Freezer alarm system and apparatus for refrigeration units

• US 20050229611A1
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Welch
• Original Assignee: William Welch
• Inventors: Welch, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,172,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/129
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/008 Alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/08 Capillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/16 with electric contacts

Abstract

A freezer alarm system and apparatus for monitoring the temperature in the freezer compartment of a refrigeration unit includes a housing mountable on a wall adjacent the refrigeration unit for plugging into a wall outlet. A capillary tube extends from the housing and terminates with a temperature sensor that is mounted inside the refrigeration unit for sensing when the temperature increases therein past a given temperature preset by an adjustable thermostat located on the housing. When this event occurs contacts within the housing close thereby actuating an audible buzzer and a visible luminary alarm warning the owner that the temperature within the refrigeration unit has exceeded a safe pre-set level and that the refrigeration unit needs checked for remedial action.

Claims

1. Freezer alarm apparatus for monitoring the temperature conditions within a freezer compartment of a refrigeration unit and activating alarm signals when the temperature conditions have exceeded predetermined temperature set point or pre-set values, comprising:

a housing mountable to a wall surface adjacent the refrigeration unit;

an electrical plug interconnected to the housing for plugging into an electrical receptacle for supplying power to the freezer alarm apparatus;

an elongated, flexible capillary tube attached to the housing for extension to and placement partially into the freezer compartment;

a temperature-sensing bulb secured to the distal end of the capillary tube and disposed within the freezer compartment for monitoring and registering the temperature conditions, and any changes thereof, occurring within the freezer compartment;

a selectively manually adjustable thermostat mounted to the housing and in electrical interconnection with the temperature-sensing bulb, the thermostat capable of being set at a predetermined temperature set point or temperature value;

a buzzer alarm mounted to the housing and in electrical interconnection with the thermostat;

an alert light mounted on the housing and in electrical interconnection with the thermostat; and

when the temperature condition within the freezer compartment exceeds the predetermined temperature set point of the thermostat as conveyed to the thermostat by the temperature-sensing bulb, the thermostat simultaneously actuates the buzzer alarm to produce an audible signal and the alert light to produce a visually discernible alert thereby signaling that the refrigeration unit requires checking and corrective action.

2. The freezer alarm and apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power on/off switch mounted on the housing for controlling power to the housing and for turning off the freezer alarm apparatus for maintenance, repair and relocation.

3. The freezer alarm apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a test switch mounted to the housing and in electrical interconnection with the thermostat, the buzzer alarm, and the alert light and selectively operable for checking the power distribution to the buzzer alarm and the alert light.

4. The freezer alarm apparatus of claim 3 further comprising at least one volume control dial mounted to the housing and in electrical interconnection with the buzzer alarm for controlling and setting the decibel level of the buzzer alarm.