Safety Damper Position Communication Using Wireless Sensor Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for testing and certifying damper positions in HVAC and life safety systems are often manual, inaccessible, and require hardwiring, which can be impractical and inefficient, especially in large or complex building setups.

Innovation Solution

A damper position communication system that includes a sensor to provide blade position signals and a communication interface for wireless or mesh network communication, allowing periodic updates to a safety panel, which can also integrate with relay circuits for alarm generation and operational verification without the need for manual testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation and testing of damper positions is performed at physical product locations, then operational certification can be obtained, but the process becomes inaccessible and difficult when building is complete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational certificationVSAvoidaccessibility for testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical testing operations with an automated electronic communication system. A communication interface on the damper transmits position data electronically to a safety panel, eliminating the need for physical access to test damper positions manually after building completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary between the damper and the safety panel. This intermediary component enables remote monitoring and certification of damper operations without requiring direct physical access to the damper location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If hard wiring a test switch to every product is implemented, then testing capability is achieved, but the system complexity and installation effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface serves multiple functions: it provides damper position data for safety monitoring, enables remote testing capability, and supports certification processes. This multi-functional component eliminates the need for separate test switches and extensive wiring for each damper.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the testing functionality, monitoring capability, and communication functions into a single integrated communication interface on the damper, rather than requiring separate components and wiring systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If wiring to a control network wired to a central control system is used, then centralized monitoring is achieved, but the installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcontrol network wiring

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces extensive control network wiring with wireless or low-complexity communication interfaces that transmit damper position data directly to the safety panel, maintaining centralized monitoring capability while reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240167709A1System and method for communication of damper position of a safety damper

Publication Date: 2024.05.23 AIR DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGIES IP LLC

AI summary

A damper (e.g., a safety damper) includes a sensor configured to provide a damper blade position signal indicative of a position of one or more damper blades and a communication interface configured to provide a damper identification and a damper blade position information associated with the damper blade position signal at periodic intervals or in response to a change in position. The damper identification and damper position information can be provided to fire safety equipment, another damper, or a safety panel.