FILTER MONITOR

Abstract

A filter monitor is disclosed capable of sensing the presence of water in the filter. The sensor utilizes changes in capacitance of a water absorbing media which functions as a dielectric disposed between a pair of electrodes. The sensor is in communication with a valve means to interrupt the transient fluid when a predetermined amount of water is present in the fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following descriptions of several embodiments of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an end cap disposed in an outside-in flow filter cartridge incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a fuel filter vessel in an open position including the filter cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a seal plate used to seal a filter cartridge in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A fuel filter monitor for sensing contaminants in a transient flow of hydrocarbon fluid comprising: a capacitance sensor; anda pair of spaced apart electrodes in communication with the capacitance sensor, the electrodes having a dielectric medium interdigitated therebetween, the medium capable of absorbing contaminants in the hydrocarbon fluid to vary the capacitance between the electrodes.

2. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrodes are disposed in a filter cartridge.

3. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 2, wherein the filter cartridge includes an end cap containing the electrodes.

4. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 2, further comprising a seal plate sealing an end of the filter cartridge and containing the electrodes.

5. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein the capacitance sensor is adapted to communicate with a valve for militating against the flow of fluid.

6. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein the medium is formed from cellulose.

7. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein the medium includes an amount of super absorbent polymer material.

8. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first filter medium disposed upstream of the electrodes.

9. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 8, further comprising a second filter medium disposed downstream of the electrodes.

10. A fuel filter monitor for sensing water in a transient flow of hydrocarbon fluid comprising: a filter cartridge;a capacitance sensor; anda pair of spaced apart electrodes in communication with the capacitance sensor and disposed in the filter cartridge, the electrodes having a dielectric medium interdigitated therebetween, the medium capable of absorbing contaminants in the hydrocarbon fluid to vary the capacitance between the electrodes.

11. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 10, wherein the filter cartridge includes an end cap containing the electrodes.

12. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 10, further comprising a seal plate sealing an end of the filter cartridge and containing the electrodes.

13. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 10, wherein the capacitance sensor is adapted to communicate with a valve for militating against the flow of fluid.

14. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 10, wherein the medium is formed from cellulose.

15. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 10, wherein the medium includes an amount of super absorbent polymer material.

16. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 10, further comprising a first filter media disposed upstream of the electrodes.

17. The fuel filter monitor as defined in claim 16, further comprising a second filter media disposed downstream of the electrodes.

18. A method for monitoring the presence of water in a transient flow of hydrocarbon fluid comprising the steps of: providing a capacitance sensor in communication with a pair of spaced apart electrodes having a dielectric media interdigitated therebetween;causing a flow of transient fluid to flow through the spaced apart electrodes and the dielectric media; andsensing a capacitance of the flow between the electrodes.

19. The method for monitoring the presence of water as defined in claim 18, wherein the electrodes are disposed in a filter cartridge.

20. The method for monitoring the presence of water as defined in claim 18, further comprising the step of militating against the flow upon the capacitance of the flow reaching a predetermined level.