Patent ID: 7891234

Claim:
A multi-sensing device for sensing a plurality of characteristics of a fluid flowing through a filter element in a fluid system, the multi-sensing device comprising: a first sensor for sensing a temperature of the fluid flowing through the filter element; a second sensor for sensing a pressure generated by the fluid flowing through the filter element; and an indicator for indicating a condition of the fluid system; and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the first and second sensors, the microcontroller executing instructions for: receiving temperature data from the first sensor and pressure data from the second sensor; if the temperature data does not exceed a first temperature threshold, monitoring subsequent temperature data received from the first sensor until it exceeds the first temperature threshold; and if the temperature data exceeds the first temperature threshold: determining whether the temperature data exceeds a second temperature threshold and whether the pressure data exceeds a pressure threshold; if the temperature data does not exceed the second temperature threshold, evaluating subsequent temperature data received from the first sensor to determine whether it exceeds the second temperature threshold; if the temperature data exceeds the second temperature threshold, activating the indicator to indicate that the fluid is in an abnormal condition; if pressure data does not exceed the pressure threshold, evaluating subsequent pressure data received from the second sensor to determine whether it exceeds the pressure threshold; and if the pressure data exceeds the pressure threshold, activating the indicator to indicate that the filter element is in a condemned condition.