Abstract: A system for passively exhausting air from a structure includes at least one pair of modules arranged on a roof of the structure. Each module has an exhaust face on one side and a sloped surface on the opposite side, and can receive exhaust air that flows upward from inside the structure. The modules can be arranged in pairs facing one another, with one of the sloped surfaces facing a direction of an environmental flow of air, so that the environmental air can flow up the sloped surface of one module and down the sloped surface of the other module without impinging on the exhaust faces of either module. The pairs can also be arranged side-by-side in an array, which can be expanded with additional pairs of modules to exhaust from the structure at a greater rate.

Abstract: A passive cooling system routes air from an enclosure to an ambient environment, via a chimney effect, through one or more indirect pathways and re-directs environmental elements received from the ambient environment. One or more vanes are arranged within an interior space, such that the vanes collectively form one or more indirect pathways to the ambient environment. The vanes preclude environmental elements, including precipitation and particulate matter, from passing through the interior space and into the enclosure. Environmental elements are re-directed by one or more of the vanes, at least in part, to an exterior of the passive exhaust system. Dampers may be adjusted to control airflow through the passive cooling system and restrict environmental elements from entering the passive cooling system. Liquids received from the ambient environment may be re-directed into a reclamation system for use in a cooling system.

Abstract: A damper having a housing includes a rotatable damper vane therein constructed to minimize the passage of air between the vane and the housing when the vane is in a closed position. The housing includes a pair of opposed walls having a channel or flute therein adjacent outer edges of the vane when the vane is in the closed position. The outer edges of the vane terminate in domed or arcuate shaped surfaces that generally correspond with the channel. The arcuate shaped surfaces are a distance apart that is greater than a distance between the opposed walls such that the arcuate shaped surfaces are received in the channels when the vane is in the closed position. The housing also includes a pair of opposed sidewalls having a ridge therein at a location that aligns with an edge of the vane when the vane is in the closed position.

Abstract: A cold air supply and control device for a refrigerator is provided. The cold air supply and control device includes a cylindrical, duct main body having an inlet that allows cold air generated in a heat exchange chamber to be introduced thereinto and an outlet that supplies the cold air introduced through the inlet to a refrigerating chamber. The duct main body is pivotably installed to at least one of both side surfaces of the refrigerating chamber. An opening and closing piece is fixed to the side surface of the refrigerating chamber and selectively opens and closes the outlet according to a rotation of the duct main body. An interlocking plate formed below the outlet of the duct main body rotates the duct main body by a load of a shelf so as to open the outlet. In addition, a torsion spring is installed between a surface of the refrigerating chamber and a front or rear surface of the duct main body, and elastically supports the duct main body in a direction in which the outlet is closed.

Abstract: A flow control device has a duct section with a plurality of damper blocking elements, each having a major plane. The damper blocking elements are pivotably connected to the duct section and movable in a range that is limited to ensure that, when the duct section is mounted in a preferred orientation, the damper blocking element major planes always form an angle of at least 45 degrees from the horizontal throughout the range. The range is such that the plurality of damper blocking elements can selectively close and open the duct. The blocking elements can completely close the duct, for example, to block natural convection.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus provides a housing with at least one exhaust compartment disposed within the housing, and at least one draft damper repositionable to operate at orientations of about 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° with respect to a level plane of an exterior bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: The automatic vent damper has various embodiments of a wind actuated vent system, which automatically closes to preclude entry of wind blown water when a wind of predetermined velocity and direction acts upon the device. The damper may be installed as an off-ridge or ridge vent system, or in other operating environments and installations as desired. Various mechanisms are used to operate the device, with all including one or more springs, which hold a rigid door or flap, open in light wind conditions. However, when a wind of sufficient velocity blows toward the vent opening, the door or flap is closed due to aerodynamic forces thereon to preclude entry of wind blown water into the device. The door or flap automatically opens again due to the spring mechanism when the wind abates.

Abstract: A damper box for an orifice air injector, the damper box comprising front and rear faces with respective front and rear openings therein, a pair of sides, a top and a bottom; and a pair of gates pivotally mounted within the damper box and actuatable between open and closed positions.

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.

Abstract: A damper for an air turbine mounted on the roof of a house, or other structure, comprising a tube adapted to fit into the opening below the turbine, a cover hingedly attached to the tube, a cable attached to the cover adapted to be pulled out to close the cover or pushed in to open the cover. The damper is attached to the turbine by clips which attach to a flange of the turbine or by brackets affixed to the roof.

Abstract: A roof-type ventilator made of a moldable material such as fiberglass with generally vertical sides. Exhaust ports are provided in the upper portion of opposite sides of the ventilator in spaced relation from the roof. Deflecting baffles extend from just below the exhaust openings inwardly to just above the exhaust openings with an opening behind the deflector communicating with the interior of the building. This allows air and fumes from the interior of the building to be exhausted generally horizontally outwardly from the elevated exhaust port while preventing ambient, wind driven rain, snow and the like from entering the building interior through the ventilator. A normally open louver is provided in the area behind the baffles so that the air and fumes from the interior of the building can be controlled.

Abstract: An exhaust box used to ventilate rooms or devices within a building to the ambient environment. The exhaust box has a generally rectangular main body portion, with an exterior end and an interior end and is adapted for installation in the wall structure of the building. An inlet portion projects from the interior end and is adapted to receive an exhaust duct in sealed relation thereto. A flange portion extending radially outwardly from the exterior end of the main body portion helps retain the exhaust box in place within the wall structure. The main body portion has a bottom portion that is sloped downwardly towards the exterior end so as to cause water to flow towards the exterior thereof. A damper member is pivotally attached to the exhaust box so as to be gravity biased into place against a receiving surface at the interior end of the inlet portion.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a building wherein first and second opposing doors are mounted adjacent an opening into the building. Each of the first and second doors include an axis of rotation parallel to each other and parallel to a major surface of each door. A bracket member is pivotally attached to the building for rotation about a first axis which is transverse to each axis of rotation of the first and second doors. Linkage structure is provided for connecting the bracket member to each of the first and second doors such that rotation of the bracket member about the first axis opens and closes the first and second doors. The linkage structure includes link rods connecting the bracket to the first and second doors. A three dimensional ball and socket joint is provided at each end of the first and second link rods to connect the link rods to the bracket and to the respective doors.