Abstract: A thermal release coupler is provided for use in a fire and smoke damper assembly. The fire and smoke damper assembly includes an array of damper blades carried in a damper frame which are moveable between open and closed positions; a linkage joining the damper blades; and a damper actuator operatively connected to the linkage for driving the damper blade array between the open and closed positions. The thermal release coupler has a drive shaft coupled to the damper actuator and a connecting shaft coupled to the damper blade linkage and rotatably coupled to the drive shaft. A drive coupler and a connecting coupler, each being secured to and carried on the drive shaft and the connecting shaft, respectively, are maintained in fixed relationship by a linking member which has a first fixed state and a second free state.

Abstract: A thermal release coupler employed in a fire and smoke damper assembly, in which the fire and smoke damper assembly includes an array of damper blades carried in a damper frame, movable between open and closed positions, with a linkage joining the damper blades. A damper actuator operatively connected to the linkage drives the damper blade array between the open and closed positions. A drive coupler and a connecting coupler are formed from identical coupler units, carried respectively on a drive shaft from the actuator, and a connecting shaft that connects to the damper blade linkage. The connecting shaft is hollow and rotates on the drive shaft. Each coupler unit has a generally circular coupler body, with two connecting, circumferentially opposed ears. A drive post extends from one connecting ear, and a connecting post extends from the other ear.