Air filter sensor apparatus kit and method

• US 20040182245A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barney F. Gorin
• Original Assignee: Barney F. Gorin
• Inventors: Gorin, Barney F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,837,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/421
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/446 by pressure measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/42 Oil filter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/34 Indicator and controllers

Abstract

An air filter sensor kit and method of using the same for permitting a person to modify the filtering portion of a heating or cooling system that uses an air filter to enable the determination of when the air filter is dirty and needs changing. The air filter sensor kit includes an air filter sensor with a portion shaped for insertion through the air filter and a portion with an indicator for indicating the condition of the air filter. The kit includes an air filter sensor connecting and support member for connecting the air filter sensor to an air filter grill and for supporting the air filter sensor and a cutting tool for cutting a hole in an air filter grill to allow the passage of a portion of the air filter sensor connecting and support member to permit a portion of the air filter sensor to be inserted through the air filter. The air filter sensor kit also includes a cutting tool guide that is adjustable to conform to various configurations of air filter grills.

Claims

1. An air filter sensor kit for permitting a person to modify the filtering portion of a heating or cooling system that uses an air filter and an associated air filter grill with an exterior to enable the determination of when the air filter is dirty and needs changing comprising an air filter sensor for sensing differential air pressure caused by said air filter becoming dirty, said air filter sensor having a portion thereof sized and shaped to be easily inserted through said air filter and having a portion thereof adapted to be located on the exterior of said grill with indicating means for providing an indication of the differential air pressure sensed by said air filter sensor, and air filter sensor connecting and support means for connecting said filter sensor to said air filter grill and for providing support for said air filter sensor.

2. The air filter sensor kit of claim 1 wherein the portion of aid air filter sensor sized and shaped to be easily inserted through said air filter comprises an elongated tubular portion with an end portion and wherein the end portion is pointed.

3. The air filter sensor kit of claim 1 wherein said air filter sensor connecting and support means comprises a resilient flexible member.

4. The air filter sensor kit of claim 1 wherein said indicating means of said sensor has means for providing an indication when the sensed differential air pressure indicates said air filter is dirty and should be replaced.

5. The air filter sensor kit of claim 4 wherein said means for providing an indication when the sensed differential air pressure indicates said air filter is dirty and should be replaced has means for continuing to provide such indication once said sensor is exposed to the differential air pressure caused by a dirty air filter which should be replaced.

6. The air filter sensor kit of claim 5 wherein said means for continuing to provide such indication once said sensor is exposed to the differential air pressure caused by a dirty air filter which should be replaced continues to provide such indication even if the differential air pressure sensed by said sensor should change or become zero.

7. The air filter sensor kit of claim 1 wherein said indicating means for providing an indication of the differential air pressure sensed by said air filter sensor is manually set or armed.

8. The air filter sensor kit of claim 4 wherein said indicating means for providing an indication of the differential air pressure sensed by said air filter sensor includes a movable surface.

9. The air filter sensor kit of claim 8 wherein said movable surface forms part of a bellows.

10. The air filter sensor kit of claim 8 wherein said indicator for providing an indication of the differential air pressure sensed by said air filter sensor includes an indicator arm associated with said movable surface.

11. The air filter sensor kit of claim 10 wherein said indicator for providing an indication of the differential air pressure sensed by said air filter sensor further comprises a spring associated with said indicator arm.

12. The air filter sensor kit of claim 1 further comprising cutting means for cutting a hole in said grill to permit the passage of a portion of said air filter sensor and a portion of said air filter sensor connecting and support means through said air filter grill.

13. The air filter sensor kit of claim 12 further comprising a cutting tool guide and positioner for use with said cutting means.

14. The air filter sensor kit of claim 13 wherein said cutting tool guide and positioner has means for conforming to the outside surface of said grill.

15. A method for determining the need to change an air filter and for changing the air filter located behind an air filter grill comprising:

1. providing a cutting tool, an air filter sensor, an air filter sensor connecting and support member and an air filter,

2. using said cutting tool to cut a hole in said air filter grill for a portion of said air filter sensor connecting and support member,

3. inserting the a portion of said air filter sensor connecting and support member in the hole in said air filter grill,

4. locating said air filter in place adjacent said air filter grill,

5. inserting said air filter sensor through said air filter sensor connecting and support member in said air filter grill and through said air filter,

6. exposing said air filter to particulate matter while operating said system using said air filter,

7. monitoring said air filter sensor for an indication from said air filter sensor when said air filter is dirty and needs to be changed, and

8. changing said air filter when said air filter sensor provides an indication said air filter is dirty.