Barrel-style coil-actuated vent

Abstract

An apparatus for circulating air includes a barrel through which the air is circulated, where the barrel includes a body having a first end and a second end, and a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel. In another embodiment, an apparatus for circulating air includes a grating through which the air is circulated and an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for circulating air, the apparatus comprising:
 a barrel through which the air is circulated, the barrel including a body having a first end and a second end; and   a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a door attached to the coil and positioned concentrically around the barrel, the door including an opening that exposes the barrel when the door is rotated.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the barrel includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises a spiral of a bimetallic material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the bimetallic material comprises:
 a first layer comprising a first metal that expands at a first rate when heated; and   a second layer comprising a second metal that expands at a second rate when heated, wherein the second rate is different from the first rate.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spool positioned near the second end of the barrel, wherein the coil is mounted to the spool.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein an end of the coil is secured by a notch in the spool. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing within which the barrel and the coil are contained.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the housing has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein an end of the coil is secured by a notch in the housing. 
     
     
         11 . A vent for circulating air, the vent comprising:
 a housing, the housing having a substantially cylindrical shape;   a barrel positioned inside the housing, the barrel including a plurality of apertures though which the air is circulated;   a door positioned concentrically between the barrel and the housing, the door having a substantially cylindrical shape and an opening formed therein; and   a coil attached to one end of the door, such that the door is rotatable with the coil, wherein the coil is formed from a bimetallic material.   
     
     
         12 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the barrel includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the coil comprises a spiral of a bimetallic material. 
     
     
         14 . The vent of  claim 13 , wherein the bimetallic material comprises:
 a first layer comprising a first metal that expands at a first rate when heated; and   a second layer comprising a second metal that expands at a second rate when heated, wherein the second rate is different from the first rate.   
     
     
         15 . The vent of  claim 11 , wherein the housing has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for circulating air, the apparatus comprising:
 a grating through which the air is circulated; and   an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the grating comprises:
 a barrel having a plurality of apertures formed therein.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a housing having a substantially cylindrical shape; and   a door having a substantially cylindrical shape and an opening formed therein, the door being positioned between the housing and the grating.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator comprises:
 a coil attached to the door, the coil being formed from a bimetallic material.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is a coil formed from a bimetallic material.