Retrofit damper optimized for universal installation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11306941-B2
Application number	US-201816006777-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2018
Priority date	Jun 12, 2018
Publication date	Apr 19, 2022
Grant date	Apr 19, 2022

Abstract

A damper assembly for use in a round forced air duct feeding a register vent through a register boot includes a damper frame having a frame periphery with a first side and a second side that is at least substantially parallel with the first side, the first side and the second side each having a length that is greater than a distance between the first side and the second side. A damper blade is pivotable relative to the damper frame about an axis of rotation, at least substantially parallel with the first side and the second side, between an open position and a closed position. A flexible outer seal extends outwardly from the frame periphery of the damper frame and is at least substantially circular in order to seal against an inner surface of the round forced air duct.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A damper assembly for use in an air duct, the damper assembly comprising:
a damper frame having a frame periphery, the frame periphery including a first side and a second side substantially parallel with the first side, the first side and the second side each having a length that is greater than a distance between the first side and the second side, the damper frame defining an air flow aperture;
a damper blade pivotally secured to the damper frame at a pivot point and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the damper blade seals against the damper frame and substantially blocks air flow through the air flow aperture, wherein in the open position the damper blade does not seal against the damper frame and allows air flow through the air flow aperture, and wherein
the damper blade is configured to pivot about an axis of rotation extending substantially parallel with the first side and the second side of the frame periphery; and
a flexible outer seal extending outwardly from the frame periphery of the damper frame, the flexible outer seal configured to seal against an inner surface of the air duct when the damper assembly is installed within the air duct.

2. The damper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the damper frame further comprises first and second curved ends extending between the first side and the second side.

3. The damper assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a motor secured to the damper frame, wherein the motor is configured to drive a rotatable drive shaft operably coupled to the damper blade.

4. The damper assembly of claim 3 , wherein the axis of rotation intersects the motor.

5. The damper assembly of claim 3 , wherein the motor comprises a motor body having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end is secured to the damper frame, and wherein the rotatable drive shaft extends from the second end.

6. The damper assembly of claim 3 , wherein the damper blade comprises a cutout configured to accommodate at least part of the motor when the damper blade rotates relative to the motor and the damper frame.

7. The damper assembly of claim 3 , wherein the motor comprises a motor body, and wherein the axis of rotation axis intersects the motor body.

8. The damper assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a control module configured to control operation of the motor.

9. The damper assembly of claim 1 , further comprising
a damper insert arm pivotally secured to the damper frame and movable between a first configuration in which the damper insert arm is at least substantially parallel with the damper frame and a second configuration in which the damper insert arm is at least substantially perpendicular to the damper frame.

10. The damper assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a deployment strap extending from the damper insert arm in a direction parallel with the first side and the second side when the damper insert arm is in the first configuration.

11. The damper assembly of claim 10 , wherein the air duct feeds a register vent through a register boot, and wherein the deployment strap is configured to permit the damper assembly to be deployed through the register boot and to the air duct, and once deployed, the deployment strap is configured to have a length sufficient to allow a free end of the deployment strap to be secured within the register boot upstream of the register vent to hold the damper frame, the damper blade, and the flexible outer seal in position in the air duct.

12. The damper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame periphery of the damper frame is obround in shape.

13. The damper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the damper blade includes a blade periphery complementary to the frame periphery.

14. The damper assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame periphery includes an inner frame periphery and an outer frame periphery, wherein the inner frame periphery defines the air flow aperture, and wherein the flexible outer seal extends outwardly from the outer frame periphery.

15. A damper assembly configured for use in a round forced air duct feeding a register vent through a register boot, the damper assembly comprising:
a damper frame having a frame periphery including an inner frame periphery and an outer frame periphery, the inner frame periphery including a first side and a second side substantially parallel with the first side, the first side and the second side each having a length that is greater than a distance between the first side and the second side, the inner frame periphery defining an air flow aperture;
a damper blade pivotally secured to the damper frame at a pivot point and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the damper blade seals against the damper frame and substantially blocks air flow through the air flow aperture, wherein in the open position the damper blade does not seal against the damper frame and allows air flow through the air flow aperture, wherein the damper blade includes a blade periphery complementary to the inner frame periphery, and wherein the damper blade is configured to pivot about an axis of rotation extending at least substantially parallel with the first side and the second side of the frame periphery; and
a flexible outer seal extending outwardly from the outer frame periphery, the flexible outer seal being at least substantially circular in order to seal against an inner surface of the round forced air duct when the damper assembly is installed within the round forced air duct.

16. The damper assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a damper insert arm pivotally secured to the damper frame and movable between a first configuration in which the damper insert arm is substantially parallel with the damper frame and a second configuration in which the damper insert arm is substantially perpendicular to the damper frame.

17. The damper assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a motor secured to the damper frame, wherein the motor is configured to drive a rotatable drive shaft coupled to the damper blade.

18. The damper assembly of claim 17 , wherein the axis of rotation intersects the motor.

19. A damper assembly configured for use in an air duct, the damper assembly comprising:
a damper frame having a frame periphery including an inner frame periphery and an outer frame periphery, the inner frame periphery including a first side and a second side substantially parallel with the first side, the inner frame periphery defining an air flow aperture;
a damper blade pivotally secured to the damper frame at a pivot point and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the damper blade seals against the damper frame and substantially blocks air flow through the air flow aperture, wherein in the open position the damper blade does not seal against the damper frame and allows air flow through the air flow aperture, wherein the damper blade includes a blade periphery complementary to the inner frame periphery, and wherein the damper blade is configured to pivot about an axis of rotation extending at least substantially parallel with the first side and the second side of the frame periphery;
a flexible outer seal extending outwardly from the outer frame periphery, the flexible outer seal being configured to seal against an inner surface of the round forced air duct when the damper assembly is installed within the air duct;
a damper insert arm pivotally secured to the damper frame and movable between a first conf

Assignees

• Ademco Inc

Inventors

• Carlson Nathan
• Emmons David J
• Wolff Steven
• Bick Robert

Classifications

• F16K1/2007

  specially adapted operating means therefor (operating means per se F16K31/00) · CPC title

• F16K1/2263

  the sealing being arranged on the valve seat · CPC title

• F16K31/047

  characterised by mechanical means between the motor and the valve, e.g. lost motion means reducing backlash, clutches, brakes or return means (F16K31/043 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F24F13/14 Primary

  built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre · CPC title

• F16K1/2261

  the sealing being arranged on the valve member · CPC title