System and method for monitoring and indicating a condition of a filter element in a fluid delivery system

A filter condition indicating system, comprising:

• a filter condition sensing circuit, comprising:
• a current sensor coupled to a conductor providing electrical current to a motor used to move a fluid through a filter element and configured to produce a signal indicative of a magnitude of the electrical current;
• a voltage sensor coupled to a pair of conductors providing electrical voltage to the motor and configured to produce a signal indicative of a magnitude of the electrical voltage;
• a data processor coupled to receive the signals produced by the current sensor and the voltage sensor and configured to use the signals to determine an acceptable range of electrical power required by the electric motor during a first time period, to determine a magnitude of electrical power required by the electric motor during a second time period subsequent to the first time period, and to generate a first output signal indicative of a normal condition of the filter element during the second time period in the event the magnitude of electrical power required by the electric motor is within the acceptable range of electrical power;
• and
• a filter status indicator coupled to receive the first output signal and configured to indicate the normal condition of the filter element to a user in response to the first output signal.

A method for determining a condition of a filter element, comprising:

• during a first time period, determining an acceptable range of electrical power required by an electric motor used to move a fluid through the filter element;
• determining a magnitude of electrical power required by the electric motor during a second time period subsequent to the first time period;
• and
• generating a first signal indicative of a normal condition of the filter element in the event the magnitude of electrical power required by the electric motor during the second time period is within the acceptable range of electrical power.