Low-power wireless inflatable bladder damper for forced air heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
First Claim
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1. A damper device for restricting airflow in an HVAC airflow channel, the damper device comprising:
- an inflatable bladder having an inflation level, wherein the inflatable bladder is located in the HVAC airflow channel;
a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder;
a pump co-located with and coupled to the valve, wherein the pump and the valve adjust the inflation level of the inflatable bladder to restrict varying amounts of airflow in the airflow channel;
a wireless device for receiving control information; and
a self-contained power source for powering the valve, the pump, and the wireless device, wherein the damper device houses the valve, the pump, the wireless device, and the self-contained power source, and wherein the damper device is secured to the airflow channel.
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Abstract
A low-power, wireless, inflatable bladder damper device for controlling the flow of air through an airflow channel, and a method of operation for the same. Rather than requiring power supply and/or control wiring for operation of a wireless damper device, a low-power inflatable bladder damper device that requires no external wiring for operation can be used. A completely wireless damper device can reduce the cost of installation of damping devices in airflow channels, as well as the complexity of installation, while at the same time providing improved control of airflow throughout an airflow system.
42 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A damper device for restricting airflow in an HVAC airflow channel, the damper device comprising:
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an inflatable bladder having an inflation level, wherein the inflatable bladder is located in the HVAC airflow channel; a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder; a pump co-located with and coupled to the valve, wherein the pump and the valve adjust the inflation level of the inflatable bladder to restrict varying amounts of airflow in the airflow channel; a wireless device for receiving control information; and a self-contained power source for powering the valve, the pump, and the wireless device, wherein the damper device houses the valve, the pump, the wireless device, and the self-contained power source, and wherein the damper device is secured to the airflow channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An airflow control system comprising:
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a damper device comprising; an inflatable bladder having an inflation level, wherein the inflatable bladder is located in an airflow channel; a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder; a pump co-located with and coupled to the valve, wherein the pump and the valve adjust the inflation level of the inflatable bladder to restrict varying amounts of airflow in the airflow channel; a wireless device for receiving control information; a self-contained power source for powering the valve, the pump, and the wireless device, wherein the damper device houses the valve, the pump, the wireless device, and the self-contained power source, and wherein the damper device is secured to the airflow channel; a programmable device for programming a desired level of at least one air property measure; and a sensing device comprising; at least one sensor for measuring at least one air property; and a wireless transmitter for sending control information to the wireless device for use in controlling the damper device; wherein the airflow channel is an HVAC air duct for heating or cooling a room. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. In an HVAC system having a damper device, the damper device including a bladder located in an airflow channel, a valve coupled to the inflatable bladder, a micro-pump co-located with and coupled to the valve, a wireless device for receiving damper control information, and a self-contained power source for powering the valve, the micro-pump, and the wireless device, wherein the damper device houses the valve, the pump, the wireless device, and the self-contained power source, and wherein the damper device is secured to the airflow channel a method for controlling airflow comprising the steps of:
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powering the wireless device using the self-contained power source so as to enable the wireless device to receive the control information; receiving at the wireless device the control information; and powering the micro-pump and the valve using the self-contained power source so as to effect an adjustment in the inflatable bladder to control air flow in the channel, wherein the channel is an HVAC air duct for heating or cooling a room. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification