Ventilation – Vehicle – Aircraft
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-08
2004-04-13
Joyce, Harold (Department: 3749)
Ventilation
Vehicle
Aircraft
C454S154000, C454S305000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06719623
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device that allows a sitting person to adjust the direction and volume of the airflow from an air conditioning duct and more particularly, allows a passenger to control the direction and volume of the airflow from an air conditioning nozzle by manipulating a remote control keyboard located near the passenger.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ability of people to concentrate, to perform at work or to enjoy life to some extent is dependent upon their thermal comfort. Individual regulation of the thermal conditions at each occupant location is of great practical importance. A uniform room climate does provide a comfortable thermal environment for each occupant. Individual body heat transfer rates vary a great deal. It can vary due to differences in individual body heat production, different activities, the state of health of the individual, or their varying clothing habits. Therefore, a large room with a uniform room climate or an airplane fuselage is rarely simultaneously comfortable for all occupants. The varying comfort levels are accommodated by passenger adjustment of the direction and volume of air output by the supplemental air volume.
Air-conditioned rooms with constant temperature and air velocity lack that stimulatory effect achieved out of doors in a natural environment. Opening the windows of a small room will increase this stimulatory effect.
The total volume of conditioned air being fed into a room can be supplied in two distinct parts. A first part, called the primary air volume, establishes a basic room climate. The room air conditioning system provides a warm primary or “basic” overall room climate with low air velocity to accommodate a wide range of varying occupant needs. This type of system satisfies medical warnings against air streams impinging directly upon a small area of the body.
A second part, called the individual supplemental air volume, is introduced into the room by means of individually controlled adjustable air outlets. It allows for local or zonal climate adjustability that satisfies individual tastes and is distinct from the basic room climate.
Manually controlled air conditioning nozzles are employed on airliners and other means of transit to provide individual supplemental air volume. The nozzle is often located above and forward of the seat. A passenger must reach above their head and direct the nozzle and also adjust the volume of air passing through it. A short passenger or a passenger located near in an aisle seat must get up from their seat to perform the manual manipulation of the nozzle. The passenger must guess at the volume and direction settings because she is out of her seated position and is not able to feel the effect of these manipulations. The passenger often must repeat the adjustment process several times before reaching a satisfactory setting. This iterative process is uncomfortable for the passenger as well as and the neighboring passengers. Passengers typically perform this adjustment after locating their seat and stowing carry-on baggage. The neighboring passengers are also trying to locate their seat and stow their baggage. The passenger manipulation increases the amount of time required to get all of the passengers settled and ready for departure.
What is needed is a device that increases a passenger's thermal comfort through remote control of the direction and volume of the individual supplemental air at each seat. The device should also allow a local climate zone that is distinct from the basic room climate or condition.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention resides in a remote controlled air conditioning nozzle. The remote controlled air conditioning nozzle includes a housing.
An air nozzle is also included. The air nozzle is spherically connected into the housing. The air nozzle has an air passageway with an input end and an output end. The input end has an outer surface. Conditioned air enters the input end and exits the output end.
At least one electric motor is provided. A means for spherically changing the output direction of the air nozzle is provided. The air nozzle has a means for changing the volume of air output. The means for spherically changing the output direction of the air nozzle is propelled by at least one electric motor. The means for changing the volume of air output is also propelled by the at least one electric motor.
A remote control is also included. The remote control directs the means for spherically changing the output direction of the air nozzle and the means for changing the volume of air output by the air nozzle.
In a variant of this invention, the remote control is located near the seat occupant.
In another variant of this invention, an air supply line is included. The air supply line brings air into the input end of the air nozzle.
In yet another variant of this invention, the outer surface of the input end of the air nozzle has a spherical contour.
In another variant of this invention, the means for spherically changing the output direction of the air nozzle further includes at least one pivot hinge. The at least one pivot hinge has a hinge pin and a hinge pin receiver. The hinge pin is disposed on the outer surface of the input end of the air nozzle. The hinge pin receiver is disposed on the housing. The hinge pin is installed into the hinge pin receiver such that the air nozzle can pivot on the at lease one pivot hinge.
In a variation of this invention, the housing has a sprocket. The sprocket has gear teeth evenly spaced around a circular outer perimeter. The sprocket has an inner perimeter. It also has an upper surface and a lower surface. The sprocket has at least one hinge pin receiver located on the inner perimeter. The air nozzle is disposed within the sprocket such that at least one hinge pin is installed into the at least one hinge pin receiver. The housing has a lower lip. The sprocket rests on ball bearings sandwiched between its lower surface and the lower lip of the housing. The sprocket is rotatable on the ball bearings. The sprocket rotates about a vertical axis running through the center of the circular outer perimeter. The sprocket receives rotational impetuous from the at least one electric motor.
Another variation of this invention further includes a first hinge pin and a second hinge pin located on the outer surface of the input end of the air nozzle. The sprocket has a first hinge pin receiver and a second hinge pin receiver located on the inner perimeter. The second hinge pin receiver is vertically offset from the first hinge pin receiver.
In again another variant of this invention, the means for spherically changing the output direction of the air nozzle further includes locating at least one groove pin on the outer surface of the input end of the air nozzle. At least one groove is located on the housing. The air nozzle is positioned within the housing such that the at least one groove pin slideably fits within the at least one groove.
In even another variant of this invention, the at least one groove is sinusoidal shaped and the at lease one groove pin is being pushed into the at least one groove by a spring.
In yet again another variation of this invention, the means for changing the volume of air output by the air nozzle includes a damper flap. The damper flap has at least one rotation pivot hinge. The damper flap is sized and shaped to rotate on the at least one rotation pivot hinge to change the volume of air entering the air nozzle.
In even another variation of this invention, the means for spherically changing the output direction of the air nozzle includes a bushing with a top surface and a central receiving hole. A coupler is provided. The coupler has a perimeter, a top surface, a bottom surface and a central rotation shaft. The perimeter of the coupler has evenly disposed gear teeth. The central rotation sh
Garakanian David
Kodaveridan Levik
Chan Law Group LC
Hybrid Systems
Joyce Harold
LandOfFree
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