Patent US3923244A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3923244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidic apparatus for air-conditioning system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-28
•
Granted: 1975-12-02
•
Expires: 1992-07-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a fluidic oscillator in an airconditioning system to deliver bursts of air at full volume as the terminal unit oscillates in response to the room thermostat. These bursts of air, short or long, would fulfill the register''s volume requirements, thus maintaining full room comfort.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene W Osheroff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:55
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/22; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/76; F24F11/30; F24F3/00; F24F2003/003; F24F2003/005; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; F24F2221/00; F24F2221/54; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2065; Y10T137/2071; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of conditioning the air in an open space comprising: providing a source of continuously flowing conditioned air under pressure; directing a plurality of pulses of said conditioned air from said source to said space; and varying the duration of said pulses if the ambient air temperature of the space differs from a predetermined reference temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of conditioning the air in an open space comprising: providing a source of continuously flowing conditioned air under pressure; directing a plurality of pulses of said conditioned air from said source to said space; and varying the duration of said pulses if the ambient air temperature of the space differs from a predetermined reference temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said directing step includes keeping the duration of said pulses substantially uniform when said ambient temperature is substantially the same as said reference temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said varying step includes decreasing the duration of said pulse as said ambienT temperature approaches said reference temperature.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of conditioning the air in a space comprising: directing a flow of conditioned air under pressure from a source along a first path toward said space; directing a plurality of pulses of said conditioned air from said continuous flow into the space; varying the duration of said pulses if the ambient air temperature of the space differs from a predetermined reference temperature; and directing the conditioned air of said flow along a path to the source in bypassing relationship to said space during the intervals between said pulses.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of conditioning the air in a space comprising: directing a flow of conditioned air under pressure from a source along a first path toward said space; directing a plurality of pulses of said conditioned air from said continuous flow into the space; varying the duration of said pulses if the ambient air temperature of the space differs from a predetermined reference temperature; and directing the conditioned air of said flow along a path to the source in bypassing relationship to said space during the intervals between said pulses.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of conditioning the air in a room comprising: providing a source of conditioned air under pressure; directing a flow of said conditioned air along a first path from said source to said room; sensing the flow of said conditioned air into said room; returning the flow of conditioned air along a second path to said source in bypassing relationship to said room in response to the sensed flow into said room and when the ambient air temperature of the room is within a predetermined range of values relative to a preselected reference temperature; detecting the flow of said conditioned air returned to said source; redirecting said flow of conditioned air to said room in response to said detected flow; and repeating said directing, sensing, returning and detecting steps a plurality of times to cause a plurality of pulses of conditioned air to be delivered to said room.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of conditioning the air in a room comprising: providing a source of conditioned air under pressure; directing a flow of said conditioned air along a first path from said source to said room; sensing the flow of said conditioned air into said room; returning the flow of conditioned air along a second path to said source in bypassing relationship to said room in response to the sensed flow into said room and when the ambient air temperature of the room is within a predetermined range of values relative to a preselected reference temperature; detecting the flow of said conditioned air returned to said source; redirecting said flow of conditioned air to said room in response to said detected flow; and repeating said directing, sensing, returning and detecting steps a plurality of times to cause a plurality of pulses of conditioned air to be delivered to said room.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing step includes generating a positive air pressure signal, said returning step including directing said signal toward a location adjacent to one of said paths and against the flow therethrough to cause said flow to be switched from said first path to said second path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing step includes generating a negative air pressure signal, said returning step including directing said signal away from a location adjacent to one of said paths and away from the flow therethrough to cause said flow to be switch from said first path to said second path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said detecting step includes generating a positive air pressure signal, said redirecting step including directing said signal toward a location adjacent to one of said paths and against the flow therethrough to cause said flow to be switch from said second path to said first path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said detecting step includes generating a negative air pressure signal, said redirecting step including directing said signal away from a location adjacent to one of said paths and away from the flow therethrough to cause said flow to be switched from said second path to said first path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing and detecting steps include generating first and second positive air pressure signals, respectively, said returning step including directing said first signal toward a location adjacent to one of said paths and against the flow therethrough to cause said flow to be switched from said first path to said second path, said redirecting step including directing said second signal toward a location adjacent to the other of said paths and against the flow therethrough to cause the last-mentioned flow to be switched from said second path to said first path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing and directing steps include generating first and second negative air pressure signals, respectively, said returning step including directing said first signal away from a location adjacent to one of said paths away from the flow therethrough to cause said flow to be switched from said first path to said second path, said redirecting step including directing said second signal away from a location adjacent to the other of said paths and away from the flow therethrough to cause the last-mentioned flow to be switched from said second Path to said first path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing step includes generating a positive air pressure signal, said returning step including directing said signal along a channel having an orifice capable of being changed in size, and changing the size of the orifice as a function of the difference between said ambient air temperature and said reference temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said changing step includes decreasing the size of said orifice as the ambient air temperature approaches said reference temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing step includes generating a negative air pressure signal, said returning step including directing said signal along a channel having an orifice capable of being varied in size, and changing the size of the orifice as a function of the difference between said ambient air temperature and said reference temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said changing step includes decreasing the size of the orifice as the ambient air temperature approaches said reference temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
128 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sensing step includes generating a first positive air pressure signal, said returning step including directing said signal along a first channel having a first orifice to the atmosphere with the first orifice capable of being changed in size, said detecting step including generating a second positive air pressure signal, said redirecting step including directing said second signal along a second channel having a second orifice to the atmosphere with the second orifice capable of being changed in size, and including the step of changing the size of each orifice as a function of the difference between said ambient air temperature and said reference temperature when the ambient air temperature is on a respective side of said reference temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said first orifice is open when the ambient air temperature differs from and is on one side of said reference temperature, said second orifice being closed when first orifice is open, said second orifice being open when the ambient air temperature differs from and is on the opposite side of said reference temperature, said first orifice being closed when said second orifice is open, said first and second orifices being closed when said ambient air temperature is substantially the same as said reference temperature.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of conditioning a fluid in an open space comprising: providing a source of said fluid under pressure with said fluid flowing continuously and being conditioned at said source; directing a plurality of pulse of said conditioned fluid from said source to said space; and varying the duration of said pulses if a parameter of the fluid in the space has a value which differs from a predetermined reference value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of conditioning a fluid in an open space comprising: providing a source of said fluid under pressure with said fluid flowing continuously and being conditioned at said source; directing a plurality of pulse of said conditioned fluid from said source to said space; and varying the duration of said pulses if a parameter of the fluid in the space has a value which differs from a predetermined reference value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said parameter is the temperature of the fluid in said space.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of conditioning the air in a plurality of spaces comprising: directing a flow of conditioned air under pressure along a first path toward said spaces; directing a plurality of pulses of said conditioned air from said flow into each of the spaces; varying the duration of said pulses directed into each space if the ambient air temperature of the last-mentioned space differs from a predetermined reference temperature; and directing the conditioned air of said flow along a path in bypassing relationship to each of said spaces during the intervals between the pulses directed thereto.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of conditioning the air in a plurality of spaces comprising: directing a flow of conditioned air under pressure along a first path toward said spaces; directing a plurality of pulses of said conditioned air from said flow into each of the spaces; varying the duration of said pulses directed into each space if the ambient air temperature of the last-mentioned space differs from a predetermined reference temperature; and directing the conditioned air of said flow along a path in bypassing relationship to each of said spaces during the intervals between the pulses directed thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein is included the step of providing a source of said conditioned air under pressure for said spaces, the first directing step including periodically placing said source in fluid communication with each space, the second directing step including returning the conditioned air to said source.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
165 words
A method oF conditioning the air in a plurality of rooms comprising: providing a source of conditioned air under pressure; directing a flow of said conditioned air along a first path from said source toward and into said rooms; sensing the flow of said conditioned air into each room; returning the flow of conditioned air directed toward each room in bypassing relationship thereto along a second path to said source in response to the sensed flow into the room and when the ambient air temperature therein is within a predetermined range of values relative to a preselected reference temperature; detecting the flow of said conditioned air which bypasses each room and is returned to said source; redirecting the flow of conditioned air into each room in response to the detected flow which bypasses the same; and repeating said directing, sensing, returning and detecting steps a plurality of times for each room, respectively, to cause a plurality of pulses of conditioned air to be delivered thereto.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
165 words
A method oF conditioning the air in a plurality of rooms comprising: providing a source of conditioned air under pressure; directing a flow of said conditioned air along a first path from said source toward and into said rooms; sensing the flow of said conditioned air into each room; returning the flow of conditioned air directed toward each room in bypassing relationship thereto along a second path to said source in response to the sensed flow into the room and when the ambient air temperature therein is within a predetermined range of values relative to a preselected reference temperature; detecting the flow of said conditioned air which bypasses each room and is returned to said source; redirecting the flow of conditioned air into each room in response to the detected flow which bypasses the same; and repeating said directing, sensing, returning and detecting steps a plurality of times for each room, respectively, to cause a plurality of pulses of conditioned air to be delivered thereto.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an air conditioning system having a supply duct and a return adjacent to a space in which air is to be conditioned, apparatus comprising: a bistable fluidic amplifier device having an inlet channel adapted to be coupled to the supply duct, first and second outlet channels adapted to be coupled to said space and said return duct, respectively, a control chamber between said inlet channel and the outlet channels, and a pair of control channels coupled to said control chamber on respective sides of the airflow path therethrough; means coupled with the device for alternately directing first and second air pressure signals to said first and second control channels; and means responsive to the flow of air in at least one of said outlet channels and to a parameter of the air in said space for causing a variation in the rate at which one of the signals is applied to the respective control channel when the value of said parameter differs from a predetermined reference value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
168 words
In an air conditioning system having a supply duct and a return adjacent to a space in which air is to be conditioned, apparatus comprising: a bistable fluidic amplifier device having an inlet channel adapted to be coupled to the supply duct, first and second outlet channels adapted to be coupled to said space and said return duct, respectively, a control chamber between said inlet channel and the outlet channels, and a pair of control channels coupled to said control chamber on respective sides of the airflow path therethrough; means coupled with the device for alternately directing first and second air pressure signals to said first and second control channels; and means responsive to the flow of air in at least one of said outlet channels and to a parameter of the air in said space for causing a variation in the rate at which one of the signals is applied to the respective control channel when the value of said parameter differs from a predetermined reference value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said causing means includes first structure defining a pair of feedback channels with each feedback channel being coupled to a respective outlet channel, said directing means including second structure defining a passageway for each feedback channel, respectively, each passageway placing the corresponding feedback channel in fluid communication with the corresponding control channel of said device, said causing means further including means coupled with at least one of said feedback channels for venting the same in response to said parameter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a system as set forth in claim 23, wherein causing means includes structure defining a feedback channel coupled with one of said outlet channels and operable to generate a positive air presure signal in response to the flow of air through said one outlet channel, and means responsive to said parameter for venting said feedback channel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said causing means includes structure defining a feedback channel coupled with one of said outlet channels and operable to generate a negative air pressure signal in response to the flow of air through said one outlet channel, and means responsive to said parameter for venting said feedback channel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said directing means includes a monostable fluidic amplifier having an inlet coupled to the inlet channel of said device, a pair of outlets coupled to respective control channels of said device and a pair of control ports to effect switching of the airflow therethrough between said outlets thereof, said causing means including structure defining a feedback channel coupled to one of the outlet channels of said device and one of said control ports, and means responsive to said parameter for venting said feedback channel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said directing means includes a bistable fluidic amplifier unit having an inlet coupled to the inlet channel of said device, a Pair of outlets coupled to respective control channels of said device, and a pair of control to effect switching of the airflow therethrough between said outlets thereof, said causing means including structure defining a pair of feedback channels with each feedback channel being coupled between a respective outlet channel of said device and a respective control port of said unit, and means responsive to said parameter for venting at least one of the feedback channels.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said venting means includes a thermostatic valve having one portion for venting a first of said feedback channels when the temperature of said space has a value on one side of a predetermined reference temperature and a second portion for venting the second feedback channel when the temperature of said space has a value on the opposite side of said reference temperature, said valve portions having substantially no venting effect when the temperature of said space is substantially the same as said reference temperature.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said structure includes means for each feedback channel, respectively, for generating a positive air pressure signal therein in response to the flow of air through the corresponding outlet channel.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said structure includes means for each feedback channel, respectively, for generating a negative air pressure signal therein in response to the flow of air through the corresponding outlet channel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fluid handling apparatus comprising: a fluid amplifier having a fluid inlet, a pair of fluid outlets, and a pair of control ports upstream of the fluid outlets for causing a fluid flow through the inlet to be switched back and forth between said outlets in response to fluid signals being alternately applied to said ports; means responsive to the flow of fluid through the amplifier for alternately applying fluid signals to said ports to cause the fluid flow to switch a number of times between said fluid outlets; and means coupled with said applying means and responsive to a parameter of the fluid in a space adjacent to the amplifier for controlling the rate at which the fluid signal is applied to one of the ports.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fluid handling apparatus comprising: a fluid amplifier having a fluid inlet, a pair of fluid outlets, and a pair of control ports upstream of the fluid outlets for causing a fluid flow through the inlet to be switched back and forth between said outlets in response to fluid signals being alternately applied to said ports; means responsive to the flow of fluid through the amplifier for alternately applying fluid signals to said ports to cause the fluid flow to switch a number of times between said fluid outlets; and means coupled with said applying means and responsive to a parameter of the fluid in a space adjacent to the amplifier for controlling the rate at which the fluid signal is applied to one of the ports.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 32, wherein said applying means includes a bistable fluidic amplifier unit having an inlet coupled to the fluid inlet of said amplifier, a pair of outlets coupled to respective control ports of the amplifier. and a pair of control channels to effect switching of the airflow therethrough between the outlets thereof, and structure defining a feedback channel for each fluid outlet of said amplifier, respectively, each feedback channel being coupled between a respective fluid outlet of the amplifier and a respective control channel of said unit, said controlling means being operable to vent at least one of said feedback channels.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 32, wherein said applying means includes structure defining a feedback channel between each fluid outlet, respectively, and a respective control port, there being an opening in the feedback channel corresponding to said one port, said controlling means including a device responsive to said parameter for varying the size of said opening.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein said device includes a thermostatic element responsive to the ambient temperature.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein said applying means includes structure responsive to the flow through each fluid outlet, respectively, and operble to generate a positive air pressure signal in the respective feedback channel.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein said applying means includes structure responsive to the flow through each fluid outlet, respectively, and operable to generate a positive air pressure signal in the respective feedback channel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
110 words
Fluid-handling apparatus comprising: a pair of fluidic amplifiers, each amplifier having a fluid inlet, a pair of fluid outlets, and a pair of control ports for receiving respective fluid pressure signals to cause a fluid flowing through the amplifier to switch back and forth between the outlets thereof, the inlet of each amplifier adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid under pressure, the fluid outlets of one of the amplifiers being coupled to respective ports of the other amplifier; and means responsive to the flow of fluid through said other amplifier for applying a fluid pressure signal to at least one of the ports of said one amplifier.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
110 words
Fluid-handling apparatus comprising: a pair of fluidic amplifiers, each amplifier having a fluid inlet, a pair of fluid outlets, and a pair of control ports for receiving respective fluid pressure signals to cause a fluid flowing through the amplifier to switch back and forth between the outlets thereof, the inlet of each amplifier adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid under pressure, the fluid outlets of one of the amplifiers being coupled to respective ports of the other amplifier; and means responsive to the flow of fluid through said other amplifier for applying a fluid pressure signal to at least one of the ports of said one amplifier.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein the inlet of said one amplifier is coupled to the inlet of the other amplifier to receive a portion of the fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said one amplifier is a monostable device, the other amplifier being a bistable device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein each of the amplifiers comprises a bistable device, said applying means including structure for directing a fluid pressure signal to each port, respectively, of said one amplifier.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said applying means includes structure coupled with said other amplifier for developing a positive fluid pressure signal in response to the flow of fluid through one of the outlets thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said applying means includes structure coupled with said one amplifier for developing a negative fluid pressure signal in response to the flow of fluid through one outlet thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said applying means includes structure for each port of said one amplifier, respectively, the structures being coupled with respective outlets of said other amplifier for developing respective fluid pressure signals in response to the flow of fluid through the corresponding outlets of said other amplifier.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein each structure is coupled to the corresponding outlet of said other amplifier at a position to cause a positive fluid pressure signal to be developed.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 44, wherein each structure is coupled to the corresponding outlet of said other amplifier at a position to cause a negative fluid pressure signal to be developed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3144309A
Cited
US3144208A
Cited
US3302398A
Cited
US3378022A
Cited
US3426782A
Cited
US3402654A
Cited
US3373577A
Cited
US3680776A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |