utilizing said circuit to measure said conductivity; and
d. determining whether said measured conductivity is within a predetermined range, wherein said predetermined range represents conductivity values of a properly seated sealing element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A sealing element capable of alerting an operator of its seating status, comprising:
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a. a conductive material, having a known coefficient of contraction;
b. a circuit in communication with said material, adapted to measure the conductivity of said material; and
c. means for transmitting said status to said operator. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for use with a housing, capable of alerting an operator of the seating status of a sealing element within said housing, comprising:
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a. said sealing element comprising a conductive material;
b. a circuit;
c. at least two leads embedded in an inner surface of said housing so as to contact said sealing element when seated and also in communication with said circuit; and
d. means for transmitting said status to said operator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for insuring the proper seating of a sealing element within a housing, comprising:
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a. providing at least one sensor positioned between said sealing element and said housing so as to engage when said sealing element is properly seated;
b. providing a circuit in communication with said at least one sensor to detect the state of said sensor;
c. detecting the state of said at least one sensor; and
d. alerting an operator of the seating status of said sealing element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for use with a housing, capable of alerting an operator of the seating status of a sealing element within said housing, comprising:
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a. said sealing element;
b. at least one sensor positioned between said housing and said sealing element;
c. a circuit in communication with said at least one sensor, so as to detect the state of said sensor; and
d. means for transmitting said seating status to said operator. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for insuring the proper seating of a sealing element between a filter element and a housing, comprising:
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a. providing at least one sensor positioned between said sealing element and said filter element so as to engage when said sealing element is properly seated;
b. providing a circuit in communication with said at least one sensor to detect the state of said sensor;
c. detecting the state of said at least one sensor; and
d. alerting an operator of the seating status of said sealing element. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for use with a housing, capable of alerting an operator of the seating status of a sealing element located between a filter element and said housing, comprising:
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a. said sealing element;
b. at least one sensor positioned between said filter element and said sealing element;
c. a circuit in communication with said at least one sensor, so as to detect the state of said sensor; and
d. means for transmitting said seating status to said operator. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification