AU614195B2 - Air volume damper - Google Patents

Description

C0MPLET1E AFTER PROVISXONAL -jIHAI SPECIFICATION NO. Pa 1328 PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPE CIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE., ApplicAtion Number: Lodged: Claiss W.t Class Completa SpeificAtion Lodged., Accepted, Published: Priority, v Related An: Name of Applicant(s): ,Ad. 11 UNIQUE METAL WORKS PTY LTD 22 Sarich Court OSBORNE PARK

AUSTRALIA

WA 6017 Actual Inventor(s):.

Address for Service:, PETER FIGLIOMENI Kolvin Lord Co,# 4 Douro Placo, 'WEST PERTH, Westarn Australia 6005.

Complete Speclification for the invention entitled,.

"AIR VOLUME DAMPER" \The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the host mnethod of performning it known to me/ usI 2- The present invention relates to an air volume damper.

Previous air volume dampers have suffered from slippage of, the vanes due to their attachment to the drive lovers by way of grub screws. While this prior art system has been satisfactory for dampers Incorporating a relatively small number of vanes, the problem of slippage is magnified in multiple vane installations where the force of air to be interrupted is far greater.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air volume damper which attempts to overcome the problem of slippage of the vanes.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an air volume damper comprising a plurality of vanes rotatably retained within a framework, a corresponding 0.044 plurality of drive levers each having a first end rotatably connected to a link and a second end fixedly connected to a respective one of the vanes, translational motion of the link causing rotation of the vanes via the drive levers.

0 The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a front view of an air volume damper in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a frame of the air volume damper of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the air volume damper of Figure 1;V Figure 4a is an end view of a vane of the air volume damper of Figure l; "-3-1 4 14 *1 I *44 4 44*' 44 44 I %~4 4 *4*4 44*4 4 *441 44" 4* *1 4 44 *4 4 I *4 4 4

I

4 44 o 4 .44 Figure 4b is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of the vane of Figure 4a; Figure 4a is a saddle for the vane of Figure 4b; Figure 5 is a sectional part front view of the air volume damper of Figure I shown to a larger scale; Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of a drive lever of the air volume damper of Figure Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of a drive end shaft of the air volume damper of Figure 51 Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of an intermediate shaft of the air volume damper of Figure Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of a bush bearing of the air volume damper of Figure 5; and Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of a tail end shaft of the air volume damper of Figure Shown in Figures 1 and 5 is an air volume damper comprising a framework 12 (also shown in Figure 2) having spaced sides 14 and 16 and spaced ends 18 and 20. The ends 18 and 20 may be provided with respective channels 22 and 20 23 for ease of installation in a duct or wall.

The sides 14 and 16 also have similar channels 24 and 25 as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The sides 14 and 16 also have a plurality of evenly spaced holes 14a and 16a respectively, also as ahown in Figures 2 and Intermediate of the sides 14 and 16 and parallel thereto is a rail 26 extending from the end 18 to the. end 20 parallel.

Contained within the framework 12 are a plurality of vanes 28, which vanes 28 are able to pivot about their longitudinal axis parallel to the ends 18 and 20, as

I

Vf i*t*# it 444 4t 4 44 1 4 -4 described hereinafter.

As shown in Figure 3, the damper 10 further comprises one or more, such as two, elongated links 30 located in the channel 25 in the framework 12. A plurality of drive levers 32 having a first end 34 and a second end 36 are provided and each has its first end 34 connected to the links 30. The connection is such that rotation of tl"e driving lever 32 relative to the link 30 Is possible, as described hereinafter. The link 30 is capable of translational motion.

The second end 36 is connected to the middle of a respective one of the vanes 28. The connection is such that rotation of the drive lever 32 causes rotation of the vane 28.

15 A cross link arm 38 is rotatably connected between the links 30, where two are used, and ensures that the translational motion of one of the links 30 is followed by the other link Further, the links 30 may only move in a translatory manner and cannot rotate.

The ends 36 of the drive lovers 32 are rotatably hold in the side 16 in the holes 16a (see Figures 2 and Thus, the drive lovers 32 may only rotate about an axis perpendicular to the end 36. As the vanes 28 are fixedly connected to the ends 36, the vanes 28 also rotate about the same axis.

As may bc seen in Figure 4a, each vane 28 has a hollow circular portion 40 extending along its longitudinal axis, The hollow circular portion 40 has a cut out 42 oxtanding at least partially along its length and typically along, all of its length. Since such vanes 28 are typically formed by extrusion of aluminium through a die.

Alternatively, vanes 28a could be formed from galvanised iron and pressed to create a 'IV" shaped crease 40a along the central longitudinal axis and for which a similarly shaped galvanised iron saddle 42a is provided. The vant 28a had bent edges 43 for mating of adjacent vanes 28a and the vanes 28a of the saddle 42a have holes 43a and 43b respectively, for fixing together.

As may be seen in Figures 5 and 6 the drive lever 32 is generally of a Z type shape and is rotatably connected at the end 34 to the link 30. A washer 44 and a loop pin 46 are typically provided to secure the end 34 into a hole in the link The end 36 is fixedly connected typically, by way of a ft. locking bolt 49 a washer 49a, to a first end 48 of a drive b ~ft end shaft 50 (set also Figure The drive end shaft is rotatable held in the side 16 conveniently by way of a bush bearing 52 in one of the holes 16a. The drive end shaft 50 also has a. second end 54 extending from which is a ridge 56 which are proud of a cylindrical portion 58 of the shaft The ridge 56 typically has indents 57 for use in allowing holes to be drilled through the shaft 50 to receive bolts to fix the vanes 28a 'to the shaft 50 with the saddles 42a.

Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 58 fits into the hollow circular portion 40 of the vanes 28 and the ridge 56 engage with the cut out 42 thereof. Thus, the. end 36 is 6- 4 4>, 4 4 4 4,44 44 4, 4 4444 4 44~i 4444 4 4444 *44' 4 .4 *4 4 44 4* 4* 4 4, *444 4 4 44444.0 4 44 @4 4 444 fixedly connected, by way of the drive and shaft 50 to Clhe vanes 28 or by way of the drive end shaf t 50 and the saddles 42a and bolts to the vanes 28a.

At the other end of the vane 28, 28a there is located an S intermediate shaft 60 having first and second ends 62 and 64 respectively, The intermediate shaft 60 Is rotatably held in the rail 26 by way of further of the bush bearings 52 located in holes The intermediate shaft 60 has a cylindrical portion 66 10 adjacent the end 62 and a raised ridge 68 proud therefrom.

The ridge 68 has an indent 69, similar to the indents 57, for use with the saddles 42a as previously described.

Similarly, there is a cylindrical portion 70 adjacent the end 64 and a raised ridge 72 proud therefrom and also having indents 73. The cylindrical portions 66 and 70 fit into the hollow circular portions 40 and the ridges 68 and 72 correspond to and engage with the cut outs 42, as is the case with the shaft 50. Alternatively, the saddles 42a and bolts are used with holes drilled through the shaft 60 at 20 the indents 69 and 73 to fix the vanes 28a to the shaft 60. Thus, the intermediate shaft 60 fixedly connects horizontally adjacent vanes 28, 28a so that they rotate in unison.

The intermediate shaft 60 may be constructed to allow orientation of horizontally adjacent vanes 28, 28a at an angle with respect to each other such as at 900 degrees to each other. Such is required where one bank 10a of 'the vanes 28) 28a are to be at an open condition whilst the other bank 10a of the vanes 28, 28a is to be at a closed -4 7 condition and vice versa.

For this purpose the ridges 69 and 73 may be disposed angularly about the shaft 60 with respecL to each oth r such as at 900 to each other.

Supporting the other end of the vane 28 is a Lail end shaft 74 having a circular portion 76 fitted into the hollow circular portion 40. The tail end shaft 74 is rotacably held in the side 14 by way o, a bush bearing 52 in one of the holes 14a.

The shaft 74 need not have a ridge since it is merely required to provide it pivot axis for the vane 28, 28a.

44 4 Shown in Figure 6 is the drive lever 32 in greater detail.

The end 34 has integrally formed therewith a cylindrical stub 78 with a transverse hole 80 extending therethrough.

The cylindrical stub 78 is dimensioned to fit rouatably into a corresponding one of the holes 30a in the link The transverse hole 80 is able to receive the loop pin 46.

The end 36 has a non-circular aperture 82 formed therein and which is preferably tapered (see Figure Typically, the aperture 82 has a square cross section and is tapered.

In Figure 7 is shown a drive end shaft 50. In addition to the features already described, the end 48 has a non-circular portion 83 dimensioned to fit into thenon-circular aperture 82. There is also provided a shoulder 84 to fit into the bush bearing 52. The end 48 also has a threaded hole 85 to receive the bolt 49. V The intermediate shaft 60 shown in Figure 8 further comprises a shoulder 86 to fit into the bush bearing 52.

Shown in Figure 9 the bush bearing 52 has a generally -8central hole 88 to fit over the various shafts 32, 50, 74 as described hereinabove.

The busl bearing 52 may also b provided with a plurality of ears 90 outside the hole 88, the ears 90 engaging slots (not shown) so as to inhibit rotation of the bush bearing 52.

The tail end shaft 74 shown in Figure 10 has a shoulder 92 to fit the bush bearing 52. The tail end shaft 74 also has an indent 94 in the cylindrical portion 76 similar to those described hereinabove.

In use the air volume damper 10 is installed in a duct or wall or into two adjacent ducts to control the flow of air in the or each duct wall, To increase the flow of air through the vanes 28, one of the links 30 is translated upwardly from its position as shown in Figure 3 by means not shown, such as a drive bolt or the like, the cross link arm 38 then causes corresponding translation of the other link 30. Since the drive levers 32 are pivotable in the side 16, the drive levers 32 rotate about an axis passing through their ends 36. The vanes 28, 28a are fixedly connected to the ends 36 and rotate in unison with the o drive levers 32.

As previously described, the cross link arm 38 connects the links 30 and the rotation of the drive levers 32 connected to the adjacent drive links 30 is thus in the opposite directioni As seen in Figure 3, the drive lever 32 marked A rotator in a clockwise direction and the drive lever 32 marked B rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

Thus, the vanes 28, 28a rotate obout an- axis passing thrughtheend 36andthe hollow circular portions 40 or the shaped creaser Ii0a. The vanes 28, 28a -no longer block air flow through the air volume damper 10 and more air may pass therethr:ough, The ridges 56, 68 and 72 or the holes and bolts and saddloL, 42a prevent rotation of tChe vanes 28, 28a, respectively, relative to the drive levers 32 by engaging the cut out3 4i2 and fixing the vanes 28a 'to uha shafts 50, 60 and 74, respectively. Further, the engagement of the non-circular portion 83 with the non-circular aperture 82 prevents rotation of the drive levers 32 relative to the drive end shaft 50, this is further aided by the bolt 49.

The problem of slippage associated with prior art grub screw systems is thus eliminated with the present invention and multiple vane dampers are now possible and not prone to slip problems due to the large force of air a2-,ainst them, Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemned within the scope of the.

present invention For example, the ridges 56, 68 and 72 could be replaced together with the cylindrical portion 58, 66 and 70 by non-circular portions such aR square or triangular portions or the like. Such would also obviate the need for the cut-outs 42 in the vanes 28, provided the non-circular portions and hollow non-circular portions of the vanes 28 are of complimentary shape. It is to be noted that the cross section of the shafts 50 and 60 are non-circular in the regions of the respective ridges 56, 68 and 72.

Claims (8)

1. An air volume damper comprising a plurality of vanes rotatably retained within a framework, a corresponding plurality of drive lovers each having a first end rotatably connected to a link and a second end fixedly connected to a respective one of the vanes, translational motion of the link causing rotation of the vane via the drive levere 8co drive lever further comprising at its first end a cylindrical stub rotatably coupled to the link ovtG-on oa the-4i4nks-and at its second end a non-circular aperture to fixedly engage a complimentary non-circular portion of a drive end shaft, the drive end shaft being rotatably retained in the frame work and fixed to one of the vanes.

2. An air volume damper according to Claim comprising two links, a cross link arm pivotally connected to each link for translating the links together, alternate ones of the drive levers being coupled to one of the two links, translation of one of the links causing translation of the other li.nk and rotation of the respective drive levers in opposite directions.

3. An air volume damper according to Claim I or 2, in which the drive end shaft is also tapered and has a threaded hole in which is received a threaded bolt for further fixing the drive end shaft to the dri, e-er.

4. An air volume damper acco ig to any one of Claims 1 v to 3, in which the drive end ft has at least part of its cross section which is non-circular, and the vane comprises a hollow portion extending along its length centrally of its A ;width, the hollow portion being of complimentary cross section to said part ot the drivo end shaft for cffecting fixed rotation of the vane and drive and shaft simultaneously.

S. An air volume damper according to any onlQ of the preceding claims, comprising an intermediate shaft hiaving two at least part non-circular cross sectional portions at or adjacent opposed ends thereof, an intermediate portion of the intermediate shaft being rotatably retained in the framework, the said two non-circular cross sectional portions being fixed to rotate with lengthwise adjacent vanes.

6. An air volume damper according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a tail end shaft fixed to or 4 rotatable with respect to one of the vanes and rotatably retained in the framework. £41t

7# An air volume damper according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, in which the said part non-circular cross section is in the form of a cylindrical portion with a ridge extending I therealong, and the hollow portions of the vanes each having a cut out in which the respective ridge is received.

8, An air volume damper according to any one of Claims to 7, in which each of the vanes had a longitudinal crease in place of the said hollow portion, and a saddle is provided for overlying a part of the crease, the drive end 425 shaft and the intermediate shaft each have holes in which are received bolts or screws or the like, the bolts, screws or the like pass through holes in the saddle, and through the holes in the said shafts and through correspond,.ing holes in the respective vanes for fixing said shafts to said V IO -12- vianes, 9s An air volume dampera according to any one of Claims 1, 6 or 8 comprising a bush bearing for journalling the said shafts to the framework, the bush bearing having a contral hole in which the respective said shaft is fitted and projecting oars received in complimentary notches in the famowork to fix the bush bearing with respect thereto. An air volume damper according to any one of Claims to 9, in which the two non-circular parts of the intermediate shaft are oriented offset to offset the longitudinally adjacent vanes. 11, An air volume damper substantially as heroin described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED APRIL 24 1991 UNIQUE METAL WORKS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys KELVIN LORD AND CO1PANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. +1 t ft .4I I I j~f~4