Abstract: An air delivery assembly having a baffle and an ionizer. The baffle is constructed to affect air flow such that air flowing through the air delivery assembly has an air velocity and a direct flow to the ionizer that is effective to deliver ions through a diffuser of the air delivery assembly and up into a room. The air delivery assembly may be included with a damper and/or an upper diffuser to form an air terminal, which may be used in a raised floor air distribution system.

Abstract: An elongate air delivery assembly having a housing extending between two end caps. The housing includes a plurality of exit vents from which airflow is provided in a consistent sheet at a uniform velocity, and the housing is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis to change a direction of the airflow. A method of improving plant cultivation includes positioning one or more elongate air delivery systems adjacent rows of plants such that the sheet of air generated by the elongate air delivery system is directed horizontally across the plants underneath their plant canopy.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a damper valve of a diffuser mechanism is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a damper construction that selectively alters the amount of air flow through a diffuser grille using a three-plate damper valve. The three-plate damper valve includes a manual plate, a fixed plate, and a motorized plate. The manual plate is manually rotatable around a central axis, while the motorized plate is mechanically rotatable about the same axis. The motorized plate is mechanically and/or remotely controlled using a stepper motor coupled to the motorized plate. Further, the diffuser mechanism includes a sensor for determining the location of the motorized plate with respect to a starting position. As such, multiple configurations of the manual plate and the motorized plate may be used to alter the air flow through the resulting channels of the damper mechanism.

Abstract: An elongate air delivery assembly having a housing extending between two end caps. The housing includes a plurality of exit vents from which airflow is provided in a consistent sheet at a uniform velocity, and the housing is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis to change a direction of the airflow. A method of improving plant cultivation includes positioning one or more elongate air delivery systems adjacent rows of plants such that the sheet of air generated by the elongate air delivery system is directed horizontally across the plants underneath their plant canopy.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a damper valve of a diffuser mechanism is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a damper construction that selectively alters the amount of air flow through a diffuser grille using a three-plate damper valve. The three-plate damper valve includes a manual plate, a fixed plate, and a motorized plate. The manual plate is manually rotatable around a central axis, while the motorized plate is mechanically rotatable about the same axis. The motorized plate is mechanically and/or remotely controlled using a stepper motor coupled to the motorized plate. Further, the diffuser mechanism includes a sensor for determining the location of the motorized plate with respect to a starting position. As such, multiple configurations of the manual plate and the motorized plate may be used to alter the air flow through the resulting channels of the damper mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a damper valve of a diffuser mechanism is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a damper construction that selectively alters the amount of air flow through a diffuser grille using a three-plate damper valve. The three-plate damper valve includes a manual plate, a fixed plate, and a motorized plate. The manual plate is manually rotatable around a central axis, while the motorized plate is mechanically rotatable about the same axis. The motorized plate is mechanically and/or remotely controlled using a stepper motor coupled to the motorized plate. Further, the diffuser mechanism includes a sensor for determining the location of the motorized plate with respect to a starting position. As such, multiple configurations of the manual plate and the motorized plate may be used to alter the air flow through the resulting channels of the damper mechanism.

Abstract: A grate constructed in accordance with the present invention is used in connection with HVAC applications and systems and may be placed in an opening of an air duct in a floor. The grate has a plurality of grate bars and cross bars that are formed from strips of prefinished metal cut from a sheet of metal that are bent around a form to provide an upside down “U” shaped cross-section defining a channel. Pairs of grooves are formed across a top of each cross bar and portions of the grate bar. The grate bars are positioned above the cross bars in a perpendicular manner and portions of the grate bars are received in the pairs of grooves. The grate bars and the cross bars are coupled together by moving the portions of the grate bars received in the grooves away from each other, thereby wedging them together.

Abstract: A damper having a housing includes a rotatable damper vane therein constructed to minimize the passage of air between the vane and the housing when the vane is in a closed position. The housing includes a pair of opposed walls having a channel or flute therein adjacent outer edges of the vane when the vane is in the closed position. The outer edges of the vane terminate in domed or arcuate shaped surfaces that generally correspond with the channel. The arcuate shaped surfaces are a distance apart that is greater than a distance between the opposed walls such that the arcuate shaped surfaces are received in the channels when the vane is in the closed position. The housing also includes a pair of opposed sidewalls having a ridge therein at a location that aligns with an edge of the vane when the vane is in the closed position.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a damper valve of a diffuser mechanism is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a damper construction that selectively alters the amount of air flow through a diffuser grille using a three-plate damper valve. The three-plate damper valve includes a manual plate, a fixed plate, and a motorized plate. The manual plate is manually rotatable around a central axis, while the motorized plate is mechanically rotatable about the same axis. The motorized plate is mechanically and/or remotely controlled using a stepper motor coupled to the motorized plate. Further, the diffuser mechanism includes a sensor for determining the location of the motorized plate with respect to a starting position. As such, multiple configurations of the manual plate and the motorized plate may be used to alter the air flow through the resulting channels of the damper mechanism.

Abstract: A damper having a housing includes a rotatable damper vane therein constructed to minimize the passage of air between the vane and the housing when the vane is in a closed position. The housing includes a pair of opposed walls having a channel or flute therein adjacent outer edges of the vane when the vane is in the closed position. The outer edges of the vane terminate in domed or arcuate shaped surfaces that generally correspond with the channel. The arcuate shaped surfaces are a distance apart that is greater than a distance between the opposed walls such that the arcuate shaped surfaces are received in the channels when the vane is in the closed position. The housing also includes a pair of opposed sidewalls having a ridge therein at a location that aligns with an edge of the vane when the vane is in the closed position.

Abstract: A floor terminal mounted in a passageway beneath a raised floor utilizing a suspension system is provided. The suspension system includes a grid of interconnected longitudinal and lateral rails. Each of the rails includes an upper wall for supporting a grate assembly or a segment of the raised floor, and a lower wall that has an elongate aperture formed therein. The floor terminal includes a frame that is configured with outwardly extending flanges. A plurality of hook elements are provided for coupling the frame to the rails of the grid. Specifically, each hook element includes an upper angled portion that is inserted through the elongate aperture of one of the rails and rests upon an internal surface of the rail's lower wall. Additionally, each hook element includes a lower-angled portion that engages one of the frame's flanges, thereby suspending the floor terminal within the passageway.

Abstract: A diffuser for positioning in an opening of a passageway having conditioned air, the diffuser including a grate assembly, a pan assembly, and a retention assembly. The grate assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion contains an aperture, a plurality of slotted sections, and a flange. The lower portion includes downwardly depending sidewalls and a stop. The pan assembly includes a tray with an aperture and a plurality of upwardly depending legs. The retention assembly couples the grate assembly with the pan assembly and contains a first member that is movable from a first position to a second position for selectively engaging the stop.

Abstract: An under-floor trough is provided for use with a raised-floor system. The under-floor trough includes an air-delivery assembly, one or more plurality of dampers, a support system, and a heating element. A control unit, removable from above the raised-floor system, and a baffle are disposed within the air-delivery assembly. The dampers include vanes that are actuated between open and closed positions according to a time modulated duty cycle to control the flow of conditioned air to a room. The support system provides a plurality of legs disposed between the bottom of the air-delivery assembly and a sub-floor. A bracket is mounted to a wall and the under-floor trough is supported thereby. The heating element is disposed within the air-delivery assembly. Conditioned air is provided to a room at high flow rates for short durations based on the duty cycle, thereby increasing the uniformity of cooling provided to the room.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desktop air conditioning provides conditioned air to individuals sitting at a desk. A raised floor air delivery system provides a plenum having conditioned air under the raised floor upon which the individual and their desk sit. Small ducts extend vertically up from the floor to the underneath side of the desk where they are connected to a desktop diffuser. The desktop diffuser directs air from the plenum generally horizontally across a top of the desk toward the chest and face of the individual. The desktop diffuser is low profile so as not to interfere with the surface of the desktop and its aesthetics.

Abstract: A diffuser for positioning in an opening of a passageway having conditioned air, the diffuser including a grate assembly, a pan assembly, and a retention assembly. The grate assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion contains an aperture, a plurality of slotted sections, and a flange. The lower portion includes downwardly depending sidewalls and a stop. The pan assembly includes a tray with an aperture and a plurality of upwardly depending legs. The retention assembly couples the grate assembly with the pan assembly and contains a first member that is movable from a first position to a second position for selectively engaging the stop.