Having Forced Recirculation Patents (Class 454/228)
  • Patent number: 11879658
    Abstract: An air-conditioning ventilation system includes a ventilation device configured to ventilate an air-conditioned space while controlling a ventilation rate, an air-conditioning apparatus that includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between refrigerant and air and that is configured to operate while controlling an air-conditioning capacity thereof to bring an indoor temperature in the air-conditioned space to a setting temperature, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Saito, Yunqing Fan
  • Patent number: 11846434
    Abstract: Architectures and techniques are presented that can facilitate improved design and function of certain air handler devices. Architectures directed to an improved air handler device can be designed to improve temperature control demands such as, e.g., concurrently heat and cool air and reducing device dimensions (e.g., size, weight) that can reduce costs and mitigate shipping and installation difficulties. Architectures directed to U-bend structures can further reduce footprint on leasable space and provide improved acoustics, service access, and reduced energy consumption and infrastructure costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Best Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Karamanos, Herbert Willke
  • Patent number: 11698200
    Abstract: An air duct device and an air handling apparatus are provided. The air duct device can include a housing, a first air duct, and a second air duct. The first air duct is arranged in the housing and has an air input end and an air output end. The second air duct is arranged in the housing and has an air input end and an air output end. The air input end of the second air duct passes by the air output end of the first air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lianyu Shan
  • Patent number: 11690351
    Abstract: A fan assembly for use in a sidewall of an animal house. The fan assembly includes an impeller, a motive force configured to rotate the impeller about a fan assembly axis, and a butterfly shutter. A shutter operation mechanism moves the butterfly doors of the shutter between the closed position and the open position in synchrony with an operating speed of the impeller. The shutter operating mechanism includes pushrods connected to the butterfly doors, and a linkage between the impeller and the second pushrods. The linkage includes at least one weight configured to rotate with the impeller about the fan assembly axis, wherein rotation of the at least one weight causes the linkage to exert a force on the pushrods to push the butterfly doors toward the open position when the impeller is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: The GSI Group LLC
    Inventors: Yu Shao, Shuowei Li, Huaijun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11486595
    Abstract: An Air Handling Unit for a ventilation system in a building has supply and extract air channels, each with an inlet and an outlet for guiding air to and from a building. Each air channel includes a damper controlling air flow. The air channels are in a heat exchanging relation to each other. The AHU also includes a fan and an Electronic Control Unit. The ECU outputs a defrost cycle initiation signal to defrost the heat recovery arrangement. The ECU outputs a defrost cycle termination signal to end the defrost cycle upon indication of the defrosting being completed. To optimize the defrost cycle time the ECU changes the first or second criterion for defrost cycle termination signal depending on the time for performing the defrost cycle such that the time period of the defrost cycle is prolonged/shortened when the defrost cycle time period is shorter/longer than preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SWEGON OPERATIONS AB
    Inventors: Andreas Gustavsson, Daniel Oltegen, Daniel Johansson, Anders Fransson, Magnus Ahl
  • Patent number: 11346564
    Abstract: Architectures and techniques are presented that can facilitate improved design and function of certain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) devices. Architectures directed to an improved evase device can be designed with rounded corners that can facilitate, e.g., mitigation of reverse flow that traditionally grows back from corners of a transition from an axial fan to a rectangular duct. Architectures directed to an improved intake device can be designed to limit intake from certain flow directions and to smoothly change flow direction, which can facilitate, e.g., reduction in noise. Architectures directed to an improved fan intake device can be designed to reduce noise without significantly reducing total pressure. Architectures directed to an improved air handler device can be designed to concurrently heat and cool air and to reduce dimensions (e.g., size, weight) that can reduce costs and mitigate shipping and installation difficulties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Best Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Karamanos, Herbert Willke
  • Patent number: 11178846
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an environmental control system for an agricultural animal housing facility. This system includes a plurality of air handling systems configured to deliver supply air to an agricultural animal housing facility, wherein each air handling system is configured to receive a portion of fresh air and a portion of recirculated internal air, and wherein each air handling system is configured to mix the fresh air and internal air and provide the resultant mixture to the agricultural animal housing facility as supply air. The plurality of air handling systems are configured to regulate a proportion of fresh air to internal air in response to an internal temperature of the agricultural animal housing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: David Andress, Mikel Robinson, Matthew D. Andress, Thomas R. Ryan, Brian L. Whitesell, Brian Rueschhoff
  • Patent number: 10694682
    Abstract: Vertical growing uses a plurality of shelves to support plants. The system provides nitrogen and light to help grow the plants placed on the shelves. The system also circulates air that is filtered and mixed with the nitrogen before being distributed to the plants. The filters can remove odors from the circulating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Vertical Air Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Matthew L Bogner, James C Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10684027
    Abstract: An air purification system including a housing defining a lumen, an inlet, an outlet, and a flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet and through the lumen; a filter assembly retained within the lumen and including a substrate defining an open three-dimensional volume, a photocatalytic material disposed on the substrate, and a photon source arranged to illuminate the photocatalytic material with optical radiation; and a flow control mechanism arranged along the flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Molekule, Inc.
    Inventors: Dilip Goswami, David Sanabria
  • Patent number: 9829003
    Abstract: An air mixing system includes a building superstructure having an open space therein and an attic. An air mixing unit mounted to the ceiling draws air from the open space and the attic, mixes the air and discharges the mixed air outwards from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: VALCO COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventor: Philip E. Risser
  • Patent number: 9011792
    Abstract: An isolator includes a work chamber, a sterilizing substance supply unit, a gas flow channel pressure adjustment unit, a work chamber barometer, and a controller. The controller is configured to control execution of a gas flow channel leak test for checking a gas leak in a gas flow channel based on a detection result by the work chamber barometer after making the gas flow channel pressure adjustment unit increase or decrease the pressure in the gas flow channel, and is configured to control supply of the sterilizing substance by the sterilizing substance supply unit. The controller performs heating of a heater, which accompanies the supply of the sterilizing substance, in parallel with the gas flow channel leak test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Yokoi, Jiro Ohnishi, Akifumi Iwama, Masaki Harada, Yoshiaki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8942271
    Abstract: A blower apparatus includes a blower casing; an elastic member for mounting a mounting portion that projects on an outer circumferential portion of the blower casing, to a blower support member disposed on the inlet side of the mounting portion; and a flange portion provided on the inlet side of the mounting portion. At least three elastic members are disposed in the same plane that is almost orthogonal to a rotation shaft, and adhesion surfaces are provided on both ends, in the rotation shaft direction, of each elastic member. The mounting portion is fixed to one of the adhesion surfaces, and the blower support member is fixed to the other of the adhesion surfaces. The flange portion is provided so as to oppose the blower support member through a gap having a thickness less than a thickness, in the rotation shaft direction, of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Funaoka, Takayuki Nakayama, Tomohiro Kyoto
  • Patent number: 8900041
    Abstract: A fan includes a hub, several fan blades, and a motor that is operable to drive the hub. A motor controller is in communication with the motor, and is configured to select the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub. The fan is installed in a place having a floor and a ceiling. An upper temperature sensor is positioned near the ceiling. A lower temperature sensor is positioned near the floor. The temperature sensors communicate with the motor controller, which includes a processor configured to compare substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The motor controller is thus configured to automatically control the fan motor to minimize the differences between substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The fan system may thus substantially destratify air in an environment, to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution within the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delta T Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Toy
  • Patent number: 8741227
    Abstract: An isolator includes a workroom having a first sterilizing material supply port, a first sterilizing material discharge port, a first gas supply port and a first gas discharge port, a sterilization chamber having a second sterilizing material supply port, a second sterilizing material discharge port, a second gas supply port and a second gas discharge port, a sterilizing material supply unit, a first sterilizing material supply path connecting the sterilizing material supply unit to the first sterilizing material supply port, a second sterilizing material supply path connecting the sterilizing material supply unit to the second sterilizing material supply port, a first circulating path connecting the first sterilizing material discharge port to the sterilizing material supply unit, a second circulating path connecting the second sterilizing material discharge port to the sterilizing material supply unit, a first gas supply path, a second gas supply path, a first gas discharge path, a second gas discharge path
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Yokoi, Jiro Ohnishi, Shinji Fukui, Akifumi Iwama
  • Patent number: 8668560
    Abstract: Shielding liquid from electronic components may be accomplished by a variety of systems, devices, and techniques. A shielding may include a substantially vertical channel mounted to a fuel dispenser component; an airflow inlet; a plurality of arrays of angled protrusions; and a plurality of substantially vertical protrusions. The channel is adapted to guide an airflow. The plurality of arrays of angled protrusions are, disposed within the channel and are substantially parallel in arrangement within each array. The angled protrusions within each array are angularly offset in arrangement relative to the angled protrusions within adjacent arrays. The arrays of angled protrusions are adapted to form a tortuous path for the airflow through the channel. The plurality of substantially vertical protrusions are disposed within the channel and are located between the airflow inlet and the plurality of arrays. The vertical protrusions are adapted to substantially straighten the airflow within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Zuzek, Mark Justin Johnson
  • Patent number: 8658107
    Abstract: An isolator includes a work chamber, a sterilizing substance supply unit, a gas flow channel pressure adjustment unit, a work chamber barometer, and a controller. The controller is configured to control execution of a gas flow channel leak test for checking a gas leak in a gas flow channel based on a detection result by the work chamber barometer after making the gas flow channel pressure adjustment unit increase or decrease the pressure in the gas flow channel, and is configured to control supply of the sterilizing substance by the sterilizing substance supply unit. The controller performs heating of a heater, which accompanies the supply of the sterilizing substance, in parallel with the gas flow channel leak test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Yokoi, Jiro Ohnishi, Akifumi Iwama, Masaki Harada, Yoshiaki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8512113
    Abstract: An air conditioning device (10) for conducting air from outside into a building or in the opposite direction for conducting air out of the building has at least one supply air chamber structure (11) and at least one exhaust air chamber structure (12) and in between these a partition wall (13) and therein a fan (14), with the aid of which air is made to flow (arrow L1) from a supply chamber (D1) into an exhaust chamber (D2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Retermia Oy
    Inventors: Markus Castrén, Risto Castrén
  • Patent number: 8382565
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A device includes a support element and a plurality of ducts connected to the support element. The device also includes a manifold in fluid communication with each one of the plurality of ducts and a plurality of valves. Each respective one of the plurality of valves is associated with a respective one of the plurality of ducts. Moreover, there is at least one actuator operatively connected to the plurality of valves, which is structured and arranged to individually actuate each one of the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dawson, Vincenzo V. Diluoffo, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Michael D. Kendzierski
  • Patent number: 8337751
    Abstract: A systematic decontamination and containment method for decontaminating personnel is disclosed. This method includes providing a plurality of components positionable on a selected location for establishment of a multi-station decontamination and containment facility to decontaminate personnel and to contain contaminants collected during the decontamination process. The components can include a plurality of collapsible frame and roof assemblies, wall and roof covers, a weapons clearing assembly, a weapons storage locker, a hanging bar, a signage assembly, collapsible containment hamper assemblies, a covered dispensing assembly, a shuffle box, a multi-wipe dispensing assembly, and a transportable containment enclosure. The enclosure is shaped and sized to removably retain the system's components for transportation or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: Ricky William Stewart, Lee Walker Brillhart, III
  • Patent number: 8326464
    Abstract: A return fan control system for an HVAC system comprises a supply fan control loop, a return fan control loop and a building pressure control system. The supply fan control loop comprises a duct pressure controller arranged to control a supply fan to a duct pressure setpoint. The return plenum pressure control loop comprises a return plenum pressure controller arranged to automatically control a return fan to a return plenum pressure setpoint determined by a setpoint reset function. The building pressure control system is operable to control a building pressure. The building pressure control system may comprise a building pressure control loop and an outside air control loop cooperatively arranged to control an exhaust damper in response to an outside air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Clanin
  • Patent number: 8262988
    Abstract: An antigen supply device 1 according to the present invention is mainly configured by a cylindrical member 3 extending in the vertical direction. An air suction port 5 for sucking the air in the antigen exposure chamber is provided at a lower end of the cylindrical member. An axial fan 6 that generates a flow of the air flowing upward in an axial direction of the cylindrical member is attached above the air suction port of the cylindrical member. Moreover, a supply port 4 through which high-concentration antigens are jetted from a dust feeder on the outside of the antigen exposure chamber is provided above the axial fan of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Shinryo Corporation
    Inventors: Huaipeng Tang, Akihiro Seta, Minoru Okuda, Kazuhiro Hashigucci, Kimihiro Okubo
  • Publication number: 20120171943
    Abstract: Systems are provided for cooling data centers based on a cooperative system including a plurality of Indirect Air-Side Economizers, also referred to as Recirculation Air Cooling Units, that are advantageously operated in conjunction with one or more Side Stream Filtration Units or filters inclusive to a portion of the IASE/RACUs, and one or more Make-Up Air Dehumidification/Humidification Units for the introduction of ventilation air and control of humidity within the enclosed space. An objective of the systems according to this disclosure is to provide the necessary rejection of heat, removal of particulate from the air, and control of the absolute moisture content of the air within a data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: MUNTERS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bryan Keith Dunnavant
  • Patent number: 8159170
    Abstract: When cooling operation or dehumidifying operation is started, a blower fan for an evaporator and an exhaust fan for a condenser are driven at an initial rotational number. A compressor is driven at a fixed rotational number. Due to load variation, an operating current supplied from a power source is changed. When the operating current exceeds a reference value, the rotational number of the blower fan is gradually reduced. When an endothermic quantity by the evaporator decreases, a temperature of a gas refrigerant flowing through the evaporator is lowered. Since the load applied on the compressor is reduced, the operating current decreases. In this way, when the compressor is loaded, the operating current increased, however, by controlling operation of the fans as described above, it is possible to prevent that the power source is shut off due to overcurrent and operation is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Kakiuchi
  • Patent number: 8147302
    Abstract: A system for monitoring air quality conditions, comprising, a multi-point air monitoring system comprising, a plurality of sensors for collecting air quality data from a plurality of at least partially enclosed areas; one or more data processing units for processing one or more air quality parameters based on the collected air quality data; and one or more communication devices for communicating the data from the sensor to the processing unit; and a signal processing controller that generates one or more blended air quality parameter signals via the multi-point air monitoring system based at least in part on one or more of the processed air quality parameters representative of data from a plurality of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aircuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Desrochers, Gordon P. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8128245
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a make-mirror designed to direct airflow to a user's face, and includes a mirror embedded in a housing that encases a fan, and is vented to direct airflow to a user's face. Various embodiments may include lighting, bases, stands, extension arms, components for flush mounting the invention to a wall, electrical wiring, battery adapted power components, and solar power components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Lisa Limjoco
  • Patent number: 8128869
    Abstract: An air sanitization system including a reactive oxygen species generator, a variable speed fan, a pathogen sensor and a controller. The reactive oxygen species generator generates reactive oxygen species from an oxygen-containing gas and discharges the reactive oxygen species to a conditioned space. The variable speed fan directs the oxygen-containing gas to the reactive oxygen species generator at a controlled speed. The pathogen sensor senses a level of airborne pathogens in the conditioned space and generates a signal indicative of the level of pathogens sensed. The controller receives the signal from the pathogen sensor and varies the speed of the variable speed fan in response to the signal to decrease a speed of the variable speed fan in response to an increase in the level of airborne pathogens sensed by the pathogen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Wayne Sunderland
  • FAN
    Publication number: 20120009863
    Abstract: A fan for a ventilation system has a motor, a motor speed control unit and a controller arranged to control the motor to maintain the quantity of air flowing through the system constant. The controller compares the actual motor current with an expected motor current for the fan operating at the desired air quantity and motor speed to determine an actual system operating condition. When the difference between the actual motor current and the expected motor current is greater than a preset range, the motor speed is adjusted to a new motor speed determined based on the actual system operating condition. The system operating conditions may change due to changes in the static pressure of the system such as changes to the ventilation ducting or external wind pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Chi Ping SUN, Fang Yi Li, Siu Chung Yip
  • Patent number: 8029729
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in conventional art antigen exposure chambers, and specifically, to provide an antigen exposure chamber system capable of simultaneously exposing a large number of test objects in a chamber to a uniform antigen (pollen, mite or house dust, etc.) in all seasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Shinryo Corporation
    Inventors: Huaipeng Tang, Akihiro Seta, Toshihiro Anai, Toshikatsu Ueda, Minoru Okuda, Kazuhiro Hashigucci, Kimihiro Okubo
  • Patent number: 8021217
    Abstract: A self-contained pre-manufactured roof top unit is used to circulate fresh air, heat or cool a building. The housing has a blower connected into a circulation system to circulate air into and out of the building. The unit has a pressure relief opening for connection into the building that is used to relieve air pressure buildup within the building. The pressure relief opening is part of a pressure relief passage that is independent of the blower and has an exhaust vent that opens and closes automatically in response to pressure differential between the building and ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: MNE Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Greig J. Tollar
  • Patent number: 7850513
    Abstract: Highly efficient solar fans used in portable and built in configurations. A ventilation fan can be used for exhausting air out from underneath roofs, and/or for being portable in use and application. The fan can include optimized airflow blades having a twisted configuration that can move at a rotational speed operation of up to approximately 500 rpm. The approximately 15 inch diameter twisted blades can be premolded on a hub that together form a single molded unit of plastic. They can also be fabricated using metal. The unit can be mounted in an exhaust outlet having a conical diffuser on or adjacent to a roof. Another embodiment allows for portable solar powered fans used anywhere there is a need for ventilation and moving of air. The blades can rotate by a solar powered motor, where the blades and motor can generate up to approximately 1040 cfm while using no more than approximately 16 Watts. Portable fans can be powered by solar panels. One embodiment has solar panels mounted to a handtruck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Parker, Bart Hibbs
  • Publication number: 20100105310
    Abstract: A system and a method regulate temperature in a building using an air inlet at a level beneath a space for habitation within the building (e.g., living areas in a residential building, or work areas or offices in a commercial building). The air pulled into the air inlet creates an air flow into the building that is received into a thermal storage plenum, which allows the air flow to mix with a substantial air mass accumulated in the thermal storage plenum. The air in the thermal storage plenum is circulated throughout the space for habitation and recycled back to the thermal storage plenum through, for example, a return duct. Such a return duct may be provided by a stairwell. A relief vent may be provided at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building. The quantity of air flowing through the air inlet and the relief vent may be controlled using a control system which open the air inlet and the relief vent simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel George Smith, John Frederick Straube
  • Publication number: 20100101198
    Abstract: The present invention describes an air quality containment unit for isolating a construction, renovation or maintenance project. The air quality containment unit contains dust, molds and other air-borne pollutants using a filter, such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, to maintain a negative air pressure in the unit. The air quality containment unit includes at least one sealable orifice that allows workers to introduce, for example, an electrical cord into the unit without breaching containment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald E. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20100081368
    Abstract: A mobile laminar flow hood specifically devised for use in podiatry and a podiatric apparatus to which such hood is associated are described. The hood is adapted to generate a laminar flow of sterile air. In particular, an apparatus comprising a system for the generation and treatment of a laminar air flow in a intervention zone is described, together with means to support the system for the generation and treatment of a laminar air flow. The system comprises a blowing hood adapted to generate a laminar flow of sterile air towards said intervention zone, and a suctioning hood adapted to suck the laminar flow of sterile air from the intervention zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Francesco DELLA VALLE, Michela Rampazzo, Vanni Canton
  • Patent number: 7662035
    Abstract: Highly efficient ventilation fans for exhausting air out from underneath roofs, and for being portable in use and application. The fan can include optimized airflow blades having a twisted configuration that can move at a rotational speed operation of up to approximately 500 rpm. The approximately 15 inch diameter twisted blades can be premolded on a hub that together form a single molded unit of plastic. They can also be fabricated using metal. The unit can be mounted in an exhaust outlet having a conical diffuser on or adjacent to a roof. Alternatively, the fan can be portable for use most anywhere there is a need for ventilation and moving of air. The blades can rotate by a solar powered motor, where the blades and motor can generate up to approximately 1040 cfm while using no more than approximately 16 Watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny S Parker, Bart Hibbs
  • Patent number: 7657161
    Abstract: A method of constant airflow control for a ventilation system is disclosed. The method includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant I·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. This is because these controls use only intrinsic control variables which are electric current and rotational speed of the motor. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Young-Chun Jeung
  • Patent number: 7625276
    Abstract: An axial flow fan shroud fixes and supports the axial flow fan and a driving motor while surrounding the axial flow fan. The shroud includes a housing having a ventilation hole at the center of the housing and surrounding the axial flow fan; a motor fixing part at the center of the ventilation hole; and air guide vanes or duct between the housing and the motor fixing part for deflecting a part of air blown by the axial flow fan parts needing cooling. The shroud prevents overheating of parts sensitive to heat due to heat of an engine by guiding air blown by the axial flow fan to an area where the parts are installed while avoiding the heated engine. Therefore, low-price products having inferior thermal property can be used so manufacturing costs can be reduced and the degree of freedom in design can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Jong-Yeol Kim, Jun-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7585210
    Abstract: A system for drying the crawlspace of a home, reducing mold in the crawlspace and in the living area of the home, and that creates healthy air exchanges in the living area of the home with fresh air from the outside. The Negative Air Supplied (NAS) crawlspace system implements multiple drying theories to efficiently dry both porous and semi-porous materials in the crawlspace down to moisture levels too low for mold to grow. The present NAS system also creates a negative air pressure in the crawlspace, which causes the airflow in the home to go from the living area to the crawlspace. This airflow pattern prevents any mold spores in the crawlspace from entering the living area of the home. The airflow created by the NAS system also forces multiple air exchanges per day in the living area of the home with outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Michael E. Yurcak
  • Patent number: 7578734
    Abstract: An HVAC unit ventilator, particularly suited for schools and hotels, includes a single damper blade driven directly by a motor to control a supply air's mixture of return air and outside air. The damper blade is selectively pivotal to a full outside air position, a full return air position, and various intermediate mixed-air positions. The damper blade has flexible edge and end seals that create little if any frictional drag as the damper blade pivots to the intermediate positions, yet the seals provide a positive, tight seal when the damper stops at either the full outside air position or the full return air position. The unit ventilator includes a filter frame that not only supports an air filter but also provides the damper blade with sealing surfaces and structural support. For rigidity, the damper blade has somewhat of a box-like structure that is bi-directionally reinforced by ribs and triangular gussets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Syed S. Ahmed, Kevin W. Sawyer, Bryan M. Herzog, Kim L. Hall, Kirk W. Beason
  • Patent number: 7547364
    Abstract: A sprayer device including a generator for generating an air stream having a predetermined velocity and a nozzle unit for the discharge of liquid therefrom, whereby to produce a mist stream capable of being propelled to a predetermined location. The mist stream has a measurable and controllable lateral dimension at the predetermined location. The sprayer device is used particularly for moistening cattle, especially cows, in sheds, and taking into account the effect of the wind. Rows of sprayers project water sprays directed toward the cattle. The sprayers may be angularly shifted to take into account the deviating effect of the wind. A processor calculates the angular shift that is needed for the existing wind direction and intensity. All the sprayers concurrently receive the angular shift, which is transmitted to the first sprayer from a control station and successively from each sprayer to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Arieh Jehuda Polak
  • Publication number: 20090088066
    Abstract: Shielding liquid from electronic components may be accomplished by a variety of systems, devices, and techniques. A shielding device may include a substantially vertical channel mounted to a fuel dispenser component; an airflow inlet; a plurality of arrays of angled protrusions; and a plurality of substantially vertical protrusions. The channel is adapted to guide an airflow. The plurality of arrays of angled protrusions are, disposed within the channel and are substantially parallel in arrangement within each array. The angled protrusions within each array are angularly offset in arrangement relative to the angled protrusions within adjacent arrays. The arrays of angled protrusions are adapted to form a tortuous path for the airflow through the channel. The plurality of substantially vertical protrusions are disposed within the channel and are located between the airflow inlet and the plurality of arrays. The vertical protrusions are adapted to substantially straighten the airflow within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick Zuzek, Mark Justin Johnson
  • Patent number: 7485169
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process facility requiring use therein of air exhaust for its operation, such facility including clean room and gray room components, with the clean room having at least one semiconductor manufacturing tool therein, and wherein air exhaust is flowed through a region of the clean room. The facility includes an air exhaust treatment apparatus arranged to (i) receive air exhaust after flow thereof through said region of said clean room, (ii) produce a treated air exhaust, and (iii) recirculate the treated air exhaust to an ambient air environment in the facility, e.g., to the gray room of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, Joseph D. Sweeney, Luping Wang
  • Publication number: 20090026326
    Abstract: A cable management apparatus for managing a power cable (32) of a fan (30) includes an assembly bracket (22), and a hook (226). The assembly bracket is attached to the fan. The hook protrudes from the assembly bracket, for clasping the power cable. The hook includes a base portion (2262), a receiving portion (2264), a stopper portion (2266), and a guide portion (2268). The base portion extends away from the assembly bracket. The receiving portion extends from the base portion, the receiving portion and the assembly bracket cooperatively forms a receiving space for extension of the power cable therethrough. The stopper portion extends close to the assembly bracket from the receiving portion, for blocking the power cable escaping from the receiving space. The guide portion is connected to the stopper portion and extends away from the assembly bracket, for the power cable sliding into the receiving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ZHAN-YANG LI
  • Publication number: 20090009985
    Abstract: A ventilation fan and light (10) is disclosed which includes a housing (12) and a light kit (13). The housing (12) includes an air intake 15 adjacent the light kit and an air exhaust port (16) coupled to an exhaust duct (17). The light kit has one or more light sources (20). A motorized fan (19) is mounted within the housing. The motorized fan is operated at a low speed whenever the light source is illuminated and a high speed whenever ventilation is required. The operation of the fan at a low speed prevents the build-up of heat within the housing. The ventilation fan includes an electric circuit (22) which includes a capacitor mounted between a light source electrical branch (23) and a fan motor electrical branch (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: HUNTER FAN COMPANY
    Inventor: Vinay Mehta
  • Patent number: 7455582
    Abstract: The solar powered fan for a portable enclosure includes an electrical fan, which is pivotally mounted within the interior region of a portable edifice, such as that associated with a portable toilet facility. The pivotal mounting of the fan allows for selective user adjustment of the angular position of the fan with respect to the roof of the housing. Mounted on the roof, exterior to the enclosure, is a hollow housing having at least one solar panel mounted to an upper surface thereof. The solar panel charges a rechargeable battery received within the hollow housing which, in turn, is in electrical communication with the electrical fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Cory G. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20080274686
    Abstract: There is described a method for controlling an exhaust system having at least two fans, a plenum chamber interconnecting the at least two fans, and a bypass air damper in the plenum chamber to allow bypass air to flow therethrough, the method comprising: monitoring pressure in the plenum chamber of the system; detecting a variation of the pressure beyond a predetermined range; and regulating operation of the exhaust system in response to the pressure variation in order to return the pressure to within the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Minel Kupferberg, Marc Robitaille
  • Publication number: 20080156796
    Abstract: A microwave range having a hood for removing contaminated air includes a chamber having an inner chamber configured to receive items to be heated; an electric component room containing electric components; and at least one vent fan and a cooling fan that are driven by a common fan motor to generate air current for introducing and exhausting contaminated air and for cooling the electric components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sung Bae SONG, Sang Bum SOHN, Jong Sik KIM
  • Patent number: 7262705
    Abstract: A recessed detector assembly having the capability to detect and evacuate air laden with airborne substances from within the assembly. The assembly includes a detector frame adapted to be flush mounted into a mounting box mounted in a ceiling or a wall, the frame having exposed vents allowing air containing airborne substances to enter the frame; at least one sensor mounted in the detector frame for sensing one or more of the airborne substances and for exhausting the airborne substances, the at least one sensor generating a signal causing an exhaust fan or a drop down sensor for evacuating the one or more airborne substances to operate when a presence of the one or more of the airborne substances is sensed to exceed predetermined levels. Accordingly, the detector may be promptly reset and an alarm may be promptly turned off when airborne substances in the room drop below the predetermined levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventors: Denis L. Back, James E. Routzong
  • Patent number: 7244179
    Abstract: A suspension type oscillation mechanism including a frame set having an upper frame with a frame hole, a casing secured to the frame set, a crank set, an axial barrel and a fastening rod. The crank set has cranks rotationally joining to each other and an end of the initial one of the cranks is connected to an output shaft of a motor eccentrically. The axial barrel is inserted into the frame hole and the casing hole. A bearing seat having an inner bearing pressed by an end of the axial barrel. The fastening rod set has a screw rod passing through a suspended article and the axial barrel. An upper end of the screw rod is connected to the crank set and the lower end is connected to the suspended article by a rod seat and a collar located on a top of the suspended article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Hung-Chi Chien
  • Patent number: 7105037
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process facility requiring use therein of air exhaust for its operation, such facility including clean room and gray room components, with the clean room having at least one semiconductor manufacturing tool therein, and wherein air exhaust is flowed through a region of the clean room. The facility includes an air exhaust treatment apparatus arranged to (i) receive air exhaust after flow thereof through said region of said clean room, (ii) produce a treated air exhaust, and (iii) recirculate the treated air exhaust to an ambient air environment in the facility, e.g., to the gray room of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, Joseph D. Sweeney, Luping Wang
  • Patent number: 6869457
    Abstract: A clean room has an equipment installation area where an apparatus for treating an object to be treated such as a semiconductor wafer is installed, a process area 4 where the object is loaded in or unloaded from the apparatus, and an operation area where operations of the apparatus are executed. The equipment installation area, the process area and the operation area are arranged horizontally in the above-stated order and separated by partitions. These areas are air-conditioned independently of one another. The clean room is thus capable of preventing contamination of the object and a running cost of chemical filters in the clean room is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakagawa