US5127878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mixing box
Assignee: Camp Dresser and Mckee Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-08
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2011-08-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved mixing box is disclosed. The mixing box comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a substantially closed first passage to which primary air flows from a primary air inlet and then through induction means and to and from the outlet end. The induction means are positioned intermediate the inlet and outlet ends and are operable, when primary air flows through the passage, to induce a flow of air through a first opening for mixture with primary air and delivery therewith through the outlet end. The mixing box also comprises means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air and a fan operable to induce a flow of air through a second opening and to deliver such air through the outlet end of the box. The improvement includes a closed second passage formed in the mixing box for the flow of air from the second opening to the suction side of the fan and a control operable to energize the fan when the primary air flow is below a control rate and to de-energize the fan when the primary air flow is above the control rate. Additionally, the primary air inlet can open into the closed second passage which communicates directly with the first passage and therethrough with the induction means and the outlet end of the mixing box, while the fan discharges into the first passage and therethrough into the induction means, and through the outlet end of the box.
Inventors
- 👤 Gershon Meckler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:23
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F1/00; F24F1/01; F24F2221/00; F24F2221/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A mixing box having a primary air inlet, an air outlet, an induction nozzle between said primary air inlet and said air outlet, wherein primary air which flows into said primary air inlet, then flows through said induction nozzle and said air outlet, said induction nozzle being operable, when primary air flows therethrough at a sufficient rate, to indcue a flow of air from outside the mixing box for mixture with air discharged from said induction nozzle and delivery therewith through said mixing box outlet, means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air through said primar air inlet, a fan operable to induce a flow of air from outside the mixing box and to delivery such air through said mixing box outlet, means forming a closed passage for the flow of air from the exterior of the mixing box to the suction side of said fan and a control operable to energize and de-energize said fan.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A mixing box having a primary air inlet, an air outlet, an induction nozzle between said primary air inlet and said air outlet, wherein primary air which flows into said primary air inlet, then flows through said induction nozzle and said air outlet, said induction nozzle being operable, when primary air flows therethrough at a sufficient rate, to indcue a flow of air from outside the mixing box for mixture with air discharged from said induction nozzle and delivery therewith through said mixing box outlet, means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air through said primar air inlet, a fan operable to induce a flow of air from outside the mixing box and to delivery such air through said mixing box outlet, means forming a closed passage for the flow of air from the exterior of the mixing box to the suction side of said fan and a control operable to energize and de-energize said fan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 1 which additionally includes means operable to direct air discharge from said fan through said induction nozzle before it flows through said outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 1 which additionally includes means operable by bypass air discharge from said fan around said induction nozzle and to said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 2 which additionally includes means for directing air from said primary air inlet to the suction side of said fan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 3 which additionally includes a normally open damper ineffective when open and effective when closed to prevent the flow of air from outside the mixing box for mixture with air discharged from said induction nozzle, said damper being closed when said fan is energized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 2 which additionally includes means for bypassing air discharged from said fan around said induction nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 2 which additionally includes a back draft damper effective to prevent the flow of air discharged from said fan through said induction nozzle to the suction side of said fan but ineffective to prevent the flow of air from the suction side of said fan to said induction nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 7 which additionally includes an opening through which air can flow between the suction side of said fan and the exterior of the mixing box, and a back draft damper effective to prevent the flow of air from the suction side of said fan through the opening to the exterior of the mixing box, but ineffective to prevent the flow of air from the exterior of the mixing box through the opening to the suction side of said fan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 8 which additionally includes means for directing a part of the air discharged from said fan around said nozzle to said mixing box outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 9 which additionally includes means for controlling the amount of air discharged from said fan that is directed around said nozzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 1 which additionally includes means for transferring heat to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 11 which additionally includes means operable to prevent the transfer of heat by said means for transferring heat to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet except when said fan is energized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means operable to direct air discharged from said fan through said induction nozzle before it flows through said outlet is also operable to cause air discharged from said fan to mix with primary air before it flows through said induction nozzle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means operable to bypass air discharged from said fan around said induction nozzle and to said outlet is also operable to cause the bypassed air to mix with primary air discharged from said induction nozzle before it flows through said outlet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 11 which additionally includes means for controlling the amount of heat transferred to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet to maintain space temperature within control limits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 12 which additionally includes means for controlling the amount of heat transferred to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet to maintain space temperature within control limits.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
208 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box having a primary air inlet, means operably connecting said primary air inlet to receive primary conditioned air from said circulating means, an air outlet, an induction nozzle between said primary air inlet and said air outlet, wherein primary air which flows into said primary air inlet, then flows through said induction nozzle and said air outlet to the space, said induction nozzle being operable, when primary air flows therethrough at a sufficient rate, to induce a flow of air from outside the mixing box for mixture with air discharged from said induction nozzle and delivery therewith through said mixing box outlet to the space, means for controlling the rate at which primary air from said circulating means flows through said primary air inlet, a fan operable to induce a flow of air from outside the mixing box and to deliver such air to the space through said mixing box outlet, means forming a closed passage for the flow of air from the exterior of the mixing box to the suction side of said fan and a control operable to energize and de-energize said fan.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
208 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box having a primary air inlet, means operably connecting said primary air inlet to receive primary conditioned air from said circulating means, an air outlet, an induction nozzle between said primary air inlet and said air outlet, wherein primary air which flows into said primary air inlet, then flows through said induction nozzle and said air outlet to the space, said induction nozzle being operable, when primary air flows therethrough at a sufficient rate, to induce a flow of air from outside the mixing box for mixture with air discharged from said induction nozzle and delivery therewith through said mixing box outlet to the space, means for controlling the rate at which primary air from said circulating means flows through said primary air inlet, a fan operable to induce a flow of air from outside the mixing box and to deliver such air to the space through said mixing box outlet, means forming a closed passage for the flow of air from the exterior of the mixing box to the suction side of said fan and a control operable to energize and de-energize said fan.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box as claimed in claim 17 in which said means for controlling the rate at which primary air from said circulating means flows through said primary air inlet is operable to vary the amount of primary conditioned air to maintain a desired comfort condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A mixing box as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air through said primary air inlet is operable to vary the amount of primary conditioned air to maintain a desired comfort condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box as claimed in claim 17 which additionally includes means for transferring heat to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet, and means operable to prevent the transfer of heat by said transferring means except when said fan is energized.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box as claimed in claim 20 which additionally includes means for controlling the amount of heat transferred to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet to maintain space temperature within control limits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box as claimed in claim 17 which additionally includes means for transferring heat to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
In combination with an air conditioning system which includes means for circulating primary conditioned air to a space to be conditioned, a mixing box as claimed in claim 22 which additionally includes means for controlling the amount of heat transferred to or from air which said fan induces to flow from outside the mixing box and delivers through said mixing box outlet to maintain space temperature within control limits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3378198A
Cited
US4657178A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |