US7244294B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Air filter monitoring system
Assignee: Copeland LP
•
Filing: 2005-05-17
•
Granted: 2007-07-17
•
Expires: 2025-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of a condenser air temperature input sensor, a condenser air temperature output sensor, and a condenser air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an ambient air sensor and an ambient humidity sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Kates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:21
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1927; G05D23/193; G05D23/1932; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F8/00; F24F8/90; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; G01; G01K; G01K13/00; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N15/082; G01N15/0826; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; G05D23/1917; G05D23/1928; F24F11/39; F24F11/46; F24F11/47; F24F11/50; F24F11/56; F25B2500/00; F25B2500/19; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/07; F25B2700/00; F25B2700/02; F25B2700/13; F25B2700/133; F25B2700/135; F25B2700/1351; F25B2700/15; F25B2700/151; F25B2700/17; F25B2700/172; F25B2700/19; F25B2700/193; F25B2700/1931; F25B2700/1933; F25B2700/195; F25B2700/21; F25B2700/2106; F25B2700/2115; F25B2700/21151; F25B2700/21152; F25B2700/2116; F25B2700/21161; F25B2700/21163; F25B2700/2117; F25B2700/21171; F25B2700/21172; F25B2700/21173; F25B2700/21174; F25B2700/21175; F25D; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/36; G01K2201/00; G01N2015/084; G01N2015/0846; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/25; Y10S116/42; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A removable monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system, comprising: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising: a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure drop across a filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter element using at least a portion of the data from said differential pressure sensor; and a communication system configured to communicate sensor data electronically to a remote monitoring system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A removable monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system, comprising: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising: a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure drop across a filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter element using at least a portion of the data from said differential pressure sensor; and a communication system configured to communicate sensor data electronically to a remote monitoring system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to indicate when said filter needs replacement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to calculate energy costs due to inefficient operation of said filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to identify performance problems due to low airflow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising an airflow sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless transmitter system to transmit data from said differential pressure sensor to said processing system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating and cooling system comprising: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising; a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure drop across said filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter using at least a portion of the data from said differential pressure sensor; and a timer, said processor configured to indicate filter replacement when said timer exceeds a specified time of use for said filter or when a pressure drop across said filter exceeds a specified amount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating and cooling system comprising: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising; a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure drop across said filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter using at least a portion of the data from said differential pressure sensor; and a timer, said processor configured to indicate filter replacement when said timer exceeds a specified time of use for said filter or when a pressure drop across said filter exceeds a specified amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system, comprising: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising; a light source configured to illuminate a portion of said filter element; a light sensor configured to receive light from said light source that has passed through said filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter using at least a portion of the data from said light source, said processing system configured to establish a baseline light transmission value when said filter element is newly installed and to indicate filter replacement when said light transmission value drops below a threshold value relative to said baseline light transmission value; and a wireless transmitter system to transmit data to an HVAC monitoring system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system, comprising: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising; a light source configured to illuminate a portion of said filter element; a light sensor configured to receive light from said light source that has passed through said filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter using at least a portion of the data from said light source, said processing system configured to establish a baseline light transmission value when said filter element is newly installed and to indicate filter replacement when said light transmission value drops below a threshold value relative to said baseline light transmission value; and a wireless transmitter system to transmit data to an HVAC monitoring system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein said processing system is configured to identify performance problems due to low airflow caused by a dirty filter element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 , further comprising an airflow sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
179 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising; a light source configured to illuminate a portion of a filter element; a light sensor configured to receive light from said light source that has passed through said filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter using at least a portion of the data from said light source, said processing system configured to establish a baseline light transmission value when said filter element is newly installed and to indicate filter replacement when said light transmission value drops below a threshold value relative to said baseline light transmission value; and a timer, said processor configured to indicate filter replacement when said timer exceeds a specified time of use for said filter element or when a light transmission through across said filter falls below a specified amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
179 words
A monitoring system for monitoring an air filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system: a filter frame dimensioned to fit in place of a filter in an HVAC system, said frame comprising an electronics module and a mount to hold a filter element, said electronics module comprising; a light source configured to illuminate a portion of a filter element; a light sensor configured to receive light from said light source that has passed through said filter element; a processing system configured to calculate a performance criteria of said filter using at least a portion of the data from said light source, said processing system configured to establish a baseline light transmission value when said filter element is newly installed and to indicate filter replacement when said light transmission value drops below a threshold value relative to said baseline light transmission value; and a timer, said processor configured to indicate filter replacement when said timer exceeds a specified time of use for said filter element or when a light transmission through across said filter falls below a specified amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The monitoring system of claim 11 , further comprising a communication system configured to communicate data to a remote monitoring system.
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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) | 2010-07-16 | 2011-01-15 | 2011-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-01-15 | 2015-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-07-16 | 2019-01-15 | 2019-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |