STANDOFF FOR USE WITH AN INSULATED HVAC DUCT

• US 20130334325A1
• Filed: 06/14/2012
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Marak, Pavel, Barton, Eric, Wang, Bin, Emmons, David James, Sweet, Thomas Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 10,119,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/0209 characterised by their connecting means, e.g. flanges
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/14 built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/1433 with electric motors

Abstract

An illustrative damper system includes a damper blade, a damper actuator, and a standoff, where the standoff may be configured for use with an insulated duct having an outer surface of the duct, an insulating layer around the outer surface of the duct, and an outer surface of the insulating layer. Illustratively, the standoff may include a body, a mounting mechanism including a first flange, and a second flange spaced from the first flange, where the body, the first flange and the second flange may form an opening or space configured to receive the insulating layer. In some cases, the standoff may include one or more ribs extending between the body and the first and second flanges.

Claims

1. A standoff for use with an insulated duct, wherein the insulated duct includes a duct, an outer surface of the duct, an insulating layer around the outer surface of the duct, and an outer surface of the insulating layer, the standoff comprising:

a body having a first end and an opposing second end;

a first mounting mechanism configured to mount the body of the standoff relative to the outer surface of the duct.

2. The standoff of claim 1, further comprising:

a flange spaced from the first mounting mechanism, the flange configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the insulated layer when the body is mounted relative to the outer surface of the duct.

3. The standoff of claim 1, wherein:

the first mounting mechanism comprises a flange; and

the first flange includes one or more mounting holes each for receiving a fastener for fastening the first flange to the outer surface of the duct.

4. The standoff of claim 1, further comprising:

the first mounting mechanism comprises a first flange;

a second flange spaced from the first flange; and

wherein the body is elongated along a main body axis, and wherein the first flange and the second flange extend out radially relative to the main body axis.

5. The standoff of claim 4, wherein the first flange extends out relative to the main body axis and terminates along a first flange perimeter, and the second flange extends out relative to the main body axis and terminates along a second flange perimeter, wherein the body is shaped to leave an open space between the first flange perimeter and the second flange perimeter.

6. The standoff of claim 5, wherein the first flange perimeter and/or the second flange perimeter has at least three straight sides.

7. The standoff of claim 1, further comprising:

a flange; and

wherein with the first mounting mechanism mounting the body of the standoff to the outer surface of the duct, the body is configured to extend through the insulating layer of the insulated duct, and the flange is configured to extend out radially from the body at or near the outer surface of the insulating layer.

8. The standoff of claim 1, wherein the body includes a pass-through cavity that extends between the first end and the opposing second end of the body.

9. The standoff of claim 8, further comprising a damper shaft at least partially within the pass-through cavity of the body.

10. The standoff of claim 9, wherein the body includes a connector for connecting a damper actuator to the body, wherein when connected, the damper actuator is configured to drive the damper shaft that passes at least partially within the pass-through cavity of the body.

11. The standoff of claim 10, wherein the connector is a releasable connector.

12. The standoff of claim 10, wherein:

the connector is configured to limit translational movement of the damper actuator in three translational degrees of freedon; and

the connector is configured to limit rotational movement of the damper actuator in three rotational degrees of freedom.

13. The standoff of claim 8, further comprising one or more wires that pass through the pass-through cavity of the body.

14. The standoff of claim 13, wherein the one or more wires support a sensor that is exposed to an interior volume of the insulated duct.

15. An actuator standoff for use with an insulated duct, wherein the insulated duct includes a duct, an outer surface of the duct, an insulating layer around the outer surface of the duct, and an outer surface of the insulating layer, the actuator standoff comprising

a body having a first end and an opposing second end, with a pass-through cavity that extends between the first end and the opposing second end;

a mounting mechanism for mounting the body of the actuator standoff relative to the outer surface of the duct;

a damper shaft at least partially within the pass-through cavity of the body; and

a connector for connecting a damper actuator to the body, wherein when connected, the damper actuator is configured to drive the damper shaft that passes at least partially within the pass-through cavity of the body.

16. The actuator standoff of claim 15, further comprising:

a flange spaced from the mounting mechanism, where the flange is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the insulated layer when the mounting mechanism is mounted relative to the outer surface of the duct.

17. The actuator standoff of claim 15, wherein the connector is a releasable connector.

18. The actuator standoff of claim 15, further comprising:

the mounting mechanism comprises a first flange configured to mount the body of the actuator standoff to the outer surface of the duct;

a second flange spaced from the first flange; and

wherein with the first flange mounting the body of the actuator standoff to the outer surface of the duct, the body is configured to extend through the insulating layer of the insulated duct, and the second flange is configured to extend radially out at or near an outer surface of the insulating layer.

19. A standoff for use with an insulated duct, wherein the insulated duct includes a duct, an outer surface of the duct, an insulating layer around the outer surface of the duct, and an outer surface of the insulating layer, the standoff comprising:

a body having a first end and an opposing second end, with a pass-through cavity that extends between the first end and the opposing second end of the body;

a mounting mechanism for mounting the body of the standoff relative to the outer surface of the duct; and

one or more wires or shafts that pass through the pass-through cavity of the body.

20. The standoff of claim 19, wherein the one or more wires support a temperature sensor that is exposed to an interior volume of the insulated duct.

21. The standoff of claim 19, further comprising:

a flange spaced from the mounting mechanism, the flange configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the insulating layer when the mounting mechanism is mounted relative to the outer surface of the duct.

22. The standoff of claim 21, wherein the flange is a taping flange configured to facilitate securing the standoff to the outer surface of the insulating layer.