AUTONOMOUS FILTER ELEMENT
First Claim
1. An autonomous filtering device, comprising:
- a. A filter element having a membrane through which said fluids can pass and a housing to support said membrane; and
b. At least one sensor located within said filter element adapted to monitor at least one parameter associated with said filtering device;
c. A mechanism to indicate an alert to an operator; and
d. A processing unit in communication with said sensor and said mechanism, and adapted to control an actuator, wherein said processing unit is adapted to operate in each of three modes, wherein a first mode is used during normal operation, a second mode is used to control said actuator, and a third mode is used to activate said alert mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous filter device and a method for improving the filter life and performance is disclosed. The filter element is equipped with one or more sensors, adapted to measure one or more characteristics or parameters of the fluid, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate. In response to the measured characteristic or parameter, the control logic within the filter element is able to determine an appropriate response. For example, the control logic may determine that a sudden, but temporary, blockage has occurred in the filter membrane. In response to this, the control logic may initiate a specific response designed to alleviate the blockage. This response may be a temperature change, a vibration, a change in fluid flow path, or some other action. The control logic will then determine the success of the response, based monitoring any change in the fluid characteristics. Based thereon, the control logic may alert the operator that the filter element must be replaced. Alternatively, if the response was successful in correcting the blockage, the control logic need not notify the operator, as the filter element is back to normal operating operation.
49 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An autonomous filtering device, comprising:
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a. A filter element having a membrane through which said fluids can pass and a housing to support said membrane; and b. At least one sensor located within said filter element adapted to monitor at least one parameter associated with said filtering device; c. A mechanism to indicate an alert to an operator; and d. A processing unit in communication with said sensor and said mechanism, and adapted to control an actuator, wherein said processing unit is adapted to operate in each of three modes, wherein a first mode is used during normal operation, a second mode is used to control said actuator, and a third mode is used to activate said alert mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for venting fluids, comprising:
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a. A filter element having a membrane through which said fluids can pass and a housing to support said membrane; and b. A heating element located within said filter element adapted to heat said membrane. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of preventing clogging of a filter element, comprising the steps of:
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a. supplying a filter element having a membrane through which said fluids can pass and a housing to support said membrane, and a heating element located within said filter element adapted to heat said membrane; b. regulating the temperature of said heating element within said filter element to minimize condensation on said membrane. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of providing status of a filter element, comprising the steps of:
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a. supplying a filter element having a membrane through which said fluids can pass and a housing to support said membrane, a heating element located within said filter element adapted to heat said membrane and first and second temperature sensors located on either side of said membrane and said heating element, and a processing unit in communication with said sensors and said heating element; b. monitoring the flow rate through said membrane based on the temperature difference between said first and second temperature sensor; and c. alerting an operator if said flow rate decreases below a predetermined level, said decrease indicating that said membrane is clogged. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification