Abstract: A thermally powered VAV diffuser assembly (21, 221) having a housing (42, 242) formed for coupling to a supply air duct or conduit (22, 222), a damper (24, 224) mounted across a supply air opening (27, 227) for movement relative thereto to vary the volume of supply air discharge from the diffuser and a thermally powered damper position controlled device or assembly (28, 228). The control assembly (28, 228) includes not more than two sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) and a movable linkage assembly. The linkage assembly transmits movement of the sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) to the damper (24, 224) for displacement of the damper (24, 224) to vary the volume discharged and to produce change-overs between heating and cooling modes. The heating mode and cooling mode set point temperatures are each independently adjustable, and the movable linkage assembly includes a lever (33, 233) pivoted about two pivot points by axles (82, 83, 282, 283) which slide in slots (87, 88, 287, 288).

Abstract: A thermally powered VAV diffuser assembly (21, 221) having a housing (42, 242) formed for coupling to a supply air duct or conduit (22, 222), a damper (24, 224) mounted across a supply air opening (27, 227) for movement relative thereto to vary the volume of supply air discharge from the diffuser and a thermally powered damper position controlled device or assembly (28, 228). The control assembly (28, 228) includes not more than two sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) and a movable linkage assembly. The linkage assembly transmits movement of the sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) to the damper (24, 224) for displacement of the damper (24, 224) to vary the volume discharged and to produce change-overs between heating and cooling modes. The heating mode and cooling mode set point temperatures are each independently adjustable, and the movable linkage assembly includes a lever (33, 233) pivoted about two pivot points by axles (82, 83, 282, 283) which slide in slots (87, 88, 287, 288).

Abstract: A thermally powered VAV diffuser assembly (21, 221) having a housing (42, 242) formed for coupling to a supply air duct or conduit (22, 222), a damper (24, 224) mounted across a supply air opening (27, 227) for movement relative thereto to vary the volume of supply air discharge from the diffuser and a thermally powered damper position controlled device or assembly (28, 228). The control assembly (28, 228) includes not more than two sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) and a movable linkage assembly. The linkage assembly transmits movement of the sensor-actuators (31, 32, 231, 232) to the damper (24, 224) for displacement of the damper (24, 224) to vary the volume discharged and to produce change-overs between heating and cooling modes. The heating mode and cooling mode set point temperatures are each independently adjustable, and the movable linkage assembly includes a lever (33, 233) pivoted about two pivot points by axles (82, 83, 282, 283) which slide in slots (87, 88, 287, 288).

Abstract: An adaptive control device (77) and method (102-108) for control of the operation of an actuator (72), and particularly thermally-powered actuator (72) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser (71). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater (74) provided on a thermally-powered actuator (72) to implement an adaptive process (102-108) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (±0.25° F.). Most preferably, the process steps (106) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (±1.0° F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly (80) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices (27, 29) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of directly, or indirectly through a network server (61), coupling each of a plurality of computers (34) located in a plurality of offices or spaces (22) for input of a temperature set point based signal. The computers (34) are coupled to the VAV devices (27, 29) such that a selected computer can be used to adjust the temperature set point of only VAV devices (27, 29) located in the same space (22) as the selected computer (34). Such coupling can be wired or wireless, based upon the use of computer networks (36, 42) which are connected to the VAV devices (27, 29) directly or through the building HVAC control network (32) or through a network server (61), which also is accessed by the building control computer (24).

Abstract: An adaptive control device (77) and method (102-108) for control of the operation of an actuator (72), and particularly thermally-powered actuator (72) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser (71). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater (74) provided on a thermally-powered actuator (72) to implement an adaptive process (102-108) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (±0.25° F.). Most preferably, the process steps (106) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (±1.0° F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly (80) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position.

Abstract: An adaptive control device (77) and method (102-108) for control of the operation of an actuator (72), and particularly thermally-powered actuator (72) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser (71). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater (74) provided on a thermally-powered actuator (72) to implement an adaptive process (102-108) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (±0.25° F.). Most preferably, the process steps (106) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (±1.0° F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly (80) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of an operating parameter of a plurality of environmental control devices, such as VAV devices (27, 29) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of connecting at least one of computers (34) for input of a parameter control set point based signal and a unique VA device identifying signal through an Internet website (71) to the plurality of HVAC devices (27, 29). The computer (34) is, for example, connected to the VAV devices (27, 29) such that the computer (34) can be used to adjust the temperature set point of only one of the plurality of VAV devices (27, 29), most typically the device located in the same space (22) as the communicating computer (34). Such computer (34) can be wired or wireless, and use the global computer network website (71) to connect to the VAV devices (27, 29) through a building computer (24) and local area network (32).

Abstract: An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices (27, 29) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of coupling each of a plurality of computers (34) located in a plurality of offices or spaces (22) for input of a temperature set point signal. The computers (34) are coupled to the VAV devices (27, 29) such that a selected computer will input or adjust the temperature set point of only VAV devices (27, 29) located in the same space (22) as the computer (34). Such coupling can be accomplished through direct electrical connections (33), transmitted signals (37, 38), or the use of computer networks (36, 42) which are connected to the VAV devices (27, 29) directly or through the building HVAC control network (32).

Abstract: A variable-air-volume (VAV) conditioning system having at least one diffuser (27a-27d) for discharging supply air (SA) into a room (22a-22d) a flow control element (53) movably mounted in the diffuser for control of the volume of supply air (SA) discharged from the diffuser (27a-27d) in response to thermal loading in the room (22a-22d). The VAV system also includes a ventilation air source (41), independent of the supply air source (23), which is fluid coupled to a ventilation air opening defining structure (59), such as a nozzle, located in the diffuser housing (15) at a position downstream of the flow control element (53).

Abstract: A variable-air-volume (VAV) conditioning system having at least one diffuser (27a-27d), a flow control element (53) movably mounted for control of the volume of supply air (SA) discharged from the diffuser (27a-27d). The VAV system also includes an air induction nozzle (50,58) mounted to induce room air (RA) flow over a room air temperature sensor (28a, 28a') which controls movement of the flow control element (53). The induction air nozzle (50,58), however, is fluid coupled to a ventilation air assembly for the discharge of ventilation air (VA) into the rooms (22a-22d). Preferably, the induction air assembly is provided by a ventilation conduit assembly (44, 46a-46d) and a ventilation air treatment and supply assembly (41) fluid coupled to a ventilation air source. The ventilation air is discharged through the air induction nozzles (58).