CONTROLLED DAMPERS

Field of the Invention - This invention, the subject matter of this application, is found in the field of air conditioning systems in general; and in particular in the field of the devices that utilize in such systems, for routing and controlling the air flow from the air conditioning unit towards the space, one or more, that is designated for cooling or heating by the system.

Background of the Invention - Israeli Patent No. 222675 "Manifold Device for Air Conditioning Conduit", taught professionals in the field, of a manifold device, as said (also known by its nickname "center" or "switchboard"), which is amenable to folding and flattening in accordance with the patent, and this - for economical volumetric storage and convenient transportation of the device (in its folded and flattened state), to the site and installation therein. Manifold device according to said patent (amenable to folding and flattening "switchboard" or "center" as said), is formed with a spatial array of anchoring brackets ("heads") on top. Anchoring brackets enable, each, anchoring of an air conduit on top, in a manner that enables directed flow of air from the manifold device, to a plurality of spaces.

Also known in the field, are flow regulation devices ("dampers"). These are valves that block or regulate the air flow, for example within air conditioning ducts. The damper might serve for disruption of conditioned air flow (which is either heated or cooled), to a room that is not in use, or for regulating air flow to the different rooms (according to the air temperature required in each). Damper activation can be controlled manually, automatically or remotely. Automatic damper can be activated by means of an electric or pneumatic engine or a solenoid. The rate of air flow is adjusted, for example, according to the signals received from a thermostat unit or a remote-control unit, and forwarded to the actuator of the damper for adjustment of the conditioned air flow (thereby, affecting climate control in the space to which air flow is directed). For more information about said dampers, see https : //en. wikipedia. or g/wiki/Damper (flow).

The folding and flattening technology of manifold devices for air conditioning conduits, which as mentioned, can be learned from said Israeli Patent No. 222675, does indeed provide the technician that needs to install an air conditioning system, a solution that solves the ineffective storage volume and clumsy transportation of the device to the system' s installation site. However, as much as the system he is required to install, also requires integration of dampers, the technician is compelled to install the dampers on site. A task which, by nature, is relatively complicated and involves mechanical aspects (installing the dampers, each one, on top of an anchoring bracket ("head")), as well as, so long as the dampers are of the controllable type, electricity and electronics aspects (wiring the dampers to the power source and to a controller, that regulate their activity).

Thus, in the time that preceded the invention which is the subject matter of this patent application, the technician was challenged by a relatively complex operation he was compelled to conduct at the site of air conditioning system installation, and in a manner that complicated his work and made him face numerous difficulties, including - the requirement of having mechanical skills on his part, as well as required skills in electric and electronics fields of expertise, the need for transporting damper units separately and independently from the manifold device, to the installation site, and the need to perform installation operations of the dampers on top of the manifold device at the site itself (a site that might be limited in its space and working conditions).

Summary of the Invention -

The invention, the subject matter of this application, responses to and treats the challenge presented above, which, as said, the technician faces as he needs to integrate dampers in the anchoring brackets ("heads") of the manifold device ( 'center" or "switch board") in the air conditioning system.

The invention is a unified assembly - an assembly that comprises a foldable manifold device with an array of controllable dampers, which are integrated in advance within the manifold device, which remains amenable to both folding and flattening as said, also when an array of dampers is installed, as said, in advance on top of it.

In one aspect, the invention, subject matter of this application, is included in a manifold assembly for an air conditioning system, which comprises a manifold device amenable to folding and flattening, and an array of dampers installed on top of the manifold device and connecting to a controllable passage of air flow from the manifold device to an array of conduits, which can be installed on top of the dampers. The manifold assembly for an air conditioning system according to the invention, is characterized in that the assembly is unified - the array of dampers is installed in advance on top of the manifold device, and in a manner that enables folding and flattening, as said, of the assembly, even when the array of dampers is installed, as said, in advance, on top of the manifold device.

In another and additional aspect of the invention, subject matter of this application, from the instant of folding and flattening of the assembly, the dampers are directed one towards the other, and from the instant of erecting the assembly - the dampers are directed so as to protrude outwards from the assembly.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiments are discussed in detail below. Embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with other embodiments in any manner consistent with at least one of the principles disclosed herein, and references to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an alternate embodiment," "various embodiments," "one embodiment" or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such terms herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Brief Description of the Accompanying Figures -

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:

Figure No. 1 constitutes a view in perspective of an example of a manifold assembly for air conditioning system in accordance with the invention, wherein the assembly is erected.

Figure No. 2 constitutes a view in perspective from a different angle of the assembly, which is illustrated in figure No. 1, wherein the assembly is erected.

Figure No. 3 constitutes a view in perspective from a different angle of the assembly, which is illustrated in figures No. 1 and 2, wherein the assembly is erected.

Figure No. 4 constitutes a view in perspective of the assembly, which is illustrated in figures No. 1 - 3, wherein the assembly is in a folded and flattened state.

Figure No. 5 constitutes a side view of the assembly, which is illustrated in figures No. 1 - 4, wherein the assembly is in a folded and flattened state.

Figure No. 6 constitutes a side view from a different angle of the assembly, which is illustrated in figures No. 1 - 5, wherein the assembly is folded and flattened.

Figure No. 7 constitutes a spread view of a thin sheet from which the manifold device in the assembly illustrated in figures 1-6, is formed.

Figure No. 8 constitutes a view of the manifold device, whose spread view is illustrated in figure No. 7, from the instant of its erection to a trimmed pyramid- like form.

Figure No. 9 constitutes an exploded view of yet another embodiment of a manifold device, which is suitable for installation in the assembly in accordance with the invention (tri- component manifold device). Figure No. 10 constitutes a view in perspective of an assembly in accordance with the invention, wherein a tri-component manifold device (of the kind illustrated in figure No. 9) is installed within.

Figure No. 11 constitutes an exploded view of the components of a damper, from the sort (in a variety of sizes) that are installed in the assembly, which is illustrated in figures No. 1 - 6, and 10.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment -

It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the and apparatuses and method discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The apparatuses and methods are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to "or" may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using "or" may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, in addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. In addition, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

Reference is made to figures No. 1 - 3. Figure No. 1 constitutes a view in perspective of an example of a manifold assembly 10 in accordance with the invention, wherein the assembly is erected. Figures No. 2 and 3 also constitutes a view in perspective from different angles of assembly 10, wherein the assembly is erected.

A professional would recognize in assembly 10, the existence of a manifold device 20 amenable to folding and flattening, similar to the technology described in Israeli Patent No. 222675 "Manifold Device for Air Conditioning Conduit" (also see "Background of the Invention" chapter above). Manifold device 20 in its erected state (as illustrated in these figures), is designed in a trimmed pyramid-like shape with an inner space 25 (see figure No. 3). Manifold device 20 is suited for installation in an air conditioning system (not illustrated), using a flange 27. The air conditioning system is connected to an air passageway from itself to an inner space 25.

Differently from what was learned from said Israeli Patent No. 222675, in assembly 10, the air which is flown into inner space 25, is not guided directly to an array of conduits, but guided to do so through an array of dampers 30, which in an assembly in accordance with the invention, is installed on top of a manifold 20, and connecting to a controlled passage of air from manifold device 20 to an array of conduits (not illustrated), which can be installed on top of an array of dampers 30.

A prominent characteristic of any assembly in accordance with the invention, and which therefore exists in assembly 10 as well, is that the assembly is unified. Accordingly, in the illustrated example, an array of dampers 30 is pre-installed in advance on top of manifold device 20, and in a manner that enables folding and flattening of assembly 10, even when an array of dampers 30 is installed as said, in advance, on top of manifold device 20.

Reference is made to figures No. 4 - 6. Figure No. 4 constitutes a view in perspective of assembly 10, wherein the assembly is in a folded and flattened state. Figure No. 5 constitutes a side view of assembly 10, wherein the assembly is in a folded and flattened state, and Figure No. 6 constitutes another side view from a different angle of assembly 10, also wherein the assembly is depicted in a folded and flattened state.

Any professional will appreciate the fact that assembly 10 does enable folding and flattening similarly to what was learned from Israeli Patent No. 222675. However, differently from it, assembly 10 also includes an array of dampers 30, which is integrally pre-installed in advance with the manifold device, and in a manner that enables efficient transportation to the installation site.

Attention is directed to the dimensions tagged in the figures W, H and L, and for which any professional will certainly conclude that they enable packaging of assembly in accordance with the invention, within, for example, a rectangular cardboard box, this way - transporting a unified assembly in an economical and light volume, as said. Furthermore, any professional will appreciate the fact, that while using assembly 10, the installing technician is not required to perform a relatively complex and multiple discipline (electricity and electronic on the side of mechanical) installation and wiring tasks in the installation site. As in assembly 10 (and contrary to what was thought from said IL 222765 patent), dampers array 30 is pre-installed in advance in manifold device 20, and may also be wired in advance (for example, by way of passing the wires (that are not illustrated) on the inner side of the walls that form internal space 25 (see Fig. 3)).

Moreover, according to the illustrated example in figures 1 - 6, assembly 10 also comprises a controller 40 for controlling the activity of an array of motorized dampers 30. According to the illustrated example, controller 40 is installed on top of manifold device 20 in a manner that enables folding and flattening, as said, of assembly 10, even when controller 40 is installed as said, on top of manifold device 20 (see in figures 4 and 5). Wiring the array of dampers that we presented above could, therefore, accumulate into a braid with numerous electric power and control-signal conductors, whose end is wired through an opening in the manifold device's side wall, close to the position of controller installment. Thus, the invention enables a technician to erect the assembly on site and bring about its operation without the need for complicated activity of wiring and calibrating, the controller could be installed in the assembly in advance, while being wired in advance to the dampers and ready to control their activity right away and without any additional preparation activity.

An assembly in accordance with the invention could be installed with a diverse array of dampers with different sizes, and in a manner that thereby allows for control at different flow rates of conditioned air and communication with conduits of different sizes from a single assembly. According to the example depicted in figures 1 - 6, an array of dampers 30 includes two sizes of motorized dampers, which are installed on top of manifold device 20. In the illustrated example, an array is discussed which includes four 8" dampers (tagged 30'), which are installed on the one side of assembly 10 (see in figure 1), and two 10" dampers (tagged 30"), next to a single 8" damper, which are installed on the other side of the assembly (see in figures 2 and 3). Any professional would understand that we are solely presenting an example, and that an assembly in accordance with the invention could be manufactured with other different arrays (in a manner that also contributes to the operational flexibility that the use of the current invention provides). On a structure example of a damper that can be installed in an array of dampers 30 in accordance with the invention, we will elaborate further on referring to figure 10.

As said, Any professional will appreciate the fact that assembly 10 does enable folding and flattening similarly to what was learned from Israeli Patent No. 222675, and for completeness we will additionally explain on an example of a structure of a manifold device, prone to folding and flattening, which according to the invention, the subject matter of this application, also enable pre-installing in advance, of an array of dampers within it and providing of a unified assembly with it.

Reference is made to figures No. 7 and 8. Figure No. 7 is constitutes a spread view of a thin sheet from which manifold device 20 in assembly 10 is formed. Figure No. 8 constitutes a view of manifold device 20, whose spread view, as said, is illustrated in figure No. 7, from the instant of its erection to a trimmed pyramid-like shape.

In assembly 10, manifold device 20 is designed as a thin sheet, for example made of galvanized steel in a thickness of 0.6 mm. However, any professional would understand that we are solely presenting an example, and an appropriate sheet for designing a manifold device could be made of other materials and at different thicknesses.

Manifold device 20 is designed in a form of two pairs of side walls 50 and 60. The pairs of side walls are connected to each other by means of a rectangular surface 70. Each pair of side walls includes a rectangular wall surface and a wall surface in a configuration of trapeze - pair of side walls 50 includes a rectangular wall surface 52 and a side wall surface in a configuration of trapeze 54. Pair of side walls 60 also includes a rectangular wall surface 62 and a side wall surface in a configuration of trapeze 64.

One long side (leg) 72 of rectangular surface 70 is connected in a rotatable manner with a short side (leg) of rectangular wall 52. A second long side (leg) 74 of rectangular surface 70 is connected in a rotatable manner with a short side (leg) of rectangular wall 62.

Long side (leg) 56 of rectangular surface 52 is connected in a rotatable manner with a side leg of a trapeze wall surface 54. Long side (leg) 66 of rectangular wall 62 is connected in a rotatable manner to a side leg of trapeze wall surface 64. Any professional would understand (and see figure No. 8), that from the instant of rotating such sides (legs), manifold device 20 is erected to a trimmed pyramid-like form with an inner space 25 (see also figure No. 2). In this configuration, rectangular walls 52 and 62 are slanted in their directions in an angle against each other, trapeze side walls 54 and 64 are orthogonal in their direction towards the base of the trimmed pyramid-like that was designed as said, from the instant of erecting manifold device 20, and rectangular surface 70 constitutes the surface that is trimming, as said, the pyramid-like structure.

According to the illustrated example, rectangular walls 52 and 62 are formed with openings upon which installed are dampers of the array of dampers 30 (not illustrated in figures 7 and 8). According to the illustrated example, rectangular wall 52 is designed with 4 openings 58 for installing four 8" dampers, while rectangular wall 62 is formed with two openings 68 for installing two 10" dampers alongside a single opening 58 for installing a single 8" damper. However, as said, any professional would understand that we are solely presenting an example, and a manifold device in accordance with the invention, could be manufactured with other and different openings (in a manner that also contributes to the operational flexibility that the use of the current invention provides). On a structure example of a damper that can be installed in an opening as said, in accordance with the invention, we will elaborate further on referring to figure 11.

To the one side of the thin sheet, from which as said, a manifold device that is required for the assembly in accordance with the invention, can be manufactured, it is also possible to add and install thermal insulating sheets (sheets that are not illustrated in figures 7 and 8), (for example - sheets made of foamed matter, in a thickness of for example, about 3 mm, with a layer of contact adhesive anointed in advance on one of their surfaces, and which enables their attachment to galvanized tin sheets). According to the illustrated example, it is possible to install said insulating sheets on top of a rectangular surface 70 and the two side walls - 50 and 60, on sides that from the instant of erecting manifold device 20, are facing towards the inner space 25, which is formed from the instant of erecting the device as a trimmed pyramid-like shape. Only as an illustration, see in figure No. 3, a typical section of sheet 80.

Manifold device 20 cited above as being composed of one part - a thin sheet which is bent to create a trimmed pyramid-like shape. However, any professional would understand that we are solely presenting an example, and a manifold device as required for an assembly in accordance with the invention, could be composed of plurality of parts.

For example, reference is made to figures No. 9 and 10. Figure No. 9 constitutes an exploded view of yet another embodiment of manifold device 920, which is suitable for installation in the assembly in accordance with the invention (tri-component manifold device). Figure No. 10 constitutes a view in perspective of an assembly 1010 in accordance with the invention, wherein a tri-component manifold device 920 is installed within. Manifold device 920 is composed of three separate components - a pair of side walls 950, a pair of side walls 960, and a rectangular component 970. If we refer to figure 10, any professional would understand that it is possible to connect the side walls 950 and 960 to each other with a snap connector 1015 (see enlarged section in the illustration), while rectangular component 970 (not illustrated in figure 10), will be installed on the rectangular edge formed from the instant of their connection to each other, by pressure or any other mechanical means (for example - sheet metal screws, rivets, gluing).

As said, an assembly in accordance of the invention is pre-installed with an array of dampers, which could be of different and diverse types and sizes.

Thus, reference is made to figure No. 11. Figure No. 11 constitutes an exploded view depicting components of damper 1130, from the sort (in a variety of sizes) that are installed in the assembly, which is illustrated in figures No. 1 - 6, and 10 (and tagged there 30' and 30"). Damper 1130 includes an anchoring bracket assembly 1135. The anchoring bracket is fit for installment on top of the manifold device of the assembly, around the perimeter of the air passage opening which is formed in the device (see in figure No. 7, opening 58 and 68). In the illustrated example, anchoring bracket assembly 1135 includes two components - 1135' and 1135", which are adapted to connect to each other (for example, via snap fit connectors), into forming a passage sleeve with an elliptic-like form (see figures No. 1 - 6, and 10). Each one of the components of the anchoring bracket is designed with a flange section 1137 and a stem section 1139 orthogonally protruding out of it. The flange section is used as a seating for anchoring the bracket assembly on top of the manifold device. For example - with an array of screws (which is not illustrated). The flange section can also be designed with appropriate slots that enable installing the anchoring bracket components to each other by a sliding movement and convenient positioning of the array of screws. The stem section which protrudes, as said, orthogonally to the flange section, is adapted for anchoring an air flow conduit on top of it. Damper 1130 also includes wing component 1141. Wing 1141 is adapted for installment in the anchoring bracket assembly 1135, and in a manner that enables regulation of air passage through the air passage opening designed in the manifold device (see in figure No. 7, opening 58 and 68), by actuating wing component 1141 to a rotatable movement around axis 1143, and this - from the instant of its installment, as said, in anchoring bracket assembly 1135. The components of the aforementioned anchoring bracket and wing of damper 1130 could be made of, for example, polymeric materials (for examples - of ABS). Damper 1130 is of the motorized kind, that is to say - of the kind that is automatically or remotely controlled, and therefore includes, in addition, also actuation means 1145 (in the illustrated example - an electric motor), for actuating, as said, wing component 1141 into motion, inside of the passage sleeve that will be created from attaching the components of anchoring bracket 1135 to each other. Wing movement that will be controlled in its measure and direction (for example - by a movement -restricting component 1147).

Any professional would understand that the structure of the damper described above is only but an example, and a manifold assembly to an air conditioning system in accordance with the invention, could be installed with other different types of dampers, including such that are not motorized (and see assortment of dampers as could be learned about, as described in the background of the invention chapter).

Making reference again to figures No. 1 - 6, a prominent characteristic of assemblies in accordance with the invention, which were described above only as an example, while referring to the accompanying figures, is that from the instant of folding and flattening of the assembly, the dampers are facing each other, and from the instant of erecting the manifold device of the assembly, the dampers are directed such that they protrude outwards from the rectangular walls of the manifold device, which are then inclined in their direction in an angle, one towards the other. Any professional would understand that this characteristic is a consequence of the structure and geometry of the assembly, in a manner that in a state of folding and flattening of the assembly - the damper stems, which are directed one towards the other, are not exceeding in their accumulated measurement, the width dimension of rectangular surface 70 (see in figure No. 7), and in a manner that enables the folding and flattening of the assembly, unto creating width measurement W (see in figure No. 5), which by itself, does not exceed by much the width dimension of said rectangular surface 70.

According to the illustrated example, assembly 10 which, as said, includes an array that includes four 8" dampers, which are installed from the one side of the assembly, and two 10" dampers along a single 8" damper, which are installed from the other side of the assembly, could be packed in its folded and flattened state into a cardboard, convenient for transportation, whose dimensions (and see figures 4 - 6) - W = about 20 cm, H = about 77 cm, and L = about 40 cm.

Thus, manifold assembly for an air conditioning system in accordance with the invention, provides a solution for a technician who is challenged to install a manifold with dampers at the site of air-conditioning system installment by him, and in a manner that eases his work and relieves him of numerous difficulties, the technician is not further required to possess excessive multifaceted skills, and an assembly in accordance with the invention enables installation of a manifold with dampers even with an untrained (and thus, inexpensive) workforce. As said, an assembly in accordance with the invention also enables volume-economic transportation which is convenient by itself (see - rectangular cardboard packaging), and in a manner of integrating damper units with the manifold device, to the installation site, without the need to conduct further acts of installing the dampers on top of the manifold device in the site itself (which might be limited in its space and working conditions).

While the applicant's teachings are described herein in conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims.