Ventilation – Having inlet airway – Including specific air distributor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-21
2001-05-15
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3749)
Ventilation
Having inlet airway
Including specific air distributor
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231438
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to the field of underfloor air distribution systems, more particularly to a manually adjustable, underfloor airflow damper assembly, that may be simply rotated to effect a fully opened damper to a fully closed damper, or any degree therebetween.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved underfloor air diffuser or distribution system, such as for heating and air conditioning, more particularly the invention is directed to a manually adjustable and readily removable airflow damper assembly that is mounted in a floor opening, where underfloor plenums supply air, preferably under pressure, to the spaces above the floor. This system is in stark contrast to the traditional overhead ventilation systems that are not easily adapted to changes or reconfiguration of office space.
Most large office buildings constructed in the past ten years consist of individual offices, preferably along all of the building facade surrounding a large open interior office space. Interior offices are created using acoustical partitions and modular furniture, which may be easily relocated to reconfigure the office space in accordance with occupancy or process demands. The prominent detriment to reconfiguration is usually the relocation of electrical and mechanical services. Electrical services include power and communication transmission cables and their receptacles, while mechanical systems refer primarily to the air conditioning and ventilation systems.
Several construction methods have been developed to allow relocation of electrical services in the open office environment. All of these systems, as known in the art, depend on placement of the outlets within the floor plane.
The use of raised access floors in office space applications is rapidly gaining popularity. These systems allow power and communications wiring to be located in an easily accessible cavity below the office floor. In addition, the cavity may be used for the supply of conditioned air to the office space, eliminating most of the ductwork and insulation requirements that are inherent to overhead systems.
Underfloor air delivery systems are now becoming popular with the business community and developers due primarily to economics. Underfloor air systems, as presently known, deliver air to large zoning plenums via air terminals mounted in a floor cavity. Air is delivered to the occupants, such as employees, by means of high induction floor outlets that are tapped directly into the pressurized floor plenum.
The present invention differs from existing floor diffuser assemblies by the combination and use of adjustable components. The manner by which this combination is constructed, particularly the improved airflow damper assembly, and the many advantages to be gained thereby, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to the field of underfloor air diffuser systems for transmitting air, preferably under pressure, from a series of underfloor plenums through at least one floor opening to the space above the floor. Typically, the floor opening extends between an upper surface and a lower surface and includes a circular grate essentially flush with the upper surface. The improved features of the invention relate to a manually adjustable and easily removable damper assembly for controlling airflow from the plenums to the above floor space, from a fully opened position to a fully closed position, and positions therebetween. The airflow damper assembly comprises a circular grate housing having a cylindrical body portion with an outwardly extending flange portion to override the upper floor surface, with the body portion extending through the floor opening. The body portion is provided with a shoulder spaced internally below the flange portion to receive a rotatable and removable, circular grate mechanism, as later described. Additionally, the body portion includes a circular flange ring threadably engaging the body portion for fixedly securing the body portion to the floor, and plural cam riding pins projecting inwardly from the body portion. Cooperating with the body portion is a circular sleeve member containing angled cam slots, one for each cam riding pin, where the circular sleeve member is secured to the body portion by means of the cam riding pins to allow both rotative and vertical movement of the sleeve member relative to the body portion, and a pair of axially extending, spaced apart arms. The system also includes a manually rotatable and removable, circular grate mechanism sized to seat on the internal shoulder. The grate mechanism includes a series of concentric, spaced apart grate rings with openings to allow passage of air therethrough, and a peripheral portion to essentially lie contiguous with the interior of the body portion. Fixed to the underside of the grate rings are plural vane members to direct the passage of the air. Further, a downwardly extending axial arm is positioned to be slidably received between the spaced apart arms of the sleeve member. Finally, a dirt basket is suspended from the grate rings, and may be fixed at selected depths below the grate rings.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved underfloor air diffuser assembly by the use of a manually adjustable and easily removable airflow damper assembly.
A further object hereof is the provision of an airflow diffuser assembly that incorporates a circular sleeve member having plural, angled cam slots that facilitate both rotative and vertical movement of the assembly, thereby controlling the opening of the damper.
Another object of the invention lies in the use of a removable grate mechanism to effect easy removal of debris and dirt collected by the mechanism.
Still another object of this invention lies in the use of a rotatable grate mechanism, that includes indicia thereon to readily determine the extent to which the damper is open or closed.
These and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following specification, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, particularly by those skilled in the art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5938525 (1999-08-01), Birdsong et al.
patent: 6016976 (2000-01-01), Kern et al.
patent: 6083100 (2000-07-01), Hardy et al.
Boles Derek S.
Gebruder Trox GmbH
Joyce Harold
Noll William B
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