U.S. patent application number 13/624210 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for wireless controlled damper.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alan Manufacturing Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Alan Manufacturing Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard A. Bluestone.
Application Number | 20130068846 13/624210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47879705 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130068846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bluestone; Richard A. |
March 21, 2013 |
WIRELESS CONTROLLED DAMPER
Abstract
A wireless radial damper system includes at least one radial
damper having a motor connected thereto to rotate the radial damper
between an open position and a closed position inside a duct. A
receiver is connected to the motor for communicating with the motor
via a wireless signal. A wireless thermostat remote from the
receiver sends the wireless signal to the receiver which in turn
operates the motor to control the radial damper. The wireless
thermostat allows for the radial damper to be temperature
controlled rather than user controlled. A wireless remote
controller, a wireless wand or some other type of wireless device
may be used in place of a wireless thermostat.
Inventors: |
Bluestone; Richard A.;
(Mayfield Heights, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Alan Manufacturing Inc.; |
Wooster |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Alan Manufacturing Inc.
Wooster
OH
|
Family ID: |
47879705 |
Appl. No.: |
13/624210 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61626122 |
Sep 21, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
236/49.3 ;
236/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/1426 20130101;
F24F 11/56 20180101; F24F 11/0001 20130101; F24F 13/105
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/49.3 ;
236/51 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/053 20060101
F24F011/053; F24F 13/08 20060101 F24F013/08 |
Claims
1. A wireless radial damper system for use with a duct having an
air inlet and air outlet inside the duct, said wireless radial
damper system comprising: at least one radial damper including a
central shaft and radial blades operatively connected to said
central shaft, said radial blades being movable between an open
position for opening the air inlet and air outlet, and a closed
position for closing the air inlet and air outlet; a motor
operatively connected to said central shaft for moving said radial
blades between the open position, the closed position or a position
between the open and closed positions; a receiver operatively
connected to said motor for receiving a wireless signal to control
said motor; and a programmable wireless thermostat for selectively
transmitting the wireless signal to said receiver, wherein said
radial damper system is capable of being temperature controlled
based on the programming of said wireless thermostat.
2. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1, wherein
said motor is an econo spring return motor.
3. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1, wherein
said motor is located within the air inlet and outlet of the
duct.
4. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1, wherein
said motor is located outside of the air inlet and outlet of the
duct.
5. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1 and further
comprising a take off operatively connected to the outside of the
duct for mounting said receiver outside of the duct.
6. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 4 and further
comprising a cable connected from said motor outside of the duct to
said central shaft inside of the duct.
7. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1 wherein
said motor has a rotation angle of 180 degrees.
8. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1 wherein
said thermostat is a wireless remote controller.
9. A wireless radial damper system according to claim 1 wherein
said thermostat is a wireless wand.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/626,122 filed on Sep. 21, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to radial damper systems, and
more particularly to a wireless radial damper system utilizing
various types of motors operatively connected to a wireless
thermostat or wireless remote control.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various types of damper systems are known in the art and are
used to control air flow in ventilation systems of homes,
apartments, warehouses, buildings, etc.
[0006] Dampers vary the volume of air passing through an air
outlet, inlet, or duct but do not significantly affect the shape of
the delivery pattern. Specifically, a radial damper may be used to
cut off central air conditioning (heating or cooling) to an unused
room, or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate
control. Its operation can be manual, mechanical or can include a
motorized gear and coupling system. Radial dampers are advantageous
when there is limited space for installation in and around the air
duct. This is because the radial damper blades rotate clockwise or
counterclockwise within a single plane of the duct. On the other
hand, for example, a single round damper blade must have enough
space to rotate 90 degrees in order to fully open and fully close
the damper, and therefore this rotational movement is not limited
to a single plane inside the duct.
[0007] Manual radial dampers are turned by a handle on the outside
of a duct and thus one must have access to the outside of the duct
in order to adjust the damper. Since most ductwork and ventilation
systems are hidden above finished ceilings or behind walls, manual
dampers are not easily accessible.
[0008] Mechanically activated radial dampers are activated in a
number of ways. One such way is through the use of a cable and is
known as a cable operated damper system, such as those shown in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,702,298 and 7,793,917. A rotary actuation cable is
used to mechanically rotate the damper. In this system, the rotary
actuation cable transmits torque from a remote torque inducing tool
(i.e. a nut driver, a screwdriver, or a knob) to a damper regulator
for regulating the damper. The rotary actuation cable is attached
to the damper using a cable bracket. Another cable bracket may be
used to secure the other end of the rotary actuation cable where
the torque inducing tool is used to operate the damper, which is
remote from the damper. This latter end of the rotary actuation
cable is typically accessible through a ceiling in order to use the
torque inducing tool to control the damper. The actuation cable may
also be accessible through a wall, vent cover, etc., although such
areas are usually close to the ceiling since the rotary actuation
cable cannot be located very far from the damper in order for
rotary actuation cable to function. A cable termination fixture can
be used to cover up this end of the rotary actuation cable at the
ceiling, wall, vent cover, etc.
[0009] In order to adjust the mechanically activated damper
described above, a person must be able to reach the termination
fixture at the ceiling, wall, vent cover, etc. Since most ceilings
are at least eight feet high (and sometimes considerably higher
such as vaulted ceilings), a person must use a step ladder or some
other device to be able to reach the termination fixture. Once
within reach, a cover of the termination fixture must be removed in
order to grant access to the end of the rotary actuation cable.
After the cover of termination fixture is removed, the person must
use the torque inducing tool while standing on the step ladder (or
other similar device) to physically turn the rotary actuation cable
in order to adjust the damper. This position can put strain on the
person's back due to excessive reaching. Additionally, the person
is susceptible to falling off the step ladder since one or both
hands are used to turn the torque inducing tool which may result in
serious injury to the person. Thus, this type of mechanically
activated damper includes a number of safety hazards for a person
when adjusting the damper.
[0010] Another type of damper is a motorized gear and coupling
system, such as those disclosed in U.S. Publication Nos. 2009011373
and 20090181611. These patent publications disclose battery powered
damper systems controlled by a hand held remote with a long cable
from the motor of the damper to a detachable electrical connector
(i.e. a mini power jack) for connection to a corresponding
detachable electrical connector of the hand held remote.
Alternatively, the cable from the motor can be connected to a wall
plate having multiple electrical connections at a surface
interface, and the detachable electrical connector of the hand held
remote is then attached to one of the detachable electrical
connectors at the surface interface to control the damper. Use of
these types of detachable electrical connectors requires a person
to physically plug or unplug the electrical connectors.
[0011] If the hand held remote is connected directly to the motor
of the damper, the cable of the remote control will be exposed at
the ceiling, wall, vent, etc. to wherever the remote control is
stored. This is very unsightly because the cable is visible and
hanging from the ceiling, wall, vent, etc. Additionally, exposed
cables can also be a potential shock hazard. When operated, the
user must be careful not to pull the hand held remote farther than
the cable will reach, since this results in the cable being
disconnected or torn from the motor. If this happens, the person
must reconnect the cable to the motor which can be tedious and time
consuming since the motor is located at the damper, which is not
easily accessible.
[0012] There are also drawbacks to a system where the cable from
the motor is attached to a detachable electrical connection at a
surface interface having one or more jacks or outlets, and the
other cable from the hand held remote is then attached to the
detachable electrical connection at the surface interface to the
respective jack or outlet which controls the damper to be adjusted.
In this instance, the detachable electrical connection at the
surface interface is usually attached at the ceiling, wall, vent
etc. Such location is usually at a height where a person cannot
reach without the use of an elevating device such as a stepladder,
or some type of reaching tool. Once within reach, a cover of the
surface interface must be removed in order to grant access to the
one or more jacks or outlets. Additionally, if the surface
interface includes more than one jack or outlet, the person must
determine which jack or outlet controls the damper to be adjusted,
which may require consulting with a user manual to properly
determine which jack or outlet controls the damper to be adjusted.
As noted earlier with respect to systems having mechanically
activated dampers, this can cause back strain and presents the
danger of falling. Thus, the motorized gear and coupling system
dampers also includes problems and safety hazards for a person when
adjusting the damper.
[0013] One major disadvantage of all of the above activated radial
dampers is that they are only manually controlled by a person.
Thus, a person must physically control the opening and closing of
the radial damper based on "feel." In other words, the person
controls the radial damper based on the temperature that he or she
"feels" in the room and is not based on a specific temperature
reading according to a thermostat. Thus, these radial dampers
according to the prior art are not temperature controlled since
there is no temperature reading associated with the adjustment of
the radial damper.
[0014] Accordingly, there is a need in the art of damper systems
for a device which can control the damper remotely without the use
of cables or wires. Additionally, there is a need for a wireless
damper system which can be controlled at normal user heights
without the need of a step ladder or other similar device. There is
also a need for a wireless damper system which can be temperature
controlled without the need for a user to physically open or close
the radial damper. Such a wireless damper system would utilize a
wireless thermostat which is programmable and easily accessible on
a wall or other similar surface. A wireless remote control,
wireless wand or other wireless remote control device could also be
used in place of a thermostat.
[0015] As can be seen from the foregoing, a need exists for a
wireless damper system which eliminates the above-mentioned
problems, limitations and disadvantages of conventional
mechanically activated dampers and conventional motorized gear and
coupling dampers. It is to this need that the present invention is
directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] As described in the Description of the Prior Art, various
types of damper systems are known in the art and can be activated
in a number of ways to adjust the damper. Such dampers systems
require numerous steps by a user in order to adjust the damper
including potential safety hazards to the user.
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless
damper system which can be remotely operated from virtually
anywhere in a home or building.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
wireless damper system which is easier to install than previous
damper systems.
[0019] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a wireless damper system which can control multiple dampers.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
wireless damper system which can be operated from a wireless remote
control.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
wireless damper which is temperature controlled without the need
for a user to physically open or close the damper.
[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
wireless damper system which can be operated by a wireless
thermostat.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
wireless damper system which does not require the use of an
elevating device, or reaching device to adjust the damper.
[0024] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a wireless damper system which can be used without
requiring access by the user to the damper(s) or items for
adjusting the damper(s).
[0025] The foregoing objects are achieved according to the
preferred embodiments of the invention by the provision of a
wireless damper system which can remotely adjust the damper without
the use of cables or wires.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will emerge from reading the detailed description
hereinbelow of nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and
examining the attached drawings wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a radial damper assembly
according to the prior art showing the radial damper blade in a
fully open position and a cable running to a panel.
[0028] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the damper assembly of FIG.
1A showing the damper blades in a closed position.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wired 8-position panel
layout according to the prior art showing the connection of a
cable.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single position panel
layout according to the prior art showing the connection of a
cable.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wired panel and a
hand-held controller according to the prior art showing the cable
connection between the same.
[0032] FIG. 5A is perspective view of a radial damper according to
the prior art showing the damper blades in a fully open position
and a cable running to a panel.
[0033] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the damper assembly of FIG.
5A showing the damper blades in a fully closed position and a cable
running to a panel.
[0034] FIG. 6A is a perspective view a wireless radial damper
according to the present invention showing the damper blades in a
fully open position.
[0035] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the wireless
radial damper of FIG. 6A showing the various parts of the wireless
radial damper.
[0036] FIG. 7A is a perspective view a wireless radial damper
assembly according to the present invention showing the damper
blades in a fully open position in a duct.
[0037] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the wireless damper
assembly of FIG. 7A showing a wireless thermostat sending a signal
to the wireless damper with an electronics cover removed from the
damper assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Disclosed according to the present invention is a wireless
controlled damper system. The wireless controlled damper system can
be operated by a wireless remote control, a wireless thermostat, a
wireless wand or any other type of wireless device having means to
operate a motor of the damper. In other words, the wireless remote
control, the wireless thermostat, the wireless wand, etc. does not
have a wire or cable connected directly or indirectly from it to
the damper, and specifically to the motor of the damper.
Alternatively, the damper assembly can be controlled with a motor
which controls a normally wired thermostat or zone control
panel.
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 6A to 7B, a temperature controlled
wireless radial damper system 10 is disclosed. Damper system 10
includes a radial damper 30, a motor 50, a receiver 70 and a
thermostat 90. Radial damper 30 includes multiple "bow tie-shaped"
blades 32 which rotate about a central shaft 34. In a fully open
position shown in FIG. 7A with a vertical blade axis, blades 32 are
stacked one on top of another. In a fully closed position shown in
FIG. 7B, blades 32 are adjacent each other and not stacked one on
top of another. To achieve the fully closed position, each blade 32
rotates one full blade position further than the previous adjacent
blade as is known in the art of radial dampers based upon the
rotation of central shaft 34.
[0040] A U-shaped bracket 36 is used for mounting radial damper 30
inside a duct. U-shaped bracket 36 includes a hole 38 in the middle
of bracket to allow central shaft 34 to pass therethrough. U-shaped
bracket 36 is attached to a round starter collar 40. The length of
U-shaped bracket 36 is approximately the same as the inside
diameter of round starter collar 40. U-shaped bracket 36 attaches
to round starter collar 40 using rivets or other known fasteners.
Round starter collar 40 (and radial damper 30) is attached to a
duct (not shown) using techniques known in the art such as by
riveting.
[0041] After central shaft 34 passes through U-shaped bracket,
central shaft 34 connects to motor 50 via a motor shaft 52. Motor
50 includes motor wires 54 which connect to a receiver 70 as
further described below. The motor used with the present invention
can include various types of different motors known in the art, and
can be synchronous or geared. The motor is typically rated at 24
volt but can also include 120 volt. Although various types of
motors are known in the prior art for use with dampers, such
dampers are single blade dampers or rectangular dampers where the
shaft connected to the blade(s) only needs to rotate 90 degrees to
open or close the blades. Therefore, most damper motors known in
the art only have a rotation angle of 90 degrees. However, radial
dampers require a shaft rotation of 180 degrees to achieve the
fully open or fully closed positions. Therefore, motor 50 of the
present invention must have a rotation angle of 180 degrees.
[0042] Motor 50 was modified to rotate from 90 degrees to 180
degrees in order to open and close radial damper 30. The 180 degree
rotation is achieved by adjusting the cams inside the motor that
activate the "open" or "close" limit switches at the end of the
travel (of the cam) which stops the motor. For example, motor 50
could be Model A250-MOC-180 made by eControls, Inc. of Laguna
Hills, Calif. Another type of motor that may be used is an econo
spring-return motor (not shown). This type of motor includes an
automatic spring-return for the damper to return to the fully
closed position.
[0043] Although motor 50 in the present embodiment is located
inside the duct and thus inside the air stream, it may be
preferable for motor 50 to be located outside of the air stream in
order to reduce any blockage of air in the duct. If motor 50 is
located outside of air stream, a short cable (not shown) will need
to connect from motor shaft 54 outside of the duct to central shaft
34 of radial damper 30 inside of the duct. Upon rotation of motor
shaft 54, cable will rotate which in turn will rotate central shaft
34 inside damper assembly 10.
[0044] Receiver 70 in its preferred form includes a radio frequency
("RF") receiver which is attached to motor 50 by motor wires 54 as
shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. RF receivers are well known in the art and
various types can be used with the present invention. RF receivers
pick up an RF signal or radio wave from an RF remote control and
convert it to an electrical signal. The electrical signal then runs
through wires and a connecting block, to radio frequency emitters
(RF emitter) that reproduce the original radio frequency remote
control signal. When the RF remote control signal is received by
the RF receiver 70, motor 50 of radial damper 30 is activated to
control the position of damper blades 32. The RF remote control
signal is advantageous because walls, corners, etc. do not impede
the transmission of the radio waves.
[0045] The RF remote control signal according to the preferred
embodiment has a range of roughly 100 feet. In other words, the
wireless remote control does not have to be in the line-of-sight of
the RF receiver of the damper system. Therefore, a user can control
the operation of the damper assembly without connection between the
wireless remote control and the RF receiver. Thus, the remote radio
frequency control could be around a corner, in a different room or
even a different floor. In the alternative, other types of signals
can be used besides RF signals. For example, an infrared (("IR")
signal and others known in the art could be used as well. However,
an IR signal usually does not have the range of an RF signal and
the IR signal of the IR remote control must be in the line of sight
of the IR motor control. Therefore, an RF signal is preferred.
[0046] In the present embodiment, the RF remote control is
thermostat 90 as shown in FIG. 7B. Thermostat 90 is adjustable and
programmable to control the temperature of a home, office room or
building through a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
system such as a furnace, boiler, air conditioner, etc. as is known
in the art. Thermostat 90 includes an RF emitter (not shown) which
sends an RF signal to receiver 70 when the HVAC system turns on and
off based on the programmed temperature of the thermometer inside
thermostat 90. When receiver 70 receives the RF signal, motor 50
operates to rotate central shaft 34 which activates the opening or
closing of radial blades 32 of damper 30. Therefore, damper system
10 is temperature controlled since it automatically adjusts damper
30 to a fully open position, a fully closed position, or some
position between the fully open and fully closed positions. Of
course damper system 10 can also be controlled based on a user
using a portable RF remote controller or by manually adjusting the
temperature setting on thermostat 90.
[0047] Receiver 70 can be mounted in a number of different places
near the damper assembly, and is preferably located outside of the
airstream and therefore on the outside of damper assembly 10. As
shown in FIG. 7A, receiver 70 is mounted to the damper assembly 10
using a bracket or "take-off" 80 known in the art. Such take-offs
are manufactured by Duratite and Acitvent and can be made from a
number of materials including plastic and galvanized steel.
Take-off 80 is mounted to the outside of round starter collar 40
using fasteners known in the art such as rivets (not shown).
Additional fasteners, such as screws (not shown), are used to mount
receiver 70 to take-off 80.
[0048] Receiver 70 is not limited to any specific location with
respect to damper assembly 10. Receiver 70 may be connected to the
same power source or transformer for motor 50 of damper assembly
10. Thus, the wires from the receiver 70 and to motor 50 can come
from the same transformer (not shown). Both receiver 70 and motor
50 typically require 24 volts and are considered to be of low
amperage. Therefore, the transformer could easily supply power for
multiple units, i.e. more than one motor 50 and receiver 70 for
additional dampers.
[0049] The present invention can also be used with a zone control
panel for controlling multiple radial dampers in multiple rooms
(i.e. zones) of a home or building. In this scenario, multiple
receivers are wired in parallel or in series together in order to
communicate with a single thermostat. If different temperatures are
desired in the different rooms or zones, an additional thermostat
is installed in each room or zone. Therefore, the radial damper in
one zone is controlled by a desired temperature and the radial
damper in another zone is controlled by a different desired
temperature. Thus, a zone controlled system allows for the
independent adjustment of the temperature in each zone.
[0050] In another possible embodiment of the present invention not
shown, a wireless remote control, a wireless wand or any other type
of wireless device could be used in place of thermostat 70. The
wireless remote control, wireless wand or other type of wireless
device would function in a similar manner as thermostat 70. That
is, wireless remote control, wireless wand or other type of
wireless device would include an RF emitter which would send an RF
signal from the wireless remote control, a wireless wand, or other
wireless device to receiver 70, and the damper system would operate
in the same manner as previously discussed.
[0051] Thermostat 70 or wireless remote control, wireless wand, or
other wireless can display additional information other than
temperature, such as battery life, identification of the damper
being controlled, the position of the dampers relative to the fully
open/closed position, and other information. To accommodate these
additional features, thermostat 70 or wireless remote control,
wireless wand, or other wireless may be provided with a visual or
audible display. Thermostat 70 or wireless remote control, wireless
wand, or other wireless may also include a memory to store
data.
[0052] Having described the invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that alterations and modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *