Filter with integrated condition monitoring sensor

The objective of our program is to develop an extended lifetime oil filter for trucks and heavy-equipment. The fluid filter system will be equipped with an array of fluid condition monitoring sensors. The addition of sensors to the vehicle filtration system will give it some “brain”. This smart filtration system will provide longer life over presently used filters. Average lifetime will be extended by at least a two-fold factor and maybe as much as eight-fold factor depending on the usage. The array of optical sensors will provide information regarding the remaining service life and approaching failure and warn the operator when the filtration system is inoperative. This system is based around a Vortex filter, and the corresponding Vortex filter housing; and the array sensor is based on Translume robust optical micro-sensors. Other type of commercial sensors may complement Translume’s optical sensors. The sensors will be located in or near the filter housing.