US 6,207,447 B1Granted

Damper and blower unit providing reversible aeration for composting

OwnerMark Gouldinventor

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Abstract

A method or device is provided for connecting a centrifugal blower to a process requiring the flow of forced air such that the flow of air may be reversed. The method is applied to a process that benefits from the switching of the direction of air flow to either positive pressure or suction. The method was developed primarily use in the forced aeration composting process but may have other applications. The invention consists of a damper with a plurality of vanes rotating on parallel shafts, which is closely coupled to both the inlet and outlet of a centrifugal blower. When set to provide positive pressure, the vanes direct outside air to the blower intake and direct the blower discharge to the process requiring aeration. When set to provide suction, the vanes direct air from the process to the blower intake and direct the blower discharge to a port that may be connected to an air pollution control device. The shafts are connected by co-planar crank arms and linkages, such that the damper setting may be switched by a single actuator, thereby simplifying the automation of the reversal of air flow.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of directing the flow of pressurized air in an air distribution system comprising the steps of:

providing a blower having both an air inlet and an air outlet, said blower producing a flow of air;
providing a damper housing;
providing a central port defined in said damper housing;
connecting said air outlet of said blower to said air distribution system through said central port in a first mode of operation;
providing an inlet port defined in said damper housing;
connecting said inlet port to said air inlet of said blower in said first mode of operation;
providing an exhaust port defined in said damper housing;
providing first, second, third and fourth rotatable vanes disposed substantially parallel to one another in said damper housing and in said first mode of operation said first vane blocking said exhaust port, said second vane disposed within said central port allowing air flow therethrough from said blower outlet, said third vane blocking said inlet port from said central port, and said fourth vane disposed within said inlet port allowing air flow therethrough;
and
rotating said first, second, third and fourth vanes to a second mode of operation wherein said first vane is disposed within said exhaust port allowing air flow therethrough, said second vane blocks said central port directing the flow of air from said air outlet of said blower out said exhaust port, said fourth vane blocking said inlet port and aligning said central port with said air inlet of said blower such that said central port draws air from said air distribution system causing the air circulation within said central port to be reversed from the air flow direction of said first mode of operation.

7 more elements

A damper for reversing the flow of air from a blower having an air inlet and air outlet, comprising:

a housing having a central port communicating with said air outlet of said blower;
an inlet port communicating with said air inlet of said blower;
an exhaust port;
passages defined between said inlet port, central port and exhaust port, said inlet port, central port and exhaust ports in communication with one another through said passages;
and
first, second, third and fourth vanes rotatably engaged within said ports and in a first mode of operation said first vane blocking the passage between said exhaust port from said central port, said third vane blocking the passage between said inlet port from said central port, and in a second mode wherein said first, second, third and fourth vanes have been rotated with said second vane blocking said central port and directing the air flow of said blower out said exhaust port and connecting said central port to said inlet port, and said fourth vane blocking said exhaust port such that in said first mode of operation said blower receives air through said inlet port and blows air out said central port, and in said second mode of operation said blower receives air through said central port and blows air out said exhaust port.

3 more elements

A composting aeration device comprising:

a blower producing a flow of air, said blower having an air inlet and an air outlet;
an air distribution system extending through material to be composted;
a damper for reversing the flow of air from said blower to and from said air distribution system, said damper having a housing;
said housing having a central port communicating with said air outlet of said blower;
said housing having an inlet port communicating with said air inlet of said blower;
said housing having an exhaust port;
said housing having passages defined between said inlet port, central port and exhaust port, said exhaust, inlet and central ports in communication with one another through said passages;
and
first, second, third and fourth vanes rotatably engaged within said exhaust, inlet and central ports wherein in a first mode of operation said first vane blocks the passage between said exhaust port from said central port, said third vane blocks the passage between said intake port from said central port, and wherein in a second mode of operation said first, second, third and fourth vanes have been rotated with said second vane blocking said central port and directing the air flow of said blower out said exhaust port and connecting said central port to said inlet port, and said fourth vane blocking said exhaust port such that in said first mode of operation said blower receives air through said inlet port and blows air out said central port, and in said second mode of operation said blower receives air through said central port and blows air out said exhaust port.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.