US6013121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filter change indicator
Assignee: Kaz Inc
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Filing: 1998-09-04
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2018-09-04
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Chiu
- 👤 Jui-Shang Wang
- 👤 Stephen Gatchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:06
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/0084; B01D46/0086; B01D46/42; B01D46/4254; B01D46/44; B01D46/446; B01D2273/00; B01D2273/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second side walls joining said top and bottom walls and first and second end walls joining said top and bottom walls; said first mounting surface is said bottom wall; and said second mounting surface is said first side wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 2 wherein said second end is disposed at an intersection of said top wall and said second side wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 3 including a multiple speed motor coupled to said blower, a blower control for varying the speed of said motor to provide selective different operational modes of said blower, and an air flow metering system for regulating the air flow rate through said tubulation in response to the selected operational mode of said blower.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An air conditioning device defined in claim 4 wherein the tubulation is transparent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An air conditioning device defined in claim 5 wherein the tubulation defines a hollow center and receives the visible indicator therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An air conditioning device defined in claim 6 wherein the visible indicator is a float.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 1 wherein said housing defines an atmosphere opening communicating with said first end of said tubulation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 8 wherein said housing comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second side walls joining said top and bottom walls and first and second end walls joining said top and bottom walls; said first mounting surface is said bottom wall; and said second mounting surface is said first side wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 9 wherein said second end is disposed at an intersection of said top wall and said second side wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 10 including a multiple speed motor coupled to said blower, a blower control for varying the speed of said motor to provide selective different operational modes of said blower, and an air flow metering system for regulating the air flow rate through said tubulation in response to the selected operational mode of said blower.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
An air conditioning device defined in claim 11 wherein the tubulation is transparent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An air conditioning device defined in claim 12 wherein the tubulation defines a hollow center and receives the visible indicator therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An air conditioning device defined in claim 13 wherein the visible indicator is a float.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is a fan.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is a humidifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is a heater.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is an air conditioning apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The air conditioning device defined in claim 1 wherein the device is an air purifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
An air conditioning device according to claim 1 wherein said tubulation is inclined relative to at least one of said first substantially planar mounting surface and said second substantially planar mounting surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4162660A
Cited
US5433762A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |