Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
like; appropriate insulation may be provided around any duct work needed to
connect the
device to the fresh air source and the interior air of the building.
U.S. patent no. 5193610, for example, as well as U.S. patent no. 6209622
describe ventilation
devices which exhaust stale inside air from a structure such a house while
delivering fresh
outside air to the interior of the building; the entire contents of each of
these patents is
incorporated herein by reference.
As mentioned above, it is known to exhaust stale interior air of an enclosure
to the outside of
the enclosure. It is also known to intermingle stale exhaust air of an
enclosure with fresh air
for delivery of the intermingled air back into the enclosure; the intermingled
air prior to
delivery back to the enclosure may as desired or necessary be subjected to one
or more
treatment stages such as for example a filtration stage, a heat transfer
stage, etc. A
disadvantage of such known intermingling systems or apparati is that the
entire stale exhaust
air flow stream is intermingled with a fresh air flow stream to obtain an
intermingled air flow
of greater volume than that of the initial exhaust air flow; it is this
greater volume of
intermingled air that is then subjected to a filtration stage. The so treated
(i.e. filtered) air is
then split into a first portion for delivery back to the enclosure and a
second portion for
exhausting to the exterior of the enclosure. A drawback of such a known system
is that the
air exhausted outside the enclosure (e.g. dwelling) has been subjected to a
filtration treatment
stage, a heat transfer stage, etc. before exhaustion. This reduces the
efficiency of a filtering /
heat transfer / purifying capability of the system for the enclosure (e.g.
dwelling).
It would be advantageous to have a ventilation method, system, apparatus or
the like which
avoids the exhausting of a portion of treated air (e.g. filtered, heat
treated, etc.) to the exterior
of an enclosure.
Ventilation systems and devices such as those shown in U.S. patent no.
5193610, as well as
U.S. patent no. 6209622 are known to exploit damper systems which control the
flow of air
through the various ducts and channels thereof. Such known damper systems may
exploit
dampers which are actuated (i.e. displaced from one position or configuration
to another
position or configuration) by means of rigid (metal) link rod(s) driven by a
motor arm
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
mounted directly on a damper actuation motor. These systems require
significant precision to
work properly because a slight variation in rod or arm length may result in
improper damper
closure. More particularly, such damper systems are used to control pairs
(i.e. two) of
dampers which respectively may close off or open a fresh air path as well as
contemporaneously opening or closing off a stale exhaust air path. If one of
the dampers fails
to completely close while the other is still open, this may result in an air
leak, which may lead
to ice buildup under certain cold weather operating conditions.
It would therefor be advantageous to have a damper system which comprises a
plurality (i.e..
two or more) dampers which are to be contemporaneously displaced which is self
aligning,
i.e. if a damper closes before the other, an activation component will be able
to continue to
act on the unclosed damper until the second damper is fully closed
It is also known that an ordinary ventilation unit, or system allowing air
exchange with the
exterior may cause discomfort like nose bleeding during the winter due to
overdryness of air.
It would be advantageous to have a damper means, which may be used to overcome
this
situation, and which reacts to constrict the flow of air asa function of
temperature variations
around the damper. It would in particular be advantageous if such a damper
could react
without recourse to an external (electrical) power source, i.e. the damper
movement would be
a purely mechanical device.
The present invention has a connector aspect. This connector aspect of the
invention relates
to a connector for securing together two elements at least one of which is of
material having a
relatively poor or weak gripping characteristic with respect to screw type
attachment devices
and/or bolt/nut attachment devices. The connector may be used to avoid stress
concentration
in the area of attachment.
The mentioned material, for example may have a relatively weak grip (or
strength) on the
screw threads of the thread part of the screw part embedded therein such that
the screw thread
end may be relatively easily dislodged from engagement with the material in
which it is
embedded. The attachment strength of the attachment device is therefor
relatively weak.
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
It would be advantageous to have connector which may be attached to a
structure of a friable
material with a screw or similar attachment means but wherein the threaded
part of the screw
is screw engaged with the connector not the structure per se. It would also be
advantageous to
have a connector which may have an additional engagement component for
connection to
another structure.
The present invention also has an air diffuser aspect. This aspect of the
present invention
relates to means and mechanisms by which a first air stream or flow may be
intermingled with
a second air stream or flow.
It is known for example to provide an air a handling system which provides for
the mixing of
a cold (and possibly dry) air stream with a hot (and possibly humid) air
stream. However, the
intermingling or mixing of such streams may lead to the presence in the system
of undesirable
or unwanted water condensation and even snow or ice buildup; this is
especially so if a
cold/dry flow of air (exterior air) is merely brought into contact with the a
flow of high
humidity warm/hot air (interior air such as from a dwelling) during winter
conditions. On the
opposite side a similar undesirable water buildup (i.e. a liquid or solid) may
occur in an air
handling system if fresh hot humid outside air is contacted with relatively
cool stale dry
inside air (i.e. hot summer conditions).
It would be advantageous to have means or mechanism for an air handling system
(e.g. an air
ventilation system) whereby the mixing or intermingling of one air stream with
a second air
stream may be manipulated so as to provide a staggered or staged (i.e.
gradual) mixing of one
air flow into another air flow.
It would be advantageous for example to be able to manipulate air flow such
that a first air
stream may be split into sub-portions or sub-streams which may be gradually
(e.g.
sequentially) brought into contact with a second air stream in (intermittent
or continuous)
stages rather than being intermingled in a more or less single shot process
It would in particular be advantageous to have a dispersal or dispensing
mechanism which
would be able to provide for a graduated intermingling of one air flow with
another air flow.
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
It would further be advantageous to be able to associate with any air
intermingling means
(whether known or as described herein) a temperature responsive means able to
choke off
(once a predetermined cut-off fresh air temperature is reached, e.g. a too low
outside air
temperature) the inflow of a first (i.e. fresh air) air flow to the
intermingling means and the
out flow of a second (stale air) air flow with respect to an enclosure (e.g.
dwelling), namely
once a predetermined air inflow temperature is reached fresh air inflow and
stale air exhaust
(i.e. outflow from an enclosure) is inhibited or stopped outright (e.g. stale
air may be merely
recycled back to an enclosure without any added fresh air).
The present invention has a further blower assembly aspect. This (blower)
aspect of the
present invention relates to a blower wheel assembly which is provided with
first and second
blower wheels mounted on a common rotor shaft.
It is known to mount first and second spaced apart blower wheels on a common
motor rotor
shaft for use in a ventilation apparatus wherein one blower is to be
associated with a fresh air
stream and the other with a stale or exhaust air stream. For such an
arrangement it is known
to pass the portion of the motor rotor shaft associated with one blower
through a respective
baffle wall with the motor separated from the two air streams by both baffles,
i.e. the motor is
sandwiched between the pair of baffle walls. The air handling apparatus in
which such blower
assembly is incorporated must be relatively large to accommodate the blower
structure.
Additionally removal for servicing of the motor and/or blowers is complicated
by the fact that
the motor mus usually be separated from the blowers while still in the air
handling apparatus.
It would be advantageous to have a relatively compact blower assembly for
association with a
motor. It would also be advantageous to have a blower assembly (which may be
associated
with a motor) which would facilitate servicing of an air handling system (e.g.
apparatus) in
which it is incorporated by allowing the blower assembly (and associated
motor) to be
removably as a single unit from the air handling system.
The present invention additionally has a mounting port aspect. This (port
attachment/sealing) aspect of the invention relates to a mounting port of the
type for
connection to an opening means which may or may not exploit attachment means
of the snap
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
or quick connect type. The snap type of connectors are known and may exploit
mateable male
and female elements which are of materials or construction which promote
spring like
characteristic which allow for the quick connect or release of elements.
A difficulty with respect to such quick connect ports relates the sealing of
the port to the inlet
of an air pathway of an air handling apparatus, i.e. there is a tendency to
leak unless a sealing
element is provided.
It is also known to use a mounting port which is limited for attachment to
single size duct.
It would be advantageous to have mounting port for an air opening for an air
handling
apparatus able to a provide a self air seal capability in cooperation with an
air opening of a
system. It would in particular be advantageous to have quick connect mounting
port for an
air opening for an air handling apparatus able to a provide a self air seal
capability in
cooperation with an air opening element of an air handling system (e.g.
apparatus).
It would also be advantageous to have a versatile mounting port which could be
attached to
ducts of different sizes, i.e. to be able to reduce the number of different
parts necessary for a
system..
Ventilation method
Statement Of Invention
In one aspect the invention allows for a method for introducing fresh air to
and exhausting
stale air from an air handling system or apparatus associated with an
enclosure such as for
example a system having a ventilation circuit comprising the steps of:
exhausting a portion of the stale air from the circuit (i.e. enclosure) to
create a reduced
stale air stream;
introducing an amount of fresh air into the reduced stale air stream to create
a mixed
or intermingled air stream; and as desired or necessary filtering the mixed or
intermingled air
stream.
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More particularly the present invention provides, a method for introducing
fresh air from
outside an enclosure into stale air from the enclosure (e.g. in a ventilation
circuit) comprising
the steps of:
splitting a stale air flow from the enclosure into a first exhaust air flow
stream for
exhaustion (i.e. from the enclosure or circuit) and a reduced stale air flow
stream;
introducing (a predetermined amount of) fresh air from outside the enclosure
into the
reduced stale air stream so as to create or obtain an intermingled (i.e. a
mixed) air
stream; and optionally or as desired
filtering the intermingled (i.e. mixed) air stream to obtain a filtered
intermingled air
stream. The so obtained intermingled (i.e. a mixed) air stream or a so
obtained intermingled
filtered air stream may as desired be delivered directly into an enclosure or
as desired or
necessary be subjected to one or more a other or further treatment stages
(e.g. heat exchange
stage, a filtering stage, a humidification stage, a de-humidification stage,
etc. ).
In another aspect the invention allows for a device for introducing fresh air
to and exhausting
stale from air in an enclosure (e.g. a ventilation circuit) comprising:
means for exhausting a portion of the stale air from the enclosure air
handling circuit
to create a reduced stale air stream;
means for introducing an amount of fresh air from the exterior or outside of
the
enclosure into the reduced stale air stream to create a mixed air stream; and
means for delivering the mixed or intermingled air stream or flow to the
ventilation
circuit, and if desired filtering the mixed or intermingled air flow.
More particularly the present invention provides, a system, (e.g. device,
apparatus etc.) for
introducing fresh air from outside an enclosure into stale air from the
enclosure (e.g. in a
ventilation circuit wherein air is taken from an enclosure to be treated
and/or exhausted)
comprising:
an air splitter component for splitting an exhaust stale air flow from an
enclosure into
a first exhaust air flow stream for exhaustion (e.g. from the ventilation
circuit) and a
reduced stale air flow stream;
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CA 02388527 2008-08-06
an air intermingling component for introducing (i.e. a predetermined amount
of) fresh
air from outside the enclosure into the reduced stale air stream so as to
create or obtain
an intermingled (i.e. a mixed) air stream; and optionally or as desired
an air filtering component for filtering the intermingled (i.e. mixed) air
stream so as
to obtain a filtered intermingled air stream. A so obtained intermingled (i.e.
a mixed) air
stream or a so obtained intermingled filtered air stream may as desired be
delivered directly
into an enclosure or as desired or necessary be subjected to one or more a
other or further
treatment means or stages or components (e.g. heat exchange component,
filtering component,
a humidification stage, a de-humidification stage, etc.).
Damper system and Auto activating choker
Statement Of Invention
The present invention allows for a damper displacement system for displacing a
plurality of
damper elements or components (eg. two or more) between a first (e.g.
open/closed) position
and a second (e.g. closed/open) position.
The damper displacement system, may, for example, comprise a displacement
component
comprising
a rotatable component or element; and a
a flexible (e.g. wire or wire-like) component or element (e.g. a single wire
or a wire
loop) connecting said damper elements and rotatable component. Alternatively,
the
displacement component instead of having a rotational actuation element may
instead have a
linear actuation element which is able to engage the flexible (e.g. wire or
wire-like) component.
The flexible elongated element may be of any suitable configuration and may in
particular be
elastic or non-elastic; e.g. the flexible elongated, element may be of a
suitable (known) elastic
or non-elastic material. In accordance with the present invention each of the
damper
elements may, for example, if so desired or.necessary, be associated with a
damper biasing
element for biasing the damper element in a first position (e.g. in a first
closed position).
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The damper displacement system, may, for example, comprise a displacement
component
comprising
a rotatable (central) component or element having an aperture or hole; and a
a flexible elongated component or element (e.g. a single wire or a wire loop)
connecting said damper elements and threaded through and slidably seated in
said hole. The
wire component may be single component and a rotatable central or intermediate
component
may be disposed such that the central or intermediate component can be caused
to rotate
thereby winding the wire around said rotatable central component and causing
the plurality of
damper components to be displaced. The wire component and the central
component may,
for example, also be disposed such that when the central component is not
caused to rotate a
damper biasing means, if present, may be able to cause the wire to unwind from
the central
component thereby allowing the plurality of damper to close (e.g.
contemporaneously).
Alternatively, if no biasing means is present the displacement component may
comprise a
two part wire component wherein each wire part is independently attached or
engaged with
the central component such that while one wire part is being wound up the
other wire part is
being unwound. In this two part wire component case, the wire parts may, for
example, each
be independently attached to the dampers such that rotation of the central
part in one direction
(e.g. clockwise) causes the wire part being wound up to urge the dampers to be
displaced from
an initial position to a different position while the other wire part retreats
(i.e. is unwound)
and vice-versa when the central part is rotated in the opposite (anti-
clockwise) rotational
direction (i.e. the displacement component may be in the form of a type of
push-pull type
arrangement).
Thus in accordance with an aspect the present invention provides a damper
system (for an air
handling system (e.g. apparatus, device, etc.; e.g. a ventilation apparatus))
comprising
a plurality of (i.e. two or more and in particular two) damper elements, each
of said
damper elements comprising a respective connector element, each of said
dampers
being displaceable from a respective first position to a respective second
position
and
a displacement component for displacing said damper elements from a respective
first
position to a respective second position
said displacement component comprising
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
- a flexible (i.e. elastic or non-elastic) elongated damper interconnection
element,
and
- a displacement element comprising an engagement component,
wherein said elongated damper interconnection element is connected to the
engagement component of said displacement element and to the connectors of
each of said
dampers,
wherein said displacement component is configured (and disposed) such that
said
displacement component is reversibly displaceable (i.e. is able to pass)
between a first
configuration wherein said dampers are each in respective first positions and
a second
configuration wherein said dampers are each in respective second positions,
said
displacement component being configured such that as said displacement
component passes
(i.e. shifts) from said first configuration to said second configuration, said
displacement
component induces displacement of each of said dampers from a respective first
position to a
respective second position and
wherein said displacement component is configured such that as said
displacement
component passes from said first configuration to said second configuration so
as to induce
displacement of said dampers from a respective first position to a respective
second position
and one or more of said dampers trail(s) one or more of (the) other damper(s)
in respect of its
(their) displacement to (i.e. its arrival at) its (their) respective second
position, the
displacement component, once any leading damper(s) has/have (stopped) arrived
at, traveled
to or reached its (their) second position, is able to continue its
displacement and thereby
induce any (i.e. each of) the trailing damper(s) to be displaced to its
(their) second position
while any leading damper(s) is/are maintained at its (their) second position.
In accordance with the present invention the displacement component may
comprise a (wind-
up) pulley or bobbin element (reversibly) rotatable about an axis of rotation
and wherein said
bobbin element is rotatable around said axis for winding up and paying (i.e.
unwinding) out
said elongated damper interconnection element, said dampers being displaceable
from a
respective first position to a respective second position as said elongated
damper
interconnection element is wound up.
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In accordance with the present invention the (wind-up) pulley or bobbin
element or rotatable
central component may be connected to a motor component, said motor component
being
capable of rotating the pulley or bobbin element or the rotatable central
component.
In accordance with the present invention there is in particular provided a
damper system (for
an air handling system (e.g. apparatus, device, etc.; e.g. a ventilation
apparatus)) comprising
two damper elements, each of said damper elements comprising a respective
connector element, each of said dampers being displaceable between a
respective first
position to a respective second position
and
a displacement component for displacing said damper elements from a respective
first
position to a respective second position
said displacement component comprising
- a flexible (i.e. elastic or non-elastic) elongated damper interconnection
element,
and
- an intermediate(wind-up) pulley or bobbin element (reversibly) rotatable
about an axis of rotation, said bobbin element comprising an engagement
component engaging said elongated damper interconnection element,
wherein said elongated damper interconnection element is connected to the
engagement
component of said bobbin element and to the connectors of each of said
dampers,
wherein said bobbin element is rotatable around or about said axis for winding
up and paying
(i.e. unwinding) out said elongated damper interconnection element, said
dampers being
displaceable from a respective first position to a respective second position
as said elongated
damper interconnection element is wound up,
said displacement component being configured such when said bobbin element is
rotated
about said axis so as to induce said elongated damper interconnection element
to be taken up
by said bobbin element (i.e. wound about) and one of said damper elements
trails the other
damper in respect of its displacement to (i.e. its arrival at) its respective
second position, the
bobbin element, once the leading damper element has arrived at or reached its
second
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position, is able to continue to rotate and thereby induce the trailing damper
element to be
displaced to its second position while the leading damper element is
maintained at its second
position.
The present invention further provides a damper system wherein said elongated
damper
interconnection element has a first side member and a second side member,
wherein said first
side member engages the connector of one of said dampers and said second side
member
engages the connector of the other of said dampers, wherein said bobbin
element is rotatable
around said axis for winding up and paying (i.e. unwinding) out said first and
second side
members, said dampers being displaceable from a respective first position to a
respective
second position as said first and second side members are wound up,
said displacement component being configured such when said bobbin element is
rotated
about said axis so as to induce said first and second side members to be taken
up (i.e. wound
about) and one of said dampers trails the other damper in respect of its
displacement to (i.e. its
arrival at) its respective second position, the bobbin element, once the
leading damper has
arrived at or reached its second position, is able to continue to rotate and
thereby induce the
trailing damper to be displaced to its second position while the leading
damper is maintained
at its second position.
The present invention further provides a damper system wherein said damper
interconnection
element is a flexible (continuous or non-continuous) loop shaped damper
interconnection
element having a first loop end and a second loop end and defining a first
flight side and an
opposed second flight side, said first and second flight sides each being
connected
respectively to said first and second ends,
wherein said bobbin element comprises a slippage engagement component for
slippingly
engaging said first and second flight sides, said bobbin element defining an
aperture or hole,
said slippage engagement component comprising two take-up elements and said
aperture,
said aperture being disposed between said take-up elements, said first and
second flight sides
each being threaded through said aperture,
wherein each of said damper connector elements comprises a respective loop
connector,
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wherein said first end engages one of said loop connectors and said second end
engages the
other of said loop connectors,
wherein said bobbin element is rotatable around said axis for winding up and
paying (i.e.
unwinding) out said first and second flight sides, said dampers being
displaceable from a
respective first position to a respective second position as said first and
second flight sides are
wound up,
said bobbin element being configured such that rotation thereof about said
axis (e.g. in a first
rotational direction) induces said first and second flight sides to be taken
up (i.e. wound
about) by the take-up elements so as to wind the first and second flight sides
about the bobbin
element and thereby induce the damper elements to be displaced from said first
to said second
position
said displacement component being configured such when said bobbin element is
rotated
about said axis so as to induce first and second flight sides to be taken up
(i.e. wound about)
and one of said dampers trails the other damper in respect of its displacement
to (i.e. its arrival
at) its respective second position, the bobbin element, once the leading
damper has arrived at
or reached its second position, is able to continue to rotate and thereby
induce the trailing
damper to be displaced to its second position while the leading damper is
maintained at its
second position.
A damper system as defined herein may also include an electric motor component
connected
to said bobbin element such that when said motor component is energized (i.e.
connected to a
suitable source of electrical power such as by a suitable electrical switch)
said motor
component (i.e. the motor rotor) is capable of rotating the bobbin element in
a rotational
direction for displacing two damper elements from a respective first position
to a respective
second position; the rotational direction may be clockwise or anticlockwise as
the case may
be. The motor component may be a reversible motor component i.e. a motor which
is
energizable such that the motor rotor may be made to rotate under power in a
clockwise or
anticlockwise (i.e. counterclockwise) rotational direction (e.g. depending on
the polarity of
the electrical connections connecting the motor to the power source) ;
alternatively the motor
may for example be one which is energizable in a single rotational direction
and which once
de-energized will not inhibit reverse rotation of a bobbin element due to the
influence of a
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bias spring. The motor may be of a (known) type which may be constantly on
(i.e.
continually powered up) to maintain the damper in a desired position against
the tension
applied by a biasing means (e.g. spring); once the electrical power to the
motor is turned off
the (tension) biasing spring is of a type able to apply sufficient force to
overcome the internal
resistance of the motor itself (e.g. drive gear friction, magnetic torque,
etc). As a further
alternative if no biasing means is used then a motor may be used wherein the
internal
resistance of the motor itself (e.g. drive gear friction, magnetic torque, etc
) is able to maintain
(i.e. brake) the dampers in position; the motor may be part of a push-pull
damper
displacement configuration for urging the dampers back and forth between
different positions.
A damper system as described herein may comprise an electric switch element
configured so
as to be able to energize and de-energize said motor; the electric switch may
be controlled
manually and/or automatically. If automatic control is desired then any
suitable or
appropriate sensing means may be exploited. The sensing means may, for
example, be of a
type able to provide a suitable signal(s) indicative of the damper position
(e.g. a closed or
open position). Any such signals may be directed to any type of suitable
(known) electrical
power source having an on/off switching component controllable by such
signal(s). The
sensing means may take any other suitable form; it may for example comprise a
mechanical or
magnetic switch disposed so as to cut-off electrical power to a motor once a
damper has
tripped the switch by displacement to a predetermined position.
As mentioned above, the present invention provides damper systems wherein each
of said
dampers may optionally be associated with a respective bias member (e.g.
spring biasing
member) biasing a damper in its respective first position. If a biasing member
is present the
motor may, as mentioned above, be energizable such that the motor rotor is
forced to rotate
under power in a single direction to induce winding up of a flexible elongated
element; once
power is cut off then rotation of the motor rotor in the opposite direction
under the influence
of a bias member may bring the damper back to the biased position.
Alternatively, such
biasing means need not be used if the motor is of a reversible type and the
displacement
element is for example connected to the dampers via the displacement element
by first and
second elongated members in a push-pull type arrangement as mentioned herein.
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
The present invention further relates to an air handling system (e.g.
apparatus, device, etc. )
comprising a damper system as defined herein.
In accordance with the present invention a connector element of a damper
element may be a
non-slippage connector or a slippage connector as described herein and/or may
include an
extensible member (e.g. a spring member, an elastic member, etc. ) connecting
the elongated
component to a damper.
In accordance with the present invention a damper displacement system may
comprise
dampers wherein each of said dampers is as mentioned herein be associated with
a respective
spring bias member biasing a damper in its respective first position.
In accordance with the present invention a damper displacement system may
comprise an
electric motor component connected to the bobbin element such that when said
motor
component is energized (i.e. connected to a suitable source of electrical
power such as by a
suitable electrical switch component as described herein) said motor component
is capable of
rotating the bobbin element in a rotational direction for displacing two
damper elements from
a respective first position to a respective second position.
In accordance with the present invention the motor component may be configured
as
mentioned herein such that once the motor component is disconnected from the
source of
electrical power it will nevertheless maintain the dampers in their respective
second positions
(e.g. . the motor component may include some type of type of specific braking
mechanism or
braking may be accomplished due to internal frictional or torque producing
elements of the
motor component). In this case the motor component may be a reversible motor
component
(i.e. comprise a reversible motor and be associated with suitable control
elements for
facilitating such reverse rotation). In this case for example the motor
component may as
discussed be used to rotate the bobbin element in the opposite rotational
allowing any biasing
member to urge the dampers to their respective first position.
On the other hand the motor component may a mentioned be configured such that
as long as
the motor component is energized it will maintain the dampers in their
respective second
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positions. However, once the motor component is disconnected from the source
of electrical
power it will not act against any biasing member associated with the damper
such that the
biasing member is able to induce the damper to return io its first position.
In this case,
because the dampers are individually spring mounted, it makes the system very
safe. For
example, if the first position to which the dampers are biased is the closed
position, wherein
the dampers are arranged to prevent air exchange with the exterior, then if a
power failure
occurs or if the damper loop (e.g. wire) breaks, the dampers (in the second
position) will
return to their fully closed position, which will prevent air exchange with
the (cold) exterior
(i.e. this defines an auto shut off feature).
Thus in accordance with the present invention a damper displacement system may
comprise a
motor component wherein the motor component is a reversible motor component.
In accordance with the present invention a damper may be connected in any
suitable (known)
fashion to a pivot connect member and be associated with air duct formations
such that the
damper is disposed and configured so as to be able to pivot or rotate about
the pivot connect
member between a first (e.g. fresh air open (or stale air closed)) position
and a second (e.g.
stale air closed (or fresh air closed) position. Such configurations may, for
example, be seen
in the before mentioned U.S. patent no. 5193610 and U.S. patent no. 6209622. A
damper
may in particular be associated with a bias (e.g. spring) component which
tends to maintain a
damper in a predetermined position (e.g. either closed or open as the case may
be).
It is to be understood herein that the reference to a slippage connector(s)
and the slippage
engagement element is to be taken as meaning that said bobbin element and said
one or more
slippage connector elements are configured such that as said loop is being
wound up and the
loop on one side of the bobbin element becomes taut any slack between the
bobbin element
and the loop on the other side of the bobbin element is compensated for or
overcome by
further rotation of the bobbin inducing slippage of the loop in a pulley like
action about a
slippage connector, a take-up element and said aperture, i.e. any slack is
overcome by one
flight side of the loop moving towards the slippage connecter while the other
flight side
moves away from the slippage connecter (i.e. as the loop slips about the
slippage connector)
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in a pulley like action so as to shorten the free unwound length of the loop
between the bobbin
element and a damper element (not fully in the second position).
In accordance with the present invention an intermediate(wind-up) pulley or
bobbin element
may have opposed (aligned) grooved bobbin ends; the bobbin element defining an
aperture or
opening element between said ends through which the first and second flight
sides may each
be threaded.
In accordance with the present invention each of said dampers may comprises a
respective
loop connector; if desired or necessary at least one of said loop connectors
may be a slippage
connector
As may be appreciated a bobbin element may be incorporated into a ventilation
apparatus,
device or system in any suitable or desired manner keeping in nzind its
purpose i.e. to act a
kind of reel component. It may thus be connected (directly or indirectly) to a
support
structure (e.g. of a ventilation device or apparatus) for facilitating the
winding up and paying
(i.e. unwinding) out said flexible loop member.
In accordance with another aspect the present invention provides a temperature
actuatable
damper (for use with an air handling system, e.g. apparatus, device, etc. e,g.
a ventilation
system), said damper comprising
- a choker damper component
and
- an actuator component for connecting the choker damper component to a
support for inducing the damper component to be displaced (e.g. pivoted)
between a first position and a second position,
said actuator component comprising a temperature responsive actuator element
configured to
pivotally (i.e. rotationally) displace the choker damper component in response
to ambient air
temperature about said temperature actuator element, between a first position
and a second
position, said first and second positions falling within a range consisting of
a position in an air
flow path wherein the choker damper component presents a predetermined maximum
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constriction position (e.g. large impediment) and a position in the air flow
path wherein the
choker damper component presents a predetermined minimum constriction position
(small
impediment).
The present invention in accordance with a further aspect provides a damper
assembly (for
use with an air handling system, e.g. apparatus, device, etc. e,g. a
ventilation system), said
damper assembly comprising
- a base damper component comprising a damper plate have a broad side face
and a pivot connect component for pivotally (i.e. rotational) connecting the
damper plate to a support, and an actuator connector for connecting the damper
plate to an actuation component for inducing the damper plate to be displaced
(i.e. pivoted) between a first position and a second position
- a choker damper component comprising a pair of opposed broad side faces
(i.e. a plate)
and - a temperature responsive pivot component pivotally attaching or
connecting
the choker damper component to said broad side face of the base damper
component
said pivot component being configured to pivotally (i.e. rotationally)
displace the choker
damper component in response to ambient air temperature about said pivot
component,
between a first position and a second position, said first and second
positions falling within
(i.e. being selected from) a range consisting of a position wherein the broad
side faces of the
choker component are disposed (e.g. at least substantially) parallel to said
broad side face of
the base damper component and a position wherein the broad side faces of the
choker
component are disposed transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to said broad side face
of the base
damper component.
The present invention in accordance with an additional aspect provides in a
ventilation system
or apparatus, for exchanging air between the interior and exterior of an
enclosed space (i.e. of
a building, room or the like), said ventilation system or apparatus having
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a fresh air path means defining a fresh air path for a flow of fresh air
between a fresh air
intake and a fresh air discharge,
and an exhaust air path component defining a fresh air path for a flow of
fresh air between an
exhaust air intake and an exhaust air discharge
the improvement wherein, said system comprises
a first choker damper associated with said fresh air path component
a second choker damper associated with said exhaust air path component
a pivot interconnect component interconnecting said first and second choker
dampers
such that said first and second choker dampers are simultaneously displaceable
between a respective first position and a respective second position; and
a temperature responsive choker actuation means attached to the pivot
interconnect
component such that said choker actuation means can displace the choker
dampers between
said first and said second positions, (e.g. in response to the temperature of
the environment,
e.g. in reaction to the temperature of the air flowing over the choke).
In another aspect the invention allows for the temperature reactive choke
system mechanism
for use with a ventilation system for attenuating (e.g. blocking) a flow of
air flowing within an
air path defined by the system.
The present invention in accordance with another aspect provides in a
ventilation system or
apparatus, for exchanging air between the interior and exterior of an enclosed
space (i.e. of a
building, room or the like), said ventilation system or apparatus having
a fresh air path means defining a fresh air path for a flow of fresh air
between a fresh air
intake and a fresh air discharge,
the improvement wherein said fresh air path means comprises
- a choker damper component for providing a region in the fresh air path of
temperature variable (i.e. constrictable) cross-sectional area
and - a pivot component,
said choker damper component comprising a pair of opposed broad side faces
(i.e. a plate),
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
said pivot component comprising a temperature responsive actuator element
configured to
pivotally (i.e. rotationally) displace the choker component, in response to
ambient air
temperature about said temperature actuator element, between a first position
and a second
position, said first and second positions falling within a range consisting of
a position
wherein the broad side faces of the choker component are disposed
(substantially) parallel to
the flow of fresh air and a position wherein the broad side faces of the
choker component are
disposed transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the flow of fresh air.
In accordance with the present invention a temperature actuator element may
comprises a
bimetallic spring.
It is to be understood herein that a temperature responsive actuator element,
component, or
member, a temperature responsive pivot component, element or member and the
like, etc., as
described herein, may take any (known) form keeping in mind its purpose,
namely to
displace or inhibit displacement of a damper in response to the temperature of
the
environment, (e.g. in reaction to the temperature of the air flowing over the
(choke) damper.
Hooking or connector System
Statement Of Invention
Thus this aspect of the invention generally provides a connector device (e.g.
of metal or other
analogous strong material) for connecting together a first element (e.g. of a
relatively friable
material as compared to the material of the connector device) and a second
element (e.g. if
desired or necessary also of a relatively (the same or different) friable
material as compared to
the material of the connector device), said connector device comprising.
a first hook member (e.g. a U shaped end)
and
a second (opposed or distal) engagement or locking assembly (e.g. a tail end)
extending from the first hook member
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the hook member being adapted or configured to mate with or engage a
correspondingly
configured portion of the first element
the engagement assembly being adapted or configured to secure the hook member
to the
second element.
In accordance with the present invention a connector device as described
herein may be one
wherein the second (opposed or distal) engagement assembly also comprises a
second hook
member (e.g. a U shaped end).
The present invention in particular provides a connector device for connecting
together a first
element and a second element, said first element comprising a relatively
friable material as
compared to the material of the connector device, said connector device
comprising.
a first U-shaped hook member comprising a pair of opposed arm elements, each
arm
element being provided with an opening for receiving therethrough the threaded
stem of a
screw member comprising a head connected to said threaded stem, one opening
being sized
smaller than said screw head, the other opening being configured and sized to
engage the
threads of said stem
and
a second tail engagement member extending from an arm of the first U-shaped
hook
member hook member, said tail engagement member being configured to secure the
hook
member to the second element..
The (opposed or distal) locking assembly (e.g. a tail end) extending from the
hook member
may have any desired or necessary means for attachment to the second element.
It may for
example be provided with screw attachment opening means for screw engagement
with screw
stalk of a screw attachment device.
Air diffuser for facilitating the mixing of fresh air and stale air flows of
different
temperature
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
Statement Of Invention
This aspect of the invention relates to an air diffuser or disperser means
whereby a first air
stream or flow may be intermingeled with a second air stream or flow. This
aspect of the
present invention may in particular exploit or be used with a temperature
actuatable choke
type damper as described herein; namely, a choke damper component associated
with a
temperature responsive actuator element configured and disposed so as to
inhibit air flow
through an air path with which the choke damper is associated. Thus for
example, if the
temperature of the (e.g. fresh) air flowing through the air path falls or is
below a
predetermined level the temperature responsive actuator element may be so
configured such
that it is able to tend to urge or maintain the choker in a predetermined
second (e.g. closed)
position so as to inhibit such cold air flow through the air path.
Thus in accordance with this air intermingling aspect the present invention
provides an air
intermingling assembly for an air handling system (e.g. apparatus, device
etc.; e.g. a
ventilation system) for exchanging air between the interior and exterior of an
enclosed space
(i.e. of a building, room or the like) wherein fresh air flow from the
exterior of the enclosure
is intermingled with stale air flow from the interior of the enclosure to form
a combined air
flow for delivery back to the interior of the enclosure, said air
intermingling assembly
comprising
an air input zone for receiving the fresh air flow,
an air intermingling zone for receiving the stale air flow
and
an intermediate air dispenser or dispersal zone comprising a plurality of
spaced apart
apertures for providing for air communication between said air input zone and
said air
intermingling zone such that the fresh air flow is able pass through said
apertures into
said air intermingling zone to intermingle with the stale air flow so as to
form a
combined (i.e. mixed) air flow.
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In accordance with the present invention an air intermingling assembly is
provided wherein
said intermediate air dispenser or dispersal zone may comprises a first
aperture region and a
second aperture region, said first region comprising a higher number of
apertures than said
second region whereby air flow through the apertures of the first region is
relatively higher
than air flow through the second region, and said air intermingling zone
comprises a stale air
flow inlet disposed adjacent said first aperture region.
In accordance with the present invention an air intermingling assembly is
provided wherein
said air intermingling zone comprises a stale air flow inlet and wherein said
intermediate air
dispersal zone comprises an aperture zone of highest concentration of
apertures adjacent said
stale air flow inlet.
In accordance with the present invention an air intermingling assembly is
provided wherein
said intermediate air dispenser or dispersal zone comprises a heat transfer
insolation body,
said insolation body defining said apertures.
Thus in accordance with this air intermingling aspect the present invention
provides an air
distribution or diffuser assembly for use with a ventilation or similar device
for the mixing of
at least two air flows (e.g. of different temperature), comprising a diffuser
body provided with
air diffusion openings or apertures for the passage of air from one (e.g.
broad) side of the
body to the opposed (e.g. broad) side of the body, the diffuser body and in
particular the
apertures or openings being configured so that the diffuser body has at least
one region which
provides therethrough a (relatively) high air flow rate and at least one other
region which
provides therethrough a (relatively) low(er) or more restricted air flow rate.
More particularly, in accordance with this intermingling aspect of the present
invention an air
handling system (e.g. apparatus, device, etc.) may provided which may be
configured, for
example, to provide a relatively controlled mixing of cold fresh air with warm
humid interior
stale air (i.e. with a view to avoiding for example frost or ice formation in
the immediate
vicinity of air mixing). The control may, for example, be accomplished by the
provision in
the diffuser body of a pattern of apertures or holes which interconnect (for
air communication
between) opposite broad faces thereof, the holes therein being configured and
positioned so as
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
to provide a concentration of openings varying in density (e.g. density = no.
of holes per unit
area) from one end or side of the diffuser to the opposed end thereof. The
apertures or holes
may be of the same or different cross-section. The diffuser may be considered
to have the
aspect of a grate wherein the openings are patterned to influence air flow
therethrough. The
control may alternatively be provided by varying the thickness of the diffuser
or dispenser
body such that the apertures or holes may be of the of the same or different
length; the
control may of course be affected by holes of varying cross section and length
keeping in
mind th purpose of the diffuser body. Alternatively, the diffuser body on the
fresh air side
may be associated with suitable baffling means whereby an elongated serpentine
channel is
defined, the floor of which defines the above mention apertures. The floor of
such
serpentine channel may have an aperture density near the air inlet lower than
the aperture
density of the distal end of the channel, the input of the stale air being
disposed adjacent the
distal end of the channel on the other side of the diffuser body.
In any event the diffuser or dispenser zone (e.g. dispenser or diffuser body)
and optionally the
air input zone and/or intermingling zone are to be configured so as to provide
the desired
graduated (i.e. gradual) intermingling of the first air stream with a second
air stream. In
particular it would be advantageous to configure the dispenser zone (e.g.
dispenser or diffuser
body) and optionally the air input zone and/or intermingling zone so as to
allow the mixing of
a cold (and possibly dry) air stream with a hot (and possibly humid) air
stream such that (for a
predetermined given set of temperature conditions) the intermingling streams
of air provide an
intermingled air flow has a temperature above the freezing point of water and
in particular
above the dew point (and the freezing point) of water. By doing so this
invention can mix
these two airstreams without causing any condensation, snow or ice buildup
notwithstanding
input air flow stream temperatures and humidity.
As mentioned above it would further be advantageous to be able to associate
with an air
intermingling means a temperature responsive means able to choke off (once a
predetermined
cut-off fresh air temperature is reached, e.g. a too low outside air
temperature) the inflow of
a first (i.e. fresh air) air flow to the intermingling means and the out flow
of a second (stale
air) air flow with respect to an enclosure (e.g. dwelling), namely once a
predetermined air
inflow temperature is reached fresh air inflow and stale air exhaust (i.e.
outflow from an
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
enclosure) is inhibited or stopped outright (e.g. stale air may be merely
recycled back to an
enclosure without any added fresh air).
Thus the present invention in accordance with another aspect provides a choker
damper
assembly for an air handling system comprising an air intermingling component
comprises an
air input zone and an air intermingling zone wherein the air input zone is
associated with a
fresh air input component and the air intermingling zone is associated with a
stale air input
component, said stale air input component comprising a first stale air input
element for
providing air communication with an exhaust outlet for exhausting stale air
and a second stale
air input element for providing air communication with said intermingling
zone, said choker
damper assembly comprising
a first choker damper associated with said fresh air input component
a second choker damper associated with said first stale air input element
a pivot interconnect component interconnecting said first and second choker
dampers
such that said first and second choker dampers are simultaneously displaceable
between a respective first open position and a respective second closed
position;
a biasing component biasing said choker dampers in respective second closed
positions, said biasing component being configured such that the choker
dampers are
able to be induced to pass from respective second closed positions to
respective first
open positions; and
a temperature responsive choker inhibition element attached to the pivot
interconnect
component such that said choker actuation means can inhibit displacement of
the choker
dampers between said first and said second positions, (e.g. in response to the
temperature of
the environment, e.g. in reaction to the temperature of the air flowing over
the choke). In
accordance with the present invention the choker damper assembly may be
associated with
any type of (known) air intermingling means but in particular with an air
intermingling
assembly as described herein, namely an air intermingling component which
additionally
comprises an intermediate air dispenser or dispersal zone as described herein.
Thus the present invention in accordance with a further aspect provides an air
intermingling
assembly wherein the air input zone is associated with a fresh air input
component and said
intermingling zone is associated with a stale air input component, said stale
air input
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component comprising a first stale air input element for providing air
communication with an
exhaust outlet for exhausting stale air and a second stale air input element
for providing air
communication with said intermingling zone, and wherein said air intermingling
assembly
comprises
a first choker damper associated with said fresh air input component
a second choker damper associated with said first stale air input element
a pivot interconnect component interconnecting said first and second choker
dampers
such that said first and second choker dampers are simultaneously displaceable
between a respective first open position and a respective second closed
position;
a biasing component biasing said choker dampers in respective second closed
positions, said biasing component being configured such that the choker
dampers are
able to be induced to pass from respective second closed positions to
respective first
open positions; and
a temperature responsive choker inhibition element attached to the pivot
interconnect
component such that said choker actuation means can inhibit displacement of
the choker
dampers between said first and said second positions, (e.g. in response to the
temperature of
the environment, e.g. in reaction to the temperature of the air flowing over
the choke).
Single blower wheel assembly provided with a first and a second blower wheel
elements
In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to provide a
relatively compact blower
assembly wherein, while the first and second blower wheels are mounted on a
common rotor
shaft (e.g. to be rotated by an electric motor), the blower wheels are
disposed adjacent to each
other such that the blower assembly may be incorporated into a compact air
handling system
(e.g. ventilation apparatus). In this case the baffle must have an opening
sized to
accommodate such a large rotatable structure which may lead to undesired air
leakage
between fresh and stale air paths.
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This (blower) aspect of the invention thus provides a dynamic seal member for
use with a
blower assembly and baffle.
Statement Of Invention
Thus the present invention generally provides a blower wheel assembly for use
with an
airflow baffle having a baffle opening. The assembly may comprise a dynamic
seal member,
a first blower wheel,
(and if desired a second blower wheel) and a rotor (e.g. (electric) motor
provided with a single
motor shaft). The dynamic seal member having an outer peripheral edge provided
with a
peripheral lip or peripheral groove (e.g. the lip or groove extending parallel
to, perpendicular
to or transversely to the axis of rotation of the motor shaft). The first
blower wheel (and the
second blower wheel if present) is (are) coaxially attached or mounted to the
rotor shaft (e.g.
adjacent to each other, if two wheels are present). The dynamic seal member,
the first
blower wheel (and if present the second blower wheel) being sized and
configured such that
the dynamic seal member is disposed between the first and second blowers such
that the lip or
groove thereof is able to dynamically mate or cooperate with a corresponding
lip, groove or
edge portion of a peripheral edge of the baffle opening so as to provide a
dynamic seal
between opposite sides of the baffle (i.e. to provide an air (flow) seal
between the opposite
sides of the baffle when the blower(s) is (are) rotated) and such that the
first blower wheel is
disposes on one side of the baffle and the second blower wheel, if present, is
disposed on the
other opposite side of the baffle.
In accordance with the present invention the blower wheels may each having an
outer
peripheral edge. These outer edges may (independently) be disposed inwardly or
outwardly of
the peripheral edge of the dynamic seal. If desired, one of the peripheral
edges of a blower
may be configured to take on the function of the dynamic seal.
The dynamic seal member (if an independent member) may be independently
attached to or
mounted to the motor shaft. Alternatively the dynamic seal may instead be
attached to one of
or both of the blowers.
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
The present invention in particular provides a blower wheel assembly for use
with an airflow
baffle having an inner peripheral edge defining a baffle opening, the assembly
comprising a
dynamic seal member (e.g. ring, annular, disk shaped member), a first blower
wheel, and a
second blower wheel, the blower wheels being juxtaposed (e.g. adjacent to each
other) and
coaxially attached to a rotor shaft on opposite sides of the dynamic seal
member, the dynamic
seal member having an outer peripheral edge (provided with a peripheral lip or
peripheral
groove (e.g. the lip or groove extending parallel to, perpendicular to or
transversely to the axis
of rotation of the rotor shaft)),
the dynamic seal member, the first blower wheel and the second blower wheel
being sized and
configured such that when the blower wheel assembly is disposed in the baffle
opening and
the outer peripheral edge is in juxtaposed relation to the inner peripheral
edge of the baffle,
the first blower wheel is disposed on one side of the baffle and the second
blower
wheel is disposed on the other opposite side of the baffle
and
the outer peripheral edge is able to dynamically cooperate with the inner
peripheral
edge of the baffle so as to provide a dynamic seal between opposite sides of
the baffle
(i.e. to provide an air (flow) seal between the opposite sides of the baffle
when the
blowers are rotated).
In accordance with the present invention a blower wheel assembly as defined
may be one
wherein one of the blower wheels (e.g. the peripheral edge thereof) is
configured to act as said
dynamic seal member.
In accordance with the present invention a blower wheel assembly as defined
herein may
comprise a (electric) motor provided with a single motor shaft, said motor
shaft being said
rotor shaft.
In accordance with another aspect the present invention provides a ventilation
system or
apparatus, for exchanging air between the interior and exterior of a building,
for transferring
heat from exhaust air taken from the building to fresh air taken from the
exterior ambient air
for delivery to the building, and wherein air from the interior of the
building is used as defrost
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air to defrost the ventilation apparatus, (such as for example described
herein and in particular
in U.S. patent no. 5193610, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference).
The ventilation system or apparatus having
a fresh air path means having a fresh air intake side and a fresh air
discharge side,
an exhaust air path means having an exhaust air intake side and an exhaust air
discharge side, and
optionally, if desired or necessary a heat exchanger means comprising or
consisting of heat
recovery means for the transfer of heat between exhaust air and fresh air,
said heat recovery
means comprising one or more air-to-air heat exchanger elements (see Figures 1
to 4),
wherein said system or apparatus includes a fan component for moving fresh air
through said
fresh air path means and for moving exhaust air through said exhaust air path
means, said fan
component comprising one motor and two blower wheels operatively connected
thereto, said
fresh air path means including one said blower wheel and said exhaust path
means including
the other said blower wheel,
the improvement wherein said fan component comprises the blower wheel assembly
and
airflow baffle as defined herein and wherein the airflow baffle separates a
portion of said
fresh air path means from said exhaust air path means such that the first
blower wheel is
disposed on a side of the baffle forming part of the fresh air path means and
the second
blower wheel is disposed on the other opposite side of the baffle forming part
of the exhaust
air path means.
As used herein the expression "dynamic seal" is to be understood as referring
to the
contorted pathway inhibiting the passage of air during rotation of the blower
assembly about
the axis of rotation of the rotor shaft.
This (blower) aspect of the invention thus provides a dynamic seal member for
use with a
blower assembly and baffle, the baffle comprising a baffle opening and the
blower assembly
comprising one or two blower wheels mounted to the same rotor (i.e. motor)
shaft. Air sealing
between different air paths is provided during rotation of the blower
wheel(s). The
corresponding peripheral edges of the dynamic seal member and the baffle
opening are spaced
apart and configured so as to provide an air (flow) seal (i.e. contorted air
pathway) between
the opposite sides of the baffle when the blower(s) is (are) rotated.
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
The dynamic seal member may take any desired form keeping in mind its purpose.
thus the
dynamic seal member may be an independent element or may form part of a blower
wheel
(e.g. the peripheral edge of the first or second blower) and the like.
Mounting port
Statement Of Invention
Thus the present invention provides in an air opening element of air handling
(e.g. a
ventilation) system (e.g. apparatus) the improvement wherein the opening
element comprises
a sealing projection or groove for cooperating with a corresponding projection
or groove of a
port mounting element for (air tight) seal mating therewith (i.e. for air
tight seal connection of
the port to the opening element).
Thus the present invention provides in a mounting port for an air opening
element of an air
handling (e.g. a ventilation) system (e.g. apparatus, device, etc.) comprising
a side wall
member defining an air aperture or opening, the side wall member having an air
input portion
or end and an air output portion or end,
the air input end having a connection element for cooperating with a
corresponding
connection element of an air duct member for connecting the air duct to the
mounting port,
the air output end having a connection element for cooperating with a
corresponding
connection element of an (air) opening element (e.g. of a ventilation system
or device) for
connection of the port to the (air) opening element, the improvement wherein
the output end is
provided with a sealing projection or groove for cooperating with a
corresponding projection
or groove of the opening element for seal (e.g. air tight) mating therewith
(i.e. for air tight seal
connection of the port to the opening means).
The present invention in particular provides in a quick connect mounting port
for an air
opening element of air handling (e.g. a ventilation) system (e.g. apparatus)
comprising a side
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wall member defining an air aperture or opening, the side wall member having
an air input
portion or end and an air output portion or end,
the air input end having snap connection element (e.g. male or female) for
cooperating with a
corresponding snap connection element (e.g. male or female) of an air duct
member for
connecting the air duct to the mounting port,
the air output end having snap connection element (e.g. male or female) for
cooperating with a
corresponding snap connection element (e.g. male or female) of an (air)
opening element (e.g.
of a ventilation system or device) for connection of the port to the (air)
opening element, the
improvement wherein the output portion is provided with a sealing projection
or groove for
cooperating with a corresponding projection or groove of the opening element
for seal (e.g. air
tight) mating therewith (i.e. for air tight seal connection of the port to the
opening element).
The present invention in a further aspect provides in a mounting port for an
air opening
element of an air handling (e.g. a ventilation) system (e.g. apparatus)
comprising a side wall
member defining an air aperture or opening, the side wall member having an air
input portion
or end and an air output portion or end,
the air input end having a snap connection element for cooperating with a
corresponding
snap connection element of an air duct member for connecting the air duct to
the mounting
port,
the air output end having a connection element for cooperating with a
corresponding
connection element of an (air) opening element (e.g. of a ventilation system
or device) for
connection of the port to the (air) opening element, the improvement wherein
the input end is
provided with a base mounting member and one or more mounting members for
connection to
ducts of successively smaller size.
In drawings which illustrate example embodiments of the various aspects of the
present
invention:
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Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of airflow through a known integrated
supply and exhaust
ventilator system or apparatus without sensible heat exchanger or desiccant
exchanger (i.e.
without any transfer of water moisture and sensible heat);
Figure 2 is schematic illustration of airflow through a known integrated
supply and exhaust
ventilator system or apparatus with sensible heat exchanger and/or desiccant
exchanger (i.e. with
transfer of water moisture and sensible heat);
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of airflow through an example embodiment
of an integrated
supply and exhaust ventilator system or apparatus of the present invention
without sensible heat
exchanger or desiccant exchanger (i.e. transfer of water moisture and sensible
heat);
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of airflow through an example embodiment
of an integrated
supply and exhaust ventilator system or apparatus of the present invention
with sensible heat
exchanger and/or desiccant exchanger (i.e. with transfer of water moisture and
sensible heat);
Figure 5 is a front view of a known ventilation apparatus as described in U.
S. Patent no 5193610
with the front door of the cabinet removed;
Figure 6 is a rear view of the known ventilation apparatus shown in Figure 5
with the rear wall
of the cabinet removed;
Figure 7 is a partial schematic rear view of the ventilation apparatus shown
in Figure 6, with the
rear wall removed, in the ventilation configuration;
Figure 8 is a partial schematic front view of the ventilation apparatus shown
in Figure 5, with the
front door removed, in the ventilation configuration;
Figure 9 is a partial schematic rear view of the ventilation apparatus shown
in Figure 6, with the
rear wall removed, in the defrost configuration;
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Figure 10 is a partial schematic front view of the ventilation apparatus shown
in Figure 5, with
the front door removed, in the defrost configuration;
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a known motorized assembly for
the displacement
of a defrost damper member for a ventilation apparatus as shown in figures 5
to 10 comprising
a tie rod for connecting the motor to the damper ;
Figure 12 is a front perspective schematic illustration of an example
embodiment of a self
aligning damper system in accordance with the present invention associated
with an electric
motor, neither the flexible elongated damper interconnection element nor the
ventilation
apparatus structure with which the system may be associated being shown;
Figure 13 is a rear perspective schematic illustration of the example
embodiment shown in
Figure 12 showing the end thereof in rotatable engagement with respective
support elements;
Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional schematic illustration of the bobbin
element and motor of the
example embodiment shown in Figure 12 showing the ends of the bobbin element
in rotatbel
engagement with respective support members;
Figure 15 is a side schematic illustration of the motor of the example
embodiment shown in
Figure 12;
Figure 16 is a front schematic illustration of the motor of the example
embodiment shown in
Figure 12 facing the motor rotor;
Figure 17 is a front perspective schematic illustration of the example
embodiment as shown in
Figure 12 but with a single piece example embodiment of the flexible elongated
damper
interconnection element in the form of a flexible wire threaded through the
aperture of the bobbin
element;
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Figure 18 is a front perspective schematic illustration of the example
embodiment as shown in
Figure 12 but with a two piece example embodiment of the flexible elongated
damper
interconnection element, each piece being connected to a respective take-up
element;
Figure 19 is a front perspective schematic illustration of the example
embodiment as shown in
Figure 12 but with a single piece example embodiment of the flexible elongated
damper
interconnection element in the form of a flexible loop threaded through the
aperture of the bobbin
element;
Figure 20 is a front perspective schematic illustration of the example
embodiment as shown in
Figure 19 but wherein the damper connector includes a spring connected to one
end of the
flexible elongated damper interconnection element;
Figure 21 is a front perspective schematic illustration of the example
embodiment as shown in
Figurel8 but wherein each damper connector includes a spring connected to one
end of a
respective piece of the flexible elongated damper interconnection element;
Figure 22 is an enlarged schematic illustration showing the damper connector
connection to one
end of the flexible elongated damper interconnection elements of figures 17,
18, and 19;
Figure 23 is an enlarged schematic illustration showing the spring type damper
connector
connection to one end of the flexible elongated damper interconnection
elements of figures 20
and 21;
Figures 24 to 26 illustrate in schematic fashion the winding up of a wire loop
so as to displace
the damper components from a first position (Figure 24) to a second position
(Figure 26) , the
winding up proceeding with one of the dampers being prematurely brought to the
second position
(Figure 25) before the other and the slippage of the wire loop flights as they
are continued to be
wound up until the misaligned damper is also brought into the final second
position;
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
Figure 27 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of a self
aligning damper
system wherein the bobbin element is engaged to one end of the flexible
elongated damper
interconnection element;
Figure 28 is a schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of a
self aligning
damper system wherein displacement flexible elongated damper interconnection
element is
accomplished by a linear driving member rather than a rotational driving
member;
Figure 29 is a schematic illustration of a pair of damper elements in
respective first position as
associated with an air ventilation device, the displacement component of the
self aligning damper
system not being shown;
Figure 30 is a schematic illustration of a pair of damper elements in
respective second positions
as associated with an air ventilation device , the displacement component of
the self aligning
damper system not being shown;
Figure 31 illustrates a schematic perspective side view of an example
embodiment of a two part
damper in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 32 illustrates an exploded perspective side view of the example two
part damper shown
in Figure 31 in the process of being assembled;
Figure 33 is a side view of an example embodiment of a temperature responsive
bimetallic spring
actuator;
Figure 34 is a perspective side view of the example embodiment of a
temperature responsive
bimetallic spring actuator shown in figure 33;
Figure 35 illustrates in schematic fashion the two part damper disposed in an
air path (structure
defining air path not shown) wherein the temperature of the ambient air is
such that the choke
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
damper does not impede air flow (i.e. a minimal air flow constraint is
presented by the choke
damper);
Figure 36 illustrates in schematic fashion the two part damper disposed in an
air path (structure
defining air path not shown) wherein the temperature of the ambient air is
such that the choke
damper does present a partial impediment to air flow (i.e. an intermediate air
flow constraint is
presented by the choke damper);
Figure 37 illustrates in schematic fashion the two part damper disposed in an
air path (structure
defining air path not shown) wherein the temperature of the ambient air is
such that the choke
damper does present a maximal impediment to air flow (i.e. a maximal air flow
constraint is
presented by the choke damper);
Figure 38 is a left perspective side view of one side of an example embodiment
of a connector
in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 39 is a rear view of the example embodiment shown in Figure 38;
Figure 40 a side view of the example embodiment shown in Figure 38;
Figure 41 is a schematic partial cut away side view of a connector of figure
38 wherein the U-
shaped portion is in engagement with a housing structure comprising friable
material;
Figure 42 is a schematic partial cut away view from the inside of the housing
structure the
connector as shown in Figure 41;
Figure 43 is a schematic cross sectional view of an example air intermingling
assembly in
accordance with the present invention wherein the intermediate air dispenser
or dispersal zone
is provided with a plurality of evenly spaced apertures;
37
CA 02388527 2008-08-06
Figure 44 is a schematic cross sectional view of another example air
intermingling assembly
in accordance with the present invention wherein the intermediate air
dispenser or dispersal
zone is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures distributed so as to
provide n aperture
pattern comprising a first aperture region and a second aperture region, the
first region
comprising a higher number of apertures than said second region;
Figure 44A is a schematic cross sectional view of an example air intermingling
assembly
along the lines of the assembly shown in Figure 44 illustrating the graduated
fresh air flow
through the apertures of the dispenser zone which diminish starting from the
high number of
apertures adjacent the stale air inlet;
Figure 45 is a side schematic perspective view of a substantial portion of an
example air
intermingling assembly for a ventilation system or apparatus for exchanging
air between the
inter-ior and exterior of an enclosed space (i.e. of a building, room or the
like), including an
exploded view of an example choker damper assembly;
Figure 46 is a side schematic perspective view of the example air
intermingling assembly as
shown in Figure 45 wherein arrows show the input air flow to the air input
vessel component,
exhaust stale air outflow for being exhausted and stale air input to the
intermingling
compartment component;
Figure 47 an underside schematic perspective view of the example air
intermingling assembly
as shown in Figure 45 wherein arrows how the input air flow to the air input
vessel
component, exhaust stale air outflow for being exhausted and stale air input
to the
intermingling compartment component;
Figure 48 is an enlarged schematic view of the first choker damper associated
with said fresh
air input component in a biased closed position;
Figure 49 is an enlarged schematic view of the first choker damper associated
with said fresh
air input component in an open position due to the influence of fresh air flow
(i.e. induced by
appropriate fan or blower means not shown);
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Figure 50 is an enlarged schematic partial sectional view through the
temperature response
actuator means wherein the outer projection is shown in a non-inhibiting
position with respect
to the closed position of the choker damper;
Figure 51 is an enlarged schematic partial perspective showing the temperature
response actuator
means of Figure 50 wherein the outer projection is shown in an inhibiting
position with respect
to the closed position of the choker damper;
Figure 52 is a schematic illustration of an known blower wheel assembly
associated with a motor
and baffle elements;
Figure 52a is a schematic illustration of an example blower wheel assembly in
accordance with
the present invention;
Figure 53 is a more detailed schematic illustration of the blower wheel
assembly shown in
Figure 52;
Figure 54 is a perspective view of an example air ventilation housing to which
are connected
example embodiments of quick connect mounting ports in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 55 is a perspective view from below of a quick connect mounting port in
accordance with
the present invention showing an oval shaped sealing projection;
Figure 56 is a perspective view from above of an opening element of an air
ventilation apparatus
showing an oval shaped groove for sealing engagement with te sealing
projection shown in Figure
55;
Figure 57 is a schematic partial cross sectional view of a mounting port in
position for
engagement of its sealing projection with the groove of the opening element;
and
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
Figure 58 is a perspective exploded view of a mounting port being in position
for engagement
with a mounting sealing plate in turn in position for engagement with an
opening element larger
than initially designed for the mounting port.
Ventilation method
Referring to Figure 1, this figure illustrates a known integrated fresh air
supply and exhaust air
ventilator system which exploits an air flow pre-mixing stage 2 wherein a
fresh air flow 4
drawn from outside of an enclosure (e.g. dwelling, not shown), is mixed with a
stale air flow
6 drawn from within the enclosure so as to produce a resulting intermingled
(i.e. a mixed)
airflow 8 which as may be seen is a combination of the total of the stale and
fresh air flows.
The so obtained total intermingled (i.e. mixed) air flow 8 is then passed
through an air filter
or purifier stage 10 so as to obtain a filtered intermingled air flow 12.
After the air filtering / purifying stage the filtered intermingled air flow
12 is passed through a
blower assembly 14 to an upstream air splitting stage 16 wherein the filtered
intermingled air
flow 12 is divided into an exhaust (treated - filtered) air flow portion 18
for exhaustion
outside of the enclosure and a treated (i.e. filtered) air flow supply 20 for
delivery into the
enclosure (e.g. dwelling).
Although the illustrated ventilation system does introduce fresh air from
outside of an
enclosure into the enclosure, the main drawback with this known system is that
part of treated
(i.e. filtered) air is exhausted outside the enclosure (e.g. dwelling). This
reduces the efficiency
of the filtering / purifying capability of the system for the enclosure (e.g.
dwelling).
Referring to Figure 2 this figure illustrates in schematic fashion a modified
known integrated
supply and exhaust ventilator system. There is a fresh air inflow 22 from the
exterior of the
enclosure and a stale air inflow 24 from the interior of the enclosure; there
is also a treated air
outflow 26 to the enclosure and an exhaust air outflow 28 to the exterior of
the enclosure.
The modified system includes a heat exchange or transfer stage 30, such as for
example an
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
air-to-air sensible heat exchanger and /or desiccant exchanger (i.e, for the
air-to air transfer of
water moisture and/or sensible heat). The system also exploits an air flow pre-
mixing stage
32 wherein the heat treated fresh air flow 34 is mixed with the stale air flow
24 so as to
produce a resulting intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 36 which as may be
seen is a
combination of the total of the stale and fresh air flows. The so obtained
total intermingled
(i.e. mixed) air flow 36 is then passed through an air filter or purifier
stage 38 so as to obtain
a filtered intermingled air flow 40. After the air filtering / purifying stage
the filtered
intermingled air flow 40 is passed through a blower assembly 42 to an upstream
air splitting
stage 44 wherein the filtered intermingled air flow 40 is divided into an
exhaust (treated -
filtered) air flow portion 46 and the treated (i.e. filtered) air flow supply
26 for delivery into
the enclosure (e.g. dwelling).
As may be seen the heat exchange or transfer stage 30 provides for a heat
exchange or
transfer between the fresh air inflow 22 and the exhaust air flow portion 46
to produce the
heat treated outflow 28.
This type of known heat exchange system has a drawback in addition to the
drawback
discussed above with respect to the system illustrated in figure 1. The
efficiency of this
illustrated known heat exchange system is reduced since a portion of the fresh
airflow is
subjected to a second heat exchange treatment, namely, the portion of the
fresh airflow
associated with the exhaust air portion is again subjected to heat exchange
prior to being
exhausted.
Referring to FIG 3, this figure shows in schematic fashion an example
embodiment of a
integrated supply and exhaust ventilator system in accordance with the present
invention. In
general as may be seen the fresh air pre-mixing stage 48 and the stale air
splitting stage 50 are
both disposed downstream of the air filter or purifier stage 52. The system
illustrated
employs two blower assemblies 54 and 56 which are respectively disposed on the
upstream
sides of the fresh air pre-mixing stage 48 and stale air splitting stage 50;
one or both of the
blowers could of course be disposed on the downstream sides of the fresh air
pre-mixing
stage 48 and stale air splitting stage 50. Thus as may be seen a stale air
flow stream 58 is
delivered to the stale air splitting stage 50 which divides the air flow into
an exhaust
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(untreated) air flow portion 60 for exhaustion (via a blower assembly 56)
directly outside of
the enclosure and a stale airflow portion 62 for delivery to the fresh air pre-
mixing stage 48
wherein the fresh air flow 64 from outside of the enclosure is intermingled
(e.g. mixed) with
the stale airflow portion to provide an untreated intermingled (i.e. a mixed)
airflow 68.
The untreated intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 68 is then passed through
the air filter or
purifier stage 52 so as to obtain a filtered intermingled (i.e. a mixed)
airflow 70 which is then
passed through the blower assembly 54 into the enclosure (e.g. dwelling). The
fresh air pre-
mixing stage 48 and stale air splitting stage 50 may take any desired or known
form; they may
for example take the form of the air intermingling assembly as described
herein.
An advantage with this new system is that the stale air is exhausted to the
outside of the
enclosure to outside without any prior air treatment. Additionally fresh air
from outside is
added to the stale air to be treated (i.e. filtered) just before the filter /
purification process.
Therefor only the necessary airflow is treated (i.e. filtered) prior
distribution in the dwelling .
Referring to FIG 4 this figure illustrates in schematic fashion a modified
version in
accordance with the present invention of the integrated supply and exhaust
ventilator system
as shown in figure 3. There is a fresh air inflow 72 from the exterior of the
enclosure and a
stale air inflow 74 from the interior of the enclosure; there is also a
treated air outflow 76 to
the enclosure and a heat treated exhaust air outflow 78 to the exterior of the
enclosure. The
modified system includes a heat exchange or transfer stage 80, such as for
example an air-to-
air sensible heat exchanger and /or desiccant exchanger (i.e. for the air-to
air transfer of water
moisture and/or sensible heat). The system has a fresh air pre-mixing stage 82
and a stale air
splitting stage 84 which are both disposed downstream of the air filter or
purifier stage 86.
The system illustrated employs two blower assemblies 88 and 90 which are
respectively
disposed on the upstream sides of the fresh air pre-mixing stage 82 and stale
air splitting stage
84. Thus as may be seen the stale air flow stream 74 is delivered to the stale
air splitting stage
84 which divides the air flow into an exhaust (untreated) air flow portion 92
and a stale
airflow portion 94. The air flow portion 92 is delivered to the heat exchange
or transfer stage
80 for heat transfer with the fresh air inflow 72 to produce the heat treated
exhaust air
outflow 78 which is exhausted (via a blower assembly 88) outside of the
enclosure. The
stale airflow portion 94 is delivered to the fresh air pre-mixing stage 82
wherein the heat
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
treated fresh air flow 96 from the heat exchange or transfer stage 80 is
intermingled (e.g.
mixed) with the stale airflow portion 94 to provide an intermingled (i.e. a
mixed) airflow 98.
The intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 98 is then passed through the air
filter or purifier
stage 86 so as to obtain the filtered intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 76
which is then
passed through the blower assembly 90 into the enclosure (e.g. dwelling). The
fresh air pre-
mixing stage 82 and stale air splitting stage 84 may take any desired or known
form; they may
for example take the form of the air intermingling assembly as described
herein.
As may be seen in accordance with the system shown in Figure 4, the fresh air
flow is first
directed to the heat exchange or transfer stage and the heat treated fresh air
flow leaving the
heat exchange stage is directed to the pre-mixing stage whereas the untreated
(i.e. unfiltered)
exhaust stale air flow portion prior to exhaustion outside of the enclosure
(e.g dwelling) is
directed to the heat exchange or transfer stage and the heat treated exhaust
stale air flow
portion is then directed outside of the enclosure (e.g. dwelling).
An additional advantage with this new modified system is improved efficiency
since fresh
airflow is not subjected to a further heat exchange through the sensible heat
exchanger and/or
desiccant exchanger stage as part of the exhausted air, i.e. which is the case
for the system
shown in Figure 2. Thus the size of the sensible heat exchanger or desiccant
exchanger may
be reduced as compared to the system depicted in FIG: 2.
The method, system, device etc. for intermingling air may for example exploit
any known air
handling components keeping in mind their function.
Damper system and Auto activating choker
Turning to Figures 5 to 11 these figures illustrate a prior art ventilation
apparatus which
exploits a pair of dampers 100 and 102 and a pair of motor assemblies 104 and
106 for
contemporaneous displacement from respective first to respective second
positions (as shown
by the arrows 108 and 110) in order to place the ventilation apparatus in
ventilation mode or
43
CA 02388527 2002-05-31
defrost mode. More particularly, figure 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a ventilation
configuration wherein
the pair of dampers 100 and 102 are each in a ventilation configuration;
whereas figure 9 and
show a defrost configuration wherein the dampers 100 and 102 are each in a
defrost
configuration.
5
Thus, as may be seen in Figures 7 and 8, fresh air is confined to the air path
outlined by the
arrows 106 on the other hand the exhaust air is confined to the air path
outlined by the arrows
108. On the other hand as may be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, fresh air is excluded
from the
apparatus and at the same time, exhaust or stale warm air from the interior of
the building
10 circulates through the apparatus as outlined by the arrows I 10.
The damper members 102 and 104 are for example described in U. S. Patent no
5193610 (see
Figure 11) as being displaced between the ventilation configuration and the
defrost
configuration by means of a motor 112 and rod 114 arrangement which includes a
spring
member 116 for biasing the damper members in one configuration, the motor 112
being used
to displace a damper member to the other configuration.
For more details with respect to the ventilation apparatus structure reference
may be made to
U.S. Patent no.5193610 mentioned above.
As mentioned use of tie rods to contemporaneously displace the damper members
or
components requires significant precision. Such initial precision may be lost
over time as the
tie rods and other connected members deform due to extended use.
Referring to figure 12 to 15 illustrate an example embodiment of a damper
(actuation) system
in accordance with the present invention, the flexible (i.e. elastic or non-
elastic) elongated
damper interconnection element not being shown (see Figures 17 to 23 which
illustrate
example flexible elongated damper interconnection elements for use with the
components
shown in Figures 12 to 15).
The damper (actuation) system comprises two damper elements118 and 120. The
dampers
118 and 120 are each provided with a pair of opposed pin elements 122 for
their pivot
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
connection to or engagement with corresponding pivot engagement members (e.g.
openings)
defined by the support structure of an air handling system such as for example
an air
ventilation device (not shown). A bias spring 124 is associated with a pin
element of each
damper for biasing the dampers in a first position.
The displacement component for displacing the damper elements from a
respective first
position to a respective second position comprises an intermediate(wind-up)
pulley or bobbin
element 126. The bobbin element 126 is (reversibly) rotatable about an axis of
rotation 128;
the ends 130 and 132 of the bobbin element 126 are configured to rotatably
engage with
respective openings of a support element (only one such support element 136 is
partially
shown with such opening 13 8). The bobbin element defines an aperture or hole
140. The
bobbin element 126 comprises a slippage engagement component for slippingly
engaging a
flexible elongated damper interconnection element. The slippage engagement
component
shown comprises two take-up elements 142 and 144 and the aperture 140. As may
be seen
the aperture 140 is disposed between the take-up elements. Referring to
figures 17, 19 and
20, these figures illustrate examples of single (piece) flexible elongated
damper
interconnection elements (i.e. damper wires 146, 148 and 150) which may be
associated with
the bobbin element 126 shown. As may be seen from figures 17, 19 and 20 the
examples
146, 148 and 150 of single (piece) flexible elongated damper interconnection
element are
(loosely) threaded through the aperture 140. Referring in particular to Figure
19 the damper
interconnection element 148 is a flexible loop shaped damper interconnection
element
having a first loop end and a second loop end connected to respective dampers.
The damper
interconnection element 148 has a first flight side 148a and an opposed second
flight side
148b. The first and second flight sides are each connected respectively to the
first and second
ends and are each threaded through the aperture.
Referring back to Figures 12 and 13 each of the take-up elements 142 and 144
has an
engagement element 152 and 154 (i.e. rounded cross member) which is provided
with curved
or rounded surfaces which facilitate slidding or slipping engagement between
the up-take
elements and the elongated damper interconnection element. As may be
appreciated the
rounded cross members 152 and 154, are to act in the nature of cams, so as to
allow the above
mentioned single piece elongated damper interconnection elements (e.g. wire
146, 148 and
CA 02388527 2002-05-31
150) to slide freely on the pulley or bobbin 126 when one damper is in its
final second
position and the other is not, i.e. the system is able to self align by being
able to take up the
slack of the part of the elongated damper interconnection element attached to
the lagging
damper. In other words if a damper closes before the other, the pulley or
bobbin 126 will
still be able to continue to rotate until the second damper is in its second
position (e.g. is also
fully closed). The take-up elements 152 and 154 are configured keeping in mind
the purpose
of slippage engagement component, namely to allow for continued rotation of
the bobbin
element 126 even if one damper element has reached its second position before
the other (the
exact surface shapes for any particular type of take up element can be
determined by suitable
empirical tests or experiments). With this new system, the possibility of leak
due to unequal
length of connector rods (mentioned above) may be avoided. If desired or
necessary the
rounded cross-members may be configured as a roller type element (e.g. roller
bearing) so as
to be able to rotate along its longitudinal axis (i.e. to facilitate
slippage); or its surface may be
a friction reducing surface (e.g. coated with a friction reducing material
such as Teflon
(trademark)).
The pulley or bobbin element 126 may as shown in Figure 14 be associated with
a damper
motor 160, the bobbin element 126 being directly mounted at or on the end of
the damper
motor rotor shaft 162; the end 162 of the damper motor rotor shaft has a
square cross section
end which is (slidingly) engaged an aperture of corresponding shape in a
replaceable steel
insert 163 which is mounted inside the pulley or bobbin element.
Referring again to figures 17, 19 and 20 there is only a one component linker
linking the two
dampers, namely the damper wires 146, 148 and 150. Each end of the wires 146,
148 and
150. may for example be secured to a damper as shown in more detail by way of
example in
figures 22 and 23. The wires 146, 148 and 150 may be elastic or non elastic as
desired or
necessary. The damper connector may as shown for example in Figure 23 include
a spring
member 166 one end of which is attached to the end of a wire element
Referring to figures 24, 25 and 26, these figures schematically illustrate the
sequence of
events that occur during operation when one damper element lags behind the
other with
respect to its displacement from a first position to its respective second
position. As may be
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
seen, as the wire 146 is wound on the pulley or bobbin element 126 (i.e. taken
up by the take-
up elements 142 and 144) this causes the dampers to rotate or pivot toward
their second
(open) position and finally reach their respective second positions, passing
through a
transition stage (Figure 25) wherein one damper is in its second (open)
position before the
other which finally reaches its second position with continued rotation of the
pulley or bobbin
element (Figure 26). In the first damper position shown in Figure 24 the
dampers close off
respective openings in an air handling apparatus whereas in the second
position of Figure 26
these opening are no longer blocked by the dampers. As may be appreciated the
bobbin
element 126 may be initiated to rotate in a clockwise or anticlockwise
direction to take up the
wire 146 so as to urge the dampers to move from their respective first to
their respective
second positions. Once the motor is de-energized the dampers will return to
the first position
under the influence of biasing springs.
Referring to back to figures 18 and 21 these figures illustrate the use of a
two piece elongated
interconnection element. As shown each piece 170 and 172 ( or 170a and 172a)
is separately
connected at one end thereof to a respective up-take element of the bobbin
element 126 and at
the other end thereof to a respective damper connector. For the structures
shown, instead of
relying on a slippage characteristic of the bobbin element 126 to facilitate
continued rotation
such continued rotation is facilitated by using elongated interconnection
elements which are
not only flexible but are also elastic (i.e. extensible). Thus when one damper
component
reaches its first position before the other, the elastic nature of the
elongated interconnection
elements is such as to allow for the continued rotation of the pulley or
bobbin element to
displace the lagging damper element to its second position. If desired the
elastic quality of
the elongated interconnection element may be augmented by using a damper
connector as
shown in Figure 23 which includes a spring.
Referring to figure 27, this Figure illustrates an alternate embodiment
wherein the rotatable
part of the pulley or bobbin element 180 is schematically shown as being
attached to one
end 182 of the elongated interconnection element 184 rather than intermediate
the ends of the
elongated interconnection element. In this case the elongated element 184 is
fixed at the
other end to one of the damper elements 186 and is slidably (i.e. loosely)
threaded though an
eye bolt connector 188 connected to the other damper 190. Thus as the bobbin
element 180
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rotates to wind up the elongated interconnection element 184 , this action
will pull on the
farthest damper 186 causing it to rotate about pivot element 192 to the second
position 194.
At the same time the elongated interconnection element 184 slides through and
acts against
the eye bolt 188 to also rotate the closest damper element 190 down to its
second position 196
about pivot element 199.
Referring to Figure 28, this figure shows a further example embodiment of the
damper
system wherein a linear action induces displacement of the damper elements 200
and 202.
As may be seen the displacement piston 204 has a linearly displaceable piston
arm 206
(direction of arrow 208) which is provided at its end with an eyelet member
210 through
which is slidably (i.e. loosely) threaded the elongated interconnection
element 212. The
elongated interconnection element 212 is fixed at its end to the dampers 200
and 202 by
damper connectors. Thus as the piston arm 206 travels downwardly it will push
on the
elongated interconnection element 212 to in turn induce displacement of the
damper elements,
about their respective pivot elements 214 and 216, to respective second
positions 218 and
220; any travel lag of one damper with respect to the other will be
compensated for by a
sliding of the elongated interconnection element through the eyelet until the
lagging damper
element reaches its second position. In this case the elongated
interconnection element may
be elastic or non elastic as desired or necessary.
Figures 29 and 30 illustrate a possible use of a damper system of the present
invention to alter
the air flow in an air handling system, namely to alter the direction of air
flow. In figure 29
there is a fresh air flow 224 and a stale air outflow 226; whereas with
displacement of the
damper elements 228 and 230 (see Figure 30) by the mechanisms described herein
(not
shown) the inflow of fresh air is blocked while the stale air 226 is
redirected (e.g. back into an
enclosure). The system or apparatus shown in these figures may of course
incorporate one or
more of the other aspects of the invention as described herein.
Referring to figures 31, 32, 33 and 34 these illustrate an example two part
embodiment of an
automatic temperature responsive air flow choke damper. The damper comprise a
choker
damper component 240 and an actuator component for connecting the choker
damper
component to a support. In this case the support is a main damper element 244
which may
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
itself be displaceable between its respective first and second positions; the
main damper
element 244 may be a damper element as described and illustrated with respect
to the self
aligning damper system. The support could of course alternately be the wall of
a ventilation
duct for inducing the damper component to be displaced (i.e. pivoted) between
a first
position and a second position.
The actuator component comprises a temperature responsive actuator element
(see also
Figures 33 and 34) in the form of a torsion bimetallic spring 246 which reacts
to temperature
variations ( may be obtained from Crest Manufacturing Company Lincoln Rhode
Island
USA).. The torsion bimetallic spring 246 has an inner projection 248 and an
outer projection
250. The outer projection 250 of the torsion bimetallic spring 246 is directly
attached to the
choker damper component 240 by sliding (pressure) engagement with the guide
members 252
and held in place by a snap connect arrangement or by a screw engaged in
openings 254 and
256. The inner projection 248 of the torsion bimetallic spring 246 is on the
other hand
indirectly attached to the underlying damper element by the slotted rod
element 260, the slot
262 of which engages the inner projection 248. The rod element 260 itself is
attached to the
damper projections 264 by screw members 266.
The torsion bimetallic spring 246 winds and unwinds itself under temperature
differences and
actuates the choker damper 240, mounted directly on top of the damper 244 for
restricting the
airflow proportionally to the temperature drop, i.e. temperature differential.
The bimetallic
spring 246 is configured keeping in mind its purpose, i.e. under cold
conditions, choking
level may be maximum and under hot conditions choking may be turned ofl). The
first and
second positions may be predetermined empirically so as to define a position
in the air flow
path wherein the choker damper component presents the desired or necessary
maximum
constriction position and a position in the air flow path wherein the choker
damper component
presents the desired or necessary minimum constriction position. This is a
mechanical device,
so no power is required to control the system.
Referring to 35 to 37 these figures show example dispositions of the choker
damper in
response to temperature (the elements defining the air path within which the
choke damper
240 may be associated are not shown; air flow is in the direction of the
arrrows) ; Figure 35
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shows the choker damper 240 in a minimum constriction position parallel to the
broad face of
the underlying damper 244 (warm air) as well as to air flow. Figure 36 shows
the choker the
broad face of the underlying damper 244 in an intermediate constriction
position with the
plate of the choker damper 240 disposed transverse to the broad face of the
underlying damper
244 (cooler air) as well as to the air flow. Figure 37 shows the choker damper
240 in a
maximum constriction position with the plate of the choker damper 240 disposed
perpendicular to the broad face of the underlying damper 244 (cold air) as
well as the air flow.
The displacement of the choker damper 240 in each case being in response to
the temperature
of the air around the torsion bimetallic spring 246. The torsion bimetallic
spring 246
could of course be configured to provide displacements between positions
intermediate to that
shown in figures 35 and 37
Hooking or connector System
Referring to figures 38 to 40, these figures illustrate an example connector
of the present
invention. The connector 270 has a U-shaped hook member 272 comprising a pair
of
opposed arm members 274 and 276, each arm member being provided with
respective (e.g.
coaxially aligned) attachment openings 278 and 280. The connector also has a
tail
engagement member 282 extending from an arm member 280 of the U-shaped hook
member.
The U-shaped hook member 280 is thus open towards the tail engagement member
The openings 278 and 280 may each be sized to receive the screw threaded stalk
or stem 284
(see Figure 41) of a screw attachment device but are smaller than the screw
head 286 (see
Figure 42). At least one of the openings 278 and 280 (i.e. the opening which
is opposite the
opening which will be adjacent the screw head) may be defined by a peripheral
edge sized or
configured to engage the screw threads of the screw stalk or stem. Both
openings 278 and
280 may be unthreaded. However, if so desired the distal opening not adjacent
the screw
head may also have mating threads for mating with the threads of the screw
stalk.
The opposed arm members 274 and 276 are spaced apart and are connected
together by a
connecting member 290 so that the U-shaped end defines a kind of notch for
receiving or
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seating a portion of the housing element to which it is to be connected (see
Figures 41 and 42)
. As may be understood from Figures 41 and 42 the friable housing element may
be
provided with a hole or an opening 292 through which the U-shaped end may be
inserted and
then pulled upwardly to seat or mate with a portion of the peripheral edge
defining the
housing hole.
By way of example the tail engagement member shown has an opening 296
configured for
receiving a link of a chain suspended from a ceiling, i.e. for supporting the
housing element
from a ceiling using a plurality (e.g. four) of the connectors. If desired the
engagement of the
connector need not be augmented by the above mentioned screw element in which
case nor
screw openings need be provided in the arms of the connector
The portion of the housing element to be disposed between the opposed arm
members of the
connectors may have a hole which can be aligned with the two opening 278 and
280, if
present, when in use. Alternatively the screw connector may simply be screwed
through the
friable material of the housing.
Air diffuser for facilitating the mixing of fresh air and stale air flows of
different
temperature
Figures 43 and 44 illustrate in schematic fashion example embodiments of air
intermingling
assemblies in accordance with the present invention. Thus the air
intermingling assemblies
each have an air input zone 300 for receiving the fresh air flow, an air
intermingling zone 302
for receiving the stale air flow and an intermediate air dispenser or
dispersal zone 304. The
air input zone 300 for receiving the fresh air flow may be as shown in the
form of an air input
vessel having a first fresh air inlet 306. The air intermingling zone 302 for
receiving the stale
air flow may on the other hand be in the form of an air intermingling
compartment having a
second exhaust or stale air inlet 308 and a combined (i.e. mixed) air outlet
310. The
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CA 02388527 2008-08-06
intermediate air dispenser or dispersal zone 304 may comprise a diffuser body
in the form of a
common partitioning wall defining a wall component provided with a plurality
of apertures
(one of which is designated by the reference number 312) providing air
communication
between the inlet and intermingling zones. The apertures 312 for the
embodiment of Figure
43 are shown as being of the same cross sectional configuration and also as
being evenly
spaced apart. The apertures for the embodiment of figure 44 are on the other
hand has
(conceptually) at least two zones, namely a first aperture zone 320 of
relatively high(est)
density or number of apertures 312 and a (distal) second zone 322 of
reactively fewer
apertures or of lower aperture density or concentration, the first aperture
zone 320 being
adjacent the stale air inlet 308; the configuration of Figure 44 is a
preferred configuration.
The embodiment of Figure 44 may have a plurality of intermediate zones
(illustrated by the
dotted line connecting the two zones) between the first and second aperture
zones of
(gradually) decreasing aperture concentration in the direction from the first
to the second
zones (illustrated by the dotted line connecting the two zones).
In any event as may be seen from Figures 43 and 44 the air input vessel, air
intermingling
compartment and common partitioning wall are configured and disposed such that
an air flow
is able to enter the first inlet 306 and pass through the aperture component
(apertures 312)
into said air intermingling compartment to intermingle with an air flow
entering from the
second inlet 308 so as to form a combined (i.e. mixed) air flow passing out of
the combined
(i.e. mixed) air outlet 310.
In the case of the embodiment illustrated by Figure 44 the incoming fresh air
flow is split or
subdivided such that a relatively larger proportion of the fresh cool air is
brought into contact
with the volume of warm stale air near the stale air inlet than farther away
from the stale air
inlet, i.e. the cool and warm air flows are blended in stages so as to avoid
the blended air
temperature from falling below the freezing temperature of water or below the
dew point
temperature of water so as to avoid liquid water or ice buildup in the air
handling system.
Please see Figure 44A which uses the same reference numerals as for Figure 44
to designated
analogous elements and which illustrates such a flow by arrows 314 of
diminishing length
away from the stale air inlet 308.
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In accordance with the present invention the intermediate air dispenser or
dispersal zone may
comprises a diffuser body which is of a heat transfer insolation body, said
insolation body
defining said apertures; the insolation body may for example be formed of
compressed
polystyrene (beads).
Referring to Figures 45, 46 and 47 these figures illustrates an intermingling
unit structure
(e.g. of polystyrene) for an apparatus for intermingling of air in accordance
with the present
invention but wherein the roof of the air input vessel and the floor and side
walls of the air
intermingling compartment as well as channels walls for an exhaust air path to
the outside of
an enclosure are defined by other structures of an air handling apparatus. The
intermingling
unit structure as shown reflects the aperture structure shown in Figures 44
and 44a. Thus
there is a high(est) concentration of apertures 312 adjacent the stale air
inlet (see figure 47
wherein arrow 320 shows the portion of stale air going to the intermingling
zone); the stale
air as seen from figure 47 may be split into two portions, namely a portion
designated by the
arrow 320 for intermingling and a second portion designated by the arrow 322
for exhaustion
outside an enclosure.
The intermingling unit structure as shown in Figures 45 to 47 has a fresh air
inlet 326 for
receiving fresh air (arrow 328 in Figures 46 and 47) for passage through the
apertures of the
diffuser floor into the underlying intermingling compartment or zone.
The intermingling unit structure in addition to providing an underlying stale
air inlet for the
intermingling chamber has an overhead stale air exhaust inlet 330 for an
exhaust air path 331
for exhausting stale air (arrow 322 of figures 46 and 47) from an enclosure
rather then
recycling the stale air back to the enclosure in association with fresh air,
i.e. the intermingling
unit structure provides as described above a stale air splitter function
wherein stale air is split
between air destined for the intermingling compartment and air to be directed
to an exhaust
air path for being exhausted to the outside (of an enclosure); see Figures 46
and 47.
Still referring to Figure 45 the intermingling unit structure is provided with
a choker damper
assembly (seen in exploded view) comprising a first inlet damper 340
associated with the
fresh air inlet 326 and a second inlet damper 342 associated with the stale
air exhaust inlet
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
330. A common shaft 348 is also provided which is rotatably engaged in
openings of
support members 349 and 349a The dampers 340 and 342 are both fixed or secured
(in any
known) suitable fashion (e.g. by lock screw 346) to the common shaft 348 such
that the
dampers 340 and 342 can rotate in unison between respective closed and open
positions.
Additionally, a torsion spring 350 is mounted on the shaft 348 and one end 352
thereof is to
engage element 354 of the support member 349a while the other end 356 engages
or rests
against a surface of the second damper 342 so as to bias it and (as a
consequence) the other
damper 340 in respective closed off positions when the apparatus blower is not
forcing air
through the apparatus. During operation, the dampers 340 and 342 rotate under
air pressure
caused by airflow through the inlets 326 and 330, allowing air to access the
different zones.
As seen from Figures 46 and 47 one portion of stale air flow (arrow 322) goes
to the exhaust
inlet 330 and another stale air flow portion 320 to the mixing or
intermingling zone; at the
same time a fresh air flow 328 goes to the diffuser zone (before accessing the
mixing zone
under the diffuser floor where it is (uniformly) blended to form an
intermingled or mixed air
flow for delivery to the interior of an enclosure.
If desired or necessary the choker damper assembly may also include a
temperature
responsive choker inhibition element for inhibiting the displacement of the
choker dampers
between said first (closed) and said second (open) positions, (e.g. in
response to the
temperature of the environment, e.g. in reaction to the temperature of the air
flowing over the
choke). Thus the choker damper assembly shown in Figure 45 includes a
bimetallic actuator
360 which is also mounted on the shaft 348 and which is configured to react to
temperature
differences; the inner projection 362 (see Figure 50) is engaged in a slot 364
on the common
shaft. When the fresh air flow is at ambient temperature, the bimetal actuator
360 is in non-
restrictive position, i.e. the shaft is free to rotate 90 without being
blocked by the bimetal
spring 360; see Figure 48, 49 and 50. However, if the fresh air temperature
decreases to a
predetermined value (e.g. -30 C), the outer projection 366 of the bimetallic
actuator 360
acts as a limiter and restricts the rotation of dampers by pushing on a
stopper surface 368
integrated in the intermingling unit structure, i.e. the bimetal spring 360
winds up to displace
or urge the outer projection 356 towards the stopper surface with the damper
340 in the
closed position; see Figure 51. It is of course understood that if damper 340
is maintained in
a closed position the other damper 342 will also be maintained in its closed
position. If both
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
dampers are maintained in closed position no fresh air will be allowed into
the mingling
structure and all of the stale air will simply be recycled to the interior of
the enclosure from
which it was drawn. The bimetal actuator may be of the same form as shown in
Figures 33
and 34 above ( may be obtained from Crest Manufacturing Company Lincoln Rhode
Island
USA).
The above particular description has been directed in to an air intermingling
assembly for an
air handling systems wherein the fresh air input is a cold (dry) air flow as
compared to the
stale air input. However, such an air intermingling assembly be used or
configured to
accommodate a fresh air input that is a hot and humid air flow as compared to
the stale air
input. In this case the bimetallic actuator may be configured to block the
dampers closed
once a predetermined high temperature is reached (e.g. 35 C). In this case,
instead of a
spring member, a hygroscopic member may be used. The hygroscopic member is one
which
able to expand with increasing humidity and is disposed relative to the
dampers and/or the
common shaft such that at a predetermined expansion size (i.e. a predetermined
humidity
level in the fresh input air) the hygroscopic member is able to block the
dampers in a closed
position
Single blower wheel assembly provided with a first and a second blower wheel
elements
Referring to Figure 52 the known blower/motor combination shown comprises
first and
second spaced apart blower wheels 370 and 372 which are mounted on a common
motor
rotor shaft 374 on either side of the motor 376. One blower is associated with
a fresh air
stream represented by the arrow 378 and the other with a stale or exhaust air
stream
represent by the arrow 380. As shown the portion of the motor rotor shaft
associated with
one blower passes through an opening (not shown) of a respective baffle wall
382 or 384.
The motor 376 is thus separated from the two air streams by both baffles 382
and 384, i.e. the
motor 376 is sandwiched between the pair of baffle walls 382 and 384.
Servicing of this
type of arrangement is complicated by the two baffles 382 and 384 which may
necessitate the
separation of the motor 376 from the blower wheels while still in the
ventilation apparatus.
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Referring to Figures 52a and 53, the example blower wheel assembly 390 (which
is shown in
schematic fashion) is shown with an airflow baffle 392 having an inner
peripheral edge 394
defining a baffle opening (i.e. a circular opening). The blower wheel assembly
390
comprises a dynamic seal member 398 (e.g. ring, annular, disk shaped member),
a first
blower wheel 400, and a second blower whee1402. The blower wheels 400 and 402
are
juxtaposed (e.g. adjacent to each other) and coaxially attached to a rotor
shaft (not shown) on
opposite sides of the dynamic seal member 398 so as to be rotatable about axis
404. The
dynamic seal member 398 has an outer peripheral edge 408 (provided with a
peripheral lip or
peripheral groove (e.g. the lip or groove extending parallel to, perpendicular
to or transversely
to the axis of rotation of the rotor shaft)). The dynamic seal member 398, the
first blower
wheel 400 and the second blower wheel 402 are sized and configured such that
when the
blower wheel assembly is disposed in the baffle opening and the outer
peripheral edge 408 is
in juxtaposed relation to the inner peripheral edge of the baffle,
the first blower wheel is disposed on one side of the baffle 392 and the
second blower
wheel is disposed on the other opposite site of the baffle 392
and
the outer peripheral edge 408 is able to mate with the inner peripheral edge
394 of the
baffle so as to be able to dynamically cooperate with the inner peripheral
edge 394 of
the baffle so as to provide a dynamic seal between opposite sides of the
baffle (i.e. to
provide an air (flow) seal between the opposite sides of the baffle when the
blowers
are rotated).
As may be seen the outer peripheral edge 408 and the inner peripheral edge 394
each have an
L-like shape, each such L-shaped edge having a foot element and an inner side
(394a and
408a), said foot elements being in juxtaposed relation and each being disposed
on the inner
side of the other edge, i.e. so as to provide a contorted pathway between
opposite sides of the
baffle..
Referring to Figure 53 one of the blower wheels (i.e. blower wheel 400) is
shown as
comprising the dynamic seal member. The lower blower wheel is mounted to the
motor rotor
shaft while the upper blower is mounted to the lower blower.
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For Figures 52 and 53 air flow through the respective blowers is as indicted
by the respective
group of dotted line arrows.
Mounting port
Figure 54 shows two types of mounting ports, namely a large version 430 for
large openings
and a smaller version 440 for smaller openings in the underlying (ventilation)
housing.
Turning to Figures 55, 56 and 57, the mounting port 440 comprises a side wall
member 442
defining an air opening or passage, the side wall member 442 having an air
input portion or
end 444 and an air output portion or end 446. The air input end has snap
connection means
448 and 450 (e.g. male ) for cooperating with the corresponding snap
connection means (e.g.
female) of an air duct member for connecting the air duct to the mounting port
440. The air
output portion also have snap connection means 452 (e.g. male ) for
cooperating with the
corresponding snap connection means 454 (e.g. female) of an (air) opening
element 457. The
snap effect may be provided by any (known) mechanism.
The air output end 446 of the mounting port is provided with a sealing
projection 460 for
cooperating with a correspondingly (shaped) groove 462 of the opening element
for (air) seal
mating therewith (i.e. for air seal connection of the port to the opening
means). The
mounting port and opening elements are also provided with four respective
female (470) and
male (480) engagement elements having openings therethrough which once aligned
allow for
fixing the mounting port to the opening element (e.g. by screws, rivets, or
the like). The
larger mounting port 430 has analogous structures to the smaller port 440.
Figure 58 illustrate an alternative technique for sealing engagement between
the relatively
smaller mounting port 440 and a normally larger opening element. In this case
sealing is
affected by an adapter member 490 which on one side (hidden from view) has an
oval
projection for sealing engagement with the correspondingly shaped grove 492 of
the opening
element 494; fixation is by above mentioned four respective female and male
engagement
elements; as well as snap fit male elements for cooperating with female snap
fit elements of
the opening element. On the other exposed side the adapter is provided with an
opening 496
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CA 02388527 2002-05-31
which can receive the projections of the mounting port 440 as well as with
four respective
male engagement elements for engagement with four respective female engagement
elements
of the mounting port.
Turning back to Figures 57 and 58 the mounting port is also provided with a
two member
duct mounting member at the air input portion or end. The two member duct
mounting
member has a first inner mounting member adapted to snap connect to a suitably
configured
(i.e. female) snap connect duct of a predetermined size; this member comprises
snap
connection means 450. A second outer mounting member extends from the inner
member to
snap connect to a suitably configured snap connect duct of a predetermined
size smaller (i.e.
of smaller cross sectional inner diameter) than the duct connectable to the
inner mounting
member; this member comprises snap connection means 448. This two member duct
mounting member may be associated with a mounting port which does not have a
sealing
projection or groove as shown in Figures 57. As may be appreciated this type
of mounting
port has the versatility of being able to connect to two differently sized
ducts. This
mounting port could of course be provided with more such mounting members of
ever
decreasing size; i.e. the mounting port may have two or more such mounting
members of of
ever decreasing size.
58
