Remote autonomous intelligent air flow control system and network
First Claim
1. A flow control device for controlling air flow through a duct in a duct system, the flow control device in communication with at least one other flow control device in the duct system, the flow control device comprising:
- an air flow control member configured to selectively control air flow through the flow control device;
a controller member configured to autonomously control the air flow control member;
a sensor member operatively attached to the controller member, wherein the sensor member is configured to sense an environmental condition;
a power member for supplying power to the flow control device; and
a communication device disposed in the flow control device and operatively attached to the controller member, the communication device is configured to directly communicate with the at least one other flow control device in the duct system, wherein the communication device is configured to receive data directly from the at least one other flow control device and wherein the controller member is configured to analyze the received data and alter the control of the air flow control member accordingly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides one or more autonomous in-duct or register grill mounted flow control devices, each of which has the capability to restrict or boost air flow through the duct or vent to which it is attached. The individual flow control devices may be in communication with other flow control devices in the duct works, having an ability to adapt in a cooperative fashion to optimize the environment served by the ductwork. In a preferred embodiment, each of the flow control devices provides its own power and does not require changing the existing ductwork or register boxes for installation.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A flow control device for controlling air flow through a duct in a duct system, the flow control device in communication with at least one other flow control device in the duct system, the flow control device comprising:
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an air flow control member configured to selectively control air flow through the flow control device; a controller member configured to autonomously control the air flow control member; a sensor member operatively attached to the controller member, wherein the sensor member is configured to sense an environmental condition; a power member for supplying power to the flow control device; and a communication device disposed in the flow control device and operatively attached to the controller member, the communication device is configured to directly communicate with the at least one other flow control device in the duct system, wherein the communication device is configured to receive data directly from the at least one other flow control device and wherein the controller member is configured to analyze the received data and alter the control of the air flow control member accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of controlling air flow through a duct system, the method comprising:
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placing at least a first flow control device and a second flow control device in the duct system, each flow control device comprising; an air flow control member configured to selectively control air flow through the flow control device; a controller member configured to autonomously control the air flow control member; a sensor member operatively attached to the controller member, wherein the sensor member is configured to sense an environmental condition; a power member for supplying power to the flow control device; a communication member disposed in the flow control device; communicating data directly from the second flow control device to the first flow control device; and analyzing the received data in the first flow control device and altering the control of the air flow control member in the flow control device accordingly, as a result of the data analyzation, thereby controlling the air flow through the duct system. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A flow control device for controlling air flow through a duct in a duct system, the flow control device in communication with at least one other flow control device in the duct system the flow control device comprising:
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an air flow control member configured to selectively control air flow through the flow control device; a controller member configured to autonomously control the air flow control member; a power member for supplying power to the flow control device; and a communication device disposed in the flow control device and operatively attached to the controller member, the communication device is configured to receive data directly from the at least one other flow control device and wherein the controller member is configured to analyze the received data and alter the control of the air flow control member accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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Specification