Thermally actuated diffuser

• US 4,491,270 A
• Filed: 01/20/1983
• Issued: 01/01/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acutherm LP (Acutherm)
• Original Assignee: Acutherm LP (Acutherm)
• Inventors: Brand, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/459,469
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49, 236/1 C, 98/40 VT, 165/16, 165/27, 165/28, 165/39, 165/40
• US Class Current: 236/49.5
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/06 Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser

Abstract

An improved thermally actuated diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser comprises four thermal sensor actuators. A first thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room air temperature when cool air is supplied through the duct into the room. A second thermal sensor actuator is responsive to the duct air and is adapted to engage the first thermal sensor actuator when cool air is supplied through the duct and to disengage the first thermal sensor actuator when warm air is supplied through the duct. A third thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room when warm air is supplied through the duct. A fourth thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the duct air temperature and brings the third thermal sensor actuator into engagement when warm air is supplied through the duct and to disengage the third thermal sensor actuator when cool air is supplied through the duct.

Claims

1. In a diffuser of the type for regulating the flow of air from a duct to a room or other space, said diffuser having flow control means for varying the size of an aperture in said diffuser to regulate the flow of air;

first sensor actuator means responsive to a first room air temperature and operatively associated with the flow control means for modulating the flow control means when air of one temperature is supplied through the duct;

second sensor actuator means responsive to the duct air temperature;

wherein the improvement comprising;

said second sensor actuator means for engaging said first sensor actuator means with said flow control means when air of said one temperature is supplied through the duct and for disengaging said first sensor actuator means with said flow control means when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct;

third sensor actuator means responsive to a second room air temperature and operatively associated with the flow control means for modulating the flow control means when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct; and

fourth sensor actuator means responsive to the duct air temperature and for engaging said third sensor actuator means with said flow control means when air of said another temperature is supplied through the duct and for disengaging said third sensor actuator means with said flow control means when air of one temperature is supplied through the duct.

2. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein said one temperature is cooler than said another temperature.

3. The diffuser of claim 2, wherein said first room air temperature is warmer than said second room air temperature.

4. A diffuser for regulating the volume of flow of air from a duct to a room or other space, comprising:

flow control means for varying the size of an aperture in the diffuser to regulate the volume flow of air from the duct through the diffuser and into the room or other space;

first sensor actuator means responsive to a first room air temperature and operatively associated with the flow control means for modulating the flow control means in a normally closed to open mode of operation in response to changes in room temperature when air of one temperature is supplied through the duct;

second sensor actuator means responsive to a first duct air temperature for disengaging said first sensor actuator means with the flow control means when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct;

third sensor actuator means responsive to a second room air temperature and operatively associated with the flow control means for modulating the flow control means in a normally open to closed mode of operation in response to changes in room temperature when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct; and

fourth sensor actuator means responsive to a second duct air temperature for engaging said third sensor actuator means with the flow control means when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct.

5. The diffuser of claim 4, wherein said another temperature is warmer than said one temperature.

6. The diffuser of claim 5, wherein said first duct air temperature is cooler than said second duct air temperature.

7. The diffuser of claim 6, wherein said first room air temperature is warmer than said second room air temperature.

8. A diffuser for regulating the volume of flow of air from a duct to a room or other space, comprising:

flow control means for varying the size of an aperture in the diffuser to regulate the volume flow of air from the duct through the diffuser and into the room or other space;

first sensor actuator means responsive to a first room air temperature and operatively associated with the flow control means for modulating the flow control means in a normally closed to open mode of operation in response to changes in room temperature when air of one temperature is supplied through the duct;

second sensor actuator means responsive to duct air temperature for opening said aperture when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct;

said another temperature warmer than said one temperature;

said first sensor actuator means for closing said aperture and for reopening it in response to air of another temperature supplied to said room;

said first sensor actuator being disengaged from said flow control means;

third sensor actuator means responsive to a second room air temperature and operatively associated with the flow control means for modulating the flow control means in a normally open to closed mode of operation in response to changes in room temperature when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct; and

fourth sensor actuator means responsive to duct air temperature for engaging said third sensor actuator means with said flow control means when air of another temperature is supplied through the duct.