U.S. patent application number 11/954208 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for register for air conditioning.
Invention is credited to Randy Blagg.
Application Number | 20090149123 11/954208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40722152 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090149123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blagg; Randy |
June 11, 2009 |
REGISTER FOR AIR CONDITIONING
Abstract
An air conditioning register including a plurality of adjustable
slats coupled to respective pinion gears. The pinion gears may
engage with a rack gear so that a linear motion of the rack gear
translates into a rotational motion of the pinion gears. A driving
gear coupled to a shaft may be used to drive the rack gear. The
shaft can be driven by a manual tool of suitable length, or by
electrical or electronic methods. The manual tool and/or electronic
methods may be so designed that a user can rotate the shaft without
being in close proximity to the register.
Inventors: |
Blagg; Randy; (The Colony,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARR LLP
670 FOUNDERS SQUARE, 900 JACKSON STREET
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
40722152 |
Appl. No.: |
11/954208 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/258 ;
454/303; 454/308; 454/330 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2013/1433 20130101;
F24F 11/56 20180101; F24F 2013/1446 20130101; F24F 11/76 20180101;
F24F 13/1426 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/258 ;
454/308; 454/330; 454/303 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/053 20060101
F24F011/053; F24F 13/08 20060101 F24F013/08; F24F 13/10 20060101
F24F013/10 |
Claims
1. A register with a mechanism for changing orientation of a slat,
the register comprising: a slat coupled to a pinion gear; a rack
gear that engages the pinion gear; a driving gear that drives the
rack gear; and a shaft that couples with the driving gear.
2. The register of claim 1, wherein the rack gear engages the
pinion gear via a first set of gear teeth on the rack gear, and
further wherein the driving gear drives the rack gear via a second
set of gear teeth on the rack gear.
3. The register of claim 1, wherein the pinion gear comprises a
semi-circular gear.
4. The register of claim 1, wherein the slat comprises a curved
blade.
5. The register of claim 1, wherein a rotation of the shaft
translates into a corresponding rotation of the driving gear, which
in turn drives the rack gear linearly and rotates the pinion
gear.
6. The register of claim 5, wherein the rotation of the pinion gear
translates into a corresponding rotary motion of the slat coupled
to the pinion gear, and further wherein the rotary motion of the
slat changes an orientation of the slat.
7. The register of claim 6, wherein the rotary motion of the slat
further changes a direction of air flow through the register.
8. The register of claim 1, wherein an axis of the shaft lies in a
plane perpendicular to a plane of the driving gear.
9. The register of claim 1, wherein a free end of the shaft engages
with a manual tool via a coupling.
10. The register of claim 1, further comprising an electronically
controlled actuator that remotely rotates the shaft.
11. The register of claim 1, further comprising a hollow frame
having a lateral frame portion and a transverse frame portion
bridging the lateral frame portion, wherein one end of the slat is
pivoted towards the transverse frame portion, and another end of
the slat is coupled to the pinion gear.
12. The register of claim 11, further comprising a grille frame
coupled to the hollow frame.
13. A register for controlling air flow comprising: a hollow frame
having lateral frame portions and transverse frame portions
bridging the lateral frame portions; at least one slat, wherein one
end of a slat of the plurality of slats is pivoted to one of the
transverse frame portions, and another end of the slat is coupled
to a pinion gear such that an axis of each slat is parallel to the
lateral frame portions; a rack gear that engages, via a first set
of gear teeth, with the pinion gear coupled to the slat and, via a
second set of gear teeth, with a driving gear; and a shaft that
couples with the driving gear such that a rotation of the shaft
translates into a corresponding rotation of the driving gear, which
drives the rack gear linearly to rotate the pinion gear that
rotates the slat.
14. The register of claim 13, further comprising a grille frame
coupled to the hollow frame.
15. The register of claim 13, wherein a slat comprises a curved
blade.
16. The register of claim 13, wherein the register is a ceiling
register.
17. The register of claim 13, wherein the axis of the shaft lies in
a plane perpendicular to the plane of the driving gear.
18. The register of claim 13, wherein the free end of the shaft
engages with a manual tool via a coupling.
19. The register of claim 13, further comprising an electronically
controlled actuator that remotely rotates the shaft.
20. The register of claim 13, wherein rotating the shaft in a
clockwise direction increases air flow through the register and
rotating the shaft in an anti-clockwise direction decreases air
flow through the register.
21. A heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the
system comprising: a central HVAC unit; a controller associated
with the HVAC unit; at least one supply register electronically
coupled to the controller; and a thermostat electronically
connected to the controller and the at least one supply register,
wherein the register comprises louvers that adjust depending on a
setting of the thermostat.
22. The HVAC system of claim 21, wherein the thermostat is operated
by remote control.
23. The HVAC system of claim 21, wherein the register louvers are
removable.
24. A heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the
system comprising: a central HVAC unit; a controller associated
with the HVAC unit; at least one supply register electronically
coupled to the controller; a master thermostat electronically
coupled to the controller; and a slave thermostat electronically
connected to the at least one supply register, wherein the at least
one register comprises louvers that adjust depending on a setting
of the slave thermostat.
25. The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the slave thermostat
setting is remotely controlled.
26. The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the register louvers are
removable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to heating, ventilating and
air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and, more particularly, to an
HVAC register having one or more gear-driven adjustable slats.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) units are
used in residential, industrial and office buildings, and in marine
environments such as aquariums, where humidity and temperature must
all be closely regulated whilst maintaining safe and healthy
conditions within. The HVAC units are usually designed to provide
thermal comfort, acceptable indoor air quality, and reasonable
installation, operation, and maintenance costs. These units can
provide ventilation, reduce air infiltration, and maintain pressure
relationships between spaces.
[0005] Such units commonly include multiple registers for air
distribution. The registers supply conditioned air from air ducts
to various zones within a room. Typically, a register may have
fixed slats or louvers that provide constant air flow, or
adjustable slats to adjust the airflow to the various zones.
Constant airflow registers are used when temperature control for
individual zones is not required. On the other hand, when the rate
and direction of airflow need to be controlled, registers with
adjustable slats are used.
[0006] In the registers with movable slats, the slats can be
manually adjusted by operating a lever. However, this requires the
person adjusting the slats to be in close proximity to the
register. This can be a problem, especially in cases when the
register is installed at a considerable height from the ground,
such as on the ceiling of a room, or near the top of a wall.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one embodiment, an air conditioning register includes at
least one adjustable slat coupled to at least one pinion gear. The
pinion gear may engage a rack gear such that a linear motion of the
rack gear translates into a rotational motion of the pinion gear.
The rack gear may be driven by a driving gear coupled to a shaft.
In one embodiment, the shaft may be driven manually. In another
embodiment, the shaft may be driven by at least one powered
actuator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding of the disclosure and the
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the accompanying
drawings wherein similar or identical reference numerals represent
similar or identical features and components.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary register for air
conditioning having adjustable slats;
[0010] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate different perspective views
of the register;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the register from
yet another perspective;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates the register placed in a frame according
to one embodiment of the current disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a register coupled to a frame according
to one embodiment of the current disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the register
coupled to the frame;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a subassembly that
may be used to control the operation of the gears;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of the motor and mounting bracket
illustrated in FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side view of the motor supported on a mounting
plate by a mounting bracket;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning unit with multiple registers according to one
embodiment of the current disclosure; and
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning unit with multiple registers and multiple controls
according to one embodiment of the current disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following discussion, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the present invention may be practiced without such specific
details. In other instances, well-known elements have been
illustrated in simplified form in order not to obscure the present
invention in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part,
specific details, and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such
details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete
understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be
within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the
relevant art.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a register 100 in
an exemplary embodiment. The register 100 includes a plurality of
gear-driven adjustable slats 106A, 106B and 106C, collectively
referred to as 106 hereafter. One of ordinary skill in the art
would understand that the number and configuration of the slats 106
may vary depending on the particular application in which the
register 100 is used. For example, the register 100 would generally
comprise one or more slats 106 and the configuration of the slats
106 may be straight or curved.
[0022] The register 100 includes a hollow frame 104 that includes a
horizontal back mounting plate portion 144 with lateral frame
portions 102, and transverse frame portions 120, 122 bridging the
lateral frame portions 102.
[0023] Each of the slats 106 may be pivotably mounted to one of the
transverse frame portions, such as frame portion 122, at one end.
At the other end, each slat may be coupled to a pinion gear, such
as 108A, 108B and 108C, collectively referred to as 108 hereafter.
Thus, an axis of each slat may be parallel to the lateral frame
portion 102. This structural arrangement may cause the slats 106 to
rotate when the pinion gears 108 rotate. The pinion gears 108 can
be rotated by a rack gear 118 through a first set of gear teeth 116
present on a first face of the rack gear 118.
[0024] The rack gear 118 can engage with a driving gear 110 through
a second set of gear teeth 124 on a second face of the rack gear
118. In the embodiment shown, the first set of gear teeth 116 on
the first face of rack gear 118 are adjacent the second set of gear
teeth 124 on the second face of rack gear 118. Alternatively, the
first set of gear teeth 116 and the second set of gear teeth 124
may be disposed on opposing faces of rack gear 118. The rack gear
118 slides over the frame of the register 104 when moved by the
driving gear 110, and may be supported by a suitable structural
feature such as a set of guides 119. A shaft 112 may be supported
by a bearing assembly 134 and coupled to the driving gear 110 such
that a rotation of the shaft translates into a corresponding
rotation of the driving gear 110.
[0025] In operation, when the shaft 112 rotates, the driving gear
110 rotates correspondingly. The rotating driving gear 110 drives
the rack gear 118 in a linear direction. The rack gear 118 engages
with and rotates the pinion gears 108, causing the slats 106 to
also rotate. On rotation, the slats 106 may control the airflow by
changing the direction and rate of air being circulated.
[0026] In one embodiment, to open vents to a particular setting
using the slats 106, the shaft 112 can be maneuvered in a clockwise
direction. Inversely, to close the vents using slats 106, the shaft
112 can be maneuvered in a counter-clockwise direction.
[0027] The shaft 112 can extend in a direction that makes the shaft
112 easily accessible. For example, the shaft 112 can extend
vertically downwards from a ceiling register. In other embodiments,
the axis of the shaft 112 can be oriented at an angle or vertically
relative to the register 100.
[0028] In one embodiment, an electric motor 126 or any suitable
powered actuator may be electrically connected to an external
control unit such as a wall fixture (not shown) or a remote control
unit 130. The remote control unit 130 may include an Infra-Red (IR)
receiver 136, radio frequency (RF) antenna 132 or some other type
of wireless link as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
The remote control unit 130 may be coupled using wiring 128 to the
electric motor 126. The electric motor 126 may be externally
mounted to and supported by a horizontal back mounting plate
portion 144. The remote control unit 130 can be used to rotate the
drive shaft 112 to which is coupled the rotating driving gear 110.
The drive shaft 112, driving gear 110, rack gear 118 and pinion
gears 108 provide a quick and safe mechanism to control the slats
106 and alter the airflow entering a room.
[0029] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate different perspective views
of the register 100. FIG. 2a illustrates the top view 200 of the
register 100, while FIGS. 2b and 2c show the front view and a side
view.
[0030] As described above, each of the slats 106 may be pivotably
mounted to the frame member 122 at one end via couplings such as
rods 202a, 202b, and 202c, collectively referred to as 202
hereafter. The other end of each of the slats 106 may be coupled to
the pinion gears 108 via couplings such as rods 204a, 204b, and
204c, collectively referred to as 204 hereafter.
[0031] The pinion gears 108 can engage the rack gear 118 via the
first set of gear teeth 116 present on the rack gear 118. The rack
gear 118 can also engage to the driving gear 110 via the second set
of gear teeth 124 present on the rack gear 118. When the driving
gear 110 is rotated, for example by the shaft 112, the driving gear
110 may cause the rack gear 118 to move in a linear direction. The
linear motion of the rack gear 118 translates into a rotary motion
of the pinion gears 108 and further into a rotary motion of the
slats 106.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view 300 of the register
100 from yet another perspective. This is a perspective view of the
mechanism by which the slats 106 in the register 100 can be moved.
The perspective view 300 illustrates how the second set of gear
teeth 124 present on rack gear 118 engage the driving gear 110 and
the first set of gear teeth 116 present on rack gear 118 engage the
pinion gears 108. The perspective view 300 also illustrates how the
slats 106 are coupled to the pinion gears 118 at one end via the
rods 204 and to the frame 122 at the other end via the rods
202.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the register 100 placed in a frame in an
exemplary embodiment. The frame 400 can be any vent frame known in
the art.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a register 506 coupled to a frame 514 in
an exemplary embodiment. The register 506 is an exemplary
implementation of the register 100 and can be coupled to the frame
514 at multiple points such as 502a and 502b, collectively referred
to as 502 hereafter. One of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the location and the number of the points 502 may
vary. In this embodiment, the shaft 112 may be manually maneuvered
by a handle 540 or some other device or tool, such as a
screwdriver, hexagonal key or Allen wrench, a ratchet drive or the
like, coupled to the shaft 112. The handle 540 may be elongated and
of sufficient length to avoid the need for a step stool or ladder
to reach the register 506 and adjust the slats 106. Adjusting the
slats 106 may entail moving the slats 106 in a direction that
enlarges the register 506 opening and increases the flow of air
through the slats 106, or moving the slats 106 in a direction that
decreases the register 506 opening and diminishes the flow of air
through the slats 106. The handle 540 may be coupled through the
driving gear 110 to the shaft 112 by means of a screw, socket, bolt
or other attachment means well known to one of ordinary skill in
the art. The handle 540, driving gear 110 and shaft 112 assembly
may be supported and secured to the register 506 by a mounting
plate 142 that is attached to the register 506.
[0035] The frame 514 includes multiple louvers placed in various
orientations, such as louvers 510 placed parallel to the slats 106
and louvers 508 placed perpendicular to the slats 106. It will be
understood that the placement of the louvers 510 and 508 can be
varied in other implementations. Further, the louvers 510 and 508
can themselves be movable louvers, or can be fixed louvers.
[0036] The frame 514 can be coupled to the register 506 at multiple
points such as 504a and 504b, collectively referred to as 504,
present in the frame portion 512. It will be understood that the
location and number of the points 504 correspond to the points 502
in the register 506.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view 600 of the register
506 coupled to the frame 514 as may be visible to a user during
operation of the register 506. The horizontally oriented louvers
604 and vertically oriented louvers 602 in frame 600 correspond to
the louvers 510 and 508 in the frame 514 respectively.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a subassembly 700 that includes the
electric motor 126, pinion gears 108 and rack gears 118. A mounting
bracket 710 may support or house the electric motor 126 that may be
secured to a horizontal back mounting plate 720. In operation, as
the driving gear 110 rotates on the first set of gear teeth 124 on
the rack gear 118, the rack gear 118 moves up and down. The pinion
gears 108 that are engaged with the second set of gear teeth 116
rotate corresponding to the motion of the driving gear 110 and
control the movement of the louvers 106.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a front detailed view 800 of a mounting
arrangement for the electric motor 126 supported by the mounting
bracket 710 and attached to the horizontal back mounting plate
720.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of the mounting arrangement
for electric motor 126 as depicted in FIG. 7. The electric motor
may be attached to the mounting plate 720 using attachment means
commonly known to one skilled in the art. The mounting bracket 710
may be attached to the horizontal back mounting plate 720 and
secured to the motor 126 at the bearing assembly section 134.
[0041] FIG. 10 illustrates a heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) system 1000. System 1000 includes a central air
handling HVAC unit 1010 and an associated HVAC controller 1020. The
central HVAC unit 1010 may be operational to provide conditioned
air to one or more interior environments or zones through supply
registers 1050. Air leaves an interior environment zone and is
returned to the central HVAC unit 1010 through return register
1060.
[0042] The HVAC controller 1020 includes switches and indicators
well known to one of ordinary skill in the art to electronically
engage and directly control the internal mechanisms and functions
of the HVAC unit 1010. The HVAC unit 1010 and HVAC controller 1020
may be part of a single modular unit using common housing.
Alternatively, the HVAC unit 1010 and HVAC controller 1020 could be
separately located from each other.
[0043] The registers 1050 may be coupled to HVAC controller 1020
via respective control channels 1090 A-D. The control channels 1090
A-D may be any wired or wireless electrical control medium
including, but not limited to, optical, copper wiring, infrared
(IR) light or radio frequency (RF) or other suitable media. It must
be noted that one supply register 1050, one return register 1060
and/or a plurality of supply registers 1050 and return registers
1060 may be situated in one interior zone, or a plurality of
interior zones depending on customer configuration. Supply
registers 1050 and return register 1060 may include louvers (not
shown) that may be removable or built-in.
[0044] In operation, the central HVAC unit 1010 distributes
conditioned air through supply ductwork 1040 and delivers the
conditioned air through at least one supply register 1050 that may
be situated in an interior location. The air of the interior
location may be returned through a return register 1060 to the
central HVAC unit 1010 through return ductwork 1070. System 1000
may configure the louvers of a supply register 1050 to adjust, i.e.
increase or decrease, the flow of air through the register
1050.
[0045] In one embodiment, system 1000 includes a master thermostat
1030 unit that senses temperature. The master thermostat 1030 unit
may include a switch that controls heating and/or cooling modes of
operation. Master thermostat 1030 unit electronically couples to
the HVAC controller 1020 through control channel 1090M and controls
the operation of the HVAC controller 1020. The control channels
1090 may be wired, wireless or other suitable type of electrical
control media. The HVAC controller 1020 operates the central HVAC
unit 1010 and the register 1050 louvers, corresponding to the
master thermostat 1030 unit setting.
[0046] For example, the master thermostat 1030 unit may be set to
75 degrees Fahrenheit (75.degree. F.). Through its control channel
1090M, the master thermostat 1030 unit may control the HVAC
controller 1020 operation and run the HVAC unit 1010 until the
thermostat 1030 senses conditions at its location have achieved the
desired temperature setting. The HVAC controller 1020 may also
control the louver opening of supply registers 1050 through control
channels 1090. The HVAC controller may open or close the louvers of
the registers 1050 to increase or decrease the flow of air through
the register based on the 75 degrees Fahrenheit setting of the
master thermostat 1030. Once the setting is achieved the HVAC
controller may close the register louvers. The master thermostat
1030 unit may be mounted to a wall or situated at some other
location and may be operated manually or by remote control.
[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a HVAC system 1100
with thermostatically controlled registers 1150. System 1100
includes central HVAC unit 1110, an associated HVAC controller
1120, at least one air supply outlet register 1150 and at least one
air return register 1160. Supply registers 1150 A-D and return
registers 1160 may include louvers (not shown) that may be
removable or built-in. The louvers of the supply registers may
adjust to increase or decrease the supply of air through the
registers.
[0048] System 1100 may include a master thermostat 1130 unit
electronically coupled to the HVAC controller 1120 through control
channel 1190M. System 1100 may also include one or more slave
thermostats 1170 A-C electronically coupled through respective
control channels 1190 A-C to a respective supply register 1150 A-D.
The control channel 1190 may be wired, wireless or other suitable
type of electrical control media. One of ordinary skill in the art
should understand that the system 1100 may be configured to include
multiple slave thermostats and each respective slave thermostat
1170 A-C may control one or more supply registers 1150. The slave
thermostats 1170 A-C are preferably located within the same zone as
the supply register 1150 A-D it controls or may be located in some
other nearby or accessible location. The slave thermostats 1170 A-C
and the master thermostat 1130 may be operated by manual or remote
control.
[0049] In this embodiment, the HVAC controller 1120 operates the
central HVAC unit 1110 in dependence on or corresponding to the
master thermostat 1130 unit setting. The supply register 1150
louvers are adjusted in response to a setting of a slave thermostat
1170 to which it may be electronically coupled.
[0050] For example, the master thermostat 1130 unit may be set to
75 degrees Fahrenheit (75.degree. F.), and the HVAC controller 1020
may run the HVAC unit 1110 until the thermostat 1130 senses
conditions at its location have achieved the desired temperature
setting.
[0051] A zone that is controlled by a slave thermostat 1170 may be
configured to set its own desired temperature to regulate the
temperature of its specific zone of operation. For example,
although the master thermostat 1130 unit may be set to 75.degree.
F., slave thermostat 1170A may be set to 65 degrees Fahrenheit
(65.degree. F). When the 65.degree. F. temperature is reached in
the zone controlled by slave thermostat 1170A, slave thermostat
1170A may completely or partially close the louvers of supply
register 1150A through its control channel 1190A to maintain the
desired temperature by sealing the zone to prevent any additional
conditioned air from entering or by reducing the flow of
conditioned air from the HVAC unit into the zone. Similarly, the
other slave thermostat units, 1170B, 1170C may have temperature
settings that are the same or different from the master thermostat
1130 unit setting. Each slave thermostat 1170 B,C may also control
the opening or closing of the louvers of a respective register 1150
B,C,D through a control channel 1190 B, C depending on its
temperature setting.
[0052] Having thus described the present invention by reference to
certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the
embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in
nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes,
and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and,
in some instances, some features of the present invention may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many
such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by
those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing
description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
* * * * *