US8029608B1
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.1 years remaining
Furnace filter indicator
Assignee: BD Tech Partners
•
Filing: 2006-12-13
•
Granted: 2011-10-04
•
Expires: 2026-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A furnace filter indicator system comprises a pressure differential switch that monitors air pressure near a furnace filter, and a transmitter coupled to the pressure differential switch sends a signal to a receiver within a thermostat. The receiver includes an indicator for indicating the status of the furnace filter. If the pressure differential near the furnace filter triggers the switch, then the indicator will receive a “dirty” signal and will indicate that the furnace filter is dirty and should be replaced. The furnace filter indicator system is able to be installed on a previously installed furnace/thermostat system by utilizing the pre-existing wiring.
Inventors
- 👤 Stewart Breslin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:13
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/0084; B01D46/0086; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/39; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. a monitoring device for monitoring pressure differential; b. a transmitter device coupled to the monitoring device for transmitting a signal related to the pressure differential; c. a receiver device comprising one or more energy storing components, wherein the receiver device is coupled to the transmitter device for receiving the signal related to the pressure differential; and d. an indicator coupled to the receiver device for indicating status of the air filter based on the signal; wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the receiver device, and wherein the receiver device is located at a thermostat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. a monitoring device for monitoring pressure differential; b. a transmitter device coupled to the monitoring device for transmitting a signal related to the pressure differential; c. a receiver device comprising one or more energy storing components, wherein the receiver device is coupled to the transmitter device for receiving the signal related to the pressure differential; and d. an indicator coupled to the receiver device for indicating status of the air filter based on the signal; wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the receiver device, and wherein the receiver device is located at a thermostat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmitter device is coupled to a forced air furnace.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmitter device is coupled to pre-existing wires coupling the furnace to the thermostat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmitter device and the receiver device are wirelessly coupled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is positioned to detect static air pressure near the filter and a room air pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is positioned to detect static air pressure on either side of the filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is a differential pressure switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is a differential pressure sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicator includes one or more light emitting diodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicator is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indicator indicates “dirty” after receiving a “dirty” signal from the transmitter device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an audible indicator to audibly notify a user to change the filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the transmitter device superimposes the signal on a carrier over the pre-existing wires.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the carrier has a frequency of 175 KHz.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. a pressure differential switch positioned near the forced air furnace filter for monitoring pressure differential; b. a transmitter device coupled to the pressure differential switch for transmitting a signal related to the pressure differential; c. a receiver device comprising one or more energy storing components, wherein the receiver device is coupled to the transmitter device for receiving the signal related to the pressure differential; and d. one or more light emitting diode indicators coupled to the receiver device for indicating status of the furnace filter based on the signal, wherein the transmitter device is coupled to pre-existing wires coupling a furnace to a thermostat, and further wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the receiver device and wherein the receiver device is located at the thermostat.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. a pressure differential switch positioned near the forced air furnace filter for monitoring pressure differential; b. a transmitter device coupled to the pressure differential switch for transmitting a signal related to the pressure differential; c. a receiver device comprising one or more energy storing components, wherein the receiver device is coupled to the transmitter device for receiving the signal related to the pressure differential; and d. one or more light emitting diode indicators coupled to the receiver device for indicating status of the furnace filter based on the signal, wherein the transmitter device is coupled to pre-existing wires coupling a furnace to a thermostat, and further wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the receiver device and wherein the receiver device is located at the thermostat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the one or more light emitting diode indicators indicate “dirty” after receiving a “dirty” signal from the transmitter device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 15 further comprising an audible indicator to audibly notify a user to change the filter.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. detecting a pressure differential with a monitoring device; b. sending a signal from a transmitter device to a receiver device comprising one or more energy storing components, wherein the signal corresponds to the pressure differential; c. receiving the signal from the transmitter device at the receiver device; and d. indicating status of the forced air furnace filter on an indicator corresponding to the signal from the receiver device; wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the receiver device, and wherein the receiver device is located at a thermostat.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. detecting a pressure differential with a monitoring device; b. sending a signal from a transmitter device to a receiver device comprising one or more energy storing components, wherein the signal corresponds to the pressure differential; c. receiving the signal from the transmitter device at the receiver device; and d. indicating status of the forced air furnace filter on an indicator corresponding to the signal from the receiver device; wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the receiver device, and wherein the receiver device is located at a thermostat.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising installing the monitoring device and the transmitter device on a forced air furnace and installing the receiver device and the indicator on a thermostat.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein installing further comprises: a. positioning the monitoring device; and b. coupling the transmitter device to preexisting furnace wiring with the transmitter device coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the furnace is coupled to the thermostat.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the transmitter device and the receiver device are wirelessly coupled.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the monitoring device is positioned to detect static air pressure near the furnace filter and a room air pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the monitoring device is positioned to detect static air pressure on either side of the furnace filter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the monitoring device is a differential pressure switch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the monitoring device is a differential pressure sensor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the indicator includes one or more light emitting diodes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the indicator is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the indicator indicates “dirty” after receiving a “dirty” signal from the transmitter device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein indicating the status is an audible signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the transmitter device superimposes the signal on a carrier over the pre-existing wires.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the carrier has a frequency of 175 KHz.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of installing a forced air furnace filter indicator comprising: a. positioning a monitoring device near the forced air furnace filter; and b. coupling a transmitter device to preexisting furnace wiring, wherein the transmitter device is also coupled to the monitoring device, and further wherein the forced air furnace is coupled to a housing containing a thermostat, a receiver and an indicator, wherein the receiver comprises one or more energy storing components; wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the thermostat.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of installing a forced air furnace filter indicator comprising: a. positioning a monitoring device near the forced air furnace filter; and b. coupling a transmitter device to preexisting furnace wiring, wherein the transmitter device is also coupled to the monitoring device, and further wherein the forced air furnace is coupled to a housing containing a thermostat, a receiver and an indicator, wherein the receiver comprises one or more energy storing components; wherein the transmitter device is housed separately from the thermostat.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the monitoring device is a differential pressure switch.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the monitoring device is a differential pressure sensor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the indicator includes one or more light emitting diodes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the indicator is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein the indicator indicates “dirty” after receiving a “dirty” signal from the transmitter device.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. a monitoring device for monitoring pressure differential; b. a transmitter having a transmitter housing, wherein the transmitter is coupled to the monitoring device for transmitting a signal related to the pressure differential; c. a receiver having a receiver housing and one or more energy storing components, wherein the receiver is coupled to the transmitter for receiving the signal related to the pressure differential; and d. an indicator coupled to the receiver for indicating status of the air filter based on the signal; wherein the transmitter is housed separately from the receiver, and wherein the receiver is located at a thermostat.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for indicating a status of a forced air furnace filter comprising: a. a monitoring device for monitoring pressure differential; b. a transmitter having a transmitter housing, wherein the transmitter is coupled to the monitoring device for transmitting a signal related to the pressure differential; c. a receiver having a receiver housing and one or more energy storing components, wherein the receiver is coupled to the transmitter for receiving the signal related to the pressure differential; and d. an indicator coupled to the receiver for indicating status of the air filter based on the signal; wherein the transmitter is housed separately from the receiver, and wherein the receiver is located at a thermostat.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the signal is sent from the transmitter device to the receiver device when a pressure differential indicates a dirty filter.
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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) | 2014-10-03 | 2015-04-04 | 2015-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-10-03 | 2019-04-04 | 2019-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-10-03 | 2023-04-04 | 2023-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |