Abstract: A zone damper having a first portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, a second portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, a coupling mechanism coupling the first and second portions to limit the relative movements of the two portions with respect to each other, and a biasing mechanism exerting a torque against the system static pressure differential.

Abstract: A zone damper having a first portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, a second portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, and a coupling mechanism coupling the first and second portions to limit the relative movements of the two portions with respect to each other, and a biasing mechanism exerting a torque against the system static pressure differential. The first portion can be a single one-piece undivided blade pivotally mounted with a shell surrounding the zone damper.

Abstract: A control system for an HVAC system serving at least two zones, each zone receiving conditioned air by way of a zone duct, each zone duct including a zone damper having a first portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, a second portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, and a coupling mechanism coupling the first and second portions to limit the relative movements of the two portions with respect to each other, and a biasing mechanism exerting a torque against the system static pressure differential. The first portion can be a single one-piece undivided blade pivotally mounted with a shell surrounding the zone damper.

Abstract: A control system for an HVAC system serving at least two zones, each zone receiving conditioned air by way of a zone duct, each zone duct including a zone damper having a first portion and second portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, a second portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, and a weight adjustment for modifying the torque exerted by the second portion against the system static pressure to adjust the selected level.

Abstract: A zone damper having a first portion and second portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, a second portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, and a weight adjustment for modifying the torque exerted by the second portion against the system static pressure to adjust the selected level.

Abstract: A zone damper having a first portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, a second portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, and a coupling mechanism coupling the first and second portions to limit the relative movements of the two portions with respect to each other, and a biasing mechanism exerting a torque against the system static pressure differential. The first portion can be a single one-piece undivided blade pivotally mounted with a shell surrounding the zone damper.

Abstract: A booster fan assembly includes a fan, an electric motor coupled to the fan, an electric cord coupled to the motor and adapted to be coupled to a source of electric power through a pair of thermostats and voltage reducing transformer, and a support coupled to the motor and adapted to be inserted in a heating/air conditioning duct from a distal end. The support has a flexible perimeter portion for contacting the interior surface of the duct and a central portion extending inward from the perimeter portion that is coupled to the motor. An outer surface of the support is selectively engageable with an interior surface of the duct at any selected location. The support is an incomplete ring that is collapsible from a first diameter to a second smaller diameter to permit insertion of the assembly into the duct. The support includes two inwardly directed handle portions normally spaced from each other, the handle portions being compressible toward each other to cause contraction of the perimeter portion.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a thermostat system for use in thermal regulation of an environment.This invention involves thermal regulation systems for controlling the temperature of an environment and the thermostat systems used in thermal regulation systems. The invention provides a pair of contacts and a creep action bi-metal thermostat, electrically connected to the pair of contacts. The bi-metal thermostat provides an electrical connection between the pair of contacts when the thermostat is exposed to temperatures within one defined range, and the thermostat interrupts any electrical connection between the pair of contacts when the thermostat is exposed to temperatures that are outside of the defined range. A capacitor, is electrically connected between the contacts, in parallel with the creep action bi-metal thermostat to prevent heating caused by electrical arcing within the bi-metal thermostat from altering the performance of the bi-metal thermostat.

Abstract: A control assembly for a HVAC system serving a plurality of zones within a structure, having ducting including a damper situated in an outlet of the ducting leading to each zone, a biasing element biasing the damper in a normally open position, and a motor coupled to each damper for closing each damper. A standard manual or automatic change-over thermostat is situated in each of the zones which includes at least a heating signal output and a cooling signal output.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp includes first and second gripping members pivotally coupled to each other for movement about a pivot pin, a helically coiled spring having a tubular portion disposed around the pivot pin having first and second end extensions extending from the tubular portion for biasing the gripping members toward a gripping position, and a bar having a threaded aperture, a threaded member, and a bracket, the bar being positioned between the helically coiled spring first end extension and the first gripping member, the bracket being coupled to the first gripping member and the threaded member rotatably engaging the bracket and the bar, the bar being movable relative to the bracket in response to rotation of the threaded member so as to reposition the first and second end extensions relative to each other thereby adjusting the force applied by the spring against the gripping members.

Abstract: An alarm system for use in a salt-brine tank of a water softener has a sensor including a stem member having a lower end received in the bed of salt within the salt-brine tank and an upper end projecting above the bed of salt. An spaced pair of electrodes are supported at the stem member upper end and are responsive to direct contact with a brine solution inside the tank for generating the signal indicative of an abnormal condition. An electronic circuit is coupled to the sensor for generating an alarm which includes two counters coupled to a clock circuit such that any alarm indicative of the abnormal condition is delayed for a predetermined period of time after the sensor signals the abnormal condition, and the alarm is generated as spaced, short bursts of sound, the spacing between the bursts of sound being greater than the duration of the bursts.

Abstract: An alarm system is disclosed for use with a water softener including a salt-brine tank containing a bed of salt. The alarm system includes a sensor situated in the salt-brine tank on the top of the bed of salt, an electronic circuit including an alarm, and an input for connecting the circuit to the sensor. The sensor is responsive to direct contact with the brine for operating the circuit to initiate the alarm in the event the top of the bed of salt drops below a preselected level or the brine rises above another preselected level.

Abstract: A holding apparatus includes a first clamp and a second clamp. Each clamp having a handle, and a coupler for coupling the handles of the clamps together. The coupler includes a first rod and a second rod, with each rod having a right angled leg, the legs being shorter than the rod, and the ends of each rod being threaded. A coupling engaging the threads on one end of each of the rods to adjustably join the rods together and wing nut engages one thread in interfering engagement. Connecting elements connect the legs to a respective clamp handle. Each connecting element includes a ring rotatably surrounding the second leg and having an integral stem projecting radically from the ring. The stem projects through a clamp handle to permit pivotal movement of the clamp handle around the stem, thereby providing five axes of movement between the two clamps.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a plurality of zones comprising an air handling unit including a blower, a plurality of heating stages and a plurality of cooling stages. The air handling unit is connected via ducts to each of the zones, each zone having an air outlet provided with a two-position damper which is either open or closed and a thermostat for providing an input signal to a microprocessor. The microprocessor has outputs for activating motors to move the dampers and outputs for activating the heating and cooling stages. The system includes an automatic mode of operation in which the microprocessor controls the number of stages of heating or cooling which are energized in dependence on the difference between the number of zone therostats calling for heating and the number of zone thermostats calling for cooling.