Adjustable heavy-duty bracket assembly

An example an adjustable bracket and an damper system usable with the adjustable bracket assembly for transmitting an actuation force from an actuator to a plurality of damper assemblies. The adjustable bracket assembly may include a shaft extending along and configured to rotate about a first axis in response to an output from the actuator, a first output lever configured to transmit a rotational force of the shaft to a first damper assembly, and a second output lever configured to transmit the rotational force of the shaft to a second damper assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The described aspects relate to an adjustable bracket assembly usable with a heating venting and air conditioning (HVAC), and more particularly an adjustable bracket assembly for adjusting the position of a series of dampers within an HVAC system.

BACKGROUND

Heating venting and air conditioning (HVAC) and/or venting systems and other venting systems may require for controlling airflow within ducting of the system. A damper system generally includes a blocking mechanism (e.g., pivoting blades connected to an electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuator) that are capable of opening and closing the passage within a duct. However, packaging and/or retrofitting of the electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuator system and associated linkages may pose challenges due to space and efficiency concerns, especially when retrofitting damper systems to existing ducts or wall/floor openings. Thus, improvements in damper systems and damper actuator systems are desired.

SUMMARY

An example implementation includes an adjustable bracket assembly for transmitting an actuation force from an actuator to a plurality of damper assemblies. The adjustable bracket assembly may include a shaft extending along and configured to rotate about a first axis in response to an output from the actuator, a first output lever configured to transmit a rotational force of the shaft to a first damper assembly, and a second output lever configured to transmit the rotational force of the shaft to a second damper assembly.

Another example implementation includes a damper system for selectively controlling airflow in a first duct and a second duct. The damper system may include a first damper assembly with a first damper, wherein the first damper assembly is configured to be mounted in-line with the first duct, a second damper assembly with a second damper, wherein the second damper assembly is configured to be mounted in-line with the second duct, and an actuator for controlling a position of the first damper and the second damper via an adjustable bracket assembly. The adjustable bracket assembly may include a shaft extending along and configured to rotate about a first axis in response to an output from the actuator, a first output lever configured to transmit a rotational force of the shaft to a first damper assembly, and a second output lever configured to transmit the rotational force of the shaft to a second damper assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an adjustable bracket assembly that improves ease of installation of a damper system in both new HVAC and/or venting systems or when a damper system is retrofitted to existing HVAC and/or venting ducts.

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Further, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

For purposes of the disclosure, directional terms are expressed generally with relation to a standard frame of reference when the system and apparatus described herein is installed and in an in-use orientation.

Throughout the disclosure, the term substantially may be used as a modifier for a geometric relationship between elements or for the shape of an element or component. While the term substantially is not limited to a specific variation and may cover any variation that is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be an acceptable variation, some examples are provided as follows. In one example, the term substantially may include a variation of less than 10% of the dimension of the object or component. In another example, the term substantially may include a variation of less than 5% of the object or component. If substantially is used to define the angular relationship of one element to another element, one non-limiting example of the term substantially may include a variation of 5 degrees or less. These examples are not intended to be limiting and may be increased or decreased based on the understanding of acceptable limits to one of skill in the relevant art.

Throughout the disclosure, the term duct may be used in conjunction with HVAC systems and in conjunction with example implementations of the disclosure. As one example, a duct may include any passage, opening, or conduit and may configured the have fluids such as air, liquid, or gasses passed therethrough. It is noted that the term duct is not limited to a conduit associated with an HVAC system and may include any opening or passage in a wall, ceiling, floor, and/or door, to name a few examples. The aforementioned examples are not intended to be limiting.

Aspects of the current disclosure are usable with any HVAC system, venting system, dynamic or static fire and smoke damper, which may include some type of blocking mechanism (e.g., pivoting blades connected to an electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuator) that is capable of opening and closing the passage within a duct. In one example, the aspects of the current disclosure are usable with a venting system for providing ventilation to enclosed or underground facilities or tunnels. It is noted that throughout the disclosure the terms, blocking mechanism, blocking device, blade, or damper system may be used interchangeably and may include any device or structure that may be movable between open and closed positions and/or otherwise is configured control the flow of air or other gasses through ductwork.

For context, a general overview of an implemented damper system and bracket assembly usable with the current disclosure is provided below. The following serves as a broad overview of the current disclosure and the problems the disclosed concepts aim to solve. When installing ductwork and damper assemblies in a facility and/or retrofitting damper assemblies to existing ductwork, space requirements may partially dictate the location of the ductwork. Thus, when damper systems are specified for a duct or series of ducts variances may exist that would pose challenges when a traditional damper system is installed in a facility. For example, with reference toFIG. 1, a series damper assemblies51and52may be installed in-line with ducts (not shown) that extend along the Y direction (seeFIG. 2). In some cases, the aforementioned series of ducts may run substantially parallel or may include a section that runs parallel or substantially parallel. In addition, it may be desirable to use a single motor or actuator, e.g.57, to control the both sets of damper assemblies, e.g.,51and52. However, dimensions between venting ducts may vary which caused difficulty in the past when retrofitting a system to current venting ducts or when installing a new venting system. When installing the series of damper assemblies51and52in-line with the aforementioned ducts, a distance H may vary. Thus, the current disclosure provides a damper assembly and/or adjustable bracket assembly that allows for the damper assemblies to be installed properly when distance H varies between two ducts, for example. In addition, the features described below also allow for variances in the aforementioned ducts in the Z direction and/or may be adaptable to compensate ducts that are skewed, i.e., that do not run parallel one another, to name a few additional examples. It is noted that while certain features are described with relation to and elements of the current disclosure may be usable with a series of dampers as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the disclosure is not limited to the specific figures or description provided under this general overview. For example, aspects of the disclosure system may also be usable with three or more series of dampers as well, to name one additional example. Further detail of aspects of the disclosure are described with reference to the drawings below. The following overview is intended merely to provide context and is not intended to limit the breadth of the disclosure or claims in any way.

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. Further, in some cases, methods, procedures, and components that are well-known or methods that would have been understood by one of skill in the art are described generally and without specific so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, the damper system50may include a first damper assembly51and second damper assembly52. The first damper assembly51may include a series of rotatable blades63configured to rotate about respective axis71and configured to move from an open position (not shown) so that flow through the passage of the first damper assembly frame59is not impeded or minimally impeded by blades63to a closed position (as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) closing or substantially closing a passage within the first damper assembly frame55and thus limiting the flow of fluid, e.g., air, within the ductwork of an HVAC or venting system. Similarly, the second damper assembly52may include a series of rotatable blades65configured to rotate about respective axis73and configured to move from an open position (not shown) so that flow through the passage of the second damper assembly frame61is not impeded or minimally impeded to a closed position (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) closing or substantially closing a passage within the second damper assembly frame61and thus limiting the flow of fluid, e.g., air, within the ductwork of an HVAC or venting system.

The damper position (e.g., opening and closing of blades63and65) of the first damper assembly51and second damper assembly52may be controlled by a single actuator57. The actuator57may be controlled via a control box55b, which may be mounted to the second damper assembly52or alternative to the second damper assembly51. The control box55bmay include any type of controller for controlling the rotational position of actuator57. The actuator57may be mounted to an adjustable bracket assembly100, which is described in further detail with relation toFIGS. 3 and 4below. The adjustable bracket assembly100may transmit a rotational force provided by the actuator57to a first damper assembly connection link69and a second damper assembly connection link67.

The first damper assembly connection link69and/or second damper assembly connection link67may include a through hole or “eye” at each end of the connection link, which may be interchangeably referred to as a first eye and second eye of each respective connection link. In addition, an eye-to-eye distance of the connection link may be adjustable using any known means in the art. In one example, a first eye and second eye of either one of or both of the first damper assembly connection link69and second damper assembly connection link67may be configured to be threaded into an elongated body of each respective connection link. Thus, each eye of the connection link may be rotated to adjust the eye-to-eye length of the link. Each threaded eye may further include a jamb nut which can be tightened against an end of the elongated body once an eye-to-eye length of the link is set to fix the eye-to-eye length of the link.

In the Example inFIGS. 1 and 2, each of the first damper assembly51and second damper assembly52include a respective first series of three blades63and second series of three blades65. In the example shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, each one of the first series of three blades63and the second series of three blades65may be rotatably supported and configured to rotate about a respective first series of axis71and second series of axis73. Thus, each one of the first series of three blades63and second serious of three blades65is rotatable from a substantially open position (not shown) to a substantially closed or closed position, e.g., as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. To control the rotational position of each of blades63and65, the first damper assembly connection link69and second damper assembly connection link67may transmit a rotational force to the corresponding first series of three blades63and second series of three blades65via damper levers connected to a shaft along the rotational axis71and/or73at one end of each of blades63and65. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the first damper assembly51may include a first damper assembly first damper lever77connected to a shaft at the end of a first blade63a, a second damper lever81connected to a shaft at the end of the second blade63b, and a third damper lever85connected to a shaft at the end of the third blade63c. The first damper lever77may be connected to the second damper lever81via a first damper transfer lever76and a first connection link79. Similarly, the second damper lever81may be connected to the third damper lever85via a second connector link83. The aforementioned structure allows the first blade63a, second blade63b, and third blade63cto rotate simultaneously when a rotational force is imparted by the first damper assembly connection link69to the first damper lever77.

While not shown inFIG. 2, a similar or identical structure as described above with may be implemented in the second damper assembly52. Thus blades65(FIG. 1) may also rotate simultaneously when a rotational force is imparted by the first damper assembly connection link69to a second damper assembly first damper lever99of the second damper assembly52. While the aforementioned structure andFIGS. 1 and 2show one example of a mechanisms usable to move blades63and65of the first damper assembly51and second damper assembly52respectively. It is noted that the aforementioned structure is not intended to be limiting and any known mechanism for opening and/or closing a series of dampers may be implemented and may be useable with the current disclosure.

The first damper assembly connection link69may be connected to a first output lever121and the second damper assembly connection link67may be connected to a second output lever123of the adjustable bracket assembly100.FIGS. 3 and 4show one example of bracket assembly100shown inFIGS. 1 and 2with top channel116removed for clarity. The adjustable bracket assembly100may include an outer housing comprising a first side wall115, and a second side wall131that may be substantially parallel. The first side wall115and second side wall131may be connected via a bottom wall135.

The bottom wall135may include one or more mounting provisions for mounting the bottom wall135of bracket assembly100to the first damper assembly51and/or the second damper assembly52. In one example, the mounting provisions may include a first set of one or more openings or through-holes111(FIGS. 3-4) configured to receive fasteners (unlabeled inFIGS. 1 and 2and not shown inFIGS. 2 and 3) to connect the bottom wall135and bracket assembly100to the first damper assembly51. The aforementioned fasteners may be any known fastener in the art and may include but are not limited to a nut and bolt, a self-tapping screw and/or screw for installation into a threaded hole on either of the damper assembly frames59and/or61or the bracket assembly and/or a rivet or series of rivets, to name a few examples. The bracket assembly100and aforementioned components of the bracket assembly may be formed of any one or a combination of a known steel, aluminum, and/or composite. For example, the first side wall115, second side wall131, bottom wall135, top wall118and/or actuator mounting portion113may be formed of an aluminum or aluminum alloy, a steel or steel alloy such as stainless steel, to name a few examples. The aforementioned walls may be joined using known methods such as welding, gluing, brazing, and/or via the use of fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, and/or rivets.

The bottom wall135may further include a second set of one or more openings or through-holes89configured to receive fasteners there through for mounting the bracket assembly100to second damper assembly52via second damper assembly mounting points87(FIG. 2). In one example, the second set of one or more openings or through-holes89may be slots allowing for adjustable mounting of the bracket assembly100. Thus, the second set of openings89may allow the bracket assembly100to be adjustably connected to the first damper assembly51and the second damper assembly52when a distance H (FIG. 1) between the first damper assembly51and the second damper assembly52varies during installation. For example, when the aforementioned arrangement allows for a technician or installer to securably connect the bracket assembly100when the first damper assembly51and second damper assembly are mounted to a corresponding first duct (not shown) and second duct (not shown) that are spaced a first distance apart, e.g., distance H inFIG. 1, and/or when the first damper assembly51and the second damper assembly are mounted to a corresponding third duct (not shown) and fourth duct (not shown) that are spaced apart a second distance that is different from the first distance. Accordingly, the aforementioned mounting configuration allows that bracket assembly to be adapted to different vent configurations.

In addition to the adjustability of the mounting provisions of bracket assembly100discussed above, the bracket assembly100may further include two adjustable outputs (e.g., for controlling the positions of blades63and65) from a single rotational input (e.g., from actuator57) as described in further detail below.

As noted above, the first side wall115and second side wall131may also be connected via a top wall118(FIG. 2), which includes a top channel116(FIG. 2), which may be an opening allowing a technician or other user access to the first output lever121and/or second output lever123. Thus, the first side wall115and the second side wall131may be configured to rotatably support an input shaft117and thus may be interchangeably referred to as a shaft support portion. The input shaft, which may be interchangeably referred to as a shaft,117may be an elongated shaft that extends along and is configured to rotate about a first axis105. In one aspect, the first side wall115may have a bearing or bushing119mounted thereto for rotatably supporting the input shaft117. While hidden from view inFIGS. 3 and 4, the second side wall131may include a similar bearing or bushing configured to rotatably support an end portion133of the input shaft117. The bracket assembly100may further include an actuator mounting portion113for mounting actuator57to the bracket assembly100.

As such, the first side wall115and/or bearing/bushing119, as well as the second side wall131and its bearing/bushing, may define respective input shaft support portions. Correspondingly, the bottom wall135in combination with the first and second sets of one or more openings or through-holes111and89may define a first damper assembly mounting portion for mounting the input shaft support portion to the first damper assembly at a first mounting location, and a second damper assembly mounting portion for mounting the input shaft support portion to the second damper assembly at a second mounting location.

The input shaft117may be mounted proximal to a first end of the input shaft117. As shown inFIG. 3, the actuator mounting portion113may be configured to support the actuator and align an output shaft (hidden from view inFIGS. 3 and 4) of the actuator57with the input shaft117so that the output shaft of the motor also rotates about the first axis105. The input shaft117may be directly mounted to an output shaft of the actuator57via any known method. Some examples of know methods may include a male/female coupling, a collar connecting input shaft to the input shaft117, a coupling joint such as a universal joint or constant velocity joint, a flexible damper, to name a few non-limiting examples. It is noted that whileFIG. 3the output shaft of actuator57is aligned with and directly connected to the input shaft117, the scope of the current disclosure could include other configurations. For example, the actuator57may be mounted so that the output shaft does not align with the input shaft117. In such a case, any know connection that allows for off-axis transmission of rotational force may be used; some non-limiting examples of which include a universal joint or constant velocity joint. In addition, a gear train, chain, or belt drive may be used to allow for an offset and/or a reduction or overdrive between output shaft of the actuator57and the input shaft117.

The input shaft117may have the first output lever121and the second output lever123adjustably mounted thereto. For example, the first output lever121may be have an opening dimensioned to receive the input shaft117so that the output lever is movable in a first direction (e.g., direction53) and/or a second direction (e.g., direction54) along the input shaft117. In addition, the interface between the input shaft117and the first output lever121may be an anti-rotation interface configured to prevent the first output lever121from rotating with relation to the input shaft117. In one example, of an anti-rotation interface, the input shaft117may have a keyed portion125, which may for example be a protrusion. The first output lever121may have a first key receiving portion128(FIG. 4), which may be dimensioned to slideably receive the keyed portion125of input shaft117, thus allowing the first output lever to be moved in a first direction53or second direction54along the input shaft while preventing rotation of the first output lever121with relation to the input shaft117. The aforementioned structure is not intended to be limited and may be substituted with any known structure that would prevent the first output lever121from rotating with relation to the input shaft117while allowing the first output lever to slide along the input shaft117allowing for adjustment of the position thereof. For example, the first output lever121may include a keyed portion and the input shaft117may include a key receiving portion. In another example, the first output lever121may include a splined portion configured to slideably engage with a corresponding splined portion of the input shaft117.

The second output lever123may similarly include a second key receiving portion132(FIG. 3), which may be dimensioned to slideably receive the keyed portion125of input shaft117, thus allowing the first output lever to be moved in a first direction53or second direction54along the input shaft while preventing rotation of the second output lever123with relation to the input shaft117. As mentioned above, the aforementioned structure is not intended to be limited and may be substituted with or used in conjunction with any known structure that would prevent the first output lever121from rotating with relation to the input shaft11, which may include but is not limited to the examples described above with respect to the first output lever121.

Either one of or both of the first output lever121and second output lever123may further include a corresponding first and second locking feature127and129configured to lock or fix the location of each of the first output lever121and second output lever123along axis105of the input shaft117. In one example, either one of or both of the first and second locking features127and129may for example be a bolt or other threaded fastener and corresponding threaded through hole for receiving each corresponding fastener. With the aforementioned construction, threading each bolt or other threaded fastener in a first direction may result in the bolt or other threaded fastener bottoming out on an outer surface of input shaft117thus causing the corresponding first output lever and/or second output lever to be fixed in place and preventing the same from sliding or translation along axis105of input shaft117. Conversely, loosening each bolt or threaded fastener in a second direction may result in the bolt or other fastener separating from the outer surface of the input shaft117thus allowing the respective first output lever121or second output lever123to be slid along the input shaft117in directions53and/or54. With the aforementioned example locking features127and129, a technician or user may loosen the fastener corresponding to locking features127and/or129and adjust the location of corresponding first output lever121or second output lever123with relation to input shaft117. Once the first output lever121and/or second output lever123are in the desired location, the fastener corresponding to locking features127and/or129may be tightened or rotated in the first direction until the first output lever121and/or second output levers123are locked in place. The aforementioned features may allow for adjustment of the locations of either one of or both of the first output lever121and/or second output lever123along the input shaft117.

FIGS. 3 and 4show two non-limiting examples of two possible positions of a first output lever121and second output lever123. As mentioned above, either one of or both of the first output lever121and second output lever123may be movable along axis105to allow adjustment to compensate for variations in a distance between first damper assembly frame59(FIG. 1) and a second damper assembly frame61(e.g., distance H inFIG. 1). Thus, the bracket assembly100, allows for multiple adjustable outputs from a single input (e.g., actuator57), while providing adjustment both in the mounting of the bracket100and the locations of the adjustable outputs (e.g., first and second output levers121and/or123) so that the bracket assembly can be adjustably connected to the first damper assembly51and the second damper assembly52when a distance H (FIG. 1) between the first damper assembly51and the second damper assembly52varies during installation. Accordingly, the aforementioned mounting configuration allows that bracket assembly to adapted to different vent configurations.

The foregoing description of various aspects and examples have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the forms described. The embodiment(s) illustrated in the figures can, in some instances, be understood to be shown to scale for illustrative purposes. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings, including a combination of the abovementioned aspects. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that various implementations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. The various aspects were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and various aspects as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the present disclosure is, of course, not limited to the examples or aspects set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather, it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto.