Monitoring apparatus

Patent · Tue Dec 23 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6886723

Adams, W H

An apparatus is described for monitoring the temperature inside a refrigeration unit that experiences periodic defrost cycles of a known duration, the apparatus including a temperature sensor located within the refrigeration unit for providing an electrical output signal indicative of the temperature level inside the unit, a comparator means for comparing the sensor output signal level with a preset signal level and providing a first output signal when the sensed temperature level is above the preset level and a second output signal when the sensed temperature level is below the preset level, a timer means connected to the output of the comparator means which is enabled when the comparator means produces the first output signal whereby the timer means generates a continuous chain of timing pulses and is disabled when the comparator means produces the second output signal, counter means being coupled to the timer means for counting the number of pulses generated by the timer means and producing a counter output signal when a preset count is reached. The duration of the counter means cycle is greater than the duration of the defrost cycle, and an audio means coupled to the output of both the timer means and the counter means. An audio transducer means provides a first audible alert signal any time the timer means is enabled and a second audible alarm signal when the counter means reaches the preset count.

• Assignee: Richards Technical Products, Inc., Syracuse, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4630449
• OSTI ID: 6886723
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
ALARM SYSTEMS
COMPARATOR CIRCUITS
DEFROSTING
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
GATING CIRCUITS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
PULSES
REFRIGERATORS
SIGNALS
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
THERMOMETERS
TIMING CIRCUITS
TRANSDUCERS