Damper assembly with an electro-optical controller for positioning the damper vanes
US6409143B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K31/046
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A damper assembly having adjustable damper vanes and a motor mechanically coupled for moving the damper vanes is operatively associated with an electro-optical controller for repositioning the damper vanes between a normally open and a closed position and vice versa. The electro-optical control has an opaque disk connected and movable with the damper vanes with a first bore corresponding to the open position, and a second bore corresponding to the closed position of the damper vanes. Each of the respective bores is operatively associated with a pair of coacting electronic elements consisting of a light emitting diode and a phototransistor. Each of the phototransistors communicates with an electronic system having logic circuitry so that when the light signals are detected by the phototransistor and signaled, the electronic system will actuate or stop the motor as programmed in the control logic circuitry to reposition the damper vanes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.