# US 2014/0150770 A1 · Self-powered damper system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150770 A1 - Document ID: US20140150770A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/091,017 - Filed: 2013-11-26 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Field Controls, LLC - Applicants: Field Controls, LLC - Inventors: Eric A. Hokanson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150770A1 ## CPC - F23L 11/00: Arrangements of valves or dampers after the fire - B23P 19/00: Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation {(connecting metal parts or objects by metal-working procedures B21J, B23K)}; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes (hand tools in general B25) - F23L 3/00: Arrangements of valves or dampers before the fire - F23M 2900/13003: Energy recovery by thermoelectric elements, e.g. by Peltier/Seebeck effect, arranged in the combustion plant - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - F23L: SUPPLYING AIR OR NON-COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS OR GASES TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS IN GENERAL ({air-supply arrangements for fluent fuels F23C;} firebridges with means for feeding air or steam F23M3/04; baffles or shields with air supply passages F23M9/04); VALVES OR DAMPERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CONTROLLING AIR SUPPLY OR DRAUGHT IN COMBUSTION APPARATUS {(dampers and throat restrictors for open fire-places F24; air inlet valves for open fire fronts F24)}; INDUCING DRAUGHT IN COMBUSTION APPARATUS; TOPS FOR CHIMNEYS OR VENTILATING SHAFTS; TERMINALS FOR FLUES - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - F23M: CASINGS, LININGS, WALLS OR DOORS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, e.g. FIREBRIDGES; DEVICES FOR DEFLECTING AIR, FLAMES OR COMBUSTION PRODUCTS IN COMBUSTION CHAMBERS; SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR COMBUSTION APPARATUS; DETAILS OF COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A system for operating a damper comprises a flue pipe assembly, and a damper movable between an open position and a closed position within the flue pipe assembly. At least one thermoelectric generator is coupled to a surface of the flue pipe assembly. Operation of the damper is achieved by the thermoelectric generator harvesting thermal energy from the flue pipe assembly and converting it into usable electrical energy for actuation of the damper. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for operating a damper, the system comprising: a flue pipe assembly; a damper movable between an open position and a closed position within the flue pipe assembly; and at least one thermoelectric generator coupled to a surface of the flue pipe assembly, wherein operation of the damper is achieved by the thermoelectric generator harvesting thermal energy from the flue pipe assembly and converting it into usable electrical energy for actuation of the damper. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a motor, wherein the damper is coupled to the motor and is movable between the open position and the closed position in response to operation of the motor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric generator is coupled to the motor by at least one power lead. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a thermopile that is coupled to power a gas valve and also the damper, where the damper can be disconnected from the thermopile and remain self-sustaining while a pilot or main burner is active. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein a damper control utilizes energy supplied by the thermopile until the thermoelectric generator has reached an operating point that sustains full operation of the damper. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein when the thermoelectric generator reaches a functional operating point, the damper will automatically disconnect from the thermopile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric generator is mounted to an exterior surface of the flue pipe assembly. ### Claim 8 A method for operating a damper, the method comprising: providing a flue pipe assembly and a damper movable between an open position and a closed position within the flue pipe assembly; coupling at least one thermoelectric generator to a surface of the flue pipe assembly; and achieving operation of the damper by the thermoelectric generator harvesting thermal energy from the flue pipe assembly and converting it into usable electrical energy for actuation of the damper. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising coupling the damper to a motor and moving the damper between the open position and the closed position in response to operation of the motor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising coupling the thermoelectric generator to the motor by at least one power lead. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising coupling a thermopile to power a gas valve and also the damper, where the damper can be disconnected from the thermopile and remain self-sustaining while a pilot or main burner is active. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein a damper control utilizes energy supplied by the thermopile until the thermoelectric generator has reached an operating point that sustains full operation of the damper. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising automatically disconnecting the damper from the thermopile when the thermoelectric generator reaches a functional operating point. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the thermoelectric generator is mounted to an exterior surface of the flue pipe assembly. ### Claim 15 A system for operating a damper, the system comprising: a flue pipe assembly; a damper movable between an open position and a closed position within the flue pipe assembly; and at least one thermoelectric generator coupled to a surface of the flue pipe assembly, wherein the thermoelectric generator is mounted to an exterior surface of the flue pipe assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein operation of the damper is achieved by the thermoelectric generator harvesting thermal energy from the flue pipe assembly and converting it into usable electrical energy for actuation of the damper. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 further comprising a motor, wherein the damper is coupled to the motor and is movable between the open position and the closed position in response to operation of the motor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 further comprising a thermopile that is coupled to power a gas valve and also the damper, where the damper can be disconnected from the thermopile and remain self-sustaining while a pilot or main burner is active. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein a damper control utilizes energy supplied by the thermopile until the thermoelectric generator has reached an operating point that sustains full operation of the damper. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein when the thermoelectric generator reaches a functional operating point, the damper will automatically disconnect from the thermopile.