Abstract: A cold regulating valve for a heat exchanger system of an aircraft propulsion system, where the cold regulating valve includes an open frame which delimits an opening, two shutters with an external convex shape slidably mounted on the open frame between a closed position and an open position, a mechanism linked to the shutters and mobile between a first position and a second position, and wherein the mechanism moves the shutters from the closed position to the open position when it moves from the first position to the second position and vice versa, and an actuator acting on the mechanism to move it from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The specific embodiment of the cold regulating valve generates a low drag when the shutters are in a closed position.

Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a circular body having a large central display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated an pressed inward by a user so as to receive user input in a simple elegant fashion. Different colors can be displayed to the user to indicate currently active HVAC functions, and different shades of colors can be displayed to a user to indicate an estimated amount of time and/or energy for reaching a target temperature. The thermostat is wall mountable and is made up of a head unit removeably mounted to a backplate. A locking mechanism can be provided so as to increase security against unauthorized removal of the head unit. The backplate can be adapted to be mounted on a wall so as to be level, for example by including a bubble level on the backplate. One or more vents are preferably located on the sides of the body, such as in a gap beneath the translatably mounted ring, and/or in a gap between the head unit and the backplate.

Abstract: A louver system for controlling airflow in a duct from a forced air heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with a housing and a louver located on a mounting fascia. The system having a longitudinal slat located in the perimeter wall that is movable between the fully open position and the fully closed position via a slat positioning assembly. The slat positioning assembly is powered by a mainspring assembly. A winding assembly is operatively coupled to the mainspring assembly which is wound by a motor or a hand crank. A local control system having a microprocessor, a transmitter, and a receiver sends a positioning signal to the slat positioning assembly that rotates the slat to a specified position via power from the mainspring assembly.

Abstract: An air-conditioning vent vane switching structure includes a vane switch installed between a connecting plate and a grating panel for driving a vane to rotate. The vane switch includes a push button slidably disposed on the grating panel, and a link rod coupled to the push button. An end of the link rod is rotatably coupled to the push button, and the other end of the link rod is fixed to the connecting plate. Compared with the prior art, the structure coupled to the push button and the link rod of the connecting plate is simply plugged into the corresponding hole to assemble the switching structure easily, so as to achieve the effects of simple assembling process, high production efficiency, simplified components and low production cost. The switching structure featuring a moderate operating force, a good hand feel, a labor-saving operation can meet the air-conditioning vent market requirements.

Abstract: An air-conditioning vent vane adjusting device includes a driving board for driving a vane to rotate, a push-button installed on the wind gate panel, and a connecting element of the driving board. The connecting element includes a fixed plate coupled to the push-button and moved together with the push-button, and the fixed plate has a guide notchnotch tilted with respect to the lengthwise direction of the driving board. The driving board has a lug accommodated in the guide notchnotch and capable of sliding in the guide notchnotch. With the tilted guide grove and the lug, the driving board can be moved reciprocally to overcome the problems of requiring a large operating force of the push-button of the tight assembly of the conventional driving board and connecting element and the difficulty of opening and closing a vane.

Abstract: An air conditioning indoor unit includes a movable first air direction adjustment plate that changes an up and down direction of the outlet air, a second air direction adjustment plate disposed adjacent to the air outlet, and a control unit that controls postures of the first and second adjustment plates. The second adjustment plate has at least a front end portion housed in an indoor unit front portion outside a blowing path when housed. In a Coanda effect utilization mode the control unit controls the postures of the first and second adjustment plates such that the second adjustment plate is spaced apart from the indoor unit front portion and a height position of a rear end portion is lower than when operation is stopped, and the adjustment plates form a predetermined angle to change the outlet air to a Coanda air flow along an undersurface of the second adjustment plate.

Abstract: An airflow vectoring access floor panel for raised floor data centers has an access panel and a plurality of airflow deflectors. Each of the plurality of airflow deflectors can be independently rotated to affect the directionality of the emanating airstreams. The airstreams can be diverged, converged or impinged in any direction to intersect with the intakes of IT racks within a data center. A fan assembly can be placed underneath the unit to increase the volume of airflow and thus the number and heat load of the IT racks that can be supplied by a single access panel. The airflow deflectors may be rotated manually or by electromechanical drives.

Abstract: An air conditioning register is provided that includes a case, a downstream fin, a specific upstream fin extending in a direction perpendicular to the downstream fin, and an operation knob. The specific upstream fin includes a fin main body pivotally supported by the case via an upstream fin shaft and a transmission body pivotally supported by the case via a pivot located further upstream than the upstream fin shaft. The fin main body and the transmission body are coupled to each other. The operation knob is mounted slidably on the downstream fin and includes a pair of fork portions sandwiching a transmission shaft portion of the transmission body therebetween. When the operation knob is operated to slide and thereby the transmission shaft portion is moved, the fin main body of the specific upstream fin is tilted.

Abstract: An air vent includes a chassis and a plurality of louvers. The chassis includes a bottom plate and a side plate located on the bottom plate. The plurality of louvers is located on the side plate. Each of the plurality of louvers includes a body and a shaft located on the body. The body of each of the plurality of louvers is rotatable about the shaft of each of the plurality of louvers relative to the side plate. An angle defined between the bottom plate and the shaft of each of the plurality of louvers is substantially 45 degrees.

Abstract: An HVAC damper includes a sheet metal frame surrounding a series of pivotal damper blades that are each supported by a pair of plastic bearing members. Each bearing member is a unitary piece that includes a radial bearing, a thrust bearing, a lug for connecting to a damper blade, a shaft-receiving feature for connecting to a drive shaft, and multiple crank pins for selectively connecting to a drive linkage. Choosing which crank pin gets connected to the linkage determines a damper blade's rotational direction relative to the other damper blades. Adjacent damper blades preferably rotate in opposite directions to ensure positive sealing engagement between their adjacent blade tips. The bearing members allow the drive linkage to be installed outside the frame to avoid obstructing the airflow through the damper. During assembly, the bearing members allow the damper blades to be placed within the frame prior to installing the bearing members.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioning unit that is switchable between local air-conditioning and overall air-conditioning, a data acquisition unit configured to acquire state quantity data of a requester, and a control unit. The control unit calculates comfort assessment values for both the requester and a neighbor, and controls the air-conditioning unit so that the local air-conditioning is performed to an extent whereby the comfort assessment value of the neighbor is kept in a comfort range and the comfort assessment value of the requester can be within the comfort range.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a cool-side door device and a heating-side door device between an evaporator and a heater core. The cool-side door device is configured to open and close a cool air passage through which a cool air generated by the evaporator flows. The heating-side door device is configured to open and close a heating air passage through which the cool air flows to be heated by the heater core. At least one of the cool-side door device and the heating-side door device is constructed of a plurality of doors. The plurality of doors is configured to begin to open successively when being opened from a fully closed condition.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering conditioned air using short duty cycles during which a damper is fully open for a time and fully closed for the remaining time. Conditioned air is continuously supplied to a plenum at low pressure and is applied to the space when the damper is open and blocked when the damper is closed. The proportion of on to off time during each duty cycle is adjusted to meet the load. When several supply terminals serve a space, their duty cycles are staggered to avoid fan instability. A special motor is coupled directly to the damper shaft for fast opening and closing of the damper. A magnetic latch holds the damper open or closed until the motor moves it again.

Abstract: A register assembly with adjustable faceplate connectors can be used to cover air duct openings that supply a flow of heated or cooled air to a room of a structure, and can also be used to cover air duct openings that receive return air from the room. The register assembly includes a faceplate that has removably attachable connectors that adapt the faceplate to be removably attached to a plurality of damper assemblies of different sizes. The plurality of connectors are adjustably connected to the faceplate to adapt the faceplate to each different size of damper assembly.

Abstract: An air-conditioning resistor has a panel member formed with an opening for an operating element and an airflow port, a retainer formed on the panel member so as to communicate with the airflow port and to define interiorly an airflow passage for allowing air-conditioning air to flow therethrough, a lateral fin pivotably supported in the retainer and being capable of adjusting the wind direction of the air-conditioning air in the vertical direction, a vertical fin pivotably supported in the retainer and being capable of adjusting the wind direction of the air-conditioning air in the lateral direction, and a spherical operating element which can operate the vertical fin and the lateral fin simultaneously and has a partial spherical surfaces arranged so as to project from the opening for the operating element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling louver blades of a compressor/condenser unit are provided which can improve efficiency of the compressor/condenser unit based on a position of the louver blades and peripheral conditions. The apparatus includes louver blades with a pair of connecting protrusions formed at each end thereof, and a plurality of levers which are rotatably coupled to the connecting protrusions of the louver blades formed in the same positions. A driving member opens and closes the louver blades by moving the levers, and in turn, the louver blades coupled there to. A microcomputer controls the driving member, and the louver blades are opened and closed based on a control signal from the microcomputer.

Abstract: A damper unit for an air circulation system. The damper unit includes a frame defining an air flow opening, a damper vane for opening and closing the air flow opening, and a stepper motor for turning the damper vane between the open and closed positions. The stepper motor is directly coupled to the damper vane to move the vane between the open and closed positions. A shaft of the stepper motor extends through a frame of the damper unit and is coupled to the damper vane by a hub. A controller is coupled to the stepper motor to control the stepper motor.

Abstract: The invention teaches and shows systems, devices and methods for controlling the automation of ventilation registers. In one embodiment, the invention is a system for articulating a register for a heating or air-conditioning system. The system generally includes a local power source, a means for receiving a wireless signal, a means for switching a drive means on, a drive means, and a movable member.

Abstract: A remote controlled air vent is provided comprising at least one closure member, and a vent control unit. The at least one closure member (e.g., a plurality of louvers) may be configured to control the egress of the air from the air vent and the vent control unit may control displacement of the at least one closure member in response to a wireless control signal. In one exemplary embodiment, the vent control unit may comprise a mechanical component to control displacement of the at least one closure member, and an electrical component including a wireless receiver to receive the wireless control signal.

Abstract: A register containing an airflow control mechanism is disclosed whereby the control mechanism is easily accessed by a user when mounted on the ceiling of a room. The ergonomically accessible airflow control mechanism comprises a pull chain arrangement means which dangles from the register and is adaptable to any height. The pull chain arrangement is interconnected to a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted above the face plate of the register via a connecting means which transfers the vertical pulling action of a user on the pull chain arrangement to rotational movement of the louvers between an open and closed position. The connecting means as well as the rotatable louvers are mounted on the upper side of a face plate and hidden from view when in the operative position thus providing an inconspicuous, aesthetically pleasing finish to a room's decor.

Abstract: A register for regulating the passage of air to be mounted in a vent opening of a wall, floor, or ceiling. The register includes a grill having a plate with grill openings for the passage of air therethrough, a frame connected to the bottom of the grill, at least one damper for regulating the air flow through the register, a pivotal connection connecting the dampers to the frame to allow pivotal movement there between, a biasing mechanism urging the damper against the frame to reduce rattling and vibrations there between, and a control mechanism for moving the damper between an open position permitting air to flow through the register and a closed position wherein air is inhibited from flowing through the register. The control mechanism includes a lever and a control bar. The biasing mechanism includes springs mounted to the control bar and pivotally connected to the damper wherein there is one spring individually urging each damper The leyer and control bar each move through a separate arc.

Abstract: A register to be mounted in a vent opening of a wall, floor, or ceiling for regulating the passage of air. The register includes a grill having a plate with grill openings for directing the passage of air therethrough, a frame connected to the bottom of the grill, at least one damper for regulating air flow through the register, a pivotal connection connecting the damper to the frame to allow pivotal movement therebetween, and a control mechanism for moving the damper between an open position permitting air to flow through the register and a closed position wherein air is inhibited from flowing through the register. The damper has first and second connecting ears extending from a major plane of the damper in directions opposite from one another. The control mechanism is pivotally connected to at least one of the connecting ears and includes a control bar having a spring member biasing the damper towards the frame.

Abstract: A vent register for controlling the flow of air from a heating and cooling duct system. The register includes a rack and pinion operating mechanism for controlling the movement of the damper louvers. The louvers are molded with an integral pinion gear and rotatably mounted within a rectangular housing. A slidably movable lever having a lineal rack of teeth is disposed within the housing. A portion of the lever protrudes above the face of the register for manipulation by the user and the rack of teeth engage the pinion gears of the louvers. The linear adjustment of the lever within the housing is translated to rotational adjustment of the louvers by the rack and pinion operating mechanism.

Abstract: An air duct has a rectilinear face plate with an internal face and an external face. The face plate has a rectangular, central opening with a height and width less than the lengths of the edges to form a solid periphery of between about 1.0 and 2.0 inches around the edges of the face plate. The central opening has a series of air directing grates creating a plurality of rectangular shaped slots. A rectilinear housing has two parallel long side walls and two parallel short end walls oriented perpendicular to the internal face and have external edges coupled to the interior face of the face plate adjacent to the opening. Each end plate contains two large bores and one small bore. A pair of similarly configured rectangular flappers, slightly wider than 50 percent of the height of the opening and slightly shorter than the width of the opening, have a formed cylindrical extension rotatably received within the large bores.

Abstract: A register assembly for covering an air duct opening is comprised of a faceplate, a base, a damper mechanism and a filter frame that are easily assembled together. Most if not all of the component parts may be constructed of plastic reducing the manufacturing cost of the register assembly. The faceplate can be snapped onto the base or manually removed from the base without the use of fasteners or tools. The faceplate is replaceable, allowing the use of various ornamental designs of the faceplate grid on the same base containing the damper mechanism and filter frame. The filter frame is easily removed from the base to allow replacement or cleaning of the filter materials supported in the frame.

Abstract: An air diffuser is adapted to be fluidly connected to an air duct. The air diffuser comprises a face and a unitary valve assembly. The face comprises a number of openings separated by louvers, which are preferably of a fixed angular orientation. The unitary valve assembly comprises vanes that are rotatably attached to a body by a deformable web that is integral to the valve assembly body and the vanes. The vanes are adjusted by means of an adjustment arm that extends from each vane through the openings in the face. The unitary valve assembly is preferably constructed of a single piece of material that is shaped so that it will attach to the face. The valve assembly is unitary, requiring no assembly except to the face. The deformable webs are sized so as to give a high cycle life to the assembly, and allow the vanes to be fixedly adjusted.

Abstract: An adjustable register includes a frame member having an air passage therethrough, a plurality of slats connected pivotally to the frame member, a slat connecting member connected to each of the slate a slat-controlling linkage connected pivotally to one of the slats, a toggle-joint mechanism connected pivotally to the slat-controlling linkage on the frame member, and a plurality of blocking bars on the frame member. As the toggle-joint mechanism is operated, the slat-controlling linkage is driven to drive one of the slats. All slats move concurrently between a closed position where the slats contact closely the blocking bars, and an open position where the slats allow air flow through the air passage. In the closed position, the air-tight effect of the register is ensured.

Abstract: A vent assembly includes a vent cover which is detachably mounted to a damper housing. Couplers mounted to the damper housing each have a catch portion which is inserted into a respective air flow slot of the vent cover to engage the vent cover and couple these components together. The couplers may be constructed to permit flexing of the couplers during the insertion process, with the couplers being biased to engage the vent cover when no longer flexed. A filter housing may be detachably coupled to the damper housing to support a filter on the opposite side of the damper housing from the vent cover.

Abstract: A register includes a faceplate having a central area with openings to permit air flow, a box-like housing attached to one side of the faceplate including walls extending about the periphery of the central area, and adjustable dampers supported within the housing between opposed walls for controlling the amount of air flow through the register. The dampers are connected to an adjustment wheel mounted to one of the housing walls. As the adjustment wheel is rotated, a spring member connected between the adjustment wheel and the dampers causes the dampers to rotate about pivot rods extending from each end of the dampers through opposed housing walls. The dampers are assembled into the housing by inserting one pivot rod through a bore in one wall and moving the other pivot rod along an opposed wall within a guide channel which guides the pivot rod into registration with a bore in the opposed wall.

Abstract: A register assembly for covering an air duct opening is comprised of a faceplate, a base, a damper mechanism and a filter frame that are easily assembled together. Most if not all of the component parts may be constructed of plastic reducing the manufacturing cost of the register assembly. The faceplate can be snapped onto the base or manually removed from the base without the use of fasteners or tools. The faceplate is replaceable, allowing the use of various ornamental designs of the faceplate grid on the same base containing the damper mechanism and filter frame. The filter frame is easily removed from the base to allow replacement or cleaning of the filter materials supported in the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a heating and cooling airway vent (12) that provides improved airflow directional control and is easier to manufacture, assemble, and install in building airway systems. The airway vent (12) includes a housing (14) having a number of fixed louvers (16) as well as a plurality of rotatable circular openings (18) in which circular inserts (20) are rotatably mounted. The circular inserts include curved louvers (22) that are angled with respect to the vertical and that are curved slightly outward. The circular inserts (20) can be rotated to direct their louvers (22), and hence the issuing air, in any desired direction. The circular inserts (20) are snap-locked into the housings (14). The vent (12) includes one or more dampers (26) operated by a damper switch (28). The damper switch (28) is connected to the housing using a guide slot (46) having ridges (48) that aid a user in keeping the damper switch (28) in a particular position.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an inlet for receiving room air, a heat exchanger for heating or cooling the air, an outlet for discharging the heated or cooled air back into the room, a fan for circulating the air through the air conditioner, inlet and outlet doors for opening/closing the inlet and outlet, a motor for driving the doors, and a controller for automatically actuating the motor to open the doors when the air conditioner is activated, and close the doors when the air conditioner is deactivated. A control by-pass is provided in a remote controller which is relatively inaccessible to a normal user but which can be actuated by an air conditioner tester or shipper for maintaining the doors open even when the air conditioner is deactivated (e.g., during testing or shipping) to prevent the doors from being damaged.

Abstract: A mechanical control device for the air flowing through air conditioning outlets. A control assembly with a lever that can be adjusted in two or more predetermined positions for different settings of air flow direction and volume. The lever lodges in two or more respective bays in a plate that locks the lever firmly in one of the preselected positions. The control assembly is mounted typically at a readily accessible position on a wall. A shielded cable assembly is controlled by the control assembly at one end and the other end is connected to the adjustable fins found in conventional air conditioning outlets. The shielded cable is hidden and routed from the wall mounted control assembly to the outlet protruding from the ceiling. The fins are commonly connected and spring biased to a preset position.

Abstract: According to the present invention a damper for controlling the flow of conditioned air supplied through a supply duct to a conditioned space is provided. The damper includes a support housing which defines a flow passage which communicates the supply duct with the conditioned space. A plurality of damper blades are mounted within the support housing for pivotal movement about respective spaced apart parallel axes. A blade link interconnects the damper blades in a ganged relation so that a common pivoted orientation of the damper blades is determined by the position of the blade link. Means are provided for selectively exerting a force on the blade link which will either move the link toward the second position to increase the flow of air through the damper or for exerting a force on the blade link to move the link toward the first position to decrease the flow of air through the damper.

Abstract: Floor vents for alternately supplying air to a conditioned space. Such vents, used in combination with a heating or cooling system, facilitate the delivery of air in a desired direction. The plastic vent may be constructed of pigmented material in a desired color. Louvers with integrally formed gears are pivotally mounted between ends of the vent, and are repositioned by a thumbwheel located below the upper surface of the grille portion of the vent, to thereby avoid damage to the gear by foot traffic above the vent. The louvers are provided with integrally formed bushings and rotatable end elements to enhance rotation and reliability.