DAMPER

FIELD

The various embodiments described herein generally relate to the control of gas flow. More particularly, the invention provides a mounting bracket for the actuating motor of an air-damper apparatus, typically useful in air-conditioning ducts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

IL Patent No. 136370 describes a motor-actuated air damper apparatus for use in combination with an air-conditioning system. In accordance with this publication, the damper comprises a plastic housing that provides support bearings for damper plate hinge shafts, and is provided as an assembly of two identical moldings, each shaped substantially as an open-ended half hollow cylinder, each of said half hollow cylinder being provided along a first axial edge with at least one male interconnection element and on a second opposite edge with at least one corresponding female interconnection element.

In accordance with this publication, each of the half-hollow cylinder is further provided with an integrally molded guide and retention element for supporting therein a base-plate of the damper's actuating motor.

The skilled person would have learned from Israeli Patent IL 136370 publication (see there in Figs. 4 and 5) that the electric motor damper is mounted by a guide and retention element (62) in the form of two supporting rails, each of which is formed as an integral part of the two parts from which the damper housing element is assembled, while they run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper, and into which base-plate 68 of the motor is incorporated, and this is by pushing and sliding the motor in a linear motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper and into the two supporting rails (62) or out of them (when disassembling or replacing the motor).

Air dampers according to IL 136370 were in fact manufactured and marketed - see: https://twitoplast.co.ii/en/da pefs, where they were published prior to the invention that is the subject of the Patent Application as round or oval A.B.S plastic dampers.

Unfortunately, it was discovered over the years that considerable difficulties were sometimes encountered when disassembling the electric motor from the damper (as required from time to time for routine maintenance or in the event of a malfunction) and remounting a repaired or new motor. At this stage, corrugated pipes are usually already mounted to the damper that direct the air flow to and from it, and all of them (the damper and the corrugated pipes) may already be mounted inside a narrow duct. The corrugated pipes, particularly when they are located with the damper inside a narrow duct, may make it very difficult to extricate the motor in the manner required according to IL 136370, i.e. by pulling out the motor and sliding it in a linear motion that must be in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper (and of the corrugated pipes connected to it) from the two supporting rails. Similarly, this may make it difficult to remount the repaired or new motor.

Reference is made to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates the difficulty of accessing air damper 10 according to the prior art. See Arrow 12 - direction of the linear motion (parallel to longitudinal axis 15 of the damper) required for disassembling or remounting motor 66, owing to corrugated pipes 20 and 25 and the narrowness of duct 30 in which they are all mounted.

Furthermore, a particular difficulty might arise in a case wherein the air damper's actuating motor is stuck (caught) in an angular position that is not parallel to the damper's longitudinal axis. Reference is made to Fig. la, which schematically illustrates the difficulty of disassembling the stuck (caught) motor (not illustrated) due to the angular position (a) of damper 10 shaft head 528 in a scenario wherein the motor is stuck (caught) in a position that prevents sliding the motor (and its projecting drive tongue that engages shaft head 528), as required for disassembling the motor (see arrow 12 - direction of the linear motion (parallel to longitudinal axis 15 of the damper)).

Therefore, prior to the invention that is the subject of the Patent Application, prior art air dampers did not provide an adequate solution to the access problems discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An air damper according to the invention that is the subject of the Patent Application provides a solution to the access difficulty issues discussed in the Background of the Invention chapter hereinabove by means of a separate bracket for mounting an actuating motor on it. This bracket, on its own (with or without the motor mounted on it), can be quickly mounted (e.g. by snapping it in place) to the damper housing and can be quickly disassembled from it.

Once the motor is mounted on it, the bracket makes it possible to mount the motor (or disassemble it, if necessary) in a linear motion that is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper, and in a manner that at least gives installers of air-conditioning system the operational flexibility to decide from the start, depending on the specific accessibility difficulties encountered at the site where the damper is meant to operate, the mode of mounting the actuating motor in the damper housing (or to disassemble it, if necessary). In other words, the invention gives air conditioning system installers the option to either mount the motor after mounting the bracket in the damper housing, e.g. similar to the prior art method by pushing and sliding in the motor by a linear motion in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper, into the supporting rails, which according to an example of the bracket, are formed in the bracket or outside them (when disassembling or replacing the motor), or to pre-mount the motor in the bracket and afterwards mount the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are directed to a motor-actuated air damper for use in combination with an air-conditioning system, comprising a plastic damper housing for an air duct providing support bearings for damper plate hinge shafts, and is characterized in that -the damper additionally comprises a bracket element that comprises means for mounting said motor on it, and means for quickly assembling said bracket to said housing and quickly disassembling it from said housing.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the means for mounting the motor on the bracket element is a guide and retention element in the form of two supporting rails formed in the bracket element, and the means for quickly mounting the bracket element to the housing and quickly disassembling it from the housing is a snap-fit connector, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the snap-fit connector is formed from two protruding tabs integrally formed in the bracket element and from two brackets integrally formed in the damper housing and are adapted for snap-fitting the tabs in and releasing the tabs by pushing them out.

In another and additional aspect, the method of mounting the motor to a motor-actuated air damper according to the invention and disassembling it from it also embodies a general method for said mounting and disassembly.

In one example of the method, the method comprising the steps of providing a motor-actuated air damper for use in combination with an air-conditioning system, comprising a plastic damper housing for an air duct providing support bearings for damper plate hinge shafts, and a bracket element comprising means for mounting said motor on it, and means for quickly assembling said bracket to said housing and quickly disassembling it from said housing; and mounting the motor after mounting the bracket in the damper housing, by pushing and sliding in the motor in a linear motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper, or alternatively, by tightening the motor to the bracket, or alternatively - pre-mounting the motor in the bracket, and afterwards mounting the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiment 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 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:

Fig. 1 depicts as stated, in a schematic illustration, the difficulty of accessing the prior art air damper.

Fig. la depicts as stated, in a schematic illustration, the difficulty of disassembling a stuck (caught) motor from a prior art air damper, in a scenario wherein the motor is stuck (caught) in an angular position that prevents sliding the motor.

Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary separate bracket according to the invention, for mounting on it an actuating motor alongside an exemplary motor that is adapted for mounting on the bracket.

Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary bracket according to the invention, wherein the motor is pre-mounted on it prior to mounting the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary bracket according to the invention, wherein the bracket is pre-mounted to the damper housing prior to mounting the motor, which in this scenario, similar to the prior art, the motor is pushed and slid into place in a linear motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Fig. 5 depicts an exploded perspective view of elements of an exemplary air damper according to the invention.

Fig. 6 depicts a schematic view of an exemplary bracket according to the invention.

Fig. 7 depicts in a perspective view cross-section a-a marked in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 depicts in a perspective view a cross-section of an exemplary bracket according to the invention, with the bracket pre-mounted to the damper housing prior to mounting the motor (not illustrated).

Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary bracket according to the invention, wherein the motor is pre-mounted on it, before mounting the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing, in a linear motion perpendicular to the damper.

Fig. 10 depicts in perspective view an exemplary bracket according to the invention, wherein it is mounted in the damper housing and the motor is mounted on it, i.e. at a step after the motor is mounted together with the bracket to the damper housing in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper, or alternatively, after the bracket alone is mounted to the damper housing and after the motor is pushed and slid into it in a linear motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Figs. Ila - 11c depicts another exemplary embodiment of a bracket according to the invention, which allows for mounting the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing and disassembly of the motor together with the bracket from the damper housing, in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Figs. 12a - 12d depicts another exemplary embodiment of a bracket according to the invention, which allows for mounting the bracket to the damper housing in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper, either together with the motor (which was pre-mounted in the bracket in a sliding motion) or without the motor (when after mounting the bracket, the motor is pushed and slid into it in a linear motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper), and disassembly of the bracket from the damper housing (either together with the motor or alone, after the motor is pulled out of it in a sliding motion), in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and embodiments are directed to a motor-actuated air damper for use in combination with an air-conditioning system, comprising a plastic damper housing for an air duct providing support bearings for damper plate hinge shafts, and is characterized in that the damper additionally comprises a bracket element that comprises means for mounting said motor on it, and means for quickly assembling said bracket to said housing and quickly disassembling it from said housing, as well as a general method for assembling the motor to a motor-actuated air damper according to the invention and disassembling it from it.

It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the apparatuses and methods 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.

Referring to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of exemplary separate bracket 210 for mounting on it an actuating motor according to the invention alongside exemplary motor 220 that is adapted for mounting on bracket 210.

Bracket element 210 comprises means 230 for mounting motor 220 on it, and means 240 for quickly mounting bracket 210 to the damper housing (not illustrated) and quickly disassembling it from said damper housing.

According to the illustrated example, means 230 for mounting motor 220 is a guide and retention element in the configuration of two supporting rails, which are integrally formed on both sides of bracket element 210 and are adapted in size to be incorporated in them, by way of sliding, base edges 250 that form part of motor 220.

A person skilled in the art will understand that this is a means and method similar to the method for incorporating the motor, as taught in the prior art previously cited in the Background of the Invention chapter (wherein the two supporting rails were described as integrally formed as part of the damper housing). However, with that said, this is only an example and any skilled person will understand that mounting an actuating motor on a separate bracket element according to the invention, may be done by other means and methods (for example - using screws).

A skilled person will also understand that motor 220 in its illustrated embodiment is only an example, and there could be motors of another and different configuration that will be adapted for mounting in a bracket element according to the invention.

According to the illustrated example, means 240 for quickly assembling bracket 210 to the damper housing (not illustrated) and for quickly disassembling the bracket from it is a snap-fit type of connector, one component of which (tab component 260) is illustrated in the figure. We will expand on the structure and operation of the connector further on in reference to Figs. 6- 10.

A skilled person will understand that this is only an example, and there may be other means and modes of operation for quickly assembling a bracket according to the invention to the damper housing (not illustrated) and quickly disassembling the bracket from it (e.g. by using screws). Furthermore, a skilled person will understand that combining both means 230 for mounting motor 220 and for quickly assembling bracket 210 to the damper housing, as parts of a unified integral element (part) is only an example and a bracket according to the invention can be assembled together from separate parts.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of exemplary bracket 210 according to the invention, wherein motor 220 is pre-mounted on it prior to mounting the motor together with the bracket to damper housing 310 (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper (see arrow 330). Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of exemplary bracket 210 according to the invention, wherein the bracket is pre-mounted to damper housing 310 prior to mounting motor 220, which in this scenario, similar to the prior art, the motor is pushed and slid into place in a linear motion parallel to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper (see arrow 410).

Therefore, an air damper according to the invention that is the subject of the Patent Application provides a solution to the access issues discussed in the Background of the Invention chapter by means of separate bracket 210 for mounting actuating motor 220 on it. This bracket, on its own (with or without the motor mounted on it), can be quickly mounted (e.g. by means of a snap-fit connector, one or more) to damper housing 310 and for quick disassembly from it.

Once motor 220 is mounted on it, bracket 210 enables mounting motor 220 (or disassembling it if necessary) in a linear motion that is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper (see Fig. 3), and in a manner that at least gives operational flexibility to airconditioner technicians to choose from the start, depending on the specific accessibility difficulties encountered at the site where the damper is meant to operate, the mode of mounting the actuating motor in the damper housing (or to disassemble it, if necessary).

In other words, the invention gives air conditioning system installers the option to either mount the motor after mounting the bracket in the damper housing, e.g. similar to the prior art method by pushing and sliding the motor in a linear motion that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper onto the supporting rails, which according to the example, are integrally formed in the bracket or outside of them (when disassembling or replacing the motor), (see Fig. 4), or to pre-mount the motor in the bracket and afterwards mount the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper (see Fig. 3).

One cannot overstate that the importance of this operational flexibility provided by the invention is enhanced once, according to what is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, corrugated pipes 340 and 350, which route the air flow to and from the damper, are already mounted, and all of them (the damper and the corrugated pipes) can be pre-mounted inside a narrow duct (not illustrated), (see and compare with Fig. 1 that depicts the prior art).

Referring to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 depicts an exploded perspective view of elements of exemplary air damper 510 according to the invention.

A skilled person will understand that similar to the prior art cited above in the Background of the Invention Chapter, housing 310 provides support bearings 512 for the ends of the damper plate 514 hinge shaft 516. Bearings 512 allow tilting the damper plate 514 from fully closed to fully open. In the illustrated example and as said, similar to the prior art mentioned hereinabove in the Background of the Invention chapter, housing 310 comprises an assembly of two identical plastic moldings (310' and 310") each shaped substantially as an open-ended half hollow cylinder. Each half-hollow cylinder supports along a first axial edge 520 a male interconnection element 522. The second opposite edge 524 has a corresponding female interconnection element 526. The two halves are assembled simply by resting the damper plate 514 with its hinge shaft 516 being revolvably supported in the bearings 512. A projecting drive tongue 572 of motor 220 will engage the damper shaft head 528 when motor 220 is in its intended position, damper shaft head 528 is formed in a way that enables connecting projecting drive tongue 572 in a linear motion, which can be done in two different directions (depending on the operational flexibility afforded by the invention, which we have pointed out above in reference to Figs. 3 and 4).

Unlike the prior art cited in the Background of the Invention chapter, each one of the two units (310 ' and 310”), which according to the illustrated example, once they are assembled to each other form damper housing 310, comprise bracket 550 that is adapted for receiving tab 260 that is formed in bracket element 210 and protrudes from it, by snap-fitting the tab in the bracket and releasing the tab by pushing the tab out (as a snap-fit connector, which according to the illustrated example, constitutes means 240 (see above in reference to Fig. 1) for quickly assembling a bracket according to the invention (210) to the damper housing (310) and for quickly disassembling it from it). We will expand below on the structure and operation of the snap-fit connector in reference to Figs. 6-10.

A skilled person will appreciate that an air damper housing according to the invention may be manufactured from a single unit and not from two units that are assembled to each other, as described above in reference to the illustrated example (310 'and 310' '), i.e. whereby bracket 550 is formed as part of a unified damper housing. A skilled person will also understand that a damper housing according to the invention may be formed with a circular or oval cross section air passage along its longitudinal axis.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows exemplary bracket 210 in perspective view, and Fig. 7 shows in perspective view cross-section a-a marked in Fig. 6.

As previously explained in reference to Fig. 2, bracket 210 comprises means 230 for mounting an actuating motor on it and means 240 for quickly mounting bracket 210 to the damper housing and quickly disassembling it from said damper housing. As mentioned there, according to the illustrated example, means 230 for mounting the motor is a guide and retention element in the form of two supporting rails that are formed on both sides of bracket element 210, and means 240 for quickly mounting bracket 210 to the damper housing and disassembling it from it, which, according to the illustrated example, is a snap-fit type of connector. Also according to the illustrated example, the snap-fit connector is formed from two tabs (see Fig. 7) 260’ and 260”, which are integrally formed in bracket element 210 while protruding from it, and from two brackets (see above in reference to Fig. 5 - bracket 550) that are integrally formed in the damper housing and are adapted for receiving tabs 260’ and 260” by snapping the tabs into the brackets and releasing the tabs from them by pushing the tabs out.

Bracket component 210 is formed with opening 610, which allows for mounting projecting drive tongue 572 of motor 220 inside the opening and connecting it for propelling damper shaft head 528 (see above in reference to Fig. 5). A skilled person will understand that the bracket element according to the invention can be manufactured by polymer injection molding, as an integral (unified) single part in providing the required capabilities of a snap-fit connector and forming it as required above. The male (projected tabs) and female (receiving brackets) elements of the snap-fit connector may either be formed as illustrated - male (projected tabs) in the separate bracket and female (receiving brackets) elements in the damper housing or vice versa.

Referring to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 depicts in a perspective view a cross-section of exemplary bracket 210, wherein the bracket is pre-mounted to damper 310 before mounting the motor (not illustrated). Means 240 for quickly mounting bracket 210 to damper housing 310 and disassembling it from it is embodied as a snap-fit type of connector which, as mentioned, is formed from two tabs 260’ and 260”, which are formed in bracket element 210 and protrude from it, and from two brackets 550 that are integrally formed in damper housing 310 and are illustrated in a mode where tabs 260’ and 260” are snapped into them. A skilled person will understand that in this mode, manually pushing tabs 260’ and 260” will release them from brackets 550 and will enable extricating bracket 210 (with or without the actuating motor mounted on it) from damper housing 310.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of exemplary bracket 210, wherein motor 220 is pre-mounted on it, before mounting the motor together with the bracket to damper housing 310 in a linear motion (see arrow 330) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 320 of the damper. Fig. 10 shows in perspective view exemplary bracket 210, wherein motor 220 is pre-mounted on it, i.e. after mounting motor 220 together with bracket 210 to damper housing 310 in a linear motion (see arrow 330), which is done perpendicular to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper, or alternatively after mounting bracket 210 alone to damper housing 310 and afterwards pushing motor 220 and sliding it in in a linear motion (see arrow 410) in a direction parallel to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper.

Referring to Figs. Ila - 11c. Figs. 1 la - 11c depict another exemplary embodiment of a bracket 11210 according to the invention, which allows for mounting of motor 11220 together with bracket 11210 to damper housing 11310 and disassembly of the motor together with the bracket from the damper housing, in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Fig. Ila depicts a perspective view of exemplary bracket 11210 according to the invention, wherein motor 11220 is pre-mounted on it prior to mounting the motor together with the bracket to damper housing 11310 (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper (see arrow 330). Fig. lib depicts an exploded perspective view of elements of exemplary air damper 11510 according to the invention. Fig. 11c shows exemplary bracket 11210 in perspective view.

Bracket element 11210 comprises means 11230 for mounting motor 11220 on it, and means 11240 for quickly mounting bracket 11210 to the damper housing 11310 and quickly disassembling it from said damper housing.

Bracket component 11210 is formed with opening 11610, which allows for mounting projecting drive tongue 572 of motor 11220 through said opening and connecting it for propelling damper shaft head 528.

According to the illustrated example, means 11230 for mounting motor 11220 are screws (two illustrated in Fig. 11b), which are adapted to pass through drill holes 11600 (see Fig. 11c) formed in bracket 11220 and once mounted, the screws are tightened.

According to the illustrated example, means 11240 for quickly assembling bracket 11210 to damper housing 11310 and for quickly disassembling the bracket from it is a snap-fit type of connector.

According to the illustrated example, the snap-fit connector is formed from two pairs of tabs 11260, which are formed on both sides of bracket 11220, and from two pairs of openings 11611 that are formed (each pair) in each of the two units (11310' and - 11310"), comprising damper housing 11310 and are adapted to receive tabs 11260 inside them once the bracket is mounted to the damper.

According to the illustrated example, bracket 11210 also comprises two arrays of positioning pins 11620 formed on both of its sides, wherein they protrude from it and are adapted to be inserted into matching arrays of openings formed in each of the two units (11310' and 11310") from which damper housing 11310 is assembled, once the damper bracket is mounted. In the illustrated example, four positioning pins are formed in each array of positioning pins 11620, but a skilled person would understand that the array could be comprised of a different number of pins.

Referring to Figs. 12a - 12d, Figs. 12a - 12d depict another exemplary embodiment of bracket 12210 according to the invention, which allows for mounting bracket 12210 to damper housing 12310 in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 320 of the damper (see arrow 330), either together with motor 12220 (that is pre-mounted in the bracket in a sliding motion) or without motor 1220 (when after mounting the bracket, the motor is pushed and slid into it in a linear motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper), and disassembly of the bracket from the damper housing (either together with the motor or after the motor is pulled out in a sliding motion) in a linear motion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 320 of the damper (see arrow 330).

In Figs. 12a - 12 d, Fig. 12a depicts a perspective view of exemplary bracket 12210 according to the invention, wherein motor 12220 is pre-mounted on it prior to mounting the motor together with the bracket to damper housing 12310 (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket), (when necessary)), in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper (see arrow 330).

As will be clarified further on, similar to the embodiment of the invention described above in referring to Fig. 4, in the illustrated example, wherein the bracket is pre-mounted to damper housing 12310 prior to mounting motor 12220, in this scenario, similar to the prior art, the motor is pushed and slid into place in a linear motion parallel to longitudinal axis 320 of the damper, therefore providing air conditioning system installers the option to either mount the motor after mounting the bracket in the damper housing, e.g. similar to the prior art method by pushing and sliding the motor in a linear motion that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the damper or to pre-mount the motor in the bracket and afterwards mount the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the damper.

Fig. 12b depicts an exploded perspective view of elements of exemplary air damper 12510 according to the invention. Fig 12c depicts exemplary bracket 12210 in perspective view. Fig. 12c depicts sliding of motor 12220 into bracket 12210.

Bracket element 12210 comprises means 12230 for mounting motor 12220 on it, and means 12240 for quickly mounting bracket 12210 to the damper housing 12310 and quickly disassembling it from said damper housing.

Similar to the embodiment described herein above while referring to Fig. 6, bracket component 12210 is formed with opening 12610, which allows for mounting projecting drive tongue 572 of motor 12220 through said opening and connecting it for propelling damper shaft head 528.

According to the illustrated example, means 12230 for mounting motor 12220 is a guide and retention element in the configuration of two supporting rails (similar to the embodiment described herein above while referring to Fig. 2), which are integrally formed on both sides of bracket element 12210 and are adapted in size to be incorporated in them, by way of sliding, base edges 12250 that form part of motor 12220. As show in Fig. 12d, in the illustrated example, base edges 12250 that form part of motor 12220 are formed on both sides, with an array of projecting bulges 12640 that are adapted to be included within corresponding arrays of openings 12650 formed in bracket 12210, upon sliding of motor 12220 into the bracket's supporting rails.

According to the illustrated example, means 12240 for quickly assembling bracket 12210 to damper housing 12310 and for quickly disassembling the bracket from it is a snap-fit type of connector.

According to the illustrated example, similar to the embodiment described herein above while referring to Fig. 1 la - 1 lc, the snap-fit connector is formed from two pairs of tabs 12260, which are formed on both sides of bracket 12220 and from two openings 12611 that are formed (each pair) in each of the two units (12310' and - 12310") from which damper housing 12310 is assembled and are adapted to receive tabs 12260 inside them once the bracket is mounted to the damper.

According to the illustrated example, similar to the embodiment described herein above while referring to Fig. 1 la - 1 lc, bracket 12210 also comprises two arrays of positioning pins 12620 formed on both of its sides, wherein they protrude from it and are adapted to be inserted into matching arrays of openings formed in each of the two units (12310' and 12310") from which damper housing 12310 is assembled, once the damper bracket is mounted. In the illustrated example, four positioning pins are formed in each array of positioning pins 12620, but a skilled person would understand that the array could be comprised of a different number of pins.

In light of the description given above with reference to the accompanying figures, the manner of mounting motor (220, 11220, 12220) to motor-actuated air damper (510, 11510, 11520) and disassembling it from it undoubtedly embodies a general method for mounting and disassembling an actuating motor to an air damper. A method that comprises the steps of - providing a motor-actuated air damper (510, 11510, 12510) for use in combination with an air- conditioning system, comprising a plastic damper housing (310, 11310, 12310) for an air duct providing support bearings for damper plate (514) hinge shafts (516), and a bracket element (210, 11210, 12210) that comprises means (230, 11230, 12230) for mounting the motor (220, 11220, 12220) on it, and means (240, 11240, 12240) for quickly mounting the bracket (210, 11210, 12210) to the damper housing (310, 11310, 12310) and quickly disassembling it from said housing; and mounting the motor (220, 12220) after mounting the bracket (210, 12210) in the damper housing (310, 12310), by pushing and sliding in the motor by a linear motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (320) of the damper, or alternatively, by tightening the motor (11220) to the bracket (11210) or alternatively - pre-mounting the motor (220, 11220, 1220) in the bracket (210, 11210, 12210), and afterwards mounting the motor together with the bracket to the damper housing (or when disassembling it (together with the bracket) when necessary) in a linear motion (330) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (320) of the damper. Therefore, in light of the description given above with reference to the accompanying figures, any person skilled in installing air-conditioning systems will appreciate the fact that an air damper according to the invention that is the subject of the Patent Application solves the accessibility issues discussed above in the Background of the Invention chapter and provides operational flexibility, thereby giving the technician the option of choosing from the start, depending on the specific accessibility limitations of the site where the damper is meant to operate, the mode of mounting the actuating motor in the damper housing (or disassembling it from it if necessary).

Having described above several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, and the scope of the invention should be determined from proper construction of the appended claims, and their equivalents.