U.S. patent application number 16/135722 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-21 for disposable filter with an accessory port.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aware Mobility LLC, Neapco Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Jacqueline Dedo, Donald Remboski.
Application Number | 20190083908 16/135722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65719810 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190083908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Remboski; Donald ; et
al. |
March 21, 2019 |
DISPOSABLE FILTER WITH AN ACCESSORY PORT
Abstract
A disposable filter for filtering a working fluid including a
housing having an inlet to be disposed in fluid communication with
a working fluid and an outlet to be disposed in fluid communication
with a machine. A filter media is disposed within the housing for
filtering the working fluid passing through the disposable filter
between the inlet and outlet. At least one accessory port is
positioned adjacent to and fluidly connected to at least one of the
inlet and the outlet for receiving an accessory for monitoring a
characteristic of the working fluid passing through the inlet or
the outlet of the disposable filter and/or an operational condition
of the disposable filter or associated machinery.
Inventors: |
Remboski; Donald; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Dedo; Jacqueline; (Wolverine Lake,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Neapco Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC
Aware Mobility LLC |
Farmington Hills
Ann Arbor |
MI
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65719810 |
Appl. No.: |
16/135722 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62560979 |
Sep 20, 2017 |
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62560854 |
Sep 20, 2017 |
|
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62560919 |
Sep 20, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 35/30 20130101;
B01D 27/04 20130101; B01D 37/046 20130101; B01D 27/101 20130101;
B01D 35/06 20130101; B01D 27/08 20130101; B01D 37/043 20130101;
B01D 2201/56 20130101; B01D 2201/4092 20130101; B01D 2201/52
20130101; B03C 1/30 20130101; B01D 27/14 20130101; B01D 35/147
20130101; B01D 35/143 20130101; B01D 2201/54 20130101; B01D 35/005
20130101; B01D 27/103 20130101; B01D 27/108 20130101; B01D 35/1435
20130101; B01D 37/048 20130101; B03C 1/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 27/08 20060101
B01D027/08; B01D 27/10 20060101 B01D027/10; B01D 27/14 20060101
B01D027/14; B01D 35/00 20060101 B01D035/00; B01D 35/06 20060101
B01D035/06; B01D 35/147 20060101 B01D035/147; B03C 1/28 20060101
B03C001/28; B03C 1/30 20060101 B03C001/30 |
Claims
1. A disposable filter for filtering a working fluid comprising: a
housing including an inlet to be disposed in fluid communication
with a working fluid and an outlet to be disposed in fluid
communication with a machine; a filter media disposed within said
housing for filtering said working fluid passing through said
disposable filter between said inlet and outlet; and at least one
accessory port positioned adjacent to and fluidly connected at
least one of said inlet and said outlet for receiving an accessory
for monitoring a characteristic of said working fluid passing
through said inlet or said outlet of the disposable filter and/or
an operational condition of the disposable filter or associated
machinery.
2. A disposable filter of claim 1 further including an accessory
coupled with said accessory port for monitoring a characteristic of
said working fluid passing through said inlet or said outlet of
said disposable filter and/or an operational condition of the
disposable filter or associated machinery.
3. A disposable filter of claim 2 wherein said accessory is a
getter and includes a magnet for drawing particulate from said
working fluid toward said magnet, and a sight window for allowing a
user to inspect said particulate drawn to said magnet.
4. A disposable filter of claim 3 wherein said magnet is removably
connected to said window to allow said magnet to be removed from
said window such that said window may be cleaned.
5. A disposable filter of claim 2 wherein said accessory includes a
sight window for allowing a user to observe working fluid flowing
within said disposable filter.
6. A disposable filter of claim 2 wherein said accessory includes
at least one sensor configured to measure at least one of pressure,
temperature, flow rate, chemical composition moisture levels, an
additive measure, optical transmissibility, reflection level, a
light scattering level, a thermal capacity, a surface acoustic wave
measurement, and an ultrasonic wavelength of said working
fluid.
7. A disposable filter of claim 2 further including a controller
for analyzing characteristics of said working fluid acquired by
said accessory.
8. A disposable filter of claim 7 wherein said accessory includes a
communication module in wireless electronic communication with said
controller for wirelessly communicating said measured
characteristics of said working fluid, the disposable filter or
associated machinery to said controller.
9. A disposable filter of claim 7 wherein said controller is
positioned remote from said accessory.
10. A disposable filter of claim 2 wherein said accessory is
detachably coupled with said accessory port.
11. A disposable filter of claim 1 further including a bypass
structure adjacent to said fluid outlet and configured to maintain
a predetermined pressure within said disposable filter.
12. A disposable filter of claim 11 further including a bypass
indicating device connected to said bypass structure and configured
to indicate a status of said bypass structure.
13. A disposable filter of claim 12 wherein said bypass indicating
device is positioned adjacent to said accessory port.
14. A disposable filter of claim 3 wherein a seal is positioned
within said accessory port for sealing said connection between said
accessory port and said accessory.
15. A disposable filter of claim 3 further including a valve
connected to said accessory portion for selectively fluidly
connecting and disconnecting said disposable filter from said
accessory through said accessory port and to allow different
accessories to be coupled with said accessory port while preventing
said leakage of fluid from within said disposable filter.
16. A disposable filter of claim 15 wherein said valve is a flapper
valve.
17. A filter system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing
has a generally cylindrical shape and extends between a bottom
surface and a top surface, and wherein said top surface of said
housing defines said inlet, and wherein said top surface of said
housing further defines said outlet at a position that is radially
inward of said inlet.
18. A filter system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said filter
media is positioned radially between said inlet and said
outlet.
19. A filter system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing
includes a connector for allowing said housing to be coupled with
said machine.
20. A filter system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said connector
is a threaded connection for allowing said housing to be threaded
onto a corresponding threaded connection on said machine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The subject application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/560,979 filed on Sep.
20, 2017 entitled "Filter System Including Integrated Diagnostics",
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/560,854 filed on
Sep. 20, 2017 entitled a "Disposable Filter Including an Integrated
Sensor Assembly", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/560,919 filed on Sep. 20, 2017 entitled a "Disposable Filter
Including an Accessory Port", the entire disclosures of these
provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a filter for
filtering a working fluid passing therethrough. More specifically,
the present disclosure relates to a disposable filter with an
accessory port for receiving an accessory which is configured to
provide information related to various characteristics of the
filtered working fluid or an operational condition of the
disposable filter or associated machinery.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This section provides a general summary of background
information and the comments and examples provided in this section
are not necessarily prior art to the present disclosure.
[0004] It is known in the art for various types of machinery, e.g.,
automobiles, construction equipment, and manufacturing devices, to
include filters for removing impurities from working fluids such as
fuel, oil, gas and coolant. Cartridges of the filters are known to
clog with impurities and thus must periodically be replaced.
Additionally, it has been found that significant information about
the working fluid and other parts of the machinery can be obtained
based on characteristics of the working fluid as it passes through
the filter. For example, when filtering bulk fuel delivered to a
storage site, a filter system can identify contamination in the
fuel and therefore identify supply chain problems. As another
example, when filtering working fluid to an engine or hydraulic
system, the filter system can identify abnormal chemical or
physical properties of the lubricant or hydraulic fluid.
Accordingly, it is known to manually conduct working fluid sampling
and analysis to detect problems associated with the working fluid
and other parts of the machinery for ensuring product or process
fluid quality. In some cases, the filter cartridges and working
fluid are manually inspected based on predetermined, static
inspection schedules. It is also known for condition-based
monitoring systems to be built into machines to actively monitor
their working fluids. However, such condition-based monitoring
systems are not readily serviceable and replaceable, and can add
significant expense to the machine. Accordingly, there remains a
need for improvements to such monitoring systems to reduce
maintenance costs and improve machine performance, machine useful
lifetime and fluid quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The subject invention is generally directed to a disposable
filter which includes an accessory port for being coupled with an
accessory which is configured to monitor a characteristic of the
working fluid passing through the filter and/or an operational
condition of the disposable filter or associated machinery. The
accessory port provides a simple and inexpensive means for
connecting and disconnecting accessories to the disposable filter.
Accordingly, maintenance costs may be minimized because accessories
may be easily be disconnected from an old filter and reused on a
new filter, thus allowing the accessories to be reused many times.
Furthermore, the invention provides an easy to integrate means of
implementing accessories in circumstances where integration is
often difficult, such as typical engine applications where there is
no space for adding plumbing and sensors. Additionally, the
invention offers condition-based maintenance without the cost of an
expensive retrofit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a disposable
filter including a first enabling embodiment of an accessory
port;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a disposable
filter including a second enabling embodiment of an accessory
port;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a bypass structure
incorporated into the first enabling embodiment of the disposable
filter;
[0010] FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a
magnetic getter;
[0011] FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the magnetic getter of
FIG. 4A; and
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an example accessory
including a plurality of sensors and a communications module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Example embodiments of a filter system which includes an
accessory in accordance with the present disclosure will now be
more fully described. Each of these example embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure is thorough and fully conveys the
scope of the inventive concepts, features and advantages to those
skilled in the art. To this end, numerous specific details are set
forth such as examples of specific components, devices and
mechanisms associated with the filter system to provide a thorough
understanding of each of the embodiments associated with the
present disclosure. However, as will be apparent to those skilled
in the art, not all specific details described herein need to be
employed, the example embodiments may be embodied in many different
forms, and thus should not be construed or interpreted to limit the
scope of the disclosure.
[0014] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a filter system 9 in accordance with an
aspect of the subject disclosure. As best shown therein, the filter
system includes a disposable filter 10 which includes a housing 12
having a generally cylindrical shape and extending between a top
surface 13 and a bottom surface 15. The top surface 13 defines an
inlet 14 to be disposed in fluid communication with a source of
working fluid as well as an outlet 16 to be disposed in fluid
communication with a machine 17 for receiving the working fluid
after passing through the disposable filter 10. The housing 12 may
be of various materials such as metal or plastic. A filter media 18
is disposed within the housing 12 in a path of fluid communication
between the inlet and outlet 14, 16 for filtering the working fluid
prior to its delivery to the intended machine 17. A threaded,
female connector 19 is disposed adjacent a top portion of the
filter housing 12 for allowing the disposable filter 10 to be
threaded onto a corresponding male connector 11 of the filter
system 9 to allow for easy attachment of the disposable filter 10
(i.e., a disposable "spin-on" type filter). A gasket 21 is provided
which encircles or is disposed around a top portion of the
disposable filter 10 for sealing the filter 10 when it is connected
to corresponding machinery 17.
[0015] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disposable filter
10 includes an accessory port 20, 120 for being coupled with an
accessory 22 that is configured to monitor a characteristic of the
working fluid passing through the inlet 14 or the outlet 16 of the
filter 10 and/or an operational condition of the disposable filter
10 or corresponding machinery 17. According to a first enabling
embodiment of the accessory port 20 illustrated in FIG. 1, the
accessory port 20 is positioned adjacent to and fluidly connected
to the outlet 16 of the filter 10 for monitoring the working fluid
that has already passed through the filter media 18. According to a
second example embodiment of the accessory port 120 illustrated in
FIG. 2, the accessory port 120 is positioned adjacent to and
fluidly connected to the inlet 14 of the filter 10 for monitoring
the working fluid as it enters the filter 20 prior to passing
through the filter media 18. It should be appreciated that
alternatively, an accessory port 20, 120 may be provided at both
the inlet 14 and outlet 16 of the filter 10 for monitoring the
working fluid prior to, and after passing through the filter media
18.
[0016] The accessory 22 may be coupled with the accessory port 20,
120 by using various means including, but not limited to, a
threaded connection or interference fit. A ring seal 24 is provided
within the accessory port 20, 120 for sealing the connection
between the accessory port 20, 120 and the accessory 22. It should
be appreciated that various other types of seals could be utilized.
A valve 26 is provided adjacent to the accessory port 20, 120 for
selectively fluidly connecting and disconnecting the filter 10 from
the accessory 22 through the accessory port 20, 120. It should be
appreciated that various types of valves may be utilized, e.g., a
flapper valve, and the valve 26 may be mechanically or electrically
actuated. The valve 26 may be utilized to allow accessories 22 to
be swapped at the accessory port 20, 120 while preventing the
leakage of working fluid from within the filter 10. It should also
be appreciated that the accessory 22 may alternatively be
integrated into an interposer structure that sits between the
filter 10 and the machinery 17 to which the filter 10 is
attached.
[0017] Various types of accessories 22 may be coupled with the
accessory port 20, 120 including, but not limited to, passive
electronics, active electronics and mechanical indicators. For
example, an accessory 22 may include a getter 28--either magnetic
or chemical, such as that shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. Such a getter 28
may include a magnet 30 and a sight window 32 for allowing a user
to inspect particulate drawn to the magnet 30. The magnet 30 and
window 32 are configured such that the magnet 30 is removable from
the window 32 to allow for easy cleaning of the window 32. The
accessory 22 may also include a stand-alone sight window for
allowing a user to observe working fluid flowing to and away from
the filter 10. The accessory 22 may also include one or more
sensors for making various chemical or physical measurements of the
working fluid such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, chemical
composition, moisture levels, an additive measurement, optical
transmissibility, reflection level, a light scattering level, a
thermal capacity, a surface acoustic wave measurement, ultrasonic
wavelength, various electrical properties and various magnetic
properties. The accessory 22 may further include one or more
sensors for monitoring filter properties and properties of the
associated machinery 17 such as bypass valve actuation, a change in
pressure and filter media electrical, vibrations and magnetic
characteristics. The accessory 22 may also include other devices
such as a chemical doser, for example, to meter out oil additives,
or a mechanical indicator such as a toggle, flag or gauge.
[0018] In a preferred arrangement, the accessory 22 includes a
communication module 34, such as an antenna, RFID tag, or the like,
for wirelessly communicating the measured/monitored characteristic
of the working fluid, the disposable filter 10 or associated
machinery 17 to a controller 36 disposed remotely from the filter
10. The communication module 34 may be wireless, and thus may be
powered by a battery or a flow activated generator. The
communication module 34 may alternatively be wired to the
controller 36. An exemplary accessory 23 is presented in FIG. 5
which includes a plurality of fluid sensing elements 35 which are
connected to a single communications module 34. This arrangement
allows a single accessory 23 to measure multiple parameters of the
working fluid, filter or associated machinery 17.
[0019] Once transmitted to the controller 36, the acquired
characteristics of the working fluid or the performance
characteristic(s) of the disposable filter 10 or associated
machinery 17 can be analyzed by the controller 24 to autonomously
determine a condition of the disposable filter 10, working fluid
passing therethrough or associated machinery 17. This data can then
be utilized to determine if the disposable filter 10 and the
machinery 17 in communication with the filtered working fluid are
in proper operating condition or alternatively need service or
replacement. For example, based on complete or nearly complete
operating history of the disposable filter 10 and the working fluid
passing therethrough, an optimal maintenance schedule and a
prediction of the machine's 17 remaining useful life can be
determined.
[0020] The controller 36 may take various forms and retrieved data
from the accessory 22 may be transmitted to the controller 36 by
way of various means. For example, the controller 36 may be a
computer that is positioned in a vehicle or it may take the form of
a smartphone. In these cases, the controller 24 may connect to the
accessory 22 by way of connections such as a Bluetooth.RTM., TPM,
Zigbee.RTM. or Near-field connection. Additionally, it should be
appreciated that the accessory 22 may be disconnected from the
accessory port 20, 120 and moved to a new location for examination
by a remotely located controller 36 or other inspection tool. The
controller 36 may be disposed in communication with various
component systems 25 of the machine 17 such as pumps, hoses
transmission, etc. to couple data from these other sources on the
machine 17 with the filter characteristics to further aid and
optimize a prediction of the machine state.
[0021] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, according to one aspect, the
disposable filter 10 can include a pressure bypass structure 38,
such as a bypass valve, or the like, disposed adjacent the fluid
outlet 16 for maintaining a predetermined pressure within the
disposable filter 10. A bypass flag 40 or other bypass indicating
device may be positioned adjacent to the accessory port 20, 120 for
indicating a status of the bypass structure 38. Since the accessory
port 20, 120 is located remote from the bypass structure 38, the
bypass flag 40 allows the state of the bypass structure 38 to be
communicated remotely from the accessory port 20, 120.
[0022] Accordingly, as will be appreciated by the subject
disclosure, the integration of the accessory port 20, 120 provides
a low-cost approach to implementing condition-based maintenance of
the disposable filter 10 and working fluid quality control into an
existing filter system without the need for an expensive retrofit.
Additionally, the accessory port 20, 120 advantageously allows
limitless types of accessories 22 to be coupled with the filter 10
based on current needs. Additionally, the subject system provides
for an easy method of integrating a means of integrating
accessories 22 in circumstances where integration is often
difficult, such as typical engine applications where there is no
space for added plumbing and sensors.
[0023] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *