System for controlling distribution of air to different zones in a forced air delivery system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of air in a forced air distribution system having a source of air under pressure, comprising:
- at least one duct defining a common duct system to deliver the air and at least two outlet ports in the duct system, each said outlet port in fluid communication with a corresponding air delivery zone;
a vent unit associated with each said outlet port movable between an open position to admit air to the corresponding zone and a closed position to block air from the corresponding zone;
a central control system remote from each said vent unit;
a temperature sensor in each said air delivery zone in communication with the central control system; and
an actuator unit associated with each said vent unit, each said actuator unit operable to configure said associated vent unit into said open position or into said closed position in response to communication from said central control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for controlling the delivery of air in a forced air distribution system having a source of air under pressure (4), a duct system to deliver the air, and a plurality of ports (8) in the duct system with each port defining an air delivery zone (16). The apparatus includes a vent member (20) associated with each of the ports which is movable between an open position to admit air to the zone and a closed position to block air from the zone. Independent actuator units (50) are provided to move the vent member between the open and closed positions controlled by a central control system. Thermostats in each air delivery zone communicate with the central control system (80) to control operation of the actuators units and the source of air under pressure which generally comprises heating or cooling equipment such as a furnace or air conditioning unit.
29 Citations
32 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of air in a forced air distribution system having a source of air under pressure, comprising:
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at least one duct defining a common duct system to deliver the air and at least two outlet ports in the duct system, each said outlet port in fluid communication with a corresponding air delivery zone; a vent unit associated with each said outlet port movable between an open position to admit air to the corresponding zone and a closed position to block air from the corresponding zone; a central control system remote from each said vent unit; a temperature sensor in each said air delivery zone in communication with the central control system; and an actuator unit associated with each said vent unit, each said actuator unit operable to configure said associated vent unit into said open position or into said closed position in response to communication from said central control system. - 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)
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31. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of air in a forced air distribution system having a source of air under pressure, comprising, in combination:
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at least one duct defining a common duct system to deliver the air and at least two outlet ports in the duct system, each said outlet port in fluid communication with a corresponding air delivery zone; a register unit having a valve associated with each said outlet port, the valve being movable between an open position to admit air to the zone and a closed position to block air from the zone; an actuator unit associated with each said register unit, each said actuator unit operable to configure said valve of said associated register unit into said open position or into said closed position; a central control system remote from the register units for controlling the actuator units; and a thermostat in each air delivery zone for setting a desired temperature in each of the air delivery zones, the thermostats being in communication with the central control system, and the central control system being operable to control the actuator units and the source of air under pressure such that the valves admits air to the corresponding zones and block air from the corresponding zones, in order to achieve said desired temperatures.
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32. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of air in a forced air distribution system having a source of air under pressure, comprising:
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at least one duct defining a common duct system to deliver the air; at least two outlet ports defined in the duct system, each of said outlet ports in fluid communication with a corresponding air delivery zone; a vent unit associated with each of said outlet ports movable between an open position to admit air to each said zone, respectively, and a closed position to block air from each said zone, respectively; an actuator unit associated with each said vent unit, each said actuator unit operable to configure said associated vent unit into said open position or into said closed position; a central control system remote from the vent units for controlling the actuator units; and a temperature sensor in each said air delivery zone in communication with the central control system to control operation of the actuator units and the source of air under pressure.
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Specification