Respiratory filter element having a storage device for keeping track of filter usage and a system for use therewith
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorMichael Paul Hoague
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides for a filter assembly (124) which includes a filter element (128) and a memory device (402). The memory device (402) allows for a record of the filter element's usage to be available at all times even if the filter assembly (124) is moved from one filtering system to another one. In another embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly (124) interacts with a filtering device such as air unit (130) which periodically updates the memory device (402) while the air unit (130) is operational. The air unit (130) also periodically checks to see if the filter assembly (124) has reached the end of its useful life. If so, the air unit provides an audible and/or visual alarm.
Claims8
A respiratory system that comprises:
- a replaceable filter assembly that comprises a filter element and a nonvolatile memory device attached to the filter element;
- and
- an air unit including a blower motor assembly and a controller circuit;
- wherein
- the controller circuit determines the amount of time the blower motor assembly is operational and provides an update signal for storage in the nonvolatile memory device which is indicative of the length of time the blower motor has been operational.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.