Fluid filter flowmeter self-generating power source system and method

A system for metering the volume of flow of a fluid through a filter, to enable the level of filter usage to be indicated, wherein a preset level of metered fluid flow volume indicates a corresponding level of filter usage, and wherein, in the system, a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter, to enable the fluid to flow through the filter and through the system, and wherein the system is adapted to self-generate current for the system responsive to the flow of the fluid therethrough, comprising:

• flow volume processing means, for processing the volume of the flow of the fluid over time to determine the level of filter usage;
• current-inducing means, for inducing current responsive to the flow of the fluid;
• current-generating means, for generating current including electrical charge responsive to the current induced therein by the interaction thereof with the current-inducing means, so as to self-generate current responsive to the fluid flow and the interaction of the current-inducing means therewith;
• storing means, for storing the electrical charge generated by the interaction of the current-inducing means and the current-generating means so as to charge the storing means, adapted to generate current from the electrical charge stored therein for activating the flow volume processing means;
• and
• discharging means, for enabling the current in the flow volume processing means to discharge therethrough;
• wherein, upon each interaction of the current-inducing means and the current-generating means, the metering system sequences through a metering cycle whereby the storing element charges, the current generated in the storing means activates the flow volume processing means such that the flow volume processing means starts up, operates, and calculates and stores the volume of fluid flow, and the current from the flow volume processing means discharges through the discharging means such that the flow volume processing means shuts down.

A method of metering the volume of flow of a fluid through a filter, to enable the level of filter usage to be indicated, wherein a preset level of metered fluid flow volume indicates a corresponding level of filter usage, and wherein a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter, to enable the fluid to flow through the filter and through the system, and wherein the system is adapted to self-generate current for the system responsive to the flow of the fluid therethrough, in a system which comprises a flow volume processing element, for processing the volume of the flow of the fluid over time to determine the level of filter usage, a current-inducing element, for inducing current responsive to the flow of the fluid, a current-generating element, for generating current including electrical charge responsive to the current induced therein by the interaction thereof with the current-inducing element, so as to self-generate current responsive to the fluid flow and the interaction of the current-inducing element therewith, a storing element, for storing the electrical charge generated by the interaction of the current-inducing element and the current-generating element so as to charge the storing element, adapted to generate current from the electrical charge stored therein for activating the flow volume processing element, and a discharging element, for enabling the current in the flow volume processing element to discharge therethrough, wherein, upon each interaction of the current-inducing element and the current-generating element, the metering system sequences through a metering cycle whereby the storing element charges, the current generated in the storing element activates the flow volume processing element such that the flow volume, processing element starts up, and operates, calculates and stores the volume of fluid flow, and the current from the flow volume processing element discharges through the discharging element such that the flow volume processing element shuts down, wherein the method comprises:

• inducing current in the current-inducing element responsive to the flow of the fluid through the system;
• generating current including electrical charge in the current-generating element responsive to the current induced by the interaction of the current-inducing element and the current-generating element;
• storing electrical charge generated by the interaction of the current-inducing element and the current-generating element in the storing element;
• generating current from the electrical charge stored in the storing element;
• activating the flow volume processing element by the current generated in the storing element;
• processing the volume of the flow of the fluid over time to determine the level of filter usage, in the flow volume processing element;
• and
• discharging the current from the flow volume processing element through the discharging element.

A method of metering the volume of flow of a fluid through a filter, to enable the level of filter usage to be indicated, wherein a preset level of metered fluid flow volume indicates a corresponding level of filter usage, and wherein a source of the fluid is adapted to be connectable to the filter, to enable the fluid to flow through the filter and through the system, and wherein the system is adapted to self-generate current for the system responsive to the flow of the fluid therethrough, in a system which comprises flow volume processing means, for processing the volume of the flow of the fluid over time to determine the level of filter usage, current-inducing means, for inducing current responsive to the flow of the fluid, current-generating means, for generating current including electrical charge responsive to the current induced therein by the interaction thereof with the current-inducing means, so as to self-generate current responsive to the fluid flow and the interaction of the current-inducing means therewith, storing means, for storing the electrical charge generated by the interaction of the current-inducing means and the current-generating means so as to charge the storing means, adapted to generate current from the electrical charge stored therein for activating the flow volume processing means, and discharging means, for enabling the current in the flow volume processing means to discharge therethrough, wherein, upon each interaction of the current-inducing means and the current-generating means, the metering system sequences through a metering cycle whereby the storing means charges, the current generated in the storing means activates the flow volume processing means, such that the flow volume processing means starts up, and operates, calculates and stores the volume of fluid flow, and the current from the flow volume processing means discharges through the discharging means such that the flow volume processing means shuts down, wherein the method comprises:

• inducing current in the current-inducing means responsive to the flow of the fluid through the system;
• generating current including electrical charge in the current-generating means responsive to the current induced by the interaction of the current-inducing means and the current-generating means;
• storing electrical charge generated by the interaction of the current-inducing means and the current-generating means in the storing means;
• generating current from the electrical charge stored in the storing means;
• activating the flow volume processing means by the current generated in the storing means;
• processing the volume of the flow of the fluid over time to determine the level of filter usage, in the flow volume processing means;
• and
• discharging the current from the flow volume processing means through the discharging means.