# US 10,478,762 B2 · Fluid quality monitoring and filtration system

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- Number: US 10,478,762 B2
- Document ID: US10478762B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/349,486
- Filed: 2016-11-11
- Published: 2017-03-02
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2013-06-25
- Assignees: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
- Applicants: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey A. Massey; Jonathan D. Sheumaker; Manish Patel; Barry M. Verdegan; Matthew L. Schneider; Venkata Naga Lakshmi Rekha Patchigolla
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478762B2

## CPC

- 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)
- B01D 27/06: with corrugated, folded or wound material
- B01D 27/101: {Filter condition indicators}
- B01D 35/005: {Filters specially adapted for use in internal-combustion engine lubrication or fuel systems}
- B01D 35/143: Filter condition indicators
- F01M 11/10: Indicating devices; Other safety devices
- F02M 37/26: with water detection means
- F02M 37/42: Installation or removal of filters
- 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}
- G01N 27/22: by investigating capacitance
- 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)}
- G01N 33/2888: {Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration (lubricating properties G01N33/30)}
- B01D 2201/54: Computerised or programmable systems
- B01D 2201/56: Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
- F01M 11/03: Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means (filters B01D)
- F01M 2001/1007: {characterised by the purification means combined with other functions}
- F16H 57/0405: {Monitoring quality of lubricant or hydraulic fluids}
- F16N 39/06: by filtration (filters in general B01D; magnetic separators B03C1/00; {centrifugal separators or filters B04B5/005})
- F16N 2200/00: Condition of lubricant
- F16N 2200/02: Oxidation
- F16N 2200/08: Acidity, pH-value
- F16N 2200/20: Detecting water
- F16N 2250/00: Measuring
- F16N 2250/36: Viscosity
- F16N 2250/50: Sampling
- 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)
- F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- F16H: GEARING
- F16N: LUBRICATING

## 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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring electrical changes in the electrical properties.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the electrical changes indicate at least one of a fluid quality, a fluid chemistry, or a chemical composition of the fluid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising replacing the sensor probe when at least one of the filter element or the fluid is changed.

### Claim 6

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, 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.

### Claim 7

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 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.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the filter element comprises a disposable ring of filtration media and a central cavity, the filter element having a first end and a second end and circumscribing the central cavity, wherein the sensor probe comprises a probe portion including the first and second chambers and an electrical contact, and wherein integrating the sensor probe into the filter element of the fluid filter assembly further comprises extending the probe portion into the central cavity defined by the disposable ring of filtration media.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the electrical changes indicate the fluid quality, the fluid quality indication including 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, viscosity, or semi-solid particulate contamination.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical contact extends away from the endplate of the filter element in an opposite direction as the probe portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor probe is replaceable when the filter element is changed.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the sensor probe is replaceable when the filter element is changed without recalibration of the sensor probe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising: integrating a viscosity sensor into the filter element of the fluid filter assembly and measuring a viscosity of the fluid using the viscosity sensor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the viscosity sensor is integral with the sensor probe.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the viscosity sensor is separate from the sensor probe.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising: enabling identification of the filter element using the sensor probe, wherein the sensor probe comprises a data storage containing a number associated with the filter element.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first conductance of the fluid is measured between a first outer electrode and a first inner electrode, and wherein the second conductance of the fluid is measured between a second outer electrode and a second inner electrode.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are separated by an insulator.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising determining it is time to do at least one of changing the fluid, changing the sensor probe, changing the filter element, or adding an additive change based on the characteristic of the fluid or fluid quality parameter.

### Claim 20 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising determining it is time to do at least one of changing the fluid, changing the sensor probe, changing the filter element, or adding an additive change based on the characteristic of the fluid or fluid quality parameter.