Pressure Regulation Patents (Class 454/340)
  • Patent number: 10883737
    Abstract: Provided is a ventilation control device (2) configured to control operation of one or more ventilators communicably connected thereto, the ventilation control device including: a target total exhaust volume storage unit (14) configured to store a target total exhaust volume that is a target total volume of exhaust to be discharged within a predetermined time; an exhaust capacity storage unit (13) configured to store the exhaust capacity of each of the one or more ventilators connected to the ventilation control device (2); an exhaust volume acquisition unit (17) configured to acquire an already-discharged exhaust volume discharged from each of the one or more ventilators connected to the ventilation control device (2); an integrating unit (18) configured to calculate a total already-discharged exhaust volume by adding up the already-discharged exhaust volumes of the one or more ventilators acquired by the exhaust volume acquisition unit; and an exhaust volume control unit (11) configured to, based on the tot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Sasaki, Naoyuki Funada
  • Patent number: 10578334
    Abstract: An air-conditioning duct comprises a regulating membrane attached to a peripheral wall of the duct and a shifting element. The membrane has a first end that is attached to the shifting element and faces an inlet for supplying air. An area of the membrane comprising said first end is adapted for being selectively shifted to a first or second portion of the peripheral wall. The shifting element is for shifting the first end of the membrane to the first or second portion of the peripheral wall. The membrane has a second end, which faces away from the inlet of the duct, secured inside the duct to ensure that shifting of the area of the first end of the membrane to the second portion of the peripheral wall prevents the air flow from passing through that portion of the duct situated downstream of the attached second end of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Prihoda s.r.o.
    Inventors: Zdenek Prihoda, Michal Bures
  • Patent number: 10041687
    Abstract: One vent extender method comprises providing the underside of an over-the-range type vent hood with an exhaust enclosure having an outlet opening and at least one inlet opening. The outlet opening is disposed upstream to the existing exhaust fan. An exhaust ducting system comprises a tube having a downstream end attachable to an inlet opening and an upstream end attachable to a first canopy. The exhaust ducting system delivers the suction power of the exhaust fan closer to the fume and odor source and guides the vapors toward the outlet opening of the enclosure. An improved method comprises the use of an intake ducting system enveloping the exhaust ducting system for delivering intake air right to the periphery of the cooking vessel. Another improvement comprises the use of a double-walled canopy with two separate top openings for connecting to an exhaust power source and an intake air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: Mary Ann Caneba
  • Patent number: 8936203
    Abstract: A control system for an HVAC system serving at least two zones, each zone receiving conditioned air by way of a zone duct, each zone duct including a zone damper having a first portion and second portion controlled by a actuator to move between an open and a closed position in response to a zone thermostat, a second portion responsive to the static pressure in a HVAC system to open and bleed an amount of conditioned air past the damper when the static pressure of the system increases above a selected level, and a weight adjustment for modifying the torque exerted by the second portion against the system static pressure to adjust the selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald E Jackson
  • Publication number: 20140134938
    Abstract: A vapor mitigation system includes at least one vacuum pipe configured to collect vapors beneath a floor of a building, and a blower coupled to the at least one vacuum pipe. The blower is configured to create a vacuum under the floor of the building. The vapor mitigation system includes a controller configured to control a speed of the blower. The controller adjusts the speed of the blower in response to a level of vacuum created under the floor of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: VAPOR DYNAMICS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hatton, Michael D. Salcone
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130225064
    Abstract: Improved, non-fragmenting, high efficiency vent apparatus (10, 78) are provided for protecting a structure (12) from potentially damaging or destructive abnormal pressure conditions. The apparatus (10, 78) is positioned in covering relationship to a vent opening (14) formed in the structure (12), and generally includes a burst member (16) and a tab assembly (18) equipped with a series of tabs (56); the tabs (56) bend or buckle to a burst member-clearing position when the vent apparatus (10, 78) experiences an abnormal pressure condition, thereby permitting rapid opening of burst member (16) to thus protect structure (12). The burst member (16) may be of domed or flat construction, and can be in the form of a quadrate panel or any other desired shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FIKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy Jakus, Tom Eijkelenberg, Guido Dom
  • Patent number: 8475575
    Abstract: An object is to provide a vent plug making liquid unlikely to accumulate therein, while preventing an air-permeable membrane from breaking by means of at least one convex part. The vent plug of the present invention includes a cylindrical member 1 having a through-hole 1a, and an air-permeable membrane 2 attached around the cylindrical member 1, wherein the air-permeable membrane 2 has a circumferential attachment region which is in contact with the cylindrical member 1, and an air-permeable region facing the through-hole 1a, the cylindrical member 1 is provided with at least one convex part 1b which projects beyond the plane including the air-permeable region, and the circumferential attachment region of the air-permeable membrane 2 has a shape following a part or the entire of the convex part 1b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Ono, Takuya Ueki
  • Patent number: 8439308
    Abstract: A pressure relief apparatus for an engine compartment having a wall and an opening in the wall is provided. The pressure relief apparatus includes a door panel arranged in blocking relationship to the opening in the wall of the engine compartment, a plurality of hinges coupling the door panel to an inner surface of the wall of the engine compartment, a spring assembly coupled between each hinge and the inner surface of the wall, wherein the spring assembly includes a canister having an open end and a spring element housed within the canister, and a support fitting mounted to the engine compartment wall and having a portion extending toward the open end of the canister for applying a compressive force on the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Armstrong, Michael D. Jones, Kent W. Dunstan
  • Publication number: 20120322358
    Abstract: An exhaust system for exhausting air from a space includes a variable-volume exhaust air moving system having at least one fan having an inlet and an outlet. A duct is connected to the inlet and an outlet nozzle defining a variable cross-sectional outlet area is fluidly connected to the outlet. A selectively operable bypass damper is fluidly connected to the inlet. A sensor is located in the exhaust system for detecting at least one of a pressure condition and a flow condition therein. A control system controls the at least one fan, the outlet nozzle, and the bypass damper, based on a signal sent from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald L. Wendorski, John Enzenroth, Tony Podjaski, Kyle Rothmeyer, Bruce Knieriem, Anthony Rossi
  • Publication number: 20120315837
    Abstract: A ventilation gas management system and process for an enclosure adapted to contain fluid supply vessel(s) and through which ventilation gas is flowed to provide safe operation in the event of leakage of fluid from a vessel. Ventilation gas flow is modulated to accommodate various hazard levels associated with the deployment and operation of such enclosure containing fluid supply vessel(s), e.g., a gas box or gas cabinet in a semiconductor manufacturing facility, thereby achieving reduction in ventilation gas requirements otherwise required for such deployment and operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, Paul J. Marganski
  • Patent number: 8105408
    Abstract: A pressure equalization device adapted to be operatively connected to an enclosure, the device including an air passage which, when the device is so connected to the enclosure, provides a fluid communication between the interior of the enclosure and atmosphere, the air passage containing a barrier wall comprising an air permeable membrane forming a micro-particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan Thomas, Colin Gradwell, Mark Hemmings
  • Patent number: 7625277
    Abstract: An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising a system inlet, a system outlet, and a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed. A motor controller in communication with the fan is configured to control the speed of the fan. A differential-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure at the system inlet and an air pressure at the system outlet. A closed-loop pressure controller in communication with the motor controller and differential-pressure transducer, wherein the pressure controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space. An ultraviolet kill chamber may be disposed between the inlet and outlet to expose airborne particulate to UV radiation. The system may also have a filter located within an air-flow path between the system inlet and system outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: American Innovative Research Corp.
    Inventor: David W. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7559832
    Abstract: A combination of a wood stove and radon collection system. A radon collection tube location in the basement of a building is connected via conduits leading into the combustion chamber of a wood stove. Means secure the radon collection outlet to the stove between the stove door and the stove main body. Metal strips extend across gaps formed between the stove door and stove main body when the outlet is in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: George Kilmer
  • Publication number: 20080160905
    Abstract: Provided is an exhaust unit capable of preventing large pressure fluctuations within a process chamber due to atmospheric pressure changes. The exhaust unit includes a main exhaust duct and a supplemental exhaust duct that acts as a partial bypass. A flap is located at a downstream opening between the main exhaust duct and supplemental exhaust duct and controls the amount of bypassed gas flowing from the supplemental exhaust duct to the main exhaust duct. First and second plates of the flap are pivotally coupled to the main exhaust duct adjacent the downstream opening, the first plate colliding with gas flowing through the main exhaust duct and the second plate partially blocking bypassed gas flowing back into the main exhaust duct from the supplemental exhaust duct. When gas is exhausted through the main exhaust line and the supplemental exhaust duct, the flap passively controls the amount by which the supplemental exhaust duct is opened through fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Moon-Jeong Kim, Kang-Ho Ahn, Suck-Hoon Kang, Jae-Young Lee, Jai-Heung Choi, Jung-Sung Hwang
  • Publication number: 20080132160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust structure from dryers in an apartment building including at least one riser tube running vertically crossing stories of the apartment building, a plurality of branch tubes branched from the riser tube to apartments on each of the stories for guiding exhaust gas from the apartments to the riser tube, and a fan mounted to a top of the riser tube and to be driven for making a pressure distribution in the riser tube to be the same with a pressure distribution on an outside of the building, substantially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: In Hee Han, Won Tug Son
  • Publication number: 20080090122
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve is disposed in an insulation end plate to militate against an over pressurization of the fuel cell stack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Roger M. Brisbane, Anthony G. Chinnici
  • Publication number: 20070275651
    Abstract: An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising a system inlet, a system outlet, and a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed. A motor controller in communication with the fan is configured to control the speed of the fan. A differential-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure at the system inlet and an air pressure at the system outlet. A closed-loop pressure controller in communication with the motor controller and differential-pressure transducer, wherein the pressure controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space. An ultraviolet kill chamber may be disposed between the inlet and outlet to expose airborne particulate to UV radiation. The system may also have a filter located within an air-flow path between the system inlet and system outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: American Innovative Research Corp.
    Inventor: David W. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6785981
    Abstract: A restriction sensor system for identifying the existence of blockages in exhaust conduits of clothes dryers. The restriction sensor system may include a pressure sensing device having a body configured to be coupled to an exhaust conduit of a clothes dryer. The pressure sensing device may be capable of determining changes in air pressure in the exhaust conduit. Once the air pressure present in the exhaust conduit exceeds a threshold air pressure, the pressure sensing device may send a signal to an indicator to generate an alarm, which may be a visual alarm or audible alarm, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: In-O-Vate Technologies
    Inventor: Richard John Harpenau
  • Patent number: 5764579
    Abstract: A system for controlling laboratories having fume hoods comprising a network along which information is carried. The system is also comprised of a controller in contact with the network for receiving information from and providing information to the network. Additionally, the system is comprised of means for sensing a laboratory's state. The sensing means is disposed in each laboratory. There is additionally a microprocessor disposed in each laboratory for receiving information concerning the laboratory from the respective sensing means and the controller in order to maintain the laboratory in a predetermined state, and to provide information about the laboratory to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: American Auto-Matrix, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. McMasters, David M. Fisher, Bruce D. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5551916
    Abstract: A pressure stabilizing system for equalizing the pressure within an enclosure and the atmosphere during rapidly developing low pressure atmospheric conditions comprising a duct with a blow out valve or a valve positively operated by an electrical or gas operated system and a pressure detector to activate the electrical or gas operated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Harry R. Morse, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5115728
    Abstract: A system whereby the pressure of a room containing one or more fume hoods, such as a laboratory, is to maintained at a predetermined level relative to the pressure of a reference space in the building, which may be the pressure in an adjacent corridor or an adjacent room or the like. The system involves a room controller which is part of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning apparatus of the building. The room controller is of the type which can receive electrical signals from each fume hood controller, which signals are proportional to the volume of air that is being exhausted through each fume hood. The volume indicating signals communicated from each of the fume hood controllers to the room controller enable the system to modulate the volume of air that is being supplied to the room and thereby maintain the differential pressure at the desired level with relatively quick response times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Powers, Inc.
    Inventors: Osman Ahmed, Steven A. Bradley
  • Patent number: 5092227
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the air flow through a fume hood to maintain a predetermined average face velocity through an uncovered portion of an opening of a fume hood of the type which has at least one movable sash door adapted to cover the opening as the fume hood sash door is moved. The apparatus detects the position of each moveable sash door and calculates the size of the uncovered portion of the opening, measures the actual flow of air through the exhaust duct, and varies the flow of air through the exhaust duct responsive to door position signals and the actual flow signal for controlling a flow modulating means to maintain the predetermined average face velocity through the uncovered portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Powers, Inc.
    Inventors: Osman Ahmed, Steven A. Bradley, Steven L. Fritsche, Steven D. Jacob
  • Patent number: 5088387
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting purge fluid from an enclosed housing to maintain a positive known reference pressure differential between the housing and the variable pressure atmosphere surrounding the housing. The apparatus utilizes a specially designed fluidized bed to vent the purge fluid while maintaining a positive known reference back pressure. The fluidized bed automatically compensates for changes in the temperature or pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Moye Wicks, III, Boyd B. Moore
  • Patent number: 5083501
    Abstract: A window unit is provided for reducing heat loss through the window while at the same time providing a desirable inflow of prewarmed ventilation air to maintain interior air quality and thermal comfort. The window unit comprises an outer window frame and a sash frame designed to support an inner dual pane sealed window unit together with a separate outer single pane thus providing a triple pane action. The sash frame is also modified to provide a slot at the lower edge for entry of exterior air into a channel defined between the outer pane and the outer surface of the sealed window unit. The building is maintained at reduced pressure to cause air to flow in a laminar action along the channel toward a slot above the top of the sealed window unit so that heat escaping from the outer pane of the sealed window unit is carried by the laminar air flow back through the upper slot and into the interior of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Willmar Windows Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Grenville K. Yuill, Daniel E. Friesen, Gordon M. Comeau
  • Patent number: 5081913
    Abstract: An automatic ventilator closure is described which operates on the basis of an over-pressure within the conduit leading up to the ventilator outlet. Electrical interlocks control a motor to place the closure in an open or closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Hubert Gervais
  • Patent number: RE35199
    Abstract: An automatic ventilator closure is described which operates on the basis of an over-pressure within the conduit leading up to the ventilator outlet. Electrical interlocks control a motor to place the closure in an open or closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Hubert Gervais