Abstract:
An electrical generation system is adapted for use with an HVAC system to adjust the louvers of a shutter disposed to control a flow of air into the room of a house. The generation system includes a wind generator disposed in a duct of the HVAC system and having properties for generating electricity. This electricity is collected for use in powering a motor to adjust the louvers of the shutter. The wind generator includes a turbine which powers a generator to produce the electricity. Ultimately the electricity can be controlled to adjust the louvers of the shutter from a remote location.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to systems for generating and using power with respect to a building structure, and more specifically to an embodiments adapted for use with a heating, ventilating, air conditioning system. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The power requirements of building structures, such as houses, commercial buildings, and even barns, are well known. These power requirements are typically met by large electrical distribution systems provided and maintained by governmental agencies. In some instances, large generators have been provided in proximity to the building structures, to accommodate large loads and otherwise to provide electricity when no other source is available. While self-generated power may be less expensive, it is typically less reliable than government supplied power. Both of these power systems require complex wiring systems to deliver electrical power to several sites that may be of interest in and around the building structure. 
         [0005]    Notwithstanding these large power systems, there remain specific power requirements at various sites in the building structure where power is not present. These are typically sites where power is not available and the significant cost of bringing power to the site is to be avoided. 
         [0006]    Against this background it can be appreciated that many building structures, particularly houses have several rooms that are serviced by a heating, ventilating, air conditioning system (HVAC). Such a system typically includes an HVAC blower that is commonly positioned outside the house, and a series of ducts that extend from the blower to distribute a flow of air to the rooms of the house. Each of the ducts is typically terminated at a register, which is positioned where the flow of air enters the associated room. The registers are commonly provided with louvers that are mechanically moveable between open and closed positions. The setting of these louvers controls the flow of air into the associated room and also affects the flow of air into the other rooms of the house. 
         [0007]    These louvers are typically out of reach, very difficult to manipulate, and totally inoperable from a remote location. What is needed is a system for automatically operating the louvers, perhaps from a remote location, in order to set them at a desired position between their open and closed states. Unfortunately building structures are not wired to provide power at the sites of these registers; and the cost of providing such power, particularly in an after-market, is substantial. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a power system is provided at a site of need. In the case of the HVAC system, this site would be in proximity to the register associated with a room in the house. In this location, energy in the vicinity of the house can be captured and used to control the louvers of a shutter, such as the register. The system may also include a wireless network making it possible to control the energy for louver adjustment from a remote location. 
         [0009]    The energy of interest might include light in visible or invisible spectrums, and even a flow of air such as wind. This energy can then be harnessed, typically converted into electrical energy, and perhaps stored for future use. The energy can then be used to power a mechanical system connected to the shutter for louver adjustment. It will be appreciated that the conversion of the source energy into a more usable form, such as electricity, might involve a sensor, a collector, a storage device such as a battery or capacitor, and the motor. When the ultimate energy desired is other then electricity, these functions could be performed by other devices well known in the art. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the invention relates to an electrical generation system adapted for use with a house having at least one room. An HVAC unit, disposed in proximity to the house, generates a flow of HVAC air that is distributed through a duct to the room. A wind generator is disposed in this flow of air to generate electricity for use with the house. This wind generator is preferably disposed in the duct of the HVAC system, in proximity to the room where the electricity can be used to adjust the louvers of a shutter. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, a wind turbine is disposed in the flow of HVAC air and produces rotary power. A generator responsive to this rotary power generates electricity. Ultimately, a shutter system is responsive to the electricity from the generator to control the flow of the HVAC air into the room. The turbine may have a first shaft and the generator a second shaft that is common with the first shaft in a particular embodiment. 
         [0012]    The generator is typically fixed with respect to the HVAC duct and may include at least one coil having a stationary relationship with the duct. Electricity is produced in the coils by a plurality of magnetic disks, which have a rotary relationship with the duct. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention an electrical generation system is adapted for use with a house and includes an energy collector disposed to collect energy in proximity to the house. A converter converts this energy into electrical energy. Ultimately means is provided for using this electrical energy for purposes associated with the house. The energy collected can be in various forms, for example, light energy, both visible and invisible, and pneumatic energy such as wind. 
         [0014]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with a description of preferred embodiments and reference to the associated drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a generic form of the present invention adapted for use in controlling a flow of HVAC air into the room of a building structure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective assembly view of a wind generator adapted for use in a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective assembly view of the wind generator illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a casing and front shaft holder disposed in the duct of an HVAC system; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a front elevation view of the casing and front shaft holder illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a rear elevation view of the casing and front shaft holder illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the front shaft holder in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a front elevation view of the front shaft holder illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a rear elevation view of the front shaft holder illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a wind generator associated with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a front elevation view of the wind generator illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a front elevation view of the wind generator illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a shutter associated with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A  is a front elevation view of the shutter illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7B  is a rear elevation view of the shutter illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation of a planetary gear associated with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8A  is a front elevation view of the planetary gear of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8B  is a rear elevation view of the planetary gear of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of a rear shaft holder associated with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9A  is a front elevation view of the rear shaft holder illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 9B  is a rear elevation view of the rear shaft holder illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    An energy system is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and designated by the reference numeral  10 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram which illustrates a generic form of the invention that is not dependent on the type of energy involved nor the specific nature of its intended use. Thus,  FIG. 1  illustrates a source of energy  12  which may include potential energy or kinetic energy. The energy may be radiant energy such as light energy in the visible or invisible spectrums. It might also be heat energy, or generally any energy in any form. 
         [0037]    This energy from the source  12  can be introduced to a first converter  14 , which transforms the source energy into a secondary form of energy, such as electricity. The energy from the converter  14  can be used directly, or introduced to an energy storage device or collector  16  where it can be stored for future use. The output of the collector  16  can be transformed in a second converter  18  to a third type of energy such as mechanical energy. This conversion can take place immediately or at a more convenient time under the action of a remote controller  21 . 
         [0038]    By way of example, the converter  18  may be an electric motor responsive to the electricity produced by the converter  14  and accumulated by the collector  16 . The mechanical energy produced by the converter  18  can be used for many purposes associated with a room  23  of a house  25 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mechanical energy from the converter  18  is used to open a mechanical valve  27  for controlling a flow of fluid into the room  23 . More specifically, a flow of air  30  is produced by an HVAC unit  32  and distributed to the room  23  through a duct  34 . This air flow  30  passes through the valve mechanism, which may take the form of a register or a shutter having louvers. In this example, the mechanical energy from the converter  18  can be used to move the shutter between an open position and a closed position to meter the flow of the HVAC air  30  into the room  23 . 
         [0039]    A more specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the perspective assembly drawing of  FIG. 2 . In this view, the various parts of a wind generator  41  are shown in combination with a shutter  43  having louvers  45 . This combination is housed in a casing  47  having a rear end  51  facing downstream in the direction of the HVAC unit  32  ( FIG. 1 ) and a front end  52  facing upstream in the direction of the room  23  ( FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, the casing  47  is generally cylindrical about an axis  48 . 
         [0040]    The wind generator  41  includes a turbine  54  having fan blades  56 . A common shaft  57  supports the turbine  54  and the shutter  43  within the casing  47 . The shaft  57  is in turn supported by a front shaft holder  58  and a rear shaft holder  61 , both of which are anchored within the casing  47  along the axis  48 . 
         [0041]    The rear shaft holder  61  is fixed along the axis  48  by a plurality of rear spokes  65 , which radiate outwardly from the rear shaft holder  61  to engage holes in the casing  47 . The front shaft holder  58  can be similarly anchored by front spokes  67 , which radiate outwardly from the front shaft holder  58  to engage the casing  47 . These front spokes  67  are best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , which shows a perspective assembly view taken from the end opposite to that shown in  FIG. 2 , the front end, of the wind generator  41 . 
         [0042]    From these two views of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the generator  62  in this embodiment includes a magnet receiver  70  that is adapted to hold a plurality of permanent magnets  72 . The generator  62  also includes a plurality of coils  74  that are housed in the front shaft housing  58 . In operation, the turbine  54  rotates the magnets  72  in close proximity to the coils  74  in order to produce the electricity that emanates from the controller  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0043]    At the opposite end of the wind generator  41 , the rear shaft holder  61  is adapted to receive a motor  75  ( FIG. 2 ), which drives a planetary gear  76  to rotate the individual louvers  45  associated with the shutter  43  to any position between a closed position and an open position. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the casing  47  is illustrated in greater detail within the HVAC duct  34 . The duct  34  may have any cross sectional shape or area. It is not unusual in both commercial buildings and houses for the duct to include portions with a cross sectional shape and other portions with a circular shape. Since the wind generator  41  can be disposed at any location along the duct  34 , it is merely important that the casing  47  have a cross section that mimics the shape of the duct  34  at that location. Accoringly, the perimeter of the casing  47  is preferably closely adjacent to the walls of the duct  34  so that substantially all of the air flow  30  passes through the casing  47 . 
         [0045]    The front shaft holder  58  is also illustrated in  FIG. 4  where the spokes  67  are shown to be anchored to the casing  47 . This shaft holder  58  is best shown in the front and rear views of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , respectively. The holes  63  are also illustrated in the side view of  FIG. 4 . It is these holes  63 , which are sized to receive projections on the outer edges of the louvers  45 , as described in greater detail below. The side view of  FIG. 5  together with the front and rear views of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , also show the front shaft holder  58 . 
         [0046]    Of particular interest in  FIG. 4B  is a hub  77  that is sized to receive the shaft  57 . Disposed around this hub  77  are the coils  74 , which number six in the illustrated embodiment. These coils  74  are closely spaced to the magnets  72  carried in the receiver  70 . As the rotating flux field is created by the magnets  72 , electrical current is induced in the coils  74  in a manner well known in the art. These coils  74  can be connected in series, parallel, or in a three-phase delta or Y configuration, to provide the desired output for the wind generator  41 . 
         [0047]    The wind generator  41 , including the turbine  54  and portions of the generator  62 , is illustrated in the side view of  FIG. 6 , the front view of  FIG. 6A , and the rear view of  FIG. 6B . In these views, the fan blades  56  are shown to have a fixed relationship with a cylindrical wall  101 . Centered within the cylindrical wall  101  is the receiver  70  and portions thereof that are sized to receive the common shaft  57 . The turbine  54  is free to rotate on the shaft  57  in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis  48 . 
         [0048]    The receiver  70  is suitably apertured to receive the plurality of permanent magnets  72 , which number six in the illustrated embodiment. In response to the flow of air  30  through the blades  56 , the turbine  54  rotates the receiver  70  and associated magnets  72  about the axis  48 . This produces a rotating flux field in proximity to the coils  74  housed in the front shaft holder  58 , thereby inducing the electricity in the coils  74  that is ultimately output from the generator  62 . Thus the magnets  72  in the receiver  70  form a rotor, and the coils  74  form a stator in the common configuration of a generator. 
         [0049]    A side view of the shutter  48  is illustrated in  FIG. 7  along with its louvers  45 . The detail associated with the louvers  45  is best shown in the front view of  FIG. 7A  and the rear view of  FIG. 7B . Thus it can be seen that each of the louvers  45  extends on a pivotal axis  81 , which radiates outwardly from the casing axis  48  to a small projection  85 . It is this projection  85  that is adapted to be received in an associated one of the holes  63  in the casing  47 . In this embodiment, each of the louvers  45  is provided with a small gear  93 , which can be rotated to move the associated louver  45  between its open and closed positions. 
         [0050]    The converter  18  ( FIG. 1 ) in this embodiment may comprise a motor  75  disposed within the rear shaft holder  61  along with a capacitor or battery  94  that forms the collector  16  ( FIG. 1 ) in this embodiment. The planetary gear  76  is also carried within the rear shaft holder  61  where it engages the individual gears  93  associated with each of the louvers  45 . In operation, the electrical energy provided by the battery  94  in this embodiment drives the motor  75  to move the planetary gear  76  thereby causing each of the individual gears  92  to rotate their respective louvers  45  between the open and closed positions. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 8 ,  8 A and  8 B illustrate the planetary gear  76  that was first discussed with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The planetary gear  76  in this embodiment of the invention includes a gear surface  96  and a hub  98 . The hub  98  is adapted for mounting on the shaft  57  to facilitate rotation of the gear  76  and the gear surface  96 , about the axis  48 . The hub  98  is positioned along the shaft  57  where it engages the individual gears  93  associated with the louvers  45 . In operation, the gear  76  is driven by the motor  75  to rotate the gear surface  96  about the axis  48 . This causes the gears  93  of the louvers  45  to individually rotate on their axes  81  to move the louvers  45  and the shutter  43  to any position between the open and closed positions. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the rear shaft holder  61  is illustrated in a side view, with a front view shown in  FIG. 9A  and a rear view shown in  FIG. 9B . Of particular interest in the rear shaft holder  61  is a hub  103  which is sized and configured to receive the rear end of the shaft  57 . In the illustrated embodiment, the motor  75  and battery  94  are disposed around this hub  103  within the rear shaft holder  61 . 
         [0053]    With further reference to  FIG. 9 , it can be seen that a portion of the cross section of the casing  47  is taken up by the rear shaft holder  61 . The remaining cross sectional area, between the rear shaft holder  61  and the casing  47 , is substantially reduced from the area that immediately precedes the rear shaft holder  61 . This reduction in cross sectional area results in a Venturi effect so that the flow of air  30  upstream of the rear shaft holder  61  has an increased velocity. It is this faster moving air that ultimately contacts the wind generator  41  to facilitate the production of electricity. 
         [0054]    The illustrated embodiment is configured to accommodate an HVAC system where the source of energy is the HVAC unit  32 . The energy in the flow of air  30  is harnessed by the wind generator  41  (the converter  14  in  FIG. 1 ). Electricity from the wind generator  41  is gathered in the battery  94  (the energy storage device or collector  16  in  FIG. 1 ), where it is stored for future use. This energy stored in the battery  94  is used to drive the motor  74  (the converter  18  in  FIG. 1 ), which rotates the louvers  45  of the shutter  43  between the open and closed positions. 
         [0055]    It will be apparent, particularly with reference to  FIG. 1 , that the energy provided by the source  12  may be other than a flow of air  30 . For example, the source  12  may comprise radiated energy that is easily converted to electricity, collected, and used to drive a motor for the same or some other purpose associated with the house  25 . In this case the converter  14  might take the form of a light sensor responsive to light in any of the light spectrums. Other sources of potential or kinetic energy in various forms could be similarly used for a purpose associated with the house  25 .