FIG. 1 is a sectional view, with parts removed, showing the automated, motorized Floor Diffuser system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of certain components forming the Floor Diffuser system of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the motorized mechanism for automatically operating the air diffuser system hereof.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view showing the suspended support frame and motor support frame of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to an automated, motorized air diffuser mechanism for use in a raised access flooring system. The mechanism, operable through wired or wireless input signals, and intended to provide a variable volume control, will now be described with regard to the accompanying Figures, where like reference numerals represent like components or features throughout the several views.

Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2, where FIG. 1 illustrates the assembled Floor Diffuser system 10 according to the present invention, where the respective components may be of plastic or aluminum construction, the system comprises a generally circular hanging frame member 12 having a removable grill member 14 with a series of concentric openings 16, preferably transmitting the supplied conditioned air in a 360° cyclonic "swirl" discharge pattern to the above space. The frame member further features a laterally extending flange 18, such as made of an aesthetically pleasing brushed aluminum, to override the floor carpeting, as known in the art, and an axially extending body portion 20, where the body portion is externally threaded 22 to receive a comparably threaded retention ring 24. When suitably joined together, as best seen in FIG. 1, the system is properly fixed relative to the floor opening 26. The lower edge 28 of the body portion includes plural apertures 30 for engaging a suspended frame member 32.

The suspended frame member 32 comprises a first continuous annular ring 34 having a like plurality of aligned apertures 36 for receiving complementary fastening members 38 to join the continuous annular ring 34 to the plural apertures 30, thereby to fix the suspended frame member 32 relative to the body portion 20. The suspended frame member further includes plural hanger members 40 to which is joined a motor support member 42, where the motor support member 42 includes a base 44 (FIG. 3) on which are mounted a motor 46, as more fully discussed hereafter.

A central post 48, connected to the grill member 14, is suspended downwardly from the grill member, with a threaded bolt 50 at its free end 52. The central post includes a compression spring 54, and a floating damper retention basin 56, where the basin includes a central opening 58 of a size to allow the damper retention basin to slide upwardly and downwardly along the central post 48. Until moved by activation of the motor 46, the compression spring maintains the spaced relationship of the basin to the body portion 20. In the rested or relaxed position of the compression spring 54 the retention basin is generally positioned at the opening 60 between the annular ring 34 and motor support member 42. This represents the maximum opened position for the system and hence the maximum airflow through the diffuser system of this invention. It will be apparent that as the retention basin 56 is caused to moved upward, as later discussed, the opening 60 begins to close or be reduced to control the airflow as desired. That is, the movable retention basin can reduce the vertical dimension of the opening 60 through which conditioned air is supplied to the diffuser.

Mounted within the motor support member 42 is a motor 46, see FIGS. 3 and 4. The motor 46 includes a generally closed housing 62 secured to a motor support frame 64 shown fully in FIG. 3. The motor 46 preferably comprises a 24VAC electric actuator to vertically position the airflow retention basin in response to a control signal, whether transmitted by wire or wireless means. The electric actuator includes plural reversible gears 66 operable by planetary gears 68 to operate threaded push rods 70, where the distal ends of said rods each mount a cap member 72 that abuts against the bottom surface 74 of the retention basin 56. As the motor 46 is activated via connectors 76 to an electric source, not shown, the threaded push rods 70 push the retention basin to a more upward or closed position to control airflow as desired. A reverse operation of the motor 46 will lower the respective push rods and the stored energy of the compression spring 54 will lower the retention basin and maintain its contact with the push rod cap members 72.

Since a feature of this invention is the ability to clean any debris/liquid from the floating retention basin without disturbance of the automatic control components or wiring, the grill member 14, nesting on the shoulder 76 of the circular frame housing 12, see FIG. 1, the grill member may be lifted from contact with laterally extending flange 18. By lifting the grill member, and the attached central post 48, the damper retention basin 56 is easily withdrawn from the assembly. If necessary, the damper retention basin may be removed from the central post 48 by first removing the threaded bolt 50 and separating the components. This allows for easy cleaning of the floating retention basin. Once the floating retention basin is slid onto the post, and the threaded bolt threaded onto the post, the grill and attached components may be repositioned within the suspended frame member.

Another feature hereof is the provision of using modular connections for the wiring connections to facilitate easy field connection to control wiring.

It is recognized that changes, variations and modifications may be made to the automated, motorized air diffuser system of this invention, particularly by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, no limitation is intended to be impoised thereon except as set forth in the following claims.
 

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Floor Diffuser