US6997390B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retrofit HVAC zone climate control system
Assignee: EMME E2MS LLC
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Filing: 2005-01-03
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Granted: 2006-02-14
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Expires: 2025-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A low cost and easy to install zone climate control system for retrofit to an existing forced air HVAC system, that provides independent minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and room-by-room climate control, including easy to use methods for specifying temperature schedules and providing local temperature control, and providing detailed energy use information so occupants can make informed cost versus comfort decisions.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Gene Alles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:03
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/08; F24F13/10; F24F3/00; F24F3/044; F24F3/0442; F24F13/082; F24F2013/087; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87249; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87676; Y10T137/87684; Y10T137/87692; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A zone climate control system for retrofitting to an existing forced-air system, the existing forced-air system including a blower, at least one of a heater and a cooler, a conditioned air plenum, and a plurality of air ducts, the zone climate control system comprising: a plurality of inflatable bladders, each disposed within a respective one of the air ducts; a plurality of air tubes, each coupled to a respective one of the bladders and extending through a respective one of the air ducts into the conditioned air plenum, wherein the plurality of air tubes extends outside the conditioned air plenum; a plurality of valves each coupled to a respective one of the air tubes; an air pump coupled to the plurality of valves to provide pressure and vacuum; and a computer-controlled valve actuator coupled to the plurality of valves for selectively coupling each air tube to a respective one of the pressure and the vacuum to accordingly inflate or deflate a respective one of the bladders and thereby block or pass air from the conditioned air plenum through the respective air duct.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A zone climate control system for retrofitting to an existing forced-air system, the existing forced-air system including a blower, at least one of a heater and a cooler, a conditioned air plenum, and a plurality of air ducts, the zone climate control system comprising: a plurality of inflatable bladders, each disposed within a respective one of the air ducts; a plurality of air tubes, each coupled to a respective one of the bladders and extending through a respective one of the air ducts into the conditioned air plenum, wherein the plurality of air tubes extends outside the conditioned air plenum; a plurality of valves each coupled to a respective one of the air tubes; an air pump coupled to the plurality of valves to provide pressure and vacuum; and a computer-controlled valve actuator coupled to the plurality of valves for selectively coupling each air tube to a respective one of the pressure and the vacuum to accordingly inflate or deflate a respective one of the bladders and thereby block or pass air from the conditioned air plenum through the respective air duct.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The zone climate control system of claim 1 wherein: the computer-controlled valve actuator is mounted to the outside of the conditioned air plenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
A forced-air system comprising: a blower; at least one of a heater and a cooler coupled to the blower; a conditioned air plenum coupled to the at least one of a heater and a cooler; a plurality of air ducts coupled to the conditioned air plenum; a plurality of air vents each coupled to a respective one of the air ducts; a plurality of bladders, each disposed within a respective one of the air ducts; a plurality of air tubes, each coupled to a respective bladder and extending from the respective bladder through the respective air duct into the conditioned air plenum; a plurality of valves, each valve coupled between the air pump and a respective air tube; a valve manifold coupled to the air pump and containing the plurality of valves; an air pump coupled to the plurality of air tubes to inflate and deflate the bladders; and a mounting strap coupled to the bladder and to the respective air vent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
A forced-air system comprising: a blower; at least one of a heater and a cooler coupled to the blower; a conditioned air plenum coupled to the at least one of a heater and a cooler; a plurality of air ducts coupled to the conditioned air plenum; a plurality of air vents each coupled to a respective one of the air ducts; a plurality of bladders, each disposed within a respective one of the air ducts; a plurality of air tubes, each coupled to a respective bladder and extending from the respective bladder through the respective air duct into the conditioned air plenum; a plurality of valves, each valve coupled between the air pump and a respective air tube; a valve manifold coupled to the air pump and containing the plurality of valves; an air pump coupled to the plurality of air tubes to inflate and deflate the bladders; and a mounting strap coupled to the bladder and to the respective air vent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The forced-air system of claim 3 wherein the mounting strap includes: an air tube clamp coupling the air tube to the mounting strap; and a mounting clamp coupling die bladder to the mounting strap.
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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) | 2009-02-13 | 2009-08-15 | 2010-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-02-13 | 2013-08-15 | 2014-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-02-13 | 2017-08-15 | 2018-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |