Air handler filter monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A monitoring apparatus for alerting an operator to the need to change a filter in a temperature control system, comprising:
- means for selecting and setting a primary period of filter use to assure replacement before the filter becomes clogged;
means for counting out the selected primary period;
means for activating signalling means to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter;
means for sensing replacement of the filter;
means for resetting the means for counting to begin the counting out the selected primary period again upon replacement of the filter;
means for counting out a secondary period measured from the end of the primary period; and
means for shutting down the system at the end of the secondary period absent replacement of the filter.
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Abstract
A monitoring apparatus for alerting an operator to the need to change a temperature control system filter includes a mechanism for selecting and setting a primary period of filter use to assure replacement before the filter becomes clogged; a mechanism for counting out the selected primary period; a mechanism for activating a signalling device to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter; a mechanism for sensing replacement of the filter; and a mechanism for resetting the mechanism for counting to begin the counting out the selected primary period again upon replacement of the filter. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a mechanism for counting out a secondary period measured from the end of the primary period; and a mechanism for shutting down the system at the end of the secondary period absent replacement of the filter. A method of monitoring the filter of an air temperature control system with this apparatus includes the steps of the operator selecting and setting a primary period of filter use appropriate to assure filter replacement before the filter becomes clogged; the apparatus counting out the selected primary period; the apparatus activating the signalling device at the end of the primary period to signal the operator to replace the filter.
98 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A monitoring apparatus for alerting an operator to the need to change a filter in a temperature control system, comprising:
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means for selecting and setting a primary period of filter use to assure replacement before the filter becomes clogged; means for counting out the selected primary period; means for activating signalling means to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter; means for sensing replacement of the filter; means for resetting the means for counting to begin the counting out the selected primary period again upon replacement of the filter; means for counting out a secondary period measured from the end of the primary period; and means for shutting down the system at the end of the secondary period absent replacement of the filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A monitoring apparatus for alerting an operator to the need to change a temperature control system filter, comprising:
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means for counting out a replacement time primary period; means for activating signalling means to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter; means for sensing replacement of the filter; means for resetting the means for counting to begin the counting out the replacement time period again upon replacement of the filter; means for counting out a secondary period measured from the end of the primary period; and means for shutting down the system at the end of the secondary period absent replacement of the filter.
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10. A method of monitoring a filter of an air temperature control system operated by a thermostat with an apparatus having means for selecting and setting a primary period of filter use to assure replacement before the filter becomes clogged;
- means for counting out the selected primary period;
means for activating signalling means to signal the operator to replace the filter, absent replacement of the filter;
means for sensing replacement of the filter;
means for resetting the means for counting to begin the counting out the selected primary period again upon replacement of the filter, comprising the steps of;an operator selecting and setting a primary period of filter use appropriate to assure filter replacement before the filter becomes clogged; the apparatus counting out the selected primary period; the apparatus activating signalling means at the end of the primary period to signal the operator to replace the filter; the apparatus counting out a secondary time period measured from the end of the primary time period; at the end of the secondary time period, apparatus supplying power to a relay on the circuit board to disrupt voltage to the thermostat and thereby to shut down the system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
- means for counting out the selected primary period;
Specification