Remotely activated opposing/aiding air flow control register

• US 5,533,668 A
• Filed: 05/01/1995
• Issued: 07/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Turbo Guaranty Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hampton Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Erikson, Evans W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, Harold
• Application Number:
  US08/432,609
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 137/802, 236/49.3, 236/51, 415/910, 417/315, 417/326, 454/256, 454/258, 454/292, 454/297, 454/338
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/08 Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates F24F7/013, F24F13/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/044 Systems in which all treatment is given in the central station, i.e. all-air systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 415/91 Reversible between pump and motor use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9682 Miscellaneous

Abstract

A bi-directional airflow controllable system for controlling flow of air through an air circulating system to at least one zone an air temperature of which is to be controlled is coupled to an airflow duct to aid or oppose airflow throughout the duct and the system to the zone. The bi-directional airflow controllable system includes a fan positioned to interact with air moving through the system and the duct. The fan is coupled to a motor to be energized to drive the fan in a forward or reverse direction. The fan when driven by the energized motor in a forward direction creates air pressure from the fan to oppose the flow of air from the airflow duct. The fan when driven by the energized motor in a reverse direction aids the flow of air from the airflow duct. A bi-directional airflow control unit is electrically coupled to the motor. The bi-directional airflow control unit is responsive to a desired temperature in the zone to cause the motor to be energized in a forward direction to oppose flow through the system until the desired zone temperature is attained. The control unit is additionally responsive to the desired temperature in the zone to cause the motor to be energized in a reverse direction to aid the airflow through the system until the desired zone temperature is attained.

Claims

1. A bi-directional airflow controllable system for controlling flow of air through an air circulating system to at least one zone an air temperature of which is to be controlled, said bi-directional air flow controllable system comprising:

a bi-directional fan control means to power a motor driven fan in one direction to oppose air flow when more air is being provided than is needed to control air temperature in said zone,

said bi-directional fan control means providing power to said motor driven fan in an opposite direction to reverse fan rotation and thereby aid the flow of air when more air is needed to control temperature in said zone than is being provided.

2. A bi-directional air flow controllable system for controlling flow of air through the system to at least one zone an air temperature of which is to be controlled, said bi-directional airflow system is coupled to an airflow duct to aid or oppose air flow throughout said duct and said system to said zone, said bi-directional air flow controllable system comprising:

a fan positioned to interact with air moving through said system and said duct, said fan coupled to a motor to be energized to drive the fan in a forward or reverse direction, said fan when driven by said energized motor in a forward direction creates air pressure from the fan to oppose the flow of air from the airflow duct, said fan when driven by said energized motor in a reverse direction aids the flow of air from the air flow duct,

a bi-directional air flow control means electrically coupled to said motor,

said bi-directional air flow control means is responsive to a desired temperature in said zone to cause said motor to be energized in a forward direction to oppose flow through said system until said desired zone temperature is attained, said control means additionally responsive to said desired temperature in said zone to cause said motor to be energized in a reverse direction to aid the air flow through said system until said desired zone temperature is attained.

3. A method for bi-directional air flow control in an air circulating system that provides air flow in a given direction, comprising the steps of:

a) placing a motor driven fan in said air circulating system in such a manner that said fan when driven by the motor in one direction creates pressure in a direction opposing said given direction of air flow;

said fan when driven by the motor in an opposite direction reduces pressure in a direction which aids air flow in said given direction of air flow,

b) activating said motor to drive said fan in said one direction to cause said air flow moving in said given direction to be diminished because of said opposing pressure, and

c) activating said motor to drive said fan in said opposite direction to cause said air flow moving in said given direction to be aided because of said reduced pressure.