Airflow Control Assembly

Abstract

An airflow control assembly for selectively controlling room temperature includes a plurality of vent covers. Each vent cover is configured to fluidically couple to a conduit of a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system of a building. A first power module and an actuator are coupled to the first housing. A plurality of louvers is pivotally coupled to and extends between opposing edges of an orifice positioned in a front of the first housing. The actuator is operationally coupled to the louvers and the first power module. A thermometer is coupled to the front of the housing. A controller is operationally coupled to the plurality of vent covers and the HVAC system. The controller is configured to compel an associated actuator to selectively rotate the louvers to open and close the orifice to regulate airflow through the vent cover to maintain a desired temperature proximate to the first housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

[0004] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[0006] The disclosure and prior art relates to control assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new control assembly for selectively controlling room temperature.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a plurality of vent covers. Each vent cover is configured to couple to a conduit of a heating, ventilation, and cooling system of a building. Each vent cover comprises a first housing. The first housing has a back that is open. A first power module and an actuator are coupled to the first housing. An orifice is positioned in a front of the first housing. A plurality of louvers is pivotally coupled to and extends between opposing edges of the orifice. The actuator is operationally coupled to the louvers and the first power module. A thermometer is coupled to the front of the housing. The thermometer is configured to measure a temperature proximate to the first housing. A controller is operationally coupled to the plurality of vent covers and the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building. The controller is configured to receive the temperature from a respective thermometer and to compel an associated actuator to selectively rotate the louvers to open and close the orifice to regulate airflow through the vent cover to maintain a desired temperature proximate to the first housing.

[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0009] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0010] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an in-use view of an airflow control assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new control assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0016] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the airflow control assembly 10 generally comprises a plurality of vent covers 12. Each vent cover 12 is configured to fluidically couple to a conduit of a heating, ventilation, and cooling system of a building. Each vent cover 12 comprises a first housing 14 that defines an internal space 16. The first housing 14 has a back 18 that is open.

[0017] A first power module 20 is coupled to the first housing 14 and positioned in the internal space 16. In one embodiment, the first power module 20 comprises at least one first battery 22.

[0018] An orifice 24 is positioned in a front 26 of the first housing 14. A plurality of louvers 28 is pivotally coupled to and extends between opposing edges 30 of the orifice 24. The louvers 28 are positioned in the internal space 16.

[0019] An actuator 32 is coupled to the first housing 14 and is positioned in the internal space 16. The actuator 32 is operationally coupled to the louvers 28 and the first power module 20. The actuator 32 is positioned to selectively rotate the louvers 28 to open and close the orifice 24 to regulate airflow through the vent cover 12.

[0020] A first transceiver 34 is coupled to the first housing 14 and is operationally coupled to the first power module 20 and the actuator 32. A thermometer 36 is coupled to the front 26 of the housing. The thermometer 36 is configured to measure a temperature proximate to the first housing 14. In one embodiment, the thermometer 36 is digital. The thermometer 36 is operationally coupled to the first power module 20 and the first transceiver 34.

[0021] A filter 38 is coupled to the first housing 14 and is positioned in the internal space 16. The filter 38 is positioned to cover the orifice 24 to filter the air that flows through the first housing 14. An airflow sensor 40 is coupled to the first housing 14. The airflow sensor 40 is operationally coupled to the first power module 20 and the first transceiver 34. The airflow sensor 40 is configured to determine a measurement of the airflow through the first housing 14 and to communicate the measurement of the airflow to the first transceiver 34.

[0022] A humidity sensor 42 is coupled to the front 26 of the first housing 14. The humidity sensor 42 is operationally coupled to the first power module 20 and the first transceiver 34. The humidity sensor 42 is configured to determine a humidity level proximate the first housing 14 and to communicate the humidity level to the first transceiver 34.

[0023] A controller 44 is operationally coupled to the plurality of vent covers 12 and the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building. The controller 44 is configured to receive the temperature from a respective thermometer 36 and to compel an associated actuator 32 to selectively rotate the louvers 28 to open and close the orifice 24 to regulate the airflow through the vent cover 12.

[0024] In one embodiment, the controller 44 comprises a second housing 46 that defines an interior space 48. A second power module 50 is coupled to the second housing 46 and is positioned in the interior space 48. In one embodiment, the second power module 50 comprises at least one second battery 52.

[0025] A microprocessor 54 is coupled to the second housing 46 and is positioned in the interior space 48. The microprocessor 54 is operationally coupled to the second power module 50. A display 56 is coupled to the second housing 46. The display 56 is touch-enabled. The display 56 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 54. The display 56 is configured to input commands for each of the plurality of vent covers 12, and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building, into the microprocessor 54.

[0026] A second transceiver 58 is coupled to the second housing 46 and is positioned in the interior space 48. The second transceiver 58 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 54. The second transceiver 58 is wirelessly coupled to each first transceiver 34. The second transceiver 58 is positioned to communicate commands from the microprocessor 54 to a respective first transceiver 34. The respective first transceiver 34 is positioned to communicate the commands to the actuator 32. The actuator 32 is positioned to selectively rotate the louvers 28 to open and close the orifice 24 to regulate the airflow through the vent cover 12 to maintain the desired temperature and a desired humidity level proximate to the first housing 14.

[0027] The second transceiver 58 is positioned to receive the temperature, the humidity level, and the measurement of the airflow from the respective first transceiver 34 and to relay the temperature, the humidity level, and the measurement of the airflow to the microprocessor 54.

[0028] A first button 60 is coupled to the second housing 46. The first button 60 is depressible. The first button 60 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 54. The first button 60 is configured to be depressed to communicate a hold command to the microprocessor 54.

[0029] A second button 62 is coupled to the second housing 46. The second button 62 is depressible. The second button 62 is operationally coupled to the microprocessor 54. The second button 62 is configured to be depressed to select a respective vent cover 12.

[0030] A third button 64 and a fourth button 66 are coupled to the second housing 46. The third button 64 and the fourth button 66 are depressible. The third button 64 and the fourth button 66 are operationally coupled to the microprocessor 54. The third button 64 is configured to be depressed to increase a setpoint for the respective vent cover 12. The fourth button 66 is configured to be depressed to decrease the setpoint for the respective vent cover 12.

[0031] Programming code 68 is positioned on at least one electronic device of a user. The programming code 68 is configured to compel the at least one electronic device to mirror the display 56. The at least one electronic device is configured to input commands for each of the plurality of vent covers 12, and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building, into the microprocessor 54.

[0032] In use, the second transceiver 58 is positioned to communicate the commands from the microprocessor 54 to the respective first transceiver 34. The respective first transceiver 34 is positioned to communicate the commands to the actuator 32. The actuator 32 is positioned to selectively rotate the louvers 28 to open and close the orifice 24 to regulate the airflow through the vent cover 12 to maintain the desired temperature and the desired humidity level proximate to the first housing 14. The second transceiver 58 is positioned to receive the temperature, the humidity level, and the measurement of the airflow from the respective first transceiver 34 and to relay the temperature, the humidity level, and the measurement of the airflow to the microprocessor 54. The programming code 68 is configured to compel the at least one electronic device to mirror the display 56. The at least one electronic device is configured to input commands for each of the plurality of vent covers 12, and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building, into the microprocessor 54.

[0033] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. An airflow control assembly comprising: a plurality of vent covers, each said vent cover being configured for fluidically coupling to a conduit of a heating, ventilation, and cooling system of a building, each said vent cover comprising: a first housing defining an internal space, said first housing having a back, said back being open, a first power module coupled to said first housing and positioned in said internal space, an orifice positioned in a front of said first housing, a plurality of louvers pivotally coupled to and extending between opposing edges of said orifice, said louvers being positioned in said internal space, an actuator coupled to said first housing and positioned in said internal space, said actuator being operationally coupled to said louvers and said first power module, wherein said actuator is positioned on said first housing such that said actuator is positioned for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating airflow through said vent cover, and a thermometer coupled to said front of said housing, wherein said thermometer is positioned on said housing such that said thermometer is configured for measuring a temperature proximate to said first housing; and a controller operationally coupled to said plurality of vent covers and the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building, said controller being configured for receiving the temperature from a respective said thermometer and for compelling an associated said actuator for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating the airflow through said vent cover for maintaining a desired temperature proximate to said first housing.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further including said first power module comprising at least one first battery.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first transceiver coupled to said first housing and operationally coupled to said first power module and said actuator; and said thermometer being digital, said thermometer being operationally coupled to said first power module and said first transceiver.

4. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising: a filter coupled to said first housing and positioned in said internal space, said filter being positioned for opening and closing said orifice for filtering air flowing through said first housing; an airflow sensor coupled to said first housing, said airflow sensor being operationally coupled to said first power module and said first transceiver; and wherein said airflow sensor is positioned in said first housing such that said airflow sensor is configured for determining a measurement of the airflow through said first housing and for communicating the measurement of the airflow to said first transceiver.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further including a humidity sensor coupled to said front of said first housing, said humidity sensor being operationally coupled to said first power module and said first transceiver, wherein said humidity sensor is positioned in said first housing such that said humidity sensor is configured for determining a humidity level proximate said first housing and for communicating the humidity level to said first transceiver.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further including said controller comprising: a second housing defining an interior space; a second power module coupled to said second housing and positioned in said interior space; a microprocessor coupled to said second housing and positioned in said interior space, said microprocessor being operationally coupled to said second power module; a display coupled to said second housing, said display being touch-enabled, said display being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said display is positioned on said housing such that said display is configured for inputting commands for each of said plurality of vent covers and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building into said microprocessor; a second transceiver coupled to said second housing and positioned in said interior space, said second transceiver being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, said second transceiver being wirelessly coupled to each said first transceiver; and wherein said second transceiver is positioned in said second housing such that said second transceiver is positioned for communicating commands from said microprocessor to a respective said first transceiver, wherein said respective said first transceiver is positioned for communicating the commands to said actuator such that said actuator is positioned for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating the airflow through said vent cover for maintaining the desired temperature and a desired humidity level proximate to said first housing, wherein said second transceiver is positioned for receiving the temperature, the humidity level and the measurement of the airflow from said respective said first transceiver and for relaying temperature, humidity level and the measurement of the airflow to said microprocessor.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further including said second power module comprising at least one second battery.

8. The assembly of claim 6, further including a first button coupled to said second housing, said first button being depressible, said first button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said first button is positioned on said second housing such that said first button is configured for depressing for communicating a hold command to said microprocessor.

9. The assembly of claim 6, further including a second button coupled to said second housing, said second button being depressible, said second button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said second button is positioned on said second housing such that said second button is configured for depressing selecting a respective said vent.

10. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising: a third button coupled to said second housing, said third button being depressible, said third button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor; a fourth button coupled to said second housing, said fourth button being depressible, said fourth button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor; and wherein said third button is positioned on said second housing such that said third button is configured for depressing for increasing a setpoint for said respective said vent, wherein said fourth button is positioned on said second housing such that said fourth button is configured for depressing for decreasing the setpoint for said respective said vent

11. The assembly of claim 6, further including programming code positioned on at least one electronic device of a user, said programming code being configured for compelling the at least one electronic device for mirroring said display such that the at least one electronic device is configured for inputting commands for each of said plurality of vent covers and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building into said microprocessor.

12. An airflow control assembly comprising: a plurality of vent covers, each said vent cover being configured for fluidically coupling to a conduit of a heating, ventilation, and cooling system of a building, each said vent cover comprising: a first housing defining an internal space, said first housing having a back, said back being open, a first power module coupled to said first housing and positioned in said internal space, said first power module comprising at least one first battery, an orifice positioned in a front of said first housing, a plurality of louvers pivotally coupled to and extending between opposing edges of said orifice, said louvers being positioned in said internal space, an actuator coupled to said first housing and positioned in said internal space, said actuator being operationally coupled to said louvers and said first power module, wherein said actuator is positioned on said first housing such that said actuator is positioned for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating airflow through said vent cover, a first transceiver coupled to said first housing and operationally coupled to said first power module and said actuator, a thermometer coupled to said front of said housing, wherein said thermometer is positioned on said housing such that said thermometer is configured for measuring a temperature proximate to said first housing, said thermometer being digital, said thermometer being operationally coupled to said first power module and said first transceiver, a filter coupled to said first housing and positioned in said internal space, said filter being positioned for covering said orifice for filtering air flowing through said first housing, an airflow sensor coupled to said first housing, said airflow sensor being operationally coupled to said first power module and said first transceiver, wherein said airflow sensor is positioned in said first housing such that said airflow sensor is configured for determining a measurement of the airflow through said first housing and for communicating the measurement of the airflow to said first transceiver, and a humidity sensor coupled to said front of said first housing, said humidity sensor being operationally coupled to said first power module and said first transceiver, wherein said humidity sensor is positioned in said first housing such that said humidity sensor is configured for determining a humidity level proximate said first housing and for communicating the humidity level to said first transceiver; a controller operationally coupled to said plurality of vent covers and the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building, said controller being configured for receiving the temperature from a respective said thermometer and for compelling an associated said actuator for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating the airflow through said vent cover, said controller comprising: a second housing defining an interior space, a second power module coupled to said second housing and positioned in said interior space, said second power module comprising at least one second battery, a microprocessor coupled to said second housing and positioned in said interior space, said microprocessor being operationally coupled to said second power module, a display coupled to said second housing, said display being touch-enabled, said display being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said display is positioned on said housing such that said display is configured for inputting commands for each of said plurality of vent covers and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building into said microprocessor, a second transceiver coupled to said second housing and positioned in said interior space, said second transceiver being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, said second transceiver being wirelessly coupled to each said first transceiver, wherein said second transceiver is positioned in said second housing such that said second transceiver is positioned for communicating commands from said microprocessor to a respective said first transceiver, wherein said respective said first transceiver is positioned for communicating the commands to said actuator such that said actuator is positioned for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating the airflow through said vent cover for maintaining the desired temperature and a desired humidity level proximate to said first housing, wherein said second transceiver is positioned for receiving the temperature, the humidity level and the measurement of the airflow from said respective said first transceiver and for relaying the temperature, the humidity level and the measurement of the airflow to said microprocessor, a first button coupled to said second housing, said first button being depressible, said first button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said first button is positioned on said second housing such that said first button is configured for depressing for communicating a hold command to said microprocessor, a second button coupled to said second housing, said second button being depressible, said second button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said second button is positioned on said second housing such that said second button is configured for depressing selecting a respective said vent, a third button coupled to said second housing, said third button being depressible, said third button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said third button is positioned on said second housing such that said third button is configured for depressing for increasing a setpoint for said respective said vent, and a fourth button coupled to said second housing, said fourth button being depressible, said fourth button being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said fourth button is positioned on said second housing such that said fourth button is configured for depressing for decreasing the setpoint for said respective said vent; programming code positioned on at least one electronic device of a user, said programming code being configured for compelling the at least one electronic device for mirroring said display such that the at least one electronic device is configured for inputting commands for each of said plurality of vent covers and for the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of the building into said microprocessor; and wherein said second transceiver is positioned in said second housing such that said second transceiver is positioned for communicating the commands from said microprocessor to said respective said first transceiver, wherein said respective said first transceiver is positioned for communicating the commands to said actuator such that said actuator is positioned for selectively rotating said louvers for opening and closing said orifice for regulating the airflow through said vent cover for maintaining the desired temperature and the desired humidity level proximate to said first housing, wherein said second transceiver is positioned for receiving the temperature, the humidity level and the measurement of the airflow from said respective said first transceiver and for relaying the temperature, the humidity level and the measurement of the airflow to said microprocessor, wherein said programming code is configured for compelling the at least one electronic device for mirroring said display such that the at least one electronic device is configured for inputting commands for each of said plurality of vent covers and for the heating, ventilation and cooling system of the building into said microprocessor.

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