Spring return actuator for a damper
First Claim
1. An actuator, comprising:
- an electric motor driven by a drive circuit powered by a power source;
a load coupled to the electric motor;
a structure biasing the load to a first position; and
a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor to commutate the electric motor;
wherein the structure returns the load to the first position, and wherein, as the structure returns the load to the first position, the electric motor is spun to generate electricity that powers the microcontroller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator including an electric motor driven by a drive circuit powered by a power source, and a load coupled to the electric motor. The actuator further includes a spring biasing the load to a first position, and a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor to commutate the electric motor. Upon failure of the power source, the spring returns the damper to the first position, and, as the spring returns the load to the first position, the electric motor is spun to generate electricity that is used to power the microcontroller. The microcontroller can govern a speed at which the spring returns the load to the first position. In addition, a potentiometer can be used to indicate when the load approaches the first position so that the microcontroller can slow the speed of return prior to the load reaching the first position.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An actuator, comprising:
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an electric motor driven by a drive circuit powered by a power source;
a load coupled to the electric motor;
a structure biasing the load to a first position; and
a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor to commutate the electric motor;
wherein the structure returns the load to the first position, and wherein, as the structure returns the load to the first position, the electric motor is spun to generate electricity that powers the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A spring return actuator for a damper, comprising:
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an electric motor driven by a bridge circuit powered by a power source;
at least one sensor positioned to sense rotation of a rotor of the electric motor;
a gear train coupled to a shaft of the electric motor;
a damper coupled to the gear train of the electric motor by an actuator shaft, the damper moving between an open position and a closed position;
a spring biasing the damper to the closed position; and
a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor to commutate the electric motor;
wherein, upon failure of the power source with the damper in the open position, the spring returns the damper to the closed position, and wherein, as the spring returns the damper to the closed position, the electric motor is spun to generate electricity that is used to power the microcontroller, and wherein the microcontroller monitors a speed of return of the damper to the closed position by measuring time intervals between state transitions measured by the sensor, and wherein the microcontroller short circuit the bridge circuit and thereby slows the electric motor and return of the damper to the closed position if the microcontroller determines that the speed barn exceeded a given threshold. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system, comprising:
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an electric motor powered by a power source;
a damper coupled to the electric motor, the damper moving between an open position and a closed position;
a spring biasing the damper to the closed position; and
a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor, wherein, upon failure of the power source with the damper in the open position, the spring returns the damper to the closed position, thereby spinning the electric motor to generate electricity to power the microcontroller, and wherein the microcontroller monitors a speed of return of the damper to the closed position and slows the electric motor and return of the damper to the closed position if the microcontroller determines that the speed has exceeded a given threshold. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method of returning a damper to a closed position, the damper being coupled to an electric motor, and a spring coupled to the electric motor to return the damper to the closed position, the method comprising:
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allowing the spring to return the damper to the closed position upon power failure;
measuring a speed of return of the damper to the closed position by monitoring state transitions of sensors of the electric motor, slowing the speed of return of the electric motor if the speed has exceeded a given threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An actuator, comprising:
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a motor driven by a circuit powered by a power source;
a load coupled to the motor;
a member biasing the load to a first position; and
a controller coupled to the motor to commutate the motor;
wherein the member biases the load into the first position, and wherein, as the member moves the load into the first position, the motor is spun to generate electricity that powers the controller. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of returning a damper to a first position, the damper being coupled to an electric motor of an actuator, the electric motor being adapted to drive the damper from the first position to a second position under control of a controller, the method comprising:
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mechanically driving the damper from the second position toward the first position, wherein the motor is spun as the damper is driven toward the first position;
using electricity generated by the motor as the motor is spun to power the controller; and
using the controller to slow a speed at which the damper is mechanically driven toward the first position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification