Filter with memory, communication and concentration sensor

Abstract

The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment.

1 . An apparatus for monitoring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing comprising at least one filtering element, comprising: 
 said filtering element, defining an upstream side in which unfiltered material exists and a downstream side into which filtered material is passed,    a concentration sensor located in said downstream side, and    a transmitter, in communication with said sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage element adapted to store measurements from said sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of a solid state gas sensor, an optical fiber and an affinity based sensor.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said concentration sensor and said transmitter are provided in a single enclosure.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a wireless receiver, adapted to receive signals transmitted from said wireless transmitter.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is affixed to said filter element.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said filter housing further comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein said sensor is located in said outlet.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is embedded in said filter element.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein based affinity based sensor comprises a microbalance and a suitable ligand.  
     
     
         12 . A method of insuring the integrity of a filtering element within a filter housing, 
 locating a concentration sensor, in connection with a transmitter, on the downstream side of said filtering element;    introducing a tracer gas into said filter housing;    monitoring the concentration of said tracer gas at the downstream side of said filtering element using said sensor; and    comparing said concentration to a predetermined range to determine integrity of said filtering element.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said monitoring step is performed at regular intervals.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter and said method further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting said monitored concentration to a receiver located outside of said housing.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said sensor comprises a solid state gas sensor.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said sensor is protected by a hydrophobic filter.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.  
     
     
         19 . A method of insuring the integrity of a filtering element within a filter housing, 
 locating two concentration sensors, in connection with at least one transmitter, on the downstream side of said filtering element;    introducing two gasses in a known ratio into said filter housing;    monitoring the concentration of said two gasses at the downstream side of said filtering element using said sensor; and    comparing the ratio of said monitored concentrations to a predetermined range to determine integrity of said filtering element.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring step is performed at regular intervals.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter and said method further comprises the step of wirelessly transmitting said monitored concentrations to a receiver located outside of said housing.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said sensor comprises a solid state gas sensor.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said sensor is protected by a hydrophobic filter.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.  
     
     
         26 . A method of maintaining a protein concentration at the membrane surface of a filtering element within a filter housing, comprising: 
 locating a concentration sensor, in communication with a transmitter, to the membrane surface of said filtering element;    monitoring the concentration of said protein using said sensor;    comparing said concentration to a predetermined range; and    adjusting the transmembrane pressure in response to said comparison.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of transmitting said monitored concentration to a receiver located outside of said housing.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said sensor comprises an optical fiber through which an IR or UV measurement is made.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said sensor comprises an affinity based sensor, based on an optical, electrical or piezoelectric detection method.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said transmitter utilizes wireless communication.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said wireless transmitter comprises an RFID tag.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said affinity based sensor comprises a microbalance and a suitable ligand.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said adjustment is calculated using a PID loop.