Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In a distributor means for distributing conditioned air into a room, said distributor means including a diffuser at its downstream end for discharging the conditioned air into the room and a shutting device located immediately upstream of said diffuser for controlling the flow of conditioned air which passes thereby towards said diffuser, said shutting device being mechanically biased so as to move to reduce the flow of conditioned air which flows therepast towards said diffuser yet movable against said bias by the pressure of the conditioned air flowing therepast to increase said flow of conditioned air, the improvement wherein said distributor means includes (a) a sensor which is capable of emitting signals when contacted by said shutting device, said sensor being located so as to be contactable by said shutting device when it is moved in response to increases in the pressure of the conditioned air flowing therepast, (b) first adjusting means, said first adjusting means being associated with said sensor to control its positioning with respect to said shutting device in response to the conditions in said room, (c) an air damper located upstream of said shutter device, said air damper being movable to control the flow of conditioned air towards said shutter device such that said shutter device can be caused to move in a constantly oscillating fashion in and out of contact with said sensor, and (d) second adjusting means, said second adjusting means being associated with said air damper so as to control its positioning in response to signals from said sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a distributor means for distributing conditioned air into a room, said distributor means including a diffuser at its downstream end for discharging the conditioned air into the room and a shutting device located immediately upstream of said diffuser for controlling the flow of conditioned air which passes thereby towards said diffuser, said shutting device being mechanically biased so as to move to reduce the flow of conditioned air which flows therepast towards said diffuser yet movable against said bias by the pressure of the conditioned air flowing therepast to increase said flow of conditioned air, the improvement wherein said distributor means includes (a) a sensor which is capable of emitting signals when contacted by said shutting device, said sensor being located so as to be contactable by said shutting device when it is moved in response to increases in the pressure of the conditioned air flowing therepast, (b) first adjusting means, said first adjusting means being associated with said sensor to control its positioning with respect to said shutting device in response to the conditions in said room, (c) an air damper located upstream of said shutter device, said air damper being movable to control the flow of conditioned air towards said shutter device such that said shutter device can be caused to move in a constantly oscillating fashion in and out of contact with said sensor, and (d) second adjusting means, said second adjusting means being associated with said air damper so as to control its positioning in response to signals from said sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 1, wherein said shutting device comprises an elongated metal sheet and a blade about which said elongated metal sheet pivots, the orientation of said elongated metal plate about said blade controlling the flow of conditioned air past said shutting device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 2, wherein said elongated metal sheet includes a first long portion, a second short portion and a bend therebetween, wherein said elongated metal sheet is positioned such that the bend therein is on said blade, and wherein the orientation of said first portion of said elongated metal sheet about said blade controls the flow of conditioned air past said shutting device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 3, including at least one counterweight positionable on the second portion of said elongated metal sheet so as to mechanically bias said elongated metal sheet about said blade to cause the first end thereof to reduce the flow of conditioned air past said shutting device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 1, including a pneumatic circuit connected between said sensor and said second adjusting means, and wherein said sensor comprises a pneumatic tube having a ball at its end nearest said shutting device, movement of said shutting device against said ball causing said ball to block off said end of said tube, said tube then emitting a signal in the form of a fluid impulse into said pneumatic circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 5, wherein said first adjusting means comprises a movable plate to which said sensor is attached and an inflatable element located on the side of said movable plate opposite to the side facing said shutting device, said movable plate being pivotable about a horizontal axis toward and away from said shutting device, inflation of said inflatable element causing said movable plate and thus said sensor to move towards said shutting device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 6, wherein said inflatable element is connected to said pneumatic circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 6, including two movable stop means, said stop means being positioned on opposite sides of said movable plate to define the limits of movement of said metal plate toward and away from said shutting device and thus the minimum and maximum flow areas determinable by said shutting device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 5, wherein said second adjusting means comprises an inflatable element, and wherein said inflatable element is connected to said pneumatic circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 5, wherein said pneumatic circuit is connected to a thermostat located in said room.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 5, wherein said pneumatic circuit includes at least one calibrated orifice to control the flow of pneumatic fluid to said second adjusting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 1, including a chamber in which said shutting device is located and a deflecting means located within said chamber, said deflecting means acting to equalize the speed of the conditioned air as it contacts said diffuser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The distributor means as defined in claim 1, wherein said diffuser includes shutters which control the direction of flow of the conditioned air as it enters said room from said diffuser.