Static Fluid Sensor in Communication with a Multi-Sensing Device and Method of Operating

A system comprising:

• a flow sensor coupled to a fluid line and operable to determine flow rate data of a fluid flowing through the fluid line and communicate the flow rate data of the fluid to a multi-sense device;
• and
• the multi-sense device coupled to the fluid line and operable to monitor characteristics of the fluid flowing through a filter element, the multi-sense device including:
• a first sensor operable to sense a first pressure of the fluid on a first side of the filter element;
• a second sensor operable to sense a second pressure of the fluid on a second side of the filter element;
• and
• a third sensor operable to sense a temperature of the fluid;
• an indicator for indicating a condition of the filter element;
• and
• a microcontroller coupled to the first, second, and third sensors, the microcontroller executing instructions for:
• receiving the flow rate data from the flow sensor, the first pressure of the fluid from the first sensor, the second pressure of the fluid from the second sensor;
• and the temperature of the fluid from the temperature sensor;
• determining a pressure differential across the filter element using the flow rate data from the flow sensor, the first pressure of the fluid from the first sensor, the second pressure of the fluid from the second sensor, and the temperature of the fluid from the temperature sensor;
• determining whether the temperature exceeds a temperature threshold;
• if the temperature exceeds the temperature threshold, determining whether the determined pressure differential exceeds a pressure differential threshold;
• and
• if the determined pressure differential exceed the pressure differential threshold, activating the indicator to indicate a change to the condition of the filter element.

A method comprising:

• receiving actual flow rate data representing an actual flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid system, wherein the actual flow rate data is generated by sensing the fluid flowing through the fluid system;
• receiving a first sensed pressure of the fluid from an inlet pressure sensor, wherein the inlet pressure sensor is on an inlet side of a filter element;
• receiving a second sensed pressure of the fluid from an outlet pressure sensor, wherein the outlet pressure sensor is on an outlet side of the filter element;
• receiving a sensed temperature of the fluid from a temperature sensor;
• determining a pressure differential across the filter element using the flow rate data, the first sensed pressure, the second sensed pressure, and the sensed temperature;
• determining whether the sensed temperature exceeds a temperature threshold;
• if the sensed temperature exceeds the temperature threshold, determining whether the determined pressure differential exceeds a pressure differential threshold;
• and
• if the determined pressure differential exceed the pressure differential threshold, determining that the filter element is in a condemned condition.