US20160231012A1

US20160231012A1 - Automated Vent Fan Systems and Methods

Info

Publication number: US20160231012A1
Application number: US14/617,192
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael J. Curry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-09
Filing date: 2015-02-09
Publication date: 2016-08-11

Abstract

The present disclosure is a vent that has a grate comprising a plurality of louvers and a base. The grate is coupled to the base on an exposed face. The vent further has at least one fan coupled to the base on an opposing face that is adapted for moving air delivered to the grate through the louvers.

Description

BACKGROUND

A modern building, whether residential or commercial, has a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. An HVAC system is responsible for cooling and heating the internal space of the building in response to internal temperature changes.
A typical HVAC system has a control subsystem that uses a thermostat to maintain a specified temperature. In this regard, when a predetermined temperature, the thermostat automatically initiates the cooling system, and when the temperature detected by the thermostat falls below a predetermined temperature, the thermostat automatically initiates the heating system.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric side view of an exemplary vent in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the exemplary vent depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary system incorporating the exemplary vent of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary vent 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary vent 100 comprises a grate 101, a base 102, and two fan housings 103, 104.
The grate 101 comprises a plurality of louvers 108. The louvers 108 are attached to a frame 107. The louvers 108 allow air flow through the vent 100 in a direction indicated by reference arrows 109.
The vent 100 further comprises a base 102. The frame 107 of the grate 101 is coupled to an exposed face of the base 102. In addition, the housings 103 and 104 are coupled to an opposing face of the base 102.
In operation, ducts deliver air (cold/warm) to the vent 100 via a series of ducts that connect the cooling/heating systems to an opening in a floor (not shown), wall (not shown), or ceiling (not shown) of a room (not shown) of a building (not shown). The vent 100 is inserted within and to cover the opening. The air delivered blows through the louvers 108 in the direction indicated by reference arrows 109 and cools and/or heats the room.
As will be described further herein with reference to FIG. 2, a vent 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure facilitates more expeditious and efficient delivery of air (cold or hot) to the room. In this regard, the vent 100 moves the air from the air duct through the louvers 108, thereby decreasing the power that it takes to cool/heat a room.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the exemplary vent 100 as depicted in FIG. 1. In this regard, the vent 100 comprises the housings 103, 104. Within the housings 103, 104 are fans 200, 201, respectively. Note that the fans 200, 201 are exemplary. In other embodiments, the fans 200, 201 may have any number or size of blades. Additionally, the pitch and shape of the fins of the fans 200, 201 shown are exemplary. Other pitches and shapes of the fins may be used in other embodiments.
Each fan 200, 201 comprises a motor (not shown) that activates and deactivates the blades of the fans 200, 201. The motors are electrically connected to respective wires 203, 204.
FIG. 3 depicts an automated vent fan system 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 300 comprises a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit 301. In addition, the system 300 comprises a thermostat 302 and electrical wires 203, 204.
The thermostat 302 is electrically coupled to the HVAC unit 301. In this regard, when a preset maximum temperature is detected by the thermostat 302, the thermostat 302 automatically transmits a signal to the HVAC unit 301 that activates the cooling system of the HVAC unit 301. Further, when a preset minimum temperature is detected by the thermostat 302, the thermostat 302 automatically transmits a signal to the HVAC system 301 that activates the heating system of the HVAC unit 301.
Additionally, the thermostat 302 is electrically coupled to the fans 200, 201 (FIG. 2) via the electrical connectors 203, 204 (FIG. 2), respectively. In accordance with the present disclosure, when the thermostat 302 activates the cooling or heating system of the HVAC system 301, the thermostat 302 further activates the fans 200, 201 via the electrical wires 203, 204, respectively.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vent, comprising:

a grate comprising a plurality of louvers;

a base, the grate coupled to the base on an exposed face;

at least one fan coupled to the base on an opposing face, the fan adapted for moving air delivered to the grate through the louvers.

2. An automated vent fan system, comprising:

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit;

a vent comprising at least one fan coupled to a grate;

a thermostat electrically coupled to the HVAC unit to operate cooling and heating systems in response to temperature measurements, the thermostat further electrically coupled to the vent and adapted to activate the fan when the heating or cooling system is activated.