Filter change indicator
First Claim
1. An air conditioning device comprising:
- a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path between said inlet and said outlet, a substantially planar first mounting surface for supporting said housing on a support surface in a given orientation, and a substantially planar second mounting surface for supporting said housing on the support surface in a predetermined orientation different than said given orientation;
a blower disposed in the housing and arranged to move air in said air flow path from said inlet to said outlet;
an air filter disposed in said air flow path;
a tubulation defining a first end, a second end, and an inclined surface therebetween;
said tubulation being arranged such that said second end is disposed above said first end with said housing in either of said given orientation or said predetermined orientation; and
wherein said first end is in communication with a reference pressure source and said second end is in communication with said air flow path downstream of said filter; and
an indicator member movable on said inclined surface between said first and second ends of said tubulation and being visible in at least said second end thereof;
said indicator being movable between said first end and said second end in response to changes in the differential air pressure therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a filter change indicator that is operable in various orientations of the device incorporating it. For example, the filter change indicator is operable when the device is positioned in either the upright or sideways position. The device incorporating the filter change indicator can be any air moving device which incorporates a cleanable or replaceable filter. The filter change indicator includes a transparent viewing window and a tubulation. The viewing window displays a visible signal when the filter needs changing. The visible signal can be a float retained in the tubulation. The tubulation is a hollow transparent tube which forms an incline plane within the housing. The tubulation includes a first end, a second end and a step. The first end is in fluid communication with an air flow path through the tubulation, and this air flow path is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The second end opens into an air flow path formed between the inlet and outlet at a location downstream of an air filter. When a predetermined pressure differential develops across the tubulation, a predetermined force develops inside the tube which lifts the float from the first end of the tubulation to a position at the second end. The lifting force causes the float to come to rest in the tubulation at a position adjacent the viewing window.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An air conditioning device comprising:
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a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path between said inlet and said outlet, a substantially planar first mounting surface for supporting said housing on a support surface in a given orientation, and a substantially planar second mounting surface for supporting said housing on the support surface in a predetermined orientation different than said given orientation; a blower disposed in the housing and arranged to move air in said air flow path from said inlet to said outlet; an air filter disposed in said air flow path; a tubulation defining a first end, a second end, and an inclined surface therebetween;
said tubulation being arranged such that said second end is disposed above said first end with said housing in either of said given orientation or said predetermined orientation; and
wherein said first end is in communication with a reference pressure source and said second end is in communication with said air flow path downstream of said filter; andan indicator member movable on said inclined surface between said first and second ends of said tubulation and being visible in at least said second end thereof;
said indicator being movable between said first end and said second end in response to changes in the differential air pressure therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification