Patents Assigned to Acutherm, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 4821955
    Abstract: A thermally-powered active master and passive satellite or slave diffuser system is disclosed. The system includes a master diffuser (24) with a displaceable damper assembly (41) mounted in the diffuser housing (31) and a thermal sensor-actuator assembly (46) positioned proximate the damper assembly (41) and proximate the master outlet (34, 58). An induction channel (47) communicates secondary air from proximate the master discharge outlet (34, 58) to the thermal sensor-actuator assembly (46) for accurate control of modulation by the damper assembly (41) of air flow to both the master (24) and passive slave (26) diffusers. The thermal sensor-actuator assembly (46) is capable of both cooling and heating and employs opposed sensor-actuator units (81, 102, 111) with override mountings (126, 128, 141) to effect changeover between heating and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Acutherm, Ltd.
    Inventors: James R. Kline, Robert S. Hunka
  • Patent number: 4523713
    Abstract: An improved thermally actuated diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser comprises three thermal sensor actuators. A first thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room air temperature and is engaged when cool air is supplied through the duct into the room. A third thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room air temperature and is engaged when warm air is supplied to the room. A second thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the duct air temperature and brings either the first or second thermal sensor actuator into engagement with the diffuser when the appropriate temperature of air is supplied through the duct and disengages the thermal actuator not being used with that duct air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Acutherm, Ltd.
    Inventors: James R. Kline, Peter Brand
  • Patent number: 4515069
    Abstract: A thermally powered change-over diffuser is disclosed which includes a housing having an outlet and movable blade assembly mounted with respect to the outlet for displacement between a first position producing a Coanda flow across a surface, such as a ceiling, and a second position producing a detached stream in a generally normally extending direction with respect to the surface. The diffuser is preferably thermally powered and includes a rapid change-over assembly enabling substantially immediate shifting between the two positions so as to provide a cooling mode of discharge and heating mode of discharge. Additionally, means for adjusting the volume of air discharged is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Acutherm, Ltd.
    Inventors: James R. Kline, Peter Brand
  • Patent number: 4491270
    Abstract: An improved thermally actuated diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser comprises four thermal sensor actuators. A first thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room air temperature when cool air is supplied through the duct into the room. A second thermal sensor actuator is responsive to the duct air and is adapted to engage the first thermal sensor actuator when cool air is supplied through the duct and to disengage the first thermal sensor actuator when warm air is supplied through the duct. A third thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room when warm air is supplied through the duct. A fourth thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the duct air temperature and brings the third thermal sensor actuator into engagement when warm air is supplied through the duct and to disengage the third thermal sensor actuator when cool air is supplied through the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Acutherm, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Brand