Electromagnetic frequency-controlled zoning and dampering system

Abstract

A portable remote wireless control for establishing different temperatures in separate portions of a building. The remote control not only regulates hot and cold airflow through rotatable damper vanes in one or more diffusers, but it also recharges the batteries that power the wireless receiver, servomotor and servomotor controls that selectively rotate the damper vanes. Damper vane rotation regulates air flow from the diffuser to control the temperature in the portion of the building. The damper vanes, moreover, are of a light plastic with a marginal band of a foam material to enable the vanes to rotate silently and freely also to form a seal that eliminates a great deal of air seepage past the individual vanes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Provisional Application No. 60 / 740,786 filed Nov. 30, 2005 from which priority is claimed.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] None JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT PARTNER [0003] None REFERENCE TO “SEQUENCE LISTING”[0004] None BACLGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] This invention relates to methods and technics used to control or damper heating, air-conditioning, or ventilation air flow and distribution in a controlled environment. [0006] Due to increasing prices of fossil fuels, notably oil, propane, natural gas, and electricity used for heating or air conditioned controlled environments, in addition to the increasingly harmful effects of global warming, there is an important and immediate need to conserve energy. [0007] This method describes a technic capable of controlling or dampening the airflow to a specific diffuser or register supplying conditioned air for an individual's specific temperature requirement for comf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] Over-compensation also decreases the energy efficiency of a heating or cooling system. In an effort to adjust the comfort level of one region of a house, most homeowners set the thermostat of the system higher in the winter and lower in the summer, increasing the air volume to that area to accomplish this goal. This method wastes valuable and expensive energy by overheating or overcooling other areas.

[0021] The system is a diffuser or damper of typical and most common size and design to match existing ones. The diffuser or register of the supply side of the system has a tiny receiver and lithium battery with a servo which opens and closes the plastic damper with foam lining. As it receives the signal to do so, this regulates the airflow to the area through the diffuser or register. The plastic design with the foam lining serves three purposes. It is lightweight, moisture resistant, and forms a tight seal. The light weight facilitates motion. The foam lining prevents leakage. The tight seal prevents noise, associated with dampering airflow, and holds back static pressure.

[0024] The same could be done for high traffic areas such as family rooms, kitchens, playrooms, etc. This technic not only regulates the home properly despite outdoor environmental variables, but keeps it more comfortable while saving energy. This solves the problem of deficient or excessive airflow to parts of the house. By closing or opening the diffusers or registers where it is too hot or cold, and forcing the airflow where it is required, it adjusts to the problem of upstairs heat or downstairs cold and solves the over-compensation of the system to realize this goal. As described earlier in the patent, this technic also helps in the daily changes in weather conditions by maintaining a desired temperature in each room and sending excess airflow to areas where it is needed.

[0025] Up to 40% of a conventional forced hot or cold air system can be dampened without affecting the static pressure within the system. Most furnace and air-handler blower motors work on resistance; they adjust themselves to the zoning technic and maintain proper static pressure within the duct system. This means, in an average home of 20 supply registers, 8 can be dampered automatically. Since there is normally 1 or 2 supply diffusers or registers for every bedroom, this means every bedroom can be zoned and regulated, solving the problem of individuals feeling too hot or cold in their own bedroom.

[0027] The tiny lithium battery with the diffuser by the servo can be removed once a year and placed inside the thermostat compartment for charging and replaced with the one already charged. This requires wattage comparable to a small radio for receiving and minimal motor abilities due to tile lightweight design. In addition to the leverage of the arm, the lithium battery holds a charge much longer than a conventional lead-acid model, with a long lifespan between charges.

[0028] The same technic can be used in corporate offices to prevent wasteful energy use, customizing the temperature of each office to each individual.

Problems solved by technology

A major problem in this, the typical design, is the incapability of the system to maintain an equal temperature throughout a dwelling due to several significant and frequently changing factors, the first of which is duct design and distribution.

Often, ductulation, or the sizing of the ductwork to maintain proper static pressure, is not performed correctly, leaving the vents closest to the furnace or air handler delivering the most air and the vents farther away with little or no pressure.

A second problem is the difficulty maintaining equal temperatures in multilevel dwellings, heating or cooling.

Because hot air rises and cold air falls, temperature inequalities occur even with a perfectly designed and delivered duct system.

Dampers installed in a duct system can help but untrained homeowners rarely adjust the system properly each season and even if they do, it is usually not correct for proper operation or energy efficiency.

A third problem with uneven comfort levels in a conditioned area or home is each individual's response to temperature and humidity levels.

Over-compensation also decreases the energy efficiency of a heating or cooling system.

This method wastes valuable and expensive energy by overheating or overcooling other areas.

Other factors cause uneven temperatures throughout a home or conditioned area on a daily basis, such as sun or wind direction, drafts, rain, humidity, snow-covered roofs, and changing seasons.

Because of these variable and a constantly changing environment, attempting to balance a system is difficult.

Combined, these factors could waste, easily, 30% of one's annual energy cost.

Keeping a constant temperature in every room of a house in unnecessarily wasteful, as well.

While conventional, electrical damper systems may help direct air to desired locations using a series of thermostats, hard wiring, and a complex damper system made of motors, they are not cost-effective.

This is unfeasible for a typical homeowner, leaving them a residence with few zoning options.

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