# US 10,500,595 B2 · Status monitoring system and method for magnetic filters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,595 B2 - Document ID: US10500595B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/702,900 - Filed: 2017-09-13 - Published: 2019-03-14 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-13 - Assignees: Mestek, Inc. - Applicants: Joseph Olbermann - Inventors: Joseph Olbermann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500595B2 ## CPC - B03C 1/282: {with associated accumulation indicator, e.g. Hall sensor} - B03C 1/0332: {using permanent magnets} - B03C 1/286: {disposed at the inner circumference of a recipient, e.g. magnetic drain bolt} - C02F 1/008: {Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F} - C02F 1/481: {using permanent magnets} - F24D 19/1006: {for water heating systems} - G01K 3/14: in respect of space - G01K 7/16: using resistive elements - G01K 13/02: for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow - B03C 2201/18: Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid - B03C 2201/24: for measuring or calculating of parameters, e.g. efficiency - B03C 2201/32: Checking the quality of the result or the well-functioning of the device - C02F 2101/203: {Iron or iron compound} - C02F 2103/02: Non-contaminated water, e.g. for industrial water supply - C02F 2209/02: Temperature - F24D 2220/042: Temperature sensors - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02) - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) ## Abstract A status monitoring system includes a filter cap operatively connected to a filter housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. A magnet is affixed to the bottom side of the filter cap and extends down into the filter housing. A first thermistor is embedded in the magnet and physically isolated from the fluid for measuring the lagging temperature of the fluid due to the insulating effect of the filtered magnetite surrounding the magnet, while a second thermistor is placed inside the filter housing for measuring the temperature of the fluid. A difference between the measured temperatures, Δt, is then determined. When the Δt reaches a pre-determined point, the status monitoring system would send notification to its user and inform the user to perform the maintenance work on the magnetic filters. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A status monitoring system for a magnetic filter, comprising: a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet and configured for connection to a fluid flow loop; at least one magnet within said filter housing; a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of said at least one magnet; and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid within said fluid flow loop. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The status monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to determine a difference in temperature between said temperature of said fluid and said temperature of said at least one magnet, and to generate a notification if said difference in temperature exceeds a threshold temperature difference. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The status monitoring system of claim 2, wherein: said first temperature sensor is embedded within said at least one magnet; and said second temperature sensor is positioned within said filter housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system monitoring system of claim 2, wherein: said first temperature sensor is embedded within said at least one magnet; and said second temperature sensor is positioned within said fluid flow loop outside of said housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, further comprising: a cap removably connected to said filter housing; wherein said at least one magnet is attached to said cap and extends into said filter housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor are thermistors. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: said at least one magnet is a plurality of magnets each having an associated temperature sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein: said notification includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual indication. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein: said cap includes an interface for manually setting said threshold temperature difference. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: said fluid flow loop forms a part of a hydronic heating system. ### Claim 11 A magnetic filter, comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining a reservoir for receiving a fluid; a structure received within said housing for receiving at least one magnet inside a cavity of said structure; wherein said cavity is isolated from said fluid; a first temperature sensor disposed inside said cavity and is configured to detect a temperature of said structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The magnetic filter of claim 11, further comprising: a second temperature sensor positioned within said housing and being configured to measure a temperature of a fluid within said housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The magnetic filter of claim 12, wherein: the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are communicatively coupled to a control unit; wherein the control unit is configured to determine a difference in temperature between said temperature of said fluid and said temperature of said structure, and to generate a notification if said difference in temperature exceeds a threshold temperature difference. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The magnetic filter of claim 13, further comprising: a cap removably connected to said housing; wherein said magnet is attached to said cap and extends into said housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The magnetic filter of claim 13, wherein: said notification includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual indication. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The magnetic filter of claim 14, wherein: said cap includes an interface for manually setting said threshold temperature difference. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The magnetic filter of claim 11, wherein: wherein said first temperature sensor is disposed in close association with the inner wall of said cavity so as to detect the temperature of the inner wall of said cavity. ### Claim 18 A method for monitoring the status of a magnetic filter, comprising the steps of: sensing a temperature of a fluid circulating through a housing; sensing a temperature of a magnet within the housing; determining a temperature difference between said temperature of said fluid and said temperature of said magnet; and comparing said determined temperature difference with a threshold temperature difference; and generating a notification if said determined temperature difference exceeds said threshold temperature difference. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein: said notification includes at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of: adjusting said threshold temperature difference via an interface associated with said housing or a cap connected to said housing.