Abstract: A device that allows a sitting airline passenger to control the direction and volume of the airflow from an overhead air conditioning nozzle by manipulating a remote control keyboard located near the passenger. It increases an individual's thermal comfort in an aircraft cabin by allowing the individual to regulate the thermal conditions at their seat. The present invention also allows an individual-supplemental air volume to be introduced into an aircraft cabin by means of individual spreadable and adjustable air outlets to provide a “local” climate zone that is distinct from the basic cabin climate or condition. The present invention also provides a means of remote passenger manipulation of the individual-supplemental air volume and direction and all from the comfort of the passenger seat.

Abstract: A control strategy for supply fans in variable-air-volume heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems that reduces the static pressure at part-load conditions. The invention consists of a static pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, a supply fan, a fan modulating device, and a controller coupled to the static pressure sensor and the airflow sensor. The controller includes a calculator that calculates the static pressure setpoint as a function of the airflow rate. The static pressure setpoint is lower when the airflow rate is lower. The controller compares the static pressure setpoint with the static pressure, and it commands the fan modulating device so that the static pressure remains close to the static pressure setpoint. Alternatively, the controller includes a calculator that calculates a loss coefficient as a function of the static pressure and the supply rate.

Abstract: A filter retaining apparatus and method for installing a thicker filter in an existing conventional return air duct in a conventional heating and air conditioning system. The filter is commercially available but is thicker than one conventionally used in such systems. A thicker filter provides more efficient air filtration and has a longer life, thus, requires less frequent cleaning or replacement. The retaining apparatus is capable of retaining the thicker filter and is adaptable to the existing return air duct opening without modification of the existing opening or the grill cover. The apparatus has the same length and width dimensions as the existing thin filter and is mounted on the same landing surface. The greater depth of the apparatus extends into the air duct. Thus, from the room interior it is not possible to detect the use of the apparatus. The greater depth of the apparatus retains the thicker commercially available filter.

Abstract: The portable ventilating system of the invention includes a base adapted for being towed behind a prime mover, ground engaging apparatus for supporting the base frame in a manner permitting movement of the base over the ground, a fan assembly mounted on the base and having an impeller for creating an air flow, and power transfer apparatus for rotating the impeller of the fan assembly. The power transfer apparatus is connectable to and drivable by a power take off apparatus of the prime mover.

Abstract: A method of purging air that includes sensing a first physical property within an enclosed volume of space, sensing a second physical property outside of the enclosed volume of space, calculating a difference between the first and second physical properties; and conveying air out of the enclosed volume of the space if the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reducing preheating time and for homogenizing temperatures in a passenger compartment, for example of a motor vehicle, wherein the preheating dynamics is improved, which consists in adjusting soft air diffusion air speed in an optimized range of values. In one embodiment, the air circulating device comprises at least a ventilator (8) and at least a soft air diffusion conduit (2), having at its open end an air permeable panel (4) which ensures a soft air diffusion in the passenger compartment. The invention is characterized in that the ventilator, the conduit (2) and the panel (4) are dimensioned so that, at maximum ventilated air flow rate, the diffused air speed ranges between 2 and 5 m/s. The device further comprises at least a ventilation conduit (3), said conduit being dimensioned so that, at maximum air flow blown by the ventilator, the air speed at the ventilating nozzles substantially ranges between 2 m/s and 10 m/s.

Abstract: A livestock cooling apparatus comprising an electrically-powered fan, which is capable of oscillating 360 degrees. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a programmable cooling system for livestock which allows each fan in the system to be programmed to sweep a designated area according to observed environmental conditions or according to the time of day. The cooling apparatus may further comprise a mist ring for injecting water into the airstream created by the fan to provide for evaporative cooling of the livestock.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the inside of a parked vehicle particularly a parked truck includes a HVAC unit and electric switching apparatus supported in a parking area with cabling and hosing which connects to the parked vehicle via a head unit. The head unit includes a cover which opens to expose controls housed in said unit utilizing a central processor which in turn communicate for example via the Internet to a server providing for activation of the unit and payment for the services.

Abstract: Insects, debris and the like are prevented from moving into a building via an open door by a fan unit that is mounted on the side of the doorway to extend for the entire length of the door and to direct air outwardly with respect to the building at an oblique angle with respect to a plane containing the doorway. The fan is activated when the door is opened and de-activated when the door is closed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an airflow capture booth with single-plate windbreak comprising an extracting means for extracting polluted air having an opening for air contamination extracting through and a crosswind device for simulating crosswind, the improvement comprises that said crosswind device having a single-plate windbreak perpendicular to an airflow direction of said crosswind having a specific distance to said opening of said extracting means for forming a capture zone, wherein the airflow of said capture zone is not easy to be shed and is extracted mostly by said extracting means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for providing clean air in premises, wherein impure air is received or taken in into an air treatment device (1) from lower portions of the premises and cleaned or purified therein. A first partial flow (DS1) of air received or taken in into the air treatment device (1) is cooled, while a second partial flow (DS2) of air received or taken in into said air treatment device (1) is heated. The cooled air (KL) in the first partial flow (DS1) is brought to flow, through at least one cell body member (17) in at least one air discharge unit (15), slowly downwards without substantial co-ejection of surrounding air to define at least one zone of clean air (RZ) in the premises beneath the air discharge unit (15). The heated air (VL) in the second partial flow (DS2) is discharged, through an air discharge opening (16), in an upwards direction such that said heated air (VL) rises in the premises at low speed.

Abstract: Internal climate comfort in a living room occupied by human users is controlled by natural ventilation, through at least two external adjustable openings and at least one internal opening, said natural ventilation being determined from a constant physical parameter of said living room and measured parameters relating to wind load and temperature difference to approximate a target air exchange rate for the room. An adjustment parameter (S1, S2) for each external opening is determined to provide air exchange (Qf) to the room on the basis of said target air exchange rate and is modified by application of a set of individual comfort functions (&mgr;) for each opening, taking account at least of outside and inside temperature, air exchange and wind speed and direction. The individual comfort functions (&mgr;) of said set are weighed by fuzzy optimization to produce optimized and substantially equally distributed comfort conditions in positions in the living room adjacent each opening.

Abstract: A modular fan unit having a frame receivable within a baffle of a chassis for containing electronic components is provided. Each of a pair of brackets is connected to an end of the frame to form a slot for receiving a wall of the baffle. Moreover, each of the pair of brackets is respectively attachable to a pair of walls of a rack containing the chassis. A fan is attached to the frame so as to align with an aperture located between the pair of brackets and passing through the frame. A controller is attached to the frame and is electrically connected to the fan.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a fan/skylight combination unit mounted on a common frame 19 wherein the preferred embodiment includes a fan assembly 14 powered by photovoltaic panels 16 thereby providing increased natural lighting into the interior of the structure 12 while removing excessive heat therefrom. The white outer dome 38 reflects heat therefrom and the air space between the inner 40 and outer 38 domes serves as a thermal barrier to prevent the transfer of heat from the atmosphere into the, interior of the structure 12. The solar rays collected by the photovoltaic panel 16 energize the fan motor 20 and forcibly ventilates the interior of the structure 12.

Abstract: A filter housing assembly which inhibits the ingestion of foreign matter and particulates into the air intake and air flow openings of a motor vehicle to safeguard the interior cabin and HVAC equipment typically utilized in vehicles. The filter housing assembly of the present invention consists of a filter housing member adapted to house a filter which may be integrated within the assembly as an integral manufactured component in sealable engagement or a snap-fit, modular engageable assembly which allows the selected filter to be removed and replaced at will to ensure that the air intake portions of the vehicle or free from debris and unwanted foreign matter.

Abstract: A register containing an airflow control mechanism is disclosed whereby the control mechanism is easily accessed by a user when mounted on the ceiling of a room. The ergonomically accessible airflow control mechanism comprises a pull chain arrangement means which dangles from the register and is adaptable to any height. The pull chain arrangement is interconnected to a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted above the face plate of the register via a connecting means which transfers the vertical pulling action of a user on the pull chain arrangement to rotational movement of the louvers between an open and closed position. The connecting means as well as the rotatable louvers are mounted on the upper side of a face plate and hidden from view when in the operative position thus providing an inconspicuous, aesthetically pleasing finish to a room's decor.

Abstract: An air handling apparatus for blending outside and return airflow including a housing having exterior side walls, a top and a bottom and containing first and second inlet regions and a mixing chamber. Outside air flows through a first inlet into the first inlet region while return air flows through another inlet into the second inlet region. There are also first and second damper mechanisms positioned between the first and second inlet regions and the mixing chamber, each capable of adjusting the amount of airflow from the respective inlet region to the mixing chamber. An exhaust fan is mounted on the housing above the second inlet region while an air supply fan is mounted in the housing on the downstream side of the mixing chamber. Heating and cooling coil units can be located downstream of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A molded insert for attachment to material of a cover intended for outdoor use to cover an article has a front face, a back face, and a plurality of openings through its thickness. Each opening has a larger area in the front face than in the back face, and is formed so that the bottom-most extent of the smaller area in the back face is higher than the bottom-most extent of the larger area in the front face of the molded insert, when the molded insert is placed in a vertical orientation. There may be a first region in the molded insert where there are no openings formed. Typically, a peripheral margin is formed around the periphery, and an upstanding wall portion extends forwardly of the peripheral margin at least in the top region when the molded insert is placed in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A method for producing two fascias using two ventilation structures which are common at least in part, comprising the steps of producing a first and a second ventilation structure, each comprising one or more pliable duct portions identical between one ventilation structure and the other; producing a first cover for a fascia, having one or more first air vents, and a second fascia cover, different from the first, and having one or more second air vents; positioning the pliable duct portions of the first ventilation structure by way of first positioning lug and assembling said pliable duct portions of the first ventilation structure and the first air vents; positioning the pliable duct portions of the second ventilation structure by way of second positioning lug distinct from the first, and assembling said pliable duct portions of the second ventilation structure and the second air vents.

Abstract: An outlet for a climate control system includes a support member and multiple vanes pivotally connected to the support member. The outlet also includes a link attached to the vanes such that the vanes are pivotable in unison. Furthermore, the link comprises a soft, rubbery material having a Shore A hardness in the range of 40 to 80.