US5444436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Furnace and air conditioner failure alarm apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-12-29
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Granted: 1995-08-22
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Expires: 2013-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved failure alarm apparatus is provided for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostat. The furnace and air conditioner failure alarm apparatus includes a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits in case of AC power failure. A first sensor assembly circuit monitors thermostat status and is connected to a thermostat on a neutral wire (white wire) connected to the thermostat. Each of a second and third sensor assembly includes a respective temperature sensor and a respective temperature sensor circuit. A second temperature sensor is placed adjacent to an air duct outlet. In addition, a third temperature sensor (an environmental temperature sensor) is housed in the furnace and air conditioner failure assembly housing where the signal processing an alarm circuitry are housed. A signal processing assembly receives signals from the sensor circuit assemblies and processes the signals, and an alarm circuit assembly is connected to the signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when the signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition. The air duct outlet is a register. The signal processing assembly may be connected to a home security alarm system. The first sensor assembly includes an electric voltage sensor. The electric voltage sensor is a 74121 one-shot multivibrator or monostable multivibrator. The second and third sensor assemblies include temperature sensors. The temperature sensors include thermistors. A power failure alarm assembly is connected to the battery power supply, for providing an alarm in the event of an AC power failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Ricky R. Kennison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:41
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; F24F11/526; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/38; F24F11/61; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/88; F24F13/00; F24F13/08; F24F13/10; F24F13/14; F24F13/1486; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; F24F2140/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A new and improved failure alarm apparatus for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostat, comprising: a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits, a sensor circuit assembly powered by said battery power supply, said sensor circuit assembly including a first sensor assembly for monitoring the thermostat, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a wire which is connected to the thermostat, said sensor circuit assembly including a second sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor and temperature sensor circuitry, said temperature sensor placed adjacent to an air duct outlet wherein said air duct outlet is a register in a room, a signal processing assembly for receiving signals from said sensor circuit assembly and for processing said signals, and an alarm circuit assembly connected to said signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when said signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition based upon direct electrical monitoring of thermostat status from said sensors and processed signals from said direct monitoring which indicate improper thermostat operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A new and improved failure alarm apparatus for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostat, comprising: a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits, a sensor circuit assembly powered by said battery power supply, said sensor circuit assembly including a first sensor assembly for monitoring the thermostat, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a wire which is connected to the thermostat, said sensor circuit assembly including a second sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor and temperature sensor circuitry, said temperature sensor placed adjacent to an air duct outlet wherein said air duct outlet is a register in a room, a signal processing assembly for receiving signals from said sensor circuit assembly and for processing said signals, and an alarm circuit assembly connected to said signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when said signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition based upon direct electrical monitoring of thermostat status from said sensors and processed signals from said direct monitoring which indicate improper thermostat operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, further including: a third sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor for sensing environmental temperature in a housing which houses said alarm circuit assembly in a room.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said third temperature sensor includes a thermistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus described in claim 1, further including: a power failure alarm assembly, connected to said battery power supply, for providing an alarm in the event of an AC power failure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said signal processing assembly is connected to a home security alarm system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
A new and improved failure alarm apparatus for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostats, comprising: a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits, a sensor circuit assembly powered by said battery power supply, said sensor circuit assembly including a first sensor assembly for monitoring the thermostat, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a wire which is connected to the thermostat, said sensor circuit assembly including a second sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor and temperature sensor circuitry, said temperature sensor placed adjacent to an air duct outlet wherein said air duct outlet is a register in a room, a signal processing assembly for receiving signals from said sensor circuit assembly and for processing said signals, and an alarm circuit assembly connected to said signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when said signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition based upon direct electrical monitoring of thermostat status and processed signals from direct monitoring which indicate improper thermostat operation, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a neutral wire connected to the thermostat, and wherein said first sensor assembly includes means for sensing voltage swings over said neutral wire when the thermostat opens and closes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
205 words
A new and improved failure alarm apparatus for a furnace and an air conditioner which selectively, alternately share a common thermostats, comprising: a battery power supply for powering electrical circuits, a sensor circuit assembly powered by said battery power supply, said sensor circuit assembly including a first sensor assembly for monitoring the thermostat, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a wire which is connected to the thermostat, said sensor circuit assembly including a second sensor assembly which includes a temperature sensor and temperature sensor circuitry, said temperature sensor placed adjacent to an air duct outlet wherein said air duct outlet is a register in a room, a signal processing assembly for receiving signals from said sensor circuit assembly and for processing said signals, and an alarm circuit assembly connected to said signal processing assembly for providing an alarm when said signal processing assembly indicates an alarm condition based upon direct electrical monitoring of thermostat status and processed signals from direct monitoring which indicate improper thermostat operation, wherein said first sensor assembly is connected to a neutral wire connected to the thermostat, and wherein said first sensor assembly includes means for sensing voltage swings over said neutral wire when the thermostat opens and closes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus described in claim 6 wherein and said first sensor assembly includes a one-shot monostable multivibrator which senses a negative voltage spike when the thermostat changes from closed to open.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-21 | 1999-02-20 | 1999-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-21 | 2003-02-20 | 2003-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-21 | 2007-02-20 | 2007-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |