SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A MOTORIZED VENT COVERING IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20110269389A1
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Systems Incorporated (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Harmonic Design Inc.
• Inventors: Scharf, Richard, Heald, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 9,322,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 454/258
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/1426 characterised by actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/15 with parallel simultaneously tiltable lamellae
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/1433 with electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/20 Sunlight

Abstract

A motorized vent covering for an air vent of the environment control system, the motorized vent covering comprising an air flow restrictor for controlling air flow through the vent; and an actuator, the actuator including a motor configured to drive the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to provide operating instructions to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the flow of air through the air vent.

Claims

1. A motorized vent covering for an air vent of the environment control system, the motorized vent covering comprising:

an air flow restrictor for controlling air flow through the vent; and

an actuator, the actuator including;

a motor configured to drive the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to provide operating instructions to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the flow of air through the air vent.

2. The motorized vent covering of claim 1, wherein the actuator further includes a power source configured to supply power to the motor and the controller.

3. The motorized vent covering of claim 2, wherein the power source is a battery.

4. The motorized vent covering of claim 1, further comprising a signal sensor configured to receive control signals, and wherein the controller is further configured to control operation motor based on the control signals.

5. The motorized vent covering of claim 4, wherein the control signals are infrared control signals.

6. The motorized vent covering of claim 4, wherein the control signals are radio frequency control signals.

7. The motorized vent covering of claim 1, further comprising a daylight sensor coupled with the actuator, the daylight sensor configured to sense daylight conditions and generate a signal indicative thereof, and wherein the controller is further configured to control operation of the motor in response to the signal generated by the daylight sensor.

8. The environment control system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled with the controller, and wherein the controller controls operation of the actuator in response to temperature data provided by the temperature sensor.

9. The environment control system of claim 1, wherein the air flow restrictor comprises a plurality of louvers, and wherein the actuator further comprises a shaft coupled with the motor and configured to drive the plurality of louvers.

10. A motorized vent covering for an air vent of the environment control system, the motorized vent covering comprising:

a signal sensor configured to receive control signals;

an air flow restrictor for controlling air flow through the vent; and

an actuator, the actuator including;

a motor configured to drive the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to provide operating instructions based on the control signals to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the flow of air through the air vent.

11. The motorized vent covering of claim 10, wherein the actuator further includes a power source configured to supply power to the motor and the controller.

12. The motorized vent covering of claim 11, wherein the power source is a battery.

13. The motorized vent covering of claim 10, wherein the control signals are infrared control signals.

14. The motorized vent covering of claim 10, wherein the control signals are radio frequency control signals.

15. The motorized vent covering of claim 10, further comprising a daylight sensor coupled with the actuator, the daylight sensor configured to sense daylight conditions and generate a signal indicative thereof, and wherein the controller is further configured to control operation of the motor in response to the signal generated by the daylight sensor.

16. The motorized vent covering of claim 10, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled with the controller, and wherein the controller controls operation of the actuator in response to temperature data provided by the temperature sensor.

17. The motorized vent covering of claim 10, wherein the air flow restrictor comprises a plurality of louvers, and wherein the actuator further comprises a shaft coupled with the motor and configured to drive the plurality of louvers.