Torque amplifier for damper

Abstract

A damper driving arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes an actuator and a torque amplifier. The actuator has a housing for enclosing components of the actuator and an output shaft. The torque amplifier is positioned outside the housing and coupled to the output shaft of the actuator and a driving shaft of a damper. The torque amplifier is configured to amplify torque received from the actuator and transfer amplified torque to the damper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A damper driving mechanism, comprising:
 an actuator having an output shaft; and   a torque amplifier coupled to the output shaft of the actuator and a driving shaft of a damper, the torque amplifier configured to amplify torque received from the actuator and transfer amplified torque to the damper.   
     
     
         2 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the torque amplifier includes one or more gear trains to amplify the torque received from the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the driving shaft is a jackshaft or an extended shaft of the damper. 
     
     
         4 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the torque amplifier is a separate device that is attachable to the actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 4 , further comprising a connector assembly extending between the actuator and the torque amplifier to couple the torque amplifier to the actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the torque amplifier includes an input spindle coupled to the actuator and an output spindle coupled to the drive shaft of the damper. 
     
     
         7 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein the input spindle and the output spindle are spaced apart and are non-coaxial. 
     
     
         8 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein a gear train extends between the input spindle and the output spindle. 
     
     
         9 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the amplifier increases the torque provided by the actuator by at least 50%. 
     
     
         10 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the amplifier doubles the torque provided by the actuator. 
     
     
         11 . A damper driving mechanism, comprising:
 an actuator having a housing and an output shaft; and   a torque amplifier positioned between the actuator and the damper; the torque amplifier coupled to the output shaft of the actuator and a driving shaft of a damper, the torque amplifier including a gear train configured to amplify torque received from the actuator and transfer amplified torque to the damper.   
     
     
         12 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the torque amplifier includes an input spindle coupled to the actuator and an output spindle coupled to the drive shaft of the damper. 
     
     
         13 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the input spindle and the output spindle are spaced apart and are non-coaxial. 
     
     
         14 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the amplifier increases the torque provided by the actuator by at least 50%. 
     
     
         15 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the torque amplifier is positioned between the actuator and the damper, and wherein a connector assembly supports the torque amplifier and the actuator adjacent to the damper. 
     
     
         16 . A damper assembly for an HVAC system, comprising:
 a damper plate having a driving shaft configured to adjust the position of the damper plate;   an actuator having a housing and an output shaft; and   a torque amplifier coupled to the output shaft of the actuator and the driving shaft of a damper, the torque amplifier configured to amplify torque received from the actuator and transfer amplified torque to the damper.   
     
     
         17 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the torque amplifier includes an input spindle coupled to the actuator and an output spindle coupled to the drive shaft of the damper. 
     
     
         18 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the input spindle and the output spindle are spaced apart and are non-coaxial. 
     
     
         19 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the amplifier increases the torque provided by the actuator by at least 50%. 
     
     
         20 . The damper driving arrangement of  claim 16 , wherein the torque amplifier is positioned between the actuator and the damper, and wherein a connector assembly supports the torque amplifier and the actuator adjacent to the damper.