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US 5,888,381 AGranted
Water filter with pressure actuated flow monitor
AssigneeUnited States Filter Corporation
InventorsRichard D. Primdahl, Dale A. Squier, John Zabinski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A faucet mounted water filtration system with a filter life monitor includes a filter housing with a flexible cap which deflects upon introduction of water into the housing. The deflection of the cap closes a switch on an electrical circuit which counts the time the water is flowing through the housing. Once a predetermined amount of time accumulates, the circuit generates a message to inform the user that the filter needs replacement. The invention further includes a selector switch on the electrical circuit for signaling the circuit to count one of two predetermined amounts of time prior to generating a message.
Claims21
A fluid flow measuring apparatus comprising:
- a housing with a fluid inlet connected to a fluid supply, a fluid outlet, a cap end and a flexible cap for sealing said cap end;
- means for directing fluid flow through said housing such that fluid pressure causes a deflection of said flexible cap;
- and
- an electrical circuit associated with said housing and having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, said first electrical contact being in an operational relationship with said flexible cap and said second electrical contact such that the deflection of said flexible cap causes said first electrical contact to engage said second electrical contact thereby completing said electrical circuit, said circuit further having a counting means for counting the time said circuit is complete.
1 more element
A water filtration system with a filter life monitor comprising:
- a housing with an inlet, an outlet, a cap end, a flexible cap for sealing said cap end, and a cover engaged with said cap end such that said cover encloses said cap end and said flexible cap;
- at least one contact surface on said flexible cap;
- a water filter media disposed within said housing;
- directing means for directing fluid flow through said housing such that fluid pressure causes a deflection of said flexible cap;
- means for creating a constant water flow into said housing;
- an electrical circuit associated with said housing, said electrical circuit having at least a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, said first and second electrical contacts being in an operational relationship with said contact surface on said flexible cap such that the deflection of said flexible cap results in electrical continuity between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact thereby completing said electrical circuit;
- and
- said circuit further having a counting means for counting the time said circuit is complete and a means for generating a message when said circuit is complete for a predetermined amount of time.
5 more elements
A fluid flow measuring apparatus comprising:
- a housing with a fluid inlet connected to a fluid supply, a fluid outlet, a cap end and a flexible cap for sealing said cap end;
- means for directing fluid flow through said housing such that fluid pressure causes a deflection of said flexible cap;
- and
- an electrical circuit associated with said housing and having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, said first electrical contact being in an operational relationship with said flexible cap and said second electrical contact such that the deflection of said flexible cap causes said first electrical contact to engage said second electrical contact thereby completing said electrical circuit, said circuit further having a counting means for counting the time said circuit is complete and a means for generating a message when said circuit is complete for a predetermined amount of time;
- and
- said electrical circuit further has a receptor means for receiving a signal and said flexible cap further has a signaling means in operational relationship to said receptor means to provide a signal to said circuit, said signal determining the amount of time said circuit must be completed prior to said circuit generating a message.
3 more elements
A fluid flow measuring apparatus comprising:
- a housing with a fluid inlet connected to a fluid supply, a fluid outlet, a cap end and a flexible cap for sealing said cap end;
- at least one chamber formed within said housing that directs fluid flow through said housing such that fluid pressure causes a deflection of said flexible cap;
- and
- an electrical circuit associated with said housing and having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, said first electrical contact being in an operational relationship with said flexible cap and said second electrical contact such that the deflection of said flexible cap causes said first electrical contact to engage said second electrical contact thereby completing said electrical circuit, said circuit further having a counting means for counting the time said circuit is complete.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.