Abstract: A bladder type damper assembly formed of a flexible envelope of fluid impermeable plastic material incorporating an insert made of two segments of rigid sheet material joined in hinged relation at one edge and moveable between a flat association and a preselected open angular orientation. The fluid conformable portion of the bladder envelope between the open edges of the insert segments provides a folding region in the form of a valley configuration provided by seaming the two overlapping layers of the bladder between the two insert segments when folded in flat relation. The seam is formed by applying heat and pressure to the two bladder layers through an opening in one or both of the insert segments with separator material appropriately placed.

Abstract: An angularly shaped inflatable bladder assembly adaptable to use as a damper or shut-off means for control of fluid flow in fluid flow systems and more specifically for control of air flow in air conditioning systems. The angularly shaped bladder is formed of an assembly of fluid impermeable polymer sheet materials edge sealed. The bladder is bent to a desired angular form less than 180 degrees and at least one layer being flexible fluid conformable material without shape memory so that it responds to inflating fluid such as air pumped between the layers through a connection to the bladder. One or two inflatable pockets are provided upon bending the assembly along a line between two opposite edges of the bladder. Upon inflation the single or two pockets enlarge and push the opposite sides of the assembly further apart whereby the angle between the two becomes wider, or upon deflation the opposite sides are drawn together to narrow the angle.

Abstract: A portable self-deflating fluid inflatable bladder adaptable to use as a damper for control of fluid flow in fluid supply systems and more specifically for control of air flow in heating and air conditioning ducts such as may be effectively used in zone controlled air conditioning systems. The bladder is an assembly of two layers of sheet material sealed together, one layer being a flat base sheet of semi-rigid flexible material having an internal memory causing it to return to its flat shape upon removal of flexing forces, the other layer being a flexible conformable material without shape memory so that it responds to make space for the volume of air pumped between the layers by way of a connection thereto. Inflation stresses on the base sheet cause it to be self-deflating and enables the bladder to be closely regulated in size for corresponding close control of air flow through an air passage in which the bladder is installed.

Abstract: An activity zone of a house is selectively isolated with respect to a sleeping zone during nighttime intervals by selectively blocking the flow of conditioned air into the activity zone, while allowing the usual flow of conditioned air into the sleeping zone. The air flow passage in each supply duct is blocked by an inflatable air bladder disposed within the air flow passage. An air compressor is coupled to the bladder for inflating it to cause it to expand against the sidewall of the duct and seal the air flow passage during the isolation mode of operation, and for drawing air from the bladder to cause it to collapse and open the air flow passage during the conditioned air supply mode of operation.

Abstract: An activity zone of a house is selectively isolated with respect to a sleeping zone during nighttime intervals by selectively blocking the flow of conditioned air into the activity zone, while allowing the usual flow of conditioned air into the sleeping zone. The air flow passage in each supply duct is blocked by an inflatable air bladder disposed within the air flow passage. An air compressor is coupled to the bladder for inflating it to cause it to expand against the sidewall of the duct and seal the air flow passage during the isolation mode of operation, and for drawing air from the bladder to cause it to collapse and open the air flow passage during the conditioned air supply mode of operation.