Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02568782 2006-11-23
PROGRAMMABLE ENERGY SAVING REGISTER VENT
CR.OSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
100011 This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional
patent
application serial no. 60/815,702, entitled "PROGR.AMIVIABLE ENERGY SAVING
REGISTER VENT", filed June 22, 2006; and U.S. provisional patent application
serial no. 60/837,155, entitled "PROGRAMMABLE ENERGY SAVING REGISTER
V ENT", filed August 11, 2006.
Background of the Invention
I ti I. Field of the Invention
100021 The present invention relates to building environmental air temperature
control systems, and, more particularly, to programmable duct vents for such
systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
100031 Known heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can
include a thermostatically controlled furnace unit connected to ducts, where
the ducts
terminate in louvered vents. An air conditioning compressor with an evaporator
coil is
connected to the furnace unit. For heating, a blower circulates air across a
heat
exchanger/burner within the furnace unit where the circulated air is heated,
and then
into ducts which are routed to various rooms and/or locations within a
building. For
?0 cooling, the air conditioner compressor circulates a refrigerant through
the chilled coil,
which coil is routed into the furnace so the blower can circulate air across
the chilled
coil, which cools the air. The cooled air is similarly circulated into the
same ducts
which correspondingly provide cooling/air conditioning to the various
locations within
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ii building. The vents are placed at the terminus of the ducts, and can also
be placed
along a duct, as may occur with a relatively long overhead duct such as in a
basement or
industrial facility. 'The louvers on the vents can direct the air, and the
vent can include
cross louvers with a manual lever which a user can adjust to shut off the vent
or
partially diminish the air flow exiting the vent.
100041 The system described above is typically considered a forced air system.
Other types of systems are known such as a gravity system which does not
include a
blower and where a furnace is located in a basement, and as the burner/heat
exchanger
warms the surrounding air, the physically lighter or less dense nature of the
warmed air
naturally rises through ducts and out vents in corresponding rooms or
locations located
above the burner/he:at exchanger. In a home environment which includes a
gravity
system, cooling can be provided by window air conditioners or whole house
fans, for
example.
100051 Increasing energy costs have resulted in an increasing interest among
building owners and homeowners to reduce heating and cooling costs. Heating
and
cooling costs can be reduced through the installation of additional insulation
and other
related products, and the installation of energy efficient furnaces, air
conditioners, hot
water heaters, and other appliances. Although these are effective ways of
reducing
heating and cooling costs, there can be a high capital cost associated with
such
?(; installations, and a significant inconvenience to the building occupants
during
installation.
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(0006j Another way of lowering energy costs is to lower the thermostat setting
(tLtring heating periods, or raise the thermostat setting during cooling
periods. This
n,cthod has the disadvantage of reducing the comfort of the building
environment.
100071 There typically may not be a need to heat or cool an entire building at
any
:;)ven time. If rooms or locations within a building can be selectively heated
or cooled
depending on use, then energy costs can be reduced because the heating and/or
cooling
.ystem is conditioning a smaller volume of space. For example, in the daytime
the
bcdrooms may not need to cooled or heated, depending on the season, as they
are not
tuTiically in use; whereas, if someone is at home, the general living areas
such as a
kitchen, living room, bathroom, family room, etc., may still need heating or
cooling
during the day. SimiIarly, the bedrooms may need to be cooled or heated in the
nighttime, when the general living areas do not require such environmental
conditioning.
100081 For a typical known heating, ventilation and/or cooling system, the
furnace
blower circulates air into all of the vents simultaneously, or nearly
simultaneously, and
thc:rcby heats or cools the entire building. If the homeowner or other
occupant wants to
diminish conditioned air flow into a foom or rooms which are not currently
used to
reduce energy costs, they must manually close the louvers in the vent(s)
associated with
the room(s). This is a tedious and tirrie consuming process. Additionally,
when a
person may be in a hurry to leave the bui]ding or home, as when leaving for
work, it is
easy to overlook the need to adjust the vents, which problem is exacerbated if
there are
numerous vents to open or close.
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100091 Systems are known in which motorized dampers are installed in the
various
ducts. The dampers are controlled by the furnace, or other, controller, which
fiinctionality can be selected by the user, i.e., the opening and closing of
the dampers
ior various rooms can be controlled. Although this system can effectively
provide
selectable temperature control for the various rooms or locations within a
building,
rhu.-re are several disadvantages. Firstly, the system requires relatively
expensive
moclified ductwork including the motorized dampers and wiring thereto, which
is even
more costly to retrofit into an existing system as the ducts may be hidden in
walls,
fioors or ceilings, thereby requiring modification of the structure with the
attendant
t(} inconvenience, mess and expense. Additionally, the furnace controller, or
other
controller, needs to be compatible with the motorized dampers, and existing
systems
generally do not have this capability, which then requires a new furnace when
an
Ff V AC' system is retrofitted, which q
. gain is a very costly expense. Further, the
-nstullation or retrofitting of such systems typically requires professional
installation
tec-hnicians, with their attendant cost and scheduling issues, and is
therefore not easily
accomplished by a typical homeowner as a do-it-yourself project. Yet further,
maintenance of such a system can be costly in that if a motorized damper fails
to
operate properly there may not be easy access to the motor/damper because the
ductwork and damper system is typically installed within a structural
component such as
;i iloor, ceiling and/or wall, which structural component is damaged and
subsequently
; epaired during the installation/repair process.
100101 U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,359 discloses a motorized vent which includes a
tcmperature sensor, a battery, a driving motor, an electronic circuit board, a
signal
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receiver, and so on, which are accommodated in the vent housing. The motor
actuates
an eccentric rotary arm and an engaging member for actuating the dampers. A
wireless
retnote controller is provided with opening and closing buttons and a
plurality of mode
select buttons. If it is determined that the manipulating signal is from a
mode select
button, the control part compares the temperature range preset according to
the select
rrjouie in the microcomputer with the current indoor temperature and based
upon that
compared results, drives the driving motor such that the dampers rotate open
and
closed. One disadvantage of this system is that it requires a wireless
receiver in the vent
~vhich can be susceptible to noise and interference, for example, and less
cost effective
I(, to manufacture as the programming+.unit does require the receiver. Other
disadvantages
ol'this system are that it requires temperature sensor, and opens and closes
the dampers
based on a preset temperature, instead of a time of day. Further, the
eccentric rotary
arin and engaging member for actuating the dampers is susceptible to bending.
10011 1U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,786 discloses a programmable remote-control motion
15 vent outlet where a motor actuates vent blades via a driving arm. The unit
includes a
sigmal receiver on the vent and electrically connected to the motor and a
handheld
controller wirelessly communicating with the signal receiver to control the
rotational
movements of the vent blades. A display screen is provided on the handheld
controller
wherein the user is allowed to progfam the open and close times of the
ventilation guide
'~- as a time setting to the timer circuit while the time setting is displayed
on the display
screen of the handheld controller. Again, this system requires a wireless
receiver in the
vent which can be susceptible to noise and interference, for example, and less
cost
effective to manufacture as the programming unit does require the receiver.
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100121 U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,349 discloses a computer-controlled air vent which
is
remotely operated by a wireless wall-mounted controller located in the same
room as
the vent. A motor actuates the louvers via a configuration of cams, bars and
arms. In
addition to requirin,g a receiver in the vent, this system additionally has
the disadvantage
of requiring a fairly complicated configuration of cams, bars and arms which
can be
:Inrcliable, and which can also be a fairly inefficient means of energy
transfer.
100131 Other examples of programmable register vents include U.S. Patent Nos.
4,909,508, 5,833,134; and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2004/0159713,
2004/0166797
Mjd 2004/0176022.
1110141 Notwithstanding these developments, there is needed in the art is an
,n-iproved device and method of individually controlling conditioned air flow
in separate
rooms or locations within a building, and which is relatively easy and cost
effective to
iristull and maintain.
Summary of the Invention
l 100151 The present invention provides a programmable vent for a building
environmental air temperature control system, which vent can be programmed to
open
and close at selected times during the day, and which motor controls and
circuit board,
di,play, user input device, batteries and associated wiring are integrated
into a single
re.niovable unit for ease of progranuning, which are snapped into/out of the
vent
?li tiousing and connected to the motor via terminals.
100161 The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a programmable vent for a
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ciuct used with a building environmental air temperature control system. The
programmable vent includes a vent housing with a front face which has an
inset, where
the vent housing is configured to allow air flow from the duct. At least one
louver is
movably connected to the vent housing, an actuator is connected to the at
least one
louver, a controller module is removably attached to the vent housing and
positioned in
the inset, the controller module being connected to the actuator when
positioned in the
inset.
100171 In other aspects of the present invention the actuator includes an
electric
motor, and the controller module is electrically connected to the electric
motor when
positioned in the inset. The controller module can include a circuit board
with motor
controls connected to the electric motor, and further includes a display, user
input
device, batteries and associated wiring all electrically connected to the
circuit board.
100181 The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a programmable vent
for a
duct used with a bu:ilding environmental air temperature control system. The
programmable vent includes a vent housing configured to allow air flow from
the duct,
at least one louver movably connected to the vent housing, an electric motor
connected
to the at least one louver, a first plurality of electrical terminals
connected to the electric
motor and fixedly connected to the vent housing, and a controller module
removably
attached to the vent housing. The controller module includes a controller
housing and a
'(1 controller unit within the controller housing, where the controller unit
has a second
plurality of electrical terminals resiliently contacting the first plurality
of electrical
terminals.
100191 In other aspects of the present invention the controller unit includes
a circuit
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hoard with motor controls connected to the second plurality of terminals. The
controller
module can further have a display, user input device, batteries and associated
wiring all
:Icctrically connected to the circuit board. The controller housing can be in
a snap fit
arrangement with the vent housing: The snap fit arrangement includes at least
one
resilient ramped projection connected to the controller housing, and at least
one detent
in the vent housing. The at least one resilient ramped projection is
insertable in a
corresponding deteiit when the controller housing is in the snap fit
arrangement with the
vent housing. The vent housing further includes a frame in which the
controller module
is inserted, and the frame includes at least one access aperture for accessing
the
controller module. A rack and pinion gear set can be connected between the
electric
motor and the at least one louver, where the rack and pinion gear set includes
at least
one pinion gear connected to a corresponding louver and the motor, and a rack
gear
slidably connected to the vent housing.
(0020( In further aspects, the present invention can include a temperature
sensor
-> which provides a temperature input to the controller module, where the
controller
module senses the temperature input. The temperature sensor can be in wireless
conununication with the controller module.
100211 In further aspects, the present invention can include an infrared
sensor
providing an infrared input to the controller module, where the controller
module senses
?Il the infrared input. 'The infrared sensor can be in wireless communication
with the
. i.
controller module.
100221 The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a building
environmental air temperature control system which includes at least one of a
heating
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.iystem and a cooling system, at least one duct connected to at least one of
the heating
%ystem and/or cooling system, and a programmable vent, according to the
present
tnvention, connected to a corresponding duct.
100231 The inve;ntion comprises, in yet another form thereof, a method of
.:ontrolling air flow within a building environmental air temperature control
system,
whtch includes the steps of: providing a programmable vent including a
housing, at
ic;ist one louver movably connected to the housing, an actuator connected to
the at least
one louver, and a controller connected to the actuator; connecting the
programmable
~=cnt to a duct associated with the building environmental air temperature
control
system; reinstalling the controller module into the programmable vent; and
selectively
controlling an air flow exiting the duct using the programrnable vent.
100241 An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an energy
saving
flclor, ceiling and/or wall register vent that allows users to shut off the
flow of heat or
.ii r conditioning in select rooms via an internal controller.
100251 Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a multi-
zone
heating and cooling system that allows users to shut down rooms at programmed
times
to reduce the amoutit of energy wasted on heating or cooling inactive areas of
the home
100261 Yet another advantage ofahe present invention is that it provides
energy
savings, so that the cost of the item can be recovered through energy savings
in a
?1~ relatively short time.
100271 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that multiple
programmable vents can be easily installed and customized to a particular
building and
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user requirements to maximize the energy savings potential.
100281 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is relatively
easy and
cost effective to install.
100291 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is relatively
easy and
;osl effective to maintain.
100301 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it is provided
in
niultiple styles, sizes, colors and finishes (such as wood grain, brass,
uniform color) to
rnatch with the honie or building decor and/or ductwork size(s) and locations.
100311 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it does not
require
professional installation.
100321 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is suitable
for do-it-
vourself projects.
100331 Yet other advantages of-the present invention are that it provides a
battery
operated DC (direct current) programmable vent fixture that regulates air flow
and
therefore does not require connection to the AC (alternating current) power
and
associated wiring.
100341 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it can be a
universal fit
programmable register vent that can be used on floor, wall and ceiling to
regulate air
flow and reduce energy consumption in the home or other type of building.
100351 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it is a
programmable
vent fixture that allows a user to create heating and cooling sub zones
without having to
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modify the components of their current heating and cooling system such as the
furnace,
alr conditioning and ductwork.
100361 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide a
decorative screw plug to hide grill holes when the unit is used as a floor
register vent, or
on the wall or ceiling.
100371 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides and
opening and closing louver system controlled by a timing device or thermostat
device or
both.
100381 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it can provide
an
opening and closing vent system that uses a gear box drive motor or solenoid
to move a
louver or another piece of material thaat blocks the flow of air.
100391 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it can provide a
digital,
multiple day, programmable vent fixture that regulates air flow to reduce
energy
consumption in the home.
100401 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it provides a
manual
override feature that allows a user to open the vent anytime without
interrupting the
programmed open and close timed events.
100411 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide
an
automatic override reset feature that closes and opens the vent on the next
programmed
?(1 cyclc.
100421 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
wireless
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teinperature sensor which can relay temperature data to the programmable vent,
which
temperature data can be used to override the progranuned vent opening, if
desired.
100431 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
two-in-
one t-iot,sing which integrates the vent grill and programmable components.
100441 Yet other advantages of the present invention are that it provides a
housing
dcsign which is interchangeable with existing conventional vents, and which is
compatible with plastic, metal, wood or other grids or grills.
100451 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
reniuvable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed and
reinstalled
liMm the programmable vent to allow a handheld, or other, programming of the
module
and corresponding vent without removing the vent from the wall, ceiling,
conduit
and/or other structure to which it is attached.
100461 Yet another advantage o f the present invention is that it provides a
removable programmable timer/control module which can be programmed or
renrogrammed without the need for an awkward positioning of the user, such as
kneeling or squatting in a low position to access a vent which may be
installed near the
tloor, or standing on a ladder to access a ceiling mounted vent.
100471 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
rcmovable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed from the
20 programmable vent to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without
the need to
remove the vent from wall, ceiling, conduit and/or other structure to which it
is
at (ached.
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100481 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
removable programmable timer/corltrol module which is easily removed from the
pi-ogrammable vent to allow easy repair or replacement of the module or other
elements
of the vent without the need to remove the vent from wall, ceiling, conduit
and/or other
structure to which it is attached.
100491 Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
removable programmable timer/control module which is easily removed from the
programmable vent to allow reprogramming of a parameter without disturbing the
other
programmed events.
Brief Description of the Drawings
100501 The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this
invention,
and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention
will be
better understood by refgrence to the following description of embodiments of
the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
100511 Fig. 1 is a perspective plan view of an embodiment of a building
environmental air temperature control system according to the present
invention, as
installed in a home;
100521 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a programmable vent
according to the present invention;
0
100531 Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the programmable vent of Fig.
2;
100541 Fig. 4 is a front view of the controller module of Fig. 2;
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100551 Fig. 5 is a section view taken along section line 5-5 in Fig. 2, and
shown
%viih the louvers open; =
100561 Fig. 6 is the section view of Fig. 5 but shown with the louvers closed;
100571 Fig. 7 is a section view taken along section line 7-7 in Fig. 2;
100581 Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the controller module of Fig.
4;
aund
(0059] Fig. 9 is an electrical schematic view of an embodiment of the
programmable vent of Fig. 2.
(0060] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout
I(t the several views. 'The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one
preferred
ernbodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not
to be
construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Detailed Description of the Invention
100611 With initial reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a building
environmental air
teinperature control system 10, such as an HVAC system, located in building
12.
System 10 can include at least one of a heating system and a cooling system,
such as
furnace 14 connected to air conditioning compressor 16. Fumace 14 can
typically be a
f'orced air system including a burner/heat exchanger unit and a blower (all
not shown),
or alternatively a gravity system, or other system. Further, furnace 14 can
include other
?l ~ elcments such as controls and thermostats (also not shown). At least one
duct 18 is
connected to furnace 14. Programmable vents 20 are connected to corresponding
ducts
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I K System 10, and more particularly programmable vents 20, can be used during
a
daytime setting in a. cooling, or sununer, season; during a nighttime setting
in a heating,
M winter, season; or other configur4tions, for example: a daytime setting in a
heating,
or winter, season; or a nighttime setting in a cooling, or summer, season.
Additional
configurations are possible as dictated by user requirements, seasonal
conditions,
latitude, elevation, weather and other parameters.
100621 Referring more particularly to Figs. 2-9, progranunable vent 20
includes a
vent housing 22 and at least one louver 24 movably connected to housing 22.
Housing
22 also includes a fixed aperture plate 26. Fixed aperture plate 26 can
include fins 27
which also provide a directional control of air through programmable vent 20.
An
actuator 28 is connected to louvers 14 and housing 22. Actuator 28 can be in
the form
of' a DC motor as is shown, and/or Qther elements.
100631 A first plurality of electrical terrninals 30 are connected to electric
motor 28
via wires 32, and terminals 30 are fixedly connected to vent housing 22.
Changing the
polarity of the voltage on terminals 30 reverses the rotation of the shaft of
motor 28.
Controller module 34 is i-emovably attached to vent housing 22. Controller
module 34
includes a controller housing 36 and a controller unit 38 within controller
housing 36.
Controller unit 38 including a secorid plurality of electrical terminals 40
resiliently
contacting motor terminals 30 whenmodule 34 is mounted in vent housing 22.
Controller unit 38 includes a circuit board 42 with motor controls 44
connected to
terminals 40 to operate motor 28. Controller unit 38 also includes a
controller 46, such
as a microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and/or
other
programmable controller devices, and can include other electronic devices as
are shown
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psirt icularly in Fig. 9.
10064] Controller module 34 can further includes a display 48, a user input
device
41) which has pushbuttons 50, 52, 54 (or other switch or input element types,
such as a
?Wuchpad), display backlight 56, batteries 58 and associated wiring all
electrically
connected to circuit board 42 and controller 46. Controller module 34 can also
include
a ITont cover 60 with a hinged door 62 which provides access to user input
device 49,
ond when closed, prevents inadvertent programming of vent 20, and battery
cover 64.
100651 Controller housing can be in a snap fit arrangement with vent housing
22.
t, or example, the snap fit arrangement includes at least one resilient ramped
projection
06 connected to coritroller housing 36, and at least one detent 68 in vent
housing 22.
Ramped projections 66 are insertable in a corresponding detent 68 when
controller
housing 36 is in the snap fit arrangement with vent housing 22. Vent housing
22 further
1nCIudes a frame or inset 70 in which controller module 34 is inserted. Frame
70
1ncludes at least one access aperture.72, or in other words a finger hole, for
accessing
'ind removing/reinstalling controller: inodule 34.
100661 A rack and pinion gear set 74 is connected between motor 28 and louvers
24.
Rack and pinion gear set 74 includes at least one pinion gear 76 connected to
a
~:orresponding louver 24 and motor 28, and a rack gear 78 slidably connected
to vent
housing 22. Each of louvers 24 includes an axis of rotation 80 which is
rotatably
'(+ connected to housing 22. Pinion gears 76 are also rotatable about a
corresponding axis
of rotation 80. Motor 28 is mounted to housing 22 and the shaft of motor 28 is
connected to at least one of louvers 24 such that when the motor shaft
rotates, so rotates
the louver 24 and corresponding pinion gear 76. This pinion gear 76 linearly
actuates
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-ac..k gear 78, which rotatably actuates the other pinion gear 76 and the
other louver 24.
Puiion gears 76 and rack gear 78 can, be spur gears, although other types of
gears are
oussible, and pinion gear 76 can be.aipproximately partially circular, as
shown, or other
shapes. Although the embodiment shown in Figs. 2-9 includes two louvers 24,
the
{ present invention ctm include a single louver, or more than two louvers, as
required by
ihc ;;ize and style ofprogrammable vent 20. As shown particularly in Figs. 5-
6, manual
.+verride lever 82 is connected to rack gear 78, and protrudes through the
front of
aperture plate 26 so that a user can manually open or close louvers 24 by
displacing
lever 82 and therefore rack gear 78, which in turn rotates pinion gears 76 and
0 corresponding louvers 24, and thereby manually overrides the programmed
opening
andlor closing of louvers 24.
100671 Battery holder 84 holds, and provides the electrical terminals (not
shown) for
connection to the batteries, which batteries are electrically connected to,
and provide
electrical power for, controller 46 and the other electronic components on
circuit board
42, motor 28, display 48, display backlight 56, a user input device 49 with
pushbuttons
S(?, 52 and 54 (or other input devices) and, if needed, other
electrical/electronic
coniponents as required.
100681 The vent can have a decorative screw plug system (not shown) to hide
mounting holes 86 in aperture plate or grill 26. Other elements can be used in
place of
motor 28, such as solenoid, to move louver 24 or another element that can
block the
flow of air through vent 20. The present invention can include a plastic grill
26 and a
plastic housing 22, or other combinations of plastic, wood and metal, such as
a plastic
housing 22 and a metal aperture plate 26. A low battery audible alert function
can be
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provided by an annunciator (not shown) and controller 46. Display 48 can be a
liquid
crystal display (LCD) or other display type, and further, can include a
tilting feature or
c-le.ment (not showri) that allows a user to adjust the LCD, or other display
device, to an
angle that improves visibility and the ability to program the timing function.
1(1069] Removable controller/timer module 34 can be removed from programmable
vent 20, for reprogramming, repair, and/or replacement, or replacement of the
batteries,
without disturbing the mechanical configuration of programmable vent 20.
Further, the
circuit board 42 can have a backup battery (not shown) which can maintain the
programmed settings during a main battery 58 change, for a limited time.
100701 Vent 20 according to the present invention can have a snap-fit design
where
tiousing 22 has recesses in which corresponding tabs of aperture plate 26 can
snap into,
when assembling housing 22 to aperture plate 26. Housing 22 can be assembled
to
aperture plate 26 using other methods or materials such adhesives, potting,
welding,
sl,de locking tabs on housing 22 and aperture plate 26; and/or engaging
sliding rails on
housing 22 and aperture plate 26.
100711 Progranunable vent 20 includes a display 48 and a user input device 49,
both connected to controller 38. User input device 49 has a set pushbutton 50,
an hour
pushbutton 52, and minute pushbutton 54 as shown, and/or other devices such as
touch
pads, switches, knobs and the like, or other devices as required by the
functionality of
programmable vent 20. Display 48 can include a current time indicator 88, a
close time
indicator 90, and a open time indicator 92, and/or other devices as required
by the
functionality of progranunable vent 20. An example of how controller module 34
can
be programmed to open and close louvers 24 is as follows. Vents 20 may
typically be
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installed close to the floor, or high up on a wall, and/or have a piece of
furniture in front
~)f the vent, or otherwise be inconveniently located. Although not strictly
required, as
-ontroller module 34 can be programmed while installed in vent 20, the first
step may
typically be removing controller mo'dule 34 from vent 20. The novel structure
of the
present invention has all of the moving parts which directly actuate louvers
24 remain in
pliice in vent 20 when controller module 34 is removed from vent 20, which
eliminates
alignment issues, and associated breakage and wear and tear, when controller
module
34 is removed/reinstalled. Press set pushbutton 50 once, and the legend "12H"
or
"24H" flashes in current time indicator 88 signifying twelve hour clock or
twenty-four
Io hour clock, respectively. Press hour pushbutton 52 to set timer in twelve
hour clock
I'ormat, or press minute pushbutton,54 to set timer in twenty-four hour clock
format.
Press set pushbutton 50 again and the hour and minute flashes in current time
indicator
88. Press hour pushbutton 52 to set hours, and/or press minute pushbutton 54
to set
minutes. When finished, press set pushbutton 50 and the day will be flashing.
Press
hour pushbutton 52 or minute pushbutton 54 to set the current day (M-Su). Two
weekday (M-F) cycles and two weekend cycles (Sa-Su) are possible. To set the
close
and open time for the first weekday cycle, press and hold set pushbutton 50
for two-
three seconds, and the timer in controller 34 enters the CLOSE time setting
mode, and
the close time flashes in close time indicator 90. Press hour pushbutton 52 to
set hours,
20 and/or press minute pushbutton 54 to set minutes. After setting the close
time, press set
pushbutton 50 to enter the OPEN time setting mode, and the open time flashes
in open
time indicator 92. Press hour pushbutton 52 to set hours, and/or press minute
pushbutton 54 to set minutes. When finished, press set pushbutton 50 and a
second
weekday cycle is programmed similar to above, then a first weekend cycle, then
a
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CA 02568782 2006-11-23
;c.c.ond weekend cycle. If any of these cycles are not desired then set
pushbutton 50
iwice after programming the previous cycle. After being programmed in this
manner,
the motor 28 is energized to open the louvers 24 at the OPEN time and
energized to
CLOSE the louvers at the close time. To keep the louvers 24 always closed,
press and
hold minute pushbutton 54 for two seconds. To hold the louvers open, press and
hold
nour pushbutton 52 for two seconds. On the next programmed open or close
cycle, the
rnodule will resume its preprogrammed schedule. The time control module 34
program
can be suspended by pressing and holding hour pushbutton 52 and minute
pushbutton
S4 at the same time for 2-3 seconds and the program will be suspended. To
resume the
program, press and hold hour pushbutton 52 and minute pushbutton 54 at the
same time
1'or 2-3 seconds and the programmed settings will be restored and the unit
will function
normally.
100721 The programmable vent 20 can be in wireless communication with
temperature sensor/transmitter 94, in which case, programmable vent 20
additionally
includes an antenna 96 and receiver'.48 for sensing, receiving and
demodulating
wireless signal 100 from temperature sensor/transmitter 94. Temperature
sensor/transmitter 94 includes a temperature sensor such as a thenmocouple or
thermistor, or other temperature sensors. Additionally, temperature
sensor/transmitter
94 includes an antenna and transmitter for broadcasting wireless signal 100.
Wireless
?I1 signal 100 is typically a wireless electromagnetic signal; however,
wireless signal 100
can be other types of signals such as ultrasonic, or conducted electromagnetic
signals
through wires, fiber optics, coaxial cable, network cable, etc. Additionally,
wireless
signal 100 can include various spectt-pms of electromagnetic signals such as
radio,
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CA 02568782 2006-11-23
=nicrowave, millimeter wave, infrared and other electromagnetic spectrums.
Wireless
iignal 100 includes temperature data relative to ambient temperature
conditions in the
near vicinity of temperature sensor/transmitter 94. Programmable vent 20 can
use this
data to temperature override the timed opening and closing of programmable
vent 20.
For example, if programmable vent 20 is not scheduled to open unti15:00 pm,
but the
room temperature falls below a setpoint override temperature of 50 F for
example,
which is sensed by temperature sensor/transmitter 94, the louvers open
allowing air to
exit programmable vent 20. Alternatively, temperature sensor/transmitter 94
can be part
of controller module 34 with the temperature input conducted to controller
unit 38 via
metal conductors, fiber optics, etc., in which case there is no need for the
various
antennas, and wireless transmitter/receiver pair.
100731 Similarly, programmable vent 20 can include an infrared
sensor/transmitter
102 providing an infrared input 100~to, and which is sensed by, controller
module 34.
Infrared sensor 102 can include an irifrared sensor such as a pyroelectric
detector, or
15 other infrared sensors. Additionally, infrared sensor 102 includes an
antenna and
transmitter for broadcasting infrared input 100, which may have attributes
similar to
wireless signal 100. Wireless signal 100 includes infrared data relative to
ambient
infrared conditions in the near vicinity of infrared sensor 102. Wireless
signal 100 can
be emitted from tenlperature sensor/transmitter 94 and/or infrared
sensor/transmitter
20 102 and can include the associated temperature and/or infrared input.
Programmable
vent 20 can use this data to override ;the timed opening and closing of
programmable
vent 20. For example, if programmable vent 20 is not scheduled to open until
5:00 pm,
but infrared sensor 102 detects the presence of infrared energy indicative of
a person
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CA 02568782 2006-11-23
w,,lking into the room, controller module 34 can use this information to
override the
programmed event, open the louvers allowing air to exit progranunable vent 20.
As
,.vith temperature sensor/transmitter 94, infrared sensor 102 can be part of
control
module 34, providing a conducted input to the controller module.
10074] In alternative embodiments, the present invention can include different
types
of louver options such as hinged louvers, sliding louvers, flip up louvers, or
other types
ot louvers. For example, the programmable vent according to the present
invention can
Inc.lude a sliding louver arrangement which includes a fixed aperture plate, a
sliding
io,wer and actuators in the form of push-pull solenoids which slide the
sliding louver
reizjtive to the fixed aperture plate. Such a programmable vent can include a
housing, a
controller and circuit board with other components, a display, and a user
input device,
and other elements, as previously discussed.
100751 The present invention can include a low battery icon which will show on
clk5play 48 when the batteries are running low, and controller module 34 can
include an
annunciator which produces a periodic audible signal, for example, every 40
seconds.
100761 The present invention saves energy by closing vents in areas of a
building
F.,
Miere heating or cooling is not needed at that time. However, for proper
airflow
irc=ating and/or cooling system 10 needs some of the total register vents open
when the
system is operating. For example, vent 20 can be installed in multiple
locations in a
?U home, but a user must count the total vents in the building/home and
program them so
that a minimum percentAge, for example 60%, of all vents in the home are open
when
the heating or cooling system 10 is running. This percentage can vary
depending on
s~- stem 10 characteristics and the pArticular locations of the programmed
vents.
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CA 02568782 2006-11-23
t:onsequently, a system may need approximately between 20% and 90% of the
vents
open at any given time, if system 10 is running.
(00771 While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,
the
preseni invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this
disclosure.
"Chjs application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or
adaptations of the
invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended
to cover such
departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary
practice in
the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended
ri,i1 mS.
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