Abstract:
A system for controlling temperature within a given area or room by regulating the inflow of heated or cooled air thereto. At least one vent communicates with the area and is positionable in either an open orientation or a closed orientation, thereby respectively facilitating or restricting the flow of conditioned air into the area. A control assembly is operatively associated with the one vent and structured to control its disposition between the open and closed orientations. A temperature sensor is disposed within the area and determines “temperature data” therein. In turn the temperature data is determinative of positioning the vent in either the open or closed orientations. Wireless communication facilities may be associated with the temperature sensor and the control assembly to transmit, by wireless communication, the determined temperature data from the temperature sensor to the control assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The invention relates to systems for controlling and/or maintaining a predetermined, adjustable ambient condition within a given area by regulating the flow of fluid into the area through an automated fluid register. The present embodiment is directed to a system for controlling and/or maintaining a predetermined, adjustable temperature within an area or room by regulating the flow of heated or cooled conditioned air into the area, from a source of conditioned air, through at least one vent. As a result, the source of conditioned air does not have to be directly regulated, such as by being turned on or shut-off. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    A common problem in multi-roomed and air conditioned buildings is the difficulty of maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the entire building. In, for example, a multi-room dwelling, the air-conditioning unit is located exteriorly of the dwelling, and fluid ducts are disposed throughout the dwelling, generally with at least one diffuser vent and at least one return vent in each room. A thermostat is disposed, usually, in a central location such as a living room or great room. A user sets the thermostat to a predetermined temperature and a temperature sensing assembly within the thermostat controls the air conditioning unit, generally by allowing the unit to run until the temperature around the thermostat reaches the predetermined temperature at which point the thermostat deactivates the air conditioning unit. Once the temperature around the thermostat deviates from a specified temperature range, the thermostat will reactivate the air conditioning unit. 
         [0003]    A bedroom, offset from the central location, will generally reach the predetermined temperature at a different time than the common area. This can be due to a number of reasons such as the location of the bedroom relative to the thermostat and the air conditioning unit, as well as the volume of air within the bedroom relative to the central location. For example, as most air conditioning systems rely on a pressure differential to generate a fluid flow through the building, a room located between the air conditioning unit and the thermostat-containing room will receive a higher flow rate of conditioned air than the thermostat-containing room, and require less time to reach the predetermined temperature. Similarly, a smaller room than the thermostat-containing room will contain a smaller volume of air to be replaced with conditioned air, and therefore require less time as well. Accordingly, such a room may reach substantially lower, or higher, temperatures before the thermostat reaches the predetermined temperature. 
         [0004]    In certain circumstances, such wildly deviating temperatures between rooms in a building is undesirable. On the other hand, some users may desire to take advantage of such a temperature difference, but standard heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems do not possess the capability to precisely control the temperature in each room of a building. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to systems for controlling one or more ambient conditions within a given area by regulating the flow of fluid into or out of the given area via one or more automated registers. The automated registers are each operatively controlled by a control assembly which can include servomechanisms, drive structures, and drive linkages, which open or close the automated registers. The control assembly is in communication with one or more ambient condition sensors which are programmable or at least selectively adjustable to determine when one or more ambient conditions in the given area reach a predetermined point or concentration. Such ambient condition sensors may be operatively configured to sense, for example, temperature, humidity, pressure, gas/liquid concentrations, element concentrations, or chemical concentrations, in either a liquid or gas medium. Wireless communication facilities can be included with the ambient condition sensors as well as the control assemblies such that the ambient condition sensors may communicate wirelessly with the control assemblies such that the automated registers may be opened or closed in relation to the ambient condition data sensed by the ambient condition sensors. 
         [0006]    As such, the present invention could be utilized to automate the operation of, for example, a fluid mixing chamber whereby one or more registers are positioned within a chamber providing a port for the introduction of fluid into the chamber. One or more ambient condition sensors may be disposed within the chamber and operatively connected to one or more corresponding control assemblies of the automated registers. The ambient condition sensors are then programmed or selectively adjusted to a predetermined point. The ambient condition sensors then sense ambient condition data relative to the present state of the chamber and wirelessly communicate with the control assemblies to operatively control the automated registers, either allowing fluid to flow into the chamber or preventing fluid from flowing into the chamber, until the predetermined point is reached. The invention can then maintain the chamber at the predetermined point by continuing to monitor the ambient condition data and operate the control assemblies accordingly. 
         [0007]    One embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for establishing, maintaining and/or regulating the temperature within a room or other area by controlling the inflow of heated or cooled “conditioned” air into the area. As explained in greater detail hereinafter, the temperature within the room or area may be predetermined and/or selectively adjusted to accommodate the needs of one or more occupants and/or the purpose for which the room or area is intended for use. 
         [0008]    More specifically, the system of the present invention includes an automated register in the form of at least one vent disposed in communicating relation with the room or area and is further disposed in airflow regulating relation between a source of conditioned air and the interior of the area. As should be apparent, the conditioned air source may be a conventional domestic or industrial air conditioner, air handler, furnace, or other source of conditioned air which may be used to cool or heat a given room or area. While at least one preferred embodiment of the present system will be described herein with relation to a single vent, it is emphasized that a given area or room may include a plurality of vents in order to provide adequate conditioned air flow to the interior thereof. 
         [0009]    As is well established in the heating and cooling industry, the size of the room or area, its intended use, as well as other factors are determinative of the number of vents and/or sources of conditioned air necessary for establishing and maintaining a predetermined and adjustable temperature. Accordingly, one or more preferred embodiments of the system of the present invention include a plurality of vents. As a result, the present invention contemplates each of a plurality of vents being disposed in airflow communication with a different room or area. In the alternative, a plurality of two or more vents may be disposed and structured to regulate the inflow of conditioned air to a common room or area. 
         [0010]    Therefore structural and operative features of the system of the present invention include at least one vent disposed in airflow controlling relation between a source of conditioned air and the room or area in which the temperature is being controlled. The one vent may include a variety of different structural and operative features which facilitate it being selectively disposed in an open orientation and a closed orientation. When in the open orientation airflow is facilitated from the source of conditioned air into the interior of the area or room. As a result, the temperature of the area or room will be raised or lowered, depending on the temperature of the incoming conditioned airflow. In contrast, when the vent is in the closed orientation, airflow from the source of conditioned air into the interior of the area or room is prevented or significantly restricted. 
         [0011]    In addition, a control assembly is operative with the one vent and is structured to control the positioning of the vent between the open and closed orientations. Further in this embodiment, the ambient condition sensor comprises a temperature sensor, which is disposed and structured to monitor the effective temperature and determine the “temperature data” within the room or area. Moreover, wireless communication facilities are associated with the temperature sensor and the control assembly associated with the at least one vent. As a result, the temperature data determined by the temperature sensor may be wirelessly transmitted therefrom to the control assembly. The received or transmitted temperature data, as determined by the temperature sensor, serves to activate the control assembly. In turn the control assembly is operative to position the one vent in either the open orientation or the closed orientation. As should be apparent, the opening or the closing of the one vent is dependent, at least in part, on whether the temperature within the room or area needs to be altered, so as to be within the predetermined or selected temperature range. 
         [0012]    In more simplistic terms, when the temperature of an area is intended to be maintained at or within a predetermined “cooled” temperature range, the control assembly will be operative to position the one vent in an open orientation when it is desired to lower the existing temperature within the area. In contrast when a predetermined or intended temperature range has been established, based on the temperature data received by the control assembly from the temperature sensor, the control assembly will be operative to position the one vent in a closed orientation, in order to prevent further cooling. Naturally, a similar procedure is followed when a room or area is intended to be maintained within a predetermined “heated” temperature range. 
         [0013]    Additional structural and operative features of one or more preferred embodiments of the system of the present invention include the control assembly comprising a servomechanism and a drive structure. As such the servomechanism serves to control activation or deactivation of the drive structure, wherein the drive structure is interconnected in driving relation to the one vent. As such, the cooperative activation and operation of the servomechanism and drive structure serve to dispose the one vent in the aforementioned open or closed orientations. In more specific terms, the servomechanism or “servo” is at least generally defined herein as a device which is used to provide the control of a desired operation based on feedback. As applied to the system of the present invention, the “feedback” may be the receipt and processing of the aforementioned temperature data determined by and transmitted from the temperature sensor. Further, a servo control may be associated with or integrated in the servomechanism thereby further facilitating the processing of the temperature data. 
         [0014]    Also, the aforementioned drive structure may be in the form of any type of drive motor or appropriate drive mechanism such as, but not limited to, a servo motor, stepper motor, etc. Associated with the drive structure is the provision of drive linkage operatively interconnected between the drive structure and the one vent. The drive linkage is connected in driving or moving attachment or relation to the various components of the vent which facilitate its being disposed in either the open orientation or the closed orientation. Therefore, the drive linkage is structured for “reverse operation” and may include a substantially opposing or reversible driving movement and/or driving engagement with the vent, which facilitates its disposition between the open and closed orientations. By way of example only, the drive linkage may be a rack and pinion assembly known for facilitating the above noted reverse or opposing driving or positioning movement. 
         [0015]    Yet additional structural and operative features of the present invention include the system comprising a self-contained power source operatively connected to the control assembly in energizing relation thereto. Further, the self-contained power source may include a rechargeable battery or battery pack. In order to facilitate the independent, maintenance-free operation of the system of the present invention, a “charging station” may be provided and be operative to recharge the self-contained power source, when appropriate. In at least one embodiment, the charging station may be in the form of an air flow driven turbine structured to generate the required electrical energy needed to recharge the self-contained power source. Moreover, the charging turbine may be disposed within the path of a continuous airflow passing through the corresponding one vent. Additional operative features associated with a charging station would be the automatic disposition of the one vent in an open orientation when the self-contained power source has reached a minimum reserve power. The opening of the vent would serve to establish airflow through the vent, which in turn activates the air driven turbine, which would then serve to recharge the power source. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment of the charging station may comprise a solar panel operatively connected to the power source but disposed remotely therefrom, preferably in a light gathering location. Yet another embodiment of the charging station may comprise a thermoelectric generator, such as those that operate on the Seebeck or Peltier effect, which may be disposed across a heat differential of the conditioned air source and associated systems and parts, thereby generating electricity to recharge the power source. 
         [0017]    The aforementioned temperature sensor may be disposed in an appropriate location within the area or room being monitored and in a remote location from the one vent and the control assembly associated therewith. Further, the temperature sensor may be selectively adjustable so as to establish a predetermined temperature range in the monitored area. In the alternative, at least one preferred embodiment includes the temperature sensor including a micro-sensor assembly connected to or immediately adjacent the one vent and/or control assembly associated therewith. In this latter embodiment the micro-sensor may also be capable of wireless communication with the corresponding control assembly or in the alternative may be hardwired thereto. 
         [0018]    As set forth above, a given room or area in which a predetermined temperature is to be established and/or maintained may vary in size and or include other features which require the establishment of a plurality of such vents. Accordingly, in this preferred embodiment each of the plurality of vents, even when associated with a common area or room, includes an independent control assembly, drive structure, drive linkage, etc. associated therewith. Further, each of the independent control assemblies preferably include the structural and operative features as described above and as further described hereinafter. However, when a plurality of vents are structured to regulate airflow into a common area or room, each vent may be operatively associated with a common temperature sensor or individual temperature sensors. In the former application, a common temperature sensor may include wireless communication facilities or capabilities serving to wirelessly transmit the determined temperature data of the common room to each of the plurality of control assemblies associated with different ones of the plurality of vents. 
         [0019]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a system for controlling temperature within an area. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of several operative features of the present system for controlling temperature within an area. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    As described above, the present embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for establishing, maintaining and/or regulating one or more ambient conditions, such as the temperature within a room or other area by controlling the inflow of air into the area, which may be heated or cooled “conditioned” air. As explained in greater detail hereinafter, the ambient conditions such as temperature within the room or area may be predetermined and/or selectively adjusted to accommodate the needs of one or more occupants and/or the purpose for which the room or area is intended for use.As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a system for controlling air temperature  10  can utilize a plurality of vents  100  in fluid communication with a conditioned air source  1000 . Each vent is disposable between at least an open orientation and a closed orientation, which will be further discussed below. Each vent  100  is further disposed in one or more areas  2000  in which the temperature is desired to be controlled and in airflow controlling relation to the one or more areas  2000 . 
         [0025]    One or more ambient condition sensors  300  may be deployed in conjunction with each vent  100  in controlling relation thereto. The ambient condition sensor  300  may comprise a digital thermostat  310  with wireless communication facilities  500 . Thus, as depicted, the digital thermostat  310  may be disposed essentially anywhere desired by the user, in a temperature sensing location remote from the vent  100  such as on a wall opposite the vent  100 . As the digital thermostat  310  is limited to sensing the temperature of the environment immediately surrounding the digital thermostat  310 , it may be desirable to place the digital thermostat  310  in strategic locations depending upon the use of the room. For example, in embodiments where the invention is deployed in a bedroom, it may be desirable to place the digital thermostat  310  in close proximity to the bed, similarly, in an office, it may be desirable to place the digital thermostat  310  close to the desk, as these regions will be the most often inhabited of the room. As the invention calls for certain embodiments of the digital thermostat  310  to include wireless communication facilities  500 , it may be possible to dispose the digital thermostat  310 directly on a desk, for example, as opposed to a wall near a desk. 
         [0026]    Yet another benefit of providing a digital thermostat  310  with wireless communication facilities  500  is the ability to relocate the digital thermostat  310 in response to changing heating and/or cooling requirements. For example, buildings located in Earth&#39;s northern hemisphere that include south-facing windows will receive a substantial amount of direct sunlight during the day. The precession of the Earth about its axis will cause this direct sunlight to enter the windows at different angles, depending upon the time of year. Thus, it may be desirable to move the digital thermostat  310 accordingly in response to the precession in order to maintain the desired temperature in the room as it receives more or less direct sunlight. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , depicted are several operative elements of the system  10  of the present invention which operatively dispose the vent  100  between a closed orientation and an open orientation. The vent  100  includes a fluid port  110 , through which air may flow when the vent is disposed in an open configuration. Furthermore, the vent  100  may include a plurality of slats  120  disposed across the fluid port  110  and rotatably mounted thereto. The slats  120  may comprise substantially rectangular and relatively thin members formed of plastic, metal, or any of a variety of suitable materials providing the slats  120  an at least partially rigid character. 
         [0028]    When in an open orientation, the slats  120  may be rotated such that they do not impede the flow of fluid through the fluid port  110 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the slats  120  have been rotated to be substantially aligned with the flow of fluid through the fluid port  110 , thus providing an open orientation. 
         [0029]    The slats  120  may be cooperatively dimensioned with the fluid port  110  such that the slats  120  may be rotated into a substantially perpendicular orientation to the fluid flow, thus impeding the flow of fluid through the fluid port  110 . In a preferred embodiment, however, the slats  120  are dimensioned so as to substantially seal the fluid port  110  when disposed in a closed orientation in order to divert fluid flow to others of the plurality of vents  100  in the system  10 . 
         [0030]    The slats  120  may be operatively controlled by a control assembly  200  disposed in controlling relation thereto. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the control assembly  200  includes a servomechanism  210  connected to a drive structure  220 , the drive structure  220  being connected to the slats  120  via a drive linkage  230  connected in driving relation thereto. 
         [0031]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , at least one embodiment comprises the drive linkage  230  including a rack  231  and pinion  232  assembly. Each slat  120  is connected to a portion of the rack  231  and is operably driven by the motion of the rack  231  as the rack  231  is driven by the pinion  232 . The pinion  232  is connected in reversibly driven relation to a drive motor  221 , which may comprise any of a variety of electronic motors such as a DC stepper motor. The drive motor  221  is in turn controlled by a servo controller  211  of the servomechanism  210 . The servo controller  211  can include wireless communication facilities  500  in order to dispose the servomechanism  210  in wireless communication with one or more temperature sensors  300 . 
         [0032]    In at least one embodiment, the servo controller  211  may comprise a position controller, operatively determinative of and able to maintain the pinion  232  in a plurality of discrete positions with respect to its rotational angle. For example, an open orientation of the vent  100  may be defined with reference to a predetermined position of the pinion. Accordingly, a closed orientation of the vent  100  may be defined with reference to a known angle of rotation from the predetermined position. The maintenance and referencing of discrete positions by the position controller may be further enhanced when deployed with a stepper motor comprising the drive motor  221 . 
         [0033]    The control assembly  200  may be powered by an integral power source  400 , but in other embodiments may be powered by a central power source of the structure in which the system  10  is deployed. The power source  400  can include a rechargeable battery  410  as well as a charging station  420  connected to the rechargeable battery  410 . 
         [0034]    In at least one embodiment, the charging station  420  may comprise a turbine  421  operatively connected to the battery and structured to be powered by the passage of fluid thereby. As the turbine  421  rotates it will generate electricity to recharge the rechargeable battery  410 . The system  10  may be further programmed to dispose the vent  100  in an open orientation upon reaching a predetermined voltage of the rechargeable battery  410 . Thusly programmed, the system  10  can avoid completely depleting the rechargeable battery  410  due to the vent  100  remaining in a closed orientation and failing to allow fluid flow to operate the turbine  421 . 
         [0035]    Now generally referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a user may desire to set the digital thermostat  310  to a predetermined temperature point, or range, in each area  2000  in which a digital thermostat  310  is disposed. The control assembly  200  then maintains each vent  100  in an open orientation until the temperature in the corresponding area  2000  around the digital thermostat  310  reaches the predetermined temperature point, or range. Then the control assembly  200  disposes the corresponding vent  100  into a closed orientation. The control assembly  200  maintains the vent  100  in a closed orientation until the temperature in the corresponding area  2000  around the digital thermostat  310  deviates from the predetermined temperature point, or range, at which point the control assembly  200  will dispose the vent  100  back to an open orientation. 
         [0036]    In yet another embodiment, a given area  2000  in which a predetermined temperature is to be established and/or maintained may vary in size and or include other features which require the establishment of a plurality of vents  100 . Accordingly, each of the plurality of vents  100 , even when associated with a common area  2000 , includes an independent control assembly  200 , drive structure  220 , drive linkage  230 , etc. associated therewith. Further, each of the independent control assemblies  200  preferably include the structural and operative features as described above. However, when a plurality of vents  100  are structured to regulate airflow into a common area  2000 , each vent  100  may be operatively associated with a common digital thermostat  310  or individual digital thermostats  310 . In the former application, a common digital thermostat  310  may include wireless communication facilities  500  serving to wirelessly transmit the determined temperature data of the common room  2000  to each of the plurality of control assemblies  200  associated with different ones of the plurality of vents  100 . Conversely, it may also be desirable to operatively associate a plurality of digital thermostats  310 with a single vent  100 . 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternate embodiments of an ambient condition sensor  300  may include facilities to detect ambient condition data such as humidity, pressure, chemical or element concentration data in addition to or in lieu of temperature data. Such an alternative embodiment is depicted as  310 ′ in  FIG. 1 . It will be further appreciated that the function and operation of the control assemblies  200  is the same whether it functions relative to temperature data, as with the digital thermostat  310 , or relative to any one of the other ambient condition data listed, namely, temperature, humidity, pressure, chemical compound concentrations, or chemical element concentrations of the alternative embodiment ambient condition sensor  310 ′ 
         [0038]    Alternative embodiments of the charging station  420 ′ may include, for example, a charging station  420 ′ operative to produce electricity via a exposure to a temperature gradient of the present invention, such as, for example, a thermoelectric generator. Alternatively, a charging station  420 ′ may include a solar panel disposed in a path of light. 
         [0039]    Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
         [0040]    Now that the invention has been described,