Air filter monitoring device

• US 5,917,141 A
• Filed: 01/12/1998
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clyde J. Naquin Jr
• Original Assignee: Clyde J. Naquin Jr
• Inventors: Naquin, Clyde J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, DUANE
• Application Number:
  US09/005,668
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 95/25, 95/23, 96/417, 96/418, 96/419, 96/422, 96/FOR 170, 116/DIG. 25
• US Class Current: 96/417
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/444 by flow measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/25 Air filter condition indicator

Abstract

An air filter monitoring device that includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the monitoring device to the cover grate of an air return of an air conditioning system and a first and a second air flow actuated switch wired electrically in series with an alerting device, such as a light emitting diode and/or an audible alarm, each having an air resistance plate positioned within an air flow chamber. The air flow chamber is formed within a housing having an adjustable air intake inlet in connection with the air flow chamber. Air flowing through the air flow chamber within a range between a first and a second predetermined value causes the first and second air flow actuated switches to activate the alerting device.

Claims

1. A air filter monitoring device comprising:

a housing having an air flow chamber formed therein, an air outlet in connection with said airflow chamber and an adjustable air intake inlet in connection with said air flow chamber;

an attachment mechanism in connection with said housing for attaching said housing to a cover grate of an air return of an air conditioning system;

an electrically energized alerting device;

a first and a second air flow actuated switch, said first and second airflow actuated switches being wired electrically in series with said alerting device, each of said first and said second air actuated switches having an air resistance plate positioned within said air flow chamber, said first air flow actuated switch being normally open and actuated into a closed position by an airflow through said air flow chamber that is greater than a first predetermined value, said second air flow actuated switch being normally closed and actuated into an opened position by an air flow through said air flow chamber that is greater than a second predetermined value, said first and second predetermined values being selected such that when no air is flowing through said air flow chamber said first and second air actuated switches provide an open circuit between said alerting device and an electrical power source, when air is flowing through said air flow chamber at a value greater than said first predetermined value and less than said second predetermined value, said first and second air actuated switches provide a closed circuit between said alerting device and an electrical power source to activate said alerting device, and when air is flowing through said air flow chamber at a value greater than said first predetermined value and greater than said second predetermined value, said first and second air actuated switches provide an open circuit between said alerting device and an electrical power source.

2. The air filter monitoring device of claim 1 wherein:

said second airflow actuated switch includes a plate airflow adjustment mechanism.

3. The air filter monitoring device of claim 2 wherein:

said plate airflow adjustment mechanism includes an air flow notch and a pivoting cover plate that is positionable to cover different areas of air flow notch.

4. The air filter monitoring device of claim 1, wherein:

said first air flow actuated switch includes a first electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a first electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a first electrically conductive air resistance plate.

5. The air filter monitoring device of claim 1, wherein:

said second air flow actuated switch includes a second electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a second electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a second electrically conductive air resistance plate.

6. The air filter monitoring device of claim 2, wherein:

said first air flow actuated switch includes a first electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a first electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a first electrically conductive air resistance plate.

7. The air filter monitoring device of claim 2, wherein:

said second air flow actuated switch includes a second electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a second electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a second electrically conductive air resistance plate.

8. The air filter monitoring device of claim 6, wherein:

said second air flow actuated switch includes a second electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a second electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a second electrically conductive air resistance plate.

9. The air filter monitoring device of claim 3, wherein:

said first air flow actuated switch includes a first electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a first electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a first electrically conductive air resistance plate.

10. The air filter monitoring device of claim 3, wherein:

said second air flow actuated switch includes a second electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a second electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a second electrically conductive air resistance plate.

11. The air filter monitoring device of claim 9, wherein:

said second air flow actuated switch includes a second electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a second electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a second electrically conductive air resistance plate.

12. The air filter monitoring device of claim 4, wherein:

said second air flow actuated switch includes a second electrically conductive top pivot rod;

a second electrically conductive bottom contact rod, and a second electrically conductive air resistance plate.

13. The air filter monitoring device of claim 12, wherein:

said first and said second bottom contact rods are in direct electrical connection.

14. The air filter monitoring device of claim 13 wherein:

said second airflow actuated switch includes a plate airflow adjustment mechanism.

15. The air filter monitoring device of claim 14 wherein:

said plate airflow adjustment mechanism includes an air flow notch and a pivoting cover plate that is positionable to cover different areas of air flow notch.