Abstract: A ceiling beam grid is an open grid constructed from beams of a few standard sizes that are connected together by connection blocks at the intersections of the beams. The connection blocks are suspended from the structural ceiling of the room by means of an anchor and hanger and are spaced in a grid pattern to accommodate the standard size beams between adjacent connection blocks. The standard size beams are then attached to and supported between the connection blocks. The beams are connected to the connection blocks by a vertical tongue and groove connection. The tongue and groove connection provides a sliding connection that allows the beams to be easily connected and disconnected from the connection blocks without the need of tools. Consequently, the ceiling beam grid can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changes in the room below.

Abstract: A ceiling beam grid is an open grid constructed from beams of a few standard sizes that are connected together by connection blocks at the intersections of the beams. The connection blocks are suspended from the structural ceiling of the room by means of an anchor and hanger and are spaced in a grid pattern to accommodate the standard size beams between adjacent connection blocks. The standard size beams are then attached to and supported between the connection blocks. The beams are connected to the connection blocks by a vertical tongue and groove connection. The tongue and groove connection provides a sliding connection that allows the beams to be easily connected and disconnected from the connection blocks without the need of tools. Consequently, the ceiling beam grid can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changes in the room below.

Abstract: A modular ceiling system has uniformly appearing devices supported by a channel or a ceiling in an aesthetically pleasing pattern with a single network and control system. The channel or ceiling has uniform sized and shaped openings into which a plurality of uniformly sized and shaped devices is fitted. The devices share a common communication protocol and power source. Each of the devices is connected to a central control system having the same communication protocol as the devices. A network connects the central control system and all of the devices together allowing communications between the central control system and the devices and among the devices using the common communication protocol.

Abstract: A distributively controlled operating device system a network with operating devices, and control devices. The operating devices and control devices are connected to the network and are assigned to virtual zones within a building. The operating devices are programmed with a set of scenarios for controlling various physical attributes of the building such as lighting and HVAC. Manual interfaces and multi-sensors are connected to the network and provide zone-tagged inputs to the operating devices. Based on the zone-tagged sensor inputs, the operating device implements one of the programmed scenarios. The virtual zones can be reconfigured by reassigning individual operating devices and control devices to such redefined virtual zones.

Abstract: A modular ceiling system has uniformly appearing devices supported by a channel or a ceiling in an aesthetically pleasing pattern with a single network and control system. The channel or ceiling has uniform sized and shaped openings into which a plurality of uniformly sized and shaped devices is fitted. The devices share a common communication protocol and power source. Each of the devices is connected to a central control system having the same communication protocol as the devices. A network connects the central control system and all of the devices together allowing communications between the central control system and the devices and among the devices using the common communication protocol.

Abstract: A mounting flange for attaching an HVAC air diffuser terminal in an opening in a floor or other mounting surface. The mounting flange includes a trim ring and a flange clip. The flange clip is adjustably and movably received in a slot defined a side of the trim ring. A pawl on the flange clip engages with ratchets defined in a surface of the trim ring adjacent to the slot to maintain the flange clip in selected position relative the underside of a floor. The air diffuser terminal is secured in the floor opening between gripping surfaces on the flange clip and the trim ring. An optional screw operably connects the flange clip with the trim ring so that the diffuser may be securely tightened in the floor opening.

Abstract: A displacement diffuser mounted in a suspended ceiling installation for supplying both heated and cooled air and using both displacement and mixing ventilation within an occupied space from a single unit. The diffuser includes a housing, an air inlet in the housing in communication with supply air, and a dual plenum divided by an intermediate wall into a heating plenum for receiving heated air and a cooling plenum for receiving cooled air. A high velocity linear air slot diffuser in directs air from the heating plenum into an occupied space at a high velocity. A low velocity diffuser allows cooled air to move via displacement into an occupied space. A damper within the housing is capable of directing heated air into the heating plenum and cooled air into the cooling plenum in response to an actuator signal.

Abstract: A mounting flange for attaching an HVAC air diffuser terminal in an opening in a floor or other mounting surface. The mounting flange includes a trim ring and a flange clip. The flange clip is adjustably and movably received in a slot defined a side of the trim ring. A pawl on the flange clip engages with ratchets defined in a surface of the trim ring adjacent to the slot to maintain the flange clip in selected position relative the underside of a floor. The air diffuser terminal is secured in the floor opening between gripping surfaces on the flange clip and the trim ring. An optional screw operably connects the flange clip with the trim ring so that the diffuser may be securely tightened in the floor opening.

Abstract: A trickle vent incorporates an automatically controlled movable damper or multiple movable dampers to control the volume of fresh air entering an occupied space of a building through the trickle vent. The trickle vent includes a heating element to condition the fresh air prior to entry into the occupied space. A directional grille is provided to initiate circulation within the occupied space.

Abstract: A fan assisted floor ventilation diffuser includes an enclosed diffuser housing with an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. A diffuser grille covers the air outlet opening and an inlet fan is mounted at the air inlet opening. The inlet fan pulls air from the underfloor plenum into the floor ventilation diffuser housing and discharges the air through the diffuser grille into the occupied space. A thermostat in each room of the occupied space above the floor controls the operation of the inlet fan for each floor ventilation diffuser in the room and thereby controls the amount of air passing through the floor ventilation diffuser and into an individual room in the occupied space.

Abstract: An air column for an under floor heating and cooling system in which the fan wheel of the plenum fan is located at the bottom of the air column enclosure and is radially aligned with the inlet to the under floor air plenum.

Abstract: A variable air volume ceiling diffuser includes a damper that is raised and lowered by a linkage that is controlled by a duct temperature sensor/actuator and one or more room temperature sensors/actuators. The linkage includes a heating slide movable for the heating mode and a cooling slide movable for the cooling mode. The duct temperature sensor/actuator selects the heating slide for movement by the room temperature sensors/actuators in the heating mode and selects the cooling slide for movement by the room temperature sensors/actuators in the cooling mode. The differential movement between the heating and cooling slides moves a roller that engages a profiled cam surface attached to two lever arms. As the roller moves along the cam surface, the lever arms pivot about their axis of rotation so that the damper moves upward to close the air inlet and downward to open the air inlet.

Abstract: A modular floor terminal mounted in the floor of an occupied space for delivering air from an underfloor air plenum to the occupied space. The modular floor terminal includes a square or rectangular housing with an air inlet at the bottom and an air outlet at the top. A rotating damper is positioned in the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. The position of the damper is controlled by an actuator which is in turn controlled by a thermostat/controller in the occupied space above the floor.