Mechanical Linkage Actuated Patents (Class 236/49.5)
  • Patent number: 6254010
    Abstract: An air conditioning diffuser is disclosed which includes two temperature sensitive elements. A first element detects room temperature and a second element ducting temperature. When room temperature increases during supply of cooled air, the first element moves a control unit upwards and this results in a first disc of the control unit moving away from a surface on a pivotally mounted link. The link pivots about its mounting so that a baffle hanger and a baffle move down allowing more cooled air to flow through the diffuser. When heated air is being supplied, the second element displaces the unit in the upward direction so that baffle control is transferred from the first disc and the first link surface to a second disc and a second link surface. The link surfaces lie one radially inwardly and one radially outwardly of the link mountings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Brian Rickard (PTY) Ltd.
    Inventor: Noel De Villiers
  • Patent number: 6250092
    Abstract: An actuator is provided for controlling temperatures in a multiple compartment device wherein the actuator includes a housing and a linear oscillator disposed within the housing. The linear oscillator is coupled with an integral push rod, wherein the linear oscillator is adapted to reciprocably move the push rod along its longitudinal axis. In addition, the actuator includes a holder including a rigid member and a pin aperture. The sliding member has a knob on one end and first clip connector at an other end, the sliding member having a range of motion limited by the rigid member. The push rod has a second clip connector coupled to the first clip connector. A lever arm has a first end and a second end, the first end including a protruding member and the second end including a lever arm aperture and a lever arm pin. The knob is pivotably engaged with the lever arm aperture and the lever arm pin is pivotably engaged with the pin aperture. The protruding member is adapted to pivotably couple with the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Lanz, Robert W. Starenchak
  • Patent number: 6209792
    Abstract: A thermally actuated diffuser for controlling room temperature without electrical apparatus. The thermally actuated diffuser includes a housing having a first duct opening and a second duct opening. The second duct opening is diametrically opposed to the first duct opening to produce a linear air path through the housing. The housing has a third exit opening for communicating with a room. A damper blade diverts air flow and is positioned in the interior of the housing. The housing contains a first device and a second device that are both responsive to ambient temperature. The first and second devices each have first and second ends. The first end and the second end are adapted to move away from each other when the device is warmed and to move toward each other when the device is cooled. The first device is positioned in the interior of the housing adjacent to the air path. The second device is positioned in the housing adjacent to the third exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Clive Thomas Boorer
  • Patent number: 6176435
    Abstract: A thermally powered variable air volume diffuser is provided, comprising a diffuser housing and a thermally powered actuator assembly mounted therein which varies the size of a supply air discharge opening. The actuator assembly comprises four thermal actuators and means operatively connecting the thermal actuators to a flow control disc defining the discharge opening. The volume of air supplied to a room is varied in response to changes in air supply temperature and room temperature. In the heating cycle, the first thermal actuator lowers the flow control disc, causing increased supply air output. Heated air from the air supply duct causes the second thermal actuator to engage the third thermal actuator. As room temperature rises, the third thermal actuator pushes the second thermal actuator, raising the flow control disc and reducing supply air output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Marty Nielsen