Filter with memory, communication and pressure sensor

Abstract

The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the pressure within a filter housing. A pressure sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the pressure within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the pressure 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 pressure values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read pressure values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment. In addition, integrity testing for individual filters within multi-filter configurations is possible.

1 . An apparatus for monitoring the pressure within a filter housing having at least one filtering element, comprising:
 said filtering element,   a pressure sensor embedded in said filtering element, 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 MEMS device, a piezoelectric device, a conductive polymer device, an elastomer device, and an ink device. 
     
     
         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 pressure 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 pressure sensor comprises a differential pressure sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) device comprising at least one connecting port; a filtering element and at least one sensor located in at least one of said at least one connecting port. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said sensor comprises a flow rate sensor. 
     
     
         12 . A Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) device comprising a plurality of modules and at least one pressure sensor located between adjacent ones of said plurality of modules. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one additional pressure sensor within a membrane stack in one of said plurality of modules. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a transmitter in communication with said pressure sensor.