Freezer alarm system and apparatus for refrigeration units

• US 7,172,134 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Welch
• Original Assignee: William Welch
• Inventors: Welch, William
• Primary Examiner(s): JIANG, CHEN WEN
• Application Number:
  US10/826,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20050229611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 621/29, 621/26, 621/27, 340/585, 340/529, 340/588, 340/589, 236/94
• US Class Current: 236/94
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/008 Alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/08 Capillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/16 with electric contacts

Abstract

A freezer alarm system and apparatus for monitoring the temperature in the freezer compartment of a refrigeration unit includes a housing mountable on a wall adjacent the refrigeration unit for plugging into a wall outlet. A capillary tube extends from the housing and terminates with a temperature sensor that is mounted inside the refrigeration unit for sensing when the temperature increases therein past a given temperature preset by an adjustable thermostat located on the housing. When this event occurs contacts within the housing close thereby actuating an audible buzzer and a visible luminary alarm warning the owner that the temperature within the refrigeration unit has exceeded a safe pre-set level and that the refrigeration unit needs checked for remedial action.

Claims

1. A freezer alarm apparatus for monitoring the temperature conditions within a freezer compartment of a refrigeration unit that includes a lid and a plurality of adjoined sidewalls, comprising:

a housing mountable adjacent to the refrigeration unit;

a temperature-sensing bulb for placement within the freezer compartment of the refrigeration unit for monitoring and registering the temperature conditions occurring within the freezer compartment;

a selectively adjustable thermostat mounted to the housing and capable of being manually present to one of a plurality of temperature set points;

a protective sleeve interposed between the lid and one of the plurality of sidewalls of the refrigeration unit;

an elongated, flexible capillary rube extending from the housing and through the protective sleeve to the temperature-sensing bulb for interconnecting the temperature-sensing bulb to the thermostat with the protective sleeve preventing the capillary tube from being damaged when the lid is closed;

a buzzer alarm mounted to the housing and in electrical interconnection with the thermostat;

an alert light mounted on the housing and in electrical interconnection with the thermostat; and

electrical circuitry enclosed within the housing and electrically interconnecting the thermostat to the buzzer alarm and the alert light for allowing the simultaneous activation of the buzzer alarm and the alert light upon determination by the thermostat that the temperature conditions occurring within the freezer compartment have exceeded the temperature set point.