Air modulation systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for modulation of airflow within an existing air conditioning system are described. The existing system includes an air conditioning or HVAC unit coupled with air supply and return ducts. Motorized dampers can be controlled by a controller that receives information about various rooms and areas from temperature and occupancy sensors within those rooms or areas. In this manner, conditioned air can be directed to those rooms that are occupied and whose temperature needs correction based on a thermostat setting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for modulating air flow within a structure comprising multiple rooms and having an air conditioning unit that feeds conditioned air to a branched air duct having a plurality of outlets, and receives air from a return duct, comprising:
 a first motorized damper configured to control air flow to a first room of the structure;   a first temperature sensor disposed in the first room;   a first occupancy sensor disposed in the first room;   a controller communicatively coupled with the first temperature and occupancy sensors, such that information from the first temperature and occupancy sensors can be received by the controller;   wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the first motorized damper; and   wherein the controller is configured to send a command signal to the first motorized damper based at least in part on the received information from the first temperature and occupancy sensors to cause the first motorized damper to open and permit air flow to the first room.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is not communicatively coupled with the air conditioning unit of the structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first motorized damper is disposed at a first outlet of the branched air duct at the first room. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first motorized damper is incorporated into a grille disposed at the first outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor disposed within the branched air duct, and wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a pressure relief damper disposed at an outlet of the branched air duct, and wherein the controller is configured to open the pressure relief damper when the pressure sensor detects a pressure within the branched air duct that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to open the first motorized damper when the pressure sensor detects a pressure within the branched air duct that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second motorized damper configured to control air flow to a second room of the structure different from the first room;   a second temperature sensor disposed in the second room;   a second occupancy sensor disposed in the second room;   a controller communicatively coupled with the second temperature and occupancy sensors, such that information from the second temperature and occupancy sensors can be received by the controller;   wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the second motorized damper; and   wherein the controller is configured to send a command signal to the second motorized damper based at least in part on the received information from the second temperature and occupancy sensors to cause the second motorized damper to open and permit air flow to the second room.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second motorized damper is disposed at a second outlet of the branched air duct at the second room. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second motorized damper is incorporated into a second grille disposed at the second outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a pressure sensor disposed within the branched air duct, and wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the pressure sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to open the first or second motorized dampers when the pressure sensor detects a pressure within the branched air duct that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to send a command signal to the first motorized damper to open when the first temperature sensor detects a temperature that is above or below a preset threshold and when the first occupancy sensor detects one or more occupants within the first room. 
     
     
         13 . A system for modulating air flow within a structure comprising a plurality of rooms that includes first, second, and third rooms, and wherein the structure comprises an air conditioning unit that provides conditioned air to a branched air duct having outlets in each of the plurality of rooms, comprising:
 first, second, and third motorized dampers each of which is configured to regulate air flow to the first, second and third rooms of the structure, respectively;   first, second, and third temperature sensors disposed in the first, second and third rooms, respectively;   first, second, and third occupancy sensors disposed in the first, second and third rooms, respectively;   a controller communicatively coupled with the first, second, and third temperature sensors and the first, second, and third occupancy sensors, and wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the first, second, and third motorized dampers;   wherein the controller is configured to send a command signal to the first and second motorized dampers based at least in part on the received information from the first and second temperature sensors and the first and second occupancy sensors to cause the first and second motorized dampers to open and permit air flow to the first and second rooms; and   wherein the controller is not communicatively coupled with the air conditioning unit.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a pressure sensor disposed within the branched air duct, and wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a pressure relief damper disposed at an outlet of the branched air duct, and wherein the controller is configured to open the pressure relief damper when the pressure sensor detects a pressure within the branched air duct that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second motorized dampers are disposed on an upper level, and the third motorized damper of the pressure relief damper are disposed on a lower level, and wherein the system is configured such that a pressure drop to the first and second motorized dampers is less than a pressure drop to the third motorized damper, which is less than a pressure drop to the pressure relief damper. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to open the first, second, or third motorized damper when the pressure sensor detects a pressure within the branched air duct that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the structure further comprises a fourth room, and wherein the fourth room lacks a motorized damper. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to send a command signal to the first motorized damper to open when the first temperature sensor detects a temperature that is above or below a preset threshold and when the first occupancy sensor detects one or more occupants within the first room. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first motorized damper is disposed at a first outlet of the branched air duct at the first room.