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An incipient failure indication apparatus for an environmental control system which includes a heat exchanger through which air flows and a temperature control thermostat. The indication apparatus includes an indicator having an alarm in communication with a control board, the control board in commu

An incipient failure indication apparatus for an environmental control system which includes a heat exchanger through which air flows and a temperature control thermostat. The indication apparatus includes an indicator having an alarm in communication with a control board, the control board in communication with the thermostat. The alarm has a visual indicator and/or an aural indicator, whereby the attention of a person is attracted to the indicator upon activation of the alarm. A first temperature sensor is disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchanger and a second temperature sensor is disposed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger, whereby the temperature sensors respectively sense the temperature of the air upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger. The first and second temperature sensors are in communication with the control board, and the control board has means for comparing the temperatures sensed thereby. The control board also includes means for activating the alarm in response to recognizing a difference in temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors which is one of greater than and less than a predetermined value. The apparatus may also be provided with a timer, a reset switch in communication therewith, a filter service time indicator, and means for activating the filter service time indicator a predetermined period measured by the timer after the reset switch is activated. The apparatus may also be provided with means for activating a remote alarm upon activation of the alarm, whereby persons outside of a building serviced by the environmental control system are notified of an incipient failure of the environmental control system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An incipient failure indication apparatus for an environmental control system, said system controlling the temperature of the air in a living space, said system including a heat exchanger through which air flows and a temperature control thermostat, said thermostat loca

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An incipient failure indication apparatus for an environmental control system, said system controlling the temperature of the air in a living space, said system including a heat exchanger through which air flows and a temperature control thermostat, said thermostat located in said living space, said apparatus comprising:an indicator mounted substantially adjacent to the thermostat, said indicator including an alarm and a control board, said alarm in communication with said control board, said control board in communication with the said thermostat, said alarm comprising one of a visual indicator and an aural indicator for attracting the attention of a person in said living space to said indicator upon activation of said alarm;a first temperature sensor disposed on the upstream side of the said heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor disposed on the downstream side of the said heat exchanger, said temperature sensors respectively sensing the temperature of the air on the upstream and downstream sides of the heat exchanger, said first and second temperature sensors in communication with said control board, said control board having a comparator which compares the temperatures sensed by said first and second temperature sensors, and an activator for activating said alarm in response to a determination by said comparator of a difference in temperatures sensed by said first and second temperature sensors which is one of less than and greater than a predetermined value.