Air Control Damper With Retracting Half-Blade Stop for Low Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air control dampers with traditional stops cause drag and leakage due to the extension of damper components into the airflow path, reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air control damper design featuring a rocker assembly, cross-link, and half blade mechanism that allows partial blades to rotate when open, eliminating the need for a fully extended stop within the airflow path, and incorporating insulation and seals to minimize leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional stops are used to stop the full blade in a closed position, then the blade stop function is achieved, but the stops extend outward into the airflow path causing drag and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the blade stop movable rather than fixed. The stop rotates about a shaft within the frame, allowing it to retract from the airflow path when not needed and extend only when blade stopping is required. This dynamic positioning eliminates continuous drag and leakage while maintaining reliable stopping capability when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade stop is segmented into a half blade configuration that rotates independently about a shaft. This segmentation allows the stop to be positioned selectively - extended into the airflow path only when blade closure is needed, and retracted when open airflow is required. The segmented design resolves the contradiction between needing a stop function and avoiding continuous airflow obstruction.
2Loss of energy
If the half blade rotates about the shaft to provide a blade stop, then leakage is minimized by allowing partial blades to act as stops, but the mechanism complexity increases with rocker assembly and cross-link
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker assembly and cross-link mechanism serve multiple functions: they transmit torque from the actuator to the blade, enables the half blade to rotate about its shaft for stopping capability, and coordinate the motion of multiple blades. This multi-functionality justifies the added mechanism complexity by consolidating several functions into a unified system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-link acts as an intermediary element that transmits force and motion between the rocker assembly and the half blade. This intermediary mechanism allows the complex motion requirements (torque transmission, blade rotation, stop positioning) to be achieved through a coordinated system of connected components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An air control damper, comprising a shaft coupled to a frame. A first full blade coupled to the axel and disposed within the frame. A rocker assembly coupled to the first full blade. A first rod coupled to the rocker assembly. A cross-link assembly coupled to the first rod. A half blade coupled to the cross-link assembly and disposed on a first shaft within the frame, wherein the half blade is configured to provide a blade stop for the first full blade in a closed position.