Louvered Air Distributor Patents (Class 454/309)
  • Patent number: 11933545
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage system utilizes a high temperature storage segment having flow passages extending through the storage segment whereby a working fluid can extract energy from the storage system for powering conventional downstream equipment. A mixing manifold cooperates with an outlet manifold for reducing the temperature of the working fluid to a temperature safe for the downstream equipment. The mixing manifold, an outlet manifold, an inlet manifold and a support base for the high temperature storage segment, are all of a high temperature tolerant material allowing the high temperature storage segment to operate at temperatures in excess of 1000° C. and preferably to temperatures above 1400° C. The temperature of the working fluid provided to the conventional equipment can be managed to be below a maximum temperature which in many cases may be about 700° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kelvin Thermal Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Amirhossein Ahadi, George Lynch, Adam Crocker, Stephen Sutherland
  • Patent number: 11573030
    Abstract: A louver assembly includes a support, a plurality of blades, and an insert. The support extends along a length and includes a plurality of slots formed therethrough. Additionally, each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades includes a retention aperture formed therethrough, where each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades extends through a respective blade aperture of the plurality of blade apertures. Moreover, the insert extends through the retention aperture of each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph S. Rockhold, Melissa M. Massar, Christopher J. Driskell
  • Patent number: 11486109
    Abstract: A flood-protective ventilation louver includes a window frame assembly, slat assemblies, a transmission mechanism, and a buoyance switch assembly. During flooding, external water passes through the window frame assembly into the buoyance switch assembly, such that the buoyance switch assembly is caused to release the transmission mechanism from constraint to thereby allow the slat of each of the slat assemblies to oscillate downward automatically and thus automatic closing is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Hui-Hung Liu
  • Patent number: 11243008
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an air distribution system includes a damper assembly, a louver assembly, and a screen frame. Air flows through the damper assembly and the louver assembly, where the damper assembly terminates in a first flange and the louver terminates in a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are coupled to one another about a screen frame such that the screen frame is captured by abutting the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Vogel
  • Patent number: 10493506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an intake apparatus for a local ventilation system. According to at least one embodiment, the intake apparatus includes a connection opening, a hood configured to connect an intake opening larger than the connection opening, an intake duct coupled to the hood while communicating with the connection opening, and an intake fan which is installed at a peripheral portion of the intake opening so as to generate an intake air current in the direction of the connection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: JEJIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyung Ryer Kim
  • Patent number: 10301870
    Abstract: A vent comprises a vent body (1) having at least one air flow channel through the body between a front face and a rear face (2) of the body. At least one float controlled flap valve (13) is pivotably mounted within the body, the or each valve having a first, normal position in which air is permitted to flow through an air flow channel and a second position in which the valve pivots in the presence of water to seal the air flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Bluewater Design Associates Limited
    Inventor: Frank Kelly
  • Patent number: 9951969
    Abstract: A register box for HVAC installations has a body with a plurality of side panels arranged in a generally rectangular or square configuration and a wall extending across the rectangular configuration, a duct opening through the wall so as to communicate with an interior of the body, and an expandable foam polymeric material affixed to an inner side of the side panels. The wall has a surface extending from the opening of the duct to the side panels. The expandable foam polymeric material is affixed to the surface of the wall. The expandable polymeric material is polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: STERLING CUSTOM SHEET METAL, INC.
    Inventor: Sterling Kidd Combs
  • Patent number: 9039500
    Abstract: An air passage device for installation into a mounting opening (50) in a wall (51) for components generating waste heat, such as a switch box, includes a base housing (21; 221) with a fan support (25) and a design cover (80; 280), wherein the design cover (80; 280) has on an air inlet side a covering device (100) constructed as a fan grid (10; 210) with sheet elements (90, 90?; 290, 290?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: PFANNENBERG GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Pfannenberg
  • Patent number: 8968063
    Abstract: A method for installation of an adhesive vent over an aperture in a surface is described, the adhesive vent has at least one substantially straight serrated edge and an air permeable venting region, an adhesive region having adhesive disposed thereon surrounding the air permeable venting region. The method comprises providing an edge guide adjacent to the aperture, the edge guide adapted to inhibit motion in at least one direction on the surface, positioning the serrated edge on the surface such that the edge of the adhesive vent engages with the edge guide and pressing the adhesive vent onto the surface such that the air permeable region of the adhesive vent covers the aperture and the adhesive vent is fixed to the surface by the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Gifford, Michael Keough
  • Publication number: 20140335777
    Abstract: The invention is a cooling system comprising adjacent cooling deltas (21, 31) being cooled by a cooling air and being arranged along a path (20, 30). The cooling system is characterised by comprising cooling deltas (21, 31) arranged in groups (22), the cooling deltas of a group (22) being arranged essentially in the same orientation and define an essentially straight path-section, wherein the path-sections of adjacent groups (22) form a zigzagged path (20, 30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Zoltan Szabo, Andras Dancsuly
  • Patent number: 8882573
    Abstract: A square deflector insert for a drop ceiling made of four identical sides that can be simply field assembled and installed. In contrast to previous single-piece inserts, the new inserts provide much more compact packaging for shipping but can be assembled quickly just before installation. Although described in terms of a square deflector the invention is applicable to other polygonal shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: T.C. AirTech, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Barfield, Jingqiu Mei
  • Patent number: 8740392
    Abstract: An electricity storage section that stores power from an external power source and supplies the stored power as operating power is provided, and, when an interruption of the external power source to a projection display device is detected, control to reduce the power consumption of a device main body and control to drive an exhaust port shutter so that it is closed by the power supplied from the electricity storage section are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Furihata, Hirokazu Kamatori, Shigehiro Yanase
  • Patent number: 8733060
    Abstract: A grate access floor panel comprising a support frame and a plurality of vanes supported by the frame, each of the plurality of vanes having an upstream end and a downstream end with respect to a direction of airflow across the plurality of vanes and faces that extend between the upstream and downstream ends, wherein at least some of the vanes have openings that extend through the faces thereof and have angled tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tate Access Floors Leasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Curtin, William W. Reynolds, Daniel B. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20140134939
    Abstract: A wall-mounted air conditioning indoor unit includes a casing, and an air flow direction adjustment unit with plural guide blades positioned between right and left side walls of the outlet passage of the casing. A first of the guide blades is positioned closest to a predetermined side wall of the right and left side walls. In a state in which the first guide blade is postured closer to the predetermined side wall as the first guide blade extends on a downstream side, first and second gaps are formed between first and second sections of the first guide blade and the predetermined side wall, respectively. The first section is part of an end portion of the first blade on the downstream side. The second section is outside the first section. The first gap is equal to or less than 10 mm. The second gap is greater than 10 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Masashi Kamada, Hironobu Teraoka, Noriyuki Okuda, Tooru Shigesawa, Kouichi Yasuo, Tatsuhiko Akai, Koutarou Kuida
  • Publication number: 20130196587
    Abstract: A louvre arrangement for a ventilation arrangement. The louvre arrangement defining a plurality of passages into a housing. The passages extending generally upwardly inwards, and having an upper concave surface to urge air passing therethrough to turn inwardly and downwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas John Hopper, Anthony Francis Cull
  • Patent number: 8460419
    Abstract: The present invention an airplane air filtering system device comprised of a frame having flanges, including means to mount to the inside surface of a lavatory door oriented with vent louvers. The frame is preferably mounted to the door with adhesive strips. A replaceable filter with a grasping tab is placed within the frame. As the toilet in the airplane lavatory is flushed, vacuum action causes air outside of the lavatory to be pulled through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Cliff Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20110269389
    Abstract: A motorized vent covering for an air vent of the environment control system, the motorized vent covering comprising an air flow restrictor for controlling air flow through the vent; and an actuator, the actuator including a motor configured to drive the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to provide operating instructions to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the flow of air through the air vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HARMONIC DESIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Scharf, Roger Heald
  • Patent number: 7927196
    Abstract: A louver module includes a louver module body that extends in a length-wise direction, a width-wise direction and a height-wise direction such that the length-wise direction, the width wise-direction and the height wise direction are oriented perpendicularly relative to one another. The louver module body has a plurality of air passageways extending through the louver module body generally in the width-wise direction. Each one of the plurality of air passageways has a serpentine configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: EVAPCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas William Bugler, III, Scott A. Nevins
  • Publication number: 20110065374
    Abstract: A disposable cover for an air flow grille of the type permitting air flow through a plurality of air flow openings in a predefined array of said openings, each said air flow opening having a forward inlet aperture and a passage wall extending from said forward opening to a discharge aperture on a downstream side of said air flow grille, said disposable cover being made from a thin walled mouldable plastics material having passage means corresponding to the predefined array of said openings in said air grille and being engageable therein during use of the disposable cover, said disposable cover, in use, covering at least forward facing regions of said air flow grille and at least a portion of each of the passage walls extending towards the discharge aperture on the downstream side of said air flow grille.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Ron Baihelfer
  • Patent number: 7827816
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit has a front cover that includes a grille supported by and attached to a surround assembly by means of latch members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Shafi N. Khan, Thomas S. Visalli
  • Patent number: 7819730
    Abstract: The Flush Mount or Drop In Wood And/Or Wood Composite Vent is a floor register vent that is supported by an attached rigid plate, preferably metal, with matching vent slots to allow for manufacturing vents in materials including but not limited to prefinished flooring materials with the grain running the same way lengthwise and allows use of thin materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Virgil David Ascroft
  • Patent number: 7815012
    Abstract: An air distributor is provided that includes, but is not limited to a perforated body, insertable at a joint between a first air duct, which extends in one direction, and a second air duct, that extends in a second different direction, to redirect air flowing in the first air duct into the second air duct and to reduce low frequency high volume noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Joakim Holmgren, Jens Vasel
  • Patent number: 7789928
    Abstract: A filter assembly for mounting over an opening at an end of a forced air system duct, such as a cold air return. The filter assembly is designed to replace an existing louvered grill covering. The filter assembly is dimensioned which substantially retains the shape and appearance of the conventional duct grill being replaced. The filter assembly includes a filter frame having a perforated back wall, horizontal and vertical walls extending forwardly from the periphery of the perforated back wall defining an open front end and a filter receiving space between the perforated back wall and the open end. A rectangular grill having a peripheral flange extending rearwardly therefrom. The rectangular filter frame being received interiorly of the peripheral flange. A filter element being removably seated within the filter receiving space and being sandwiched between the perforated back wall and the grill causing the entire surface of the filter element to substantially contact the perforated back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Randall Stepp
  • Publication number: 20100084119
    Abstract: A transit container, such as a rack-mount style container, includes a temperature control system for maintaining a desired temperature within the container such that any cargo within the container remains operational at selected times and possibly in selected locations. The temperature control system includes support or mounting brackets, a temperature control assembly, shock isolation devices for shock attenuation of the temperature control assembly, exhaust assemblies that include exhaust fans and exhaust/intake louvers, and a mounting plate attachable to a lid of the transit container. The temperature control assembly and the aforementioned components may be arranged to have a low-height profile or envelope, which in turn permits the temperature control system to be located in a cavity or chamber of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Environmental Container Systems, Inc., d/b/a ECS Composites
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Patent number: 7667966
    Abstract: A fan enclosure for a system including one more fans and a system enclosure includes a first pivot removably attached to the system enclosure, a safety compliant fan grill attached to the first pivot rotatably between a natural closed position and a forced open position, and a cam disposed on the safety compliant fan grill. The safety compliant fan grill covers the one or more fans in the natural closed position. The cam is configured to force the safety compliant fan grill into the forced open position when a top cover of the system enclosure is placed in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett C. Ong, William A. De Meulenaere, Timothy W. Olesiewicz
  • Publication number: 20090258591
    Abstract: A motorized air register, air diffuser or vent for HVAC systems in commercial and residential applications comprises a supporting frame abutting a floor, wall or ceiling and a second depending frame for enclosing a damper. The damper is motor driven from a first fully open position to a second fully closed position. The damper can be controlled remotely from a wall consol or in accordance with thermostat logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: GREG CARTER
  • Patent number: 7575617
    Abstract: A grill and filter assembly having a replaceable filter element includes a rectangular frame assembly, grill insert and a filter. The rectangular frame assembly has an outer frame forming a face and an outwardly extending wall extension. The grill insert has a plurality of louvers and an outwardly extending filter housing. It also includes a plurality of flanges extending inwardly from the filter housing to a depth of no greater than the thickness of standard drywall. The filter assembly includes a loop covered with a fabric filter material. The loop is capable of flexure and the filter is inserted within the filter housing and under the flanges. A plurality of magnets are attached to the wall extension and located to magnetically hold the grill insert within the frame assembly. The flanges and filter housing are structurally adapted to allow the filter to be flexed and slid from under the flanges to remove it from the grill insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Gary D. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7566263
    Abstract: The invention provides the combination of a grille and a connector frame for a duct outlet in a HVAC system. At least one lock element extends from one of the connector frame and the grille and releaseably engages the other of the connector frame and grille in a releasable connection to hold the grille to the connector frame. The lock element may be manipulated from the exterior of the grille to release the grille from the connector frame without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Snyder National Corporation
    Inventor: Darryl L. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20090000766
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method that is adapted to cool a heat generating device. An electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an enclosure that contains a source of heat, and a cooling structure adjacent to the enclosure, the cooling structure being adapted to draw an internal intake comprising heat generated by the source of heat and to draw an external intake from outside the enclosure, the cooling structure being further adapted to combine the internal intake with the external intake to form an exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TTE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Michel Cadio
  • Publication number: 20080293351
    Abstract: A louvered housing for an air conditioning unit includes a base structure with a plurality of openings and elongated bodies with a V-cross-sectional shapes and being connected to the base structure at their ends. The louvers are formed in a two-step process including first a stamping and then a forming process, with neither step resulting in scrap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen L. Pulley
  • Publication number: 20080188174
    Abstract: An electrical generation system is adapted for use with an HVAC system to adjust the louvers of a shutter disposed to control a flow of air into the room of a house. The generation system includes a wind generator disposed in a duct of the HVAC system and having properties for generating electricity. This electricity is collected for use in powering a motor to adjust the louvers of the shutter. The wind generator includes a turbine which powers a generator to produce the electricity. Ultimately the electricity can be controlled to adjust the louvers of the shutter from a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Rouzbeh Aminpour, Marc Gaddis
  • Publication number: 20080160904
    Abstract: The air cap and diffuser assembly is for vent-registers connected to the air ducts or the trunk line of a central air conditioning system. The cap assembly is designed to cover an air duct opening or for redirecting air flow. The cap has a peripheral seal that presses against the rim face of the register by magnet and/or a fastening device, and is comprised of a male cap/diffuser and a female cap/diffuser of sufficient size to cover the opening of a ceiling register. They are easily assembled together by snapping it on to form a complete air cap assembly. Also, a male or female cap/diffuser of the assembly can be removed to switch the function to an air diffuser/flow redirector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher S. Yi, Marian M. Yi
  • Patent number: 7275834
    Abstract: A lamp assembly and an air guide plate thereof. The lamp assembly and the air guide plate are positioned in a projector. The lamp assembly comprises a base with a bottom portion and an opening, and a lamp with a bulb disposed at the bottom portion in a manner such that it extends toward the opening. The air guide plate comprises a body, a first guide portion, a second guide portion, and a third guide portion. The first guide portion substantially extends between the bulb and the bottom portion. The second guide portion substantially extends toward the bulb. The third guide portion substantially extends between the bulb and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Lin Wang, Hung-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 7258607
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an air grille assembly for use especially with air conditioning and heating ducts, having a detachable grille constructed of a relatively thick material, such as wood, synthetic wood, vinyl or the like. The grille can mount against the structure and be coupled to a housing of thinner material that can fit in a standard-sized opening, and leave enough room for a standard-sized filter commensurate with such opening. Further, the disclosure can also provide an air grille assembly having a detachable grille with an exposed exterior frame with no movable or visible hardware, and can be removed from a housing by lifting the grille frame straight up or over, angling out the bottom and then sliding in the opposite direction. The grille assembly can be coupled into a structure's opening, and can include flanges to help ensure proper mounting without the use of special tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventors: Steven C. Machiorlette, Jessie Figueroa
  • Patent number: 7086740
    Abstract: A projection device is provided, wherein the projection device includes a casing, a plurality of electronic components mounted within the casing, a vent in the casing disposed substantially adjacent to an electronic component, and an injection molded, electrically nonconductive vent screen having one or more mesh portions substantially bordered by a peripheral frame, wherein the vent screen is detachably coupled within the casing and secured against the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Sample, Tony Rogers
  • Patent number: 7081049
    Abstract: Ventilating system including a case mounted on a ceiling of a room, an inlet in a bottom surface of the case, and an outlet in a side surface of the case, a partition for dividing the case into an upper space, and a lower space, a fan in the upper space of the case, for drawing room air through the inlet, and discharging through the outlet, a first duct in communication with the upper space of the case for guiding outdoor air into the case, a second duct in communication with the lower space of the case for guiding the room air introduced into the case to an outside of the room, and a guide member provided to the outlet for guiding the air discharged into the room space toward a desired direction, thereby providing a ventilating system having an air purifying function, and preventing the air discharged into the room space from being directed to one side of the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Choi, Jeong Yong Kim, Kyung Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 6506113
    Abstract: A modular air vent assembly kit can be used to cover duct openings that supply a flow of heated or cooled air to a room in addition to covering duct openings that receive return air from a room. The modular air vent assembly kit is comprised of a frame, a base, a damper mechanism, and two different face plates where the damper mechanism can be selectively assembled into the base depending on whether control through the air vent by operation of a damper is needed in the particular duct opening and where either of the two face plates may be selectively connected with the base where one face plate has a lattice and is used in combination with the damping mechanism and the other face plate has a series of louvers and is used when the damping mechanism is not used in the vent assembly. The frame is secured to an air duct opening and the base and attached face plate are removably attachable to the frame without the need for separate fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Innovative Vent Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Berger
  • Patent number: 6475079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an air vent assembly is provided in which individual louvers and spacers are connected together to form chevron shaped channels that allow increased air flow while blocking the escape of direct light. The louvers are formed into a chevron shape that extends lengthwise from one end of the louver to another end of the louver. The spacers are chevron shaped and interlock or are bonded together with one another to secure the louvers and to provide a support structure such that additional spacers and louvers may be stacked together as needed to form an air vent for use in a given device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Basey
  • Patent number: 6381976
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case having a substantially wedge shape for displaying items at temperature below the surrounding ambient temperature. The display case includes a cold air discharge having a length and a warm air return having a length substantially greater than the cold air discharge. The cold air discharge includes a diffuser having a plurality of flow directing structures disposed at an angle relative to the direction of airflow to direct the flow air over the entire display case such cold air flows over the entire area of the display case to uniformly cool the entire product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Kempiak, Wayne I. Flaska
  • Patent number: 6276440
    Abstract: An air outlet has a plurality of vertical vortex generating structures 21 in a triangular shape arranged so as to be oriented at an angle &thgr; with respect to diffused air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kaga, Tomoko Suzuki, Satoru Kotoh, Katsuhisa Ootsuta, Takayuki Yoshida, Eriko Kumekawa, Sakuo Sugawara, Tatsuo Seki
  • Patent number: 6257976
    Abstract: A cover (20) for an air register (500) includes a first frame (22) having a plurality of first columns (24). A second frame (26) is slidabley received by first frame (22) in drawer-like fashion. A scented pad (28), having a congruent plurality of second columns (32), is inserted in second frame (28) to impart a fragrance when air flows from air register (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Samuel Richardson, III
  • Patent number: 6083101
    Abstract: An air outlet has a plurality of vertical vortex generating structures 21 in a triangular shape arranged so as to be oriented at an angle .theta. with respect to diffused air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kaga, Tomoko Suzuki, Satoru Kotoh, Katsuhisa Ootsuta, Takayuki Yoshida, Eriko Kumekawa, Sakuo Sugawara, Tatsuo Seki
  • Patent number: 5716270
    Abstract: A louvered air diffuser which mounts to an outlet of an air distribution system of a building and is removed therefrom without tools. The diffuser has two arms which expand resiliently to engage an environmental surface of the air conduit of the distribution system. The arms each have teeth for improving frictional engagement of the environmental surface. The arms and teeth are configured to assure that the arms are urged inwardly, away from frictional engagement of the environmental element, when being installed and removed. Optionally, the teeth have holes with sharp edges, or holes for receiving rubber projections for enhancing grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Charles F. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5586934
    Abstract: A safe is provided for use with a wall having an air duct and an opening to the wall which connects the air duct with a room. The safe includes a housing having an interior dimensioned to fit within the air duct so that the housing is recessed in the wall and in alignment with the wall opening. A grille dimensioned to cover the wall opening is pivotally mounted to the housing so that the grille is movable between a closed position in which the grille overlies and covers the wall opening and an open position in which the opening interior is accessible from the room. A valuable container is mounted within the housing or, alternatively, on the rear side of the grille. Additionally, air passage holes are formed through the housing for enabling air flow through the housing, grille and air duct. Alternatively, the grille is magnetically attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventors: Larry A. Dombrowski, Daniel S. Goldsmith, Judith Goldsmith, Walter J. Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 5525145
    Abstract: A filter apparatus has a rigid housing surrounding a piece of preferably self charging electrostatic filter material and having a preferably magnetic attachment device for mounting the filter apparatus directly in front of a grill at an end of a cold air return or supply of a forced air system, for a heating and/or air conditioning system. The filter and housing are generally sized so that the frame does not cover any of the openings on the grill over which it is designed to be placed. Decorative openwork is positioned in the front of the filter material to provide an aesthetically pleasing covering of what is considered less than attractive filter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph Hodge
  • Patent number: 5356336
    Abstract: An air discharge nozzle and method for vehicles having a grill (21') which has a high degree of visual opacity to enhance design aesthetics, low impedance to air flow so that the face velocity remains high, and which does not significantly affect directionality of the air as imparted to the air stream by an upstream control mechanism. The grill (21') is comprised of a monolayer of polygonal cells in an array of cells, each cell being bounded by planar walls having a depth "L" interstitial thickness "T" and a diameter or major dimension "D", wherein the interstitial depth L is short enough such that the planar walls do not act as vanes to significantly affect directionality of the air, the interstitial thickness T has a value such that the impedance to air flow is low, and the length to diameter ratio L/D is no greater than about 0.7 and no less than about 0.3, such that the relative visual opacity of the grill when viewed from any angle is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Stouffer, Ernest W. Chesnutis, Jr., Milan Kuklik
  • Patent number: 5297989
    Abstract: An air discharge nozzle and method for vehicles having a grill which has a high degree of visual opacity to enhance design aesthetics, low impedance to air flow so that the face velocity remains high, and which does not significantly affect directionality of the air as imparted to the air stream by an upstream control mechanism. The grill is comprised of a monolayer of polygonal cells in an array of cells, each cell being bounded by planar walls having a depth "L" interstitial thickness "T" and a diameter or major dimension "D", wherein the interstitial depth L is short enough such that the planar walls do not act as vanes to significantly affect directionality of the air, the interstitial thickness T has a value such that the impedance to air flow is low, and the length to diameter ratio L/D is no greater than about 0.7 and no less than about 0.3, such that the relative visual opacity of the grill when viewed from any angle is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Stouffer, Ernest W. Chesnutis, Jr., Milan Kuklik
  • Patent number: 5176570
    Abstract: A filtered cold air return register particularly for base board units which provides for a removable replacement filter section in combination with the normally provided duct covering or end section. The unit provides a filter device for the return air prior to its recycling by the furnace or air conditioning fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventor: Loren Liedl
  • Patent number: 5163871
    Abstract: An air register grill includes a plurality of air directing vanes. Each air directing vane includes an air directing curve which meets one side of the grill at a substantially 90.degree. angle. Opposing each air directing side is a relief side which generally mirrors the shape of the air directing side. This configuration provides an air stream which exits the grill at a generally 90.degree. angle with the grill. Furthermore, air flow is not seriously impeded and the resultant grill structure provides an aesthetically pleasing design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventors: Robert Huibregtse, Lawrence C. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5137491
    Abstract: An air spout device for an air conditioning system comprises a duct having an intake portion and a ventilator spout. A plurality of guide vanes are arranged in the duct to define passages, and a plurality of dampers are arranged between the intake portion and the plurality of guide vanes to selectively open and close the passages, the plurality of dampers being rotatable with its shaft to assume concentration blow, diffusion blow, and avoidance blow modes. A blow mode selecting mechanism is operatively connected to the shaft to allow the plurality of dampers to assume the concentration blow, diffusion blow, and avoidance blow modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Ishihara, Mitsuru Taguchi