Method and device for monitoring radon mitigation system

• US 5,197,862 A
• Filed: 02/10/1992
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas L. Kladder
• Original Assignee: Douglas L. Kladder
• Inventors: Kladder, Douglas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scheuermann, David W.
• Application Number:
  US07/833,097
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 417/63, 417/53, 454/909
• US Class Current: 417/53
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 31/008 against entry of noxious gases, e.g. Radon
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/00 Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0676 by action on flow sources G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence

Abstract

The effectiveness of a radon mitigation system is in large part a function of the vacuum and air flow produced by a fan. Since a relationship exists between the vacuum and air flow of any given fan, it is advantageous to be able to identify any malfunctions in the system which result in fan air flow being increased or decreased. Such changes in air flow may impede the ability of the system to alleviate radon concentrations. Fan air flow may be monitored by measuring current draw of the fan with an ammeter or other electric current measuring device. Such measurements may be facilitated by mounting the ammeter in a control unit including a reduction transformer, which feeds 24 volt electric current to the fan. After measurements of fan current draw have been measured and indicated, current may be increased to 120 volts by a fan voltage booster, to power the fan.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring whether a fan is generating air flow within a predetermined range of acceptable air flows, which predetermined range of acceptable air flows corresponds proportionally to an acceptable range of fan current draw, which device receives electric current from an external source of 120 volt electric current, comprising:

a. an electric plug capable of receiving 120 volt electric current,

b. a reduction transformer for reducing 120 volt current to 24 volts, connected to said electric plug so that electric current is routed through and transformed to 24 volts by said reduction transformer,

c. a performance indicator connected to and receiving electric current from said reduction transformer, which performance indicator measures fan current draw of the fan, and indicates whether said fan current draw corresponds to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows, and

d. a fan voltage booster connected to and receiving electric current from said performance indicator, which booster transforms 24 volt current to 120 volt current, which booster is connected to the fan so that 120 volt current from said booster is routed to and empowers the fan.

2. A device as described in claim 1, wherein said performance indicator further comprises a current sensing device.

3. A device as described in claim 2, further comprising a relay connected to said current sensing device and to the fan so that said relay deactivates the fan when said current sensing device indicates fan current draw which does not correspond to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows.

4. A device as described in claim 2, further comprising an audible alarm connected to said current sensing device so that said audible alarm is activated whenever fan current draw does not correspond to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows.

5. A device as described in claim 2, wherein said performance indicator further comprises an ammeter.

6. A device as described in claim 5, wherein said ammeter is mounted so that a face of said ammeter is visible, and wherein an improper conditions indicator is visibly discernable within said face, which improper conditions indicator will be activated when fan current draw does not correspond to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows.

7. A device as described in claim 6, wherein said improper conditions indicator further comprises a needle movable within said face, moving in response to increases and decreases in fan current draw, which needle will be located in a marked area of said face when fan current draw does not correspond to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows.

8. A device as described in claim 7, further comprising a designated area of said face in which said needle will be located when fan current draw corresponds to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows.

9. A method of monitoring whether a fan is generating air flow within a predetermined range of acceptable air flows, which predetermined range of acceptable air flows corresponds proportionally to an acceptable range of fan current draw, comprising:

a. supplying 120 volt electric current,

b. reducing 120 volt electric current to 24 volts,

c. measuring fan current draw of the fan by means of a performance indicator powered by said 24 volt electric current,

d. indicating whether said fan current draw corresponds to the predetermined range of acceptable air flows,

e. transforming 24 volt electric current from said performance indicator into 120 volt electric current, and

f. empowering the fan with said 120 volt electric current.