Fluid quality monitoring and filtration system

• US 9,535,050 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sheumaker, Jonathan D., Massey, Jeffrey A., Patel, Manish, Verdegan, Barry M., Schneider, Matthew L., Patchigolla, Venkata Naga Lakshmi Rekha
• Primary Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US14/899,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20160139104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 422/68.1, 422/50, 422/82.01, 422/82.02, 436/43, 210/97, 210/153, 210/348
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/54 Computerised or programmable systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/06 with corrugated, folded or wound material
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/101 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/005 Filters specially adapted for use in internal-combustion engine lubrication or fuel systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/14 Safety devices specially adapted for filtration preventing or minimising fires or explosions A62C; Devices for indicating clogging incorporated in a throw-away filter B01D27/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/03 Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means filters B01D
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/1007 characterised by the purification means combined with other functions
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/26 with water detection means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/42 Installation or removal of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0405 Monitoring quality of lubricant or hydraulic fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2200/00 Condition of lubricant
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2200/02 Oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2200/08 Acidity, pH-value
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2200/20 Detecting water
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2250/00 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2250/36 Viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2250/50 Sampling
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 39/06 : by filtration filters in general B01D; magnetic separators B03C1/00; centrifugal separators or filters B04B5/005
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/12 : of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid , for detecting components in the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/22 : by investigating capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/227 : Sensors changing capacitance upon adsorption or absorption of fluid components, e.g. electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor sensors, MOS capacitors G01N27/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 : Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

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.

Claims

1. A fluid filtration system comprising:

a fluid filter assembly that includes a filter element configured to filter a fluid, the filter element comprising a first endplate, a second endplate, and filter media arranged in a cylindrical shape and positioned between the first endplate and the second endplate, the filter media defining a hollow interior space; and

a sensor probe incorporated into the fluid filter assembly, the sensor probe comprising a probe portion and an electrical contact, the sensor probe 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, wherein the sensor probe includes a chemically reactive material sensitive to at least one property of the fluid, wherein at least a portion of the sensor probe is exposed to the fluid.

2. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the at least one property includes at least one of a chemical concentration, a contaminant concentration, or a fluid parameter.

3. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the at least one property of the fluid changes at least one electrical property of the chemically reactive material.

4. The fluid filtration system of claim 3, wherein a real-time assessment of the at least one electrical property is provided by at least one of a signal processor or an engine control unit.

5. The fluid filtration system of claim 3, wherein changes in the at least one electrical property indicate at least one of a fluid quality, a fluid chemistry, or a chemical composition of the fluid.

6. The fluid filtration system of claim 5, wherein the fluid quality includes at least one of a soot level, fuel concentration, water concentration, or an extent of at least one of additive depletion, fluid oxidation, nitration, thermal degradation, liquid contamination, solid contamination, or semi-solid particulate contamination.

7. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is incorporated into at least one of the filter element, a filter head to which the filter element is attached, a filter housing in which the filter element is disposed, a sump, an engine lubricating fluid circuit, or a standpipe.

8. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the filter element is a spin-on filter element.

9. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is replaceable when at least one of the filter element or oil is changed.

10. The fluid filtration system of claim 9, wherein the sensor probe is not recalibrated after replacement.

11. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is positioned upstream from the filter element.

12. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is positioned downstream from the filter element.

13. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, further comprising a viscosity sensor configured to assess a viscosity of the fluid.

14. The fluid filtration system of claim 13, wherein the viscosity sensor is integral with the sensor probe.

15. The fluid filtration system of claim 13, wherein the viscosity sensor is separate from the sensor probe.

16. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is further configured to enable identification of the filter element.

17. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe contains identifying information about the filter element.

18. The fluid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact extends away from the second endplate in an opposite direction as the probe portion.