# US 10,441,903 B2 · Filter with electrical signature anti-counterfeiting feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,903 B2 - Document ID: US10441903B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/544,164 - Filed: 2012-07-09 - Published: 2013-01-17 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-16 - Assignees: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc. - Applicants: Mark V. Holzmann; J. Bruce Schelkopf - Inventors: Mark V. Holzmann; J. Bruce Schelkopf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441903B2 ## CPC - B01D 29/111: {Making filtering elements} - B01D 29/21: with corrugated, folded or wound sheets - B01D 46/009: {Identification of filter type or position thereof, e.g. by transponders or bar codes} - B01D 46/2414: {End caps including additional functions or special forms} - B01D 2201/291: End caps - B01D 2201/52: Filter identification means - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract An anti-counterfeiting mechanism for a filter element to specifically, and preferably uniquely, identify a filter with a conductive pattern or path of conductive materials preferably either embedded (thin film circuit) under the surface, or over molded on, a portion of the filter. The conductive materials are preferably positioned at the filter end cap. The resistance of the filter element is an identifier that is preferably associated with the OEM manufacturer's labeling (such as product number) and/or other branding of the component. This electrical resistance signature permits rapid identification of counterfeit filters. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A replaceable filter element comprising: a first endcap; a second endcap; filter media having an axial length and extending between the first endcap and the second endcap; and a conductive path formed by a wire extending between a first electrical contact terminal and a second electrical contact terminal, the conductive path extending the axial length of the filter media, the conductive path having a pre-determined externally measurable electrical resistance signature. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The replaceable filter element of claim 1, wherein the conductive path is a first conductive path, and wherein the replaceable filter element includes a second conductive path, wherein at least a portion of the second conductive path traces along the first end cap of the filter element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The replaceable filter element of claim 2, wherein the second conductive path is a thin film circuit including nanoparticles on a polymer substrate of the first end cap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The replaceable filter element of claim 3, wherein the thin film circuit includes an injection overmolded copper wire in the end cap, and wherein the copper wire is electrically connected to at least two teiminals protruding from the first end cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The replaceable filter element of claim 2, wherein the thin film circuit including a coating of conductive nanoparticles on an external surface of the end cap, and wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold, carbon nanotubes, and nano-graphene platelets. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The replaceable filter element of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the conductive path traces along a filtration media. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The replaceable filter element of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the conductive path is embedded within the filtration media, and wherein at least a portion of the filtration media is colored red. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The replaceable filter element of claim 6, wherein another portion of the conductive path traces along at least a portion of the second end cap of the filter element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The replaceable filter element of claim 8, wherein the electrical resistance signature is a first electrical resistance signature measured at a first position and a second position spaced apart from the first position, the filter element further including a second electrical resistance signature measured at a third position and a fourth position in which at least one of the third position and the fourth position is different from the first position and the second position, and wherein the second electrical resistance signature is different than the first electrical resistance signature. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The replaceable filter element of claim 1, wherein the electrical resistance signature is a first electrical resistance signature measured at a first position and a second position spaced apart from the first position, the filter element further including a second electrical resistance signature measured at a third position and a fourth position in which at least one of the third position and the fourth position is different from the first position and the second position, and wherein the second electrical resistance signature is different than the first electrical resistance signature. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The replaceable filter element of claim 2, wherein the first endcap includes a rolling diaphragm structured to bulge when a filter end-of-life condition is reached. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The replaceable filter element of claim 11, wherein the second conductive path traverses at least a portion of the rolling diaphragm such that a conductive pattern of the second conductive path changes when the rolling diaphragm bulges. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The replaceable filter element of claim 11, wherein the rolling diaphragm includes a strain gauge.