U.S. patent application number 12/001106 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for variable position low profile shutter valves.
Invention is credited to Gerald M. Goupil, JR., Gregory J. Kowalski, Mark W. Stevenson.
Application Number | 20090149124 12/001106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40380086 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090149124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stevenson; Mark W. ; et
al. |
June 11, 2009 |
Variable position low profile shutter valves
Abstract
A method of mixing air in an HVAC system includes the step of
simultaneously and differentially rotating the valve plates
different degrees of rotation to differentially control air flowing
in the housing. An assembly for controlling air flow in an HVAC
system includes a mechanism for simultaneously and differentially
rotating valves different degrees of rotation. The mechanism
includes a control device on each shaft of each valve including a
pin extending axially from each valve plate. A slide defines a
plurality of serpentine slots with one of the pins slidably
disposed in each of the slots. The slots each follow a path
incongruent from one another for differentially rotating the valve
plates in response to the slide sliding along the guide and the
pins moving along the paths of the slots.
Inventors: |
Stevenson; Mark W.;
(Appleton, NY) ; Goupil, JR.; Gerald M.; (N.
Tonawanda, NY) ; Kowalski; Gregory J.; (Sanborn,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
M/C 480-410-202, PO BOX 5052
TROY
MI
48007
US
|
Family ID: |
40380086 |
Appl. No.: |
12/001106 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/358 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00671 20130101;
F24F 2013/1473 20130101; F24F 13/15 20130101; B60H 2001/00707
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/358 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Claims
1. An assembly for controlling air flow in an HVAC system
comprising; a housing defining a passage for conveying air, a
plurality of valves supported in said housing for rotation between
open and closed positions to control air flowing in said housing,
said valves each including parallel valve plates each having a
shaft, a mechanism for simultaneously and differentially rotating
said valves plates different degrees of rotation.
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanism
includes a means for maintaining at least one of said valve plates
stationary during rotation of remaining ones of said valve plates
for a dwell period.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a control device
on each of said valves.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control device
includes a pin extending axially from each of said valve plates in
spaced and parallel relationship to the respective shaft.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mechanism
includes a slide defining a plurality of slots with one of said
pins slidably disposed in each of said slots.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said mechanism
includes a guide supported by said housing and slidably supporting
said slide.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said slots of said
slide each following a path incongruent from one another for
rotating said valve plates different degrees of rotation in
response to sliding of said slide.
8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said paths of said
slots are serpentine.
9. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shaft of said
valve is rotatably supported in said housing and fixed relative to
said valve plates and said control device includes a lever arm
extending radially from each of shafts of said valves and wherein
said pin extends axially from said lever arm and said lever arms
rotate different degrees of rotation.
10. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide includes
a U-shaped channel defining an open side and a plurality of
brackets partially enclosing said open side of said channel for
restricting movement of said slide in said guide to retain said
slide in sliding engagement with said guide.
11. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said slide has a
plurality of teeth and further comprising a gear rotatably
supported on said frame and including gear teeth engaging said
teeth of said slide for moving said slide rectilinearly along said
guide.
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said valves include
cool air valves and warm air valves.
13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a frame
extending between a first end and a second end transversely to said
passage wherein said guide extends from said first end of said
frame to said second end of said frame and wherein said frame has a
first half defining said first end and a second half defining said
second end and wherein said cool air valves are supported on said
first half of said frame and said warm air valves are supported on
said second half of said frame.
14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said frame has a
first half defining said first end and a second half defining said
second end and wherein said cool air valves are supported on said
first half of said frame and said warm air valves are supported on
said second half of said frame.
15. An assembly for controlling air flow in an HVAC system
comprising; a housing defining a passage for conveying air, a
blower disposed in said housing for blowing the air through said
passage of said housing, an evaporator disposed in said housing for
cooling the air flowing in said passage, a heater disposed in said
housing for heating a portion of the air flowing in said passage, a
frame having a first half defining a first end and a second half
defining a second end and extending transversely to said passage
between said first end and said second end in said housing, a
plurality of cool air valves rotatably supported on said first half
of said frame for rotation between open and closed positions to
control cooled air exiting said evaporator, said cool air valves
including parallel valve plates each having a shaft fixed relative
to said valve plate, a plurality of warm air valves rotatably
supported on said second half of said frame for rotation between
open and closed positions to control heated air exiting said
heater, said warm air valves including parallel valve plates each
having a shaft fixed relative to said valve plate, a control device
disposed on each of said shafts and extending through said frame,
said control device including a lever arm extending radially from
each of said shafts of said valves, said control device including a
pin extending axially from said lever arm in spaced and parallel
relationship to the respective shaft supporting said lever arm, a
mechanism for simultaneously and differentially rotating said valve
plates different degrees of rotation, a means for maintaining at
least one of said valve plates stationary during rotation of
remaining ones of said valve plates for a dwell period, said
mechanism including a slide defining a plurality of serpentine
slots with one of said pins of said control device slidably
disposed in each of said slots for rectilinearly movement adjacent
said valve plates, said mechanism including a guide extending from
said first end of said frame to said second end of said frame and
slidably supporting said slide, said guide being a U-shaped channel
defining an open side and extending between said ends of said frame
and including a plurality of brackets partially enclosing said open
side of said channel for restricting movement of said slide in said
guide to retain said slide in engagement with said guide, said
slide having a plurality of teeth, a gear rotatably supported on
said frame and including gear teeth engaging said teeth of said
slide for moving said slide rectilinearly along said guide between
said ends of said frame, and said slots of said slide each
following a path incongruent from one another for rotating said
lever arms different degrees of rotation thereby differentially
rotating said valve plates in response to rotation of said
gear.
16. An assembly for controlling air flow in an HVAC system
comprising; a housing defining a passage for conveying air, a
plurality of parallel valves rotatably supported in said housing
for rotation between open and closed positions to control air
flowing in said housing, a control device disposed on each of said
valves, a slide defining a plurality of slots with one of said
control devices slidably disposed in each of said slots, and a
guide supported by said housing and slidably supporting said
slide.
17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said control
device includes a pin extending axially from each of said
valves.
18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said slots of said
slide each following a path incongruent from one another for
rotating said shafts of said valves different degrees of rotation
thereby differentially rotating said valves in response to rotation
of said gear.
19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said slots are
serpentine.
20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said valves
include parallel valve plates each having a shaft fixed relative to
said valve plate, and said pin extends axially from each of said
valve plates in spaced and parallel relationship to the respective
one of said shafts and wherein said control device includes a lever
arm extending radially from each of said shafts of said valves and
wherein said pin extends axially from said lever arm and said lever
arms rotate different degrees of rotation.
21. An assembly for as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a
frame extending between a first end and a second end transversely
to said passage wherein said guide extends from said first end of
said frame to said second end of said frame.
22. An assembly for as set forth in claim 21 wherein said slide has
a plurality of teeth and further comprising a gear including gear
teeth engaging said teeth of said slide for moving said slide
rectilinearly along said guide between said ends of said frame with
rotation of said gear.
23. A method of mixing air in an HVAC system of the type including
a housing defining a passage for conveying air, a plurality of
parallel valves plates supported in the housing for rotation
between open and closed positions, and simultaneously and
differentially rotating the valve plates different degrees of
rotation to differentially control air flowing in the housing.
24. A method as set forth in claim 23 including the step of moving
a slide rectilinearly adjacent the valve plates.
25. A method as set forth in claim 24 including converting
rectilinearly movement of the guide to a different degree of
rotation of each respective valve plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an HVAC system.
More specifically it relates to an assembly for mixing hot air and
cooled air in an HVAC system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Vehicle manufacturers are requesting HVAC modules that are
smaller, lower cost, lower mass and require less time to develop.
One of the components that comprise these HVAC modules is the air
distribution and tempering valves. These valves which are found in
production today are manufactured from metal with foam or rubber
for sealing; from plastic with foam or rubber for sealing; or from
fabric that is slid over a smooth plastic surface (i.e. film valve)
in which air pressure pushing the fabric against the plastic
surface provides the sealing. The plastic or metal valves either
rotate about an axis (i.e. butterfly, end pivot) to regulate
airflow through a given air passage or slide within a track (i.e.
guillotine) allowing air to pass through a given air passage. While
the film has take up and let-off shafts that spool and un-spool
material therefore shifting apertures that are cut in the film to
align with openings in the case therefore regulating airflow
through a given passage.
[0005] Typically, these valves are arranged in parallel and rotate
together in a 1:1 relationship. For example, the outer valves may
be linked via a lever to a center valve. The center valve has a
coupler for attachment to an actuator. As the actuator rotates this
valve, the links transfer the motion to the outer two valves
resulting in a 1:1 relationship in angular travel, i.e., all valves
rotate in unison. Generally, there are two sets of valves wherein
one set of valves directs cooled air exiting the evaporator and the
other set of valves directs heated air exiting the heater.
[0006] Examples of such valve assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,254,475, and 6,814,137.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,475 to Danieau et al. describes an air
flow control assembly including a frame carrying pivotable vanes,
which are rotated on parallel axes by a common drive mechanism. The
setting of the vanes is variable between a maximum flow position,
in which the flaps have a minimum inclination with respect to the
direction of air flow through the register, and a no-flow position
in which this inclination is a maximum. The drive mechanism
controls the pivoting of the vanes in such a way that they all
rotate by the same degree of rotation, with adjacent vanes rotating
in opposite directions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0008] The invention provides an HVAC system including a mechanism
for simultaneously and differentially rotating valves plates
different degrees of rotation and method of mixing air in an HVAC
system including the step of simultaneously and differentially
rotating the valve plates different degrees of rotation to control
air flowing in the housing.
[0009] Typical valve assemblies, in which the valves rotate in 1:1
relationship to one another, do not promote mixing of the hot and
cold air causing hot and cold air separations that impact
linearity. The present invention avoids the hot and cold air
separations by improving mixing of the hot and cold air streams
while using a single input to actuate rotation of each valve
plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
invention illustrating the valve plates at different degrees of
rotation;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
invention illustrating the mechanism including a slide having
incongruent slots;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
2 illustrating the warm air valve plates being in a closed
position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating the valve plates at different degrees of
rotation;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2-4 illustrating the lever arms disposed on the shafts of the
valves and the teeth of the slide engaging the gear;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective fragmentary view of an embodiment of
a valve; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective fragmentary view of an alternative
embodiment of a valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, an assembly for
controlling air flow in an HVAC system is generally shown.
[0019] A housing 20 defines a passage for conveying air and a
blower 22 is disposed in the housing 20 for blowing the air through
the passage of the housing 20. An evaporator 24 is disposed in the
housing 20 for cooling the air flowing in the passage. A heater 26
is disposed in the housing 20 for heating a portion of the air
flowing in the passage. A frame 28 is generally indicated and has a
first half 30 generally indicated and defining a first end 32 and a
second half 34 generally indicated and defining a second end 36.
The frame 28 extends transversely to the passage between the first
end 32 and the second end 36 in the housing 20.
[0020] A plurality of cool air valves 38 are generally indicated
and are rotatably supported on the first half 30 of the frame 28
for rotation between open and closed positions to control cooled
air exiting the evaporator 24. The cool air valves 38 include
parallel valve plates 40 each generally indicated and each having a
shaft 42 fixed relative to the valve plate 40 and with a control
device 44 generally indicated and extending through the frame 28.
Similarly, a plurality of warm air valves 46 are generally
indicated and are rotatably supported on the second half 34 of the
frame 28 for rotation between open and closed positions to control
heated air exiting the heater 26. The warm air valves 46 include
like parallel valve plates 40 each generally indicated and also
having a shaft 42 fixed relative to the valve plate 40 and with a
like control device 44 generally indicated and extending through
the frame 28. The cool air valves 38 and warm air valves 46 are
best illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0021] The valve plates 40 of the valves 38, 46 may be thin, flat
plates extending from the shaft 42 and having a uniform thickness
as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the valve plates 40 may have a
thickness which is non-uniform. Specifically, the thickness of the
valve plates 40 may vary wherein the thickness of each valve plate
40 is greatest at the location where the first half 30 of the frame
28 meets the second half 34 of the frame 28 and decreases
outwardly, as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, a portion of the
valve plate 40 located at the center of the shaft 42 has the
greatest thickness and the portions of the valve plate 40 located
at the perimeter of the plates have the smallest thickness. As
shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the valve plate 40 decreases as
it extends radially away from the shaft 42.
[0022] The invention is distinguished by a mechanism 48 generally
shown in FIGS. 2-5 for simultaneously and differentially rotating
the valve plates 40 different degrees of rotation, including zero
degrees, which means one or more valve plates 40 can be retained in
a stationary position. Additionally, one or more valve plates 40
can be retained in a dwell, i.e., can be stationary over a
specified period of time. In other words, the mechanism 48 rotates
each valve plate 40 a predetermined degree of rotation which is
dedicated to that valve plate 40 for a single input, i.e., each
valve plate 40 rotates a predetermined degree different from all
other valve plates 40 in each respective half of the frame 28.
[0023] For example, in an assembly having four valve plates 40 on
each half of the frame 28, a specified input may rotate the valve
plate 40 closest to the control device 44 of the shaft 42 positive
a degrees from an open or axially aligned position, while the next
closest valve plate 40 rotates a+x degrees, the third closest valve
plate 40 rotates a+x+y degrees, and the valve plate 40 closest to a
center of the shaft 42 rotates a+x+y+z degrees. Although the valve
plates 40 in FIG. 5 may appear to be rotated the same degree
because of the perspective, the valve plates 40 are in actuality
rotated different degrees of rotation.
[0024] The preferred embodiment of the mechanism 48 is shown in
FIGS. 2-5, however one skilled in the art will appreciate that many
other combinations of mechanical components made be used to provide
a mechanism 48 for differentially rotating the valves 38, 46. As an
example, a rotary cam (not shown) could be disposed adjacent the
valves 38, 46 wherein the valves 38, 46 (or a lever arm attached to
the valves) slide along the respective slot, trace, groove or
projection within the cam as the cam rotates. Multiple cams with
gear teeth around their perimeter could all rotate simultaneously
while each cam has a different set of projections thereby
differentially rotating the valves 38, 46.
[0025] The preferred embodiment of the control device 44, as best
illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, includes a lever arm 50 extending
radially from each of the control devices 44 of the shafts 42 of
the valves 38, 46. The control device 44 also includes a pin 52
extending axially from the lever arm 50 in spaced and parallel
relationship to the respective shaft 42 supporting the lever arm
50.
[0026] The preferred embodiment of the mechanism 48 includes a
slide 54 defining a plurality of serpentine slots 56 wherein one of
the control devices 44, e.g., one of the pins 52 is slidably
disposed in each of the slots 56 for rectilinearly movement
adjacent the valve plates 40. The mechanism 48 further includes a
guide 58 generally indicated and extending from the first end 32 of
the frame 28 to the second end 36 of the frame 28 wherein the guide
58 slidably supports the slide 54.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the guide 58 is a U-shaped channel 60
that defines an open side and extends between the ends 32, 36 of
the frame 28. The guide 58 includes a plurality of brackets 62
partially enclosing the open side of the channel 60 for restricting
movement of the slide 54 in the guide 58 to retain the slide 54 in
engagement with the guide 58. To actuate the mechanism 48, the
slide 54 has a plurality of teeth 64, as shown in FIG. 5. A gear 66
is generally indicated and rotatably supported on the frame 28 and
includes gear teeth 68 engaging the teeth 64 of the slide 54 for
moving the slide 54 rectilinearly along the guide 58 between the
ends 32, 36 of the frame 28. A motor (not shown) rotates the gear
66.
[0028] The slots 56 of the slide 54 each follow a path incongruent
from one another, as shown in FIG. 2, for rotating the lever arms
50 different degrees of rotation thereby differentially rotating
the valve plates 40 in response to rotation of the gear 66.
Preferably, the slots 56 corresponding to the warm air valves 46
follow a path opposite from, or mirror-images of, the paths
following by the slots 56 corresponding to the cool air valves
38.
[0029] The mechanism 48 includes a means for maintaining at least
one of said valve plates 40 stationary during rotation of remaining
ones of said valve plates 40 for a dwell period. For example, in
the embodiment shown in the Figures, the paths of the certain slots
56 may be arranged such that the respective valve plate 40 remains
stationary for a specified angle of rotation of the input gear
66.
[0030] The invention includes a method of mixing air in an HVAC
system of the type including a housing 20 defining a passage for
conveying air, a plurality of parallel valve plates 40 supported in
the housing 20 for rotation between open and closed positions. The
method is distinguished by the step of simultaneously and
differentially rotating the valve plates 40 different degrees of
rotation to differentially control air flowing in the housing 20.
The slide 54 is moved rectilinearly adjacent the valve plates 40
and the rectilinearly movement of the guide 58 is converted to a
different degree of rotation of each respective valve plate 40.
[0031] In operation, the gear 66 is rotated a specified angle and
direction which slides 54 the slide 54 along the guide 58. As the
slide 54 move relative to the guide 58, the pins 52 in each slot 56
of the slide 54 move along the respective path of the slot 56. As
the pins 52 move along the paths of the slots 56, the lever arms 50
on which the pins 52 are disposed rotate, thereby rotating the
shafts 42 of the valves 38, 46 and the corresponding valve plates
40 fixed to the shafts 42. Because the paths of the slots 56 are
incongruent from one another the pins 52 follow different paths
from one another and the lever arms 50 rotate different degrees of
rotation for each given input rotation of the gear 66. Accordingly,
the invention is distinguished by a mechanism 48 for differentially
rotating the valves 38, 46 including providing the ability to dwell
any desired valves 38, 46.
[0032] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing form the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *