Abstract: A laminar flow diffuser with integrated lighting has a frame for supporting an air plenum and a lower housing. The air plenum receives conditioned air from a source of conditioned. The lower housing is attached to the bottom of the plenum. An aperture plate damper installed below the top plenum regulates the flow of air from the plenum through the laminar flow diffuser. A clear or translucent engineered, fire rated polymer perforated diffuser face forms the outlet from the lower housing to the room below. LED strips are positioned around the inside periphery of the lower housing. A light guide is installed adjacent the LED lighting strips to spread the light across the area of the perforated diffuser face.

Abstract: An air diffuser includes a mask plate spaced upstream from an orifice plate in a generally parallel relationship. The orifice plate includes openings in a first zone arranged in a non-linear pattern, inside a second zone arranged in a linear pattern. Both zones can be within a peripheral wall defining the spacing between the mask plate and the orifice plate. The mask plate has a large opening for air, with a footprint slightly larger than the first zone. The density and zone arrangement of the mask plate and the orifice plate results in a better umbrella pattern flow of air exiting the diffuser.

Abstract: A laminar flow diffuser with integrated lighting has a frame for supporting an air plenum and a lower housing. The air plenum receives conditioned air from a source of conditioned air. The lower housing is attached to the bottom of the plenum. An aperture plate damper installed below the top plenum regulates the flow of air from the plenum through the laminar flow diffuser. A clear or translucent the perforated diffuser face forms the outlet from the lower housing to the room below. LED strips are positioned around the inside periphery of the lower housing. A perforated reflector panel is position below the aperture plate damper and above the LED strips to spread the light from the LED strips across the perforated diffuser face.

Abstract: A laminar flow diffuser with integrated lighting has a frame for supporting an air plenum and a lower housing. The air plenum receives conditioned air from a source of conditioned. The lower housing is attached to the bottom of the plenum. An aperture plate damper installed below the top plenum regulates the flow of air from the plenum through the laminar flow diffuser. A clear or translucent engineered, fire rated polymer perforated diffuser face forms the outlet from the lower housing to the room below. LED strips are positioned around the inside periphery of the lower housing. A light guide is installed adjacent the LED lighting strips to spread the light across the area of the perforated diffuser face.

Abstract: A Mobile Soft Duct System includes a soft duct that can be extended and retracted along a track to deliver an air supply to various locations. A vent attached to a part of the soft duct system can include a flow control element that can be adjusted to direct air to a target location. Managing a soft duct system can include monitoring an environment to detect temperature hotspots and configuring the soft duct system, in response to detection of a hotspot at a particular location, to deliver air to the particular location to mitigate the hotspot. Configuring the soft duct system can include extending the soft duct along the track and adjusting a flow control element in a vent to direct air to the particular location. Soft duct system management can be implemented by one or more computer systems.

Abstract: A sliding plate air damper allows control over air flow with the sliding plate having a range of positions which do not change the total area of the orifices through the damper. Openings through the fixed plate and the openings through the sliding plate can each make up about 70% of the active area of each plate. The slide plate can be slid to a position where its webbings divide each fixed plate opening into two orifices for air flow. The air flow can be controlled by selecting the slide position of the webbings from a most restrictive position in which the webbings are in the middle of fixed plate openings, through a range of positions where the orifice on one side of the webbing is larger than the orifice on the other side of the webbing, to a maximally opened position where the webbing on the slide plate overlies the webbing on the fixed plate.

Abstract: A cold air supply and control device for a refrigerator is provided. The cold air supply and control device includes a cylindrical, duct main body having an inlet that allows cold air generated in a heat exchange chamber to be introduced thereinto and an outlet that supplies the cold air introduced through the inlet to a refrigerating chamber. The duct main body is pivotably installed to at least one of both side surfaces of the refrigerating chamber. An opening and closing piece is fixed to the side surface of the refrigerating chamber and selectively opens and closes the outlet according to a rotation of the duct main body. An interlocking plate formed below the outlet of the duct main body rotates the duct main body by a load of a shelf so as to open the outlet. In addition, a torsion spring is installed between a surface of the refrigerating chamber and a front or rear surface of the duct main body, and elastically supports the duct main body in a direction in which the outlet is closed.

Abstract: A frame mounted to the bottom opening of an air duct for supporting a variety of interchangeable air control devices. The frame has a top section with a central opening that permanently mounts to and surrounds the perimeter of the bottom opening of an air duct, and a bottom section which is foldably connected to the top section. The bottom section connects to the top section by means of a hinge joint at one end and a latching mechanism at the other, which together removably holds the bottom section to the top section in a folded and closed position. The bottom section has an interior stepped portion for removably securing an interchangeable air control device. When released, the bottom section swings downward into an open position to allow easy access to the interchangeable air control device.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for an air control device that reduces the noise associated with operation of solenoid coils. The invention employs one or two solenoid coils mounted in a frame and attached to a fixed plate. An armature, located inside the solenoid coils, is connected on opposite ends to two movable plates which rest on top of the fixed plate. Energizing a solenoid coil moves the armature, which moves the movable plates relative to the fixed plate. Apertures in the plates are provided to control air flow through the plates. The assembly includes sound dampeners to impede the movable plates from making contact with the frame, thereby reducing the amount of noise associated with operation of the solenoid coils.

Abstract: A damper for an air flow system opening, such as the air inlet of a clean room filter module, includes a number of control plates (14, 15) reciprocally mounted on holding elements (22) and a drive element (24, 36) supported from a supporting surface (20) with an airflow opening (21) therein. Gaskets (30, 31) seal around apertures (16, 18) and the airflow opening to allow more accurate and positive control and diffusion, as well as virtually complete shut off, of airflow through the opening. A tool (42) is used to rotate a threaded end (34) of the drive element rotatably held in an opening in a beam (40) by holders (38). The threaded end of the drive element cooperates with an internally threaded opening in a non-round-shaped traveler (36) passing through matching non-round openings in the control plates.

Abstract: Apparatus for a discharge vent on an air circulation system includes structures for controlling the direction and quantity of airflow. Filter elements may be provided to help reduce contaminants that might otherwise be discharged through the vent. Preferred methods for assembling and using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: An energy efficient air distribution system placed within the conditioned space of a building comprising a duct having an interior volume for conducting air. One of the exterior surfaces may have an ornamental design providing the impression the device is actually cornice molding. At least one recess is positioned along the exterior surface of the duct, such that it is obscured from view by a viewer standing within an occupancy zone of a room. An outlet is positioned within the recess for directing a flow of air from the duct interior volume through the exterior surface. The duct serves a function of conducting air throughout the room, and also has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Junction boxes may be placed within the conditioned space for connecting the ducts. Junction boxes may further include an ornamental exterior for a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A damper for an air flow system opening, such as the air inlet of a clean room filter module, includes a number of control plates (14, 15) reciprocally mounted on holding elements (22) and a drive element (24, 36) supported from a supporting surface (20) with an airflow opening (21) therein. Gaskets (30, 31) seal around apertures (16, 18) and the airflow opening to allow more accurate and positive control and diffusion, as well as virtually complete shut off, of airflow through the opening. A tool (42) is used to rotate a threaded end (34) of the drive element rotatably held in an opening in a beam (40) by holders (38). The threaded end of the drive element cooperates with an internally threaded opening in a non-round-shaped traveler (36) passing through matching non-round openings in the control plates.

Abstract: To provide a room with a soft lighting effect and to enhance the appearance of an exposed air duct, a fabric duct is provided with a light-transmitting fabric wall that is illuminated, such that light from inside the duct travels outward into the room. In some embodiments, various colored lights and/or blinking patterns create special lighting effects that simulate the temperature or flow rate of the air being conveyed through the duct. In some cases, ultraviolet light is used to help kill microorganisms inside the air duct.

Abstract: A flexible air duct is provided for conveying and distributing a source of forced air to a room or other area of a building. The air duct includes a flexible outer casing made of an air permeable fabric that evenly disperses the air into the room. To prevent the fabric from sagging when the source of forced air is periodically turned off, a support frame holds the casing in a generally open tubular shape even when the duct's interior and exterior air pressures are the same.

Abstract: A system for distributing air through an opening in a ceiling into a room, the ceiling being supported by spaced apart joists or other ceiling structural members, the air being supplied by a duct located above the ceiling, including a plenum having an open top connected to the duct and an open bottom in communication with the ceiling opening. A support bar extends through the plenum and secured at its opposed ends to ceiling structural member. A motor hanger is secured to the support bar. An air diffuser is positioned in communication with the plenum open bottom. A fan motor is supported to the lower end of the motor hanger. A plurality of generally horizontally extending fan blades are attached to and rotated by the motor. Air is passed from the duct through the plenum and diffuser into the room, distribution of the air being augmented by the fan blades as rotated by the motor.

Abstract: An air current controlling device for a clean room having a high efficiency particle filter, a housing cap for the filter, and an air current directional controller provided between the filter and the housing cap. The controller has a shaft extending therefrom, which extends through a central opening in the bottom of the housing cap. The controller includes a plurality of extendable and retractable blades, each being connected to a square plate that is in turn connected to the shaft. A clean room having the above air current controlling device installed in each air inlet is capable of widely distributing the clean air in the clean room. The wide air distribution reduces the temperature difference in the clean room, while optimizing the relative humidity and thereby reducing the electrostatic level of the clean room.

Abstract: A pair of elongated channel supports each defining inwardly open channels are secured to the undersurfaces of a parallel pair of ceiling rails. The channel supports are positioned on each side of a ceiling air flow vent. A pair of generally planar control panels are slidably movable within the channels and extend between the channel supports. The panels are movable between alternative positions within the channels to cover all or part of the air flow vent and thereby control air flow therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, the pair of generally planar control panels are replaced by a single larger panel which is similarly movable within the channels of the channel supports.

Abstract: A cooling system which can be fastened on a ceiling with a suspension provided beneath the ceiling disposed above a space to be cooled and with cooling pipes between the ceiling and the suspension wherein the space to be cooled and the space between the ceiling and the suspension are connected with each other through air current paths.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. A baffle is positioned within the air passage and is positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage. A motor drives a cam which is coupled to the baffle such that rotation of the cam operates to selectively move the baffle to the open or closed position. A thermostat senses temperature within the fresh food compartment. First and second switches selectively energize the motor such that the baffle may be opened when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment requires cooling and closed when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment does not require cooling, respectively.

Abstract: A linearly adjustable fluid damper of the sliding plate adjustable orifice type damper system having a fixed flat plate with a plurality of specifically arranged trapezoidal shaped apertures therethrough, and a slideably adjustable flat plate also having a plurality of specifically arranged trapezoidal shaped apertures therethrough. The sliding plate is juxtaposed the fixed plate such that apertures of the sliding plate overlap apertures of the fixed plate, and aperture orientation of the sliding plate is reversed that of the orientation of the apertures on the fixed plate. The area of the resultant hexagonal composite orifice through both plates varies non-linearly from full open position to full closed position throughout movement of the sliding plate. The result is that fluid flow from zero fluid flow to maximum fluid flow through the resultant orifice is a straight line relationship with linear displacement of the sliding plate.

Abstract: A clean room is supplied with air at a controllable velocity from a blower with a variable damper mechanism. The ceiling of the clean room is comprised of a plurality of panels of particulate filter material Associated with at least some of the panels are air dampers comprised of first, second, and third adjacent perforated plates. The first plate is fixed and the second plate is mounted for translational movement relative to the first. The third plate is interposed between the first and second plates as a gasket to reduce air flow between the plates. By moving the second plate relative to the first, the perforations therein are selectably opened or occluded, permitting the air passing through each panel to be regulated. Air flow through the room as a whole is controlled by the variable air flow feature of the blower.

Abstract: An intake air unit for supplying air to premises in order to create therein a zone with clean air, whereby the temperature of the air supplied is preferably the same as or lower than the temperature in the premises. Air resistance is provided inside the intake air unit so that air entering said unit is distributed to flow out into said premises through essentially all portions of an air discharge member. In order to permit efficient ventilation without draft the air discharge member comprises a porous material of air filter type, which material is adapted to sieve the discharged air for generating a continuous air flow outside the air discharge unit which is of a substantially same width as said air discharge unit.

Abstract: In a ceiling outlet for three-dimensional airflows into rooms for heating and/or cooling purposes, having a connecting pipe (1) to an appropriate air feed line, a cover plate (3) having apertures (4) is to be positioned in front of the connecting pipe (1) and a rotatable perforated plate (5) is assigned to this cover plate.

Abstract: An air duct has a perforated jacket (1) and a base (3) with air-outlet openings (3a) that can be closed off. One or more annular diaphragms (5 or 18a & 18b) travel up and down or rotate or travel up and down and rotate inside the jacket.

Abstract: A device for introducing a low turbulence air displacement flow into an enclosed space, has a first housing section enclosing an air distribution space having an air inlet on one side and air flow passages through another side, and a second housing section having a perforated outer jacket and a non-perforated central core pipe. One central air flow passage connects the core pipe to the air distribution space. A ring of holes or a ring gap leads into a ring space formed between the perforated jacket and the core pipe. A third air passage permits forming an air skirt around the outer surface of the jacket. Control elements permit selectively opening and closing the flow passages, so that all or part of the fresh air may pass through the core pipe and air skirt or through the ring space. The perforated jacket may have a cylindrical portion and a frustum portion connecting the cylindrical portion to a perforated bottom plate.