System for detecting bypass valve actuation using pressure data

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for monitoring a bypass valve of a filtration system. In an embodiment, a bypass valve monitoring system is included having a control circuit and a sensing unit, where the sensing unit generates a signal reflecting a high speed pressure and a signal reflecting a filter limit pressure. The bypass valve monitoring system may identify a pattern of the signal reflecting the high speed pressure associated with the filter limit pressure level indicative of the position of the bypass valve. In an embodiment, the sensing unit generates a signal reflecting acoustics and / or vibrations and a signal reflecting strain, and the system is configured to identify a pattern reflecting valve chatter associated with the signal reflecting acoustics and / or vibrations, and then determine a bypass valve open state using associated strain values in the signal reflecting strain. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Description

[0001] This application was filed on February 7, 2024, as a PCT international patent application in the name of Donaldson Company, Inc. (a U.S. national company, designated applicant in all countries) and in the name of U.S. citizens Michael J. Cronin, Michael J. Gustafson, and Yves S. Ilboudo (designated inventors in all countries), and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 443,856, filed on February 7, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments in this article relate to systems and methods for monitoring bypass valves in filtration systems. Background Technology

[0003] Filtration systems sometimes include a valve called a bypass valve, which is connected in parallel with the filter element, filter housing, and / or a portion thereof (filter assembly) and allows the fluid being filtered to bypass the filter assembly under certain conditions. For example, if filter limitations rise to a certain level, such as due to filter load, the bypass valve opens, allowing fluid to bypass the filter assembly so that the fluid can continue to flow adequately. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for monitoring bypass valves in a filtration system. In a first aspect, a bypass valve monitoring system is included, comprising control circuitry and a sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit generates a signal reflecting high-speed pressure and a signal reflecting a filter limiting pressure. The sensing unit can electronically communicate with the control circuitry, and the bypass valve monitoring system can be configured to record signals from the sensing unit and identify patterns in the high-speed pressure signal that are associated with the filter limiting pressure level and indicate the position of the bypass valve.

[0005] In a second aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the position of the bypass valve may include at least one selected from the group consisting of: fully open, partially open, and fully closed.

[0006] In a third aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify changes in patterns of signals reflecting high-speed pressure that are associated with changes in filter limit pressure.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify changes in a pattern of signals reflecting high-speed pressure that are associated with an increase in filter limiting pressure, wherein such changes indicate that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

[0008] In the fifth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, these modes may include frequency modes.

[0009] In the sixth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, these modes may include multi-band frequency modes.

[0010] In the seventh aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to determine the valve opening pressure.

[0011] In the eighth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to determine that the bypass valve is operating in bypass mode when the filter limiting pressure is higher than the determined valve opening pressure.

[0012] In the ninth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to track the change in valve opening pressure over time.

[0013] In the tenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to determine the valve opening pressure based on the filter limiting pressure detected when the valve is open.

[0014] In the eleventh aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position.

[0015] In the twelfth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the system may further include a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor may be in electronic communication with the control circuit, and / or wherein the bypass valve monitoring system is configured to receive a signal reflecting the temperature.

[0016] In the thirteenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to distinguish between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from temperature sensors or received signals reflecting temperature.

[0017] In the fourteenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to use signals from cold start bypass to train the system to detect valve bypass events.

[0018] In the fifteenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on normal operation bypass events.

[0019] In the sixteenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on detected valve opening events.

[0020] In the seventeenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes a pressure sensor that generates both a signal reflecting high-speed pressure and a signal reflecting filter-limiting pressure.

[0021] In the eighteenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, at least a portion of the sensing unit may be configured to be in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

[0022] In the nineteenth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may be configured to be mounted on a fluid line but not in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

[0023] In the twentieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the sensing unit may be configured to be wound around a fluid line.

[0024] In the twenty-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may include a flexible substrate.

[0025] In the twentieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may further include two or more sensing elements, wherein the two or more sensing elements may be disposed on a flexible substrate.

[0026] In the twenty-third aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the two or more sensing elements may be positioned at different axial and / or radial locations along the fluid line.

[0027] In the twentieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the sensing unit may include a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor generates a signal reflecting high-speed pressure and the second sensor generates a signal reflecting filter-limiting pressure.

[0028] In the twenty-fifth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the first sensor may include a pressure sensor, wherein the sampling rate of the pressure sensor may be at least 8,000 Hz.

[0029] In the twenty-sixth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the first sensor may include a microphone.

[0030] In the twenty-seventh aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the second sensor may include a differential pressure sensor.

[0031] In the twentieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the second sensor may include a first pressure sensing element located on one side of the filter element and a second pressure sensing element located on the other side of the filter element.

[0032] In the twentieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the second sensor may include a first pressure sensing element located upstream of the filter element and a second pressure sensing element located downstream of the filter element.

[0033] In the thirtieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be a liquid filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0034] In the thirty-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be a hydraulic fluid filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0035] In aspect thirty-two, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be a gas filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0036] In aspect thirty-three, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be an air filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0037] In the thirty-fourth aspect, a method for detecting the opening of a bypass valve may be included. This method may include recording signals from a sensing unit, which may include signals reflecting high-speed pressure and signals reflecting filter limiting pressure. The method may further include identifying patterns indicating the position of the bypass valve associated with the filter limiting pressure level.

[0038] In aspect thirty-five, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include identifying changes in signal patterns that reflect high-speed pressure and are associated with changes in filter-limiting pressure.

[0039] In the thirty-sixth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include identifying a change in a signal pattern that reflects a high-speed pressure and is associated with an increase in filter limiting pressure, wherein such a change indicates that the bypass valve may have been at least partially opened.

[0040] In aspect thirty-seven, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the method may further include determining the valve opening pressure.

[0041] In aspect thirty-eight, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the method may further include determining that the bypass valve may be operating in bypass mode when the filter limiting pressure may be higher than the determined valve opening pressure.

[0042] In aspect thirty-nine, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include tracking the change in valve opening pressure over time.

[0043] In the fortieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the method may further include determining the valve opening pressure based on the filter limiting pressure when valve opening is detected.

[0044] In the forty-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the method may further include distinguishing between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor.

[0045] In aspect 42, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include estimating the remaining lifespan of the filter based on detected normal operation bypass events.

[0046] In aspect 43, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include estimating the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve can be in the open position during a normal operating bypass event.

[0047] In aspect 44, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the method may further include using a signal from a cold-start bypass to train the system to detect valve bypass events.

[0048] In a forty-fifth aspect, a bypass valve monitoring system may be included, comprising a control circuit, a first pressure sensor, and a second pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure sensor is electronically communicable with the control circuit, and the second pressure sensor is electronically communicable with the control circuit. The second pressure sensor may be disposed on the flow side of the monitored valve opposite to the first pressure sensor. The bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to assess the time-domain pressure difference based on the signals from the two pressure sensors, and to identify a mode in which the time-domain pressure difference indicates that the bypass valve may be at least partially open.

[0049] In aspect 46, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify a time-domain differential pressure associated with a pressure change that indicates the bypass valve may have been at least partially opened.

[0050] In aspect 47, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify changes in the time-domain differential pressure signal pattern that occur as the differential pressure increases, wherein such changes indicate that the bypass valve may have been at least partially opened.

[0051] In aspect 48, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, these modes may include frequency domain modes.

[0052] In aspect 49, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the bypass valve opening pressure.

[0053] In the fiftieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the system may further include a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor may be in electronic communication with the control circuit, and / or wherein the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to receive a signal reflecting the temperature.

[0054] In the fifty-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to distinguish between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from temperature sensors or received signals reflecting temperature.

[0055] In aspect 52, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the control circuit may be configured to train the system to detect valve bypass events using a signal from a cold start bypass event.

[0056] In aspect 53, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on normal operation bypass events.

[0057] In aspect 54, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve can be in the open position during a normal operation bypass event.

[0058] In aspect 55, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sampling rate of the first pressure sensor may be at least 8,000 Hz.

[0059] In aspect 56, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sampling rate of the second pressure sensor may be at least 8,000 Hz.

[0060] In aspect 57, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the first pressure sensor or at least a portion of the second pressure sensor may be configured to be in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

[0061] In aspect 58, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor may be configured to be mounted on a fluid line but not in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

[0062] In aspect 59, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in some alternatives to the foregoing aspects, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor may be configured to be mounted on a flexible substrate and wound around a fluid line.

[0063] In a sixtieth aspect, a bypass valve monitoring system may be included, the bypass valve monitoring system having a control circuit and a sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit can electronically communicate with the control circuit, wherein the sensing unit generates signals reflecting acoustics and / or vibration and signals reflecting strain, wherein the bypass valve monitoring system can be configured to record signals from the sensing unit and identify patterns of valve flutter associated with the signals reflecting acoustics and / or vibration, and then use relevant strain values ​​in the signals reflecting strain to determine the bypass valve opening state.

[0064] In the sixty-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify patterns of valve flutter associated with strain changes that reflect acoustic and / or vibrational signals.

[0065] In aspect sixty-two, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify a pattern of valve flutter associated with increased strain that reflects acoustic and / or vibrational signals, wherein such a condition indicates that the bypass valve may have been at least partially opened.

[0066] In aspect sixty-three, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve can be in the open position.

[0067] In aspect sixty-four, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may include a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor may be in electronic communication with the control circuit, and / or wherein the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to receive a signal reflecting temperature.

[0068] In aspect sixty-five, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to distinguish between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from temperature sensors or received signals reflecting temperature.

[0069] In aspect sixty-six, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on normal operation bypass events.

[0070] In aspect sixty-seven, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on detected valve opening events.

[0071] In aspect sixty-eight, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes a strain sensing element that generates a signal reflecting strain.

[0072] In aspect sixty-nine, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes a strain sensing element that generates both a signal reflecting strain and a signal reflecting acoustic and / or vibration.

[0073] In the seventieth aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or the following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes a first strain sensing element and a second strain sensing element that generate a signal reflecting strain.

[0074] In the seventy-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in some alternatives to the foregoing aspects, the signal reflecting strain is reflected in differential strain at two points along the fluid pipeline.

[0075] In aspect seventy-two, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes an acoustic and / or vibration sensing element that generates signals reflecting acoustic and / or vibration.

[0076] In aspect seventy-three, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, at least a portion of the sensing unit may be configured to be in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

[0077] In aspect seventy-four, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may be configured to be mounted on a fluid line but not in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

[0078] In aspect seventy-five, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, at least a portion of the sensing unit may be configured to be wound around a fluid line.

[0079] In aspect seventy-six, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may include a flexible substrate.

[0080] In aspect seventy-seven, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit may further include two or more sensing elements, wherein the two or more sensing elements may be disposed on a flexible substrate.

[0081] In aspect seventy-eight, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the two or more sensing elements may be positioned at different axial and / or radial locations along the fluid line.

[0082] In aspect 79, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be a liquid filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0083] In aspect eighty, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be a hydraulic fluid filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0084] In the eighty-first aspect, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some of the aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be a gas filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0085] In aspect 82, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the bypass valve monitoring system may be an air filter bypass valve monitoring system.

[0086] In aspect eighty-three, a method for detecting the opening of a bypass valve may be included. The method may include: recording signals from a sensing unit, which may include signals reflecting acoustic and / or vibration and signals reflecting strain; and identifying a pattern of valve flutter associated with the signals reflecting acoustic and / or vibration, and then using a relevant strain value from the strain-reflecting signal to determine the opening state of the bypass valve.

[0087] In aspect 84, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include identifying changes in signal patterns that reflect acoustic and / or vibrational signals associated with changes in strain values.

[0088] In aspect 85, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include identifying changes in signal patterns reflecting acoustic and / or vibrational signals associated with an increase in strain value, wherein such changes indicate that a bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

[0089] In aspect 86, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the method may further include determining that the bypass valve may be operating in bypass mode when a signal from an acoustic or vibration sensor is consistent with valve chatter and the strain value is above a threshold.

[0090] In aspect 87, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include distinguishing between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor.

[0091] In aspect 88, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include estimating the remaining lifespan of the filter based on detected normal operation bypass events.

[0092] In aspect 89, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in alternatives to some aspects, the method may further include estimating the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position during a normal operating bypass event.

[0093] In aspect ninety, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes a first sensing element for generating a signal reflecting acoustics and / or vibration and a second sensing element for generating a signal reflecting strain.

[0094] In aspect ninety-first, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or as an alternative to some aspects, the method may further include wrapping the sensing unit around a fluid line.

[0095] In aspect ninety-two, in addition to one or more of the foregoing or following aspects, or in an alternative to some aspects, the sensing unit includes a sensing element that does not directly contact the fluid within the fluid line.

[0096] This invention provides an overview of some of the teachings of this application and is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive of the subject matter. Further details can be found in the detailed description and the appended claims. Other aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading and understanding the following detailed description and reviewing the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description, and none of these aspects should be considered limiting. The scope of this document is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0097] A more comprehensive understanding of the various aspects can be achieved by referring to the following attached figures (Figures):

[0098] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus including a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of this document.

[0099] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system for monitoring according to various embodiments of this document.

[0100] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the components of a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of this document.

[0101] Figure 4 This is a view of pressure signal data according to various embodiments of this document.

[0102] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of this document.

[0103] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a data communication network according to various embodiments of this document.

[0104] Figure 7 This is a block diagram view of the components of a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of this document.

[0105] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a sensor connected to a fluid line according to various embodiments of this document.

[0106] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a sensor installed on a fluid pipeline according to various embodiments of this document.

[0107] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the components of a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of this document.

[0108] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a wound sensor configuration according to various embodiments of this document.

[0109] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a wound sensor configuration according to various embodiments of this document.

[0110] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of the operation according to various embodiments of this document.

[0111] While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternatives, their details have been illustrated by example and accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that the scope of this document is not limited to the specific aspects described. Rather, the aim is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of this document. Detailed Implementation

[0112] As mentioned above, bypass valves allow fluid to bypass filter components under certain circumstances (such as bypassing clogged filter elements). While bypass valves may be necessary to ensure that fluid continues to flow adequately through the system, they also allow unfiltered fluid to circulate through the system. Unfiltered fluid can lead to contaminant circulation, causing excessive wear and tear on the system. Therefore, operating in bypass mode has disadvantages, and it is valuable to detect and / or track when the system is operating in bypass mode.

[0113] The embodiments described herein may include a bypass valve monitoring system that can be used to detect and / or calculate various aspects of bypass valve operation, including but not limited to changes in signal patterns of high-speed pressure signals (or high-sampling-rate pressure signals) associated with changes in filter limiting pressure (or filter pressure drop), specific positions of the bypass valve (fully open, partially open, fully closed, etc.), bypass valve opening pressure (or "cracking pressure"), and the amount of time the bypass valve operates in the bypass state. The system described herein can also use such information to determine aspects such as remaining filter life, recommended maintenance intervals, and bypass valve fatigue.

[0114] The bypass valve monitoring system embodiments described herein may specifically include control circuitry and a sensing unit. The sensing unit may generate a high-speed pressure signal (or a high-sampling-rate pressure signal) and a filter limiting pressure signal (or a filter pressure drop signal). The bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to record signals from the sensing unit and identify patterns in the high-speed pressure signal associated with the filter limiting pressure level. The identified patterns may be used to indicate the position of the bypass valve.

[0115] In some embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system of this invention may include control circuitry and a sensing unit in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The sensing unit may generate signals reflecting acoustic and / or vibration and signals reflecting strain. The bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to record signals from the sensing unit and identify patterns of valve chatter associated with the signals reflecting acoustic and / or vibration, and then use the relevant strain values ​​in the strain-reflecting signals to determine the bypass valve opening state. In some embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify strain-related patterns of valve chatter indicative of acoustic and / or vibration signals. In some embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system may be configured to identify strain-related patterns of valve chatter indicative of acoustic and / or vibration signals, where such a condition indicates that the bypass valve has at least partially opened.

[0116] Now for reference Figure 1 A schematic diagram of device 100 is shown. Device 100 includes a hydraulic actuator 102. Device 100 may also include a bypass valve monitoring system 104 according to various embodiments herein to monitor bypass valves of a filtration system that filters hydraulic fluid. However, it should be understood that the bypass valve monitoring system can also be used to monitor bypass valves for filtration systems used to filter other types of fluids, including but not limited to various liquids (fuels, oils, lubricants, coolants, water, other liquids, etc.) and various gases (air, oxygen, mixed gases, etc.).

[0117] The sensing units can generate high-speed pressure signals and signals indicating filter limit pressure. They typically generate pressure waves of varying frequencies when the bypass valve opens. As used herein, high-speed pressure refers to a pressure signal that includes frequency content high enough to capture the frequency of the pressure wave generated by the valve opening event, such as a frequency greater than 10 Hz. High-speed pressure signals can also be referred to as high-sampling-rate pressure signals. Typically, high-speed pressure is measured using pressure sensors and / or other sensors, such as acoustic sensors that include relatively high sampling rates. Filter limit pressure is typically a largely static pressure value and therefore can be measured using pressure sensors with relatively low sampling rates. Filter limit pressure can also be referred to as filter pressure drop.

[0118] However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, both high-speed pressure data and filter-limited pressure data can be obtained from signals from the same pressure sensor based on their frequency content. It should be understood that, unless the context otherwise specifies, sensors as described herein may include one or more sensing elements or sensing sub-components.

[0119] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to record and / or evaluate such signals from the sensing unit. For example, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to identify patterns of high-speed pressure signals that indicate the position of the bypass valve and are associated with filter limit pressure levels. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to identify changes in signal patterns of high-speed pressure signals that are associated with changes in filter limit pressure. Such changes may indicate changes in the opening state of the bypass valve (e.g., from fully closed to partially open, from partially open to fully open, from fully open to partially open, from partially open to fully closed, etc.).

[0120] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to estimate the opening pressure of the bypass valve (described further below). In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to determine the valve opening pressure based on the filter limiting pressure detected when the valve opens. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to track changes in the valve opening pressure over time. This change may reflect fatigue of the bypass valve over time. For example, the bypass valve may wear over time, and as the bypass valve wears, the opening pressure or bursting pressure will change.

[0121] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to calculate and / or estimate various aspects of the filtration system or its filter elements. For example, in various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on detected valve opening events. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the percentage of time the bypass valve is in the open (including partially open) position. In some embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the frequency with which the filtration system operates in bypass mode. As an example only, a standard curve (which correlates the estimated remaining service life of the filter with the number of times the system operates in bypass mode within a set time period and / or the total amount of time operated in bypass mode within a set time period and / or the percentage of time operated in bypass mode within a set time period) may be referenced to translate these metrics into the estimated remaining service life of the filter and / or the remaining time before recommended maintenance or cleaning.

[0122] The pattern of bypass events over time can also be used to estimate the remaining service life of the filter. While not intended to be theoretically constrained, all other things being equal, bypass events will occur more frequently as the filter load level increases. Thus, by monitoring bypass events over time and noting changes in their frequency, the system can estimate the filter load and therefore estimate the remaining service life of the filter and / or the remaining time before recommending maintenance or cleaning. For example, based on the observed rate of change in the frequency of bypass events, the system can estimate how long it will take for the bypass event frequency to reach a threshold level representing the end of the filter's service life and / or the current recommendation for maintenance or cleaning.

[0123] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to distinguish between cold-start bypass and filter load bypass (described further below) based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor. Thus, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to estimate the remaining filter lifespan using any of the techniques described herein, while ignoring or otherwise disregarding cold-start bypass events.

[0124] In some embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 is configured to train the system to detect valve bypass events using signals from cold-start bypass. For example, as described below, cold-start bypass can be expected when the temperature is below a certain threshold due to its effect on fluid viscosity. In this case, the pattern of the high-speed pressure signal can be recorded and regarded as an example pattern or template (positive example pattern) of bypass mode operation. The use of templates to determine bypass valve position in pattern matching is further described below, but in various embodiments, the occurrence of the same pattern can be regarded as an indication of a filter load bypass event when the same pattern is observed again and the temperature is within the normal operating range.

[0125] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to assess time-domain differential pressure based on signals from two pressure sensors. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to identify patterns of time-domain differential pressure that indicate the bypass valve is at least partially open. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to identify time-domain differential pressure patterns associated with pressure changes that indicate the bypass valve is at least partially open. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to identify changes in the time-domain differential pressure signal pattern that occur as the differential pressure increases, wherein such changes indicate the bypass valve is at least partially open.

[0126] Now for reference Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a hydraulic system 200 according to various embodiments herein is shown. It should be understood that in many embodiments of the hydraulic system, not... Figure 2 The various filters or other components depicted may not all actually be present. In any case, the system 200 shown includes a hydraulic actuator 102. The hydraulic actuator 102 includes a cylinder 206 and a piston rod 204. Hydraulic fluid flows through the system 200 under the control of a control unit 208 and through a hydraulic fluid line 226. A certain amount of hydraulic fluid is stored in a reservoir 214 and passes through a coarse filter 218, then through the hydraulic fluid line 226 and reaches a low-pressure (or suction pressure) filter 220, and then to a hydraulic fluid pump 222. The hydraulic fluid is then pumped to a medium-pressure or high-pressure filter 224, then through the control unit 208, and finally into the hydraulic cylinder 202. On the return path, the hydraulic fluid then passes through the control unit 208, then through a return line filter 210, then through an in-tank return filter 212 and into the reservoir 214. The reservoir 214 may include a vent 216. In some embodiments, the hydraulic system 200 may also include a kidney-shaped loop system (not shown in this view). The kidney-shaped loop system may include a pump and a filter, and can be operated to pump fluid from tank 214 through the filter and return it to tank 214, so that the kidney-shaped loop serves to clean the fluid inside tank 214.

[0127] Sensors for the bypass valve monitoring system used herein can be mounted at various points along hydraulic system 200. In some embodiments, sensors can be mounted along hydraulic fluid line 226. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be mounted within or on the hydraulic system in areas under vacuum pressure. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be mounted within or on the hydraulic system in areas under basic ambient pressure. In various embodiments, some sensors can be mounted within or on the hydraulic system downstream of and upstream of the filter. It should be understood that sensors for the system (or components thereof) used herein can be mounted upstream or downstream of any fluid filter described herein or at other locations. In various embodiments, at least some of the sensors in the system herein can also be mounted on or within the fluid flow line.

[0128] Now for reference Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the components of a bypass valve monitoring system 104 according to various embodiments herein is shown. The fluid system includes a fluid line 226 and a filter unit 302 arranged to filter fluid flowing through the fluid line 226. The fluid system also includes a bypass passage 304 having a bypass valve 306 for controlling fluid flow through the bypass passage 304.

[0129] The bypass valve monitoring system 104 may include a control unit 314. The control unit 314 may include various components, such as control circuitry and as described below. Figure 7 Other components described. The bypass valve monitoring system 104 also includes a first sensor unit 312, which may include one or more sensing elements. In various embodiments, the first sensor unit 312 is a high-speed sensor. For example, in some embodiments, the sampling rate of the first sensor unit 312 is at least 8,000 Hz. In various embodiments, the first sensor unit 312 is specifically a high-speed pressure sensor. However, in some embodiments, the first sensor unit 312 may include a microphone or a similar sensor.

[0130] The bypass valve monitoring system 104 may further include a second sensor unit, which may include one or more sensing elements. The second sensor unit can measure the filter limiting pressure. In this embodiment, the second sensor unit includes an upstream sensor 308 (upstream of the filter) and a downstream sensor 310 (downstream of the filter). The upstream sensor may include one or more sensing elements, and the downstream sensor may be used to measure the pressure difference indicating the filter limiting pressure. However, in some embodiments, only a single pressure sensor is used to measure the filter limiting pressure, such as when the pressure on one side of the filter is maintained at approximately ambient pressure. In some embodiments, 310 and 308 may be integrated or non-integrated differential pressure sensors. In some embodiments, the functionality of the first sensor unit 312 (e.g., a high-speed pressure sensor) may be integrated with sensor 310 or sensor 308 into a single sensor.

[0131] Now for reference Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a view of pressure signal data according to various embodiments described herein. As can be seen, the filter limiting pressure 400 (or static pressure) varies over time. In this example, the filter limiting pressure 400 over time includes the time span during which the valve is closed (valve closing zone 402). The filter limiting pressure 400 also includes the time span during which the valve is at least partially open (valve opening zone 404). The filter limiting pressure 400 corresponding to the valve opening zone 404 is relatively higher.

[0132] Figure 4 The frequency of the high-speed pressure signal is also shown. As can be seen, the frequency pattern changes corresponding to valve opening. In this example, the frequency pattern associated with valve opening is a multi-band pattern including a concentrated first band 406, a second band 408, and a third band 410. By observing how the frequency pattern changes in relation to observed changes in filter limiting pressure, the system can determine the position of the bypass valve, such as whether the bypass valve has begun to open.

[0133] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system can be configured to recognize changes in the signal pattern of the high-speed pressure signal associated with changes in the filter limit pressure. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system can be configured to recognize changes in the signal pattern of the high-speed pressure signal associated with an increase in the filter limit pressure, wherein such a change indicates that the bypass valve 306 has been at least partially opened.

[0134] In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system can be configured to identify specific signal patterns of high-speed pressure signals. Various techniques can be used to identify specific patterns of high-speed pressure signals. For example, in some embodiments, the system can perform a pattern matching algorithm to match the signal observed from the high-speed pressure signal with a set of template patterns. For example, the pattern or signal template may reflect different valve opening states (fully open, partially open, fully closed, etc.). Pattern matching can be performed by the system using the techniques described below. When a match is found between a pattern or signal template and current sensor data, the system can determine that the state associated with that pattern or signal template reflects the current state of the bypass valve.

[0135] By observing the filter limiting pressure that appears at the start of a mode in which the indicator valve has begun to open, the bypass valve monitoring system can be configured to determine the valve opening pressure (or valve "crack" pressure). Therefore, in various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to determine the valve opening pressure based on the filter limiting pressure detected when the valve is open. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to track changes in the valve opening pressure over time.

[0136] Once the valve opening pressure is determined, the system can use that pressure in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 can be configured to determine that the bypass valve 306 is operating in bypass mode when the filter limiting pressure may be higher than the determined valve opening pressure.

[0137] Now for reference Figure 5 This diagram illustrates a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of the present document. The bypass valve monitoring system includes a control unit 314. The bypass valve monitoring system includes a first sensor unit 312 and a second sensor unit 506 (which may include an upstream sensor and a downstream sensor). The bypass valve monitoring system also includes a CANBus interface 502. Communication between system components and / or external components can be via wired or wireless components. Communication can be unidirectional or bidirectional. In some embodiments, the Bluetooth protocol can be used for wireless communication, but other communication protocols are also contemplated herein.

[0138] The bypass valve monitoring system 104 may also include a temperature sensor 504. Temperature affects the viscosity of a fluid and thus the measured filter limit pressure. For example, during initial startup in a cold environment, the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system will be at a low temperature and exhibit a relatively high viscosity, resulting in a higher filter limit that may be sufficient to at least partially open the bypass valve. In various embodiments, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 may be configured to distinguish between cold-start bypass and filter-load bypass based at least in part on signals from the temperature sensor 504. For example, if the system detects a frequency pattern consistent with bypass valve opening and the temperature is below a threshold, the system may determine that the bypass event is a cold-start bypass. In various embodiments, control circuitry may be configured to train the system to detect valve bypass events using signals from cold-start bypasses.

[0139] Now for reference Figure 6 This document illustrates a schematic diagram of a data communication network 600 according to various embodiments thereof. The data communication network 600 includes a local area 602. A filtration system, including at least some components of a bypass valve and a monitoring system, may be located within the local area 602. The data communication network 600 also includes a data communication tower 620 or antenna, such as a cellular communication tower. Data can be wirelessly exchanged between the monitoring system and various other components or systems, for example, via the data communication tower 620. The data communication network 600 may also include various resources available in or accessible via a cloud 622. For example, the data communication network 600 may include a remote server 624 (real or virtual) accessible via the cloud 622. The data communication network 600 may also include a remote database 626 accessible via the cloud 622. The data communication network 600 may also include a remote computer 628 or terminal for remote user access to the system. It should be understood that the processing operations described herein may be performed at the level of local area 602, cloud 622, remote server 624, etc., or distributed across one or more of the foregoing items.

[0140] Now for reference Figure 7 This diagram illustrates block view of the components of a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments of this document. It should be understood that the various embodiments may include more or fewer components, and this diagram is merely illustrative. A vehicle or device using a bypass valve (not shown in this view) includes a fluid line 226. The monitoring system may include a control unit 314, which includes a housing 702 and control circuitry 704 disposed therein. Control circuitry 704 may include various electronic components, including but not limited to: microprocessors, microcontrollers, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) chips, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processing chips, etc.

[0141] In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a high-speed sensor unit 708 and a high-speed sensor unit channel interface 706. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a filter-limiting pressure sensor unit 712 and a filter-limiting pressure sensor channel interface 710. In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a temperature sensor 504 and a temperature sensor channel interface 714. In some embodiments, the system may include one or more strain sensors or strain sensing elements. These sensors may be configured and mounted on or within a fluid line to detect fluid conditions within the fluid line 226. In some cases, the fluid line 226 may be part of a device such as a pump, valve, or filter housing. In some embodiments, among others, the fluid line 226 may include a hydraulic fluid conduit, a lubricating oil conduit, a brake fluid conduit, a refrigerant fluid conduit, a fuel supply conduit, a water conduit, an air conduit, or another type of gas conduit.

[0142] Channel interfaces can include various components such as amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), digital signal processors (DSPs), and filters (high-pass, low-pass, band-pass). In some cases, channel interfaces may not exist as discrete components but can be integrated into the control circuit 704.

[0143] The processing power of control circuit 704 and its components is sufficient to perform a variety of operations, including various operations on signals / data from sensors (such as sensors 708, 712, and 504), including but not limited to: averaging, time-based averaging, statistical analysis, normalization, aggregation, classification, deletion, traversal, transformation, squeezing (e.g., eliminating selected data and / or converting data into a smaller granular form), compression (e.g., using compression algorithms), merging, insertion, timestamping, filtering, discarding outliers, calculating trends and trend lines (linear, logarithmic, polynomial, power, exponential, moving average, etc.), normalizing data / signals, etc. Fourier analysis can decompose a physical signal into a spectrum of multiple discrete frequencies or a continuous range. In various embodiments herein, operations on signals / data may include a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for converting data / signals from the time domain to the frequency domain. Other operations on signals / data may include spectral estimation, frequency domain analysis, and processing of root mean square acceleration values ​​(G). RMS The calculations include those for acceleration spectral density, power spectral density, Fourier series, Z-transform, resonant frequency determination, and harmonic frequency determination. It should be understood that while the various operations described herein (such as the Fast Fourier Transform) can be performed by a general-purpose microprocessor, they can also be performed more efficiently by a digital signal processor (DSP), which in some embodiments may be integrated with the control circuitry 704 or may exist as a separate discrete component.

[0144] The normalization operation performed by control circuitry 704 may include, but is not limited to, adjusting one or more values ​​based on another value or another set of values. In some embodiments herein, the normalization operation may specifically include normalizing the pressure sensor signal based on the pump operating speed or the operating speed of other equipment. As an example, the pump may have an operating frequency (speed). Characteristically, the system's pressure sensor may pick up a significant amount of vibration at or near the pump's operating frequency. Thus, normalizing the data / signal from the vibration sensor may include removing, eliminating, attenuating, or otherwise taking into account the contribution to the pressure oscillation frequency spectrum provided by the operating frequency of the pump or other equipment. In some cases, this may include reducing the pressure signal or otherwise not using the pressure signal at or near the operating speed of the pump or other equipment. In some cases, this may include reducing the pressure signal or otherwise not using the pressure signal within a band that includes the operating speed of the pump or other equipment. In some cases, this may include reducing the pressure signal or otherwise not using the pressure signal within a series of bands that include the operating speed of the pump or other equipment and at other frequencies representing the harmonic frequency of the operating speed of the pump or other equipment.

[0145] In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a power supply circuit 722. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit 722 may include various components, including but not limited to a battery 724, a capacitor, a power receiver such as a wireless power receiver, a transformer, a rectifier, etc.

[0146] In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include an output device 726. The output device 726 may include various components for visual and / or audio output, including but not limited to lights (such as LED lights), displays, speakers, etc. In some embodiments, the output device may be used to provide notifications or alerts to system users, such as current system status, problem indications, required user intervention, appropriate time to perform maintenance actions, etc.

[0147] In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include memory 728 and / or a memory controller. The memory may include various types of memory components, including dynamic RAM (D-RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static RAM (S-RAM), disk storage, flash memory, EEPROM, battery-powered RAM (such as S-RAM or D-RAM), and any other type of digital data storage component. In some embodiments, the electronic circuitry or electronic component includes volatile memory. In some embodiments, the electronic circuitry or electronic component includes non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, the electronic circuitry or electronic component may include transistors interconnected to operate as latches or triggers to provide positive feedback, thereby giving the circuit two or more metastable states and maintaining it in one of these states until changed by an external input. Data storage may be based on such circuitry containing triggers. Data storage may also be based on charge storage in a capacitor or on other principles. In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory 728 may be integrated with control circuitry 704.

[0148] In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include a clock circuit 730. In some embodiments, the clock circuit 730 may be integrated with the control circuit 704. Although not explicitly stated... Figure 7 As shown herein, but it should be understood that various embodiments herein may include a data / communication bus to provide, for example, I 2 C. Data transmission between components such as Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) and Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART). In some embodiments, an analog signal interface may be included. In some embodiments, a digital signal interface may be included.

[0149] In various embodiments, the monitoring system may include communication circuitry 732. In various embodiments, the communication circuitry may include components such as an antenna 734, an amplifier, a filter, a digital-to-analog converter, and / or an analog-to-digital converter. In some embodiments, the monitoring system may also include a wired input / output interface 736 for wired communication with other systems / components, including but not limited to vehicle ECUs, CANBUS networks (Controller Area Networks), etc.

[0150] The pressure sensor described herein can be of various types. Pressure sensors may include, but are not limited to, strain sensors, strain gauge pressure sensors, capacitive pressure sensors, piezoelectric pressure sensors, etc. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor described herein may be a MEMS-based pressure sensor.

[0151] In various embodiments, the high-speed sensor unit 708 may include a high-speed (e.g., high sampling rate) pressure sensor. In various embodiments, the high-speed pressure sensor may sample at a rate of 1,000 Hz, 1,500 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 2,500 Hz, 3,000 Hz, 5,000 Hz, 8,000 Hz, 10,000 Hz, 15,000 Hz, 20,000 Hz or higher, or at a rate falling within any of the foregoing ranges. In various embodiments, the high-speed pressure sensor may have a response time of less than 10 milliseconds, 5 milliseconds, 2.5 milliseconds, 1 millisecond, 0.5 milliseconds, 0.25 milliseconds, 0.1 milliseconds, 0.05 milliseconds, or 0.01 milliseconds, or a response time falling within any of the foregoing ranges.

[0152] In some embodiments, the high-speed pressure sensor may be an acoustic transducer, such as a microphone. The microphone may include, but is not limited to, a capacitor microphone (including a diaphragm capacitor), a ribbon microphone, a dynamic microphone (including an induction coil), etc.

[0153] The temperature sensor described herein can be of various types. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 504 can be a thermistor, a resistance temperature device (RTD), a thermocouple, a semiconductor temperature sensor, etc.

[0154] It should be understood that the sensors described herein can include those that are inserted into a fluid line to make direct contact with the fluid within the fluid line (e.g., direct contact sensors) and those that can be mounted on a fluid line but do not require insertion into the fluid line or direct contact with the fluid (e.g., non-contact, indirect, or non-invasive sensors). While not intended to be theoretically constrained, sensors mounted on a fluid line that do not require insertion into the fluid line can be more easily installed, particularly in retrofit scenarios.

[0155] Now for reference Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a sensor 802 connected to a fluid line 226 according to various embodiments herein is shown. As can be seen, a portion 804 of the sensor 802 enters the fluid line 226. In contrast, reference is now made to... Figure 9This document illustrates a schematic diagram of a sensor 902 disposed on a fluid line 226 according to various embodiments thereof. In this example, the sensor 902 is disposed only on the exterior of the fluid line 226. The sensor 902 (and / or its various sensing elements) may be applied directly to the fluid line 226 (and thus separately from other sensors or system components) and / or take the form of a pad, sleeve, winding, etc. The winding may take the form of a loop configuration, wherein the end of the winding is located along the fluid line at the same axial (or longitudinal) position as the starting point of the winding. The winding may also take the form of a helical configuration, wherein the end of the winding is located along the fluid line at a different axial position than the starting point of the winding.

[0156] It should be understood that in some cases, indirect sensors collect data from which pressure can be inferred or estimated. In some cases, the system described herein can perform operations to infer or estimate pressure from indirect sensor data. However, in other cases, the system described herein can operate on data from indirect sensors without inference or otherwise converting it into pressure data. For example, the detection of bypass valve opening / valve status can be performed using data from pressure-related sensors (such as strain gauges, strain sensors, or strain sensing elements), but not direct pressure measurement. The strain sensors described herein may include, but are not limited to, piezoelectric, triboelectric, resistive, semiconductor, nanoparticle, fiber optic, other optical, MEMS-based, MOEMS-based, and quartz crystal-based strain sensors / sensing elements.

[0157] In one approach, values ​​from indirect sensors (e.g., strain gauges potentially located outside the fluid pipeline) at both upstream and downstream locations can be collected. The change (Δ value) relative to a baseline value can then be determined, such as the strain change relative to the baseline value (where the fluid pipeline is located). Differential strain can then be calculated by taking the upstream Δ value (e.g., upstream Δ strain) and subtracting the downstream Δ value (e.g., downstream Δ strain).

[0158] Data can be used from indirect sensors (such as strain gauges) and other sensors described herein (such as acoustic or vibration sensors for detecting valve chatter). Figure 11 The data mentioned above and / or data from a temperature sensor (as described in this document) Figure 11 The bypass state is determined in various ways. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the strain sensor(s) and the acoustic or vibration sensor(s) can be two different types of sensors. However, in some embodiments, the strain sensor(s) can be used to detect both strain and acoustic and / or vibration signals.

[0159] In one approach, valve opening can be detected by detecting the pattern of indicator valve flutter in acoustic or vibration signals / data (e.g., using various pattern detection and / or pattern matching techniques, such as those described herein) and correlating it with a specific strain gauge level (wherein the strain gauge level reflects the filter limiting pressure). In some cases, the bypass valve can be considered open when the strain or differential strain level is above a threshold (related to the bypass valve rating) or within a specific range of values ​​consistent with bypass valve opening. Temperature data can then be used to distinguish whether the bypass valve opening is due to a cold start (e.g., at a temperature below a threshold) or due to normal operation.

[0160] In another method, valve opening can be detected by combining the pattern of valve chatter occurrence indicated by acoustic or vibration signals / data with an increase in the aforementioned strain value or differential strain value. Similarly, valve closing can be detected by combining the pattern of valve chatter occurrence indicated by acoustic or vibration signals / data with a decrease in the aforementioned strain value or differential strain value.

[0161] As with various other embodiments described herein, in some cases a single sensor may be used to detect bypass around a specific filter element, while in others two or more sensors may be used. For example, in the context of a high-pressure filter, two sensors may be used, including an upstream sensor and a downstream sensor. However, if the downstream side of the filter is connected to an area with ambient pressure, such as a return line filter, an in-tank return filter, or a suction filter, a single sensor located upstream may be used. Table 1 below illustrates some scenarios where different numbers of sensors may be used depending on the filter location. Table 1 *If the storage tank is at atmospheric pressure, this is not required. **The three-sensor / channel combination may include sensors / sensing elements as described herein (e.g., sensors / sensing elements with pressure / strain sensors / sensing elements, acoustic or vibration sensors / sensing elements (flutter)) and temperature sensors, which are configured to be applied in combination as wound (or other semi-integrated) sensors in fluid lines or configured to be applied individually and / or with other mechanisms.** It should be understood that in some embodiments, fewer than three discrete sensors or sensing elements may be used to detect / measure three different data channels (e.g., measuring pressure, identifying valve flutter, and measuring temperature). For example, a single sensor may be able to measure pressure and identify valve flutter. Thus, the 3-sensor / channel combination herein may refer to measurement using three different sensors or measurement using, for example, two different sensors (e.g., when measuring / identifying pressure and valve flutter using a single sensor). Furthermore, in some cases, a particular sensor (e.g., a pressure / strain sensor) may have multiple sensing elements, such as multiple strain sensing elements.

[0162] Now for reference Figure 10 This document illustrates schematic diagrams of the components of a bypass valve monitoring system according to various embodiments thereof. Figure 10 The system shown is generally similar to Figure 3 The system is described below. Thus, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 is shown together with a fluid system including a fluid line 226 and a filter unit 302 arranged to filter fluid flowing through the fluid line 226. The fluid system also includes a bypass passage 304 having a bypass valve 306 controlling fluid flow through the bypass passage 304. The bypass valve monitoring system 104 includes a control unit 314, which may include various components, such as control circuitry and other components as described elsewhere herein. In this embodiment, a power supply 1002 is also shown, which may be from a vehicle or equipment on or in which the bypass valve monitoring system is mounted.

[0163] In this embodiment, the bypass valve monitoring system 104 includes an upstream sensor 908 (upstream of the filter) and a downstream sensor 910 (downstream of the filter), which can be used to collect signals that can be used to identify bypass events. In some embodiments, the upstream sensor 908 and / or the downstream sensor 910 may be as shown in Table 1 above. Further, as shown in Table 1, depending on the location of the filter, the upstream sensor 908 (e.g., in the case of a suction filter) or the downstream sensor 910 (e.g., in the case of a return filter) may be omitted, but is not necessarily required to be omitted.

[0164] Now for reference Figure 11This diagram illustrates a schematic configuration of a wound sensor according to various embodiments of the present document. In this embodiment, the wound sensor 1102 is configured to be wound around a fluid line. The wound sensor 1102 may include a flexible substrate 1104 and various sensing elements disposed thereon. The flexible substrate 1104 may be formed of a polymer, metal, composite material, etc. The flexible substrate 1104 may be long enough to be adapted to be wound around fluid lines of various sizes. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate 1104 may include an adhesive disposed on its surface (e.g., an inner surface) to secure the wound sensor 1102 to the fluid line. In some embodiments, the wound sensor 1102 may be secured using mechanical mechanisms such as clips, straps, etc.

[0165] In some embodiments, the wound sensor 1102 may include a first pressure sensing element 1106 and a second pressure sensing element 1108. In some cases, each pressure sensing element may generate a signal independently, which may be received and processed by other components of the system as described herein. However, in other embodiments, the wound sensor 1102 may include only a single pressure sensing element, or in some cases may include more than two pressure sensing elements. The pressure sensing element may be of any type previously described for pressure sensors.

[0166] Various other types of sensors may be included within the wound sensor 1102. In some embodiments, the wound sensor 1102 may also include an acoustic or vibration sensor 1110 (such as a microphone or accelerometer). Data / signals from the acoustic or vibration sensor 1110 can be used to detect valve chatter, which may indicate that a bypass valve is open or closed. However, in some embodiments, the sensing of valve chatter may be performed using pressure sensing elements(s), such as strain sensing elements, thus omitting the acoustic or vibration sensor 1110.

[0167] In some embodiments, the wound sensor 1102 may further include a temperature sensing element 1112 (such as a thermistor, resistance temperature detector (RTD), thermocouple, semiconductor or integrated circuit (IC) temperature sensor, etc.). Data / signals from the temperature sensing element 1112 can be used to compensate for temperature effects on pressure sensing elements (such as strain gauge-based sensors). Additionally, fluid temperature affects the opening and closing behavior of bypass valves; therefore, the system can combine valve opening and closing to assess temperature, thereby distinguishing between cold-start bypass events and normal operation bypass events.

[0168] In some embodiments, the sensing elements may be located at different positions (e.g., different radial and / or axial positions relative to the fluid line), such that they capture slightly different data. For example, movement of the fluid line reflecting pressure may be more pronounced, more accurate, or have a better signal-to-noise ratio on one side of the fluid line compared to the other. By including sensing elements at different locations on the winding or sleeve, these sensing elements can generate signals reflecting different parts of the fluid line. The system can then use all the data or select only the data from certain sensing elements (such as those most accurate or most sensitive to fluid pressure and / or changes in fluid pressure). Now refer to Figure 12 This diagram illustrates another embodiment of a wound sensor configuration according to various embodiments herein. In this embodiment, the wound sensor 1202 includes a flexible substrate 1104, a first pressure sensing element 1106, a second pressure sensing element 1108, and a third pressure sensing element 1208. These pressure sensing elements are located in different physical positions. Specifically, with respect to a fluid line, after the wound sensor 1102 is mounted on the fluid line, the pressure sensing elements will be in different radial and axial positions. method

[0169] This document envisions many different methods, including but not limited to methods for manufacturing the systems described herein, methods for using the systems described herein, methods for monitoring bypass valves and / or filtration systems, methods for tracking bypass valves and / or filtration systems, etc. Aspects of system / device operation described at various points herein can be performed as operations of one or more methods according to the various embodiments described herein.

[0170] Furthermore, in various embodiments, the operations and method steps described herein can be performed as part of a computer-implemented method executed by one or more processors of one or more computing devices. In various embodiments, the operations and method steps described herein can be implemented by instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to perform the operations and / or steps.

[0171] Now for reference Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating operation according to various embodiments of this document is shown. Specifically, Figure 13 A method 1300 for detecting the opening of a bypass valve is illustrated. The method 1300 for detecting the opening of a bypass valve may include operation 1302 of recording signals from one or more sensing units. The method 1300 for detecting the opening of a bypass valve may also include operation 1304 of identifying a pattern of high-speed pressure signals that indicates the position of the bypass valve. In some embodiments, the method may include operation of identifying a pattern of high-speed pressure signals that indicates the position of the bypass valve in association with a filter limiting pressure level.

[0172] In some embodiments, the method may further include identifying changes in the signal pattern of the high-speed pressure signal associated with a change in the filter limit pressure. In some embodiments, the method may further include identifying changes in the signal pattern of the high-speed pressure signal associated with an increase in the filter limit pressure, wherein such a change indicates that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

[0173] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining a valve opening pressure. In some embodiments, the method may further include tracking changes in the valve opening pressure over time. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining the valve opening pressure based on a filter limiting pressure detected when valve opening is detected. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining that a bypass valve is operating in bypass mode when the filter limiting pressure is higher than the determined valve opening pressure.

[0174] In some embodiments, the method may further include estimating the remaining filter lifespan based on detected valve opening events. In some embodiments, the method may further include estimating the remaining filter lifespan based on the amount of time a bypass valve is in the open position. In some embodiments, the system may distinguish between cold-start bypass events and normal operation bypass events as described elsewhere herein, and may not include or otherwise consider cold-start bypass events when calculating the remaining filter lifespan. For example, the system may distinguish between cold-start bypass events and normal operation bypass events, and only include normal operation bypass events and / or the amount of time spent in normal operation bypass mode when calculating the remaining filter lifespan.

[0175] In some embodiments, the method may further include distinguishing between cold-start bypass and filter load bypass based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the method may further include using signals from the cold-start bypass to train the system to detect valve bypass events.

[0176] In one embodiment, a method for detecting the opening of a bypass valve is included. This method includes recording signals from a sensing unit, wherein these signals may include signals reflecting acoustic and / or vibration and signals reflecting strain. The method may further include identifying patterns of valve flutter associated with the acoustic and / or vibration signals, and then using relevant strain values ​​from the strain-reflecting signals to determine the bypass valve's opening state.

[0177] In an embodiment, the method may further include identifying changes in signal patterns that reflect acoustic and / or vibrational signals and are associated with changes in strain values.

[0178] In an embodiment, the method may further include identifying changes in signal patterns that reflect acoustic and / or vibrational signals associated with an increase in strain value, wherein such changes indicate that a bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

[0179] In an embodiment, the method may further include determining that the bypass valve is operating in bypass mode when a signal from an acoustic or vibration sensor is consistent with valve chatter and the strain value is above a threshold.

[0180] In an embodiment, the method may further include distinguishing between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor.

[0181] In an embodiment, the method may further include estimating the remaining lifespan of the filter based on detected normal operation bypass events.

[0182] In an embodiment, the method may further include estimating the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position during a normal operation bypass event.

[0183] In an embodiment of the method, the sensing unit includes a first sensing element for generating a signal reflecting acoustics and / or vibration and a second sensing element for generating a signal reflecting strain.

[0184] In one embodiment, the method may further include wrapping a sensing unit around a fluid line. In another embodiment, the sensing unit includes a sensing element that does not directly contact the fluid within the fluid line. Pattern / template generation and pattern matching

[0185] It should be understood that, in the various embodiments described herein, the system can be used to detect one or more patterns of signals (such as high-speed pressure signals) indicating the state of a bypass valve and / or patterns of signals (such as acoustic or vibration signals) indicating valve chatter. Such patterns can be detected in various ways. Some techniques are described elsewhere in this document, but some further examples will be described here.

[0186] In various embodiments, the system can be configured to detect bypass valve events or states. In some embodiments, bypass valve events or states can be identified based on identifying or matching characteristic patterns from data from pressure sensors, microphones, and / or other sensors. For example, a “positive” pattern of sensor data associated with a particular bypass valve event or state can be stored by the system, and current sensor data can be periodically matched against this pattern. If a match exceeding a threshold is found, the operational event or state can be considered to have occurred. As another example, a “negative” pattern of sensor data associated with a particular operational event or state can be stored by the system, and current data can be periodically matched against this pattern. Similarly, positive and / or negative patterns can be used to identify valve chatter.

[0187] In some embodiments, one or more sensors (such as strain sensors, pressure sensors, microphones, etc.) may be operatively connected to a controller (e.g., Figure 7 The control circuit 704 described herein or another processing resource (such as a processor in another device or a processing resource in the cloud). The control circuit 704 or other processing resource may be adapted to receive data representing the state of the bypass valve from one or more sensors and / or determine system statistics based on data received from the sensors(s)(s)(s)(s)) over a monitoring period. As used herein, the term “data” can include a single data point or multiple data values ​​or statistics. The term “statistics” can include any appropriate mathematical calculation or measure relative to the interpretation of the data, such as probability, confidence interval, distribution, range, etc. Further, as used herein, the term “monitoring period” means a period of time during which signal data is measured and statistics are determined. The monitoring period can be any suitable time length, such as 1 second, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc., or a range of time between any of the aforementioned periods.

[0188] Any suitable technique or one or more can be used to determine statistical information from various data from sensors, such as direct statistical analysis of time-series data from sensors, differential statistics, comparison with a baseline, or statistical models of similar data. This technique can be general or system-specific and represents long-term or short-term operational behavior. These techniques can include standard pattern classification methods (such as Gaussian mixture models, clustering, and Bayesian methods), machine learning methods (such as neural network models and deep learning), and / or combinations of at least two techniques.

[0189] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the controller or control circuit 704 may be adapted to compare data, data characteristics, and / or statistics with various other patterns, which may be predetermined or start patterns (baseline patterns), based on the type or model of the filtration system, one or more predetermined patterns (positive example patterns) that act as indicators of an event or state in which a bypass valve occurs, one or more predetermined patterns (negative example patterns) that act as indicators of the absence of an operational event or state. As an example only, if the similarity of a detected bypass valve pattern to a particular positive example pattern exceeds a threshold or is substantially similar to that pattern, wherein the pattern is specific to an event or state in which a bypass valve occurs and / or a pattern of valve flutter, this can be used as an indication that an event or state in which a bypass valve has occurred and / or that valve flutter has occurred.

[0190] Similarity and dissimilarity can be measured directly through standard statistical measures (such as normalized Z-scores) or multidimensional distance measures of similarity (e.g., Mahalanobis distance or Bachauer distance measures), or by modeling the similarity of data and using machine learning. These techniques can include standard pattern classification methods (such as Gaussian mixture models, clustering, and Bayesian methods), neural network models and deep learning, and / or combinations of at least two techniques.

[0191] As used herein, the term "substantially similar" means that, when compared, the sensor data are consistent or have statistical information conforming to the same statistical model, each with an acceptable level of confidence. The acceptability threshold of the confidence statistics can vary depending on the filtering system, the (multiple) sensors, the sensor arrangement, the data type, the context, the conditions, etc.

[0192] Statistical information associated with the status of the bypass valve during the monitoring period can be determined by utilizing any suitable one or more techniques, such as standard pattern classification methods (e.g., Gaussian mixture models, clustering, hidden Markov models, and Bayesian methods), neural network models and deep learning, and / or combinations of at least two techniques.

[0193] Various embodiments of this document specifically include the application of machine learning classification models. In various embodiments, the system apparatus can be configured to periodically update the machine learning classification model based on indications of specific bypass valve events and / or valve chatter. In some embodiments, user input can be used to affirmatively identify specific events, and this information can then be used as part of a supervised machine learning method to affirmatively characterize patterns associated with specific bypass valve events or states or valve chatter. For example, if a bypass valve has opened, the user can input this information into the system, and then data corresponding to the valve's opening in time can be processed to generate patterns indicating valve opening and / or valve chatter.

[0194] In some embodiments, a training dataset can be used to generate a machine learning classification model. Input data may include strain data, pressure data, microarray data, temperature, and / or data labeled / tagged with binary and / or non-binary classifications as described herein, based on specific bypass valve operating states, operating events, and / or valve flutter. Binary classification methods can utilize various techniques, including but not limited to logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors, decision trees, support vector machines, Naive Bayes techniques, etc. Multi-class classification methods (e.g., non-binary classification for stress) may include k-nearest neighbors, decision trees, Naive Bayes methods, random forest methods, gradient boosting methods, and others.

[0195] It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural objects mentioned, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be noted that, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “or” generally includes the meaning of “and / or.”

[0196] It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “configured as” describes a system, apparatus or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or employ a particular configuration. The phrase “configured as” may be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as “arranged and configured as,” “constructed and arranged as,” “constructed to,” “manufactured and arranged as,” etc.

[0197] All publications and patent applications in this specification demonstrate the skill of one ordinary person in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that each individual publication or patent application is expressly and individually indicated by reference.

[0198] As used herein, endpoint references to numerical ranges should include all values ​​included within that range (e.g., 2 to 8 includes 2.1, 2.8, 5.3, 7, etc.).

[0199] The headings used herein are provided to align with the recommendations under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise provide organizational clues. These headings should not be construed as limiting or characterizing any invention(s) set forth in any of the claims that may be published in this disclosure. As an example, although the heading refers to the “technical field,” such claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Furthermore, the description of the technology in the “Background Art” section does not acknowledge that the technology is prior art to any of the invention(s) in this disclosure. Nor should the term “Summary of the Invention” be construed as characterizing any of the invention(s) set forth in the published claims.

[0200] The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments were chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can understand and comprehend the principles and practices. Thus, aspects have been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of this document.

Claims

1. A bypass valve monitoring system, comprising: Control circuit; as well as Sensing unit; The sensing unit generates a signal reflecting high-speed pressure and a signal reflecting filter-limiting pressure. The sensing unit communicates electronically with the control circuit; the bypass valve monitoring system is configured as follows: Record the signal from the sensing unit; and Identify the pattern of the bypass valve position that is associated with the filter limit pressure level and reflects the high-speed pressure signal.

2. The bypass valve monitoring system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the position of the bypass valve includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: fully open, partially open, and fully closed.

3. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 2 and 4 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to identify changes in the pattern of the signal reflecting high-speed pressure that is associated with changes in the filter limit pressure.

4. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to identify changes in the pattern of the signal reflecting high-speed pressure that are associated with an increase in filter limiting pressure, wherein such changes indicate that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

5. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 33, wherein the mode includes a frequency mode.

6. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 33, wherein the mode includes a multi-band frequency mode.

7. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to determine the valve opening pressure.

8. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 and 9 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to determine that the bypass valve is operating in bypass mode when the filter limiting pressure is higher than a determined valve opening pressure.

9. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to track the change in valve opening pressure over time.

10. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to determine the valve opening pressure based on the filter limit pressure when valve opening is detected.

11. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position.

12. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and 13 to 33, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein, The temperature sensor communicates electronically with the control circuit, and / or the bypass valve monitoring system is configured to receive a signal reflecting the temperature.

13. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and 14 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to distinguish between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events, at least in part, based on signals from the temperature sensor or received signals reflecting temperature.

14. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and 15 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to use signals from cold-start bypass to train the system to detect valve bypass events.

15. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and 16 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on normal operation bypass events.

16. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and 17 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on detected valve opening events.

17. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and 18 to 33, wherein, The sensing unit includes a pressure sensor that generates both a signal reflecting high-speed pressure and a signal reflecting filter-limited pressure.

18. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and 19 to 33, wherein, At least a portion of the sensing unit is configured to be in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid pipeline.

19. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and 20 to 33, wherein, The sensing unit is configured to be installed on the fluid line but not in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

20. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and 21 to 33, wherein, The sensing unit is configured to be wound around a fluid line.

21. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 20 and 22 to 33, wherein the sensing unit comprises a flexible substrate.

22. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 21 and 23 to 33, wherein the sensing unit further comprises two or more sensing elements, wherein, The two or more sensing elements are disposed on the flexible substrate.

23. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 22 and 24 to 33, wherein, The two or more sensing elements are positioned at different axial and / or radial locations along the fluid pipeline.

24. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 23 and 25 to 33, wherein the sensing unit comprises: A first sensor, wherein the first sensor generates the signal reflecting high-speed pressure; and The second sensor generates the signal reflecting the filter's limiting pressure.

25. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 24 and 26 to 33, wherein the first sensor comprises a pressure sensor, wherein, The sampling rate of the pressure sensor is at least 8,000 Hz.

26. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 25 and 27 to 33, wherein the first sensor includes a microphone.

27. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 26 and 28 to 33, wherein the second sensor comprises a differential pressure sensor.

28. The bypass valve monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 27 and 29 to 33, wherein the second sensor comprises a first pressure sensing element located on one side of the filter element and a second pressure sensing element located on the other side of the filter element.

29. The bypass valve monitoring system of any one of claims 1 to 28 and 30 to 33, wherein the second sensor comprises a first pressure sensing element located upstream of the filter element and a second pressure sensing element located downstream of the filter element.

30. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 29 and 31 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is a liquid filtration bypass valve monitoring system.

31. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 30 and 32 to 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is a hydraulic fluid filtration bypass valve monitoring system.

32. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 31 and 33, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is a gas filter bypass valve monitoring system.

33. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is an air filter bypass valve monitoring system.

34. A method for detecting the opening of a bypass valve, the method comprising: Record signals from the sensing unit, the signals including Signals reflecting high-speed pressure; as well as The signal reflects the filter's pressure limit; as well as Identify patterns that indicate the location of the bypass valve and are associated with the filter's pressure limit level.

35. The method of any one of claims 34 and 36 to 44, further comprising identifying changes in the signal pattern of the signal reflecting high-speed pressure that are associated with changes in filter-limiting pressure.

36. The method of any one of claims 34 to 35 and 37 to 44, further comprising identifying changes in the signal pattern of the signal reflecting the high-speed pressure that are associated with an increase in the filter limiting pressure, wherein, This change indicates that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

37. The method of any one of claims 34 to 36 and 38 to 44, further comprising determining the valve opening pressure.

38. The method of any one of claims 34 to 37 and 39 to 44, further comprising determining that the bypass valve is operating in bypass mode when the filter limiting pressure is higher than the determined valve opening pressure.

39. The method of any one of claims 34 to 38 and 40 to 44, further comprising tracking the change in valve opening pressure over time.

40. The method of any one of claims 34 to 39 and 41 to 44, further comprising determining the valve opening pressure based on the filter limiting pressure when valve opening is detected.

41. The method of any one of claims 34 to 40 and 42 to 44, further comprising distinguishing between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor.

42. The method of any one of claims 34 to 41 and 43 to 44, further comprising estimating the remaining lifespan of the filter based on detected normal operation bypass events.

43. The method of any one of claims 34 to 42 and 44, further comprising estimating the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position during a normal operation bypass event.

44. The method of any one of claims 34 to 43, further comprising using a signal from a cold start bypass to train the system to detect a valve bypass event.

45. A bypass valve monitoring system, comprising: Control circuit; A first pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure sensor is in electronic communication with the control circuit; and Second pressure sensor; The second pressure sensor communicates electronically with the control circuit. The second pressure sensor is disposed on the flow side of the valve being monitored, opposite to the first pressure sensor. The bypass valve monitoring system is configured as follows: The time-domain pressure difference is evaluated based on the signals from the two pressure sensors; and The mode that indicates the time-domain pressure difference has been at least partially opened is identified.

46. ​​The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 and 47 to 59, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to identify patterns of pressure change associated with the time-domain pressure difference that indicate the bypass valve is at least partially open.

47. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 46 and 48 to 59, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to identify changes in the time-domain differential pressure signal pattern that occur as the differential pressure increases, wherein such changes indicate that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

48. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 47 and 49 to 59, wherein the mode includes a frequency domain mode.

49. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 48 and 50 to 59, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the bypass valve opening pressure.

50. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 45 to 49 and 51 to 59, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein, The temperature sensor communicates electronically with the control circuit, and / or the bypass valve monitoring system is configured to receive a signal reflecting the temperature.

51. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 45 to 50 and 52 to 59, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to distinguish between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events, at least in part, based on signals from the temperature sensor or received signals reflecting temperature.

52. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 45 to 51 and 53 to 59, wherein, The control circuit is configured to train the system to detect valve bypass events using signals from cold start bypass events.

53. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 45 to 52 and 54 to 59, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on normal operation bypass events.

54. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 45 to 53 and 55 to 59, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position during a normal operation bypass event.

55. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 54 and 56 to 59, wherein, The sampling rate of the first pressure sensor is at least 8,000 Hz.

56. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 55 and 57 to 59, wherein, The sampling rate of the second pressure sensor is at least 8,000 Hz.

57. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 56 and 58 to 59, wherein, At least a portion of the first pressure sensor or the second pressure sensor is configured to be in direct contact with fluid inside the fluid line.

58. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 57 and 59, wherein, The first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are configured to be mounted on the fluid line but not in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

59. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 45 to 58, wherein, The first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are configured to be mounted on a flexible substrate and wound around a fluid line.

60. A bypass valve monitoring system, comprising: Control circuit; as well as Sensing unit; The sensing unit communicates electronically with the control circuit. The sensing unit generates signals reflecting acoustics and / or vibrations and signals reflecting strain. The bypass valve monitoring system is configured as follows: Record the signal from the sensing unit; and Identify the valve flutter patterns associated with the signals reflecting acoustics and / or vibrations, and then use the relevant strain values ​​in the signals reflecting strain to determine the bypass valve opening state.

61. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 60 and 62 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to identify strain-related patterns of valve flutter that reflect acoustic and / or vibration signals.

62. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 61 and 63 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to identify patterns of valve flutter associated with increased strain, which reflect acoustic and / or vibrational signals, indicating that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

63. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 62 and 64 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position.

64. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 63 and 65 to 82, wherein the sensing unit includes a temperature sensor, wherein, The temperature sensor communicates electronically with the control circuit, and / or the bypass valve monitoring system is configured to receive a signal reflecting the temperature.

65. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 64 and 66 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to distinguish between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events, at least in part, based on signals from the temperature sensor or received signals reflecting temperature.

66. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 60 to 65 and 67 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on normal operation bypass events.

67. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 66 and 68 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is configured to estimate the remaining service life of the filter based on detected valve opening events.

68. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 60 to 67 and 69 to 82, wherein, The sensing unit includes a strain sensing element that generates the signal reflecting the strain.

69. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 60 to 68 and 70 to 82, wherein, The sensing unit includes a strain sensing element that generates both the signal reflecting strain and the signal reflecting acoustics and / or vibration.

70. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 69 and 71 to 82, wherein, The sensing unit includes a first strain sensing element and a second strain sensing element that generate the signal reflecting the strain.

71. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 70 and 72 to 82, wherein, The strain signal reflects the differential strain at two points along the fluid pipeline.

72. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 71 and 73 to 82, wherein, The sensing unit includes an acoustic and / or vibration sensing element that generates the signal reflecting acoustic and / or vibration.

73. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 72 and 74 to 82, wherein, At least a portion of the sensing unit is configured to be in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid pipeline.

74. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 73 and 75 to 82, wherein, The sensing unit is configured to be installed on the fluid line but not in direct contact with the fluid inside the fluid line.

75. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 74 and 76 to 82, wherein, At least a portion of the sensing unit is configured to be wound around a fluid line.

76. The bypass valve monitoring system of any one of claims 60 to 75 and 77 to 82, wherein the sensing unit comprises a flexible substrate.

77. The bypass valve monitoring system of any one of claims 60 to 76 and 78 to 82, wherein the sensing unit further comprises two or more sensing elements, wherein, The two or more sensing elements are disposed on the flexible substrate.

78. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 77 and 79 to 82, wherein, The two or more sensing elements are positioned at different axial and / or radial locations along the fluid pipeline.

79. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 78 and 80 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is a liquid filtration bypass valve monitoring system.

80. The bypass valve monitoring system according to any one of claims 60 to 79 and 81 to 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is a hydraulic fluid filtration bypass valve monitoring system.

81. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 60 to 80 and 82, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is a gas filter bypass valve monitoring system.

82. The bypass valve monitoring system as described in any one of claims 60 to 81, wherein, The bypass valve monitoring system is an air filter bypass valve monitoring system.

83. A method for detecting the opening of a bypass valve, the method comprising: Record signals from the sensing unit, the signals including Signals reflecting acoustics and / or vibrations; as well as Signals reflecting strain; as well as Identify the valve flutter patterns associated with the signals reflecting acoustics and / or vibrations, and then use the relevant strain values ​​in the signals reflecting strain to determine the bypass valve opening state.

84. The method of any one of claims 83 and 85 to 92, further comprising identifying changes in the signal pattern of the signal reflecting acoustic and / or vibration values ​​associated with changes in strain values.

85. The method of any one of claims 83 to 84 and 86 to 92, further comprising identifying changes in the signal pattern of the signal reflecting acoustic and / or vibration values ​​associated with an increase in strain value, wherein, This change indicates that the bypass valve has been at least partially opened.

86. The method of any one of claims 83 to 85 and 87 to 92, further comprising determining that the bypass valve is operating in bypass mode when a signal from an acoustic or vibration sensor is consistent with valve chatter and the strain value is above a threshold.

87. The method of any one of claims 83 to 86 and 88 to 92, further comprising distinguishing between cold start bypass events and normal operation bypass events based at least in part on signals from a temperature sensor.

88. The method of any one of claims 83 to 87 and 89 to 92, further comprising estimating the remaining lifespan of the filter based on detected normal operation bypass events.

89. The method of any one of claims 83 to 88 and 90 to 92, further comprising estimating the remaining service life of the filter based on the amount of time the bypass valve is in the open position during a normal operation bypass event.

90. The method according to any one of claims 83 to 89 and 91 to 92, wherein, The sensing unit includes a first sensing element for generating the signal reflecting acoustics and / or vibration and a second sensing element for generating the signal reflecting strain.

91. The method of any one of claims 83 to 90 and 92, further comprising winding the sensing unit around a fluid line.

92. The method according to any one of claims 83 to 91, wherein, The sensing unit includes sensing elements that do not directly contact the fluid within the fluid pipeline.

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