Sliding Patents (Class 454/324)
  • Patent number: 11515177
    Abstract: A circulating EFEM includes an introduction port for introducing a gas, a housing for circulating the introduced gas, and a discharge port for discharging the gas from the housing into a discharge pipe. The discharge port includes a box and a damper. The box is disposed to surround a discharge opening formed on the housing and connected to the discharge pipe. The damper is disposed inside the box to close and open the discharge port and adjusts a discharge amount of the gas via the discharge opening by at least partially moving in response to a differential pressure between the housing and the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Tsutomu Okabe, Mutsuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11511597
    Abstract: An air conditioning register has a tubular case portion that forms a blowout port and an air passage for air conditioning, and a shut-off damper that is supported at the tubular case portion so as to be movable in an intersecting direction that intersects an airflow direction of the air conditioning within the air passage, and that opens and closes the air passage by moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Kawamoto, Jun Takumi
  • Patent number: 11460218
    Abstract: Provided are a panel driving assembly and an air conditioner having the same. The panel driving assembly is used for driving a panel part (10), and the panel driving assembly includes: a first connecting piece (20), is provided with a first rack (21), a first end of the first connecting piece (20) is movably connected with the panel part (10); and a driving part (30), a first end of the driving part (30) is movably connected with the panel part (10), a second end of the driving part (30) is engaged with the first rack (21), and the driving part (30) driving the panel part (10) to be opened or closed. The panel driving assembly effectively solves a problem of high heat exchange efficiency loss of an air conditioner in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI
    Inventors: Han Liu, Xu Gao, Zhiqiang Gao, Shi Cheng
  • Patent number: 11326794
    Abstract: An air mixing device mitigates temperature stratification between two incoming air streams by creation of turbulent airflow through an arrangement of channels in the device. The device also provides selective passage of air for incoming airstreams to achieve functionality for damper control typically associated with separate inlet dampers. A slotted cover plate is mounted to a downstream face of the device. The slots are disposed over the channels to determine areas through which airstreams may pass, such as return air and outdoor air introduced into an air handling unit. A method provides for selectively controlled airflow through the device so effective mixing occurs along with an economizer function to control separate airstreams such as outside air and return air. The slotted cover plate is actuated to control airflow in which flow of one airstream through the device increases as the flow of the other airstream is proportionately decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Blender Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jeffrey Pavol, David Charles Dorste, Kevin Deems
  • Patent number: 11049736
    Abstract: A circulating EFEM includes an introduction port for introducing a gas, a housing for circulating the introduced gas, and a discharge port for discharging the gas from the housing into a discharge pipe. The discharge port includes a box and a damper. The box is disposed to surround a discharge opening formed on the housing and connected to the discharge pipe. The damper is disposed inside the box to close and open the discharge port and adjusts a discharge amount of the gas via the discharge opening by at least partially moving in response to a differential pressure between the housing and the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Tsutomu Okabe, Mutsuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9631832
    Abstract: An air distribution apparatus for mounting with respect to an air conditioning port in a ceiling surface is provided. The air distribution apparatus includes at least one bracket and an air distribution device. The at least one bracket includes a body portion and a protrusion extending from the body portion. The protrusion includes an abutment surface configured to abut a ceiling surface while the body portion at least partially extends into an air conditioning port of a ceiling surface. The air distribution device is configured to be mounted to the bracket to distribute air from an air conditioning port in a ceiling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Dale Gene Malott
  • Publication number: 20150075201
    Abstract: An air conditioner including a door installed in order to provide a smooth appearance by hiding an outlet is provided. The air conditioner is installed on a wall and includes a front panel including a first panel part provided with an inlet and a second panel part connected to a lower portion of the first panel part and provided with an outlet; a lower panel connected to the second panel part of the front panel and extended toward the wall; and a door installed on a front surface of the second panel part so as to open and close the outlet while being slid, wherein the door is slid along a curved movement trajectory toward the lower panel, and a curvature of the movement trajectory is changed. A clean and smooth appearance may be formed using a door slid along a curved path and a slim appearance may be formed even in the state in which the door is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hyun Uk PARK, Geon Hee LEE, Ji Won YOON, Jea Won LEE, Seung II HAN
  • Publication number: 20150072610
    Abstract: A ventilation assembly with closable vent openings is described primarily for use on the soffit of a building. A slider that is differently and contrastingly colored relative to a frame and having an actuator tab is provided within the frame wherein the vent opening can be opened or closed by sliding the slider between two positions by way of the actuator tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Benjamin Coles
  • Publication number: 20140364046
    Abstract: An air guiding module, is configured for guiding air flow in an enclosure, includes an air duct, a sliding member, and a limiting member. The sidling member is slidably mounted to the air guiding duct. The limiting member is secured to the air guiding duct and engages the sliding member with the air guiding duct. The sliding member is slidable relative to the air guiding duct and the limiting member to engage with the enclosure or disengage from the enclosure, to engage the air guiding duct with the enclosure or disengage the air guiding duct from the enclosure. The disclosure further discloses an electronic device with the air guiding module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventor: ZHAN-YANG LI
  • Publication number: 20140057548
    Abstract: A livestock production building includes an automatically controllable ventilation system which provides ventilation to livestock containment rooms. Incoming air may be heated, cooled and/or filtered, and is mixed and tempered before being delivered to livestock rooms. Substantially all exhaust air is filtered to mitigate environmental impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: WHITESHIRE/HAMROC LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Lemmon, Charles M. Lemmon
  • Patent number: 8605427
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink and a fan duct. The fan duct includes a cover and a baffle. The cover includes a top plate, a first sidewall and a second sidewall respectively extending from opposite sides of the top plate. The baffle is located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the cover and pivotally contacts the first and second sidewalls. The baffle forms an angle with the top plate and is rotatable relative to the first and second sidewalls to adjust the angle between the baffle and the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Zhu Chen, Lei Liu
  • Publication number: 20130061896
    Abstract: Pliable ventilation panels having curved openings provided at opposing locations with respect to a midline that are selectively openable and closeable are disclosed. The ventilation panels are generally fabricated from pliable materials and may be opened at one or more locations along the opening(s) to provide ventilation and/or access at different locations along the opening(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: NOMADIC COMFORT LLC
    Inventor: Richard WEBSTER
  • Publication number: 20130050951
    Abstract: An air duct for guiding airflow of a fan includes a cover and an auxiliary plate. The cover includes a base plate, and a first side plate and a second side plate extending from a first side surface of the base plate. The auxiliary plate is slidably attached to the first side surface of the base plate between the first side plate and the second side plate, in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HAI-QING ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20110207393
    Abstract: An air vent (10), in particular for vehicle ventilation, comprising a frame (12), a first vane system (18) mounted for pivoting movement about a first axis in the frame (12), and a second vane system (20) mounted for pivoting movement about a second axis in the frame (12), comprises a common operating element (28) for pivoting the vane systems (18, 20), which has a slider (26) mounted on a vane (22) of the first vane system (18), and a connecting element (38) cardanically coupled to the slider (26), the connecting element (38) being coupled to a vane (24) of the second vane system (20) by means of a slotted guide, wherein the connecting element (38) is configured so as to have the shape of a fork and in that the slotted guide is formed by two parallel grooves (48) realized on either side of the vane (24) and by two pins (44) provided on the inner side of the fork ends (42) of the connecting element (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Kober
  • Patent number: 7950988
    Abstract: A diffuser for positioning in an opening of a passageway having conditioned air, the diffuser including a grate assembly, a pan assembly, and a retention assembly. The grate assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion contains an aperture, a plurality of slotted sections, and a flange. The lower portion includes downwardly depending sidewalls and a stop. The pan assembly includes a tray with an aperture and a plurality of upwardly depending legs. The retention assembly couples the grate assembly with the pan assembly and contains a first member that is movable from a first position to a second position for selectively engaging the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Airfixture LLC
    Inventors: Stan Demster, Andrew Helgeson, Michael J. McQueeny, Jeffery Otte, James A. Reese
  • Publication number: 20090264063
    Abstract: An air damper assembly for regulating an air flow includes a frame, a plurality of elongated damper blade rotatably mounted to the frame, and a drive mechanism for actuating the damper blades between open and closed positions. The drive mechanism includes a gear fixedly secured to a distal end of each of the damper blades and an elongated rack slidably coupled to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Barton Tinsley, Charles Shepard
  • Patent number: 7540169
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7431638
    Abstract: An air passageway opening/closing device provided with a plurality of sheet members provided with openings and passageway blocking parts located at the two sides of these openings, wherein the lengths in a direction of door movement of the openings differ by predetermined amounts, when an adjacent smaller sheet member moves in the direction of door movement by a predetermined amount, the smaller sheet member and the adjacent larger sheet member move together, the opening ranges of two air passageways are determined by a position of movement of an opening of the smallest sheet member to which a driving force is added, and the blocking ranges of two air passageways are determined by superposition of the passageway blocking parts of the plurality of sheet members in a stepwise offset state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Natsume, Kazushi Shikata
  • Patent number: 7156892
    Abstract: A filter protection apparatus includes a frame of a closed curve defining an inner space isolated from surroundings, the frame having a shape of a filter securing part for securing an air filter, an attaching part for attaching the frame to a filter securing part, and a protection part, which is coupled on the inner surface of the frame to occupy the inner space with a plurality of minute holes through which air passes, for protecting the filter from damage. In operation, the protection part is able to prevent damage to the filter that may be caused by work instruments during maintenance work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Won Kim, Jung-Sung Hwang, Tae-Hyup Kim
  • Patent number: 7014557
    Abstract: The air outlet device (10) for the interior of a vehicle, particularly for being arranged above a seat of a vehicle such as, e.g., an airplane, a bus or the like, is provided with an air outlet element (38) comprising at least one air inlet opening (44) and an air outlet opening (45). Further, the air outlet device (10) comprises a slide element (46) for blocking and unblocking the at least one air inlet opening (44) and an actuating element (30) for moving the slide element (46), which is arranged at the air outlet opening (45) and comprises a collar. The actuating element (30) is supported so as to be pivotable about a longitudinal axis (50) of the collar. When the actuating element (30) is rotated, the slide element (46) is movable along a curved path for blocking and unblocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Thomassin, Stefan Harasta, Elmar Schrewe
  • Patent number: 6945867
    Abstract: A grating assembly drive means is connected to control the movement of the movable grating between OPEN and CLOSED positions relative to a fixed grating. The drive means moves the movable grating through yieldable connection when moving toward CLOSED position, whereby when such movement is blocked by a foreign object the movable grating stops without damaging the object or the drive. On the other hand movement by the drive means toward OPEN position is direct after removal of any slack caused by a previous yielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Chan-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 6896610
    Abstract: An air-guiding appliance (10) for the directionally defined introduction of air supplied on the rear side of the appliance into a space (22), in particular interior of a vehicle, having a housing (26), an air-guiding guiding device (12) which has recesses on the front side and by means of which the direction of the air flowing out into the space (22) can be defined, means (16) for setting the direction of the air-guiding device (12) and, if appropriate, means for setting the quantity of air flowing into the space, an air-guiding body (30) or an air-guiding plate which has through-going recesses (32) which correspond with the front-side recesses and the air-charged rear side, the air-guiding body (30) or the air-guiding plate consisting of elastically deformable material, there being means (40.1, 40.2) for displacing the rear side of the air-guiding body (30)/air-guiding plate with respect to the fixed front side of the air-guiding body (30)/air-guiding plate, or vice versa, the displacement means (40.1, 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Utescheny AG
    Inventors: Michael Pesch, Peter Hamke, Thomas Bauer
  • Patent number: 6866578
    Abstract: A wooden vent cover has fixed vanes with major vane surfaces at angles which enhance the throw and spread of air flow through the vent cover. A vent assembly with a wooden vent cover having optimized vane major surface angles including an air flow regulator in combination with the wooden vent cover. The air flow regulator may be a slidable member or other configuration and may be held in place by couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Classic Manufacturing NW LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Orendorff
  • Patent number: 6832951
    Abstract: A vent assembly has a vent cover and sliding air flow regulator for controlling the flow of air through the vent cover. Unique couplers may be used to interconnect the air flow regulator and vent cover for relative sliding motion. In addition, actuator mechanisms are used to move the air flow regulator between open and closed positions. A vent assembly for corner applications is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Classic Manufacturing NW, LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Orendorff
  • Patent number: 6800024
    Abstract: A high pressure air supply duct is terminated by a termination receptacle defining a cylindrical housing with an inlet pipe connected to the duct and generally at right angles to the axis. The housing has one end closed and a mounting flange member at the open end for attachment of the housing to a mounting surface. A generally cylindrical damper sleeve has an open discharge end connected to a vent plate and an insertion portion extending to the bottom of the housing for receiving the air therefrom. The vent plate has a plate portion with a central perforated discharge area which is perforated for the passage of air therethrough and a peripheral surrounding flange and can be rotated about the axis of the housing to rotate the damper sleeve. The damper sleeve has a projecting notch engaging into a slot in the housing to hold it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Leon Prevost
  • Patent number: 6786817
    Abstract: A vent assembly has a vent cover and sliding air flow regulator for controlling the flow of air through the vent cover. Plural sets of unique couplers may be used to interconnect the air flow regulator and vent cover for relative sliding motion. Desirably, two such couplers are provided at each end of the assembly with an associated one of such couplers being adjacent to each of the corners of the assembly in the event a rectangular assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Classic Manufacturing NW, LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Orendorff
  • Patent number: 6739969
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air vent including a duct for inducing air to the interior of an automobile and a grill disposed at the end of the duct, which comprises guides disposed at both sides of the grill; a cover equipped with a rack gear on its inner surface, which is lifted by the guides; a pinion gear engaged with the rack gear; a motor for rotating the pinion gear; and a switch part manipulated by a user to open and close the cover. By the cover, it can prevent foreign substances from entering the inside of the air vent and provide a favorable appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Yundai Mobis, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang-Seob Shin
  • Publication number: 20030220070
    Abstract: A vent assembly has a vent cover and sliding air flow regulator for controlling the flow of air through the vent cover. Plural sets of unique couplers may be used to interconnect the air flow regulator and vent cover for relative sliding motion. Desirably, two such couplers are provided at each end of the assembly with an associated one of such couplers being adjacent to each of the corners of the assembly in the event a rectangular assembly is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Classic Manufacturing NW, LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Orendorff
  • Patent number: 6607434
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vent grill for a vehicle capable of simplifying the manufacturing process, decreasing the installation space, and supplying conditioned air extensively. The vent grill comprises a cover fixed to one end of the duct and provided with a circular installing hole and a guide groove formed below the circular installing hole. At the cover, there is installed a main body including an opening through which air is exhausted, plural wings rotatably installed at the opening, an interlocking member connecting the respective wings such that the respective wings are rotated at the same time, and a knob installed at either one of the respective wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kia Motors, Co, LTD
    Inventor: Mun-Gyu Park
  • Patent number: 6554880
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: David T. Northcutt
  • Patent number: 6447391
    Abstract: An actuating device for actuating a shutter is provided with a vertical guiding plate formed on both sides of the shutter to extend in a lengthwise direction thereof, a united guiding groove divided into a triangular guiding groove having a widened width for guiding the vertical guiding plate and an inclined guiding groove having a narrow width and formed in an inclined form at a predetermined angle, a vertical movement member having a movement member protuberance provided with a hinge at which one end of an actuating rod is connected, the other end of the actuating rod being connected to a shutter protuberance formed on a rear surface of the shutter, and a slip prevention protuberance having a tooth shaped configuration protruding from a front surface thereof, a roller resiliently contacted on the slip prevention protuberance of the vertical movement member; and a driving motor whose rotating shaft is inserted into the roller for actuating the vertical movement member upwardly and downwardly by being supplie
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Mando Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Jung-suk Kim, Seung-dae Yang
  • Publication number: 20020072321
    Abstract: Air duct outlets having closeable doors are provided. An air duct outlet includes a housing having a front wall with an opening therein that allows air to pass therethrough. A door assembly is movably mounted to the housing and includes a unitary door having an exterior surface. The door assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position. The door substantially covers the front wall opening and is substantially flush with the front wall when the door assembly is in the closed position. The door is retracted from the front wall opening when the door assembly is in the open position. In the closed position, the door provides a continuous, uniform, and aesthetically pleasing appearance with the front wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Edward L. Kowalski, Thomas F.J. Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Sayeh Beheshti
  • Patent number: 6394891
    Abstract: A nozzle for ventilating a vehicle interior, having a housing which has an air outflow opening which can be closed by a panel when not in use, and having an insert which accommodates air-guiding vanes in a pivotable manner and which is held movably in the housing for the purpose of moving the air-guiding vanes out of the air outlet opening during closing of the panel. In order to integrate the nozzle housing in dashboards of differing design, the insert is designed as a frame-like slide which can be displaced longitudinally in the housing and can be moved into the depth of the housing by a defined displacement path to enable the panel to close the air outflow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Klaus Arold
  • Patent number: 6361432
    Abstract: A diffuser adapted to regulate air flow from an underfloor air distribution system. A grille sits on a dust receptacle or basket-shaped housing that is supported by a mounting assembly in the floor. A flow regulator or damper nests inside the housing. Both the housing and the flow regulator have air slots extending through their side walls. Air from the underfloor air plenum passes through these slots into the diffuser and is forced through helical slots in the grille into the room above the diffuser. The air flow rate can be adjusted by rotating the flow regulator within the housing so that the slots in the flow regulator are either in or out of registry with the slots in the housing. The flow regulator can be rotated by turning the grille. The grille and mounting assembly have indicators that give a visual indication of the position of the flow regulator with respect to the housing, the opening of the slots, and the flow rate through the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tomkins Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Walker
  • Patent number: 6347988
    Abstract: A slide door unit for an automotive air conditioner, has a door housing which has a concave inner surface and laterally opposed side walls. The side walls have arcuate guide grooves respectively. A slide door member has a convex outer surface slidable on and along the concave inner surface of the door housing. The slide door member has a concave inner surface. Racks are provided on laterally opposed sides of the concave inner surface of the slide door member. Guide pins are secured to laterally opposed ends of the slide door member. The guide pins are slidably engaged with the arcuate guide grooves of the door housing. A pinion gear unit includes two pinion gears and a shaft by which the pinion gears are connected. The pinion gear unit is rotatably held by the laterally opposed side walls of the door housing having the two pinion gears meshed with the racks respectively. A resilient structure is further provided, which is defined by each of the pinion gears of the pinion gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kurokawa, Akihiro Tsurushima, Yukio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6340329
    Abstract: An air grating where the air flow is controlled by a grid movable between OPEN and CLOSED positions. Control means acts when the movable grid arrives at either a warm or a cool limiting position. The arrival at a limiting position prepares said moving means for movement to the other limiting position when a later thermostat signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Chan-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 6234894
    Abstract: A forced air vent register that is adapted to house pieces of flooring identical to the surrounding flooring. The register is of sufficient structural strength to withstand distortion under considerable forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Mark A. Goracke, Stephen B. Albert
  • Patent number: 6146265
    Abstract: A vehicle air outlet assembly having a sliding shutoff door for blocking and unblocking air therethrough. The assembly includes a housing having a tubular form including inlet and outlet ends and defining an air passage between the ends. The shutoff door is movable between an open position along one side of the housing and a closed position across the inlet end of the housing to block air flowing through the housing. The door is made from a plurality of panels hingedly connected together. Followers such as pins are disposed along laterally opposite edges of the panels. Guides or tracks are formed on opposite sides of the housing and receive the pins for guiding sliding movement of the door between open and closed positions, respectively, unblocking and blocking the inlet end of the housing. Actuating means are connected with one of the door panels for sliding the door panels between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Pamela Sue Greenwald
  • Patent number: 5938525
    Abstract: An air diffuser for under floor air and electrical distribution systems, which can be rapidly converted to a cable grommet assembly, is provided with a diffuser grille having generally helical slots that produce a swirling air flow pattern with low impulse, low turbulence and high induction. The helical air slots allow the grille to be rotated or spun off a mold, which allows the grilles to be molded more rapidly and economically. The grille sets on a housing which contains a flow regulator. Both the housing and the flow regulator have side walls with air slots. The regulator is connected to the grille and can be rotated by rotating the grille to regulate that air flow through the diffuser. The air diffusers and cable grommet assemblies are supported by common mounting systems that can be installed through the floors of overlying an air distribution and electrical cable plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tompkins Industries, Inc
    Inventors: John R. Birdsong, Kennon B. Porter
  • Patent number: 5904048
    Abstract: An air outlet of an air conditioner is opened and closed by a door. A D.C. motor is operably connected to the door for opening and closing the door. The D.C. motor is supplied with D.C. power in response to the operation or stopping of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gab-Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 5868617
    Abstract: An air conditioner, and more particularly to a discharge outlet opening and closing apparatus of an air conditioner for preventing foreign objects and the like from entering thereinto through a discharge outlet when the air conditioner is stopped of its operation, the apparatus adapted to be mounted with an open/close door for preventing foreign objects and the like from being infused through a discharge outlet opened at a front panel thereof at a predetermined size when the air conditioner is stopped of its operation, wherein the door is so disposed at the rear of the front panel for vertical movement as to rise up to an upper end of the discharge outlet according to a driving source and to move forward according to a second movement for closure of the discharge outlet and to thereby maintain a same flat surface as that of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Do-Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 5810658
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a housing forming a lower air suction port and an upper air exhaust port, which ports are opened and closed simultaneously by a mechanism which includes first and second shutters movable vertically in parallel planes. The shutters carry respective rack gears which mesh with opposite sides of a motor-driven pinion gear, whereby the shutters move simultaneously in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-Hun Seo
  • Patent number: 5810660
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and a heat exchanger disposed therebetween. Adjustable blades extend across the outlet for controlling the direction of travel of air through the outlet. A door is movable for opening and closing the outlet. A timer counts a time interval following the input of an operation start signal or an operation stop signal and prevents the air conditioner from being started or stopped until a predetermined interval has elapsed. Following the elapse of the time interval, and before the opening or closing of the door, the blades are moved to an out-of-the-way position to avoid obstructing the movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gab-Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 5807170
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air inlet, an air outlet, a fan for circulating air from the inlet to the outlet, and a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the circulated air. Inlet and outlet doors are provided which can be moved between opened and closed states. In their closed states those doors prevent dust and other foreign substances from entering the air conditioner. Motors are provided for opening and closing the doors, and detectors sense whether the doors have been fully opened or closed. A controller operates the motors on the basis of a user-selected mode of operation, and the detected door positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gab-Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 5788570
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and a heat exchanger. The air outlet has adjustable air direction control blades extending thereacross enabling a direction of discharged air to be set by a user. The blades are adjusted by a motor. When the air conditioner is shut-off, a controller memory stores the position of the blades and then moves the blades to a closed state. Upon re-starting the air conditioner, the controller drives the motor to return the blades to their previous (memorized) position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 5788569
    Abstract: An indoor air conditioner includes a body having an air inlet, an air outlet, a heat exchanger disposed in an air flow path between the air inlet and outlet, and a blower for drawing room air into the body through the air inlet, and discharging the air back into the room after the air has exchanged heat with the heat exchanger. A controller provides signals for starting up and shutting down the air conditioner. A deodorizer, such as an ozonizer or negative ion generator, is disposed in the body and is connected to the controller so as to be energized for a predetermined period during start-up, and to be energized for a predetermined period after shutdown. During start-up, the energizing of the deodorizer begins before the blower is actuated. After shutdown, the deodorizer continues to be energized after the blower is deactivated. The deodorizer is thus able to deodorize the inside of the body while the blower is inactive, to prevent unpleasant air from being emitted when the blower is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gab-Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 5782688
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A door is movable vertically to open and close the air outlet. The door is guided for movement in guide slots which are configured to cause either a lower portion of the door, or the entire door, to move horizontally toward the air outlet during the closing operation. A spring may be provided to bias the closed door against the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chul-Ho Baek, Jong-Whal Kim
  • Patent number: 5769710
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an outlet for discharging cool air into a room. The outlet can be closed by a vertically movable shutter. The shutter carries two vertical racks which are selectively engageable by a horizontally shiftable, motor-driven pinion. The pinion, which is rotated in only one direction, displaces the shutter into an outlet closing position when the pinion engages one of the racks, and displaces the shutter in an opposite direction when the pinion engages the other rack. Horizontal shifting of the pinion can be performed by tripping jaws which are formed on the racks and are engageable with the pinion, or by a separate device such as a fluid-actuated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Do-Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 5746655
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a housing having an air inlet at its lower end. An air outlet is formed in an air discharge member which is mounted at an upper end of the housing. The discharge member is vertically movable relative to the housing, whereby the outlet is closed by a portion of the housing when the discharge member is in a lowermost position and becomes progressively opened as the discharge member is raised. Sensors are provided for detecting various positions of the discharge member during its vertical movement. The discharge member is moved by a main electric motor, and an auxiliary motor is moved into an operative position for vertically moving the discharge member when the main motor malfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gab-Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 5702298
    Abstract: A damper control system which employs an unsheathed cable to transmit torque from a torque inducing tool to a damper regulator for regulating a damper of an air processing system. The damper control system has a first cable bracket with a first bracket passage through which the unsheathed cable passes. The first cable bracket is designed to be affixed to a surface accessible to the torque inducing tool. Longitudinal motion of the unsheathed cable with respect to the first cable bracket is limited by a pair of first bracket clips attached to the unsheathed cable and positioned such that the first bracket passage is interposed therebetween. The unsheathed cable is provided with a first cable end which can be engaged by the torque inducing tool and a second cable end which is either permanently affixed to or can be maintained slidable engaged with the damper regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Stephen J. Conkling