Vent-blocking inflatable bladder for a retrofit HVAC zone control system

• US 7,207,496 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emme E2MS, LLC
• Original Assignee: Home Comfort Zones Incorporated
• Inventors: Alles, Harold Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang; Chen Wen
• Application Number:
  US10/750,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20040182096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46.R, 236/49.4, 621/86, 621/78, 165/217
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/10 movable, e.g. dampers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/087 using inflatable bellows
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/0442 with volume control at a constant temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87684 Valve in each inlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87692 With common valve operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

An improved inflatable bladder for use as a zone climate control system valve to controllably permit and prevent airflow through a vent of a forced air HVAC system. The bladder is secured by a rigid strap which may be coupled to the vent near the vent opening. The bladder is coupled to its pressure/vacuum air tube by a pin which is inserted through the air tube and the bladder nipple to which it mates. The bladder may have a donut shape for use with a vent which is located directly on a trunk which also has downstream vents or ducts which are not part of the same zone as the vent controlled by the bladder.

Claims

1. A pneumatic bladder assembly for use as an airflow control mechanism in an HVAC system, in which an air pump selectably provides one of pressure and vacuum to an air tube extending through ductwork of the HVAC system, the pneumatic bladder assembly comprising:

an inflatable and deflatable bladder having a nipple for coupling to the air tube;

a pin piercing the nipple and the air tube, thereby securing the air tube to the nipple; and

a band surrounding the nipple and the pin to prevent the pin from dislodging from the nipple.

2. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a rigid strap for coupling to the ductwork and a clamp coupled to the strap, for coupling to the air tube.

3. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the pin pierces through an inner diameter of the air tube, wherein the pin is in contact with the pressure and vacuum.

4. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the bladder has a donut shape.

5. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 4 further comprising:

a roof, couplable to the ductwork above a vent hole in the ductwork, and surrounded by the donut shaped bladder, wherein when the bladder is inflated, the bladder seals a space between the roof and the ductwork, thereby preventing conditioned air from passing from the ductwork out the vent hole.

6. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 5 wherein:

the roof comprises a substantially planar member; and

a plurality of bolts supporting the roof.

7. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a clamp for securing the air tube to the ductwork, whereby the bladder is hung from the clamp in a substantially vertical duct.

8. The pneumatic bladder assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the pin pierces through two opposing sides of the nipple and two opposing sides of the air tube.