Damper assembly

Abstract

A damper assembly, comprising: a support means defining a plurality of (air) openings; damper means mounted or connected to the support means in relation to the openings for the periodic closure and opening of such openings; a crankshaft means coupled to the damper means such that rotation of the crankshaft means is able to induce displacement of the damper positions to respective second damper positions and back to the first position for adjusting air flow through said openings.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a damper assembly for the control of air flow through an air manipulation system or device. (e.g. for an air ventilation apparatus or system).

Ventilation devices and systems are known which comprise a frame or support means (e.g. a housing) and ventilation components mounted to said frame (e.g. within a housing) configured so as to define air paths (e.g. internal air paths) for the exchange of sensible and/or latent heat between exhaust air (e.g. warm and/or moist air) taken from inside a building or enclosure and exterior fresh air (e.g. cool and/or dry air) which is drawn into the building or enclosure; see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,771,707, 6,209622 and 6,855,050. It is known to employ various types of damper mechanisms for controlling the flow of air through known ventilation devices, apparatuses or systems; see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,610.

It would be advantageous to have a damper assembly which may exploit a crankshaft member for inducing displacement of two damper components of a ventilation damper means, for example, between two respective positions or configurations so as to respectively, cover or uncover three (air) openings. A crankshaft damper displacement mechanism is for example shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,883.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Thus the present invention in a general aspect relates to a damper assembly, comprising: a support means defining a plurality of (air) openings; damper means mounted or connected to said support means in relation to said openings for the periodic closure and opening of such openings; a crankshaft means coupled to said damper means such that rotation of said crankshaft means (e.g. in a single direction) is able to induce displacement of said damper means (e.g. swing movement) from respective first (i.e. closed or open) damper positions to respective second (i.e. open or closed) damper positions and back to said first position for adjusting air flow through said openings.

The present invention in particular relates to a damper assembly for a ventilation system for the delivery of fresh air from an outside environment to an enclosed space (e.g. building, such as a residence, a room, etc.) and the exhausting (i.e. extraction) of interior (i.e. stale) air of said enclosed space to the outside environment, comprising:

• • a support means defining a first opening (e.g. stale air outlet opening), a second opening (e.g. fresh air inlet opening) and a third opening (e.g. defrost (stale) air recycle opening); a first (e.g. stale air recycle) damper component and a second (fresh air) damper component,
    • each of said damper components comprising a respective connector element,
    • said first damper component being displaceable between a respective first position for a ventilation mode wherein the first damper component closes off said third opening and the first opening is unobstructed by said first damper component and a respective second position for a defrost mode wherein the first damper component closes off the first opening and the third opening is unobstructed by said first damper component,
    • said second damper component being displaceable between a respective first position for a ventilation mode wherein the second opening is unobstructed by said second damper component and a respective second position for a defrost mode wherein the second damper component closes off said second opening,
  • (e.g each damper element being pivotally or hingedly mounted or connected to said support means by swivel (e.g. pivot) connector elements)
  • a displacement component for displacing said damper components between said respective first positions and said respective second positions said displacement component comprising
    • a damper displacement element comprising a crankshaft component having a longitudinal rotational axis and having a first damper interconnect element and a second damper interconnect element (namely first and second crankshaft pins) which are each offset from the longitudinal rotational (i.e. the crankshaft being mounted or connected to said support means for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof) and
    • first and second (e.g. stiff elongated) damper connection elements, said first damper connection element being connected to the connector element of said first damper component and to the first damper interconnect element of said crankshaft component, said second damper connection element being connected to the connector element of said second damper component and to the second damper interconnect element of said crankshaft component,
  • wherein said crankshaft component, each of said connector elements of said first and second damper components and said first and second damper connection elements are configured such that each of said damper components is coupled to said crankshaft component such that rotation of said crankshaft component about said longitudinal axis in a single direction is able to induce displacement of said first and second damper components between said respective first positions and said respective second positions thereof.

As may be understood herein, the various parts of the damper assembly are configured as necessary or desired such that the damper connection elements interconnect the crankshaft component and the damper components such that the crankshaft component may induce displacement of the damper components in a manner analogous to the displacement of pistons attached to a crankshaft of an internal combustion motor. Thus damper component movement is to be effected by crankshaft component rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof, i.e. as the crankshaft component rotates it induces the damper connection elements to either respectively push out and/or pull in such that the damper components are displaced as desired or necessary.

The damper connection elements may take on any desired or necessary form keeping in mind the function thereof namely to cooperate with the crankshaft component and the damper components for the transfer of the damper components between open and closed dispositions thereof whereby openings described herein are as desired closed off to air flow or are open to airflow.

The first and second damper connection elements may, for example, be first and second pull (or push) damper connection elements. It is to be understood herein that a pull (or push) damper connection element is a connection element that is be able to pull (or push) the associated damper component from one position to another position. On the other hand, for this type of connector the damper components may be associated with or include biasing means (e.g. spring elements or analogous elements serving the same function) which bias each of the damper elements in a predetermined initial position, e.g. in a closed position closing off an opening. Thus a pull (or push) damper connection element is configured so as to be able to pull (or push) under the influence of the crankshaft component, the associated damper component to the further position against the bias action of the biasing means; whereas continued rotation of the crankshaft component releases the pull effect of the connector and the damper component under the influence of the biasing means is allowed to return to the initial damper component position. The bias means may take on any desired or suitable (i.e. known) configuration (see U.S. patents mentioned herein, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,610).

Alternatively as described in more detail below, the first and second damper connection elements may, for example, be first and second push-pull damper connection elements. It is to be understood herein that a push-pull damper connection element is a connection element that is be able, on the one hand, to pull the associated damper component from an initial position to a respective further position and, on the other hand, to push the associated damper component back to the initial position. The first and second damper connection elements may thus comprise relatively stiff (elongated) members. Such push-pull damper connection elements may, for example, as desired also each comprise a compression/tension spring element, namely a spring element whereby the damper connection elements may be compressed or shortened in length (when subjected to a compression force) or elongated or stretched in length (when subjected to a tension force). A spring element may divide a relatively stiff (elongated) member into two parts, i.e. two elongated parts spaced apart by the spring element.

The damper connection elements may have any type of connection end members for the connection thereof to the damper components and the crankshaft component, again keeping in mind the purpose; the connection end members may, for example, be of swivel type so as to provide as described herein, a swivel joint, i.e. of C-clip type, of hinge type etc. (see below).

As mentioned, in accordance with the present invention, the damper connection elements may be connected in any desired or necessary fashion on the one hand (e.g. by C-clip) to the damper interconnect elements (e.g. pins) of the crankshaft component and on the other hand (e.g. by hook type member) to the connection elements (e.g. connector holes) of the damper components keeping in mind the purpose of the displacement component, namely to displace the damper components between respective first and second positions thereof. Thus the damper connection elements may, for example, be configured to cooperate with the one (or both) of the other connector elements so as to provide one (or a pair of opposed) swivel joint(s), i.e. the damper connection elements may each provide one (or a pair of opposed) swivel connection members configured to connectively co-operate with a respective damper connector element(s) of the damper component and/or a respective damper connection element(s) of the crankshaft component In other words, the connection of (ends of) the damper connection elements for connection to the other connector members may, for example, as desired or necessary, be of swivel connection type such as to provide for any desired or necessary freedom of movement of the ends of the damper connection elements relative to the other connector members or elements while still providing the desired component, element, or member connectivity as described herein. Thus for example the swivel connection may be in the nature of a hinge or pivot (type) connection allowing for freedom of movement in one or two directions while as mentioned above still maintaining connectivity between various parts of the damper assembly. For example, such swivel connection may be by a hinge-like hook-to-hole connection or a C-clip to pin connection (as described by way of example herein below). Alternatively, in some case one or both of the connection ends provided with a damper connection element may, as desired or necessary, be of fixed type rather than swivel type, e.g. if the assembly is provided with the above mentioned damper biasing means and the damper connection elements comprises elongated members or elements of flexible (elongated) material (e.g. a flexible wire) the connection(s) may be of fixed type but always keeping in mind the purposes described herein, i.e. to provide the capacity to open and close damper components in response to crankshaft component rotation.

In accordance with the present invention a damper assembly is provided which may include a (electric) motor having a shaft coupled to said crankshaft component for rotation of the crankshaft component by the motor shaft about the longitudinal axis thereof. The present invention further relates to a damper assembly exploiting a damper (electric) motor the shaft of which rotates in a single rotational direction (i.e. the motor is not reversible), i.e. the motor is able to induce rotation of said crankshaft component in a single direction.

In accordance with the present invention the damper assembly may for further comprise a (known) damper position detection means comprising a first detection portion fixed to the support means and a second detection portion (i.e. a damper position collar) fixed to connector member connecting the motor to the crankshaft component, said damper position detection means being configured for detection of the disposition of each of the damper elements in relation to its open and closed states including for example maximum open state, intermediate open states and jammed open and jammed closed states. Thus the present invention additionally relates to a damper assembly which may as desired or necessary exploit (known) sensor means for detecting the position of a damper e.g. in relation to its predetermined correct or desired open and closed states (e.g. damper motor off) including maximum open state as well as jammed open or jammed closed states (for more specific details of the structure of a damper position detection means please see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/195,697 published Jul. 13, 2006 under No. 20060151736 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,883, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

As discussed herein and in accordance with the present invention each of said damper components may be coupled to said crankshaft component such that rotation of said crankshaft component about said longitudinal rotational axis in a single direction may be able to induce displacement of said first and second damper components between said respective first positions and said respective second positions thereof. In other words, a predetermined degree of crankshaft component rotation about said longitudinal rotational axis in a predetermined direction will take each of the damper components from a respective first position to a respective second position and a further predetermined degree of crankshaft rotation in the same rotational direction will take each of the damper components back to their respective first positions. The desired or necessary degree of crankshaft component rotation for displacement of each damper element from a respective first position to a respective second position may be determined (e.g. empirically) keeping in mind the desired effect of such rotation as well as the desired or necessary length of the damper connection elements, the presence or absence of a compression/tension spring element, etc. Similarly, the desired or necessary degree of crankshaft component rotation for displacement of each damper element from a respective second position back to a respective first position may also be determined (e.g. empirically) keeping in mind again the desired effect of such rotation as well as the desired or necessary length of the damper connection elements, the presence or absence of a respective compression/tension spring element, if present the degree of shortening and/or lengthening provided by the compression/tension spring element, etc.

The damper assembly will be described herein by way of example only in relation to an example ventilation apparatus but may of course be exploited in other contexts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a motorized damper assembly in accordance with the present invention, the damper assembly being provided with a crankshaft means and a two component damper coupling means.

FIG. 2a is an enlarged view of the damper elements and associated displacement component disposed for ventilation mode, the damper blocking plate of the damper component (see FIGS. 1 and 13) being cut away to expose the underlying structure of the damper component.

FIG. 2b is an enlarged view of the damper elements and associated displacement component disposed for defrost mode, the damper blocking plate of the damper component (see FIGS. 1 and 13) being cut away to expose the underlying structure of the damper component.

FIG. 2c is a top view of the example crankshaft component shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

FIG. 2d is a side view of the example crankshaft component shown in FIG. 2c.

FIG. 2e is a bottom view of the example crankshaft component shown in FIG. 2c.

FIG. 2f is a perspective view of the example crankshaft component shown in FIG. 2c.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an example ventilation apparatus provided with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus dampers being in open fresh air exchange position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the fresh air input side of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 3 with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus dampers being in the open air exchange position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 3 with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus dampers being in closed air recirculation (i.e. defrost) position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the fresh air input side ventilation apparatus of FIG. 3 with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus being in closed air recirculation (i.e. defrost) position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 3, the ventilation apparatus comprising, inter alia, an example embodiment of a motorized damper assembly in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the ventilation apparatus shown in FIG. 7 showing a side punch out portion for the provision of a side fourth inlet opening, the opposite side of the apparatus having similarly disposed side punch out portion.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the ventilation apparatus shown in FIG. 7 showing a top punch out portion for the provision of a top fourth inlet opening.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along A-A in FIG. 9 showing the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 in the area designated as Detail A.

FIG. 11 shows in enlarged view the Detail A of FIG. 10 wherein the damper assembly is in a defrost configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein the outer housing element is cut away to expose the interior of the ventilation apparatus, the heat exchange core also being removed, and the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 in the area designated as Detail B.

FIG. 13 shows in enlarged view the Detail B of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a perspective from the opposite side of the ventilation apparatus as shown in FIG. 12 wherein the outer housing element is cut away to expose the interior of the ventilation apparatus, the heat exchange core also being removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning first to FIG. 1 the various reference numbers with respect to the illustrated example embodiment of a motorized damper assembly in accordance with the present invention are set forth in the following legend and will be used throughout the FIGS. 1, 2a to 2e, 3 to 14 as common elements:

REFERENCE NOS. DESCRIPTION
3              FRESH AIR INLET DAMPER element
4              FRESH AIR INLET DUCT COLLAR
6              DAMPER-MOTOR
8              CRANKSHAFT
9              DAMPER POSITION DETECTION COMPONENT
               (See U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,883 for role
               of this detection component and the
               damper position collar mentioned below)
11             DEFROST DAMPER element
14             DEFROST DAMPER Bushing and seal
13             (FRESH air) push-pull damper connection
               element comprising a spring element or
               member
12             (DEFROST) push-pull damper connection
               element comprising a spring element or
               member
15             DAMPER CAM SUPPORT
16             DAMPER-MOTOR cover
17             DAMPER CAM CONNECTOR with damper
               position collar 17a (as mentioned see
               U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,883 for role of
               position collar 17a) for interconnecting
               the motor 6 with the crankshaft 8
34, 35         Pivot or rotation pins of damper 3
30a, 30b       Mating male and female pivot connectors
               for damper 11

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a to 2e, 11 and 13, FIG. 11 shows in enlarged view the Detail A (defrost mode) of FIG. 10 whereas FIG. 13 shows in enlarged view the Detail B (ventilation mode) of FIG. 12. FIGS. 1, 2a to 2e, 11 and 13 illustrate an example damper assembly of the present invention which may be used as part of an example ventilation system (i.e. apparatus, unit, etc.) as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the exterior form of the housing of an example ventilation system (i.e. apparatus) 20. The housing has three openings, indicated generally as 21a (for stale air output), 21b (for fresh air input) and 21c (for stale air recycle). The ventilation apparatus comprises weakened punch (or cut) out portions (on opposite sides thereof as well as the top thereof) the top punch out and one side punch out being indicated by the reference numerals 22, and 24. These punched out areas have weakened borders to facilitate the removal a respective part of the housing wall (including interior insulation, if present) so as to provide an opening for use as a fourth air (i.e. fresh air) outlet or opening for the ventilation system. The weakness of a punch out portion may be provided in any suitable (known) manner (e.g. by scoring the outer metal) for the provision of a fourth (fresh air) inlet opening. The choice of which punch out (i.e. top or side) to remove is left to the installer during installation. With a punch out removed a circular duct ring may be engaged with the resulting opening for connection to a (air) duct element.

As may be seen in FIG. 10 a heat exchanger core 28 is disposed within the ventilation housing in known manner such that along with the suitable configured housing internal structures two separated air flows are able to be defined, namely, for example, (for ventilation) a fresh air path and a stale air path which are indicated by respectively designated arrowed (full) lines and which may crisscross through the core 28; see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,610 as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,209,622 and 6,855,050, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

As mentioned above once a predetermined punch out is removed stale (interior) air and fresh (exterior) air may for example be caused to flow through the ventilation apparatus as seen in FIGS. 8 and 10. The flow of air will however depend on the disposition of the dampers 3 and 11 with respect to the fresh air input opening indicated generally by the reference numeral 21b, the stale air output opening indicated generally by the reference numeral 21a and the stale air recycle opening 29. The damper element 11 is able to pivot about pivot connecting member 30 which comprises mating pivot connectors 30a and 30b while the damper element 3 is able to rotate about the axis defined by rotation pins 34 and 35 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 the damper elements 3 and 11 are disposed such that the ventilation system is in defrosting mode. As may be appreciated in defrosting mode the damper element 11 is pivoted about pivot connecting member 30 so as to be disposed so as to block the stale air output opening indicated generally by the reference numeral 21a and the damper element 3 is rotated so as to be disposed across the fresh air input opening indicated generally by the reference numeral 21b (i.e. perpendicular to the fresh air flow arrow adjacent the opening 21b) so as to impede the flow of fresh air into the ventilation system (see FIG. 7). Referring to FIG. 10, in defrost mode stale inside air passes through the stale air opening 21c, through the core 28, then through the recycle opening 29 (see dotted stale air arrow line), back through the other air path side of the core 28 and then back into the enclosed space serviced by the ventilation system, for example, by passing through the opening left if the punch out 24 is removed (see FIG. 8). The damper element 11 is maintained in position by a pushing action of the (defrost) push-pull spring 12 while the damper element 3 is maintained in position by a pushing action of the (fresh air) push-pull spring 13.

For the ventilation mode the crankshaft 8 is rotatable under the influence of motor 6 such that the crankshaft 8 is able to induce the damper element 11 to be pulled by the (defrost) push-pull spring 12 away from the opening 21a by a pivoting action about the pivot connecting member 30. The damper element 11 is pulled until it closes the recycle opening 29. At the same time, during such crankshaft rotation, the damper element 3 is pulled by the (fresh air) push-pull spring 13 under the influence of the rotating crankshaft 8 so as to rotate the damper element 3 about the rotation pins 34 and 34 so as to be parallel to the air flow path (see FIG. 8). Again referring to FIG. 10, in the ventilation mode stale air passes through the stale air input opening 21c, through its air path side of the core 28, and then through the stale air output opens 21a to the outside environment (solid arrow lines). On the other hand, fresh air enters the fresh air input opening 21b passes through its air path side of the core 28, and then through the fresh air output opening into the enclosed space serviced by the ventilation system, for example, by passing through the opening left if the punch out 24 is removed (see FIG. 8). The damper element 11 is maintained in position by a pulling action of the (defrost) push-pull spring 12 while the damper element 3 is maintained in position by a pulling action of the (fresh air) push-pull spring 13.

Thus, in the ventilation (i.e. fresh air) mode (i.e. the recycle opening 29 closed) or the defrost mode (i.e. the stale air output opening 21a closed) air may, for example, be forced through the system or apparatus by the fan or blower component of a non-ventilation air conditioning component (e.g. by a furnace fan or blower); in other words, for example, in the defrost (or stale air recycle) mode recourse may be had to the furnace blower to force stale air through both sides of the exchanger core 28.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along A-A in FIG. 10 showing the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly (of FIG. 16) in the area designated as Detail A. As mentioned above, the damper element 11 is shown closing off a first opening (e.g. stale air inlet opening 21a), the damper 3 is shown closing off a second opening (e.g. fresh air outlet opening 21b) and a third recycle opening 29 (e.g. defrost (stale) air recycle opening) is unobstructed by the damper 11; i.e. the system as shown in this fig. is set for defrost mode whereby warm stale interior air is passed through both air paths of the core 28. As may be seen the openings are disposed in a T like fashion with the third opening being associated with the stalk of the T while the first and second openings are associated with a respective laterally extending arm of the T. It is to be noted that the foot of the stalk engages a corner edge of the core 28. This 3 component type opening configuration advantageously lends itself to the making of a compact ventilation apparatus which on the one hand allows for the passage of fresh and stale air through the core in respective separate air paths and on the other for the passage of warm stale air through both air paths of the core 28. The dampers 3 and 11 are as mentioned pivotally or rotatably connected to the housing structure (e.g. support) of the system or apparatus. The damper 11 as mentioned is pivotally connected by pivot connecting member 30 (e.g. in the manner of a door hinge) whereas damper 3 has pivot pins 34 and 35 (FIG. 16) which rotatably engage suitable support openings.

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 3 wherein the outer housing element is cut away to expose the interior of the ventilation apparatus, the heat exchange core also being removed, and the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 in the area designated as Detail B is shown in enlarged view in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13 the damper element 11 and the damper element 3 are shown in ventilation mode referred to above.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a to 2f, 11 and 13, these show various parts of an example damper assembly of the present invention.

The damper assembly has a support means which comprises a housing element 50; a first (e.g. stale air recycle) damper element 11 and a second (fresh air) damper element 3; and a displacement component for displacing said damper elements 3 and 11 between respective first positions and respective second positions (see above).

The other elements of the damper assembly are attached (in any suitable (known) fashion such as by screw fasteners, rivets, glue etc.) to the housing element 50. For example, a damper cam support 15 and a damper motor cover 16 are so attached to the housing element 50 and other elements of the damper assembly are maintained in place thereby. The support means as mention above defines a first opening (e.g. stale air outlet opening) 21a, a second opening (e.g. fresh air inlet opening) 21b and a third opening (e.g. defrost (stale) air recycle opening 29.

Each of the damper elements 3 and 11 comprises a respective damper connector element 52 and 54 having a respective opening for (swivel) connection to the hook end of a respective damper connection element (see below as well as FIGS. 2a and 2b). As mentioned above, the first damper element 11 is displaceable (for a ventilation mode) between a respective first position wherein the first damper element 11 closes off third opening 29 and the first opening 21a is unobstructed by the first damper 11 and a respective second position (for a defrost mode) wherein the first damper element 11 closes off the first opening 21a and the third opening 29 is unobstructed by the first damper element 11. The second damper element 3 is displaceable (for the ventilation mode) between a respective first position (i.e. disposition) wherein the second opening 21b is unobstructed by said second damper and a respective second position (for the defrost mode) wherein the second damper element closes off said second opening, Each of the damper elements 3 and 11 is pivotally or rotationally mounted or connected to the support means by respective pivot or rotational connector elements 14 and 15 or 30a and 30b.

The displacement component comprising a damper displacement element and first and second push-pull (e.g. stiff elongated) damper connection elements.

The damper displacement element comprises a crankshaft 8 having a longitudinal axis 56 and having a first damper interconnect element (i.e. first crankshaft (hollow) pin 58) and a second damper interconnect element (i.e. second crankshaft (hollow) pin 60); see FIGS. 2c to 2f.

The crankshaft pins 58 and 60 are each offset from the longitudinal axis 56 of the crankshaft 8. The crankshaft 8 is mounted or connected to the support means (in any suitable (known) manner) for rotation about the longitudinal axis 56; the rotation (e.g. in a single rotational direction) produces a reciprocating motion on the part of the push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 (see below) connected to the pins 58 and 60.

The first and second push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 may be of relatively stiff material and be provided with respective spring elements 64 and 66 whereby each of the push-pull connection elements 12 and 13 may be deformed under compression, tension or bending; e.g. the connection elements 12 and 13 may be compressed (when subjected to a compression force) or elongated (when subjected to a tension force).

The spring elements 64 and 66 are intended to provide the connection elements 12 and 13 with the ability to absorb undesired structural deformities related to the openings 21a, 21b and 29 so as to favor closure thereof with respective damper elements 3 and 11.

Each of the example first and second push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 has a respective pair of elongated members 68 and 70 or 72 and 74 which are disposed on either side of a respective spring element 64 and 66. One respective end 76 or 78 of each of the push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 is provided with a hook connector (i.e. swivel connector member) for engagement with the opening (i.e. further swivel connector member) of a respective damper connector element 54 or 52. The other end 80 or 82 of each of the push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 is provided with a C-clip type connector member (i.e. swivel connector member) for clipping to the respective damper connection elements 12 and 13 by a respective crankshaft pin 58 or 60 (i.e. further swivel connector member). The C-clip type connection is such that the C-clips are able to slidingly engage a respective crankshaft pin 58 or 60 for rotation thereabout as needed during use.

Thus the first push-pull damper connection element 12 is connected to the connector element 54 of the damper element 11 and to the crankshaft pin 58 of said crankshaft 8; the second push-pull damper connection element 13 is connected to the connector element 52 of the second damper element 3 and to the crankshaft pin 60 of said crankshaft component 8.

Although the example push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 are shown with a single spring element the push-pull damper connection elements may independently be provided with two or more such spring elements as desired or necessary. Furthermore the damper connection elements may have spring elements disposed so as to have essentially only one elongated member for connection to a crankshaft pin or a connector element of a damper element. In any event a spring element may take on any other desired form or structure keeping in mind the purpose thereof.

The damper assembly may be provided with an electric motor 6 which is able to turn in one rotational direction. The motor rotation shaft is connected to the crankshaft by damper cam connector 17 which in turn is connected to the crankshaft 8 for inducing the rotation of the crankshaft 8. Rotation of the crankshaft (e.g. in the direction of the arrow about the longitudinal axis 56) in its turn induces displacement of the damper elements as described above. In other words the crankshaft 8 and said first and second push-pull damper connection elements 12 and 13 are configured such that each of said damper elements 12 and 13 is coupled to said crankshaft 8 such that (a complete) rotation of said crankshaft 8 in a single direction is able to induce displacement of said first and second damper elements between said respective first positions and said respective second positions thereof.

The above described example damper assembly may be exploited as described herein for a ventilation system for the delivery of fresh air from an outside environment to an enclosed space (e.g. building, such as a residence, a room, etc.) and the exhausting (i.e. extraction) of interior (i.e. stale) air of said enclosed space to the outside environment.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a to 2f, 11 and 13, FIG. 11 as mentioned shows in enlarged view the Detail A of FIG. 10 whereas FIG. 13 shows in enlarged view the Detail B of FIG. 12. Referring also to FIGS. 1, and 2a to 2f as may be recalled the damper element 3 and 11 have attachment elements 52 and 54 to which a respective (hook) end 76 or 78 of a respective connection element 12 or 13 may be attached whereas the other (C-clip) end 80 or 82 of the connection elements 12 or 13 may be attached to a respective pin 58 or 60 of the crankshaft 8; as may be understood the crankshaft 8 as well as the ends 52 and 54 and 76 and 78 are configured such that the connection elements 12 and 13 may be attached to the crankshaft 8 so that the crankshaft 8 may induce displacement of the connection elements 12 and 13 in a manner analogous to the displacement of pistons attached to a crankshaft of an internal combustion motor. Thus damper movement is effected by the crankshaft 8 which as it turns it induces the (stiff) connection elements 12 and 13 to either respectively push out or pull in such that the dampers 11 and 3 are displaced accordingly. The damper displacement is induced by the motor 6 which may be activated and deactivated in any suitable manner so as to achieve the desired blockage of the herein mentioned openings. In order to assist in the appropriate or desired blockage or unblockage on the above mentioned openings 29, 21a and 21b, the motor 6 and damper cam connector 17 may for example be associated with a damper position detection means (see element 9) as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/195,697 published Jul. 13, 2006 under no 20060151736 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 as mentioned is a schematic side view of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 1 with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus dampers being in open air exchange position.

FIG. 4 as mentioned is a schematic fresh air in side view of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 1 with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus dampers being in open air exchange position.

FIGS. 3 and 4 thus show the dampers 3 and 11 to be disposed in ventilation mode with the third opening 29 being closed (i.e. fresh is able to pass through the ventilator system or apparatus).

FIG. 5 as mentioned is a schematic side view of the example ventilation apparatus with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 1 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus dampers being in closed air recirculation (i.e. defrost) position.

FIG. 6 as mentioned is a schematic fresh air in side view of the example ventilation apparatus with the example embodiment of the motorized damper assembly of FIG. 11 shown in solid line while the rest of the apparatus is shown in dotted line outline, the apparatus being in closed air recirculation (i.e. defrost) position.

FIGS. 5 and 6 thus show the dampers 3 and 11 disposed in defrost mode with the third opening 29 being open, i.e. stale air is able to be recycled through the core 28 back through the ventilator system or apparatus to the enclosed space serviced by the system.

Claims

1. A damper assembly for a ventilation system for the delivery of fresh air from an outside environment to an enclosed space and the exhausting of interior air of said enclosed space to the outside environment, comprising:

a support means defining a first opening, a second opening and a third opening

a first damper component and a second damper component, each of said damper components comprising a respective connector element, said first damper component being displaceable between a respective first position for a ventilation mode wherein the first damper component closes off said third opening and the first opening is unobstructed by said first damper component and a respective second position for a defrost mode wherein the first damper component closes off the first opening and the third opening is unobstructed by said first damper component, said second damper component being displaceable between a respective first position for a ventilation mode wherein the second opening is unobstructed by said second damper component and a respective second position for a defrost mode wherein the second damper component closes off said second opening,

a displacement component for displacing said damper components between said respective first positions and said respective second positions

said displacement component comprising a damper displacement element comprising a crankshaft component having a longitudinal rotational axis and having a first damper interconnect element and a second damper interconnect element, said damper interconnect elements each being offset from said longitudinal rotational axis and first and second damper connection elements, said first damper connection element being connected to the connector element of said first damper component and to the first damper interconnect element of said crankshaft component, said second damper connection element being connected to the connector element of said second damper component and to the second damper interconnect element of said crankshaft component,

wherein said crankshaft component, said connector elements of said damper components and said damper connection elements are configured such that each of said damper components is coupled to said crankshaft component such that rotation of said crankshaft component in a single direction is able to induce displacement of said first and second damper components from said respective first position thereof to said respective second position thereof.

2. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second damper connection elements are first and second push-pull damper connection elements.

3. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said assembly includes an electric motor having a shaft coupled to said crankshaft component for rotation of the crankshaft component by the motor shaft about said longitudinal rotational axis thereof.

4. A damper assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said assembly includes an electric motor having a shaft coupled to said crankshaft component for rotation of the crankshaft component by the motor shaft about said longitudinal rotational axis thereof.

5. A damper assembly as defined in claims 3 wherein said motor provides for rotation of said crankshaft in a single rotational direction.

6. A damper assembly as defined in claims 4 wherein said motor provides for rotation of said crankshaft in a single rotational direction.

7. A damper assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said push-pull damper connection elements comprises a compression/tension spring element.

8. A damper assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said push-pull damper connection elements comprises a compression/tension spring element.

9. A damper assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said push-pull damper connection elements comprises a compression/tension spring element.

10. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first damper connection element is swivel connected to the connector element of said first damper component and to the first interconnect element of said crankshaft component, and said second damper connection element is swivel connected to the connector element of said second damper component and to the second interconnect element of said crankshaft component.

11. A damper assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said first damper connection element is swivel connected to the connector element of said first damper component and to the first interconnect element of said crankshaft component, and said second damper connection element is swivel connected to the connector element of said second damper component and to the second interconnect element of said crankshaft component.

12. A damper assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said first damper connection element is swivel connected to the connector element of said first damper component and to the first interconnect element of said crankshaft component, and said second damper connection element is swivel connected to the connector element of said second damper component and to the second interconnect element of said crankshaft component.

13. A damper assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first opening is a stale air output opening, said second opening is a fresh air input opening and said third opening is a defrost stale air recycle opening.

14. A damper assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said first opening is a stale air output opening, said second opening is a fresh air input opening and said third opening is a defrost stale air recycle opening