Pneumatically Actuated Patents (Class 236/49.4)
  • Patent number: 11343938
    Abstract: A cooling system includes one or more air channeling sub-systems that provide cooling air to electronic equipment, at least one heat removal sub-system that removes heat from the cooling air in at least one of the air channeling sub-systems, at least one temperature sensor measures a wet bulb temperature of outside air, and at least one controller. At least one of the air channeling sub-systems includes an outside air damper operable allow outside air into the air channeling sub-system. The at least one controller at least partially opens the outside air damper if a wet bulb temperature measured at the at least one temperature sensor drops to or below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Osvaldo P. Morales
  • Patent number: 10620643
    Abstract: A fuel metering valve includes a valve body housing a valve element in an interior chamber between an inlet port and an outlet port, an actuator coupled to move the valve element relative to the valve body, and a controller configured to regulate the position of the valve body. The valve element regulates a flow of fuel through the valve body. The controller regulates the position of the valve body via an actuator based on measurements by differential and absolute pressure sensors to achieve a target mass flow rate of the fuel through the valve body. The differential pressure sensor is calibrated for accuracy only across a limited scale range based on a predetermined maximum subsonic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Emery Wilson, Timothy John Farrow
  • Patent number: 9930812
    Abstract: A method of cooling a data center having at least one hot aisle (145) and at least one cold aisle (144), including the steps of producing cooling air having controlled to have temperature and relative humidity within certain pre-defined limits; supplying the cooling air to a plurality of items of IT equipment (143) located in the data center between the cold aisle and the hot aisle; measuring the velocity of air flowing from the hot aisle to the cold aisle through an opening (150) between the hot aisle and the cold aisle; and controlling the rate of supply of cooling air to the items of IT equipment in dependence on the velocity of air so measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BRIPCO, BVBA
    Inventors: Nick Vaney, Tom Kingham, Simon Britton
  • Patent number: 9513026
    Abstract: An air diffuser comprising at least one discharge that is hand manipulable to vary at least two of the airflow rate, the airflow pattern and the airflow direction, wherein the airflow pattern produced by the discharge element may be at least one of a substantially perpendicular axial swirl pattern relative to the discharge element surface or a substantially inclined swirl pattern relative to the perpendicular axis of the discharge element surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KAIP Pty Limited
    Inventor: Sean Michael Johl Badenhorst
  • Patent number: 9157643
    Abstract: A conditioning plant comprises a general inlet, a general outlet, a circuit which sets the general inlet in fluid communication with the general outlet, a plurality of users arranged on the circuit, and a balancing system. The balancing system comprises a sensor for detecting at least a real value depending on a difference of intensity between upstream and downstream of the users, of at least a physical parameter of the fluid; the balancing system further comprises a flow regulating organ, and a control device connected to the sensor, acting on the flow regulating organ and configured for enabling memorization of at least a reference value of a same physical parameter of the fluid, comparing the reference value with the real value, commanding the regulating organ to regulate the fluid internally of the circuit such as to maintain the real value substantially aligned with the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: FIMCIM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Cimberio, Tiziano Guidetti
  • Patent number: 8676545
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to determine pliable air duct configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves determining a first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections to configure an air delivery duct system when an operating mode identifier is received. The operating mode identifier is associated with an amount of air delivered by the air delivery duct system into targeted areas. The first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections is based on an airflow rate value and the operating mode identifier. The airflow rate value is indicative of airflow through an air delivery duct system. Each adjustable air outlet duct section includes at least one adjustable air outlet having at least one size-adjustable orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Brenda L. Ritt, Cary Pinkalla, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, William A. Niehaus, Matthew Lux
  • Patent number: 8583289
    Abstract: A climate control system or a data center includes a computer room air conditioner (CRAC) and an air economizer. A control module determines whether outside air is suitable for use in cooling the data. If the outside air is suitable for use, outside air and not the CRAC is used to cool the data center when the dry bulb temperature of the outside air is below a minimum set point. The outside air is conditioned before it is introduced as supply air so that it is above a minimum temperature. If the outside air is suitable for use and the dry bulb temperature of the outside air is above the set point, the control module determines a cooling percentage of cooling of the data center to be provided by the CRAC and a cooling percentage to be provided by the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Stack, Stephen A. Mowrer
  • Patent number: 8249731
    Abstract: A system to control energy consumption in a building having a plurality of rooms with a wireless data transceiver; an occupancy sensor; a temperature sensor; a processor coupled to the wireless data transceiver, the occupancy sensor and the temperature sensor; and an air register including a motor coupled to the processor, the motor opening or closing one or more air vents in response to sensed motion or room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander Bach Tran, Alan An-Thuan Tran, Bao Q. Tran
  • Patent number: 8042784
    Abstract: The present invention includes a frame that is quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. The frame may be used for supporting a portable forced air heater, or other similar equipment. Handles, supports, and optionally a wheel assembly is assembled to two core members using snap lock buttons. In a preferred embodiment, the portable forced air heater includes a maintenance clock for measuring and recording operational parameters of a portable forced air heater, and for notifying a user that maintenance is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Pinnacle Products International, Inc., SP Elemech
    Inventors: Steve McCalley, Kyu Sam Hwang
  • Patent number: 7837127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation system for exchanging the air in a room with outside air, which system comprises: A fine wire heat exchanger having a first channel and a second channel, which channels are in heat-exchanging contact with each other, and wherein the first channel has an inlet connected to outside air and an outlet connected to the air in the room, and wherein the second channel has an inlet connected to the air in the room and an outlet connected to the outside air; balancing means for balancing the flow in both channels, such that the heat transfer is maximized. The invention also relates to a combination of a façade, a room on the inside of and adjacent to the façade and a ventilation system, wherein the inlet of the first channel of the system is connected to outside air on the outside of the façade and the outlet is connected to the air in the room, and wherein the inlet of the second channel is connected to the air in the room and the outlet is connected to the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignees: Kristinsson-Reitsema B.V., Fiwihex B.V.
    Inventors: Jon Kristinsson, Björn Kristinsson, Eleonoor Europeo Van Andel, Eleonoor Van Andel
  • Publication number: 20100078493
    Abstract: The invention is an inflatable bladder assembly for use in HVAC zone control systems. The bladder has a nozzle for inflating and deflating the bladder. The nozzle connects to a small air tube that is connected to the control system that provides pressure and vacuum for inflating and deflating the bladder. The bladder has at least two mounting tabs for attaching the bladder to a mounting fixture. A restraint fixture is attached to the mounting fixture. The restraint fixture firmly grips the nozzle and air tube. The restraint fixture allows the nozzle and air tube to be easily inserted into the fixture such that an airtight seal is made between the nozzle and air tube. The restrain fixture strongly resists forces that would remove the nozzle or air tube from the restraint fixture. The mounting fixture is attached to the duct system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Patent number: 7650206
    Abstract: An apparatus situated in a space for controlling an air terminal device to affect at least one environmental condition in the space includes: (a) at least one sensor unit for presenting at least one sensed indication related with at least one respective environmental condition of the at least one environmental condition; and (b) a local control unit coupled with the air terminal device and coupled with at least one respective sensor unit of the at least one sensor unit. The local control unit responds to a relationship of at least one predetermined requirement with the at least one sensed indication to effect the controlling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Brian R. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20090084122
    Abstract: New ecological operating mode that limits ventilation and air conditioning in the cabin (3) of the aircraft when the ecological operating mode has been selected, the aircraft is stationed on the ground, the engines are off, the engines' start up system has not been activated, the pneumatic or electrical energy supply system that typically controls ventilation and air conditioning in the aircraft has been activated and is supplying air, to provide a new method of operating at an established minimum limit independent of the difference between the selected temperature and the temperature measured, saving energy, and reducing pollutant emissions and noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Carlos Casado Montero
  • Publication number: 20080185446
    Abstract: An improved solution for cooling a data center is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, a data center design that combines physical segregation of hot and cold air streams together with a data hall variable air volume system is provided. The invention is a data center design that resolves air management issues of re-circulation, bypass and load balance. Bypass is airflow supplied by the cooling units that directly returns without cooling servers. Recirculation airflow is server discharge warm air that returns directly without being cooled. Load balance is supplying the required server airflow. An embodiment includes physical segregation of cold and hot air streams and by providing variable air volume to match server load. Air segregation is done by enclosing the hot aisle end and above the cabinets. The air conditioning system provides variable air volume to the data hall (cold side) to meet server demands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Robert M. Tozer
  • Patent number: 7302959
    Abstract: A low-power, wireless, inflatable bladder damper device for controlling the flow of air through an airflow channel, and a method of operation for the same. Rather than requiring power supply and/or control wiring for operation of a wireless damper device, a low-power inflatable bladder damper device that requires no external wiring for operation can be used. A completely wireless damper device can reduce the cost of installation of damping devices in airflow channels, as well as the complexity of installation, while at the same time providing improved control of airflow throughout an airflow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick S. Gonia
  • Patent number: 7207496
    Abstract: An improved inflatable bladder for use as a zone climate control system valve to controllably permit and prevent airflow through a vent of a forced air HVAC system. The bladder is secured by a rigid strap which may be coupled to the vent near the vent opening. The bladder is coupled to its pressure/vacuum air tube by a pin which is inserted through the air tube and the bladder nipple to which it mates. The bladder may have a donut shape for use with a vent which is located directly on a trunk which also has downstream vents or ducts which are not part of the same zone as the vent controlled by the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Home Comfort Zones, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Patent number: 6997390
    Abstract: A low cost and easy to install zone climate control system for retrofit to an existing forced air HVAC system, that provides independent minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and room-by-room climate control, including easy to use methods for specifying temperature schedules and providing local temperature control, and providing detailed energy use information so occupants can make informed cost versus comfort decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Home Comfort Zones, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Patent number: 6983889
    Abstract: A low cost and easy to install zone climate control system for retrofit to an existing forced air HVAC system, that provides independent minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and room-by-room climate control, including easy to use methods for specify temperature schedules and providing local temperature control, and providing detailed energy use information so occupants can make informed cost versus comfort decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Home Comfort Zones, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Patent number: 6223993
    Abstract: A climate control system is provided including a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum upon actuation. Also included is a thermostat for generating the activation signal upon a current temperature within the associated room being out of a predetermined range. At least one vent assembly is provided including a plurality of vanes pivotally mounted within the frame and having an unbiased open orientation for allowing the flow of air into the associated room and a biased closed orientation for precluding the flow of air into the associated room and a pneumatic servo connected to each of the vanes and in communication with the vacuum pump. The servo is adapted to transfer the vanes of the vent assembly to the closed orientation thereof only upon the receipt of vacuum. Finally, a vacuum valve is connected between the vacuum pump and the servo of the vent assembly. Such vacuum valve is connected to the thermostat for supplying the same with a vacuum during the receipt of the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Walter C. Lawrence