Variable air volume diffuser and method of operation

• US 10,317,099 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2015
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
• Inventors: Hirsch, Joachim, Minor, Gary A., Hayes, Makavan
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister, Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lin, Ko-Wei
• Application Number:
  US14/688,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20160305677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 454248, 454292, 454300-303
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/10 movable, e.g. dampers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2005/0067 with photovoltaic panels
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/40 Damper positions, e.g. open or closed

Abstract

A variable air volume diffuser and method of operation are disclosed. The system includes an energy harvesting device, a ring-shaped damper and a frame adapted to interface with the ring-shaped damper, wherein the ring-shaped damper is driven by energy harvested from the energy harvesting device.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a ring-shaped damper, comprising:

an energy harvesting device;

the ring-shaped damper, wherein the ring-shaped damper comprises an outer damper wall that defines a central flow path through the ring-shaped damper and a plate coupled to the outer damper wall; and

a frame adapted to interface with the ring-shaped damper, wherein the plate is configured to form an air-tight barrier with a portion of the frame extending around a circumference of the ring-shaped damper to block air flow through the central flow path when the ring-shaped damper is in a closed position, and wherein the ring-shaped damper is driven by energy harvested from the energy harvesting device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a voltage conditioning and storage unit coupled to the energy harvesting device, wherein the voltage conditioning and storage unit is configured to apply overvoltage and undervoltage protection to a storage capacitor.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a controller coupled to the voltage conditioning and storage unit, wherein the voltage conditioning and storage unit is configured to apply overvoltage protection to the controller.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a motor control coupled to the controller, wherein the motor control is configured to actuate a driver that moves the ring-shaped damper to a fully open position if an amount of energy remaining in the storage capacitor reaches a predetermined amount.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer damper wall has a height X.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the outer damper wall has a diameter D.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped damper further comprises a cross-brace support.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped damper further comprises:

a central support ring; and

a cross-brace support coupled the central support ring and the outer damper wall.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped damper further comprises a driver coupled to the ring-shaped damper and the frame, wherein the driver is configured to move the ring-shaped damper away from the frame in a first direction and to move the ring-shaped damper toward the frame in a second direction.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the driver further comprises a screw-shaped drive shaft.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises one or more air vents.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a room air temperature sensor disposed on the frame.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a room air temperature sensor disposed on the ring-shaped damper.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more air vents disposed between the frame and the ring-shaped damper.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a rectangular outer diameter.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to attach to a ceiling.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a supply air temperature sensor coupled to the frame.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a drive shaft frame coupled to the frame; and

a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the drive shaft frame, wherein the ring-shaped damper engages with the drive shaft such that rotational movement of the drive shaft axially displaces the ring-shaped damper relative to the drive shaft frame.

19. A system for controlling a ring-shaped damper, comprising:

a frame comprising a rectangular outer diameter, wherein the frame is configured to attach to a ceiling;

the ring-shaped damper, wherein the ring-shaped damper comprises;

a central support ring;

an outer damper wall defining a central flow path through the ring-shaped damper, wherein the outer damper wall has a height X and a diameter D;

a cross-brace support coupled the central support ring and the outer damper wall; and

a plate secured to the outer damper wall, wherein the plate is configured to form an air-tight barrier with a portion of the frame extending around a circumference of the ring-shaped damper to block air flow through the central flow path when the ring-shaped damper is in a closed position, and wherein one or more air vents are disposed between the frame and the ring-shaped damper;

a driver coupled to the ring-shaped damper and the frame, wherein the driver is configured to move the ring-shaped damper away from the frame in a first direction and to move the ring-shaped damper toward the frame in a second direction, wherein the driver comprises;

a screw-shaped drive shaft; and

a drive shaft frame coupled to the screw-shaped drive shaft and the ring-shaped damper;

an energy harvesting device, wherein the ring-shaped damper is driven by energy harvested from the energy harvesting device;

a room air temperature sensor disposed on the frame or the ring-shaped damper;

a supply air temperature sensor coupled to the frame;

a voltage conditioning and storage unit coupled to the energy harvesting device, wherein the voltage conditioning and storage unit is configured to apply overvoltage and undervoltage protection to a storage capacitor;

a controller coupled to the voltage conditioning and storage unit, wherein the voltage conditioning and storage unit is configured to apply overvoltage protection to the controller; and

a motor control coupled to the controller, wherein the motor control is configured to instruct the driver to move the ring-shaped damper to a fully open position if an amount of energy remaining in the storage capacitor reaches a predetermined amount.