Electric power modulated lead screw actuated dampers and methods of modulating their operation
OwnerFrancis J. McCabeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A damper assembly in which the position of the damper blades is controlled by an electric powered actuator. The powered actuator rotates a threaded lead screw shaft attached to an operator means attached to the damper blades of the damper, which causes the damper blades to open and close or be positioned somewhere in-between. The actuator can be controlled by sensors in a remote location. The actuator allows the damper to be modulated to set up pressure differentials and to be closed well in advance of oncoming smoke, fire, or other detected toxic fumes. There are a variety of nuts and gear arrangements coacting with the lead screw to drive the operator.
Claims13
An electric power operated damper assembly, comprising:
- a damper, having:
- a damper frame and
- at least one damper blade pivotally attached to the damper frame, to regulate the air flow through the damper frame by movement of the blade;
- an operator means engaging the damper blade for moving the blade in response to movement of the operator means;
- and
- an electric powered actuator means, having a lead screw shaft powered for rotation about its axis;
- the electric powered actuator means engaging the operator means to cause the operator means to move the damper blade in response to movement of the actuator means.
A method of controlling air flow by opening and closing dampers with an electric powered damper actuator means, including steps of:
- using a damper to control flow through a conduit, including the steps of:
- juxtaposing a damper frame to a conduit;
- pivotally attaching at least one damper blade to the damper frame to provide a position to allow air flow through said frame and a position to restrict air flow therethrough;
- attaching an operator means to said blade to move said blade in response to movement of said operator means,
- attaching to the operator means, a powered actuator means having an electric motor including a motor shaft, and a lead screw shaft rotatable about its axis in response to rotation of the motor shaft,
- such that when the lead screw shaft is moved it moves the damper blade between said positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.