Airflow sensor, system and method for detecting airflow within an air handling system
First Claim
1. An airflow sensor for detecting airflow within an air handling system, the airflow sensor comprising:
- a housing defining an internal compartment and a top face, the top face forming an opening;
a flexible substrate having circuitry traces, a front, and a back, the substrate being disposed within the compartment such that the back is exposed relative to the opening in the top face; and
electrical components electrically connected to the circuitry traces and extending from the front of the substrate opposite the opening, the electrical components including;
a first, heated temperature sensor, a second, baseline temperature sensor, wherein the first and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another;
wherein during use airflow interfaces with the back of the substrate to cool the first temperature sensor, the extent of cooling as compared to the second temperature sensor being indicative of airflow, and further wherein the airflow sensor is configured to limit accumulation of debris along the back of the flexible substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airflow sensor including a housing, a flexible substrate, and electrical components. The housing defines an internal compartment and a top face opening. The substrate includes circuitry traces, and defines a front and a back. The substrate is disposed within the compartment such that the back is exposed relative to the opening. The electrical components are electrically connected to the circuitry traces, extending from the front of the substrate opposite the opening, and include a heated temperature sensor spaced from a baseline temperature sensor. During use, airflow interfaces with the substrate back to cool the heated temperature sensor. The extent of this cooling as compared to the baseline temperature sensor is indicative of airflow. The system and method include detecting the presence or absence of airflow based upon a temperature differential between the temperature sensors as well as a rate of change in the temperature differential.
139 Citations
46 Claims
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1. An airflow sensor for detecting airflow within an air handling system, the airflow sensor comprising:
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a housing defining an internal compartment and a top face, the top face forming an opening;
a flexible substrate having circuitry traces, a front, and a back, the substrate being disposed within the compartment such that the back is exposed relative to the opening in the top face; and
electrical components electrically connected to the circuitry traces and extending from the front of the substrate opposite the opening, the electrical components including;
a first, heated temperature sensor, a second, baseline temperature sensor, wherein the first and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another;
wherein during use airflow interfaces with the back of the substrate to cool the first temperature sensor, the extent of cooling as compared to the second temperature sensor being indicative of airflow, and further wherein the airflow sensor is configured to limit accumulation of debris along the back of the flexible substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An airflow sensor system for detecting airflow within an air handling system, the sensor system comprising:
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an airflow sensor including;
a first, heated temperature sensor, a second, baseline temperature sensor; and
a processor electrically connected to the temperature sensors, the processor adapted to;
monitor signals from the temperature sensors, determine current temperature readings at the temperature sensors based upon the monitored signals, determine an airflow state within the air handling system based upon a difference between the determined current temperatures (DT) and a rate of change in DT. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 44)
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32. A method for detecting airflow within an air handling system including ductwork, the method including:
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positioning an airflow sensor within the ductwork, the airflow sensor including a first, heated temperature sensor and a second, baseline temperature sensor;
monitoring signals from the temperature sensors;
determining current temperature readings at the respective temperature sensors based upon the monitored signals; and
determining an airflow state within the air handling system based upon a difference between the determined current temperature readings (DT) and a rate of change in DT. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46)
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Specification