Backdraft damper with electromagnet for terminal unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal units in HVAC systems are susceptible to noise generation, vibrations, and air flow resistance due to the use of protrusions and gravity-dependent backdraft dampers, leading to inefficient air flow control.
Innovation Solution
A backdraft damper assembly incorporating an electromagnet system to maintain the damper door in a closed position, reducing undesired air flow and noise by using a damper collar and electromagnet to control air flow without protrusions or baffles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity-dependent backdraft dampers with protrusions are used, then the damper door can be retained in closed position without additional components, but noise generation and air flow resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-dependent mechanical retention system with an electromagnet-based magnetic retention system. The electromagnet actively holds the damper door in the closed position through magnetic force, eliminating the need for gravity-dependent protrusions and baffles that cause noise and air flow resistance. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful mechanical features while maintaining closed position retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the protrusions and baffles from the damper assembly that were previously necessary for gravity-dependent operation. By extracting these harmful components and replacing them with an electromagnet, the system achieves noise reduction and improved air flow efficiency while maintaining the ability to retain the damper door in the closed position.
2Reliability
If protrusions and baffles are used to retain damper door, then closed position is maintained, but air flow efficiency decreases and pressure drops increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet replaces the mechanical protrusion and baffle system, providing reliable damper door position retention through magnetic force rather than physical obstruction. This substitution maintains reliability while eliminating the air flow resistance and pressure drops caused by the protrusions and baffles, thereby improving air flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet acts as an intermediary force between the power supply and the damper door, using magnetic field interaction to retain the door in the closed position without requiring direct mechanical contact or physical obstructions like protrusions and baffles. This intermediary approach maintains position reliability while preserving air flow efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnet is added to control damper door, then noise and air flow resistance are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet is introduced as a compact electronic component that replaces complex mechanical retention mechanisms. While it adds an electronic element, it eliminates the need for multiple mechanical parts like protrusions, baffles, and gravity-dependent structures, resulting in a net reduction of overall mechanical complexity and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from passive gravity-dependent operation to active electromagnet-controlled operation, changing the fundamental parameter of retention force from gravitational to magnetic. This parameter change enables precise control of the damper door position while reducing noise and simplifying the mechanical structure, as the electromagnet can be integrated into the existing assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces unwanted air flow and noise, enhances air flow efficiency, and minimizes pressure drops, resulting in improved operation and energy savings for HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet that is configured to be selectively activated to generate a magnetic field to retain the damper door in the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal unit for a HVAC system, including: a housing including a first chamber configured to receive a first air flow and a second chamber configured to receive a second air flow; an internal wall disposed within the housing and extending between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the internal wall includes an opening formed therein; a damper door rotatable relative to the opening, wherein the damper door is configured to occlude the opening in a closed position; and an electromagnet that is configured to be selectively activated to generate a magnetic field to retain the damper door in the closed position and thereby prevent the first air flow from flowing through the opening; wherein when the electromagnet is deactivated, the magnetic field is not generated such that the second air flow may be forced from the second chamber to the first chamber through the opening.