Flow control bladders for zone control apparatus
US5170986A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F13/10
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flow control bladder for controlling flow through a conduit such as an HVAC duct comprises a flexible walled body having a hollow interior and an inflation stem for passing an inflation fluid in and out of the hollow interior thereby transforming the body between an inflated condition for restricted flow through a conduit and a deflated condition for relatively unrestricted flow through a conduit. The body includes first and second panel walls, which normally are generally parallel when the body is in its deflated condition, and opposite side walls connected to the first and second panel walls at respective peripheral side folds. In addition, each side wall includes an inner fold which opens in a direction opposite the peripheral side folds when the body is in its deflated condition. The side walls are preferably folded between the panel walls although they may also be folded over one of the panel walls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.