Disposable filter including an integrated sensor assembly
A disposable filter including an integrated sensor is provided for filtering a working fluid and monitoring the working fluid and/or the performance of the filter. The filter includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet with filter media disposed within the housing in a flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet. The integrated sensor is disposed within the housing, where the integrated sensor monitors a characteristic of the working fluid or other performance characteristic of the filter. The sensor assembly may include a communication module. The sensor assembly may include a RF tank circuit with a capacitor plate, which may be disposed adjacent a bypass structure that is disposed adjacent the outlet. Movement of a moveable part of the bypass structure in response to a pressure buildup will cause a shift in a resonant frequency of the tank circuit.
1. A disposable filter for filtering a working fluid comprising:
a housing including a threaded end having a threaded female connector for allowing the disposable filter to be threaded onto a corresponding male connector of a filter system;
said housing including an inlet disposed radially outside of the threaded female connector for being disposed in fluid communication with a working fluid and an outlet defined by the threaded female connector for being disposed in fluid communication with a machine;
a filter disposed within the housing for filtering the working fluid passing through the disposable filter between the inlet and the outlet;
a pressure sensor disposed entirely within the housing for monitoring an operational condition of the disposable filter;
a bypass structure including a flange-like structure extending radially outward from the threaded female connector and movable in response to a predetermined pressure within the filter to open the bypass structure and allow the working fluid to bypass the filter and exit through the outlet; and
the pressure sensor comprised of an RF tank circuit disposed within the housing adjacent the bypass structure and including a capacitor plate extending adjacent the flange-like structure and configured to sense movement of the flange-like structure of the bypass structure to shift a resonant frequency of the RF tank circuit and monitor a pressure change across the filter.
2. The disposable filter as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the RF tank circuit includes a communication module for wirelessly communicating the shift in resonant frequency to a controller disposed remotely from the disposable filter.
3. The disposable filter of claim 2 , wherein the communication module is in the form of an antenna.
4. The disposable filter of claim 2 , wherein the controller autonomously determines a condition of the filter based on the shift in resonant frequency received from the communication module.
5. The disposable filter of claim 2 , wherein the controller determines a maintenance schedule or a remaining useful life of the filter.
6. The disposable filter of claim 3 , wherein the RF tank circuit includes a spiral coil inductor disposed in communication with the antenna and the capacitor plate.
7. The disposable filter of claim 6 , wherein the antenna extends into a gasket.
8. The disposable filter of claim 6 , further comprising a gasket disposed around a top portion of the disposable filter and comprised of a material being transparent to RF for minimizing interference with the resonant frequency of the RF tank circuit.
9. The disposable filter of claim 1 , wherein the RF tank circuit extends radially outward from the threaded female connector in overlaying relationship with the flange-like structure.
10. The disposable filter of claim 1 , wherein the RF tank circuit is comprised of a polyamide substrate.