Wireless damper and duct fan system

• US 6,364,211 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saleh A. Saleh
• Original Assignee: Saleh A. Saleh
• Inventors: Saleh, Saleh A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/651,405
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49.3, 236/51, 165/217, 165/212, 165/214
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• 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 2013/1433 with electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

A temperature regulating apparatus comprising, an airflow rate controller to increase or decrease the flow of air supplied from a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system exiting a duct into a selected area, a portable programmable thermostat and radio frequency transmitter, the transmitter transmitting a radio frequency command signal in response to the thermostat detecting a difference between the ambient temperature and the programmed temperature setting, a radio frequency receiver which supplies power to the airflow rate controller upon receiving the radio frequency command signal from the radio frequency transmitter, a channel selector switch assembly providing a number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver, and at least two thermostatic switch for deactivating the airflow rate controller when the duct air temperature is within a predetermined upper and lower temperature range.

Claims

1. A retrofit temperature regulating apparatus independently regulating airflow from a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system comprising:

a housing, the housing having at least one tapered end for connection to an existing duct of a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system;

means for controlling the rate of airflow supplied from the central heating ventilation and air conditioning system exiting a duct into a selected area within the housing operating independently from the central heating ventilation and air conditioning system airflow controls;

means for transmitting a radio frequency command signal in response to a change in temperature from a predetermined setting;

means for receiving the radio frequency command signal transmitted from the transmitting means connected to an outer surface of the housing, the radio frequency receiving means supplying power to the airflow rate regulating means; and

means for selecting the radio frequency transmission code to be transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving means respectively connected to the radio frequency receiving means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the rate of airflow is a damper comprising a housing, a blade pivotally mounted within the housing, a motor to rotate the blade about its pivotal axis to an open position when supplied with power, and a return spring biasing the blade in a closed position when the motor is not in operation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the damper further comprises a pressure relief system preventing the blade to return to a fully closed position to minimize pressure build up within the duct system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the rate of airflow is a damper comprising a housing, a blade pivotally mounted within the housing, a motor to rotate the blade about its pivotal axis to a closed position when supplied with power, and a return spring biasing the blade in an open position when the motor is not in operation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the rate of airflow is a duct fan comprising a housing, and a motorized fan mounted within the housing, the motor rotating the fan when supplied with power.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting a radio frequency command signal comprises a portable programmable thermostat and radio frequency transmitter, the transmitter transmitting a radio frequency command signal in response to the thermostat detecting a difference between the ambient temperature and the programmed temperature setting.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for receiving the radio frequency command signal comprises a radio frequency receiver, which supplies power to the airflow rate controlling means upon receiving a radio frequency command signal from the transmitting means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for selecting the radio frequency transmission code comprises a channel selector switch assembly, the switch assembly having an n number of switches providing 2ⁿ number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the number of switches equals four, and the number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving means is sixteen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for deactivating the regulating means when the duct air temperature is between a selected upper and lower temperature range.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the selected upper and lower temperature range is about 125°

F. to about 55°

F., and more preferably, in a temperature range of about 88°

F. to about 65°

F.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for deactivating the regulating means comprises at least two thermostatic switches.

13. A retrofit temperature regulating apparatus independently regulating airflow from a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system comprising:

a housing, the housing having at least one tapered end for connection to an existing duct of a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system;

an airflow rate controller within the housing to increase or decrease the flow of air supplied from a central heating ventilation and air conditioning system exiting a duct into a selected area, the controller operating independently from the central heating ventilation and air conditioning system airflow controls;

a portable programmable thermostat and radio frequency transmitter, the transmitter transmitting radio frequency command signals in response to the thermostat detecting a difference between the ambient temperature and the programmed temperature setting;

a radio frequency receiver connected to an exterior surface of the housing which supplies power to the airflow rate controller upon receiving a radio frequency command signal from the radio frequency transmitter; and

a channel selector switch assembly connected to the radio frequency receive providing a number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the channel selector switch assembly is comprised of four switches, and the number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving means is sixteen.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising at least two thermostatic switches for deactivating the airflow rate controller when the duct air temperature is between a selected upper and lower temperature range.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the selected upper and lower temperature range is about 125°

F. to about 55°

F., and more preferably, in a temperature range of about 88°

F. to about 65°

F.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the airflow rate controller comprises a damper having a housing, a blade pivotally mounted within the housing, a motor to rotate the blade about its pivotal axis to an open position when supplied with power, and a return spring biasing the blade in a closed position when the motor is not in operation.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the damper further comprises a pressure relief system preventing the blade to return to a fully closed position to minimize pressure build up within the duct system.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the airflow rate controller comprises a duct fan having a housing, and a motorized fan mounted within the housing, the motor rotating the fan when supplied with power.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the airflow rate controller comprises a duct fan and damper connected to one another in series.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the selected radio frequency transmission code of the duct fan and damper receivers are the same so that both the damper and the duct fan may be controlled by a single radio frequency command signal transmitter.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the duct fan motor can be operated along abroad range of speeds.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the duct fan motor is set to operate at three different speeds.

24. A retrofit damper assembly with independent wireless damper control, the assembly comprising:

a damper operating independently from central heating ventilation and air conditioning system controls having a housing, the housing having at least one tapered end for connection to a duct of similar size, a blade pivotally mounted within the housing, a motor to rotate the blade about its pivotal axis to a selected position when supplied with power, and a return spring biasing the blade in the selected position when the motor is not in operation;

a portable programmable thermostat and radio frequency transmitter, the transmitter transmitting radio frequency command signals in response to the thermostat detecting a difference between the ambient temperature and the programmed temperature setting;

a radio frequency receiver connected to an exterior surface of the housing which supplies power to the damper upon receiving a radio frequency command signal from the radio frequency transmitter; and

a channel selector switch assembly connected to the radio frequency receiver providing a number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the radio frequency transmitter and radio frequency receiver.

25. The assembly of claim 24 further comprising at least one temperature sensing device connected in circuit to the damper sensing the duct air temperature, the sensing device activating the motor pivoting the blade when the sensing device senses the duct air temperature to be at a predetermined temperature and the radio frequency receiver has received a radio frequency command signal supplying power to the motor.

26. The assembly of claim 25 further comprising a pressure relief system preventing the blade to fully close to minimize pressure build up within the duct system.

27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein the channel selector switch assembly is comprised of four switches, and the number of unique radio frequency transmission codes that can be transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving means is sixteen.