Furnace and air conditioner failure alarm apparatus

• US 5,444,436 A
• Filed: 12/29/1993
• Issued: 08/22/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricky R. Kennison
• Original Assignee: Ricky R. Kennison
• Inventors: Kennison, Ricky R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US08/175,234
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 340/584, 340/506, 340/507, 340/635, 236/94, 236/DIG. 2, 236/DIG. 3, 236/91 F, 165/11.1, 165/22, 110/193
• US Class Current: 340/635
• 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 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/526 giving audible indications
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/1486 characterised by bearings, pivots or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states

Abstract

A new and improved failure alarm apparatus is provided for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostat. The furnace and air conditioner failure alarm apparatus includes a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits in case of AC power failure. A first sensor assembly circuit monitors thermostat status and is connected to a thermostat on a neutral wire (white wire) connected to the thermostat. Each of a second and third sensor assembly includes a respective temperature sensor and a respective temperature sensor circuit. A second temperature sensor is placed adjacent to an air duct outlet. In addition, a third temperature sensor (an environmental temperature sensor) is housed in the furnace and air conditioner failure assembly housing where the signal processing an alarm circuitry are housed. A signal processing assembly receives signals from the sensor circuit assemblies and processes the signals, and an alarm circuit assembly is connected to the signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when the signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition. The air duct outlet is a register. The signal processing assembly may be connected to a home security alarm system. The first sensor assembly includes an electric voltage sensor. The electric voltage sensor is a 74121 one-shot multivibrator or monostable multivibrator. The second and third sensor assemblies include temperature sensors. The temperature sensors include thermistors. A power failure alarm assembly is connected to the battery power supply, for providing an alarm in the event of an AC power failure.

Claims

1. A new and improved failure alarm apparatus for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostat, comprising:

a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits,

a sensor circuit assembly powered by said battery power supply, said sensor circuit assembly including a first sensor assembly for monitoring the thermostat, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a wire which is connected to the thermostat, said sensor circuit assembly including a second sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor and temperature sensor circuitry, said temperature sensor placed adjacent to an air duct outlet wherein said air duct outlet is a register in a room,

a signal processing assembly for receiving signals from said sensor circuit assembly and for processing said signals, and

an alarm circuit assembly connected to said signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when said signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition based upon direct electrical monitoring of thermostat status from said sensors and processed signals from said direct monitoring which indicate improper thermostat operation.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

a third sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor for sensing environmental temperature in a housing which houses said alarm circuit assembly in a room.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said third temperature sensor includes a thermistor.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

a power failure alarm assembly, connected to said battery power supply, for providing an alarm in the event of an AC power failure.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said signal processing assembly is connected to a home security alarm system.

6. A new and improved failure alarm apparatus for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostats, comprising:

a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits,

a sensor circuit assembly powered by said battery power supply, said sensor circuit assembly including a first sensor assembly for monitoring the thermostat, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a wire which is connected to the thermostat, said sensor circuit assembly including a second sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor and temperature sensor circuitry, said temperature sensor placed adjacent to an air duct outlet wherein said air duct outlet is a register in a room,

a signal processing assembly for receiving signals from said sensor circuit assembly and for processing said signals, and

an alarm circuit assembly connected to said signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when said signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition based upon direct electrical monitoring of thermostat status and processed signals from direct monitoring which indicate improper thermostat operation,

wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a neutral wire connected to the thermostat, and

wherein said first sensor assembly includes means for sensing voltage swings over said neutral wire when the thermostat opens and closes.

7. The apparatus described in claim 6 wherein and said first sensor assembly includes a one-shot monostable multivibrator which senses a negative voltage spike when the thermostat changes from closed to open.