A FILTER, MORE PARTICULARLY LIQUID FILTER, PROVIDED WITH A FILTER ELEMENT WITH AN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Abstract: A filter comprising a casing with an inlet space for liquid to be filtered and an outlet space for filtered liquid; a substantially cylindrical filter element of the disposable type, which is removably placed within the casing to function therein as a liquid permeable partition between the inlet space and the outlet space; a unique information containing micro circuit provided in said filter element, adapted to function as an identification label and cooperating with a receiver element provided in the casing, so as to provide for a periodical or continuous exchange of information between the micro circuit and the receiver element. According to the invention the micro circuit is embedded, at a circumferential location, in a sealing ring provided at a terminal edge of the cylindrical filter element, by means of which sealing ring the filter element sealingly engages an annular seat between the inlet space and the outlet space. The receiver element is provided in said seat and comprises a flat annular coil, the average diameter of which corresponds with that of the sealing ring.

Description: Short title: A filter, more particularly liquid filter, provided with a filter element with an identification label. The invention relates to a filter, as defined in the first part of claim 1. Such a filter is known from US 5,674,381. The use of an unique information containing micro circuit that is making part of the disposable filter element and may exchange data with the receiving element within the permanent part of the filter, enables to check whether the correct (type of) filter element has been placed and also how long ago and under which circumstances and/or when displacement is to take place. With the well-known filter there is provided a bag-shaped filter element and the micro circuit or identification label respectively is installed in (on) the bottom part of the filter element for cooperation with the receiving element that is placed in the axis of the filter. Now the invention aims at to further develop this well-known identification/information system, so that it becomes suitable for use with an open ended cylindrical filter element. According to the invention this aim is achieved by the features mentioned in the second part of claim 1. In this way the micro circuit will always get in an operative position relative to the receiving element irrespective of the circumferential location of the micro circuit. As the micro circuit is making part of the filter element and will thus be disposed together with the filter element after use, it is important that the circuit is designed as simple and cheap as possible. To this end a micro circuit of the "passive" type is to be preferred, which may, in the manner of a transponder, cooperate with the receiving element within the casing of the filter. However, a micro circuit of the "active" type, i.e. equipped with an independent power source, may also be advantageous. The end of the life of the power source may e.g. be an indication for the time, during which the filter element has been in use. Furthermore an active micro circuit could perform certain measurings such as pressure and temperature measurings. The invention will be hereinafter further explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing. With reference to fig. 1A the filter element 1 shown therein in perspective and longitudinal sectional view, is composed, in a well-known manner, of an annular cylindrical filtering member 2 surrounded by a perforate support tube 3. The upper end of the filtering member 2 is received in a flat annular end cap 4 and the lower end of it is received in the edge portion of a bottom or end cap 5. The annular cylindrical filtering member is formed, in a well- known manner, of pleated filtering cloth, that is often formed as a laminate. The perforate support tube 3 and the end caps 4 and 5 are formed of a suitable plastic material or metal. The thus composed filtering member constitutes the disposable component of a fluid filter, which in use has to be periodically replaced. As an example of such a filter reference is made to fig. 2 of the International Patent Application WO 97/21480. Certain permanent parts of this well-known filter are shown in fig. lb of the drawings. Among these permanent parts (i.e. parts which need not to be replaced or exchanged in use) are the press ring 6 with the spider-like central piece 7 and the bushing 8 suspending therefrom with the support rod 9 as well as the press spring 10 and the cover 11. According to the invention an identification chip 12 is provided in the flat annular end cap 4, which chip is adapted to exchange its information with a receiver element 13 provided in the annular lower face of the press ring 6. In the example shown said receiver element 13 is in the form of a flat annular coil which is connected through a data processing device (not shown) outside the filter by means of connecting leads 14 which extend through a radial element of the spider 7, the press spring and the cover 11 outwardly. In operation the filter element 1 sealingly engages, via the end cap 4, the lower side of the press ring 6. In the operational state the chip 12 - if of the passive type - will be activated via the coil member 13 and data from the chip will be transferred via the coil element towards the data processing device. When a spacing between the filter element 1 and the press ring 6 is taking place, such as in case of an exchange of the filter element or when the filter element is elevated from its seat in case of a blocked filter, this will be observed via a corresponding interruption or weakening of the signals from the chip 12. The example shown in the drawing relates to a filter element with which the filtering member, together with the support tube 3 and the end caps 4 and 5, forms a disposable unit. However, the invention is also applicable with a filter element of the type, of which the perforate support tube and the end caps may be reused. A filter element of the latter type is shown in fig. 1 of the above mentioned International Patent Application. In that particular case the identification chip is simply embedded in one of the sealing rings, in which the axiall ends of the annular cylindrical filtering member are emdedded. By forming the receiver element as a flat annular coil member the invention can also be successfully used with a filter of the so- called "spin-on" type with which the filter element is screwed into the casing of the filter.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A filter, more particularly fluid filter, comprising a casing with an inlet space for liquid to be filtered and an outlet space for filtered liquid; a substantially cylindrical filter element of the disposable type, which is removably placed within the casing to function therein as a liquid permeable partition between the inlet space and the outlet space; a unique information containing micro circuit provided in said filter element, adapted to function as an identification label and to that end cooperating with a receiver element provided in the casing, so as to provide for a periodical or continuous exchange of information between the micro circuit and the receiver element, characterized in that the micro circuit is embedded, at a circumferential location, in a sealing ring provided at a terminal edge of the cylindrical filter element, by means of which sealing ring the filter element sealingly engages an annular seat between the inlet space and the outlet space, and further characterized in that said receiver element is provided in said seat and comprises a flat annular coil, the average diameter of which corresponds with that of the sealing ring. 2. A liquid filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the micro circuit is of the passive type and cooperates as a transponder with the receiver element. 3. A liquid filter according to claim 1, characterized in that the micro switch is provided with an independent power source.

Inventors: EICHELSHEIM ALEXANDER VICTOR, NIERS LOUIS ANTONIUS HUBERTUS, EICHELSHEIM, ALEXANDER, VICTOR, NIERS, LOUIS, ANTONIUS, HUBERTUS, MARIA
Applicants: EICHELSHEIM ALEXANDER VICTOR, FAIREY ARLON BV, NIERS LOUIS ANTONIUS HUBERTUS, EICHELSHEIM, ALEXANDER, VICTOR, FAIREY ARLON B.V., NIERS, LOUIS, ANTONIUS, HUBERTUS, MARIA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B01D35
IPC codes: B01D35