Air distributing apparatus for reducing energy consumption

Abstract

The invention involves an air distributing apparatus for installation in a diffuser. The apparatus includes a first damper positioned within the diffuser. The first damper also has an open mode where a stream of air can exit the diffuser to a space. The first damper has a closed mode where the damper inhibits the stream of air from exiting the diffuser. The apparatus includes an actuator operatively connected to the first damper. There is an occupancy sensor positioned and configured to distinguish whether the space is occupied or unoccupied by a person. The occupancy sensor is in communication with the actuator. When the space is occupied by the person, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the open mode. When the space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the closed mode. A remote temperature sensor varies the volume of supply air entering the space depending on the prevailing air conditioning load.

1 . An air distributing apparatus for installation in a diffuser, the air distributing apparatus comprising:
 a first damper positioned within the diffuser, the first damper having an open mode wherein a stream of air can exit the diffuser to a space, and a closed mode wherein the damper inhibits the stream of air from exiting the diffuser;   an actuator operatively connected to the first damper for positioning the first damper in the open mode or the closed mode; and   an occupancy sensor positioned and configured to distinguish whether the space is occupied or unoccupied by a person, the occupancy sensor being in communication with the actuator;   whereby, when the space is occupied by the person, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be in a position determined by the temperature sensor, and when the space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the closed mode.   
   
   
       2 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the diffuser being located within a plenum, the diffuser having an interior, the air distributing apparatus further comprising:
 a second damper operatively positioned between the interior of the diffuser and the plenum, the second damper being operatively engageable with the first damper, the second damper having an unoccupied mode wherein the second damper is positioned to allow communication between the interior of the diffuser and the plenum,   whereby, when the space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to operatively cause the second damper to be positioned in the unoccupied mode and thereby enable the stream of air to pass through to the plenum.   
   
   
       3 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , the stream of air being heated air, and the second damper further having an occupied mode wherein the second damper is positioned to inhibit communication between the stream of air and the plenum. 
   
   
       4 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the occupancy sensor is an infrared detector. 
   
   
       5 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the occupancy sensor is a motion sensor. 
   
   
       6 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first damper is a plate. 
   
   
       7 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the actuator further includes a pivotal connector, the first damper connecting to the actuator via the pivotal connector. 
   
   
       8 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the stream of air being heated air, the space further having a window, the open mode of the first damper further including a heating mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air at least in part towards the window and a cooling mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air away from the window, the air distributing apparatus further comprising an interior temperature sensor positioned in communication with the actuator and in communication with the stream of air entering the air distributing apparatus, the interior temperature sensor having a first temperature setting, whereby, when temperature of the stream of air as sensed by the interior temperature sensor matches or is above the first temperature setting, the air distributing apparatus is deemed to be in the heating mode, and the interior temperature sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby causes the first damper to be positioned in the heating mode, and when temperature of the stream of air as sensed by the interior temperature sensor is below a second temperature setting, the air distributing apparatus is deemed to be in the cooling mode, and the interior temperature sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby causes the first damper to be positioned in the cooling mode, following mode settings the actuator modulates air volume control volumes subject to a prevailing load. 
   
   
       9 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the stream of air being heated air, the space being separated from ambient, outside air by an exterior wall, the open mode of the first damper further including a heating mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air at least in part towards the exterior wall and a cooling mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air away from the exterior wall, the air distributing apparatus further comprising a room temperature sensor in communication with the actuator, the room temperature sensor having a target temperature setting, whereby, when temperature as sensed by the room temperature sensor is below the target temperature setting, the room temperature sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby causes the first damper to be positioned in the heating mode, and when temperature as sensed by the room temperature sensor is above the target temperature setting, the room temperature sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby causes the first damper to be positioned in the cooling mode. 
   
   
       10 . An air distributing assembly for installing in a plenum, the air distributing assembly comprising:
 a diffuser;   a first damper positioned within the diffuser, the first damper having an open mode wherein a stream of air can exit the diffuser to a space, and a closed mode wherein the first damper inhibits the stream of air from exiting the diffuser;   an actuator operatively connected to the first damper for positioning the first damper in the open mode or the closed mode; and   an occupancy sensor positioned and configured to distinguish whether the space is occupied or unoccupied by a person, the occupancy sensor being in communication with the actuator;   whereby, when the space is occupied by the person, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the open mode, and when the space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the closed mode.   
   
   
       11 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , the stream of air being heated air, the space further having a window, the open mode of the first damper further including a heating mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air at least in part towards the window and a cooling mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air away from the window, the air distributing assembly further comprising an interior temperature sensor positioned in communication with the actuator and in communication with the stream of air entering the air distributing assembly, the interior temperature sensor having a first temperature setting, whereby, when temperature of the stream of air as sensed by the interior temperature sensor matches or is above the first temperature setting, the air distributing assembly is deemed to be in the heating mode, and the interior temperature sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby causes the first damper to be positioned in the heating mode, and when temperature of the stream of air as sensed by the interior temperature sensor is below a second temperature setting, the air distributing assembly is deemed to be in the cooling mode, and the interior temperature sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby causes the first damper to be positioned in the cooling mode, following mode settings the actuator modulates air volume control volumes subject to a prevailing load. 
   
   
       12 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first temperature setting corresponds to a value of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the second temperature setting corresponds to a value of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 
   
   
       13 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , the diffuser having a primary outlet through which the stream of air can exit, the air distributing assembly further comprising a deflector adjacent to the primary outlet, the deflector being so shaped as to cause the stream of air to deflect laterally outwards from the primary outlet. 
   
   
       14 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein during the cooling mode, the first damper is so positioned as to abut the deflector, the deflector being shaped to direct the stream of air away from the window. 
   
   
       15 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein during the heating mode, the deflector is shaped to direct the stream of air at least in part towards the window. 
   
   
       16 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein during the cooling mode, the first damper is so positioned as to abut the deflector, the deflector being shaped to direct the stream of air away from the window. 
   
   
       17 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , the deflector having a first side facing towards the window and the plenum, the first side being positioned at a slope of 20 degrees with respect to the window. 
   
   
       18 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , the deflector having a second side facing towards the plenum and facing away from the window, the second side being positioned at a slope of 45 degrees with respect to the window. 
   
   
       19 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein during the heating mode, the deflector is positioned and shaped such that 80% of the stream of air is directed against the window. 
   
   
       20 . The air distributing assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein during the cooling mode, the deflector and first damper are positioned such that 70 to 95% of the stream of air is directed away from the window. 
   
   
       21 . An air distributing apparatus for connecting to a supply duct, the supply duct communicating with a primary air supply which contributes to a stream of air passing into a space having a window, the air distributing apparatus comprising:
 a diffuser connecting to the supply duct;   a first damper positioned within the diffuser, the first damper having a heating mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air at least in part towards the window and a cooling mode wherein the first damper is positioned to direct the stream of air away from the window;   an actuator operatively connected to the first damper to position the first damper in the heating mode or the cooling mode; and   an occupancy sensor positioned and configured to distinguish between whether the space is occupied or unoccupied by a person, the occupancy sensor being in communication with the actuator,   whereby, when the space is occupied by the person, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator which thereby actuates the first damper to one of said heating mode and said cooling mode, and when the space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to actuate the first damper to another of said heating mode and said cooling mode.   
   
   
       22 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , the air distributing apparatus being located within a plenum and having an inlet in communication with the plenum, the air distributing apparatus further comprising an induction nozzle apparatus positioned adjacent to the inlet of the air distributing apparatus, the induction nozzle apparatus connecting to the supply duct, the induction nozzle apparatus being positioned to cause the stream of air to form in part from the primary air supply, the plenum defining a secondary air supply, the induction nozzle apparatus inducing the secondary air supply to result in the stream of air forming in part from the secondary air supply. 
   
   
       23 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , further having means for varying the stream of air entering into the apparatus from the primary air supply when operating in the cooling mode. 
   
   
       24 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the air distribution apparatus allows varying amounts of the primary air supply into the air distribution apparatus when operating in the cooling mode. 
   
   
       25 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , the induction nozzle apparatus being configured to supply 25% of the stream of air from the primary air supply when the first damper is in the heating mode. 
   
   
       26 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , the induction nozzle apparatus being configured to induce 75% of the stream of air from the secondary air supply when the first damper is in the heating mode. 
   
   
       27 . The air distributing apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , the air distributing apparatus further comprising:
 a second damper adjacent to the induction nozzle apparatus and positioned between the interior of the air distributing apparatus and the plenum, the second damper being operatively engageable with the first damper, the second damper being positioned to inhibit communication between the interior of the air distributing apparatus and the plenum when the first damper is in the cooling mode.   
   
   
       28 . A building structure having an enclosed space and further comprising a window, a plenum, a diffuser positioned within the plenum, and an air distributing apparatus, the air distributing apparatus including:
 a first damper positioned within the diffuser, the first damper having an open mode wherein a stream of air can exit the diffuser to the enclosed space, and a closed mode wherein the damper inhibits the stream of air from exiting the diffuser;   an actuator operatively connected to the first damper for positioning the first damper in the open mode or the closed mode; and   an occupancy sensor positioned and configured to distinguish whether the enclosed space is occupied or unoccupied by a person, the occupancy sensor being in communication with the actuator;   whereby, when the enclosed space is occupied by the person, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the open mode, and when the enclosed space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the closed mode.