Automatic switching duplex filterhead and diesel fuel conditioning system

An apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a body;
• a first removable filter coupled to said body;
• a second removable filter coupled to said body;
• a first proximity sensor mounted near said first filter, said first proximity sensor producing a first signal corresponding to the coupling or uncoupling of said first removable filter to said body;
• and
• a second proximity sensor mounted near said second filter, said second proximity sensor producing a second signal corresponding to the coupling or uncoupling of said second removable filter to said body.

An apparatus for an internal combustion engine receiving fuel from a fuel tank, comprising:

• a first fuel filter with an outlet;
• a second fuel filter with an outlet;
• a valve actuateable from a first position to a second position, the first position permitting flow of fuel through said first fuel filter and preventing flow of fuel through said second fuel filter, and the second position permitting flow of fuel through said second fuel filter and preventing flow of fuel through said first fuel filter,
• a fuel pump with an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of one of said first fuel filter or said second fuel filter, the outlet of the one said fuel filter having a fuel pressure associated therewith;
• and
• a vacuum sensor in fluid communication with the outlet of the one said fuel filter and producing a first signal corresponding to the fuel pressure thereof;
• and
• an electronic controller operably connected to said valve, said controller receiving said first signal and actuating said valve from one of the first position or second position to the other position in response to said first signal corresponding to a pressure lower than ambient pressure.

A method for providing filtered fluid to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• providing a system of an internal combustion engine, a reservoir of fluid for use with the system, a first filter, a second filter, and a sensor for sensing the presence of a filter;
• determining that the second filter should not be in use;
• sensing with the sensor that the second filter has not been changed;
• flowing fluid to the first filter from the reservoir and from the first filter to the system;
• detecting that the first filter should not be in use;
• and
• maintaining flow through the first filter after said detecting, said determining, and said sensing.

A method for providing filtered fluid to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• providing a system of an internal combustion engine, a reservoir of fluid for use with tile system, a first filter, and a second filter,
• establishing a time limit;
• flowing fluid to the first filter from the reservoir and from the first filter to the system;
• preventing flow of fluid through the second filter during said flowing fluid to the first filter;
• determining that the first filter should not be in use during said flowing fluid to the first filter;
• flowing fluid to the second filter from the reservoir and from the second filter to the system after said determining;
• maintaining flow of fluid through both filters for a time corresponding to the time limit;
• preventing flow of fluid through the first filter after said maintaining;
• and
• sensing by an electronic sensor that one of the first filter or the second filler has not been changed.

An apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising

• a reservoir of fluid;
• a body provided with the fluid;
• a first removable filter coupled to said body;
• a second removable filter coupled to said body;
• a valve actuateable between a first position and a second position, the first position permitting flow of the fluid through said first removable filter and the second position permitting flow of the fluid through said second removable filter;
• a temperature sensor producing a first signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid in said body;
• an electronic controller operably connected to said valve, said controller receiving said first signal and actuating said valve from one of the first position or second position to the other position in response to said first signal corresponding to a temperature different than a predetermined temperature;
• and
• an electrical heating element for heating the fluid in said body, said electronic controller being operably connected to said heating element, said electronic controller operating said heating element in response to said first signal;
• wherein said first filter has an outlet, said second filter has an outlet, and which further comprises a vacuum sensor in fluid communication with at least one of said first outlet or said second outlet and producing a second signal corresponding to the fluid pressure therein, said electronic controller receiving said second signal and actuating said valve from one of the first position or second position to the other position in response to said second signal corresponding to a pressure lower than ambient pressure.

An apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a reservoir of fluid;
• a body provided with the fluid;
• a first removable filter coupled to said body;
• a second removable filter coupled to said body;
• a valve actuateable between a first position and a second position, the first position permitting flow of the fluid through said first removable filter and the second position permitting flow of the fluid through said second removable filter;
• a temperature sensor producing a first signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid in said body;
• and
• an electronic controller operably connected to said valve, said controller receiving said first signal and actuating said valve from one of the first position or second position to the other position in response to said first signal corresponding to a temperature different than a predetermined temperature;
• wherein said first filter has an outlet, said second filter has an outlet, and which further comprises a vacuum sensor in fluid communication with at least one of said first outlet or said second outlet and producing a second signal corresponding to the fluid pressure therein, said electronic controller receiving said second signal and actuating said valve from one of the first position or second position to the other position in response to said second signal corresponding to a pressure lower than ambient pressure.