Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A modular terminal for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the modular terminal comprising: a housing defining an interior space; at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing for receiving conditioned air from a source and into the housing; at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building; and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, wherein said housing is sized to fit within an opening in a surface of the building, said inlet air passageway is formed on a lateral side of said housing, and said housing is symmetrically shaped relative to the opening so that it can fit in a plurality of positions within said opening, whereby the flow of air through the housing can be controlled by varying the relative position of the housing within the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A modular terminal for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the modular terminal comprising: a housing defining an interior space; at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing for receiving conditioned air from a source and into the housing; at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building; and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, wherein said housing is sized to fit within an opening in a surface of the building, said inlet air passageway is formed on a lateral side of said housing, and said housing is symmetrically shaped relative to the opening so that it can fit in a plurality of positions within said opening, whereby the flow of air through the housing can be controlled by varying the relative position of the housing within the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The modular terminal of claim 1 further comprising an engagement flange formed on said housing for engaging a surface of the building and holding the housing in place relative to the building.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular terminal of claim 1 further comprising a flange adjacent said at least one air inlet passageway for connection to a duct supply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The modular terminal of claim 1 wherein said controlling device includes at least one grille for covering at least a portion of said outlet air passageway, said grille including a plurality of air flow channels for directing the flow of air outwardly from said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular terminal of claim 4 wherein said controlling device further includes at least one electrical outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The modular terminal of claim 1 wherein said controlling device includes at least one duct connection for covering at least a portion of said outlet air passageway, said duct connection accepting a duct for directing the flow of air outwardly from said housing to furnishings within a building space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The modular terminal of claim 4 wherein said flow channels formed in said grille direct the flow of air in a first direction when the grille is placed over the outlet air passageway in a first position and direct the flow of air in a second direction when the grille is placed over the outlet air passageway in a second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The modular terminal of claim 4 wherein said flow channels are perpendicular to the exterior surface of the grille on one side and are angled relative to the exterior surface of the grille on the other side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular terminal of claim 4 wherein said flow channels direct the flow of air in at least in two different directions, when the grille is fit over the outlet air passageway of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular terminal of claim 4 wherein the flow of air through at least one of said flow channels is blocked.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular terminal of claim 4 wherein at least two grilles with their own respective air flow channels fit over said outlet air passageway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The modular terminal of claim 1 wherein said controlling device includes a damper within the interior of said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The modular terminal of claim 12 wherein said damper is aligned opposite the air inlet passageway and is moveable relative to the air inlet passageway to thereby control the flow of conditioned air to said housing through the air inlet passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The modular terminal of claim 13 wherein a grille with a plurality of flow channels fits over the outlet air passageway, wherein said damper is moveable within said housing, and wherein said damper affects both the flow of air through the air inlet passageway as well as the flow of air through the outlet air passageway, as the damper is moved from one position to another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
259 words
A modular terminal for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the modular terminal comprising: a housing defining an interior space; at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing for receiving conditioned air from a source and into the housing; at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building; a grille with a plurality of flow channels that fits over the outlet air passageway; and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, wherein said controlling device includes a damper within the interior of said housing, said damper being aligned opposite the air inlet passageway and being moveable relative to the air inlet passageway to thereby control the flow of conditioned air to said housing through the air inlet passageway, and further wherein said damper affects both the flow of air through the air inlet passageway as well as the flow of air through the outlet air passageway, as the damper is moved from one position to another, wherein further the damper includes a slidable plate sized to block the flow of air from the air inlet passageway when it is adjacent said air inlet passageway, said plate extending adjacent the flow channels of the grille and blocking the flow of air to the flow channels of the grille on the side of the plate opposite the air inlet passageway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
259 words
A modular terminal for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the modular terminal comprising: a housing defining an interior space; at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing for receiving conditioned air from a source and into the housing; at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building; a grille with a plurality of flow channels that fits over the outlet air passageway; and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, wherein said controlling device includes a damper within the interior of said housing, said damper being aligned opposite the air inlet passageway and being moveable relative to the air inlet passageway to thereby control the flow of conditioned air to said housing through the air inlet passageway, and further wherein said damper affects both the flow of air through the air inlet passageway as well as the flow of air through the outlet air passageway, as the damper is moved from one position to another, wherein further the damper includes a slidable plate sized to block the flow of air from the air inlet passageway when it is adjacent said air inlet passageway, said plate extending adjacent the flow channels of the grille and blocking the flow of air to the flow channels of the grille on the side of the plate opposite the air inlet passageway.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The modular terminal of claim 15 wherein said damper is sized to cover most, if not all, of the air inlet passage when it is placed immediately adjacent said air inlet passage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular terminal of claim 16 further comprising a device for selectively altering the position of said damper.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The modular terminal of claim 17 wherein said device includes a motor and a mechanical connection between the motor and the damper.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The modular terminal of claim 18 wherein said mechanical connection is a threaded drive screw.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modular terminal of claim 15 further comprising a flange adjacent said air inlet passageway for connection to a supply duct.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modular terminal of claim 20 further comprising at least one second inlet air passageway for accepting air flow from a plenum within the building.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular terminal of claim 21 wherein said at least one second inlet air passageway is positioned radially from said other inlet air passageway.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular terminal of claim 21 further comprising a damper opposite at least one of said first and second air inlet passageways and an induction sleeve slidable within the flanges adjacent said air inlet passageway.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The modular terminal of claim 23 wherein the damper is a plate slidable within the interior space of the housing and the induction sleeve is fixed to the plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The modular terminal of claim 23 wherein said plate is sized to substantially block the flow of air through the inlet air passageway, when it is slid immediately adjacent said inlet air passageway.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular terminal of claim 25 wherein said induction sleeve is a cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of holes formed along its length.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The modular terminal of claim 26 wherein a plurality of positioning buttons for providing a clearance between the induction sleeve and the flange adjacent to the inlet air passageway are formed on at least one surface of the facing surfaces of the induction sleeve and the flange.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular terminal of claim 20 further comprising a pressure control damper formed within said flange positioned adjacent to said inlet air passageway.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The modular terminal of claim 28 wherein said pressure control damper is rotatably fixed to said flange.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
136 words
A modular terminal for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the modular terminal comprising: a housing defining an interior space; at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing for receiving conditioned air from a source and into the housing; at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building; and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, wherein said device for controlling includes a damper in the form of a plate slidable within the interior space of the housing and wherein the housing includes two inlet air passageways, one formed on each side of the damper.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
136 words
A modular terminal for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the modular terminal comprising: a housing defining an interior space; at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing for receiving conditioned air from a source and into the housing; at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building; and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, wherein said device for controlling includes a damper in the form of a plate slidable within the interior space of the housing and wherein the housing includes two inlet air passageways, one formed on each side of the damper.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular terminal of claim 30 further comprising a flange adjacent one of the two inlet air passageways for connection to a duct.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular terminal of claim 31 wherein said plate is sized to substantially block the flow of air through each of said air inlet passageways, when it is slid immediately adjacent the respective inlet air passageways.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The modular terminal of claim 31 wherein at least one stop formed in the housing prevents the plate from reaching a position adjacent at least one inlet air passageway.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the system comprising: an underfloor plenum within the building to which conditioned air is to be applied; an air handling system for applying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; and at least one modular terminal in a floor of the building, said modular terminal including a housing defining an interior space, at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing and in fluid communication with said underfloor plenum, at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building, and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, said housing being symmetrically shaped relative to the opening so that it can fit in a plurality of positions within said opening, whereby the flow of air through the housing can be varied by altering the relative position of the housing within the opening.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the system comprising: an underfloor plenum within the building to which conditioned air is to be applied; an air handling system for applying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; and at least one modular terminal in a floor of the building, said modular terminal including a housing defining an interior space, at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing and in fluid communication with said underfloor plenum, at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for applying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building, and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing, said housing being symmetrically shaped relative to the opening so that it can fit in a plurality of positions within said opening, whereby the flow of air through the housing can be varied by altering the relative position of the housing within the opening.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
137 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said at least one inlet air passageway is formed on at least one respective lateral side of said housing, and wherein said at least one device for controlling the flow of air includes a damper within the interior of the housing, said damper being aligned opposite one said inlet air passageway and being moveable relative to that inlet air passageway to thereby control the flow of conditioned air to the housing through that inlet air passageway, said damper further including a slidable plate sized to block the flow of air from said inlet air passageway when it is adjacent that inlet air passageway and to block the flow of air from that inlet air passageway to the outlet air passageway on the side of the plate opposite that inlet air passageway.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 35 wherein a plurality of said modular terminals are placed in fluid communication with said underfloor plenum.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
147 words
The system of claim 35 wherein said air handling system includes: at least one fan for applying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; a return air inlet for accepting return air from the building; an entry plenum for selectively mixing, when desired, and directing return air and outside air; a cooling coil; a filter; a first flow channel from the entry plenum to said filter and a second flow channel from the entry plenum to the cooling coil; and a damper system for selectively directing part of the flow of air from the entry plenum through the cooling coil and remaining part of the air from the entry plenum through the filter; and a third flow channel downstream of the cooling coil and the filter for accepting air from the cooling coil and the filter, mixing the air, and applying the mixed air to the underfloor plenum.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 37 further comprising a control system that selectively operates the damper system so that the air cooled by the cooling coil reaches a temperature sufficiently low to provide dehumidification of the air as it flows through the coil.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 38 wherein the control system selectively operates the damper system so that the volume of air exiting the filter mixes with the air exiting the cooling coil to maintain a predetermined temperature range.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the filter is a high efficiency filter selected such that the pressure drop through the filter is essentially the same as the pressure drop through the conditioning cold, whereby the mixed filtered air and cooled air applied to the third flow channel are substantially of the same pressure range.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the damper system includes an outside damper aligned with the cooling coil.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the damper system includes a return damper aligned with the filter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 38 wherein the control system operates the damper system to cause at least a portion of the air ultimately applied to the third channel to be applied to the filter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
111 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said air handling system includes a primary channel for mixing return air and conditioned air and applying the mixed air to the underfloor plenum; at least one fan within the primary channel for applying pressurized air to the plenum; a secondary cooling loop in fluid communication with the primary channel; at least one cooling coil within the secondary cooling loop; at least one fan within the secondary cooling loop for flowing air through the coil and applying it back to the primary channel; and a damper system for controlling the flow of air in and out of the secondary cooling loop, according to preselected criteria.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 44 wherein the air temperature applied to the plenum is controlled by dampers that adjust the amount of air exchanged between the secondary cooling loop and the primary channel.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 44 further comprising a high efficiency filter within the primary channel.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 44 wherein the at least one fan within the primary channel varies the air volume and pressure to compensate for building loading.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 44 further including dampers to selectively apply outside air to the primary channel.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 36 wherein heating air is introduced to selected terminals through ducts and cooled air is applied to the selected terminals through the underfloor plenum.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 49 including first and second modular terminals interconnected by a heating duct associated with a heating coil and fan, said terminals including inlets to the heating duct, the plenum, and the interior space, respectively.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 50 including a damper system for closing off the inlets to the plenum when the terminals in communication with the heating duct are in a heating mode, thereby permitting one terminal to apply return air from the interior space to the heating coil and fan and the other terminal to apply heated air from the heating coil and fan to the interior space.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system of claim 50 including a damper system for partially closing off the inlets to the plenum when the terminals in communication with the heating duct are in heating mode, thereby permitting one terminal to apply return air from the interior space to the heating coil and fan and the other terminal to apply heated air from the heating coil and fan and ventilating air from the plenum to the interior space.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 50 wherein said damper system permits the flow of air from the plenum into the terminals at a selected rate, when the terminals are in a cooling mode.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 53 wherein said damper system selectively varies the flow of cooled air to the space by changing the position of dampers within the terminals.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 36 wherein individual spaces within the building include a temperature sensing device and whereby the flow control devices within the terminals are selectively opened and closed in response to the sensed space temperature.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the method comprising: forming an underfloor plenum within the building; applying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum through an air handling system; placing within the floor of the building a plurality of modular terminals, each modular terminal having at least one inlet air passageway in fluid communication with an air source and at least one outlet air passageway for applying conditioned air to a space within the building; selectively altering the position of the terminal and its inlet air passageway relative to the flow of conditioned air, to thereby vary the flow of air into the terminal; sensing a parameter within one or more spaces to be conditioned within the building; and controlling the flow of conditioned air through the modular terminals according to the sensed parameter.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the method comprising: forming an underfloor plenum within the building; applying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum through an air handling system; placing within the floor of the building a plurality of modular terminals, each modular terminal having at least one inlet air passageway in fluid communication with an air source and at least one outlet air passageway for applying conditioned air to a space within the building; selectively altering the position of the terminal and its inlet air passageway relative to the flow of conditioned air, to thereby vary the flow of air into the terminal; sensing a parameter within one or more spaces to be conditioned within the building; and controlling the flow of conditioned air through the modular terminals according to the sensed parameter.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 56 wherein the air source for at least one modular terminal is said underfloor plenum.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 56 wherein the air source for at least one modular terminal is a duct.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the step of controlling is achieved at least in part through a device incorporated into one or more of the modular terminals.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said device is a moveable damper.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 60 wherein said movable damper is controlled to maintain a substantially constant flow of air regardless of fluctuations in said underfloor plenum.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 60 including the step of applying conditioned air through an outlet air passageway of at least one terminal, at substantially the same velocity, at all load conditions where conditioned air is required.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 58 further comprising the step of selectively applying heated air to at least some of the terminals, when heating of a space is required.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of selectively pulling return air through some of the terminals, heating that air, and then applying the heated air to other of said terminals, when heating of a space is required.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 57 wherein an adjustable damper is directly associated with at least one said terminal and further comprising the step of selectively adjusting the position of said damper in response to the sensed parameter in the space served by the terminal.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 65 wherein said damper affects both the flow of air through the inlet air passageway as well as the flow of air through the outlet air passageway, as it is adjusted from one position to another.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 56 further comprising: accepting return air from the ceiling; circulating at least a portion of the return air, if required, through a cooling coil to a temperature sufficiently low to provide dehumidification of the return air as it flows through the coil; supplying at least a portion of the remaining return air through a filter for cleaning the air; and applying a mixture of the cooled and filtered return air to the underfloor plenum.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 57 further comprising bypassing a cooling coil, when cooling of a space with outside air is desired, to thereby avoid pressure losses associated with passing air through the cooling coil.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 56 including the step of circulating return air from vents in the ceiling to an air handling system, conditioning the return air with the air handling system, and applying the conditioned air to the underfloor plenum.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
275 words
A system for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the system comprising: an underfloor plenum within the building to which conditioned air is to be supplied; an air handling system for supplying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; and at least one modular terminal in a floor of the building, said modular terminal including a housing defining an interior space, at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing and in fluid communication with said underfloor plenum, at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for supplying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building, and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing; wherein said air handling system includes: at least one fan for supplying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; a return air inlet for accepting return air from the building; an entry plenum for selectively mixing, when desired, and directing return air and outside air; a cooling coil; a filter; a first flow channel from the entry plenum to said filter and a second flow channel from the entry plenum to the cooling coil; a damper system for selectively directing part of the flow of air from the entry plenum through the cooling coil and remaining part of the air from the entry plenum through the filter; and a third flow channel downstream of the cooling coil and the filter for accepting air from the cooling coil and the filter, mixing the air, and supplying the mixed air to the underfloor plenum.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
275 words
A system for applying conditioned air to one or more spaces within a building having one or more surfaces including walls, floors, and ceilings, the system comprising: an underfloor plenum within the building to which conditioned air is to be supplied; an air handling system for supplying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; and at least one modular terminal in a floor of the building, said modular terminal including a housing defining an interior space, at least one inlet air passageway formed in said housing and in fluid communication with said underfloor plenum, at least one outlet air passageway formed in said housing for supplying conditioned air from the housing to a space within the building, and at least one device associated with the housing for controlling the flow of air through the housing; wherein said air handling system includes: at least one fan for supplying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum; a return air inlet for accepting return air from the building; an entry plenum for selectively mixing, when desired, and directing return air and outside air; a cooling coil; a filter; a first flow channel from the entry plenum to said filter and a second flow channel from the entry plenum to the cooling coil; a damper system for selectively directing part of the flow of air from the entry plenum through the cooling coil and remaining part of the air from the entry plenum through the filter; and a third flow channel downstream of the cooling coil and the filter for accepting air from the cooling coil and the filter, mixing the air, and supplying the mixed air to the underfloor plenum.