Patent ID: 7018289
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: A62C,F16K,F24F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A damper assembly installed in a housing having a pair of side walls connected to a pair of end walls that define a conduit extending therethrough, the damper assembly including at least one damper blade movable from an open position to a closed position to control fluid flow through the conduit, the damper assembly comprising: (a) the at least one damper blade operating in a normally open position; (b) a biasing member urging the damper blade towards the closed position; (c) a retaining member in removable mechanical communication with the damper blade to maintain the damper blade in the open position against the biasing force until an occurrence of a predetermined condition that causes the damper blade to close; and (d) a latch mechanism disposed outside the conduit, the latch mechanism including a plate connected to the damper blade and further connected to a locking member that pivots relative to the plate to lock the damper blade with respect to blade movement towards the open position once the damper blade has closed.