Self-cleaning and monitoring filtration system

A fluid filter system comprising:

• (a) a vessel defining a filtering chamber having fluid filter media disposed therein and having an inlet adapted for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid communicating exclusively with an upstream side of the filter media and an outlet communicating exclusively with filtrate on a downstream side of the filter media;
• (b) a cleaner operable upon selective activation to remove contaminants from the upstream side of the filter media;
• (c) a controller, including a computer, operable to effect activation of the cleaner;
• (d) the vessel defining a contaminant chamber for collecting contaminant removed from the filter media;
• (e) a drain port with a valve connected thereto, the valve operable, upon selective opening, to drain contaminant from the contaminant chamber;
• (f) a pair of sensors disposed to measure a difference ΔP between fluid pressure at the inlet and the outlet, wherein the controller effects activation of the cleaner in response to threshold values of ΔP;
• (g) a first sensor operative in response to initiation of the drain valve opening to provide a first signal indicative thereof to the controller;
• and
• (h) a second sensor operative in response to the drain valve completing opening to provide a second signal indicative thereof to the controller wherein the controller is operative to determine a ratio of ΔP at initiation of drain valve opening to ΔP at completion of the drain valve opening and operative upon the determined radio exceeding a predetermined threshold to provide a signal indicating that the containment chamber is clogged.