Low-power wireless inflatable bladder damper for forced air heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
First Claim
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1. A damper device comprising:
- an inflatable bladder having an inflation level;
a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder;
a pump coupled to the valve;
a wireless device for receiving control information; and
a self-contained power source;
wherein the inflation level of the inflatable bladder is adjustable to restrict varying amounts of airflow in an airflow channel.
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Abstract
A low-power, wireless, inflatable bladder damper device for controlling the flow of air through an airflow channel, and a method of operation for the same. Rather than requiring power supply and/or control wiring for operation of a wireless damper device, a low-power inflatable bladder damper device that requires no external wiring for operation can be used. A completely wireless damper device can reduce the cost of installation of damping devices in airflow channels, as well as the complexity of installation, while at the same time providing improved control of airflow throughout an airflow system.
41 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A damper device comprising:
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an inflatable bladder having an inflation level;
a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder;
a pump coupled to the valve;
a wireless device for receiving control information; and
a self-contained power source;
wherein the inflation level of the inflatable bladder is adjustable to restrict varying amounts of airflow in an airflow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An airflow control system comprising:
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a damper device comprising;
an inflatable bladder having an inflation level;
a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder;
a pump coupled to the valve;
a wireless device for receiving control information; and
a self-contained power source;
a programmable device for programming a desired level of at least one air property measure; and
a sensing device comprising;
at least one sensor for measuring at least one air property; and
a wireless transmitter for sending control information to the wireless device for use in controlling the damper device;
wherein the inflation level of the inflatable bladder is adjustable to restrict varying amounts of air in an airflow channel - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. In an HVAC system having a bladder-type damper, the bladder-type damper including a valve, a micro-pump, a self-contained power source, and a wireless device for receiving damper control information, a method for controlling airflow comprising the steps of:
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powering the wireless device using the self-contained power source so as to enable the wireless device to receive the control information;
receiving at the wireless device the control information; and
powering the bladder-type damper using the self-contained power source so as to effect an adjustment in the bladder-type damper to control air flow in a channel - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification