Having Plural Or Branched Recirculation Ducts Patents (Class 454/232)
  • Patent number: 11760158
    Abstract: A diffusing vent assembly may include a diffuser base and a diffusing head. The diffuser base may include a mounting flange, a collar extending from the mounting flange, and a ductwork fixation channel. The collar may span an infra-ceiling space of a vehicle. The diffusing head may include a diffuser vane configuration, a rotational flange surrounding the diffuser vane configuration, and an air blade. The diffuser base and the diffusing head further comprise complementary rotational securement members that permit rotation of the diffusing head relative to the diffuser base. The air blade may extend through the collar of the diffuser base. Installing the diffusing vent assembly may include engaging the ductwork fixation channel with a supply duct, inserting the diffusing head into the diffuser base, and securing the diffusing head and the diffuser base using the complimentary rotational securement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Keystone RV Company
    Inventors: Jeff Snyder, Jon Brock, Mark Bullock, Charles Retallack, Don Battles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10881053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling and condensation device (10) of a greenhouse (1), preferably of a plastic film greenhouse, comprising at least one condenser (11) located in the greenhouse (1). The exterior (21) of the wall of said condenser is in contact with the air in the greenhouse (1) to be cooled and a cooling medium is applied to the interior (22) of the wall. According to the invention, the at least one condenser (11) is designed as a film tube that can be folded and consists, for example, of hollow articles (12), produced of a film material that can be folded, and stringed together, the tubular condenser (11) being deployable from a folded storage form to an elongated operating form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Kerschgens, Heinz Georg Russwurm
  • Patent number: 9724977
    Abstract: A rear air conditioner for a vehicle including a discharge module mounted at an air outflow port of an air-conditioning case and having a discharge case and a rotary mode door; two face vents formed at both side walls of the discharge case; a floor vent formed at the center of the discharge case; and an air mixing zone formed inside the rotary mode door, thereby reducing the size of the air conditioner because a plurality of the vents are intensively arranged in the discharge case, enhancing installability due to the modulated components, reducing a temperature difference of the air discharged to the left and right sides inside the vehicle due to an improved mixability. The inside of the rotary mode door can be utilized as the air mixing zone. The degrees of opening of the face vents and the floor vent are controlled by the single mode door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Youngbok Ju, Jongsu Kim, Honghee Jeong, Hanjun Kang, Donghyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9109375
    Abstract: Structural elements and features are provided to significantly reduce the time and effort required in the household laundry process of collecting dirty laundry, washing, drying, hanging, and storing laundry. These same structural elements improve the quality of the laundry output. A reduction in time and effort is accomplished by locating a laundry facility central to a plurality of rooms within the building structure and placing closets within the walls separating the laundry facility from the adjacent rooms. These closets are accessible from the laundry facility on one side and the respective room on the other. In another aspect of the invention, rooms that are not directly adjacent to the laundry facility may be located on a hallway common to the laundry facility and the non-adjacent rooms. The walls dividing the non-adjacent rooms from the common hallway may likewise include closets that are accessible from the common hallway on one side and the respective room on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventors: Bonnie C. Martin, James Martin
  • Patent number: 8869547
    Abstract: An air conditioner of a track system vehicle includes two air conditioning units disposed in parallel in a horizontal direction and mounted on the roof of a vehicle, a plurality of outlets of two air conditioning units facing a vehicle center side, a first duct connecting two air conditioning units, and a second duct which bypasses to the vehicle ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaya Nishino, Toru Kanemori, Osamu Kawaguchi, Ayako Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8845403
    Abstract: Individually cooling one or more computers in a rack of computers in a data center including an air intake chamber, the air intake chamber having a first opening at a bottom end for receiving air from beneath the data center through perforated tiles in the floor of the data center and a plurality of openings at a top end for providing air into a plurality of flexible air channels; and a plurality of flexible air channels, each air channel having a first end opening into the air intake chamber and having an opening at a second end and having a connector to connect the second end of the flexible air chamber to a particular position in the rack corresponding to the location of a particular computer in the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Archibald, Jerrod K. Buterbaugh
  • Publication number: 20140273793
    Abstract: Systems and methods for airflow management around palletized cases of goods in a warehouse storage facility are provided, in which airflow around each individual layer of cases is facilitated while airflow “spillage” around the sides, top or bottom of pallet assemblies is minimized or eliminated. One exemplary device for such airflow management includes palletized product spacers disposed between respective layers of vertically stacked cases, in which the product spacers facilitate a substantially unidirectional longitudinal airflow. Another exemplary airflow management device is a series of automatically adjustable air dams disposed at the tops of respective pallet assemblies which prevent air spillage and establish intermediate air manifold spaces. Yet another device is a lateral pallet spacer prevents direct abutment of the side surfaces of neighboring pallet assemblies and thereby ensures that the air manifold spaces are in fluid communication with the spacers of multiple pallet assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel J. Tippmann
  • 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: 8442694
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The method of controlling the air conditioner includes receiving an electric power rate information, and distributing an internal air from a first indoor room to a second indoor room to reduce a temperature difference between a plurality of indoor rooms. During periods of peak power rates, costs associated with operating the air conditioner may be reduced by limiting operation of the indoor and outdoor units, while adjusting the temperatures of the indoor rooms by distributing air among the plurality of the indoor rooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Youngjo Jang
  • 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: 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: 7997965
    Abstract: An air distribution system for an air conditioning system includes an air supply and a plurality of air distribution units. The air distribution units are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The air supply is operably connected to at least one of the air distribution units. Each air distribution unit includes a delivery feature for delivering air from the air supply through the air distribution unit and into an adjacent air distribution unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Franck Veuillet, Eric Pitisci, Patrick Fretigny
  • Patent number: 7591867
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact ventilation system provided with an air purifying function. The present invention includes a case having at least one inlet and outlet communicating with an indoor space, an air supply duct connected to the case to allow the case to communicate with an outdoor environment, a fan provided within the case, the fan sucking air introduced into the case via the air supply duct, the fan blowing out the sucked air to the at least one outlet, an air guide provided within the case to guide the air introduced into the case to the fan and to guide the air blown from the fan to the at least one outlet, and an air purifying member situated next to a lateral side of the fan between the fan and the at least one outlet to purify the air blown from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Keun Hyoung Choi, Jeong Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7565924
    Abstract: An air handling system for an indoor space comprising a first forced indoor air treatment component, an input indoor air duct element and an output treated air duct element respectively coupling said first forced indoor air treatment component to said indoor space, a second forced air treatment component a stale air duct element coupled to said second forced air treatment component and to said input indoor air duct, a return air duct element coupling said second forced air treatment component to said output treated air duct element characterized in that said system comprises a secondary air path means for coupling said return air duct element to said input indoor air duct element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Venmar Ventilation Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Gagnon, Daniel Marcoux, Michel Julien, Jean-Bernard Piaud, Eric Charlebois
  • Publication number: 20090029640
    Abstract: An air scavenging system for removing heated air from a computer room, comprises at least one air intake port in communication with a first duct, a plenum chamber having at least one air input to which the first duct is connected, and an air output from the plenum chamber to a return duct for an air conditioner unit which supplies conditioned air to the computer room. The air flow is induced by an electrically driven fan at the output side of the plenum chamber. At least one air intake port is horizontally oriented, and is positioned at any position in the computer room. There are at least as many inputs to the plenum as there are ducts connected to it. At least one air intake port may be vertically oriented and is mounted to a rack which is hotter than the other racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Richard Densham
  • Patent number: 7441588
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchanger unit that can save space, even when performing air conditioning in addition to ventilation. The heat exchanger unit performs heat exchange ventilation with a supply air channel flowing from an outdoor space to an indoor space and an exhaust air channel flowing from the indoor space to the outdoor space and includes an optical deodorization portion and a first blowing portion. The optical deodorization portion is provided so as to be linked to at least the indoor space and performs air conditioning with a circulation channel. The circulation channel is provided in the vicinity of either the supply air channel or the exhaust air channel. The first blowing portion includes a double-suction first impeller having a first suction inlet and a second suction inlet. Here, one of the supply air channel and the exhaust air channel that is provided in the vicinity of the circulation channel is provided at the first suction inlet side of the first impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Matsugi, Akira Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20080105213
    Abstract: An air-conditioning device generating cool/warm airflow and suitable for a pet house includes a casing having an outlet and an inlet. A cool/warm air conditioner is provided transversely in the casing to divide the casing into two flowing paths. The cool/warm air conditioner provides the two flowing paths with a cool temperature and a warm temperature, respectively. An airflow-dividing valve comprises a dividing plate provided at the outlet of the casing and a connecting pipe provided on the dividing plate. Each gas-supplying hole is provided on the dividing plate to correspond to the two flowing paths, respectively. Each wind unit is provided within the two flowing paths. With the airflow generated by the two wind units, the cool and warm temperature air generated by the cool/warm air conditioner can be transferred in a form of airflow to the gas-supplying holes. The user can choose the cool air or the warm air via the connecting pipe to adjust the temperature within the pet house.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Shih H. Chen
  • Patent number: 6974382
    Abstract: Apparatus which may be used year-round for dehumidifying air in the enclosed space of a building to comfortably allow a higher temperature during summer conditions, for exchanging air in the enclosed space year-round with fresh air to provide a more healthful environment within the building and for selectively humidifying the air when desired at certain times of the year. The apparatus includes a fan mounted on or otherwise adjacent the basement floor or other bottom floor and a conduit connecting the fan outlet to an opening in an outside wall for removing stale relatively damp air from the bottom floor level and discharging it out of the building. A humidifier is provided in flow communication with the fan and connected through another conduit to the enclosed space. A valve connected to both conduits provides selective humidifying of the air in the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Ross M. Swan
  • Patent number: 6835128
    Abstract: A modular direct flow clean air delivery apparatus is disclosed that is particularly adapted for use in restaurants, banquet halls, meeting rooms, offices etc., where cigarette smoke and other pollutants need to be efficiently removed from the air in the room. The filtering and air moving apparatus may be mounted above a false ceiling in a whole room, or any part of a room, and includes remotely located air intakes and supplies, high capacity minipleat V-bank filters, and backwards curved impeller blowers mounted in the duct work between the intakes, supplies and the filtering apparatus for utmost efficiency and uncompromised air movement in a room. The modular apparatus may also be suspended from high ceilings with the use of rigid ductwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Mark B. Olson
  • Patent number: 6579170
    Abstract: An air duct that comprises one or more air duct segments that comprises a polymeric cellular material, or foam. The ducts or segments may be part of an air duct system that comprises a primary air duct, at least one secondary air duct, and at least one branch duct. Each of the aforementioned ducts comprises a cellular thermoset polymeric material. Additionally, the present invention relates to an HVAC system that comprises an HVAC unit for thermally conditioning air, and a duct system comprising a polymeric cellular material, or foam that has an R value of at least 5, and a density of from about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot to about 4 pounds per cubic foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6514137
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a modular clean room plenum is provided. This modular clean room plenum includes a rectangular plenum body with an air barrier forming a top surface of the modular clean room plenum and a ceiling grid forming a bottom surface of the modular clean room plenum. The modular clean room plenums are attached to the primary support structure of a clean room building in whatever number and configuration is required by the clean room layout. By providing, in one modular component, the air barrier layer, the ceiling grid, the framework between the two layers, the fire sprinkler system, the air transfer ducts, the balancing dampers and all of the normal components of the ceiling grid, the cost and time required for construction can be significantly decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventors: Paul Giulo Panelli, David Emmett Benson, Howard Lyle Gile
  • Patent number: 6328776
    Abstract: An air-purifying system for filtering and re-circulating room air. The air-purifying system includes a blower module, a first filter module, a second filter module and a supply module. The blower module defines a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first filter module is spaced from the blower module, and is fluidly connected to the first inlet. Similarly, the second filter module is spaced from the blower module and the first filter module. The second filter module is fluidly connected to the second inlet. Finally, the supply module is spaced from the blower module and the filter modules. The supply module is fluidly connected to the outlet. With this configuration, the blower module is operated to draw air into the first and second filter modules for removal of contaminants. Further, the blower module forces cleansed air to the supply module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony E. Shanks, Patrick J. Monnens, Richard R. Bahn
  • Patent number: 6132309
    Abstract: A modular clean room plenum includes a rectangular plenum body with an air barrier forming a top surface of the modular clean room plenum and a ceiling grid forming a bottom surface of the modular clean room plenum. The modular clean room plenums are attached to the primary support structure of a clean room building in whatever number and configuration is required by the clean room layout. By providing, in one modular component, the air barrier layer, the ceiling grid, the framework between the two layers, the fire sprinkler system, the air transfer ducts, the balancing dampers and all of the normal components of the ceiling grid, the cost and time required for construction can be significantly decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Paul Giulo Panelli, David Emmett Benson, Howard Lyle Gile
  • Patent number: 5846128
    Abstract: An air exchange and cleaning system for building enclosures, particularly indoor firing ranges, which removes particulate matter, such as lead and other heavy metals, and gun powder residues and gases from the enclosure atmosphere. An air handler unit includes a particulate matter separator and five stages of filtration which filter both powder and gases from the air. Ducts connect the air handler unit to the enclosed area of the building. The system includes a control system which starts the air handler unit, checks the status of the filters and other operating systems of the air handler unit and ensures that a required minimum negative pressure within the enclosure is achieved before signals are sent to permit operations within the enclosure. In the example of an indoor firing range, the air handler unit and duct system purges the range of possibly contaminated air, checks for satisfactory system operation and ensures a predetermined negative pressure is reached before turning on lighting to the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: WMA Ranger, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5531641
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a recreational vehicle is provided having a rooftop mounted air conditioning unit with an outlet for conditioned air and an inlet for return air and an air distribution system. The air distribution system includes ducts mounted between the roof and a ceiling of the recreational vehicle that are in communication with the outlet of the air conditioning unit. The air distribution system also includes registers mounted in openings of the ceiling to discharge the conditioned air from the ducts into various areas of the interior of the recreational vehicle. A ceiling grille is mounted at the ceiling below the air conditioning unit and has a return air grille and a closable register. The return air grille communicates the inlet of the air conditioning unit with the interior of the recreational vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Roger L. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 5256105
    Abstract: A modular clean room structure in which the interior is finished without any seams between adjacent modules or crevices at the corners of the room such that the room can be easily sterilized. The seamless nature of the interior surface of the clean room eliminates locations where moisture can accumulate and promote bacteria growth. A cove is used to finish the corners of the room with a larger radius curve blending smoothly into adjacent flat surfaces. A durable coating is applied continuously over the ceiling, side walls and floor of the clean room to provide a seamless interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Clean Air Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank X. Austin
  • Patent number: 5149300
    Abstract: An air handling duct system is provided wherein downstream duct segments are downsized proportionately relative to a immediate upstream duct segments including lateral outlets in order to maintain design air volumes in the upstream and downstream duct segments, wherein downstream duct legs of angular turns are proportionately up sized relative to upstream duct legs of the angular turns in order to prevent increases in flow resistance in the duct system as a result of the turns and wherein lateral branch duct runs are proportionately sized relative to established air flow volumes immediately upstream from said branch ducts and the flow volumes in the upstream ends of said branch duct runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Michael R. Barrett