# US 6,214,239 B1 · Water filter usage monitoring apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,214,239 B1 - Document ID: US6214239B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/526,166 - Filed: 2000-03-15 - Granted: 2001-04-10 - Earliest claimed: 1996-12-09 - Assignees: Renau Corporation - Inventors: Karol Renau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6214239B1 ## CPC - B01D 35/143: Filter condition indicators - C02F 1/003: {using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices (C02F9/20 takes precedence)} - C02F 1/008: {Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F} - C02F 2209/40: Liquid flow rate - C02F 2209/445: Filter life - C02F 2307/06: Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - 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) ## Abstract As apparatus for monitoring usage of a replaceable water filter is adapted to determine the extent of filter usage and indicate the need for filter replacement. It includes elements for processing the flow of water over time to determine the extent of filter usage, and elements for activating and deactivating the processing elements upon starting and stopping of water flow. It further includes elements for indicating the extent of filter usage as determined by the processing elements by comparison to preset levels. The elements include a single magnet which is freely movable within a housing channel whose movement is solely responsive to pressure changes brought about by the stopping and starting of the water flow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for metering the flow of a fluid through a filter to determine the level of filter usage for enabling a determination regarding filter replacement, in which a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter such that the fluid may flow through the filter and the system, comprising: a housing having a channel therein, adapted to be mounted in the path of fluid flow through the system, such that fluid is adapted to flow through the housing channel; and means for determining the level of filter usage, comprising means for determining the volume of the flow of fluid based solely upon the volume of fluid flow over time, adapted to compare the determined level of filter usage to a predetermined level of filter usage based upon the volume of fluid flow over time to determine the level of filter usage, means for activating and deactivating the volume determining means upon the starting and the stopping of fluid flow, wherein the activating-deactivating means comprise a single magnet, freely movable within the housing channel responsive solely to fluid pressure upon the starting and the stopping of the flow of fluid through the housing channel in the path of fluid flow through the system so as to activate and de-activate the volume determining means, and means for sensing the movement of the single magnet and for responding thereto to activate or deactivate the volume determining means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the single magnet is freely movable without being constrained by a biasing force, and is adapted to activate and deactivate the volume determining means substantially instantaneously responsive solely to fluid pressure and not to a biasing force. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the housing channel is generally uniform in diameter for reciprocal movement of the single magnet therein. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the housing channel is generally straight and without any bend therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the volume determining means comprises means for processing data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, in which the data processing means comprises a microprocessor, and further comprising means for electronically activating the microprocessor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, in which the single magnet is adapted to be reciprocally movable between first and second positions upon starting and stopping of the fluid flow, and the sensing means is adapted to activate the volume determining means upon starting of the fluid flow and movement of the single magnet from the first position towards the second position as a result thereof, and to deactivate the volume determining means upon stopping of the fluid flow and movement of the single magnet from the second position towards the first position as a result thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, in which the sensing means comprises a reed switch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating the level of filter usage as determined by the determining means, to indicate the need for filter replacement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, in which the indicating means comprises a plurality of indicator lights. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, in which the plurality of indicator lights are adapted such that one of the plurality of indicator lights turns on dependant upon the level of filter usage as determined by the processing means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of indicator lights are adapted such that one of the plurality of indicator lights turns on dependent upon the level of filter usage as determined by the volume determining means, and wherein the plurality of indicator lights comprise a first indicator light, adapted to turn on from the time the water first starts to flow until the first preset level of water flow over time is reached to indicate that the filter does not need to be replaced, a second indicator light, adapted to turn on from the time the first preset level is reached until a second preset level is reached to indicate that the filter will need to be replaced, and a third indicator light, adapted to turn on from the time the second preset level is reached to indicate that the filter needs to be replaced. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first indicator light is a light of a first color, the second indicator light is a light of a second color different from the first color, and the third indicator light of a third color different from the first and second colors. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first indicator light is a light of a green color, the second indicator light is a light of a yellow color, and the third indicator light is a light of a red color. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the housing channel from a fluid inlet through the area wherein the single magnet is movable is generally straight. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, in which the housing further includes a base portion in which the volume determining means and the activating-deactivating means are mounted. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, in which the housing further includes a head portion in which the indicating means is mounted. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, in which the housing further includes a head portion, a base portion in which the volume determining means and the activating-deactivating means are mounted, and means for connecting the head portion and the base portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, in which the activating-deactivating means include a battery, connected to the volume determining means. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, in which the activating-deactivating means further includes an oscillator, connected to the battery for converting the battery direct current into alternating current for the volume determining means, and connected to the volume determining means. ### Claim 21 A system for metering the flow of a fluid through a filter to determine the level of filter usage for enabling a determination regarding filter replacement, in which a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter such that the fluid may flow through the filter and the system, comprising: a housing having a channel therein, adapted to be mounted in the path of fluid flow through the system, such that fluid is adapted to flow through the housing channel; and an element for determining the level of filter usage, comprising an element for determining the volume of the flow of fluid based solely upon the volume of fluid flow over time, adapted to compare the determined level of filter usage to a predetermined level of filter usage based upon the volume of fluid flow over time to determine the level of filter usage, an element for activating and deactivating the volume determining element upon the starting and the stopping of fluid flow, wherein the activating-deactivating element comprises a single magnet, freely movable within the housing channel responsive solely to fluid pressure upon the starting and the stopping of the flow of fluid through the housing channel in the path of fluid flow through the system so as to activate and deactivate the volume determining element, and an element for sensing the movement of the single magnet and for responding thereto to activate or deactivate the volume determining element. ### Claim 22 A method of metering the flow of a fluid through a filter to determine the level of filter usage for enabling a determination regarding filter replacement, in which a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter such that the fluid may flow through the filter and the system, in a system which comprises a housing having a channel therein, adapted to be mounted in the path of fluid flow through the system, such that fluid is adapted to flow through the housing channel, and means for determining the level of filter usage, comprising means for determining the volume of the flow of fluid based solely upon the volume of fluid flow over time, adapted to compare the determined level of filter usage to a predetermined level of filter usage based upon the volume of fluid flow over time to determine the level of filter usage, means for activating and deactivating the volume determining means upon the starting and the stopping of fluid flow, wherein the activating-deactivating means comprises a single magnet, freely movable within the housing channel responsive solely to fluid pressure upon the starting and the stopping of the flow of fluid through the housing channel in the path of fluid flow through the system so as to activate and deactivate the volume determining means, and means for sensing the movement of the single magnet and for responding thereto to activate or deactivate the volume determining means, wherein the method comprises: determining the level of filter usage, comprising: determining the volume of the flow of fluid based solely upon the volume of fluid flow over time, which comprises comparing the determined level of filter usage to a predetermined level of filter usage based upon the volume of fluid flow over time to determine the level of filter usage; activating and deactivating the volume determining means upon the starting and the stopping of fluid flow, wherein the single magnet freely moves within the housing channel responsive solely to fluid pressure upon the starting and the stopping of the flow of fluid through the housing channel in the path of fluid flow through the system so as to activate and deactivate the volume determining means; and sensing the movement of the single magnet and responding thereto to activate or deactivate the volume determining means. ### Claim 23 A method of metering the flow of a fluid through a filter to determine the level of filter usage for enabling a determination regarding filter replacement, in which a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter such that the fluid may flow through the filter and the system, in a system which comprises a housing having a channel therein, adapted to be mounted in the path of fluid flow through the system, such that fluid is adapted to flow through the housing channel, and an element for determining the level of filter usage, comprising an element for determining the volume of the flow of fluid based solely upon the volume of fluid flow over time, adapted to compare the determined level of filter usage to a predetermined level of filter usage based upon the volume of fluid flow over time to determine the level of filter usage, an element for activating and deactivating the volume determining element upon the starting and the stopping of fluid flow, wherein the activating-deactivating element comprises a single magnet, freely movable within the housing channel responsive solely to fluid pressure upon the starting and the stopping of the flow of fluid through the housing channel in the path of fluid flow through the system so as to activate and deactivate the volume determining element, and an element for sensing the movement of the single magnet and for responding thereto to activate or deactivate the volume determining element, wherein the method comprises: determining the level of filter usage, comprising: determining the volume of the flow of fluid based solely upon the volume of fluid flow over time, which comprises comparing the determined level of filter usage to a predetermined level of filter usage based upon the volume of fluid flow over time to determine the level of filter usage; activating and deactivating the volume determining element upon the starting and the stopping of fluid flow, wherein the single magnet freely moves within the housing channel responsive solely to fluid pressure upon the starting and the stopping of the flow of fluid through the housing channel in the path of fluid flow through the system so as to activate and de-activate the volume determining element; and sensing the movement of the single magnet and responding thereto to activate or deactivate the volume determining element.