Audible air flow detector for air filters

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting blockage of a porous medium of an air filter utilized to filter air within a forced air stream contained within an enclosure. The air filter extends in a direction transverse to a direction of the forced air stream. The detection is accomplished with an opening in the porous medium of a greater dimension than provided by the porous medium. The opening is defined by the porous medium of the air filter and extends through the porous medium through which airflow from the forced air stream passes. A flexible member is provided which is positioned within the air flow from the forced air stream which passes through the opening and received by the flexible member causing the flexible member to vibrate and emit an audible sound in response to the air flow. Additionally, a method is provided for detecting blockage of the porous medium of the air filter including the steps of providing an opening in the porous medium; selecting a flexible member in which the flexible member vibrates emitting a desired audible sound with the flexible member positioned to receive a flow of air at a particular velocity; and positioning at least a portion of the flexible member in communication with the opening in the porous medium to receive the air flow from the forced air stream.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.