US3734114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable damper valve
Assignee: Sterling Radiator Co Inc
•
Filing: 1972-01-05
•
Granted: 1973-05-22
•
Expires: 1992-01-05
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable damper valve having a housing forming an axially extending passageway utilizes a resilient metallic shutter containing a plurality of pleat-type folds to permit the shutter to expand transversely across the passageway and close a ventilating duct. An adjustable platform bearing a bracket that is pivotable into or out of engagement with the metallic shutter is mounted on a lead screw that may be rotated to adjust the transverse position of the bracket in the passageway and correspondingly limit the resilient expansion of the shutter across the passageway. The bracket is held in engagement with the metallic shutter by means of a frangible link which when broken permits the bracket to pivot relative to the adjustable platform and out of engagement with the shutter so that the shutter can completely close the passageway. Several frangible links responsive to different conditions are connected serially together to hold the bracket so that the shutter closes automatically when a condition to which any one of the links is sensitive is present.
Inventors
- 👤 L Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:05
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/08; F24F13/10; A; A62; A62C; A62C2/00; A62C2/06; A62C2/12; A62C2/14; A62C2/16; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/40; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/33; F24F11/35; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1639; Y10T137/1647; Y10T137/1797; Y10T137/1819; Y10T137/1834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An adjustable damper valve adapted to automatically close in the presence of a given condition comprising: a housing defining an axially extending passageway through which a gaseous fluid may be conducted; a resilient, folding shutter having a folding portion movable between an unfolded position in which the resilient shutter is expanded and extended transversely across the passageway to impede the flow of fluid and a folded position in which the shutter is compressed and collapsed within the passageway to permit fluid flow through the passageway; an adjustable platform adjacent the folding portion of the shutter and variably positionable transversely in the passageway in parallel with movement of the folding portion between the folded and unfolded positions; a shutter support bracket mounted from the adjustable platform for movement transversely of the passageway and movable relative to the platform between a first position engaging the folding portion of the resilient shutter and constraining transverse movement of the folding portion to movement with the platform and a second position disengaged from the folding portion of the shutter and permitting transverse movement of the folding portion; and a frangible link connected between the adjustable platform and the shutter support bracket and holding the bracket in the first position constraining movement of the folding portion to movement with platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An adjustable damper valve adapted to automatically close in the presence of a given condition comprising: a housing defining an axially extending passageway through which a gaseous fluid may be conducted; a resilient, folding shutter having a folding portion movable between an unfolded position in which the resilient shutter is expanded and extended transversely across the passageway to impede the flow of fluid and a folded position in which the shutter is compressed and collapsed within the passageway to permit fluid flow through the passageway; an adjustable platform adjacent the folding portion of the shutter and variably positionable transversely in the passageway in parallel with movement of the folding portion between the folded and unfolded positions; a shutter support bracket mounted from the adjustable platform for movement transversely of the passageway and movable relative to the platform between a first position engaging the folding portion of the resilient shutter and constraining transverse movement of the folding portion to movement with the platform and a second position disengaged from the folding portion of the shutter and permitting transverse movement of the folding portion; and a frangible link connected between the adjustable platform and the shutter support bracket and holding the bracket in the first position constraining movement of the folding portion to movement with platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 1 wherein a rotatable lead screw and a parallel guide rod for guiding said shutter expansion are mounted to the housing transversely of the passageway; and the adjustable platform is threadably engaged with the lead screw for transverse adjustment in the passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 2 wherein the rotatable lead screw is manually rotatable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 1 wherein the shutter support bracket is pivotally mounted to the adjustable platform about a pivot axis perpendicular to the transverse movement of the folding portion of the shutter and the axis of the passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 4 wherein the shutter support bracket in the first position has a first portion extending axially of the passageway in cantilever fashion from the pivot axis into contacting engagement with the folding portion of the shutter and the frangible link connects with a second portion of the support bracket on the side of the pivot axis opposite the first portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
An adjustable damper valve having provisions for rapidly closing a duct comprising: a housing having walls defining an axial fluid passageway extending through the housing between oppositely disposed axially openings; a resilient, metallic shutter mounted between the walls of the housing and containing a plurality of pleated folds permitting the shutter to resiliently expand in a transverse plane across the axial passageway of the housing defined by the walls to close the axial passageway between the openings; and an adjustable limit stop axially adjacent the metallic shutter and adjustably positionable transversely across the axial passageway, the stop including one portion movable into the transverse plane in which the shutter expands resiliently to adjustably limit the resilient expansion of the shutter across the passageway and movable out of the transverse plane to permit unrestrained resilient expansion across the passageway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
An adjustable damper valve having provisions for rapidly closing a duct comprising: a housing having walls defining an axial fluid passageway extending through the housing between oppositely disposed axially openings; a resilient, metallic shutter mounted between the walls of the housing and containing a plurality of pleated folds permitting the shutter to resiliently expand in a transverse plane across the axial passageway of the housing defined by the walls to close the axial passageway between the openings; and an adjustable limit stop axially adjacent the metallic shutter and adjustably positionable transversely across the axial passageway, the stop including one portion movable into the transverse plane in which the shutter expands resiliently to adjustably limit the resilient expansion of the shutter across the passageway and movable out of the transverse plane to permit unrestrained resilient expansion across the passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 6 whErein the adjustable limit stop includes a platform axially adjacent the shutter and transversely adjustable in the passageway, and a bracket pivotally mounted on the platform for movement into and out of the transverse plane in which the shutter expands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 6 wherein a frangible link is included in the adjustable limit stop and connects with the movable portion to hold the movable portion in the transverse plane in which the shutter expands.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 8 wherein the frangible link is a fusible link permitting the movable portion to move out of the transverse plane at elevated temperatures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 8 wherein the frangible link is an explosive link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 6 wherein a guide rod extending in the transverse plane in which the shutter expands is mounted to the housing and engages the shutter for guiding the resilient shutter expansion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An adjustable damper valve as defined in claim 11 wherein the adjustable limit stop includes a manually rotatable lead screw extending transversely across the passageway parallel to the guide rod engaging the shutter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |