Plural Blades Pivoting Along Parallel Axes Patents (Class 454/335)
  • Patent number: 11846570
    Abstract: A wind tunnel device is provided herein that enables the wind tunnel to transform between two modes of operation and/or to refresh/recondition air within the tunnel. The wind tunnel device may provide selective diversion of airflow within the wind tunnel. The diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to include a multi-configurable wind tunnel that can be operated as either an open-return wind tunnel or a closed-return wind tunnel. Additionally, or alternatively, the diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to recondition air within a closed-return wind tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: WinField Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: William Hambleton, Daniel C. Bissell
  • Patent number: 11619419
    Abstract: The ductless air handling system draws return air from a low level and discharges conditioned supply air at a high level, thereby de-stratifying and covering a large area without the need for field-installed ductwork. The outlet is composed of a series of vertical and horizontal vanes with respective adjustable louvers and flaps as well as an integral turning vane. This outlet turns the airflow from vertical to horizontal, straightens the airflow and subsequently directs the airflow for uniform distribution throughout the space without the need for ductwork. Further, a germicidal irradiation chamber within the conduit connecting the base to the outlet can disinfect air as it is circulated by the air handler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Heater Corp.
    Inventor: Jason Charles Lintker
  • Patent number: 11454418
    Abstract: An example an adjustable bracket and an damper system usable with the adjustable bracket assembly for transmitting an actuation force from an actuator to a plurality of damper assemblies. The adjustable bracket assembly may include a shaft extending along and configured to rotate about a first axis in response to an output from the actuator, a first output lever configured to transmit a rotational force of the shaft to a first damper assembly, and a second output lever configured to transmit the rotational force of the shaft to a second damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Cody Massar, Mark W. Bronson, David V. Connell, III
  • Patent number: 11420500
    Abstract: A variable air vent is provided. The air vent includes a housing that is mounted on a vehicle and has an open center. A ball housing is coupled to the housing and has an inner side surface that is formed in a curved surface. A ball configured has front and rear surfaces opened and a side surface that is inserted into the ball housing in a curved surface form corresponding to the ball housing. A first knob and a second knob are vertically disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the ball and a plurality of discharge range adjusting wings have a first rotating shaft that is integrally formed at one end of a flat plate. A first side of the first rotating shaft is inserted into the ball and a second side thereof includes a first wing gear inserted into the second knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sun-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 11401713
    Abstract: A new louver, and a louvered roof assembly having a plurality of these louvers is provided wherein the plurality of louvers, are movable within a frame between an open condition and a closed condition. The louvers, each having first and second ends, are pivotally coupled to the frame for rotation about an axis. A linear drive motor is coupled to a moveable arm bar to which each louver is connected by a pin which pin is attached at the pin's opposite end to a member disposed within the center of each respective louver. Single set and dual sets of louvers may be operated by a single linear drive actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CLARK WACMAN DESIGNS
    Inventors: Clark R. Wagaman, Mark C Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10465940
    Abstract: An air discharge device installed in an air conditioner to discharge and guide air air-conditioned in the air conditioner to an outside is provided. The air discharge device may include a first outer body having an air discharge grill; a second outer body coupled to a first side of the first outer body; a third outer body coupled to a second side of the first outer body and coupled with the second outer body; a first inner guide having an inner opening that faces the air discharge grill; and a second inner guide coupled with the first inner guide, and together with the first inner guide, forming an internal flow path. The first outer body, the second outer body, and the third outer body may be coupled with one another into a shape of a hollow cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seongkuk Mun, Sungwoo Song, Sungjin Hwang
  • Patent number: 9556783
    Abstract: An air intake adjusting system for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of struts which are arranged at distances from one another and can each be rotated about an axis of rotation such that, in a first position of the struts, the air intake adjusting system is open and, in a second position of the struts, the air intake adjusting system is closed. The struts each have a rotating section, through which the axis of rotation of the respective strut extends, and a flap section, which extends from the rotating section and, in the second position, rests against the rotating section of an adjacent strut. The rotating sections of the struts each have a first side and a second side which, when the struts are in the second position, converge against an intended approach flow direction of the air intake adjusting system such that they form an approach flow edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Tor Sigurdson, Michael Obermeier, Viktor Baer
  • Patent number: 9157533
    Abstract: A multi-vane throttling valve for a vacuum process chamber includes a reciprocal vane pivotally connected to and extending backwardly away from a back side of each of a plurality of rotatable vanes, and a stationary reciprocal vane angling assembly fixed in a predefined position and having an assembly pin extending transversely toward the reciprocal vane a predefined distance sufficient to support the reciprocal vane whereby the stationary angling assembly causes the reciprocal vane to pivot in a range between a substantially parallel position with the respective rotatable vane and a transverse position with the respective rotatable vane when the respective rotatable vane is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ferrotec (USA) Corporation
    Inventor: Pheng Sin
  • Publication number: 20140308890
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an air flap arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one air flap (16), an air flap carrier (12), on which the at least one air flap (16) is mounted rotatably about an air flap rotational axis (L), and a rotary drive (14), of which the torque-delivering drive shaft (32) is coupled to the at least one air flap (16) in a torque-transmitting manner, wherein a rotation angle limiting device is provided, which has a stop (38) secured to the air flap carrier and which has a counter-stop (28) that can be rotated with the at least one air flap (16), wherein the stop (38) and counter-stop (28), in a relative end position of the at least one air flap (16), are configured for contact engagement with one another, wherein the counter-stop (28) is configured on a counter-stop component (26) and an air flap face formation (20) is configured on an air flap component (18) configured separately from the counter-stop component (26), the counter-stop component (26) being formed of
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Röchling Automotive AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen SCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20140273806
    Abstract: A vehicle grille shutter assembly is provided that may include first and second louvers and a drive link. The first louver may be mounted for rotation about a first rotational axis. The second louver may be mounted for rotation about a second rotational axis. The first and second rotational axes may be angled relative to each other. The drive link may be connected to the first and second louvers and may transmit rotational motion of the first louver to the second louver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SRG GLOBAL , INC.
    Inventor: Robert W. FRAYER, III
  • Publication number: 20140273807
    Abstract: A grille assembly for a vehicle may include a grille frame and a plurality of louvers. The grille frame may include an opening. The plurality of louvers may be mounted directly to the grille frame and may extend across at least a portion of the opening. The louvers may be movable relative to the grille frame between an open position in which air is allowed to flow through the opening and a closed position in which airflow through the opening is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SRG GLOBAL , INC.
    Inventor: Robert W. FRAYER, III
  • Patent number: 8807166
    Abstract: A shutter set includes a first vane and a first vane stop. The first vane is moveable between a first position and a second position. The first vane stop is selectively moveable between a locking position and a free position, relative to the first vane. The first vane stop is configured to apply a bias force or is configured to bias the first vane by a predetermined clearance distance when the first vane stop is in the locking position, and is configured to allow movement of the first vane between the first position and the second position when the first vane stop is in the free position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20140194052
    Abstract: A grille apparatus for a vehicle includes a first cover arranged at an opening portion of a front grille, a second cover arranged at the opening portion of the front grille, and a drive mechanism changing a relative position of the first cover and the second cover in response to a driving force of a drive source, in which the drive mechanism changes an opening amount of the front grille by performing an opening operation moving the second cover to a rear of the first cover, and by performing a closing operation returning the second cover to a fully-closed position, the fully-closed position before moving the second cover to the rear of the first cover while maintaining the first cover and the second cover within the opening portion of the front grille.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasa ASANO, Hideki KAWABATA, Yasuaki NISHIO, Shuhei UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20140099876
    Abstract: A flow balancing ventilation system includes a ventilation inlet for receiving an airflow, the ventilation inlet having a cavity defined by an outer wall. Also included is a plurality of ventilation ducts each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed in operable communication with the ventilation inlet for receiving the airflow, the second end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts disposed at least partially within an enclosure. Further included is at least one vane disposed within the cavity of the ventilation inlet for manipulating the airflow proximate the first end of each of the plurality of ventilation ducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajesh Prabhakaran Saraswathi, Venkateswara Rao Akana, Len Alan Wolf
  • Patent number: 8500528
    Abstract: An HVAC damper includes a sheet metal frame surrounding a series of pivotal damper blades that are each supported by a pair of plastic bearing members. Each bearing member is a unitary piece that includes a radial bearing, a thrust bearing, a lug for connecting to a damper blade, a shaft-receiving feature for connecting to a drive shaft, and multiple crank pins for selectively connecting to a drive linkage. Choosing which crank pin gets connected to the linkage determines a damper blade's rotational direction relative to the other damper blades. Adjacent damper blades preferably rotate in opposite directions to ensure positive sealing engagement between their adjacent blade tips. The bearing members allow the drive linkage to be installed outside the frame to avoid obstructing the airflow through the damper. During assembly, the bearing members allow the damper blades to be placed within the frame prior to installing the bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Don A. Leonhard, Larry A. Green, Brian D. Beam
  • Patent number: 8408981
    Abstract: An exhaust device applied to an electronic device is described. Memory deformable elements of the exhaust device are heated to shrink, and meanwhile, guide vanes located on an air outlet are driven to rotate and swing back and forth between a left outlet position and a right outlet position, such that the exhaust device reciprocatively changes an outlet position without requiring any external power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: MSI Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heng-Yung Su, Yao-Shih Leng
  • Publication number: 20130065501
    Abstract: A gravity air vent and a server rack having the same are provided. The server rack includes at least a rack main body and at least a fan module. The fan module is assembled on a side surface of the rack main body and has an air inlet corresponding to the fan module. The air vent includes a frame and at least one covering plate. The covering plate is pivotally connected to the frame and operable of be opened or closed relatively to the frame to expose or cover the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shi-Feng Wang
  • Publication number: 20130055748
    Abstract: In a one embodiment, a system includes an air conditioning unit having an enclosure, a heat exchanger disposed in the enclosure, and a plurality of louvers coupled to the enclosure. The plurality of louvers is configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and the closed position is configured to protect the heat exchanger from an environment external to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sachin Vitthal Mahajan
  • Patent number: 8036778
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioning unit that is switchable between local air-conditioning and overall air-conditioning, a data acquisition unit configured to acquire state quantity data of a requester, and a control unit. The control unit calculates comfort assessment values for both the requester and a neighbor, and controls the air-conditioning unit so that the local air-conditioning is performed to an extent whereby the comfort assessment value of the neighbor is kept in a comfort range and the comfort assessment value of the requester can be within the comfort range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Masuda, Atsushi Nishino, Satoshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7967063
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a cool-side door device and a heating-side door device between an evaporator and a heater core. The cool-side door device is configured to open and close a cool air passage through which a cool air generated by the evaporator flows. The heating-side door device is configured to open and close a heating air passage through which the cool air flows to be heated by the heater core. At least one of the cool-side door device and the heating-side door device is constructed of a plurality of doors. The plurality of doors is configured to begin to open successively when being opened from a fully closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Toshihiko Muraki
  • Publication number: 20110053487
    Abstract: A vent cover and louver assembly includes a housing with a perimeter wall having a first edge and a second edge each defining an opening through which air may be passed through an air passageway of the perimeter wall. Each of a plurality of slats is rotatably mounted to the perimeter wall and traverses the air passageway. The slats are positionable in a closed position or in an open position. A motor is mechanically coupled to each of the slats to move the slats to the closed position or to the open position. A rechargeable battery is electrically coupled to the motor. An electricity producing apparatus is mounted on the housing and is electrically coupled to the battery. The electricity producing apparatus is actuated by air moving through the housing to produce electricity. An interface is in communication with the motor to allow a user to actuate the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel P. Casey
  • Publication number: 20110034120
    Abstract: An autonomous device for providing a comfortable climate and appealing environment, for occupants of a particular space, by regulating air flowing into the space is described. It can function independently or as part of a climate control system to: achieve great energy efficiency, reduce time for a room to reach desired temperature, and maintain comfort climate for occupants in various areas. It possesses a means to create an aromatic environment in a particular area. Also described is a system of creating appealing environment and comfortable climate, which includes utilizing the autonomous devices and some other devices. It involves acquiring information from sensors, analyzing the acquired information, and then making intelligent decisions based on results. One embodiment comprises a chassis, intelligent control unit, a petal valve, motors, register grill, atomizers, tubes, power source, wireless module, sensor and energy harvesting module. Reference Cited (U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,316) (U.S. Pat. No.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Olawale Solomon Jaiyeola
  • Publication number: 20080314260
    Abstract: A dual damper assembly (44) having rotatable dampers (46, 48) operated in a predetermined relative phase relationship within separate passageways (34, 36) is provided for use with food treatment systems such as a smokehouse (20) in order to control the tendency of the dampers (46, 48) to flutter and thereby alter the desired relative orientation of the dampers (46, 48). The dual damper assembly (44) includes a drive assembly (50) serving to rotate the dampers (46, 48), as well as a brake assembly (52) operably coupled with one of the dampers (46, 48). The brake assembly (52) has a rotatable disc (76) secured to a damper rod extension (58a), with an associated caliper assembly (78) including brake pads (94, 96) engaging disc (76) in order to control damper flutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Hardenburger
  • Patent number: 7000411
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling louver blades of a compressor/condenser unit are provided which can improve efficiency of the compressor/condenser unit based on a position of the louver blades and peripheral conditions. The apparatus includes louver blades with a pair of connecting protrusions formed at each end thereof, and a plurality of levers which are rotatably coupled to the connecting protrusions of the louver blades formed in the same positions. A driving member opens and closes the louver blades by moving the levers, and in turn, the louver blades coupled there to. A microcomputer controls the driving member, and the louver blades are opened and closed based on a control signal from the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In-Gyu Kim, Young-Ju Bae, Ja-Hyung Koo, Byung-II Park, Kyeong-Ho Kim, Yang-Ho Kim, Young-Ho Hong, Kyeong-Wook Heo, Kang-Wook Cha, Si-Kyong Sung, Dong-Hyuk Lee, Seong-Min Kang, Tae-Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 6959468
    Abstract: A vent adjusting apparatus for opening and closing air vents of a recreational vehicle includes a handle provided with a first adapter attached to one end portion thereof. The first adapter includes a groove that has first and second bores oppositely spaced for engaging a portion of an air vent and rotating same in a selected radial path. A second adapter is attached to an opposite end of the handle and includes protrusions for engaging an alternate air vent design. The top surface of the second adaptor includes a bore that is in continuous contact with the second adapter receptacle for securely maintaining the handle secured thereto. In an alternate embodiment, the handle may include a telescopic portion for adjusting a length thereof as desired by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Sandra J. Danger
  • Patent number: 6682413
    Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of a fluid between a first environment to a second environment is provided. The valve includes a frame that fits within an aperture in a divider separating the first environment from the second environment. Additionally, the valve includes at least one gate mounted and movable within the frame to control a flow of the fluid between the first environment and the second environment through the aperture. The gate includes a surface, wherein at least one portion of the surface includes a rough texture. The rough texture reduces coherent vortex shedding of the fluid as the fluid passes over the gate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Herbert L. Hoffman, Pat Parkin, Frederick R. Helms, Wen-Hwang Lin, Roy Hai-Tien Loh, Yeu-Chuan Hsia, Naval Agarwal, F. Wayne Hollatz, Robert J. Devitis, Richard A. Black, Wendell R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6499310
    Abstract: An airflow control device for air streams in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system includes an installation frame with pivotable lamellae (2) that are driven by an electric motor via a gear mechanism arranged on the outside of the frame. The gear mechanism comprises a plurality of cylindrical gearwheels (9 to 12) arranged one above the other, so as to be very narrow and such that the overall dimensions of the housing (5) for the gear mechanism do not exceed the width and height dimensions of the frame (1). This novel arrangement allows integration of the drive as a whole and minimizes the amount of space required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co., Sonceboz S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Reinisch, Daniel Dietz
  • Publication number: 20020175305
    Abstract: A damper has a plurality of blades movable between an open and a closed position in response to an operating/actuating means attached to the blades. A shaft rotatable about its axis has lever arm means attached to it and to said blades, to open and close said damper in response to rotation of said shaft for 180 degrees of travel. Connector arm means are pivotally connected to crank arms and pivotally connected to said blades at pivot point locations such that the pivot points of said pivotal connections are over center of the plane of the axis of said shaft when the blades are in the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Francis J. McCabe, Paul B. Keenan
  • Patent number: 6484755
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus having two pair of rotatable flow control doors for separately controlling and varying the temperature and flow of air supplied to two different zones of the vehicle interior. Each pair of flow control doors are linked together and operated by a single actuator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6338677
    Abstract: A system for controlling the opening and closing of vents within a structure. The system includes a plurality of vents positioned around the structure and a control panel is centrally positioned in a readily accessible position within the structure. The vents each include a cover plate having a recess extending therethrough a plurality of louvers positioned in spaced parallel relationship within the recess and a device for automatically pivoting the plurality of louvers between an open position and closed position. The control panel includes a plurality of control buttons, each control button controlling pivoting a respective one of the plurality of louvers between the open and closed positions. A lever connects the plurality of louvers within each vent together causing the louvers to move together. The pivoting device for each vent includes first and second solenoids and a latch and spring device connected between both the first and second solenoids and the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Samuel J White
  • Patent number: 6210265
    Abstract: A ventilating device for vehicles with a housing has at least one air outlet for mounting an air guide part and at least one louvered shutter for metering the quantity of air flowing out through the at least one air outlet. The air outlet has a frame that is circumferential and sealed off from the housing and a plurality of shutter strips pivotably secured in the frame. To simplify the design of the ventilating device and reduce the assembly time, the louvered shutter is pushed into the air inlet and the shutter frame is provided on its outer end pointing away from the housing with a circumferential internal rib, said rib, together with an external rib that is circumferential and concentric relative to the housing, forming a circumferential U-profile for inserting a seal that fits over the edge of the end of the air guide part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Klaus Arold
  • Patent number: 6135880
    Abstract: An adjustable register includes a frame member having an air passage therethrough, a plurality of slats connected pivotally to the frame member, a slat connecting member connected to each of the slate a slat-controlling linkage connected pivotally to one of the slats, a toggle-joint mechanism connected pivotally to the slat-controlling linkage on the frame member, and a plurality of blocking bars on the frame member. As the toggle-joint mechanism is operated, the slat-controlling linkage is driven to drive one of the slats. All slats move concurrently between a closed position where the slats contact closely the blocking bars, and an open position where the slats allow air flow through the air passage. In the closed position, the air-tight effect of the register is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Tien-Hou Joseph Ho
    Inventors: Tien-Hou Joseph Ho, Jiun-Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 5984196
    Abstract: An air vent that automatically opens and closes in response to changes in the ambient air temperature. The air vent includes a housing, a louver frame mounted to the housing and a series of vent louvers pivotally mounted to the frame. The louver frame includes a cam member for automatically pivoting the louvers between an open position and a closed position in response to ambient air temperature changes. The cam member includes a spring fixedly mounted at one end to the housing and mounted at the other end to a camming bar, which is mounted to the louvers. This spring is formed of two different types of metals which react to changes in the ambient air temperature. More specifically, the metals are chosen so that the spring expands as the temperature increases to rotate the cam bar in one direction and incrementally open the louvers, and contracts as the temperature decreases to rotate the cam bar in the reverse direction and incrementally close the louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Edward L. Godsey, James Franks
  • Patent number: 5845999
    Abstract: A bearing-supported damper system has a frame within which a plurality of vanes are rigidly supported on control rods. Bearing assemblies rigidly connected to the ends of the control rods are supported by the frame and provide free pivotal movement for the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: James F. Kearney
  • Patent number: 5842919
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for a multi-blade damper includes a base plate having slots extending longitudinally thereof and slidably receiving drive portions of the louver shafts. A series of drive slots extending generally perpendicular to the clearance slots is formed at each side of the clearance slots. A series of link assemblies are keyed to the shafts, the link assemblies including actuator pins extending into selected ones of the drive slots. A clamp connection interposed between the link and drive portion of the louvers permits relative adjustment of the link relative to the louver. Movement of the base plate parallel to the plane defined by the axes of the louvers results in tilting of the louvers in a selected direction, dependent upon which of the series of drive slots is occupied by a pin of a respective link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Duro Dyne Corporation
    Inventors: John Lyons, Allan A. Angerer
  • Patent number: 5810659
    Abstract: An air conditioner cabinet includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A U-shaped frame is mounted to the cabinet such that parallel vertical legs of the frame straddle the inlet. A pair of links are arranged for vertical sliding movement adjacent respective ones of the legs. Vertically spaced blades are mounted to the frame and extend across the inlet. The blades are mounted to the links such that vertical movement of the links causes the blades to pivot between inlet-opening and inlet-closing positions. The blades pivot through different respective angles whereby the inlet is opened by progressively greater amounts from the top to the bottom of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Whal Kim
  • Patent number: 5769709
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air suction port and an air outlet port. Sets of horizontal blades extend across respective ports and are rotatable about horizontal axes for opening and closing the respective port. Each set of blades includes lugs movable in an inclined slot formed in a respective linearly movable cam member to produce rotation of the blades in response to linear movement of the cam member. Each lug is also movable in a curved slot of a separate guide member to guide the rotational movement of the blade. Each inclined slot includes a linear inclined section and may include vertical extensions at each end of the linear section. The cam member can produce different angles of rotation of the blades so that, due to an optical illusion, the blades appear to a viewer to have been rotated by equal angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Do-Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 5741180
    Abstract: A device for monitoring and modulating the admission of fresh air into a building. The device comprises a housing; a sensor associated with the housing and operable to measure airflow through the housing; and a damper including at least two damper blades. Each damper blade includes a shaft rotatably attached to the housing at least at a first shaft end. The shaft is located on the surface of the damper blade so as to divide the surface into first and second substantially equal areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Lunxi Peter Xia, Rolf M. Hanson, Nels R. Ebbesen, Michael G. Lunacek, Robert M. Swanson, Dennis R. Dorman, Jeffrey A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5730652
    Abstract: An adjustable damper for controlling air flow from one area to another includes a rectangular frame forming an opening with a number of movable vanes positioned to selectively close off or open up the opening. Positioned between each pair of vanes in the frame is a stationary pitot-static sensing vane. Each pitot-static sensing vane can also be shaped as an air foil and includes an upstream chamber connected to a ram air input aperture and a downstream chamber connected to a downstream static aperture. Each of the chambers is connected to one portion of a pressure sensing instrument, such as, for example, a diaphragm type differential pressure sensor, in order to sense air flow velocity across the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Tomkins Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Van Becelaere
  • Patent number: 5702298
    Abstract: A damper control system which employs an unsheathed cable to transmit torque from a torque inducing tool to a damper regulator for regulating a damper of an air processing system. The damper control system has a first cable bracket with a first bracket passage through which the unsheathed cable passes. The first cable bracket is designed to be affixed to a surface accessible to the torque inducing tool. Longitudinal motion of the unsheathed cable with respect to the first cable bracket is limited by a pair of first bracket clips attached to the unsheathed cable and positioned such that the first bracket passage is interposed therebetween. The unsheathed cable is provided with a first cable end which can be engaged by the torque inducing tool and a second cable end which is either permanently affixed to or can be maintained slidable engaged with the damper regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Stephen J. Conkling
  • Patent number: 5674125
    Abstract: A device for monitoring and modulating the admission of fresh air into a building. The device comprises a housing; a sensor associated with the housing and operable to measure airflow through the housing; and a damper including at least two damper blades. Each damper blade includes a shaft rotatably attached to the housing at least at a first shaft end. The shaft is located on the surface of the damper blade so as to divide the surface into first and second substantially equal areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Lunxi Peter Xia, Rolf M. Hanson, Nels R. Ebbesen, Michael G. Lunacek, Robert M. Swanson, Dennis R. Dorman, Jeffrey A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5454757
    Abstract: A damper assembly gear system for interchangeably carrying either airfoil damper blades or single-ply damper blades. A first embodiment, in which the damper blades rotate in opposition to one another, includes a group of gear bodies, each of which includes a tab structure, including both airfoil tabs and single-ply tabs, for mounting both types of damper blades. The airfoil tabs are shaped to match an airfoil damper and are spaced apart such that an airfoil damper can be inserted between and gripped by the airfoil tabs. Single-ply tabs are located between the airfoil tabs, shaped to match a single-ply damper and spaced apart such that a single-ply damper can be inserted between the single-ply tabs and gripped thereby. An alternative embodiment allows the system to be used in conjunction with both opposed and parallel damper assemblies. First, this embodiment includes two types of gears, blade gears and idler gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventor: Kevin L. Wirfel
  • Patent number: 5449319
    Abstract: A retrofittable heating and air conditioning system for a single family dwelling including a heater and air conditioning furnace system connected to individual zones of a building by a series of output ducts. Each opening of a duct to an individual zone may have a unique, fully sealing, controllable output register assembly. Also, in each zone is a thermostat for sensing the zone temperature and for providing a means for the user to control the temperature of that zone. The system further includes a master controller with such temperature controlling features as a universal zone controller, individual zone controllers, and a timer. Finally, the system includes a central controller for controlling the register assemblies and the air conditioning, heating, and fan with respect to instructions set by the individual zone registers and the master controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Steven D. Dushane
    Inventors: Steven D. Dushane, Kenneth K. Anderson, Grant E. Bohm
  • Patent number: 5425673
    Abstract: A fire shutter comprises a plurality of substantially planar fire plate elements each having first and second opposite edges and supported so that they are adjacent to each other and turnable about respective parallel axes from a flow-through open position, in which gas-flow passages are formed between the plate elements, to a closed position, in which the first edge of one plate element of each pair of adjacent plate elements is close to the second edge of the other plate element of the pair and the fire plate elements together form a closed barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Kvaerner Masa-Yards OY
    Inventors: Timo Mahlanen, Kimmo Ritvanen, Arvo Rasanen, Outi Siivonen
  • Patent number: 5345966
    Abstract: According to the present invention a damper for controlling the flow of conditioned air supplied through a supply duct to a conditioned space is provided. The damper includes a support housing which defines a flow passage which communicates the supply duct with the conditioned space. A plurality of damper blades are mounted within the support housing for pivotal movement about respective spaced apart parallel axes. A blade link interconnects the damper blades in a ganged relation so that a common pivoted orientation of the damper blades is determined by the position of the blade link. Means are provided for selectively exerting a force on the blade link which will either move the link toward the second position to increase the flow of air through the damper or for exerting a force on the blade link to move the link toward the first position to decrease the flow of air through the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 5238453
    Abstract: A damper blade is constructed with a laterally extending, rounded rib and with integral journals on opposite ends of the rib that form bearing surfaces when the blade is journaled in openings in the frame of a damper assembly. The construction provides for convenient manufacturing from a blank without the addition of hardware for mounting the blade in a damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene J. Heil
  • Patent number: 5186387
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air-conditioning apparatus for an automotive vehicle so adapted as to allow its louvers disposed at air outlets for blowing or supplying air into the vehicle compartment to constantly assume their original positions when the louvers stop swinging. The swinging louvers are arranged to allow their directions in which the air is blown or supplied to be periodically changed by the swinging motor. The swinging motor is driven on the basis of a control signal from a control unit. A switching circuit of the swinging motor is provided with a first switch for being turned on or off on the basis of the signal from the control unit and with a second switch so arranged in parallel to the first switch and in association with the swinging motor as to be turned off when the swinging louvers are returned to their original positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Doi, Tsutomu Fujiki