Detection device for air filter

• US 20070013534A1
• Filed: 07/05/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edward Dimaggio
• Original Assignee: Edward Dimaggio
• Inventors: DiMaggio, Edward
• Application Number:
  US11/480,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013534A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/607
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/10 by separation, e.g. by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A wireless sensor unit detects an out-of-range condition of an air filter in a HVAC system by sensing the air flow passing across the filter or by pressure differential across the air filter. A The sensor unit sends a signal to a receiver unit that can be positioned a distance from the sensor unit to process the signal sent by the sensor unit and provide audio and/or visual warning of the air filter condition.

Claims

1. A warning device for monitoring an air filter condition in an HVAC system, the filter having an upstream side and a downstream side, the device comprising:

a sensor unit mounted adjacent the downstream of the filter, said sensor unit comprising a transmitter; and

a warning means mountable at a selected location at the upstream side of the air filter for processing a signal send by the transmitter and providing a warning signal when conditions on the downstream side of the air filter deviate from a pre-determined range.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor unit comprises a sensor member operationally connected to the transmitter, said sensor member detecting a condition on the downstream side of the air filter when the amount of air flow passing across the air filter falls below a pre-determined value.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a flapper member operationally connected to the sensor, said flapper member contacting a trigger switch for sending a signal to the transmitter when the amount of air flow passing across the air filter falls below a pre-determined value.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor unit comprises a sensor member operationally connected to the transmitter for detecting a condition on the downstream side of the air filter when pressure differential between the upstream side of the air filter and the downstream side of the filter exceeds a predetermined value.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said sensor member comprises a pressure switch for detecting out-of-norm pressure differential between the upstream side and the downstream side of the air filter.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor unit further comprises an antenna operationally connected to the transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the signal indicative of the condition on the downstream side of the air filter.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises a processor for processing the signal received from the transmitter and generating a signal indicative of the condition on the downstream side of the air filter.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises at least one light emitting member.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said warning means comprises a plurality of light emitting members and at least one sound emitting member.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said light emitting members have different color illuminating elements to facilitate differentiating the degree of clogging of the air filter.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said warning means comprises an antenna operationally connected to the receiver for receiving a signal transmitted by the sensor unit.

12. A warning device for monitoring an air filter condition in an HVAC system, the filter having an upstream side and a downstream side, the device comprising:

a sensor unit mounted adjacent the downstream of the filter, said sensor unit comprising a transmitter and a sensor member; and

a warning means mountable at a selected location at the upstream side of the air filter for providing a warning signal when the air filter becomes clogged, said warning means comprising a receiver for processing a signal sent by the transmitter and audio/visual members operationally connected to the receiver for providing audio and visual indication of the condition on the downstream side of the filter.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said sensor member for detecting a condition on the downstream side of the air filter when the amount of air flow passing across the air filter falls below a pre-determined value.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a flapper member operationally connected to the sensor, said flapper member contacting a trigger switch for sending a signal to the transmitter when the amount of air flow passing across the air filter falls below a pre-determined value.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein said sensor member comprises a pressure switch for detecting out-of-norm pressure differential between the upstream side and the downstream side of the air filter.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein said sensor unit further comprises an antenna operationally connected to the transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the signal indicative of the condition of the air filter.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein said visual members comprise a plurality of light emitting members, said light emitting members having different color illuminating elements to facilitate differentiating the degree of clogging of the air filter.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein said warning means further comprises an antenna operationally connected to the receiver for receiving a signal transmitted by the sensor unit.