Abstract: Method and apparatus for ventilating an interior space, such as a large industrial structure with at least one bay opening. A ventilation system includes an array of M by N fans stacked into a two dimensional (2D) array. A rigid frame supports the array. A seal assembly provides a nominally fluid-tight seal between an outer perimeter of the array and the bay opening. A locking assembly mechanically couples the frame to the bay opening. In some cases, a bay door can be partially retracted and attached to a top of the frame. In other cases, the bay door may be fluidically permeable (e.g., a chain, a screen, etc.) and the array is secured behind a fully closed door. Cooling air is directed out the bay opening at a suitable time, such as overnight. A soft-start motor capability can be used to initiate operation of the array.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ventilating a building structure, such as a residence. In some embodiments, a ventilation system includes a damper assembly which extends through an interior substrate (e.g., an interior wall) of the structure and an exhaust assembly which extends through an exterior substrate (e.g., an exterior wall of the structure and which is in communication with the damper assembly via a control circuit. The interior wall separates a conditioned space and an unconditioned space. The exhaust assembly is initially activated to vent exhaust air from the unconditioned space while a door of the damper assembly remains closed. The door is subsequently opened responsive to a measured environmental parameter, such as a differential pressure between the conditioned and unconditioned spaces, to generate a combined airflow that passes from the conditioned space to the unconditioned space and then to the exterior of the structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ventilating an interior space, such as a large industrial structure with at least one bay opening. A ventilation system includes an array of M by N fans stacked into a two dimensional (2D) array. A rigid frame supports the array. A seal assembly provides a nominally fluid-tight seal between an outer perimeter of the array and the bay opening. A locking assembly mechanically couples the frame to the bay opening. In some cases, a bay door can be partially retracted and attached to a top of the frame. In other cases, the bay door may be fluidically permeable (e.g., a chain, a screen, etc.) and the array is secured behind a fully closed door. Cooling air is directed out the bay opening at a suitable time, such as overnight. A soft-start motor capability can be used to initiate operation of the array.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for ventilating a building structure, such as a residence. In some embodiments, a ventilation system includes a damper assembly which extends through an interior substrate (e.g., an interior wall) of the structure and an exhaust assembly which extends through an exterior substrate (e.g., an exterior wall of the structure and which is in communication with the damper assembly via a control circuit. The interior wall separates a conditioned space and an unconditioned space. The exhaust assembly is initially activated to vent exhaust air from the unconditioned space while a door of the damper assembly remains closed. The door is subsequently opened responsive to a measured environmental parameter, such as a differential pressure between the conditioned and unconditioned spaces, to generate a combined airflow that passes from the conditioned space to the unconditioned space and then to the exterior of the structure.

Abstract: A tapered flexible conduit and a ventilation system incorporating the same. The conduit is arranged to extend between a register and a fan assembly, such as in a whole house fan (WHF) system. The conduit includes a flexible inner liner surrounded by a flexible outer liner. The flexible inner liner has a length of helically formed wire coupled to a flexible membrane. The flexible outer liner includes an insulative layer to provide acoustic baffling for an airflow established by the fan assembly passing through the conduit. The tapered conduit has a frusto-conical shape along an overall length of the conduit to sealingly engage differently sized inlet and exhaust ports of the register and the fan assembly, respectively. The collapsible nature of the respective inner and outer liners reduces bulk during shipment and accommodates a variety of different configurations during installation.

Abstract: An aerodynamic motor mount assembly enhances air flow through an air impeller by providing support members that serve the dual purpose of concentrically mounting the air impeller into a housing, and stabilizing air flow being pulled through the air impeller. The air impeller comprises rotatable blades that are defined by a frontal plane, across which air is pulled through as the blades rotate. The impelled air flow engages a substantial portion of the support members before passing through the air impeller in a linear air flow continuum. The coplanar positioning of the support members relative to the blades, the aerodynamic surfaces and edges of the support members, and the radial disposition of the support members, work to direct the air across the frontal plane of the blades. The air flow engages the support members before passing through the air impeller in a linear air flow continuum, which reduces air turbulence.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.