Thermally controlled diffusers

A thermally controlled ceiling diffuser comprising an axially symmetric divergent outlet, a flow deflector in the form of a circular plate, and means for supporting said plate in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to said divergent outlet, wherein said support means comprises a temperature sensitive mechanism and a means for producing tension, said temperature sensitive mechanism including a movable member and a fixed member and configured to allow separation of said movable and fixed members upon a sensed increase in temperature, said separation being opposed by said means for producing tension, said temperature sensitive mechanism and said means for producing tension being mechanically connected between said divergent outlet and said circular plate, the arrangement and construction being such that a change in the physical dimensions of said temperature sensitive mechanism results in a change in said positional relationship, said change in said positional relationship being characterized by said flow deflector being movable from a position substantially within said divergent outlet to a position spaced substantially outwardly of said divergent outlet, said circular plate being of lesser radial extent than the radial extent of the outlet of said divergent outlet.

A method of automatically varying the flow pattern of a diffuser having a divergent outlet and a movable deflector plate, said method comprising the step of supporting said movable deflector plate relative to said divergent outlet by a support means incorporating a temperature sensitive mechanism and a means for producing tension, said temperature sensitive mechanism including a movable member and a fixed member, said means for producing tension opposing movement of said movable member away from said fixed member, the arrangement and construction of said diffuser being such that said deflector plate is moved relative to said divergent outlet by said support means with variation in temperature of air flowing through said diffuser and sensed by said temperature sensitive mechanism, so as to produce said variation in said flow pattern, said movement of said deflector plate being characterized by said deflector plate being movable from a position substantially within said divergent outlet to a position spaced substantially outwardly of said divergent outlet, said deflector plate being of lesser radial extent than the radial extent of the outlet of said divergent outlet.

A method of automatically varying the flow pattern of a ceiling diffuser having an axially symmetric divergent outlet and a low deflector in the form of a circular plate, said method comprising the step of supporting said circular plate relative to said outlet by a support means incorporating a temperature sensitive mechanism and a means for producing tension, said temperature sensitive mechanism including a movable member and a fixed member, said means for producing tension opposing movement of said movable member away from said fixed member, the arrangement and construction of said diffuser being such that said circular plate is moved relative to said divergent outlet by said support means with variation in temperature of air flowing through said ceiling diffuser and sensed by said temperature sensitive mechanism, so as to produce said variation in said flow pattern, said movement of said circular plate being characterized by said circular plate being movable from a position substantially within said divergent outlet to a position spaced substantially outwardly of said divergent outlet, said circular plate being of lesser radial extent than the radial extent of the outlet of said divergent outlet.