Abstract:
An apparatus for circulating air includes a barrel through which the air is circulated, where the barrel includes a body having a first end and a second end, and a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel. In another embodiment, an apparatus for circulating air includes a grating through which the air is circulated and an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    Certain air circulation systems (e.g., air conditioning systems) require hot air to be vented when the air reaches a predefined temperature. In many instances, these systems include louvered vents that function as entry and exit points for air circulation. These vents may be static (i.e., fixed in an open position), adjustable through a range of possible positions (i.e., between fully open and fully closed), or adjustable to one of two positions (i.e., open or closed). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An apparatus for circulating air includes a barrel through which the air is circulated, where the barrel includes a body having a first end and a second end, and a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel. 
         [0003]    In another embodiment, a vent for circulating air includes a housing, the housing having a substantially cylindrical shape, a barrel positioned inside the housing, the barrel including a plurality of apertures though which the air is circulated, a door positioned concentrically between the barrel and the housing, the door having a substantially cylindrical shape and an opening formed therein, and a coil attached to one end of the door, such that the door is rotatable with the coil, wherein the coil is formed from a bimetallic material. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, an apparatus for circulating air includes a grating through which the air is circulated and an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a barrel-style coil-actuated vent, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating the housing of  FIG. 1  in more detail; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view illustrating the barrel of  FIG. 1  in more detail; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view illustrating the perforated cylinder of  FIG. 1  in more detail; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view illustrating the coil of  FIG. 1  in more detail; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a cap that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a coil mount that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0013]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In one embodiment, the invention is a barrel-style coil-actuated vent suitable for use in air circulation applications. The vent can be manufactured with precision in both very large sizes (e.g., for industrial applications) and also in very small sizes. Thus, the vent can be used in a variety of applications, including those in which solar heat gain may be a factor (e.g., windows, doors, skylights, gable roofs). 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a barrel-style coil-actuated vent  100 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The vent  100  generally comprises a housing  102 , a door  104 , a barrel  106 , and a coil  108 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustrating the housing  102  of  FIG. 1  in more detail. As illustrated, the housing  102  comprises an elongated body  200 . The body  200  may be formed of a metallic material. The body  200  includes a first end  202  and a second end  204  which define a hollow interior volume  206  therebetween. The interior volume  206  is substantially open, as illustrated, and has a generally cylindrical or tubular shape. By “generally” or “substantially” cylindrical, it is meant that a component has a shape that resembles a cylinder or tube, although it may not be perfectly cylindrical. 
         [0017]    The first end  202  of the body  200  has a substantially rounded (e.g., circular or arch-shaped) cross section, but includes a large, substantially wedge-shaped cutout  208  formed in its perimeter. Similarly, the second end  204  of the body  200  also has a substantially rounded cross section. However, the second end  204  also includes a perimetric lip  210  having a plurality of long, thin notches  212  formed therein. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view illustrating the door  104  of  FIG. 1  in more detail. As illustrated, the door  104  comprises an elongated body  300 . The body  300  may be formed of a metallic material. The body  300  includes a first end  302  and a second end  304  which define a hollow interior volume therebetween. An elongated opening  306  is formed in the generally cylindrical body  300 . In one embodiment, the opening  306  is rectangular in shape. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view illustrating the barrel  106  of  FIG. 1  in more detail. As illustrated, the barrel  106  comprises an elongated body  400  having a generally cylindrical or tubular shape. The body  400  may be formed of a metallic material. The body  400  includes a first end  402  and a second end  404 . Moreover, a plurality of apertures  406  is formed in the surface of the body  400 , such that the barrel functions as a tubular grating. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view illustrating the coil  108  of  FIG. 1  in more detail. As illustrated, the coil  108  comprises a length of metallic ribbon arranged in a spiral. In one embodiment, a first end  500  of the ribbon is bent into a first flange near approximately the center of the spiral, and a second end  502  of the ribbon is bent into a second flange near approximately the outer edge of the spiral. In one embodiment, the metallic ribbon comprises a bimetallic strip (i.e., a material comprising multiple layers of different metals that expand at different rates when heat is applied). For instance, the bimetallic strip may comprise layers of steel and copper and/or brass joined together along their respective lengths. The different expansion rates force the flat strip to bend in one direction when heated, and in the opposite direction when cooled below its initial temperature. Thus, the bimetallic strip converts temperature changes into mechanical displacements by expanding and contracting at different temperatures or ranges of temperatures. The bimetallic strip may be formed in different lengths and thicknesses. 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a cap  600  that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent  100  of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the cap  600  is generally circular in shape. The cap  600  may be formed of a metallic material. As will be explained in further detail below, the cap  600  is mounted to at least the first end  302  of the door  104 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a coil mount  700  that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent  100  of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the coil mount  700  is generally circular in shape and includes a spool  702 , which may further include a notch  704 . The coil mount  700  may be formed of a metallic material. As will be explained in further detail below, the coil mount  700  is mounted to at least the second end  304  of the door  104 . Additionally, the spool  702  of the coil mount  700  supports the coil  108 . 
         [0023]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the various components illustrated in  FIGS. 2-7  are assembled as follows. The barrel  106  is positioned concentrically within the interior volume of the door  104 . The door  104  is positioned concentrically within the interior volume  206  of the housing  102 . The cap  600  is positioned between the first ends  302 ,  402  of the door  104  and barrel  106  and the first end  202  of the housing  102 . The coil mount  700  is positioned between the second ends  304 ,  404  of the door  104  and barrel  106  and the second end  204  of the housing  102 . The coil  108  is mounted onto the spool  702 . The notch  704  of the spool  700  secures the first end  500  of the coil  108 , while one of the notches  212  in the housing  102  supports the second end  502  of the coil  108 . 
         [0024]    Although various components of the barrel-style coil-actuated vent  100  have been illustrated individually, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, two or more of the illustrated components could be formed integrally with each other. 
         [0025]    In operation, as the ambient heat increases, the coil  108  expands. Expansion of the coil  108  causes the coil  108  to rotate. Rotation of the coil  108  causes rotation of the coil mount  700  (due to the first end  500  of the coil  108  being secured to the spool  702 ), which, in turn, causes rotation of the door  104  to a position in which the opening  306  (and, therefore, the barrel  106  within the door  104 ) is exposed. This allows air to pass through the door  104  and barrel  106  for ventilation. Thus,  FIG. 1  illustrates the vent  100  in the “open” position. 
         [0026]    Conversely, when the ambient heat decreases, the coil  108  contracts, causing rotation of the coil  108  and door  104  in an opposite direction that “hides” the opening  306 . This effectively “closes” the vent and prevents air from passing through the door  104  and barrel  106 . Thus, opening and closing of the vent is an automatic and purely mechanical operation (i.e., does not require manual operation or a supply of electricity) that is responsive to ambient temperature changes. 
         [0027]    Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.