U.S. patent number 3,718,081 [Application Number 05/086,697] was granted by the patent office on 1973-02-27 for control damper construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ruskin Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to James R. Root.
United States Patent |
3,718,081 |
Root |
February 27, 1973 |
CONTROL DAMPER CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A control damper is provided with a pair of transversely
polygonal axle members for mounting the damper vane on a supporting
frame. The axle members are received within complementally
polygonal channels at each end of the damper vane and are held in
the channels by retainer components which bridge the respective
channels. When the axle members are inserted into the channels, the
retainer components are placed under tension to assure a tight
interengagement of the axle members with the vane. A section of the
frame adjacent each axle presents an integral outturned collar
which serves as a bearing surface for a bushing received upon the
end of each axle member. A multiple-flanged sealing member disposed
on the inside of the frame provides for a tight fit between the
vane and the sealing surface of the frame while reducing the
tolerance requirements between the vane and the frame. The frame is
provided with heavy, relatively rigid corner braces which provide
added strength to the frame structure. The frame sections are
rigidly secured to the braces by deforming a portion of the
relative malleable frame section material into appropriate cavities
in the corner braces. Directional control of the damper vane is
achieved through a reversible link which is coupled with an arm
rigid with one of the axle members and also with an actuating
lever. A motor mounting bracket for supporting a prime mover for
the actuating lever is provided by a pair of planar members, each
of which is secured to the damper frame in a flat disposition and
each of which is provided with a line of weakness to allow bending
of the planar members into two perpendicular bracket sections which
have interengaging tab projections.
Inventors: |
Root; James R. (Independence,
MO) |
Assignee: |
Ruskin Manufacturing Company
(Grandview, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
22200278 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/086,697 |
Filed: |
November 4, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/335; 137/269;
49/91.1; 49/74.1; 137/601.06; 137/601.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F
13/15 (20130101); Y10T 137/87467 (20150401); Y10T
137/5109 (20150401); Y10T 137/8745 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F24F
13/15 (20060101); F24f 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;98/4V,110,113,114,121
;49/82,74,91 ;137/601,269 ;251/231,234,308 ;287/52 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: O'Dea; William F.
Assistant Examiner: Ferguson; Peter D.
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and
desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A fluid control damper comprising:
a frame defining a fluid control opening;
a vane having opposed sides for closing said opening,
said vane comprising a blade portion and an integral transversely
polygonal channel section on one side of and at one end of said
blade portion,
said channel section being interrupted along its length by a
channel-spanning opening spaced from the end of said vane;
a complementally polygonal retainer component adapted to be
releaseably inserted into said channel-spanning opening from the
other side of said blade portion to project from the latter in
bridging relationship to said channel section,
said component having a pair of bearing surfaces positioned for
engagement with said other side of the blade portion;
a complementally polygonal axle member received within said channel
section and extending beneath said component to place the component
under tension as said bearing surfaces engage the blade portion
whereby to positively preclude relative movement of said component
in any direction; and
means for rotatably mounting the other end of said vane on said
frame.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said retainer component
presents a complementally polygonal channel-bridging surface for
engagement with said axle member.
3. The invention of claim 1, including second transversely
polygonal channel section at the other end of said vane, said
mounting means comprising a second complementally polygonal axle
member disposed with said second channel section, and wherein is
included a second retainer component releaseably supported by said
vane and projecting from the latter in bridging relationship to
said second channel section, said second component being held under
tension when said second axle member is disposed within said second
channel section whereby to maintain said second member and said
vane in rigid relationship.
4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said channel sections are
separated by a transversely arcuate intermediate channel section
and said vane has a pair of openings therein for placement of said
retainer components into said bridging relationship from the side
of said vane opposite the channel presented by said sections.
5. The invention of claim 4, wherein each of said transversely
polygonal channel sections extends on either side of a
corresponding opening.
6. The invention of claim 3, wherein each of said axle members has
a circumscribing groove therein and each of said retainer
components is provided with a rib for disposition in said groove to
preclude longitudinal movement of the member relative to the
component.
7. The invention of claim 3, wherein said frame includes opposed
structural sections for supporting said axle members, each of said
sections including a planar support surface, and each of said
surfaces being provided with an integral outturned collar
presenting a bearing surface for each of said axle members.
8. The invention of claim 7, wherein is provided an internally
polygonal, externally circular bushing in each of said collars for
receiving a corresponding axle member.
9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said bushing is comprised of a
synthetic resinous material to provide a low friction bearing
surface.
10. The invention of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a sealing
surface adjacent the ends of said vane, and wherein is included a
multiple-flanged resilient sealing member disposed on said surface
for engagement by said vane when the latter is closing said
opening.
11. The invention of claim 10, wherein said frame comprises a first
section of malleable material; a second section of malleable
material; and a linking component disposed in partial overlapping
relationship to each of said sections and having first and second
cavities therein underlying said first and second sections
respectively, said linking component being characterized by a
greater resistance to deformation than said sections, a portion of
the material of each of said sections being deformed into a
corresponding cavity to provide a rigid connection between said
section and said component.
12. The invention of claim 11, said vane being movable from an open
position wherein air can pass through the opening to a closed
position wherein the vane blocks the opening; an arm rigid with and
extending transversely of said axle; link means adapted to be
pivotally coupled with said arm at either of the ends of the
latter; and an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said frame and
pivotally coupled with said link means whereby pivotal movement of
the lever effects rotation of said axle and said vane in one
direction when the link means is coupled with the arm at one end of
the latter and in the opposite direction when said link means is
coupled with the arm at the other end of the latter.
13. The invention of claim 12, wherein is included a first planar
member secured to said framework at one edge of said member, said
member having a line of weakness adjacent said one edge and being
bendable along said line of weakness to present a first bracket
section perpendicular to said frame, said member having a tab
extending from the planar surface of the member; a second planar
member secured to said framework at one edge of said second member,
said second member having a line of weakness adjacent said one edge
and perpendicular to the line of weakness of said first member,
said second member being bendable along said line of weakness to
present a second bracket section perpendicular to said first
bracket section, said second member having a tab extending from the
planar surface of the member and disposed for complemental
engagement with the tab of the first member when said members are
bent to present said bracket sections.
Description
This invention relates to fluid control apparatus and, more
particularly, to a damper for controlling air flow in a
building.
Control dampers have gained widespread useage in recent years in
building construction because of the need to maintain accurate
pressure control while providing adequate ventilation. Since it is
contemplated that the control damper will have a useful life
approaching that of the building itself, it is desirable to
construct the damper in a manner which will permit removal and
replacement of parts should this become necessary. On the other
hand, it is absolutely essential that the damper be constructed in
a sound and sturdy manner so that it does not make disturbing
noises after prolonged use.
It has heretofore been found that it is desirable to secure the
components of the damper frame by a "staking operation" where two
malleable materials are forced into interengagement. An inherent
disadvantage of securing components by staking them together is
that both components must be malleable to the same degree in order
for the staking operation to be successful. Thus, while it would
frequently be advantageous to utilize heavier, relatively rigid
reinforcing components on a damper frame, this has not been
possible without resorting to other types of fasteners such as
screws and bolts which have a much greater tendency to loosen and
rattle than does two staked metal components.
Another problem previously encountered in control damper
construction has been the need to provide mechanism for reversing
the direction of rotation of the damper vanes to meet the varying
requirements of a ventilation system.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a
control damper wherein the component parts are rigidly held in
place without the use of bolts, screws, rivets or other fastening
means which could loosen and rattle.
Another important object of the invention is a control damper which
is constructed with relatively thick, rigid reinforcing members
which are secured to the lighter-weight frame sections without the
use of screws, bolts or rivets.
As a corollary to the above object, an aim of this invention is to
provide relatively rigid reinforcing members at each of the corners
of the damper frame wherein each member has a plurality of cavities
therein for receiving a quantity of the material of the
lighter-weight frame sections to effect rigid interconnection of
the members and the sections.
A further object of the invention is a damper frame wherein a
portion of the frame is formed into an integral outturned collar
which presents a bearing surface for receiving the axles which
support the damper vane.
An important aim of the present invention is also to provide a
damper vane which is mounted on the damper frame by a pair of axle
members which are held rigid with the frame by a pair of brackets
which are placed in tension when the axle members are in place, but
wherein the members are removable to allow replacement and repair
of the vane.
Still another aim of the invention is a control damper wherein a
damper vane is rotatable between opened and closed positions and
wherein the direction of rotation of the damper vane is controlled
by a reversible link coupled with an actuating lever.
Still another object of the invention is a motor mounting bracket
for a control damper wherein the bracket is presented by a pair of
planar members which are secured to the damper frame in a flat
disposition and wherein each member has a line of weakness to allow
it to be bent to present a bracket section which is perpendicular
to the damper frame.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a control damper constructed
according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of
FIG. 1 and illustrating the manner in which the relatively rigid
corner braces are received by the side sections of the damper
frame;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of
FIG. 1 and illustrating the manner in which the damper vane is
secured to an axle member at one end and the axle member mounted on
the damper frame;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of
FIG. 1 with the axle member which is visible in the latter figure
and its associated bearing being removed for purposes of
illustration;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of one corner of the
damper frame with the rigid reinforcing brace received by two
adjacent frame sections as the assembly would appear prior to the
frame sections being deformed into the cavities of the reinforcing
brace;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view similar to FIG. 7 as
the damper frame would appear after a portion of one of the frame
sections has been deformed into the underlying cavities of the
reinforcing brace;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the structure for controlling the
direction of rotation of the damper vane and illustrating in
phantom the alternative positions of the arm, link and lever which
comprise the direction control structure;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 10--10
of FIG. 9 and illustrating the relationship of the damper axle and
the transverse arm of the control structure;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 11--11
of FIG. 9 and illustrating the manner in which the actuating lever
of the control structure is pivotally mounted upon the damper
frame; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 9, with the link of
the control structure having been reversed on the transverse arm to
effect rotation of the associated damper vane in the opposite
direction to that achieved with the apparatus in the position
illustrated in FIG. 9.
FIGS. 13-15 are perspective views illustrating the mounting bracket
at progressive stages of construction.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, wherein the control damper is
designated generally by the numeral 20, it is seen that the damper
20 is comprised of a damper frame which defines a fluid control
opening and is designated generally by the numeral 22; and a
plurality of damper vanes 24. The damper frame 22 is of a
rectangular configuration and includes a pair of opposed end frame
sections 26 and 28 and a pair of opposed side frame sections 30 and
32. Each of the sections 26, 28, 30 and 32 is constructed from a
relatively light-weight malleable material. As best illustrated in
FIG. 2, each of the end sections 26 and 28 is formed with a central
planar bight 34 which is integral with a pair of channel-defining
sections 36 and 38 at each side of the bight 34. The
channel-defining sections 36 and 38 extend longitudinally over the
entire length of the bight 34.
Each of the side frame sections 30 and 32 is identical and includes
a generally parallel longitudinally extending bight portion 40
which is integral with a pair of opposed channel-defining sections
42 and 44. The bight portions 40 provide a pair of planar support
surface as will be explained hereinafter. Each of the sections 30
and 32 is also provided with a plurality of integral, outturned,
aperture-defining collars 46. The collars 46 are preferably formed
by punching out a portion of the bight portions 40. At the corners
of each two adjacent frame sections a pair of relatively thick,
rigid brace members 48 are disposed as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each
of the members 48 has a pair of legs 50 and 52 with the legs 50 of
the members 48 disposed at the upper left-hand corner in FIG. 1,
being telescoped within the channels presented by sections 42 and
44 while the legs 52 are telescoped within the channels presented
by sections 36 and 38. Each of the members 48 is provided with a
pair of shoulders 54 and 56 which extend outwardly from the
respective legs 50 and 52 into abutting relationship with the
terminal ends of the sections 36, 38, 42 and 44 (FIG. 7). A
plurality of cavities 58 which may be through-bores are provided in
each leg 50 and 52 of each of the members 48. After the members 48
are disposed with their legs 50 and 52 telescoped within the
respective channels of the frame sections so as to underlie a
portion of the latter, a quantity of the material which comprises
each of the sections 26, 28, 30 and 32 is deformed into the
underlying cavities 58 of the members 48. This is best illustrated
in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The deformation of the sections 26-32
into the cavities of the members 48 is preferably accomplished by a
pressure punch which actually "cold flows" the section material
into the cavities. It is important that each of the members 48 be
characterized by a greater resistance to deformation than the
sections 28-32 and for this reason the members 48 are constructed
from a relatively thick, rigid material as is best illustrated in
FIG. 2.
Each of the vanes 24 is provided with opposed outwardly extending
blade portions 60 and 62 which are joined by a centrally disposed
axle portion 64. The axle portion 64 includes a longitudinally
extending transversely arcuate intermediate channel-defining
section 66 which separates first and second transversely polygonal
end channel sections 68 and 70. Each of the channel sections 68 and
70 extends on either side of a vane opening 72. The terminal edges
74 and 76 of the blade portions 60 and 62 respectively are curved
to present complimental sealing lips for engagement with the
corresponding lip of an adjacent vane 24.
A pair of retainer components 78 and 80 are inserted through the
openings 72 in each of the vanes 24 from the side of the latter
opposite the channels presented by sections 66, 68 and 70, with the
components 78 and 80 being disposed in bridging relationship to the
channels 68 and 70. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the
components 78 and 80 is provided with a pair of wings 82 and 84
which provide bearing surfaces for engagement with the side of the
vane 24 which is opposite the channel 68. The bridging portion of
each of the retainer components 78 and 80 is transversely polygonal
and is provided with an inwardly projecting central detent 86.
A pair of identical axle members 88 and 90 which are also
transversely polygonal are received within the channel sections 68
and 70 beneath the components 78 and 80. The axle members 88 and 90
are of a size such that a certain amount of force is required to
insert them axially within the channel sections 68 and 70 and when
received within these sections the members 88 and 90 place the
retainer components 78 and 80 under tension with the bearing
surfaces of the wings 82 and 84 engaging the blade portions 60 and
62 of the vane 24 (as clearly illustrated in FIG. 6). Each Each of
the axle members 88 and 90 is provided with a centrally disposed
circumscribing groove 92 as clearly illustrated in the lower
right-hand corner of FIG. 1 for receiving the detent 86 of a
corresponding retainer component 78 and 80. Each axle member 90
extends on either side of an internally polygonal, externally
circular bushing 94 disposed upon the exposed end of each of the
axle members 88 and 90, and the axle members 88 and 90 are in turn
inserted into the appropriate apertures presented by collars 46 as
best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The bushing 94 is preferably
constructed from a synthetic resin material such as Cycoloid to
assure a low friction surface for contact with the bearing surfaces
presented by each of the collars 46.
The interior surfaces of the bight portions 40 which, together with
the bight sections 34 define the outer perifery of the opening
presented by the frame 22, are provided with a discontinuous
sealing strip 96 for effecting a seal between the edges of the
vanes 24 and the frame 22. The configuration of the sealing strip
96 is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein it is seen that a
longitudinally extending base section 98 is provided with a
plurality of outwardly projecting longitudinal flanges 100. The
sealing strip 96 is preferably constructed from a yieldable
synthetic resin material to reduce the tolerance requirements
between the ends of the vanes 24 and the frame 22 while still
assuring a satisfactory seal.
The structure for controlling the direction of rotation of one of
the vanes 24 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9-12 of
the drawings. The structure will be described in the position shown
in FIG. 9. The uppermost axle member 90 is provided with a rigid
transverse arm 102 which projects from opposite sides of the axle
90. The arm 102 is provided with a pair of openings 104 (FIG. 12)
at opposite ends, one of the openings 104 receiving a pivotal
coupling 106 which in turn pivotally mounts a link 108 on the arm.
The link 108 is, in turn, pivotally coupled with an actuating lever
110 which is pivotally mounted upon the frame section 32 by a nut
and bolt assembly 112. A pivotal coupling 114 joins the lever 110
with the link 108. The other opening in the arm 102 receives a
coupling 116 which pivotally mounts a connecting bar 118 on the arm
102.
The next adjacent axle 90 which is immediately below the uppermost
axle 90 is provided with a rigid mounting plate 120 which extends
to one side of the axle 90 and has a pair of openings 122 the
lowermost of which receives a coupling 124 to pivotally mount a
second link 126 which is also pivotally coupled with the bar
118.
The actuating lever 110 is coupled with an appropriate size prime
mover (not shown) and when the lever 110 is moved downwardly into
the position shown in phantom in FIG. 9, the axle 90 and its
associated vane 24 are rotated in a clockwise direction into the
position illustrated in phantom. This clockwise rotation of the
axle 90 and the arm 102 results in a downward movement of the bar
118 which, in turn, exerts a pulling force on the plate 120 through
the link 126 to effect rotation of the lower axle 90 and its
associated vane 24 in a counter-clockwise direction. Thus, the two
adjacent vanes 24 which are associated with the two axle members 90
visible in FIG. 9 are both rotated in a clockwise direction when it
is desirable to open the damper 20 to allow for the passage of air
thereto.
In the alternative arrangement illustrated in FIG. 12, the link 108
is reversed and secured to the end of the coupling 116. In this
manner, when the lever 110 is moved downwardly, the uppermost axle
90 and its associated vane 24 are rotated in a counter-clockwise
direction with the axle 90, the arm 102, and the link 108 assuming
the positions illustrated in phantom in FIG. 12. Under these
circumstances, the lower axle 90 and the plate 120 rigid therewith
are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as the bar 118 is
shifted upwardly upon rotation of the arm 102. Thus, the vanes 24
which are rigid with the upper and lower axle members 90 are
rotated in opposite directions when it is desirable to open the
damper 20 to allow the passage of air therethrough. It is to be
noted that the two openings 122 in the plate 120 allow for an
adjustment of the effective length of the link 126 depending upon
the direction the plate 120 and its associated axle member 90 are
to be rotated.
In order to provide a readily accesible mounting bracket for the
previously mentioned prime mover which operates the actuating lever
110, a pair of planar members 128 and 130 are each secured at one
of their edges to the frame 22 by a plurality of bolts 132 in the
manner illustrated in FIG. 13. The plate 128 is provided with a
vertically extending line of weakness 134 which is adjacent the
edge of the member secured by the bolts 132. At the opposite edge
of the member 128 a tab projection 136 having a centrally disposed
aperture 138 extends from the planar surface 128 at an oblique
angle. The member 130 is provided with a horizontally extending
line of weakness 140 which is adjacent the edge of the member
secured by the bolts 132. The member 130 is also provided with a
tab projection 142 (FIG. 15) which has a centrally disposed
aperture disposed for alignment with the aperture 138. In order to
effect substantial savings in packaging and freight, the members
128 and 130 are shipped to a customer in the disposition shown in
FIG. 13. When the damper 20 is installed, the member 128 is bent
along the line of weakness 134 to present a first bracket section
which is perpendicular to the frame 22 as illustrated in FIG. 14.
The member 130 is then bent along the line of weakness 140 to
present a second bracket section which is perpendicular to the
frame 22 and also perpendicular to the first-mentioned bracket
section as illustrated in FIG. 15. With the members 128 and 130
bent into the positions illustrated in FIG. 15, the aperture 138 in
the tab 136 is disposed in alignment with the corresponding
aperture in the tab 142 thus allowing a coupling means such as a
screw 144 to be inserted into the aligned apertures to complete the
assembly of the mounting bracket.
When the damper 20 is installed in a building for air control
purposes, the opening presented by the frame 22 is selectively
opened and closed by rotation of the vanes 24 as required to
maintain a desired flow of air or air pressure within the building.
Because of the use of the rigid corner brace members 48, the frame
22 is especially strong and is not subject to disrupting noises
because of the manner in which the frame sections are secured to
the members 48. Similarly, the vanes 24 are precluded from
vibrating against the axle members 88 and 90 because of the detents
86 which preclude relative longitudinal movement and the tension
exerted upon the retainer components 78 and 80. In addition, since
it is necessary to provide the transversely polygonal channel
sections 68 and 70 only over a portion of the length of each vane
24, substantial savings in fabrication costs result. Finally, there
is no tendency for the axle members 88 and 90 to rattle within the
frame 22 because the bearing surfaces for the axle members are
provided by the collars 46 which are an integral part of the bight
sections 40.
It will also be appreciated that the present invention contemplates
a method of rigidly joining a malleable material with a substance
having a greater resistance to deformation than said material which
includes the steps of forming a cavity in the substance, placing
the substance into underlying relationship with the material, and
then flowing the material into the cavity.
* * * * *