CA1176219A - Quadrant operator - Google Patents
Quadrant operatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1176219A CA1176219A CA000426923A CA426923A CA1176219A CA 1176219 A CA1176219 A CA 1176219A CA 000426923 A CA000426923 A CA 000426923A CA 426923 A CA426923 A CA 426923A CA 1176219 A CA1176219 A CA 1176219A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- operator
- damper
- frame
- members
- blade
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)
Abstract
QUADRANT OPERATOR
Abstract of the Disclosure .. . .
A novel operator for use with a damper is disclosed comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected damper operator members which are pivotally associated with the damper blade linkage and frame, such that they may be moved to an over-center locking position to lock the damper blades in their desired fire actuated positions. The operator also comprises an actuator means for selectively acting through the operator to control the degree of blade opening, and a releasing device for responding to various activation conditions such as heat, for disengaging the actuator from the operator members to facilitate closure and automatic locking of the blades. The operator members may assay be springed biased to automatically accomplish blade c1osure .
Abstract of the Disclosure .. . .
A novel operator for use with a damper is disclosed comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected damper operator members which are pivotally associated with the damper blade linkage and frame, such that they may be moved to an over-center locking position to lock the damper blades in their desired fire actuated positions. The operator also comprises an actuator means for selectively acting through the operator to control the degree of blade opening, and a releasing device for responding to various activation conditions such as heat, for disengaging the actuator from the operator members to facilitate closure and automatic locking of the blades. The operator members may assay be springed biased to automatically accomplish blade c1osure .
Description
~176Z~
sackground of the Invention This is a division of application Serial No. 346,598 filed February 28, 1980.
The present invention generally relatcs to the field of damper operators, and more particularly, damper operators employing releasing devices such as bimetals or other heat responsive means which are used to actuate various fire protection equipment, such as their associated dampers, either in response to increases to heat in the vicinity of the device or in response to remote signals received thereby.
The present invention is particularly a~apted for use with dampers comprising a frame having one or more rotating blades mounted therein. Conventionally, such dampers are provided with blade linkages which ~rticulate the blad~s with respect to the frame so that the blades s~ill move in unison bett~een their open and closed positions with respect to the frame. It has long been known that such dampers ~ay be operated using cables attached to the b]ade brackets or blade linkages of these dampers, which cables are normally threaded through a ierrule disposed through the damper/duct wall to reach an operator motor mounted outside of the duct in which the damper is located. It is also known to bias the blades towards the closed position, as for example, usin~ springs extending between the damper frasne and the blades, and to provide fusihle links ln the cahle portion located within the d~-ct so that, in response to increased temperatures within the duct, the cable t~ill break and the springs cause the blades to move to the closed ~ 2 position, whereupon the passage of fire through the duct will be halted. Similar alternative arrangements have '- also been used for smoke dampers which are intended to move to the open position in response to the presence of smoke, and the herein below described invention is equally as applicable for use with such dampers.
Alternatively, it is known to operate dampers through a damper operator shaft, the rotation of which through an arc of gO corresponds to the rotation of the damper blades through 90 between their open and closed positions.
See, for example, the various damper operators disclosed in my prior issued United States Patent No. 4,113,232, dated September 12, 1978 entitled, "Smoke, Fire And Air Control Damper With Stamped Blade".
For other damper, blade linkage, spring biasing, and operator constructions, please refer to the following United States Patents Nos. 2,581,321: 2,654,921; 2,759,573;
sackground of the Invention This is a division of application Serial No. 346,598 filed February 28, 1980.
The present invention generally relatcs to the field of damper operators, and more particularly, damper operators employing releasing devices such as bimetals or other heat responsive means which are used to actuate various fire protection equipment, such as their associated dampers, either in response to increases to heat in the vicinity of the device or in response to remote signals received thereby.
The present invention is particularly a~apted for use with dampers comprising a frame having one or more rotating blades mounted therein. Conventionally, such dampers are provided with blade linkages which ~rticulate the blad~s with respect to the frame so that the blades s~ill move in unison bett~een their open and closed positions with respect to the frame. It has long been known that such dampers ~ay be operated using cables attached to the b]ade brackets or blade linkages of these dampers, which cables are normally threaded through a ierrule disposed through the damper/duct wall to reach an operator motor mounted outside of the duct in which the damper is located. It is also known to bias the blades towards the closed position, as for example, usin~ springs extending between the damper frasne and the blades, and to provide fusihle links ln the cahle portion located within the d~-ct so that, in response to increased temperatures within the duct, the cable t~ill break and the springs cause the blades to move to the closed ~ 2 position, whereupon the passage of fire through the duct will be halted. Similar alternative arrangements have '- also been used for smoke dampers which are intended to move to the open position in response to the presence of smoke, and the herein below described invention is equally as applicable for use with such dampers.
Alternatively, it is known to operate dampers through a damper operator shaft, the rotation of which through an arc of gO corresponds to the rotation of the damper blades through 90 between their open and closed positions.
See, for example, the various damper operators disclosed in my prior issued United States Patent No. 4,113,232, dated September 12, 1978 entitled, "Smoke, Fire And Air Control Damper With Stamped Blade".
For other damper, blade linkage, spring biasing, and operator constructions, please refer to the following United States Patents Nos. 2,581,321: 2,654,921; 2,759,573;
2,996,768; 3,273,632; 3,327,764; 3,540,154; 3,727,663;
3,741,102; 3,814,165; 3,866,656; 3,899,156; 3,908,529;
1,368,453; 3,543,439; and British Specification No. 907, dated January 13, 1904 and ~rench Patent No. 1,513,298.
Motorized operators for use in rotating damper operating shafts through an arc of 90 are known. Such motorized operators normally may be controlled from a remote source to adjust air flow through the damper by rotating the damper blades a preselected number of degrees from the closed towards the open position, which degrees are normally ~ahe l~3 1176219 assumed to correspond to the percentage of air fll~w through Lhat damper. For example, a 10 movement of the shaft normally corresponds to a 10 opening of the damper which is assumed to establish a corresponding air flow approximately 11 through the damper. In actuality, however, the relation-ship between arc of blade opening and air flow is not linear. In particular, during the initial stages of blade opening, correspondingly greater percentage volumes of air are permitted to pass through the damper for a given degree of blade opening, while as the damper blades approach their fully open positions correspondingly smaller increases in air flow are achieved per a given degree of blade rotation.
~'o dampe~/operator unit is presently known havin~ air ~low characteristics which exhibit a substantially linear relationship between air flow and degree of operator shaft rotation.
l~hile shaft/operated dampers may be prt!ferred in certain instances, such operators are typically difficult and expensive to install, primarily due to the $act that such operators normally must be installed to the dam~er frame after that damper has been installed within the duct.
Such a requirement makes installation difficult and exptn-sive, often resultin~ in improperly installed damper--operator combinations.
Summary of the_Invention The present invention ~rovidts a soph,sticated, easy to install damperloperator combination exhibiting ~any advantagts over those heretofore kno-~n to the art.
1~762~9 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an operator for operating a damper, comprising: (a) an actuator plate operatively associated with said damper;
(b) a plurality of pivotally interconnected members, at least one of which is pivotally associated with said actuator plate; and (c) actuating means for selectively interconnect-ing said interconnected members to said actuator plate.
According to another aspect the invention provides an operator for operating a damper having a frame, at least one blade, and blade linkage means connected to said blade for articulating said blade with respect to said frame, comprising: (a) at least two operator members, said members being pivotally interconnected, a first of said members being a frame associated member which is pivotally associated with said frame, and a second of said members being a linkage associated member which is pivotally associated with said linkage means; (b) wherein said members are associated with said linkage means and said frame so that upon rotation of said frame associated member relative to said frame, through an operating portion of its arc, said blade will be articu-lated relative to said frame; and (c) releasing means for selectively releasing said operator members for rotation.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fire damper comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected damper operator members which are pivotally associated with the frame and with the linkage means of the damper. One of these members, a frame associ-ated operator member, defined an operating arc of between ~ c ~ o 3 ~76219 about 82 and 89 which causes the blades to move bet~een their closed and their open position. The ~rame assoc~ated operator member additionally travels through a locklng portion of its arc which is greater than 0 and less than 7 to accomplish an over-center locking of the bla-ies.
In, the preferred embodiment, a shaft-ty~e actu-ating means is provided which is selectively interconnected with the frame associated operating memher by a releasing device which permits normal operation of the damper between its open and closed positions except in response to fire actuatin~ conditions, such as heat, whereupon the actuator means is disengaged ~rom the frame associated member.
Biasing means associated with the operator (or other biasing means lo-ated elsewhere, if desired) will then drive the operator into its locked over-center position. Once loc~ed, substantial forces which may tend to alter the blade position wi]l be resisted by the over-center lockin~ of the damper operator.
A novel assembly method is also provided which enables an operator mounting bracket to be mounted on a portion of the frame during the initial construction of the damper. ~nce the damper frame is in place, a hole is simply drilled through the wall of its associated duct and the various operator parts assembled by sliding the operator shaft throu~h a hole in the frame associated member and mounting bushing and then by rotating that shaft into a position with its normal operating andlor locking arcs. ~f sprin~ biasing of the operator i~ desired, a coiled spring may then be manually applied to engage various bia~ mounting portions of the operator. In this manner, no special tools or delicate operations are necessary for final installation.
~ 03 ~176~9 J ~ccordingly, a primary object of the prcsent inventioll îs the provision of a simple, reliable, impro~ed damper operator.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an easily installed damper operator.
A further aim of the present invention is the provision of a fail-safe, damper operator whlch may be automatically resettable.
A further obiect of the present invention is the provision of a shaft operated damper operator where~n, at least during the initial phases of blade opening, the percentage of air flow corresponds in a substantially linear fashion to the degree of shaft rotation of the damper operator.
These and other objec~s of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawin~s ._ Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferre~ embodiment damper operat~r shown mounted to the 2n linkage ~eans of a damper whose blades are held in the open position, the entire unit being shown mounted within a fragmentary portion of a duct.
Fig. 2 is fragmentary view of a portion of the damper and operator shown in Fig. 1 wherein the damp2r operator is in its locked, over~center position as tne result cf the release of the actuating means by the releasing device mounted on the frame associated opera~r member.
~C~ 3 ~ J
~1762~9 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 taken as indicated by the lines and arro~s 3-3 in Fig. l.
Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the preferred embodiment damper operator illustrated in Figs.
1-3 illu;trating the assembly of that damper/operator.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a damper and duct showing a first alternate embodiment shaft-operated, spring-biased, fusible-link-containing operator in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 5 taken as indicated by the lines and arro\~s 6-6 in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a damper and second alternate embodiment operator and motor-cahle actuator.
_Lailed Description of the Preferred Embodimen Althou~h specific forms of the invention has b~en selected for illustration in the drawings, and the follo-~ing descript'on is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describillg these forms of the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
The present invention basically comprises an oper-ator for operating a damper having a frame, at least one blade, and blade linkage means connected to said blade for articulal:ing the blade with ~espect to the fra~e. In its 1~76219 normal installation this operator is intended to permit or cause closure of the blade(s) to their fully closed position with respect to the frame, as for example, in response to fire actuating conditions such as heat or remote fire alarm signals, and to maintain those blades in the closed position at least until the fire actuating conditions have passed. In the following description and claims, it is assumed that the desired fire actuating position of the blades is the fully closed position with respect to the frame, however, one of ordinary skill in this art will understand that if the damper is to be used as a smoke damper, the desired fire actuated position may be the fully open position of the damper, whereupon the damper operator shall be mounted so that it assumes the locked, over-center position when those blades are fully opened.
In the drawings, the preferred embodiment damper operators are shown in association with a preferred damper, designated generally 100, having damper blades lQ2, 104 and 106 which are disposed within frame 108 having at least one inwardly depending frame flange 110 on which the damper operator may be mounted. In Figs. 1, 5 and 7 this damper is shown mounted within a duct 112. For additional details relating to the preferred embodiment rotating blade damper which may be used with the preferred embodiment operators of the present invention, please refer to the above cross-referenced patents relating to such dampers.
In the figures, the illustrated dampers are seen to comprise linkage means for articulating the _ g _ `k(~ he-lO3 ~_ blades ~ith respect to the frame. This linka~e means comprises blade brackets 202 and 204, linkage bar 206 and linkage ~ar pivots 208 and 210. ~lovement of the linkage bar through an arc defined by the radius between Lts pivots 208 and 210 and their respective blade pivots causes the blades to move l)etween their open and closed positions.
In Figs. 1-4, the preferred embodiment damper operator designated generally 300 is illustrated. This damper operator comprises linkage associated operator member 302 and frame associated operator member 304 which are pivotall~ interconnected by operator member pi~ot 306. The linkage associated operator member 302 is pivotally mounted with respect to the damper frame by mounting means 320. This mounting means comprises a frame mounting bracket 322 which is connected to frame flange 110, a bushing bracket 324 connected to the frame mounting bracket, and a buslling means 326 for defining a bore in the mo~lnting means to receive shaft 35k. A stop means 328 for limiting the arc of rotstion of at least the frame associated member 304 is al:;o mounted on frame mounting bracket 322. By limiting t~e arc of rotation of said frame associated member 304, the stop means defines an over-center position wherein operator member pivot 306 has passed over a line described by the linka~e bar pivo~ 210, which connects linkaRe associated operator ~5 member 3~ to the linlcage, and shaft 354 whlch pivotally connects the frame associated operator member 304 to the frame through frame mounting bracket 322. This over-center position will effectively resist any "opening" fo)ces which may be transferred to the operator through linkage bar 20fi, such as may result under fire actuating conditions.
:1176219 In the preferred embodiment, the mounting means addi-~_ tionally comprises an L-bracket 329 having a bias mount portion 330 and an actuator interlock portion 332. The actuator interlock portion 332 cooperates with bias mounting pin 334 and a protruding portion of shaft 354 to act as a mount for biasing spring 402. This biasing spring 402 biases the frame associated member 304 into its over-center locked position by spanning between the bias mount portion 330 and bias mounting pin 334. Under normal operating conditions the actuator means for selectively causing the rotation of the frame associated member at least in a first direction away from the over-center locking position will effectively counteract forces applied by the bias mounting spring. Under fire actuat-ing conditions, however, the releasing device, such as bimetallic releasing device 372 will disengage the frame associated member ~04 from the actuator means to allow the biasing spring to drive the operator into its locked over-center position, whereby closing and locking the damper.
In the preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned acutator means may comprise either ~ shaft means for selectively causing the rotation of the frame associated member in said first direction or a cable means for ac-complishing the same result. In Figs. 1-5 shaft-type actuator means are disclosed wherein shaft 354 extends through duct wall 112 for connection to an operator motor 384 shown externally supported on motor mount 366. Each shaft means is provided with an actuator plate which is rigidly attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, as ~or example, by welding. The shaft actuator plate 356 :1~76219 comprises a frame associated member connecting portion 358 which is generally remotely located ~ith respect to the shaft, an actuator interlock cut-out 360 which cooperates with actuator interlock portion 332 (as described herein-after), an actuator resetting edge 362 and a releasingdevice reception slot 364. In Fig. 1, the actuator plate 356 is shown in its engaged position wherein a pin of bi-metallic releasing device 372 is disposed within slot 364 to interconnect the actuator plate 356, and more particu-larly, the frame associated member connecting portion 358thereof with the frame associated operating member 304.
Under these conditions, rotation of shaft 354 through its normal 90 arc will cause the blades to move between their fully open and fully closed positions through an operating portion of the arc which is between 75 and 95, prefer-ably 83 to 89, and may travel beyond said operating portion of said arc through a locking portion of said arc of rotation to the over-center locking position to lock the blades with respect to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the locking portion of this arc is greater than 0 but less than 7, preferably 1 to 4, of the arc of rotation of the shaft.
In the presence of fire actuating conditions, the releasing means for releasing the frame associated member from the actuator means preferably comprises a bimetallic releasing device similar to that described in my prior issued United States Patents Nos. 3,889,314; 4,041,570;
3,725,972; and 4,074,388. This releasing device will respond either to increases in ambient temperature in the vicinity of the damper (within the duct) or to remote signals received by that device. In either instance, the 1~76219 releasing device will disengage itself from the slot 364 defined in actuator plate 356, whereupon the biasing means drives the operator and associated fire damper into its fire actuated, over-center, locked position. As long as 5 fire actuating conditions persist, reciprocation of the actuator means through its full normal arc of rotation will not cause re-engagement of the actuator plate 356 with the releasing device 372, and therefore will not be effective in moving the operator out of its over-center 10 locked position. Once normal conditions have been re-established, however, a beveled, actuator resetting edge 362 will effectively enqage and lift a portion of the tip of a bimetallic releasing device 372 so that tip or pin of the releasing device may slide across a surface of the actuator plate to snap into slot 364. In this manner, recycling of the operator after fire conditions have passed will cause the operator to automatically reset.
Fig. 4 clearly illustrates the ease with whi~h the preferred embodiment operator may be assembled on the job 20 site. Preferably, mounting means 320 will be riveted or otherwise attached to an inwardly depending flange, such as flange 110, of the damper upon the initial construction of the damper, or at least prior to the installation of the damper within the duct. Linkage bar pivot 210 may similarly be connected to linkage associated operating member 302 prior to final installation. For final in-stallation, the biasing means 402, actuator means 350 and washers 355 may be temporarily removed from the damper/
operator unit during a first phase of final assembly.
30 Once this damper/operator unit is installed within the duct, a bore corresponding to the interior dimension of ~176;~19 bushing 326 may be drilled into the d~ct wall, whereupon the actuator means oriented in the relative rotational position shown in Fig. 4 may be threaded through washers 355, a shaft receiving bore in ~rame associated operator member 304 and finally through bushing 326 whereupon shaft 354 will protrude out of the duct in which the damper/
operator unit has been installed. The actuator interlock cutout 360 and actuator interlock portion 332 are com-plimentally configured so that at least in one relative rotational position, axlal movement of the shaft 354 with respect to b~shing 326 is permitted. These portions are also configured so that through the normal operating and locking arcs of rotation of the shaft and act~ator plate 356, relative axial movement of the shaft within the bushing is prevented. ~n this manner, no special tools will be required for final assembly of the operator within the duct. Similarly, application of the biasing means 402 is easily accomplished by slipping the coiled portion of the biased means over a protruding portion of the shaft and manually applying the protruding tips thereof over the bias mountin~ pin 334 and bias mount portion 330 respectively.
In Fig. 5, a first alternative embodiment of the operator of the present invention is illustrated. This operator retains some of the features of the preferred ~ 14 -~ 3 117~Z19 embodiment operator illustrated in ~igs. 1-4, yet at lo~er costs. In this figure, corresponding portions of the operator have been numbered in a corresponding manner to those numbers used in Figs. 1-4, ho;~ever the shapes of the S corresponding elements have been somewhat altered to simplify their design. In Fig. 5, the mounting bracket is seen to be a substantially L-shaped bracket having a perpendicular flange 328 formed thereon which acts as a stop means not only for limiting the arc of rotation of the frame associated member 304, but also for limiting the arc of rotation of actuator plate 356 in the opposite direction.
This variation is necessary by reason of the alternate position of spring 402 which In this embodiment spans between remote portions of the actuator plate 356 and frame lS associated member 304. A fusible link 374 also spans bet~een these members, so that upon normal operation of the device, the rota~ion of shaf~ 354 will ca~lse rigidly interconnected actuator plate 356 to rotate therewith and to drive pivotally associated frame associated member 3G4 thro~gh fusible link 374. In response to heat in the vicinity of the fusible link, the fusible link wi]l separate, ~t least causing the frame associated member to move to its over--center ]ocked position, which is the position o tnat member illustral:ed in Fig. 5. The locking of the operator will additionally be accomplished re~,ardless o whatever position shaft 35'~ and actuator plate 356 may be in, and ~ill occur even if shaft 354 has been entirely released from its 'lcCab~-] ()3 1~76;~19 ~ operatinlr motor, whereupon the spring 402 will also drive the actuator plate 356 into the position sho~n in phantom ln Fig. 5 wherein a protruding portion will interfere with stop means 328 to thereby establish a fixed position against which thc spring 402 may act.
In Fig. 6, the particular inter-arrangement of the fusible link 374, spring tips 402, actuator plate 356 and frame associated operating member 304 are clearly illus-trated. '.~hile this embodiment is not automatically reset-ting, it nonetheless provides many of the advantages of thatdescribed in connection with the preferred embodiment illus-trated in Figs. 1 through 4, yet at a lower cost.
In Fig. 7 a cable actuated embodiment is shown which also retains many of the advantages of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 4. In this embodiment, the ~rame associated member 304 is pivotally connectecl to frame mounting bracket 322 by a conventional, fixed pivot shaft 380 whicll extends outwardly therefrom. The stop means 328 acts to define the over-center locked position of the frame 2n associated me;nber 304 in the manner described ahove in connecticn with the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6. Since an actuator shaft and plate are not necessary in this embodi-ment, however, the spring 402 spans between one eclge of the stop meal~s 328 around a protruding portion of fixed pivot shaft 380 to an offset slotted portion of the frame associated mcmber 304. The spring 40~ nonetheless col-tinues to act to continuously drive the frame associat~d me~!ber ro-~ards its over-center, locked position wherein it engages .~176Z19 stop means 328. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the actuator means for selecti~ely causing the rotation of the frame associated member at least in a first direction away from the over-center position comprises a motor designated gen-erally 384 which acts through a pulley on cable 368 which is threaded through ~errule 369 to fusible link 374, which in turn is connected to one of the operator members, pre-ferably the frame associated operator member 304, in the vicinity of operator member pivot 306. In this manner, by causing the operator motor 384 to draw the cable in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7, the damper will be caused to move between its closed and open positions.
In addition to the advantages described above, the novel operator arrangements disclosed in Figs. 1 through 7 possess the additional advantage of providing improved operator-damper actuation-air flow characteristics.
During the initial phases in the opening of the,damper through the preferred embodiment operators, relatively less blade rotation is accomplished for a given percentage of operator actuation. This phenomenon results from the fact that the paths of initial movement of the operator member pivot 306 and linkage rod ~06, and more par-ticularly linkage rod pivot 210, are transverse at the beginning of the cycle which opens the biades, while the paths of those arcs converge as the blades and operator approach their fully open (actuated) positions. Accord-ingly, at the beginning of the opening cycle, a given degree of actuation will produce relatively less rota-tion of the blades than at the end of the opening cycle, wherein the arcs defined by the linkage rod and the operator member pivot 306 are su~stantially coincident.
~ L76219 Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present invention to measure the air flow characteristics of a given damper with which the operator of the present invention is to be used, to alter the various radii of the operator members 302 and 304, and to further alter the length of the operating arc and locking arc of the actuator so that a given arc of actuator rotation will correspond in a substantially linear fashion to the percentage of air flow through the damper which is associated therewith.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.
- 18 ~
1,368,453; 3,543,439; and British Specification No. 907, dated January 13, 1904 and ~rench Patent No. 1,513,298.
Motorized operators for use in rotating damper operating shafts through an arc of 90 are known. Such motorized operators normally may be controlled from a remote source to adjust air flow through the damper by rotating the damper blades a preselected number of degrees from the closed towards the open position, which degrees are normally ~ahe l~3 1176219 assumed to correspond to the percentage of air fll~w through Lhat damper. For example, a 10 movement of the shaft normally corresponds to a 10 opening of the damper which is assumed to establish a corresponding air flow approximately 11 through the damper. In actuality, however, the relation-ship between arc of blade opening and air flow is not linear. In particular, during the initial stages of blade opening, correspondingly greater percentage volumes of air are permitted to pass through the damper for a given degree of blade opening, while as the damper blades approach their fully open positions correspondingly smaller increases in air flow are achieved per a given degree of blade rotation.
~'o dampe~/operator unit is presently known havin~ air ~low characteristics which exhibit a substantially linear relationship between air flow and degree of operator shaft rotation.
l~hile shaft/operated dampers may be prt!ferred in certain instances, such operators are typically difficult and expensive to install, primarily due to the $act that such operators normally must be installed to the dam~er frame after that damper has been installed within the duct.
Such a requirement makes installation difficult and exptn-sive, often resultin~ in improperly installed damper--operator combinations.
Summary of the_Invention The present invention ~rovidts a soph,sticated, easy to install damperloperator combination exhibiting ~any advantagts over those heretofore kno-~n to the art.
1~762~9 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an operator for operating a damper, comprising: (a) an actuator plate operatively associated with said damper;
(b) a plurality of pivotally interconnected members, at least one of which is pivotally associated with said actuator plate; and (c) actuating means for selectively interconnect-ing said interconnected members to said actuator plate.
According to another aspect the invention provides an operator for operating a damper having a frame, at least one blade, and blade linkage means connected to said blade for articulating said blade with respect to said frame, comprising: (a) at least two operator members, said members being pivotally interconnected, a first of said members being a frame associated member which is pivotally associated with said frame, and a second of said members being a linkage associated member which is pivotally associated with said linkage means; (b) wherein said members are associated with said linkage means and said frame so that upon rotation of said frame associated member relative to said frame, through an operating portion of its arc, said blade will be articu-lated relative to said frame; and (c) releasing means for selectively releasing said operator members for rotation.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fire damper comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected damper operator members which are pivotally associated with the frame and with the linkage means of the damper. One of these members, a frame associ-ated operator member, defined an operating arc of between ~ c ~ o 3 ~76219 about 82 and 89 which causes the blades to move bet~een their closed and their open position. The ~rame assoc~ated operator member additionally travels through a locklng portion of its arc which is greater than 0 and less than 7 to accomplish an over-center locking of the bla-ies.
In, the preferred embodiment, a shaft-ty~e actu-ating means is provided which is selectively interconnected with the frame associated operating memher by a releasing device which permits normal operation of the damper between its open and closed positions except in response to fire actuatin~ conditions, such as heat, whereupon the actuator means is disengaged ~rom the frame associated member.
Biasing means associated with the operator (or other biasing means lo-ated elsewhere, if desired) will then drive the operator into its locked over-center position. Once loc~ed, substantial forces which may tend to alter the blade position wi]l be resisted by the over-center lockin~ of the damper operator.
A novel assembly method is also provided which enables an operator mounting bracket to be mounted on a portion of the frame during the initial construction of the damper. ~nce the damper frame is in place, a hole is simply drilled through the wall of its associated duct and the various operator parts assembled by sliding the operator shaft throu~h a hole in the frame associated member and mounting bushing and then by rotating that shaft into a position with its normal operating andlor locking arcs. ~f sprin~ biasing of the operator i~ desired, a coiled spring may then be manually applied to engage various bia~ mounting portions of the operator. In this manner, no special tools or delicate operations are necessary for final installation.
~ 03 ~176~9 J ~ccordingly, a primary object of the prcsent inventioll îs the provision of a simple, reliable, impro~ed damper operator.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an easily installed damper operator.
A further aim of the present invention is the provision of a fail-safe, damper operator whlch may be automatically resettable.
A further obiect of the present invention is the provision of a shaft operated damper operator where~n, at least during the initial phases of blade opening, the percentage of air flow corresponds in a substantially linear fashion to the degree of shaft rotation of the damper operator.
These and other objec~s of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawin~s ._ Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferre~ embodiment damper operat~r shown mounted to the 2n linkage ~eans of a damper whose blades are held in the open position, the entire unit being shown mounted within a fragmentary portion of a duct.
Fig. 2 is fragmentary view of a portion of the damper and operator shown in Fig. 1 wherein the damp2r operator is in its locked, over~center position as tne result cf the release of the actuating means by the releasing device mounted on the frame associated opera~r member.
~C~ 3 ~ J
~1762~9 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 taken as indicated by the lines and arro~s 3-3 in Fig. l.
Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the preferred embodiment damper operator illustrated in Figs.
1-3 illu;trating the assembly of that damper/operator.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a damper and duct showing a first alternate embodiment shaft-operated, spring-biased, fusible-link-containing operator in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 5 taken as indicated by the lines and arro\~s 6-6 in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a damper and second alternate embodiment operator and motor-cahle actuator.
_Lailed Description of the Preferred Embodimen Althou~h specific forms of the invention has b~en selected for illustration in the drawings, and the follo-~ing descript'on is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describillg these forms of the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
The present invention basically comprises an oper-ator for operating a damper having a frame, at least one blade, and blade linkage means connected to said blade for articulal:ing the blade with ~espect to the fra~e. In its 1~76219 normal installation this operator is intended to permit or cause closure of the blade(s) to their fully closed position with respect to the frame, as for example, in response to fire actuating conditions such as heat or remote fire alarm signals, and to maintain those blades in the closed position at least until the fire actuating conditions have passed. In the following description and claims, it is assumed that the desired fire actuating position of the blades is the fully closed position with respect to the frame, however, one of ordinary skill in this art will understand that if the damper is to be used as a smoke damper, the desired fire actuated position may be the fully open position of the damper, whereupon the damper operator shall be mounted so that it assumes the locked, over-center position when those blades are fully opened.
In the drawings, the preferred embodiment damper operators are shown in association with a preferred damper, designated generally 100, having damper blades lQ2, 104 and 106 which are disposed within frame 108 having at least one inwardly depending frame flange 110 on which the damper operator may be mounted. In Figs. 1, 5 and 7 this damper is shown mounted within a duct 112. For additional details relating to the preferred embodiment rotating blade damper which may be used with the preferred embodiment operators of the present invention, please refer to the above cross-referenced patents relating to such dampers.
In the figures, the illustrated dampers are seen to comprise linkage means for articulating the _ g _ `k(~ he-lO3 ~_ blades ~ith respect to the frame. This linka~e means comprises blade brackets 202 and 204, linkage bar 206 and linkage ~ar pivots 208 and 210. ~lovement of the linkage bar through an arc defined by the radius between Lts pivots 208 and 210 and their respective blade pivots causes the blades to move l)etween their open and closed positions.
In Figs. 1-4, the preferred embodiment damper operator designated generally 300 is illustrated. This damper operator comprises linkage associated operator member 302 and frame associated operator member 304 which are pivotall~ interconnected by operator member pi~ot 306. The linkage associated operator member 302 is pivotally mounted with respect to the damper frame by mounting means 320. This mounting means comprises a frame mounting bracket 322 which is connected to frame flange 110, a bushing bracket 324 connected to the frame mounting bracket, and a buslling means 326 for defining a bore in the mo~lnting means to receive shaft 35k. A stop means 328 for limiting the arc of rotstion of at least the frame associated member 304 is al:;o mounted on frame mounting bracket 322. By limiting t~e arc of rotation of said frame associated member 304, the stop means defines an over-center position wherein operator member pivot 306 has passed over a line described by the linka~e bar pivo~ 210, which connects linkaRe associated operator ~5 member 3~ to the linlcage, and shaft 354 whlch pivotally connects the frame associated operator member 304 to the frame through frame mounting bracket 322. This over-center position will effectively resist any "opening" fo)ces which may be transferred to the operator through linkage bar 20fi, such as may result under fire actuating conditions.
:1176219 In the preferred embodiment, the mounting means addi-~_ tionally comprises an L-bracket 329 having a bias mount portion 330 and an actuator interlock portion 332. The actuator interlock portion 332 cooperates with bias mounting pin 334 and a protruding portion of shaft 354 to act as a mount for biasing spring 402. This biasing spring 402 biases the frame associated member 304 into its over-center locked position by spanning between the bias mount portion 330 and bias mounting pin 334. Under normal operating conditions the actuator means for selectively causing the rotation of the frame associated member at least in a first direction away from the over-center locking position will effectively counteract forces applied by the bias mounting spring. Under fire actuat-ing conditions, however, the releasing device, such as bimetallic releasing device 372 will disengage the frame associated member ~04 from the actuator means to allow the biasing spring to drive the operator into its locked over-center position, whereby closing and locking the damper.
In the preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned acutator means may comprise either ~ shaft means for selectively causing the rotation of the frame associated member in said first direction or a cable means for ac-complishing the same result. In Figs. 1-5 shaft-type actuator means are disclosed wherein shaft 354 extends through duct wall 112 for connection to an operator motor 384 shown externally supported on motor mount 366. Each shaft means is provided with an actuator plate which is rigidly attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, as ~or example, by welding. The shaft actuator plate 356 :1~76219 comprises a frame associated member connecting portion 358 which is generally remotely located ~ith respect to the shaft, an actuator interlock cut-out 360 which cooperates with actuator interlock portion 332 (as described herein-after), an actuator resetting edge 362 and a releasingdevice reception slot 364. In Fig. 1, the actuator plate 356 is shown in its engaged position wherein a pin of bi-metallic releasing device 372 is disposed within slot 364 to interconnect the actuator plate 356, and more particu-larly, the frame associated member connecting portion 358thereof with the frame associated operating member 304.
Under these conditions, rotation of shaft 354 through its normal 90 arc will cause the blades to move between their fully open and fully closed positions through an operating portion of the arc which is between 75 and 95, prefer-ably 83 to 89, and may travel beyond said operating portion of said arc through a locking portion of said arc of rotation to the over-center locking position to lock the blades with respect to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the locking portion of this arc is greater than 0 but less than 7, preferably 1 to 4, of the arc of rotation of the shaft.
In the presence of fire actuating conditions, the releasing means for releasing the frame associated member from the actuator means preferably comprises a bimetallic releasing device similar to that described in my prior issued United States Patents Nos. 3,889,314; 4,041,570;
3,725,972; and 4,074,388. This releasing device will respond either to increases in ambient temperature in the vicinity of the damper (within the duct) or to remote signals received by that device. In either instance, the 1~76219 releasing device will disengage itself from the slot 364 defined in actuator plate 356, whereupon the biasing means drives the operator and associated fire damper into its fire actuated, over-center, locked position. As long as 5 fire actuating conditions persist, reciprocation of the actuator means through its full normal arc of rotation will not cause re-engagement of the actuator plate 356 with the releasing device 372, and therefore will not be effective in moving the operator out of its over-center 10 locked position. Once normal conditions have been re-established, however, a beveled, actuator resetting edge 362 will effectively enqage and lift a portion of the tip of a bimetallic releasing device 372 so that tip or pin of the releasing device may slide across a surface of the actuator plate to snap into slot 364. In this manner, recycling of the operator after fire conditions have passed will cause the operator to automatically reset.
Fig. 4 clearly illustrates the ease with whi~h the preferred embodiment operator may be assembled on the job 20 site. Preferably, mounting means 320 will be riveted or otherwise attached to an inwardly depending flange, such as flange 110, of the damper upon the initial construction of the damper, or at least prior to the installation of the damper within the duct. Linkage bar pivot 210 may similarly be connected to linkage associated operating member 302 prior to final installation. For final in-stallation, the biasing means 402, actuator means 350 and washers 355 may be temporarily removed from the damper/
operator unit during a first phase of final assembly.
30 Once this damper/operator unit is installed within the duct, a bore corresponding to the interior dimension of ~176;~19 bushing 326 may be drilled into the d~ct wall, whereupon the actuator means oriented in the relative rotational position shown in Fig. 4 may be threaded through washers 355, a shaft receiving bore in ~rame associated operator member 304 and finally through bushing 326 whereupon shaft 354 will protrude out of the duct in which the damper/
operator unit has been installed. The actuator interlock cutout 360 and actuator interlock portion 332 are com-plimentally configured so that at least in one relative rotational position, axlal movement of the shaft 354 with respect to b~shing 326 is permitted. These portions are also configured so that through the normal operating and locking arcs of rotation of the shaft and act~ator plate 356, relative axial movement of the shaft within the bushing is prevented. ~n this manner, no special tools will be required for final assembly of the operator within the duct. Similarly, application of the biasing means 402 is easily accomplished by slipping the coiled portion of the biased means over a protruding portion of the shaft and manually applying the protruding tips thereof over the bias mountin~ pin 334 and bias mount portion 330 respectively.
In Fig. 5, a first alternative embodiment of the operator of the present invention is illustrated. This operator retains some of the features of the preferred ~ 14 -~ 3 117~Z19 embodiment operator illustrated in ~igs. 1-4, yet at lo~er costs. In this figure, corresponding portions of the operator have been numbered in a corresponding manner to those numbers used in Figs. 1-4, ho;~ever the shapes of the S corresponding elements have been somewhat altered to simplify their design. In Fig. 5, the mounting bracket is seen to be a substantially L-shaped bracket having a perpendicular flange 328 formed thereon which acts as a stop means not only for limiting the arc of rotation of the frame associated member 304, but also for limiting the arc of rotation of actuator plate 356 in the opposite direction.
This variation is necessary by reason of the alternate position of spring 402 which In this embodiment spans between remote portions of the actuator plate 356 and frame lS associated member 304. A fusible link 374 also spans bet~een these members, so that upon normal operation of the device, the rota~ion of shaf~ 354 will ca~lse rigidly interconnected actuator plate 356 to rotate therewith and to drive pivotally associated frame associated member 3G4 thro~gh fusible link 374. In response to heat in the vicinity of the fusible link, the fusible link wi]l separate, ~t least causing the frame associated member to move to its over--center ]ocked position, which is the position o tnat member illustral:ed in Fig. 5. The locking of the operator will additionally be accomplished re~,ardless o whatever position shaft 35'~ and actuator plate 356 may be in, and ~ill occur even if shaft 354 has been entirely released from its 'lcCab~-] ()3 1~76;~19 ~ operatinlr motor, whereupon the spring 402 will also drive the actuator plate 356 into the position sho~n in phantom ln Fig. 5 wherein a protruding portion will interfere with stop means 328 to thereby establish a fixed position against which thc spring 402 may act.
In Fig. 6, the particular inter-arrangement of the fusible link 374, spring tips 402, actuator plate 356 and frame associated operating member 304 are clearly illus-trated. '.~hile this embodiment is not automatically reset-ting, it nonetheless provides many of the advantages of thatdescribed in connection with the preferred embodiment illus-trated in Figs. 1 through 4, yet at a lower cost.
In Fig. 7 a cable actuated embodiment is shown which also retains many of the advantages of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 4. In this embodiment, the ~rame associated member 304 is pivotally connectecl to frame mounting bracket 322 by a conventional, fixed pivot shaft 380 whicll extends outwardly therefrom. The stop means 328 acts to define the over-center locked position of the frame 2n associated me;nber 304 in the manner described ahove in connecticn with the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6. Since an actuator shaft and plate are not necessary in this embodi-ment, however, the spring 402 spans between one eclge of the stop meal~s 328 around a protruding portion of fixed pivot shaft 380 to an offset slotted portion of the frame associated mcmber 304. The spring 40~ nonetheless col-tinues to act to continuously drive the frame associat~d me~!ber ro-~ards its over-center, locked position wherein it engages .~176Z19 stop means 328. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the actuator means for selecti~ely causing the rotation of the frame associated member at least in a first direction away from the over-center position comprises a motor designated gen-erally 384 which acts through a pulley on cable 368 which is threaded through ~errule 369 to fusible link 374, which in turn is connected to one of the operator members, pre-ferably the frame associated operator member 304, in the vicinity of operator member pivot 306. In this manner, by causing the operator motor 384 to draw the cable in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7, the damper will be caused to move between its closed and open positions.
In addition to the advantages described above, the novel operator arrangements disclosed in Figs. 1 through 7 possess the additional advantage of providing improved operator-damper actuation-air flow characteristics.
During the initial phases in the opening of the,damper through the preferred embodiment operators, relatively less blade rotation is accomplished for a given percentage of operator actuation. This phenomenon results from the fact that the paths of initial movement of the operator member pivot 306 and linkage rod ~06, and more par-ticularly linkage rod pivot 210, are transverse at the beginning of the cycle which opens the biades, while the paths of those arcs converge as the blades and operator approach their fully open (actuated) positions. Accord-ingly, at the beginning of the opening cycle, a given degree of actuation will produce relatively less rota-tion of the blades than at the end of the opening cycle, wherein the arcs defined by the linkage rod and the operator member pivot 306 are su~stantially coincident.
~ L76219 Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present invention to measure the air flow characteristics of a given damper with which the operator of the present invention is to be used, to alter the various radii of the operator members 302 and 304, and to further alter the length of the operating arc and locking arc of the actuator so that a given arc of actuator rotation will correspond in a substantially linear fashion to the percentage of air flow through the damper which is associated therewith.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.
- 18 ~
Claims (9)
1. An operator for operating a damper, comprising:
(a) an actuator plate operatively associated with said damper;
(b) a plurality of pivotally interconnected members, at least one of which is pivotally associated with said actuator plate; and (c) actuating means for selectively interconnecting said interconnected members to said actuator plate.
(a) an actuator plate operatively associated with said damper;
(b) a plurality of pivotally interconnected members, at least one of which is pivotally associated with said actuator plate; and (c) actuating means for selectively interconnecting said interconnected members to said actuator plate.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises releasing means for selectively disengaging said actuator plate and said interconnected members to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween.
3. An operator for operating a damper having a frame, at least one blade, and blade linkage means connected to said blade for articulating said blade with respect to said frame, comprising:
(a) at least two operator members, said members being pivotally interconnected, a first of said members being a frame associated member which is pivotally associated with said frame, and a second of said members being a linkage associated member which is pivotally associated with said linkage means;
(b) wherein said members are associated with said linkage means and said frame so that upon rotation of said frame associated member relative to said frame, through an operating portion of its arc, said blade will be articu-lated relative to said frame; and (c) releasing means for selectively releasing said operator members for rotation.
(a) at least two operator members, said members being pivotally interconnected, a first of said members being a frame associated member which is pivotally associated with said frame, and a second of said members being a linkage associated member which is pivotally associated with said linkage means;
(b) wherein said members are associated with said linkage means and said frame so that upon rotation of said frame associated member relative to said frame, through an operating portion of its arc, said blade will be articu-lated relative to said frame; and (c) releasing means for selectively releasing said operator members for rotation.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said releasing means comprises a heat responsive releasing device.
5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said releasing means comprises a fusible releasing device.
6. The invention of claim 4 wherein said releasing means comprises a bimetallic releasing device.
7. The invention of claim 3 wherein said operator further comprises biasing means for biasing said blade toward a selected position.
8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said selected position is a fully closed position.
9. The invention of claim 3 wherein said operator further comprises resetting means for selectively reengaging said operator members.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000426923A CA1176219A (en) | 1979-03-01 | 1983-04-28 | Quadrant operator |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US016,514 | 1979-03-01 | ||
| US06/016,514 US4301569A (en) | 1978-05-12 | 1979-03-01 | Quadrant operator |
| CA000346598A CA1150710A (en) | 1979-03-01 | 1980-02-28 | Quadrant operator |
| CA000426923A CA1176219A (en) | 1979-03-01 | 1983-04-28 | Quadrant operator |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000346598A Division CA1150710A (en) | 1979-03-01 | 1980-02-28 | Quadrant operator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1176219A true CA1176219A (en) | 1984-10-16 |
Family
ID=27166595
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000426923A Expired CA1176219A (en) | 1979-03-01 | 1983-04-28 | Quadrant operator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1176219A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK178221B1 (en) * | 2014-04-28 | 2015-08-31 | Skov As | Valve unit and method and application |
-
1983
- 1983-04-28 CA CA000426923A patent/CA1176219A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK178221B1 (en) * | 2014-04-28 | 2015-08-31 | Skov As | Valve unit and method and application |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5533929A (en) | Remotely trippable and resettable damper | |
| US5634296A (en) | Remote control door operating device | |
| US4487214A (en) | Damper blade actuating mechanism | |
| US4338967A (en) | Universal link bar operator and actuator for rotating blade air, smoke, and fire dampers | |
| US5752344A (en) | Swing gate operator | |
| US5419305A (en) | Automatic bimetal safety latch for self-cleaning oven doors | |
| US4817912A (en) | Bi-metal operator for smoke, fire and air control damper | |
| US7018289B2 (en) | Latch assembly for damper | |
| US4301569A (en) | Quadrant operator | |
| CA1310996C (en) | Oven door with means for preventing inadvertent locking | |
| US5440103A (en) | Cooking apparatus, latching construction therefor and methods of making the same | |
| US20060260698A1 (en) | Damper accessory mounting system | |
| US4555981A (en) | Damper operator for use with air, smoke and fire dampers | |
| US4263930A (en) | Diffuser concealable, volume control, heat-responsive, semi-automatic resetting, butterfly damper and operator | |
| US4723481A (en) | Air control damper assembly | |
| CA1189048A (en) | Valve operator de-clutch mechanism | |
| CA1176219A (en) | Quadrant operator | |
| US5934994A (en) | Damper apparatus including plenum and multiple damper blades | |
| US4472999A (en) | Damper operator for use with air, smoke and fire dampers | |
| US5779540A (en) | Fluid flow control damper | |
| US6250326B1 (en) | Dual temperature fire damper releasing system | |
| US4919329A (en) | Thermally activated automatic damper and damper operator | |
| US4154406A (en) | Forage wagon including apparatus for disengaging driven parts | |
| US4442862A (en) | Link bar operator for rotating blade dampers | |
| CA1246961A (en) | Round damper and fusible link therefor |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |