US4896588A — Self-cleaning cabin airflow regulating device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 186 words

A self-cleaning airflow regulator, comprising: (a) a housing including: a first chamber having a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls; an air inlet in airflow communication with the first chamber; and an air outlet in airflow communication with the first chamber at a location spaced from the air inlet; (b) a close fitting, partially pervious poppet cylinder within the first chamber at a location between the sidewalls thereof to occupy substantially the entire width separating the sidewalls, the poppet cylinder adapted to move transversely of its length along the sidewalls toward and away from the air inlet in response to the level of airflow through the first chamber; (c) means for biasing the poppet cylinder in the direction towards the air inlet to shift the poppet cylinder towards the air inlet when no air is flowing into the first chamber through the air inlet; and, (d) reactive contact means associated with the sidewalls of the housing which engage the poppet cylinder to cause the poppet cylinder to rotate about its longitudinal axis as the poppet cylinder moves along the housing sidewalls toward and away from the air inlet.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 186 words

A self-cleaning airflow regulator, comprising: (a) a housing including: a first chamber having a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls; an air inlet in airflow communication with the first chamber; and an air outlet in airflow communication with the first chamber at a location spaced from the air inlet; (b) a close fitting, partially pervious poppet cylinder within the first chamber at a location between the sidewalls thereof to occupy substantially the entire width separating the sidewalls, the poppet cylinder adapted to move transversely of its length along the sidewalls toward and away from the air inlet in response to the level of airflow through the first chamber; (c) means for biasing the poppet cylinder in the direction towards the air inlet to shift the poppet cylinder towards the air inlet when no air is flowing into the first chamber through the air inlet; and, (d) reactive contact means associated with the sidewalls of the housing which engage the poppet cylinder to cause the poppet cylinder to rotate about its longitudinal axis as the poppet cylinder moves along the housing sidewalls toward and away from the air inlet.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the housing sidewalls are disposed in spaced, parallel relationship to each other.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the housing sidewalls have corresponding edge portions that extend towards each other to define the air inlet.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 84 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the housing first chamber in cross section is in the form of an elongate trough shape, wherein the sidewalls of the housing first chamber form the sidewalls of the trough shape, the air outlet of the housing first chamber is located in the base of the trough shape and the air inlet of the housing first chamber corresponds to the opening defined by the edges of the trough shape opposite the base of the trough shape.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 4, wherein the sidewalls of the trough shape are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart at a distance to closely receive the poppet cylinder therebetween.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the poppet cylinder is in the form of a cylindrical tube having opening formed therein.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the poppet cylinder is composed of partially air pervious, flexible material supported by an underlying frame to form a cylindrical, tubular shape.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 7, wherein the frame is selected from the group consisting of a helically wound member and a perforated tube.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 7, wherein the partially air impervious material is composed of a fibrous material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, NOMEX™ and cloth.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet and outlet of the first chamber are located at opposite sides of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 47 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means are selected from the group consisting of: compression springs bearing against the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder; and, spring pins spanning between the housing walls and bearing against the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the reactive contact means comprise resilient means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 65 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 12, wherein the resilient means comprise cut piles mounted on the housing sidewalls for contact with the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder, the cut piles being disposed diagonally to the surface of the housing sidewalls and transversely to the length of the poppet cylinder all in substantially the same direction relative to the circumference of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 73 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the reactive contact means comprise textured means on the housing sidewalls selected from the group consisting of teeth, serrations and scales, said textured means oriented relative to the housing sidewalls and the poppet cylinder in substantially the same direction relative to the circumference of the poppet cylinder to contact against the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder as the poppet cylinder moves along the sidewalls.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 14 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 14, wherein the reactive contact means are resilient.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 45 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 1, further comprising a second chamber in airflow receiving communication with the outlet of the first chamber, the second chamber having outlet means to discharge air received from the first chamber into the ambient in a substantially uniform manner.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 192 words

A self-cleaning fluid flow regulator, comprising: (a) a partially fluid pervious poppet cylinder; (b) a regulator body comprising: a restriction chamber composed of a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls for closely receiving the poppet cylinder therebetween to enable the poppet cylinder to move along the sidewalls in a direction generally transversely to the length of the poppet cylinder; an inlet for directing fluid into the restriction chamber; and, an outlet for directing fluid out of the restriction chamber, the outlet being located on the opposite side of the poppet cylinder from the location of the fluid inlet; (c) biasing means acting on the poppet cylinder to nominally bias the poppet cylinder toward the inlet of the restriction chamber, the biasing means being overcome during fluid flow into the restriction chamber through the inlet and out of the restriction chamber through the outlet whereby the poppet cylinder is shifted transversely of its length within the restriction chamber in a direction away from the restriction chamber inlet; and, (d) means for rotating the poppet cylinder about its longitudinal axis as the poppet cylinder moves transversely within the restriction chamber toward and away from the inlet.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 192 words

A self-cleaning fluid flow regulator, comprising: (a) a partially fluid pervious poppet cylinder; (b) a regulator body comprising: a restriction chamber composed of a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls for closely receiving the poppet cylinder therebetween to enable the poppet cylinder to move along the sidewalls in a direction generally transversely to the length of the poppet cylinder; an inlet for directing fluid into the restriction chamber; and, an outlet for directing fluid out of the restriction chamber, the outlet being located on the opposite side of the poppet cylinder from the location of the fluid inlet; (c) biasing means acting on the poppet cylinder to nominally bias the poppet cylinder toward the inlet of the restriction chamber, the biasing means being overcome during fluid flow into the restriction chamber through the inlet and out of the restriction chamber through the outlet whereby the poppet cylinder is shifted transversely of its length within the restriction chamber in a direction away from the restriction chamber inlet; and, (d) means for rotating the poppet cylinder about its longitudinal axis as the poppet cylinder moves transversely within the restriction chamber toward and away from the inlet.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the poppet cylinder is in the form of a cylindrical tube having openings formed therein.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the poppet cylinder is composed of partially air pervious, flexible material supported in a cylindrical shape by an underlying frame.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flow regulator according to claim 19, wherein the frame is selected from the group consisting of a helically wound member and a perforated tube.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

The flow regulator according to claim 19, wherein the partially air pervious material is a fibrous material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, NOMEX™ and cloth.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the sidewalls of the restriction chamber are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance from each other to closely receive the poppet cylinder therebetween.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 31 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the sidewalls of the restriction chamber have corresponding edge portions that extend towards each other to define the inlet for the restriction chamber.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the inlet for the restriction chamber is in fluid flow communication with a fluid supply source.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 76 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the restriction chamber in cross section is in the shape of a bight, wherein the sidewalls of the restriction chamber form the sidewalls of the bight, the outlet of the restriction chamber is located in the base of the bight and the inlet of the restriction chamber is composed of an opening defined by the edges of the sidewalls of the bight opposite the base of the bight.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

The flow regulator according to claim 25, wherein the sidewalls of the bight are disposed in substantially parallel relationship to each other and spaced apart to receive the poppet cylinder closely therebetween.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the biasing means push against the side of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 27 words

The flow regulator according to claim 27, wherein the biasing means push agaist the poppet cylinder at several locations spaced along the length of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 26 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the inlet and outlet for the restriction chamber are located on diametrically opposite sides of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 245 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, wherein the rotation means are selected from the group consisting of: (a) fibers mounted on the sidewalls of the restriction chamber for reactive contact with the exterior of the poppet cylinder, the fibers disposed diagonally to the sidewalls in a direction corresponding to the circumference of the poppet cylinder; (b) fibers mounted on the poppet cylinder for reactive contact with the sidewalls of the restriction chamber, the fibers disposed at an angle to the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder between an angle extending tangentially to the outer surface of the poppet cylinder and an angle extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the poppet cylinder; (c) textured means selected from the group consisting of flexible teeth, serrations and scales on the sidewalls of the restriction chamber for reactive contact with the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder, the textured means oriented slanted relative to the plane of the sidewalls of the restriction chamber in a direction corresponding to the circumference of the poppet cylinder; and, (d) textured means selected from the group consisting of flexible teeth, serrations and scales, on the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder for reactive contact with the sidewalls of the restriction chamber, the textured means extending from the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder at an angle between an angle tangentially to the outer surface of the poppet cylinder and an angle radially to the outer surface of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 45 words

The flow regulator according to claim 17, further comprising a balance chamber in airflow receiving communication with the outlet of the restriction chamber, the balance chamber having outlet means to discharge air received from the restriction chamber into the ambient in a substantially uniform manner.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 234 words

A self-cleaning airflow regulator for regulating the flow of supply air delivered to an enclosure, such as an aircraft cabin, comprising: (a) an elongate, partially air pervious poppet cylinder; (b) a regulator body comprising: an elongate restriction chamber composed of a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls for closely receiving the poppet cylinder therebetween and permitting the poppet cylinder to move along the sidewalls in a direction generally transversely to the length of the poppet cylinder; an inlet in air receiving communication with an air supply for directing air into the restriction chamber; and, an outlet for directing air out of a restriction chamber, the outlet being located on the opposite side of the poppet cylinder from the location of the inlet; (c) resilient biasing means acting on the poppet cylinder to bias the poppet cylinder for movement toward the inlet of the restriction chamber, the biasing means being overcome during airflow into the restriction chamber through the inlet and out the restriction chamber through the outlet whereby the force generated by the reaction of the airflow entering the restriction chamber against the poppet cylinder causes the poppet cylinder to shift transversely of its length within the restriction chamber in a direction away from the restriction chamber inlet; and, (d) means for rotating the poppet cylinder about its longitudinal axis as the poppet cylinder moves transversely within the restriction chamber toward and away from the inlet.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 234 words

A self-cleaning airflow regulator for regulating the flow of supply air delivered to an enclosure, such as an aircraft cabin, comprising: (a) an elongate, partially air pervious poppet cylinder; (b) a regulator body comprising: an elongate restriction chamber composed of a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls for closely receiving the poppet cylinder therebetween and permitting the poppet cylinder to move along the sidewalls in a direction generally transversely to the length of the poppet cylinder; an inlet in air receiving communication with an air supply for directing air into the restriction chamber; and, an outlet for directing air out of a restriction chamber, the outlet being located on the opposite side of the poppet cylinder from the location of the inlet; (c) resilient biasing means acting on the poppet cylinder to bias the poppet cylinder for movement toward the inlet of the restriction chamber, the biasing means being overcome during airflow into the restriction chamber through the inlet and out the restriction chamber through the outlet whereby the force generated by the reaction of the airflow entering the restriction chamber against the poppet cylinder causes the poppet cylinder to shift transversely of its length within the restriction chamber in a direction away from the restriction chamber inlet; and, (d) means for rotating the poppet cylinder about its longitudinal axis as the poppet cylinder moves transversely within the restriction chamber toward and away from the inlet.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 35 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 32, wherein the sidewalls of the restriction chamber are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance from each other to closely receive the poppet cylinder therebetween.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 26 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 32, wherein the biasing means act against the poppet cylinder at spaced-apart locations along the length of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 224 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 32, wherein the rotation means are selected from the group consisting of: (a) fibers mounted on the sidewalls of the restriction chamber for reactive contact with the exterior of the poppet cylinder, the fibers disposed diagonally to the sidewalls in a direction corresponding to the circumference of the poppet cylinder; and, (b) fibers mounted on the poppet cylinder for reactive contact with the sidewalls of the restriction chamber, the fibers disposed at an angle to the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder between an angle extending tangentially to the outer surface of the poppet cylinder and an angle extending normally outwardly from the outer surface of the poppet cylinder; (c) textured means on the sidewalls of the restriction chamber for reactive contact with the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder, the textured means being oriented relative to the plane of the sidewalls of the restriction chamber in a direction corresponding to the circumference of the poppet cylinder; and, (d) textured means on the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder for reactive contact with the sidewalls of the restriction chamber, the textured means extending from the outer circumference of the poppet cylinder at an angle between an angle tangentially to the outer surface of the poppet cylinder and an angle normal to the outer surface of the poppet cylinder.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 23 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 35, wherein the textured means are selected from the group consisting of flexible teeth, serrations and scales.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 45 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 32, further comprising a balance chamber in airflow receiving communication with the outlet of the restriction chamber, the balance chamber having outlet means to discharge air received from the restriction chamber into the enclosure in a substantially uniform manner.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 48 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 32, wherein: the supply air is delivered to the enclosure in an elongate duct extending along the enclosure; the regulator body is secured to the duct and extends along the length of the duct to serve as a part of the duct.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 21 words

The airflow regulator according to claim 32, wherein the restriction chamber at least partially extends into the interior of the duct.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-01-29	1993-07-31	1994-01-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-01-29	1997-07-31	1998-01-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-01-29	2001-07-31	2002-01-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Self-cleaning cabin airflow regulating device

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