US3837571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-controlled air distribution system
Assignee: Dynamics Corp of America
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Filing: 1972-11-15
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-11-15
Abstract
Abstract An air distribution system for supplying conditioned air to at least one zone to be conditioned and comprising a supply duct connected with a diffuser discharging to the conditioned zone. A modulating valve is provided with a bellows actuator and a control for the actuator is of the fluidic type with power for the actuator and control supplied from a total pressure pick-up in the duct. A duct static or differential pressure signal is fed to the fluidic control together with a pressure set-point and a zone temperature signal. Zone temperature may be measured at the diffuser with a total duct pressure powered aspirator drawing air over a thermostat or a zone located thermostat may be provided. A warm up override is optional. The fluidics comprise a multistage proportional amplifier and a diaphragm amplifier controlling an orifice in a total duct pressure conduit. A venturi in the conduit has its throat section connected with the bellows actuator selectively to pressurize and draw air therefrom whereby to adjust valve position.
Inventors
- 👤 W Waeldner
- 👤 W Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:20
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/008; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S236/00; Y10S236/19; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In an air distribution system for supplying conditioned air to at least one zone to be conditioned, the combination of a supply duct connected with a source of conditioned air under pressure, an air outlet connected with and supplied with conditioned air from said duct and communicating with said zone, a valve in said duct movable in duct opening and closing directions, a control for said valve comprising fluidic signal comparison and amplifying means, a power supply conduit for said fluidic means connected with said duct and responsive to a duct pressure, means providing at least two fluidic signals to said control means, at least one of said signals being responsive to a condition of duct or zone air, and a valve actuator operable under the control of said fluidic means and powered by said supply duct air, said actuator being connected with said valve for movement of the latter in said duct opening and closing directions and said fluidic means including means providing positive and negative air pressure signals to provide positive actuator action in each of said directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an air distribution system for supplying conditioned air to at least one zone to be conditioned, the combination of a supply duct connected with a source of conditioned air under pressure, an air outlet connected with and supplied with conditioned air from said duct and communicating with said zone, a valve in said duct movable in duct opening and closing directions, a control for said valve comprising fluidic signal comparison and amplifying means, a power supply conduit for said fluidic means connected with said duct and responsive to a duct pressure, means providing at least two fluidic signals to said control means, at least one of said signals being responsive to a condition of duct or zone air, and a valve actuator operable under the control of said fluidic means and powered by said supply duct air, said actuator being connected with said valve for movement of the latter in said duct opening and closing directions and said fluidic means including means providing positive and negative air pressure signals to provide positive actuator action in each of said directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means providing positive and negative pressure signals to said actuator comprises a conduit carrying supply duct air with a venturi section and a connected conduit extending from the venturi throat to the actuator, said first conduit also having an associated means for varying flow through said venturi section under the control of said fluidic comparing and amplifying means whereby selectively to pressurize and draw air from the actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator is of the bellows type and has an associated venturi section, the latter having its throat connected with the actuator whereby selectively to pressurize and draw air from the bellows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means providing fluidic signals to said control means comprises a conduit extending from said duct to said control means and providiNg a duct pressure signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said conduit is connected with said duct in such manner as to provide a duct static pressure signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said conduit is connected with said supply duct in such manner as to supply a differential pressure signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means providing said fluidic signals includes an adjustable pressure set-point signal for comparison with said duct pressure signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means providing fluidic signals to said control means comprises a temperature-pressure transducer responsive to supply duct or zone air temperature and a connected conduit extending to said fluidic signal comparison and amplifying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said temperature-pressure transducer is mounted within said zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said temperature-pressure transducer is mounted on said diffuser and has an associated aspiration means for drawing zone air thereover and thereby enhancing response characteristics thereof, said aspiration means comprising an aspirating nozzle connected with a supply duct pressure tube and receiving duct pressure and a conduit having a discharge end at a low pressure zone created adjacent said nozzle, said inlet end of said conduit being disposed adjacent said temperature-pressure transducer and inducing zone air flow thereover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means providing fluidic signals comprises a conduit extending from said duct to said control means and providing a duct pressure signal, and wherein said fluidic signals also include a manually adjustable pressure set-point signal for comparison with said duct pressure signal, the aforesaid temperature signal conduit being connected to override said pressure set-point signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said fluidic signal means also includes a warm-up switch device connected to override said temperature signal and having a sensor disposed in said supply duct.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator is of the bellows type and said valve is arranged in said supply duct for hinged opening and closing movement as aforesaid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bellows is arranged in said supply duct with its centerline inclined from the duct centerline for mechanical advantage in actuating said hinged valve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power supply conduit is provided with a pitot tube at its inlet end in said duct for a duct pressure signal, and wherein a pressure regulator is provided in said conduit between said duct and a first stage of said fluidic amplifying means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said fluidic means comprises a multi-stage proportional amplifier and connected diaphragm amplifier receiving the output signal from the former and connected in turn with said valve actuator, the latter receiving duct pressure directly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said amplifier has an associated conduit with an orifice at a discharge end thereof controlled by the amplifier diaphragm, said conduit also including a venturi section and extending to said supply duct for a pressure pick-up, and wherein an actuator conduit is connected between said actuator for selective pressurization and positive withdrawal of air from the actuator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination in an air distRibution system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said valve member is of the hinged type and said actuator comprises an attached bellows on an inclined centerline.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination in an air distribution system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said fluidic signal means comprise duct static pressure, pressure set-point, and zone temperature signal means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
169 words
In an air distribution system for supplying conditioned air to at least one zone to be conditioned, the combination of a supply duct connected with a source of conditioned air under pressure, an air outlet connected with and suplied with conditioned air from said duct and communicating with said zone, a valve in said duct movable in duct opening and closing directions, a control for said valve comprising fluidic signal comparison and amplifying means, a power supply conduit for said fluidic means connected with said duct and responsive to a duct pressure, means providing at least two fluidic signals to said control, at least one of said signals being responsive to a condition of duct or zone air, and a valve actuator operable under the control of said fluidic means and powered by said supply duct air, said actuator being connected with said valve for movement of the latter in said duct opening and closing directions and said fluidic means including means providing air pressure signals to said actuator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
169 words
In an air distribution system for supplying conditioned air to at least one zone to be conditioned, the combination of a supply duct connected with a source of conditioned air under pressure, an air outlet connected with and suplied with conditioned air from said duct and communicating with said zone, a valve in said duct movable in duct opening and closing directions, a control for said valve comprising fluidic signal comparison and amplifying means, a power supply conduit for said fluidic means connected with said duct and responsive to a duct pressure, means providing at least two fluidic signals to said control, at least one of said signals being responsive to a condition of duct or zone air, and a valve actuator operable under the control of said fluidic means and powered by said supply duct air, said actuator being connected with said valve for movement of the latter in said duct opening and closing directions and said fluidic means including means providing air pressure signals to said actuator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3426782A
Cited
US3719321A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |