GB2572600A

GB2572600A - Filtration apparatus monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2572600A
Application number: GB1805591.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Baker Simon
Original assignee: FILTERMIST INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Current assignee: FILTERMIST INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-05
Filing date: 2018-04-05
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Also published as: GB201805591D0

Abstract

A monitoring method for monitoring an operating state of a filtration apparatus, wherein the monitoring method comprises sensing air flow through the filtration apparatus, and also comprises any one or both of sensing temperature of the filtration apparatus or sensing vibration of the filtration apparatus. Also disclosed is a filtration apparatus monitoring system arranged to monitor an operating state of a filtration apparatus, wherein the monitoring system comprises an air flow sensor 22 arranged to sense air flow through the filtration apparatus and a controller 16 arranged to communicate with the sensor. Preferably the filtration apparatus also comprises any one or both of a temperature sensor 24 arranged to sense temperature of the filtration apparatus or a vibration sensor 26 arranged to sense vibration of the filtration apparatus. The method and apparatus may be used to monitor an oil mist filtration apparatus in order to indicate servicing of the apparatus.

Description

Filtration apparatus monitoring system

Field

This specification relates to a filtration apparatus monitoring system. Particularly, but not exclusively, this specification relates to a monitoring system for monitoring liquid filtration apparatus, e.g. oil mist filtration apparatus.

Background

Filtration apparatus such as air filters and associated separator apparatus are commonly employed for cleaning air containing oil mist. Oil mist is an atomized amount of oil carried or suspended in a volume of air. Oil mist may form, for example, when high pressure fuel oil, lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, or other oil is sprayed through a narrow crack, or when leaked oil connects with a high temperature surface, vaporizes and comes in contact with low air temperature. It may be used, or formed, in a wide variety of manufacturing environments and then needs to be filtered to separate the oil droplets from the air to produce clean air which can be released to the environment once more. Such filtration apparatus can also be used to filter other particles from air.

In order to carry out filtration of the oil mist, a centrifugal separator can be used. The centrifugal separator may be used individually or in combination with an air filter having a medium for separating droplets that are too small to be removed by the centrifugal separator.

The centrifugal separator unit uses the principle of centrifugal impaction where a perforated drum is rotated at high speed with oil mist being sucked into the unit from the bottom. The oil mist gets impacted by vanes of the drum at high velocity which forces small droplets to collide and coalesce. The oil droplets then get thrown against the inner side of outer casing by the centrifugal force. The droplets are then forced up the walls of the housing to return to the oil store. Air with a reduced oil content then flows out from the top of the unit. The air can then either pass through an additional air filter to remove smaller droplets or, if enough filtration of the air has occurred, it can be directly released to the environment.

As an example, GB2526789 discloses a filtration apparatus. This monitoring system disclosed herein can be used with a variety of filtration systems, for example, of the type discussed above.

Monitoring systems, which monitor air flow through such filtration units, are known. Such a monitoring system may include a built-in timer that indicates when the unit is approaching a specified amount of use (e.g. 1000 hours, 2000 hours etc.) so that a service can be arranged, for example.

It is a non-exclusive object of this specification to provide an improved monitoring system.

Summary

There is provided a filtration apparatus monitoring system arranged to monitor an operating state of a filtration apparatus, wherein the monitoring system comprises an air flow sensor arranged to sense air flow through the filtration apparatus, and also comprises any one or both of:

a. a temperature sensor arranged to sense temperature of the filtration apparatus; or

b. a vibration sensor arranged to sense vibration of the filtration apparatus;

and the monitoring system further comprises a controller arranged to communicate with each sensor.

The monitoring system may comprise a timer arranged to measure use time of the filtration apparatus.

The controller may be arranged to communicate with the timer to monitor signals therefrom.

The monitoring system may further comprise a memory in communication with the controller.

The controller may be arranged to compare a sensed temperature value to a threshold temperature value. Optionally the threshold temperature value may be stored in the memory.

The controller may be arranged to compare a sensed vibration value to a threshold vibration value. Optionally the threshold vibration value may be stored in the memory.

The controller may be arranged to compare a sensed air flow value to a threshold air flow value. Optionally the threshold vibration value may be stored in the memory.

The controller may be arranged to compare a timer value to a threshold time value. Optionally the threshold vibration value may be stored in the memory.

The monitoring system may further comprise a sensor unit containing the temperature sensor or the vibration sensor or both, the sensor unit further comprising attachment means, such as a bolt or screw, arranged to attach the sensor unit to the filtration apparatus, and wherein the temperature or vibration or both is/are sensed through the attachment means.

The attachment means may be arranged to attach the sensor unit to a motor of the filtration apparatus.

The sensor unit may comprise a sensor wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver, in communication with the or each of the temperature sensor and the vibration sensor and the sensor wireless transceiver may be arranged to communicate wirelessly with the controller.

The air flow sensor may be arranged to communicate with a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, the first pressure sensor being arranged to sense pressure in an upstream region of the filtration apparatus and the second pressure sensor being arranged to sense pressure in an downstream region of the filtration apparatus, wherein the sensed air flow value is based upon the difference between upstream and downstream sensed pressure values.

The upstream region may be within a body of the filtration apparatus and the downstream region may be external to said body.

The monitoring system may further comprise a display arranged to display indicia indicative of the operating state.

The display may comprise air flow indicia for indicating a state of the air flow through the filtration apparatus.

The display may comprise temperature indicia for indicating a state of the temperature of the filtration apparatus.

The display may comprise vibration indicia for indicating a state of the vibration of the filtration apparatus.

The display may comprise use time indicia for indicating a state of the use time of the filtration apparatus.

The monitoring system may further comprise a control unit containing the controller, the memory, the display and the airflow sensor.

The control unit may further comprise a controller wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver, in communication with the controller and the controller wireless transceiver may be arranged to communicate wirelessly with the sensor wireless transceiver.

The controller may be arranged to communicate with the filtration system, such as via a cable connection, in order to control operation of the filtration system in response to one or more of the sensed values or the use timer value. Optionally the controller may be arranged to instruct the filtration system to cease operation, such as by stopping the motor, if one or more of the sensed or timer values reaches a limit threshold value.

The, any or each threshold value may be user configurable, for example, via an application executed on a mobile user device, which may be able to securely communicate with the controller.

The monitoring system may be calibrated by, in use, instructing the controller to obtain one or more datum values when the system is functioning as desired, and setting one or more threshold values based on the datum values.

There is also provided a monitored filtration system comprising a filtration apparatus and a filtration apparatus monitoring system described above.

There is also provided a monitoring method for monitoring an operating state of a filtration apparatus, wherein the monitoring method comprises sensing air flow through the filtration apparatus, and also comprises any one or both of:

a. sensing temperature of the filtration apparatus; or

b. sensing vibration of the filtration apparatus.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 (not to scale) schematically shows a filtration apparatus and a monitoring system according to one embodiment;

Figures 2a and 2b show a control unit of another of the embodiment;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show a sensor unit of another embodiment; and

Figure 4 shows the sensor unit of Figures 3a, 3b and 3c attached to a motor of a filtration apparatus.

Detailed description of embodiments

Referring to figure 1, there is schematically shown a filtration apparatus 2 and a filtration apparatus monitoring system 4. The filtration apparatus 2 is arranged to filter oil mist emitted by a machine 6. The machine 6 is in a closed environment such that all polluted air surrounding the machine 6 is passed through the filtration apparatus 2 before being allowed to reach the outside environment. The filtration apparatus 2 is of the type described in the background section. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the machine 6 may emit a different type of polluted air and the filtration apparatus 2 may be of a different type. For example, the filtration apparatus may be arranged to filter steam, dirty steam, or smoke from air.

Arrows 8 show a direction of airflow through the filtration apparatus 2 from the machine 6 to the outside environment. As described in the background section, the air released to the outside environment is cleaner than the air taken into the filtration apparatus 2. The filtration apparatus 2 may be of the type having a centrifugal separator comprising a perforated drum that is rotated at high speed. The filtration apparatus 2 may include a motor 10 arranged to drive rotation of the drum (not shown).

The filtration apparatus monitoring system 4, according to some embodiments, as shown in figure 1 comprises a control unit 12 and a sensor unit 14.

The control unit 12 may comprise a controller 16, a memory 18 and a display

20. The memory 18 is, in some embodiments, arranged to store instructions that are executable by the controller 16.

The control unit 12 also comprises an airflow sensor 22 arranged to sense air flow through the filtration apparatus 2, and may also comprise a timer 28 arranged to measure use time of the filtration apparatus. In some embodiments, the monitoring system does not include the timer.

The sensor unit 14 comprises may comprise the temperature sensor 24 arranged to sense temperature of the filtration apparatus 2. The sensor unit 14 may further comprise the vibration sensor 26 arranged to sense vibration of the filtration apparatus 2. The contents of the control unit 12 may be provided in a single housing. The contents of the sensor unit 14 may be provided in a single housing. Conveniently, the sensor unit may be mounted easily on or near the filtration apparatus as described in further detail below. Conveniently, the control unit may be mounted remotely from the sensor unit.

The controller 16 is arranged to communicate with each sensor 22, 24, 26 and optionally with the timer 28. In some embodiments, the monitoring system will comprise only the airflow sensor and one of a temperature sensor or a vibration sensor. A monitoring system comprising a temperature sensor but not a vibration sensor or a vibration sensor but not a temperature sensor can provide a distinct technical advantage relative to existing monitoring systems. Both the temperature sensor and the vibration sensor can provide an improved monitoring system in which early fault detection may be possible.

A higher than expected filtration apparatus 2 temperature can be indicative of overheating in the system (e.g. overheating of the motor 10) or of an upcoming fault. For example, it has been realised that a higher than expected temperature may be the result of bearings attached to the motor 10 or the drum having warn, leading to a greater load upon the motor 10, the greater load in turn leading to a higher temperature.

Higher than expected vibration can also be indicative of an upcoming fault or a blockage or worn parts or faulty bearings within the filtration apparatus. For example, an amount of debris may have collected within the drum of the filtration apparatus, the collection of debris may result in an off-axis centre of gravity in turn leading to a higher than expected vibration.

The realisation that temperature and/or vibration can be measured in this way to determine the condition of the filtration apparatus 2 is a key realisation. In particular, a prior art method of determining whether or not a bearing of a filtration apparatus is in a useable condition was manual inspection, such inspection is relatively expensive. A prior art method of determining whether or not an unacceptable amount of debris had collected within a drum of a filter apparatus also included (relatively expensive) manual inspection. As will be apparent therefore, the monitoring system of the present specification can allow monitoring of difficult to determine conditions (bearing wear, debris collection, etc.) by measuring relatively easy to measure parameters.

The excessive temperature or excessive vibration that is sensed may be sensed as a one off event or over a period of time.

In some embodiments, the controller 16 is arranged to compare sensed values with threshold values. In other embodiments, such comparison may not be made. In some embodiments, the threshold values are stored in the memory

18. For example, the controller 16 may be arranged to compare a sensed temperature value to a threshold temperature value. The controller may also be arranged to compare a sensed vibration value to a threshold vibration value. The controller may also be arranged to compare sensed air flow value to a threshold air flow value and/or to compare a time value to a threshold timer value. All of these threshold values may be stored in the memory 18, to which the controller 16 may have access and may be able to interrogate.

The controller 16 may also be in communication with a display 20 and in response to any one or more of the above mentioned comparisons, may alter a displayed indicator accordingly. The display 20 may comprise a temperature indicator for indicating a state of the temperature of the filtration apparatus. The display may also comprise a separate vibration indicator for indicating the state of the vibration of the filtration apparatus. The display may also comprise a separate use time indicator for indicating a state of use time of the filtration apparatus. The display may also comprise an airflow indicator for indicating a state of the airflow through the filtration apparatus. Specific forms of indicators are described in further detail below with respect to further possible embodiments.

Conveniently, the state of each parameter (temperature, vibration, airflow or use time) may be indicated separately. As a result more forensic detail may be available to an observer of the display regarding the state of the filtration apparatus 2 and so more accurate diagnoses of any potential problems may be made relative to existing monitoring system displays, which comprise an indicator (such as a continuous traffic light style indicator) indicating an overall health state of a filter unit.

The control unit 12 further comprises a timer port 30 in some embodiments. The timer port 30 may be arranged to communicate with the timer 28 and may be arranged to be connected to the motor 10 in order to monitor use time of the motor. The use time of the motor is the time since the initial use of the motor or the time since the last servicing of the motor or filtration apparatus. In this way, useful information may be provided regarding when the filtration apparatus should be next serviced to ensure safe and efficient operation.

The monitoring system 4 may further comprise an upstream pressure monitoring location 32 and a downstream pressure monitoring location 34. The upstream pressure monitoring location 32 may be a location relatively upstream region of the filtration apparatus 2 compared to the downstream pressure location 34 which may be a relatively downstream region. In some embodiments, the downstream pressure location 34 is arranged to be located on a part of the motor 10, which is just outside an upper end diaphragm of the filtration apparatus 2. Therefore the downstream pressure location 34 may be in an area which is open to the outside environment. The upstream pressure location 32 may be located within the above-mentioned diaphragm and therefore within the body of the filtration apparatus 2. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors may be located elsewhere.

The control unit 12 may include an upstream pressure port 36 and a downstream pressure port 38 connected respectively to the upstream pressure location 32 and the downstream pressure location 34. Through these connections, sensed pressures can reach the airflow sensor 22. The airflow sensor 22 may be able to use the difference in the sensed pressures between the upstream pressure location 32 and the downstream pressure location 34 in order to arrive at a value, the airflow value, which is indicative of airflow through the filtration apparatus 2. As stated above, the airflow sensor 22 may be arranged to communicate with the controller 16.

The airflow sensor 22 may be or comprises a MEMS pressure sensor which measures differential pressure between locations, e.g. the locations 32, 34. Alternatively, the airflow sensor may comprise two sensors which measure the absolute pressure to enable calculation of a differential pressure and thereby airflow. Other alternative sensor arrangements will be apparent to the skilled person and may be used.

The sensor unit 14 may include a sensor wireless transceiver 40. The control unit 12 may include a controller wireless transceiver 42. Both of the transceivers may be arranged to receive and transmit Bluetooth signals in some embodiments. The wireless transceivers, 40, 42 may be configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Through this wireless communication, sensed signals from the temperature sensor 24 and the vibration sensor 26 can reach the controller 16. In other embodiments, other wireless communication systems may be used. In yet further embodiments, a wired connection may be additionally, or alternatively, be provided.

The sensor unit 14 may comprise attachment means 44. The attachment means 44 may be arranged to attach the sensor unit 14 to the motor 10. In some embodiments, the attachment means 44 acts as a temperature conductor and a vibration conductor such that the temperature and the vibration of the filtration apparatus are sensed through the attachment means. In some embodiments, the temperature of the motor 10 is used as being indicative of the health of the filtration apparatus since the motor is part of the filtration apparatus. Conveniently, the temperature and the vibration may be measured at the same place through the attachment means, which in this embodiment is in the form of a bolt or a screw. As will be apparent, there may be a simple mechanism provided for measuring multiple system health parameters at a single convenient location.

In other embodiments the attachment means may take a different form and the temperature or vibration or both (depending on which is being measured in a particular embodiment) may be measured at a different part of the filtration apparatus, for example not at the motor.

In use, the controller 16 may be arranged to compare sensed values to stored threshold values as indicated above. In response to the comparisons, if a sensed value is beyond a threshold value, for example a sensed temperature or sensed vibration or both are above a particular threshold temperature or threshold vibration value or both, then the controller may instruct further action to be taken by the monitoring system. For example, in response to a sensed parameter crossing a threshold parameter value, the controller may instruct an alert or a change in condition of the display, such as a change in condition of a displayed light. In some embodiments, the alert may be in the form of displaying a red light on the display 20. In some embodiments, a parameter light arranged to indicate the state of a parameter (temperature, vibration, airflow, use time, Bluetooth ™ connection status) is continuously on for the or each parameter being measured. The parameter light may display various health state levels. For example, a good health state (green light), a low level warning health state (amber light) and a high level warning health state (red light). In order to indicate more than two levels per parameter, multiple threshold parameter values may be provided or set. As indicated above, advantageously, individual alerts may be provided per parameter (e.g. temperature, vibration, airflow, use time and Bluetooth ™ connection status). In the case of the Bluetooth ™ connection status, the display light may be on (e.g. blue light or unilluminated) or off (e.g. unilluminated or a red light) to indicate whether or not a user device is successfully connected to the monitor (see below for details of operations available to such a connected user device).

In other embodiments, in addition to, or as an alternative to, displaying an alert in response to a comparison, the controller 16 may control the action of the machine 6 or the filtration apparatus 2 or both. For example the controller 16 may directly instruct the machine 6 or the filtration apparatus 2 or both to shut down or cease operation and stop running. In some embodiments, the control unit 12 may include a PLC port 46 arranged to be used to connect directly to a PLC of the machine 6 in order to provide such direct instructions thereto.

Further embodiments will now be described. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar features.

Referring to figure 2a, there is shown an example of a control unit 12 according to an embodiment. The control unit 12 may include a display 20 comprising separate indicia for indicating the state of airflow, use time, vibration, temperature and Bluetooth ™ connection status within the filtration apparatus being monitored. The control unit 12 may include a timer port 30 and a PLC port 46. The control unit 12 may also include an upstream pressure port 36 and a downstream pressure port 38.

Figure 2b shows the control unit 12 from the rear. The monitoring system 4 may include a mounting bracket 48 attached to the control unit 12 and arranged to facilitate mounting of the control unit 12 relative to a desired surface. The mounting bracket 48 may comprise a male mounting arrangement and may be arranged to cooperate with a female mounting arrangement on a corresponding bracket to be affixed to a desired surface.

Figures 3a to 3c show various views of a sensor unit 14 according to an embodiment. The sensor unit 14 may include attachment means 44 in the form of a blot or a screw protruding from a main body 50 of the sensor unit 14.

Referring to Figure 3c in particular, the sensor unit 50 may include a battery 52. The sensor unit can also include a printed circuit board (PCB) 54. Components of the sensor unit 50 may be mounted on the PCB 54.

Referring to figure 4, the sensor unit 14 is shown mounted to a motor 10. In particular, it is noted that the bolt or screw 44 may be attached to a housing of the motor.

Conveniently, the sensor unit 14 may be relatively small and may be mounted easily without obstructing airflow. The sensor unit 14 may include a wireless transceiver able to communicate sensed information efficiently to a remote control unit.

According to other embodiments, any of the threshold values are user configurable. In some embodiments the threshold values are not user configurable. In embodiments where the threshold values are user configurable, a user may configure the threshold values through an input interface on the control unit. In other embodiments a user may configure threshold values through a remote mobile device, for example a mobile phone, tablet or similar device. A secure application may be provided on the user’s mobile device for configuring threshold values. The mobile device may also be used to display information to the user, for example alert information. In some embodiments the memory of the monitoring system may be used to log historical sensed value or timer value data. In some embodiments, historical data may be made available for a user through an application on a mobile device.

Where the user has access to an input interface or an output interface or both on a mobile device, the display on the control unit may not be present.

In use, it is known to calibrate the monitoring system by running it as normal upon initial use or after servicing when it is known that all airways through the monitoring system are clear and that the system is functioning as desired. In such a scenario, a calibrating setting may be initiated, for example by pressing a calibration button accessible to a user (e.g. a physical button on the control unit or a virtual button on a user interface of a user’s mobile device), in order to obtain airflow readings or temperature readings or vibration readings or any combination thereof. Threshold values may then be calculated automatically as a fraction of the assumed ideal readings. For example, a threshold value of a certain percentage of the assumed ideal readings may be used as a threshold value. For example, a threshold temperature value may be set as 150% of the initially sensed datum temperature value that is sensed just after servicing the filtration unit, or upon its first use.

Airflow range may be shown as a percentage of the starting airflow, so when installed to a machine unit the monitor is calibrated to the airflow of that machine unit - so, the starting value is 100%; then limits can be set dependant on application, e.g. 56%-100% equates to correctly functioning (green), 41 %55% equates to attention required (yellow), 40% and lower indicates an urgent alert (red).

Further example temperature thresholds may be <70°C green, 70°C - 80°C yellow, >80°C red. The thresholds may be configurable. Defaults may be set for each unit, which may then be altered later by a user.

When used in this specification, a feature disclosed in conjunction with the term “in this embodiment” or in relation to a particular embodiment(s) is optional. Accordingly, such a feature may not be present in other embodiments.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A filtration apparatus monitoring system arranged to monitor an operating state of a filtration apparatus, wherein the monitoring system comprises an air flow sensor arranged to sense air flow through the filtration apparatus, and also comprises any one or both of:

c. a temperature sensor arranged to sense temperature of the filtration apparatus; or

d. a vibration sensor arranged to sense vibration of the filtration apparatus;

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the monitoring system comprises a timer arranged to measure use time of the filtration apparatus.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the controller is arranged to communicate with the timer to monitor signals therefrom.

4. The monitoring system of any preceding claim comprising a memory in communication with the controller.

5. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to compare a sensed temperature value to a threshold temperature value, optionally stored in the memory.

6. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to compare a sensed vibration value to a threshold vibration value, optionally stored in the memory.

7. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to compare a sensed air flow value to a threshold air flow value, optionally stored in the memory.

8. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to compare a timer value to a threshold time value, optionally stored in the memory.

9. The monitoring system of any preceding claim comprising a sensor unit containing the temperature sensor or the vibration sensor or both, the sensor unit further comprising attachment means, such as a bolt or a screw, arranged to attach the sensor unit to the filtration apparatus, and wherein the temperature or vibration or both is/are sensed through the attachment means.

10. The monitoring system of claim 9 wherein the attachment means is arranged to attach the sensor unit to a motor of the filtration apparatus.

11. The monitoring system of claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the sensor unit comprises a sensor wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver, in communication with the or each of the temperature sensor and the vibration sensor and the sensor wireless transceiver being arranged to communicate wirelessly with the controller.

12. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the air flow sensor is arranged to communicate with a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, the first pressure sensor being arranged to sense pressure in an upstream region of the filtration apparatus and the second pressure sensor being arranged to sense pressure in an downstream region of the filtration apparatus, wherein the sensed air flow value is based upon the difference between upstream and downstream sensed pressure values.

13. The monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the upstream region is within a body of the filtration apparatus and the downstream region is external to said body.

14. The monitoring system of any preceding claim further comprising a display arranged to display indicia indicative of the operating state.

15. The monitoring system of claim 14 wherein the display comprises air flow indicia for indicating a state of the airflow through the filtration apparatus.

16. The monitoring system of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the display comprises temperature indicia for indicating a state of the temperature of the filtration apparatus.

17. The monitoring system of any of claims 14 to 16 wherein the display comprises vibration indicia for indicating a state of the vibration of the filtration apparatus.

18. The monitoring system of any of claims 14 to 17 wherein the display comprises use time indicia for indicating a state of the use time of the filtration apparatus.

19. The monitoring system of any of claims 14 to 18 comprising a control unit containing the controller, the memory, the display and the airflow sensor.

20. The monitoring system of claim 19 wherein the control unit comprises a controller wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver, in communication with the controller and the controller wireless transceiver being arranged to communicate wirelessly with the sensor wireless transceiver.

21. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the controller is arranged to communicate with the filtration system, such as via a cable connection, in order to control operation of the filtration system in response to one or more of the sensed values or the use timer value, and optionally wherein the controller is arranged to instruct the filtration system to cease operation, such as by stopping the motor, if one or more of the sensed or timer values reaches a limit threshold value.

22. The monitoring system of any claims 5 to 21 wherein the, any or each threshold value is user configurable, such as via an application executed on a mobile user device, which is able to securely communicate with the controller.

23. The monitoring system of any preceding claim wherein the system can be calibrated by, in use, instructing the controller to obtain one or more datum values when the system is functioning as desired, and setting one or more threshold values based on the datum values.

24. A monitored filtration system comprising a filtration apparatus and the filtration apparatus monitoring system of any preceding claim.

25. A monitoring method for monitoring an operating state of a filtration apparatus, wherein the monitoring method comprises sensing airflow through the filtration apparatus, and also comprises any one or both of:

c. sensing temperature of the filtration apparatus; or

d. sensing vibration of the filtration apparatus.

Intellectual Property Office