US4556169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
On-off thermostat based modulating air flow controller
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-07
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Granted: 1985-12-03
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Expires: 2004-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat having an on-off thermostat, a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to the thermostat for moving in a first direction when the thermostat is on and moving in a second direction when the thermostat is off, a damper motor adapted to drive a damper, and a controller driven by the self-returning, slow moving motor and connected to the damper motor for modulating air flow in response to the on-off thermostat.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel H. Zervos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/275; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/76; G05D23/1919; G05D23/1921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat comprising: an on-off thermostat; a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to said thermostat for moving in a first direction when said thermostat is on and in a second direction when said thermostat is off; damper motor means, separate from said self-returning, slow moving motor, adapted to drive a damper for controlling said air flow; and, controller means responsive to said self returning, slow moving motor and connected to said damper motor means for controlling said damper motor means to modulate said air flow in response to said on-off thermostat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat comprising: an on-off thermostat; a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to said thermostat for moving in a first direction when said thermostat is on and in a second direction when said thermostat is off; damper motor means, separate from said self-returning, slow moving motor, adapted to drive a damper for controlling said air flow; and, controller means responsive to said self returning, slow moving motor and connected to said damper motor means for controlling said damper motor means to modulate said air flow in response to said on-off thermostat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said controller means comprises a cam driven by said self-returning, slow moving motor, and switch means responsive to said cam for energizing and deenergizing said damper motor means in response to movement of said cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said switch means comprises a movable switch contact which moves in response to movement of said cam which in turn moves in response to said self-returning, slow moving motor, a first stationary contact responsive to movement of said movable switch contact in a first direction for energizing said damper motor means to drive said damper in a first direction, and a second stationary contact responsive to movement of said movable switch contact in a second direction for energizing said damper motor means to drive said damper in a second direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said controller means comprises maximum and minimum limit means for limiting the extent of movement of said cam in response to said self-returning, slow moving motor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat comprising: an on-off thermostat; a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to said thermostat for moving in a first direction when said thermostat is on and in a second direction when said thermostat is off; damper motor means, separate from said self-returning, slow moving motor, adapted to drive a damper; air flow sensing means for sensing said air flow; and, controller means driven by said self-returning slow moving motor and connected to said damper motor means for controlling said damper motor means to drive said damper in a first direction when said self-returning, slow moving motor has moved a first sufficient amount in its first direction and to drive said damper in a second direction when said self-returning, slow moving motor has moved a second sufficient amount in its second direction to modulate said air flow in response to said on-off thermostat, said controller means also being responsive to said air flow sensor means for rebalancing said controller means in responses to changes in air flow resulting from movement of said damper motor means, said sufficient amounts being dependent upon said air flow sensor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat comprising: an on-off thermostat; a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to said thermostat for moving in a first direction when said thermostat is on and in a second direction when said thermostat is off; damper motor means, separate from said self-returning, slow moving motor, adapted to drive a damper; air flow sensing means for sensing said air flow; and, controller means driven by said self-returning slow moving motor and connected to said damper motor means for controlling said damper motor means to drive said damper in a first direction when said self-returning, slow moving motor has moved a first sufficient amount in its first direction and to drive said damper in a second direction when said self-returning, slow moving motor has moved a second sufficient amount in its second direction to modulate said air flow in response to said on-off thermostat, said controller means also being responsive to said air flow sensor means for rebalancing said controller means in responses to changes in air flow resulting from movement of said damper motor means, said sufficient amounts being dependent upon said air flow sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said controller means comprises a cam driven by said self-returning, slow moving motor, and switch means responsive to said cam for energizing and deenergizing said damper motor means in response to movement of said cam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said switch means comprises a movable switch contact which moves in response to movement of said cam which in turn moves in response to said self-returning, slow moving motor, a first stationary contact responsive to movement of said movable switch contact in a first direction for energizing said damper motor means to drive said damper in a first direction, and a second stationary contact responsive to movement of said movable switch contact in a second direction for energizing said damper motor means to drive said damper in a second direction, said sufficient amounts being dependent upon spacings between said first and second stationary contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said controller means comprises maximum and minimum limit means for limiting the extent of movement of said cam in response to said self-returning, slow moving motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said air flow sensor means comprises velocity pressure means for sensing the velocity pressure of said air flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said controller means comprises a cam driven by said self-returning, slow moving motor, and switch means responsive to said cam for energizing and deenergizing said damper motor means in response to movement of said cam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said switch means comprises a movable switch contact which moves in response to movement of said cam which in turn moves in response to said self-returning, slow moving motor, a first stationary contact responsive to movement of said movable switch contact in a first direction for energizing said damper motor means to drive said damper in a first direction, and a second stationary contact responsive to movement of said movable switch contact in a second direction for energizing said damper motor means to drive said damper in a second direction, said sufficient amounts being dependent upon spacings between said first and second stationary contacts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said cam is configured to linearize the output of said velocity pressure sensor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said controller means comprises maximum and minimum limit means for limiting the extent of movement of said cam in response to said self-returning, slow moving motor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat comprising: an on-off thermostat; a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to said thermostat for being driven in a first direction when said thermostat is closed and in a second direction when said thermostat is open; a cam driven by said self-returning, slow moving motor for moving in a first direction when said motor moves in said first direction and for moving in a second direction when said self-returning, slow moving motor moves in said second direction; a switch having a movable contact driven by a cam follower which moves in response to movement of said cam and first and second stationary contacts; damper motor means connected to said first and second stationary contacts and to said movable contact for driving said damper in a first direction when said movable contact contacts said first stationary contact and for driving in a second direction when said movable contact contacts said second stationary contact, said damper motor means controlling said damper for modulating said air flow in response to said on-off thermostat; and, air flow sensing means responsive to said air flow for providing a rebalancing force to said movable contact of said switch.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for providing modulated air flow control in response to an on-off thermostat comprising: an on-off thermostat; a self-returning, slow moving motor connected to said thermostat for being driven in a first direction when said thermostat is closed and in a second direction when said thermostat is open; a cam driven by said self-returning, slow moving motor for moving in a first direction when said motor moves in said first direction and for moving in a second direction when said self-returning, slow moving motor moves in said second direction; a switch having a movable contact driven by a cam follower which moves in response to movement of said cam and first and second stationary contacts; damper motor means connected to said first and second stationary contacts and to said movable contact for driving said damper in a first direction when said movable contact contacts said first stationary contact and for driving in a second direction when said movable contact contacts said second stationary contact, said damper motor means controlling said damper for modulating said air flow in response to said on-off thermostat; and, air flow sensing means responsive to said air flow for providing a rebalancing force to said movable contact of said switch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said air flow sensor means comprises velocity pressure means for sensing the velocity pressure of said air flow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said cam is configured to linearize the output of said velocity pressure sensor means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said movable contact is configured to aid in linearizing the output of said velocity pressure sensor means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said movable contact is configured to aid in linearizing the output of said velocity pressure sensor means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-02 | 1989-06-03 | 1989-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-02 | 1993-06-03 | 1993-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-02 | 1997-06-03 | 1997-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |