WO2002010600A1

WO2002010600A1 - Bearing-supported damper assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2002010600A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/023876
Authority: WO
Inventors: James F. Kearney
Original assignee: Kearney James F
Priority date: 2000-07-27
Filing date: 2001-07-27
Publication date: 2002-02-07
Also published as: AU2001279083A1

Abstract

A bearing-supported damper system (10) has a frame (12) within which a plurality of vanes (16) are rigidly supported on control rods (20). Bearing assemblies (22) rigidly connected to the ends of the control rods (20) are supported by the frame (12) and provide free pivotal movement for the vanes (16). The bearing assemblies (22) include inner races (24) with hollow cavities which mount over the ends at the control rods (20). Adjacent control rods (20) can be rigidly interconnected with composite bearing assemblies (222).

Description

BEARING-SUPPORTED DAMPER ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention

The invention of the applicant generally relates to improvements in damper systems, and in particular, to damper systems having a plurality of vanes pivotally mounted within a support frame .

Background and Summary of the Invention

Conventional damping systems typically include vanes with control rods simply mounted in a support frame. However, when used in dirty or dusty environments, such conventional devices usually result in unreliable and unacceptable operation because friction producing substances get between the support and the control rods .

The present invention improves upon conventional damping systems by incorporating sealed bearing assemblies connected to the support rods. The sealed bearings are mechanically affixed to the control rods or shafts of dampers permitting the damper blades to move upon completely sealed ball or needle bearings resulting in efficient dampers that are capable of freely opening and closing regardless of the environment in which the dampers are operating.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damper assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of a first embodiment of the bearing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, s'ide elevational view of a second embodiment of a bearing assembly. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of a third embodiment of a bearing assembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a bearing assembly

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional, side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the bearing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the bearing^' assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded side elevational view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 6 and control rod.

FIG. 9 is an assembly view of the bearing assembly and control rod of FIG 8.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawing, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, the bearing-supported damper system 10 of the present invention includes a frame 12 with a number of usually vertical, spaced-apart support members 18. The damper system 10 also includes a plurality of vanes 16 which are rotatably supported between the vertical support members 18 on typically horizontally-aligned support (or "control") rods 20.

The control rods 20 extending from each end of the vanes 16 are typically rigidly attached to (or alternatively integrally formed with) the vanes 16.

Bearing assemblies (not shown) are supported by the support members 18 to provide frictionless rotational support for the vanes 16, thereby greatly reducing the effort and energy required to operate the damper system 10, while increasing the useful lifespan of the damper system dramatically.

Referring to FIG. 2 in a first embodiment, the bearing assemblies, generally referred to by the reference numeral 22, each include an inner core forming an inner race 24 and an outer housing forming an outer race 26, which enclose either pin- or, as shown, ball-type bearing elements 28. The inner race 24 extends outwardly from the housing 26 and is rigidly connected to a control rod 20 of a damper vane 16 (not shown) . The outwardly extending end 25 of the inner race 24 can be hollow or solid, as shown.

The outer race 26 surrounding the bearing elements 28 can be sized appropriately and, specifically, can be sized to equal the diameter of the control rod 20, as depicted. In addition, the bearing assemblies 22 can be sealed such as with rings 30, to reduce or prevent the ingress of contaminants and corrosive substances, and the like, into the internal portions of the bearing assemblies 22. As shown, the control rod 20 preferably includes a recess 32 sized and shaped to closely receive the extending end 25 of the inner core .

Referring to FIG. 3 in a second embodiment, the inner race 124 of the bearing assembly 122 can extend outwardly from each end of the outer race 126 into recesses 132 to provide for attachment to two adjacent control rods 120, 120' of separate vanes. Thus, it can be appreciated that horizontally-adjacent vanes can be interconnected via one bearing assembly 122 of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS . 4 and 5 in third and fourth embodiments of the invention, (horizontally) adjacent control rods 220, 220' for separate vanes can be interconnected by composite bearing assembly 222 which comprises two independently rotating bearing assemblies 36, 38. Each bearing assembly 36, 38 has an outer housing forming an outer race 226, 226' (which are supported by one or more support members, not shown) , and an inner race 224, 224' .

The inner races 224, 224' have ends 225 which extend outwardly from the outer race 226, 226' for attachment to the control rods 220, 220', which preferably include complimentary recesses 232, 232'. The inner races 224, 224' can be integral (as shown in FIG. 5) , or can be interconnected by a spacer 46 rigidly connected to the outwardly extending ends 225 of the inner races 224, 224' (as shown in FIG 6) .

Each of the outer races 226, 226' can be integrally formed with an outer housing enclosing bearing elements 238. Seals 230 can be included between the outer races 226, 226' and the inner races 224, 224' to prevent the ingress of contaminants. Each control rods 220, 220' preferably has a cylindrical body portion with a substantially constant diameter. The diameter of the inner races 224, 224' are preferably equal to the diameter of the body portion of the control rods 220, 220' .

The control rods 220, 220' can include neck portions (not shown) having a diameter less than that of the outer race 224, 224' and outer housing to eliminate rotation interference between the outer races 224, 224' and the control rod 220, 220' . The outwardly extending ends 225 of the inner races 224, 224' are preferably connected to the control rods 220, 220', spacer 46 with spring dowels (not shown), or the like, inserted through the control rods 220, 220' and spacer 46.

Referring to FIG. 6- 9 in a fifth embodiment, each bearing assembly, generally referred to by the reference numeral 322, includes an inner race 324 and an outer race 326, which enclose either pin- or, as shown, ball-type bearing elements 328. A spacer 337 can be used to maintain the relative positions of the bearing elements 328. The inner race 324 includes a hollow cavity 327 (shown here as a through opening) sized and shaped to receive and rigidly connect to an end portion 329 of a control rod 320 of a damper vane (not shown) .

The hollow cavity 327 of the inner race 324 is sized and shaped to mount to the end portion 329 of the control rod 320. Preferably, the end portion 329 of the control rod 320 includes a roughened or "knurled" area adjacent the extreme end 331 thereof. Also, preferably, an inner diameter of the hollow cavity 327 of the inner race 324 is sized slightly smaller than a diameter of the end portion

329 of the control rod 320 to facilitate rigidly permanent mounting of the bearing assembly 322 on the control rod 320.

The outer race 326 surrounding the bearing elements 328 can be sized appropriately and, specifically, can be sized to equal a maximum diameter of the control rod 320, as depicted. In addition, the bearing assemblies 322 can be sealed such as with rings 330, to reduce or prevent the ingress of contaminants and corrosive substances, and the like, into the internal portions of the bearing assemblies

322. Specifically, the outside diameter of the outer race 326 is preferably about 0.5 in, the inner diameter of the inner race 324 is preferably about .187 in, the diameter of ball-type bearing elements is preferably about 3/32 in, and the lateral width of the bearing is preferably about .25 in. The bearing assemblies can have static and dynamic load ratings of about 65 and 150 lbs, respectively.

The control rods 320 are preferably generally cylinder in shape with a constant diameter of preferably about 0.5in over a majority of its length. Adjacent the end portion 329 is a neck portion 332 with a reduced diameter intermediate that of the majority of the control rod 320 and the end portion 329, to eliminate interference between the bearing assembly 322 and the control rod 320. The width of the neck portion 332 is preferably about 6/10 inches and the diameter is preferably about 0.37 inches. The length of the control rod 20 can be about 3 3/8 inches.

It can be appreciated that sealed bearing assemblies of the type used in the present invention are inexpensive 'to manufacture and incorporate into a damper system. Thus, the novel structure of a damper system with sealed bearing assemblies allows for free pivotal movement of the vanes providing significant improvements in energy consumption and longevity while avoiding any substantial increase in production costs.

It should be understood, of course, that the specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Specifically, the applicant's invention also contemplates sealed bearings incorporated as an integral part of the control rods at either their terminal ends or mid-sections. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A bearing-supported damper assembly, comprising:

(a) a frame including at least two spaced-apart support members; (b) at least one vane pivotally mounted between said support members, said vane having a control rod rigidly connected to and extending from each end thereof for pivotal support of said vane;

(c) two bearing assemblies, each bearing assembly being fixedly connected to one of said control rods and providing for free rotational movement of said vane with respect to said frame;

(d) each bearing assembly having an inner race surrounded by an outer housing forming an outer race and enclosing rotational bearing elements;

(e) each said inner race having an end which extends outwardly from said outer housing;

(f) each control rod having a recess sized and shaped to receive one of said outwardly-extending ends of one of said inner races; and

(g) each bearing assembly being supported by one of said support members .

2. A bearing-supported damper assembly as in claim 1, further comprising fastening means directed through said control rods and through said outwardly-extending ends of said inner races for fixedly attaching said bearing assemblies to said control rods.

3. A bearing supported damper assembly, comprising;

(a) a frame including spaced-apart support members; (b) two vanes pivotally mounted between said support members, each said two vanes each having a control rod rigidly connected to and extending from an end thereof for pivotally supporting the associated vane, said two control rods being rigidly interconnected to one another;

(c) a composite bearing assembly connected between said control rods of said two vanes, said composite bearing assembly having two independent bearing assemblies for contacting and providing free rotational movement of said control rods with respect to a support member intermediate said two vanes;

(d) each bearing assembly including an outer housing forming an outer race and including an inner race, and bearing elements enclosed between said inner and outer races; and

(e) seals between said outer and inner races.

4. A bearing supported damper assembly as in claim 3, wherein said inner races of said two bearing assemblies include portions which extend outwardly from said outer housing and are fixedly connected to one of said control rods .

5. A bearing supported damper assembly as in claim 4, wherein said control rods include recesses sized and shaped to receive said outwardly extending portions of said inner races .

6. A bearing supported damper assembly as in claim 5 wherein said inner races of said two bearing assemblies are integral and in one piece .

7. A bearing supported damper assembly as in claim 5 wherein outwardly extending portions of said inner races are rigidly connected together by a spacer element.

8. A bearing-supported damper assembly, comprising:

(a) a frame including at least two spaced-apart support members; (b) at least ,one vane pivotally mounted between said two support members, said vane having a control rod rigidly connected to and extending from an end thereof, said control rod having an end portion; (c) a bearing assembly, fixedly connected to said control rod, said bearing assembly providing for free rotational movement of said control rod with respect to an associated support member;

(d) said bearing assembly having an inner race surrounded by an outer race enclosing rotational bearing elements;

(e) said inner race having an opening and a hollow cavity sized and shaped to receive said end portion of said first control rod, said control rod extending into said hollow cavity; and

(f) said outer race being supported by one of said support members .

9. A bearing-supported damper assembly as in claim 8, wherein said outer race of said bearing assembly has a diameter substantially equal to a maximum diameter of said first control rod.

10. A bearing-supported damper assembly as in claim 8, wherein said bearing assembly is sealed to prevent the in- gressive contaminants and corrosive substances.

11. A bearing-supported damper assembly as in claim 8 wherein said control rod further comprises a cylindrical body section of substantially constant diameter, and a neck portion intermediate said body section and said end portion of said control rod, said neck portion having a diameter intermediate said body portion and said end portion.

12. A bearing supported damper assembly, according to claim 8, wherein said end portion of said control rod or said inner rod has a roughened surface for press-fit mounting of said first bearing assembly over said end portion.