Patent Publication Number: US-2022228769-A1

Title: Diffuser adjustment assembly systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,182, entitled “AIR DIFFUSER WITH SWITCHABLE BLADE CONFIGURATIONS,” filed Jan. 19, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial environments to control environmental properties, such as temperature and humidity, for occupants of the respective environments. The HVAC system may regulate the environmental properties through delivery of a conditioned air flow to the environment. For example, the HVAC system generally includes an HVAC unit that is fluidly coupled to various rooms or spaces within the building via an air distribution system, such as a system of ductwork. The HVAC unit may be operable to direct a heated air flow or a cooled air flow through the ductwork and into the spaces to be conditioned. In this manner, the HVAC unit facilitates regulation of environmental parameters within the rooms or spaces of the building. Generally, one or more diffuser assemblies are fluidly coupled to the ductwork and are configured to facilitate distribution of conditioned air into the rooms or spaces serviced by the HVAC system. Unfortunately, it may be arduous, time consuming, and/or infeasible to adjust a manner in which conventional diffuser assemblies direct the conditioned air into the spaces of the building. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be noted that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     The present disclosure relates to a diffuser assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The diffuser assembly includes a housing configured to receive an air flow and a first blade pivotably coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the housing. The diffuser assembly also includes a second blade pivotably coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about a second axis relative to the housing. The diffuser assembly also includes a linkage mechanism coupled to the first blade and the second blade, where the linkage mechanism is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the linkage mechanism is configured to induce rotation of the second blade about the second axis in a first direction in response to rotation of the first blade about the first axis in the first direction. In the second configuration, the linkage mechanism is configured to induce rotation of the second blade about the second axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, in response to rotation of the first blade about the first axis in the first direction. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a diffuser assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The diffuser assembly includes a first blade configured to rotate about a first axis and a second blade configured to rotate about a second axis. The diffuser assembly also includes a linkage mechanism coupled to the first blade and the second blade. The linkage mechanism is adjustable between a first configuration in which the linkage mechanism is configured to synchronize rotation of the first blade about the first axis and rotation of the second blade about the second axis in a common direction, and a second configuration in which the linkage mechanism is configured to synchronize rotation of the first blade about the first axis and rotation of the second blade about the second axis in opposing directions. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a diffuser assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The diffuser assembly includes a housing configured to receive an air flow and a plurality of blades pivotably coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about respective axes relative to the housing. The diffuser assembly also includes a linkage mechanism coupled to the plurality of blades, where the linkage mechanism is configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the linkage mechanism is configured to induce rotation of the plurality of blades about the respective axes in a common direction in response to application of an input force to a blade of the plurality of blades. In the second configuration, the linkage mechanism is configured to induce rotation of a first subset of the plurality of blades in a first direction and induce rotation of a second subset of the plurality of blades in a second direction, opposite the first direction, in response to application of the input force. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a building incorporating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system in a commercial setting, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of an embodiment of a room of a building having diffuser assemblies, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of a diffuser assembly, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially,” and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being “approximately” equal to (or, for example, “substantially similar” to) a given value, this is intended to convey that the property value may be within +/−5%, within +/−4%, within +/−3%, within +/−2%, within +/−1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being “substantially parallel” to another feature, “generally perpendicular” to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to convey that the given feature is within +/−5%, within +/−4%, within +/−3%, within +/−2%, within +/−1%, or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Mathematical terms, such as “parallel” and “perpendicular,” should not be rigidly interpreted in a strict mathematical sense, but should instead be interpreted as one of ordinary skill in the art would interpret such terms. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that two lines that are substantially parallel to each other are parallel to a substantial degree, but may have minor deviation from exactly parallel. 
     As briefly discussed above, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system may be used to thermally regulate a space within a building, home, or other suitable structure. The HVAC system may include an HVAC unit configured to condition an air flow via an evaporator, a furnace, a heating coil, a chiller system, a heat exchanger, another heat exchange system, or a combination thereof, and to provide the conditioned air flow (e.g., a heated air flow, a cooled air flow, a dehumidified air flow) to the space. For example, the HVAC unit may be fluidly coupled to the space via an air distribution system, such as a system of ductwork, that extends between the HVAC unit and the space. One or more fans or blowers of the HVAC system may be operable to direct a supply of conditioned air from the HVAC unit, through the ductwork, and into the spaces within the building. 
     Typically, the HVAC system includes one or more diffusers that are fluidly coupled to terminal ends of the ductwork and are configured to facilitate distribution of air from the ductwork into the rooms or spaces of the building. For example, the diffusers may be positioned adjacent to ceilings, floors, and/or walls of the rooms conditioned by the HVAC system and may be configured to discharge air from the ductwork into the rooms or other spaces. In many cases, upon installation of the diffusers in the building, it may be arduous, time consuming, and/or infeasible to adjust a direction or directions along which the diffusers direct the conditioned air received from the ductwork into the spaces of the building. In other words, adjustability of installed diffusers may be limited, restricted, or otherwise unworkable. As such, conventional diffusers may often be set or otherwise configured to discharge air in a manner that impedes effective air distribution across the spaces serviced by the HVAC system and/or reduces a comfort of occupants that may be located within the spaces. Indeed, conventional diffusers may not provide desired adjustability or configurability to enable different discharge air flow patterns or characteristics. 
     It is presently recognized that enabling quick and user-friendly adjustment of a particular air discharge direction or pattern, or multiple air discharge directions or patterns, of a diffuser may facilitate effective air distribution across a room or other space to be conditioned by the HVAC system in a variety of circumstances or conditions. For example, enabling directionally-adjustable air discharge from the diffuser may mitigate or substantially eliminate stratification of conditioned air within the room or space to be conditioned when the HVAC system is transitioned between different operating modes (e.g., from a cooling mode to a heating mode, and vice versa). Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a diffuser assembly that facilitates improved, rapid adjustment of one or more air discharge directions of the diffuser assembly. 
     For example, embodiments of the diffuser assembly disclosed herein include a housing having an inlet configured to fluidly couple to a duct of the HVAC system. The duct may receive a flow of conditioned air (e.g., heated air, cooled air, dehumidified air) from an HVAC unit, air handler, terminal unit, or other component of the HVAC system and direct the conditioned air into an interior volume of the housing. The housing includes an outlet configured to expel the conditioned air from the interior volume and to direct the conditioned air into a room or other space serviced by the diffuser assembly. The diffuser assembly includes a plurality of blades (e.g., damper blades) that may be disposed adjacent to and upstream of the outlet, with respect to a direction of the conditioned air flow through the housing. The blades are configured to pivot about corresponding pivoting axes to guide discharge of the conditioned air flow from the housing and into the space along particular directions. The blades may be mechanically coupled via a linkage mechanism that is configured to transfer pivotal motion between the blades and enable desired positioning of the blades to achieve a selected air flow discharge direction. 
     In a first user-selectable configuration of the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism may couple the blades such that, upon application of an input force to one of the blades, such as via an actuator that may be coupled a particular blade or via a user applying a force to the blade, the linkage mechanism pivots each of the blades in a common direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) about their respective pivoting axes. As such, in the first user-selectable configuration, the linkage mechanism may facilitate adjustment of an overall discharge direction (e.g., left, right) of the diffuser assembly. In a second user-selectable configuration of the linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism may couple the blades such that, upon application of the input force to one of the blades, the linkage mechanism pivots the blades in opposite directions about their respective pivoting axes. Accordingly, in the second user-selectable configuration, the linkage mechanism may facilitate adjustment of an overall discharge pattern (e.g., vertical, generally horizontal) of the conditioned air from the diffuser assembly. As discussed herein, in this manner, the linkage mechanism enables quick and convenient adjustability of an air discharge configuration of the diffuser assembly, which may enable the diffuser assembly to improve effective air distribution in a space serviced by the diffuser assembly and enhance occupant comfort within the space. These and other features will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system for environmental management that employs one or more HVAC units in accordance with the present disclosure. As used herein, an HVAC system includes any number of components configured to enable regulation of parameters related to climate characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, air flow, pressure, air quality, and so forth. For example, an “HVAC system” as used herein is defined as conventionally understood and as further described herein. Components or parts of an “HVAC system” may include, but are not limited to, all, some of, or individual parts such as a heat exchanger, a heater, an air flow control device, such as a fan, a sensor configured to detect a climate characteristic or operating parameter, a filter, a control device configured to regulate operation of an HVAC system component, a component configured to enable regulation of climate characteristics, or a combination thereof. An “HVAC system” is a system configured to provide such functions as heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, pressurization, refrigeration, filtration, or any combination thereof. The embodiments described herein may be utilized in a variety of applications to control climate characteristics, such as residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, or other applications where climate control is desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a building  10  is air conditioned by an HVAC system  11  having an HVAC unit  12 . The building  10  may be a commercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit  12  is disposed on the roof of the building  10 ; however, the HVAC unit  12  may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building  10 . The HVAC unit  12  may be a single package unit containing other equipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be part of a split HVAC system, which includes an outdoor HVAC unit and an indoor HVAC unit. 
     The HVAC unit  12  is an air cooled device that implements a refrigeration cycle to provide conditioned air to the building  10 . Specifically, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more heat exchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is supplied to the building  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flow from the building  10 . The HVAC unit  12  may provide a variety of heating and/or cooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling with electric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, or cooling with a heat pump. For example, in certain embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate in different modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnace for heating the air stream. 
     In any case, after the HVAC unit  12  conditions the air, the air may be supplied to the building  10  via ductwork  14  (e.g., an air distribution system) extending from the HVAC unit  12  and throughout the building  10 . For example, the ductwork  14  may extend to various individual floors, rooms zones, or other sections or spaces of the building  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of diffuser assemblies  16  is coupled to the ductwork  14  (e.g., distal or terminal ends of the ductwork  14 ). The diffuser assemblies  16  may direct the conditioned air into the various spaces of the building  10  in a manner that improves air distribution and/or air dispersion across the spaces. 
     In some embodiments, a control device  18 , one type of which may be a thermostat, may be used to designate the temperature of the conditioned air supplied by the HVAC unit  12 . The control device  18  also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork  14 . For example, the control device  18  may be used to regulate operation of one or more components of the HVAC unit  12  or other components, such as dampers and fans, within the building  10  that may control flow of air through and/or from the ductwork  14 . In some embodiments, other devices may be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperature transducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of supply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device  18  may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate from other building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that are remote from the building  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of an embodiment of a room  30  of the building  10 , illustrating diffuser assemblies  16  coupled to ductwork  14 . The diffuser assemblies  16  may be fluidly coupled to the ductwork  14  (e.g., to terminal ends of the ductwork  14 ) to receive a flow of conditioned air  32 , which may generated by the HVAC unit  12 , for example. The diffuser assemblies  16  are also fluidly coupled to the room  30  and are exposed to a space  34  of the room  30 . Accordingly, the diffuser assemblies  16  may discharge the conditioned air  32  into the space  34  of the room  30 . In some embodiments, the building  10  may include a dropped ceiling  36  (e.g., ceiling tiles) that may be suspended from a ceiling structure  38  of the building  10 . At least a portion of the ductwork  14  and the diffuser assemblies  16  may be located in a space formed between the ceiling structure  38  and the dropped ceiling  36 . In other embodiments, the ductwork  14  and/or the diffuser assemblies  16  may be located in any other suitable region of the building  10 . For example, the ductwork  14 , the diffuser assemblies  16 , or both, may be partially or fully integrated into the ceiling structure  38  of the building  10  and/or located in walls  40  or a floor  42  of the building  10 . 
     As discussed in detail herein, each of the diffuser assemblies  16  may include a plurality of blades  44  that is configured to adjust a discharge direction and/or discharge pattern (e.g., a discharge configuration having multiple discharge directions) of the conditioned air  32  directed into the space  34 . For example, in some embodiments, the blades  44  of a first diffuser assembly  46  may be oriented along a common direction to direct the conditioned air  32  into the space  34  along a first direction  48 . As such, the first diffuser assembly  46  may direct the conditioned air  32  toward a window  50  or other structure (e.g., one of the walls  40 ) of the room  30 , for example. Alternatively, the blades  44  of a second diffuser assembly  52  may be oriented along opposing directions with respect to one another, such that the blades  44  of the second diffuser assembly  52  may direct a portion of the conditioned air  32  discharged from the second diffuser assembly  52  along the first direction  48  and direct a remaining portion of the conditioned air  32  discharged from the second diffuser assembly  52  along a second direction  58 , which may extend crosswise to the first direction  48 . As such, in the illustrated embodiment, the second diffuser assembly  52  may have a more lateral discharge pattern (e.g., a discharge configuration having generally lateral air discharge directions) with respect to the floor  42  of the room  30 , for example. Further, in certain embodiments, the blades  44  of either or both of the diffuser assemblies  16  may be positioned to discharge the conditioned air  32  generally along a vertical direction  62  (e.g., a direction of gravity) toward the floor  42 . As such, it should be appreciated that the blades  44  of each of the diffuser assemblies  16  may be adjusted to a variety of positions to facilitate distribution of the conditioned air  32  throughout the space  34  in a manner (e.g., a pattern) that facilitates conditioning of the space  34  and improves a comfort of occupants that may be located within the room  30 . As discussed in detail herein, the diffuser assemblies  16  may each include a linkage mechanism that is coupled to the blades  44  to facilitate adjustment of the diffuser assemblies  16  between any of the aforementioned air discharge configurations, amongst others. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the diffuser assemblies  16 , referred to herein as a diffuser assembly  70  (e.g., an adjustable diffuser assembly). In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser assembly  70  includes a housing  72  having a first wall  74  (e.g., a front wall, a first or second wall), a second wall  76  (e.g., a rear wall, a first or second wall), and a web  78  (e.g., lateral wall, lateral sides, wrap, etc.) that extends between (e.g., from and to) the first wall  74  and the second wall  76 . The first wall  74 , the second wall  76 , and the web  78  may collectively define an interior volume  80  of the diffuser assembly  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall  74  includes a wall flange  82  extending therefrom, which may define a passage  84  extending through the first wall  74  and into the interior volume  80  of the housing  72 . The wall flange  82  may be configured to receive, engage with, or otherwise couple to (e.g., mechanically couple to, fluidly couple to) at duct  86  (e.g., a flexible duct, a duct end, a duct outlet) of the ductwork  14 . Accordingly, the duct  86  may direct a conditioned air flow (e.g., a cooled air flow, a heated air flow, a dehumidified air flow) that may be generated by the HVAC unit  12 , for example, through the passage  84  and into the interior volume  80  of the housing  72 . The housing  72  may discharge the conditioned air flow received from the duct  86  via an outlet  88  of the housing  72 , which may be formed between the first wall  74 , the second wall  76 , and the web  78 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser assembly  70  includes a first blade  90  that may be pivotably coupled to the housing  72  and configured to pivot about a first axis  92  with respect to the housing  72 . The diffuser assembly  70  also includes a second blade  94  that may be pivotably coupled to the housing  72  and configured to pivot about a second axis  96  with respect to the housing  72 . The first axis  92  and the second axis  96  may extend generally parallel to one another and generally parallel to a width  98  of the housing  72 . The first blade  90  and the second blade  94  may collectively be referred to herein as blades  100  of the diffuser assembly  70 . Although the illustrated embodiment of the diffuser assembly  70  includes two blades  100 , it should be understood that the diffuser assembly  70  may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more than 6 blades, as various embodiments of the diffuser assembly  70  are envisioned and may incorporate the presently disclosed techniques. 
     The blades  100  may be positioned adjacent to the outlet  88  and upstream of the outlet  88 , with respect to a flow direction  102  of the conditioned air through the housing  72 . In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the blades  100  may protrude downstream beyond the outlet  88 , with respect to the flow direction  102 . In any case, as discussed in detail below, the blades  100  may be configured to pivot between a plurality of blade positions, relative to one another and/or relative to the housing  72 , to adjust a discharge configuration of the diffuser assembly  70 . As used herein, a “discharge configuration” of the diffuser assembly  70  may refer to a direction or combination of directions at which the diffuser assembly  70  is configured to discharge air from the outlet  88  and into a space (e.g., the space  34 ) serviced by the diffuser assembly  70 , and/or a distance (e.g., throw) at which the diffuser assembly  70  forces the air into the space  34 . The blades  100  are coupled to a linkage mechanism  110  that is configured to guide and facilitate adjustment of the blades  100  between the plurality of blade positions. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the blades  100  (e.g., the first blade  90 ) may be directly or indirectly coupled to an actuator  112  that is configured to drive rotation (e.g., pivotal movement) of the blades  100  about the corresponding axes  92 ,  96 . For example, in an embodiment, the actuator  112  may be coupled to the first blade  90  and configured to drive movement (e.g., rotation) of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92 . As discussed in detail herein, the linkage mechanism  110  may be configured to impart movement (e.g., transfer force) from the first blade  90  to the second blade  94  (e.g., to effectuate pivotal movement of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96 ). As such, cooperation between the actuator  112  and the linkage mechanism  110  enables actuation of both the first blade  90  and the second blade  94  about the first axis  92  and the second axis  96 , respectively. In other embodiments, the actuator  112  may be omitted from the diffuser assembly  70 . In such embodiments, adjustment of the blades  100  may occur via an input force provided by a user (e.g., an occupant of the space  34 ) to the first blade  90  or the second blade  94 . For example, the user may access the first blade  90  or to the second blade  94  (e.g., via the outlet  88 ) to manually pivot the first blade  90  or the second blade  94  about the corresponding axis  92 ,  96 . Regardless, due to the coupling of the linkage mechanism  110  to the first blade  90  and the second blade  94 , the linkage mechanism  110  may impart movement from the first blade  90  to the second blade  94  or from the second blade  94  to the first blade  90 . That is, as discussed below, the user may apply the input force to the first blade  90  or the second blade  94  to cause rotation of both of the blades  100  about the corresponding axes  92 ,  96 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the first blade  90  and the second blade  94 . The blades  100  may each include a channel  120  or a plurality of channels (e.g., a pair of channels) formed therein. The web  78  of the housing  72  may include a set of apertures  122  formed therein. One or more pins  124  (e.g., bolts) may be configured to extend through each set of the apertures  122  and the channels  120  to pivotably couple the first blade  90  and the second blade  94  to the housing  72 . That is, in some embodiments, the pins  124  may include a first pin  126  configured to extend along the first axis  92  to pivotably couple the first blade  90  to the housing  72  and include a second pin  128  configured to extend along the second axis  96  to pivotably couple the second blade  94  to the housing  72 . In certain embodiments, the pins  126 ,  128  and the corresponding blades  90 ,  94  may collectively rotate about the axes  92 ,  96  relative to the housing  72 . In other embodiments, the first blade  90  may be configured to rotate about the first pin  126  and the first axis  92 , relative to the first pin  126  and the housing  72 , and the second blade  94  may be configured to rotate about the second pin  128  and the second axis  96 , relative to the second pin  128  and the housing  72 . 
     In some embodiments, either or both of the blades  100  may include a blade holder  132  configured to support a blade piece  134 . For example, the blade holders  132  may be configured to receive and apply a compressive force to the blade pieces  134  to retain the blade pieces  134  in the blade holder  132 . The blade pieces  134  may include a rigid material or a pliable material (e.g., a polymeric material, such as rubber). As discussed below, the blade pieces  134  may be configured to guide air flow through the housing  72  and out of the outlet  88  while the blades  100  are oriented in various configurations in the housing  72 . For clarity, it should be understood that the blade pieces  134  may form a portion of the blades  100  themselves. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the linkage mechanism  110  in a disassembled configuration.  FIG. 6  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the linkage mechanism  110  in an assembled configuration.  FIGS. 5 and 6  will be discussed concurrently throughout the following discussion. In some embodiments, the linkage mechanism  110  includes a first bracket  140  and a second bracket  142  that may each be configured to couple to the first blade  90 . In particular, the first bracket  140  may be configured to couple to a first outer surface of the first blade  90  (e.g., a surface of the first blade  90  facing the second wall  76 ), and the second bracket  142  may be configured to couple to a first inner surface of the first blade  90  (e.g., a surface of the first blade  90  facing the first wall  74 ). In other embodiments, the first and second brackets  140 ,  142  may be configured to couple to any other suitable portion of the first blade  90  that enables operation of the linkage mechanism  110  in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. 
     The linkage mechanism  110  may also include a pin bracket  144  that may be configured to couple to an inner surface the second blade  94  (e.g., a surface of the second blade  94  facing the second wall  76 ). The first bracket  140 , the second bracket  142 , and the pin bracket  144  may be configured to couple (e.g., fixedly couple) to the corresponding blades  100  via fasteners, adhesives, or a metallurgical process, such as welding or brazing. In any case, the first bracket  140  may include a first bracket aperture  150  formed therein, the second bracket  142  may include a second bracket aperture  152  formed therein, and the pin bracket  144  may include a third bracket aperture  154  formed therein. As discussed below, the first, second, and pin brackets  140 ,  142 ,  144  may facilitate coupling (e.g., mechanical linking, pivotable coupling) of the first blade  90  and the second blade  94  via an intermediate bracket  156  of the linkage mechanism  110 . In some embodiments, the first bracket  140  and/or the second bracket  142  may be formed integrally with (e.g., extend from) a body of the first blade  90 , the pin bracket  144  may be formed integrally with (e.g., extend from) a body of the second blade  94 , or both. 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the intermediate bracket  156  may include a first intermediate aperture  160 , a second intermediate aperture  162 , and a third intermediate aperture  164  formed therein. The linkage mechanism  110  includes a pivot pin  166  that is configured to extend through the third intermediate aperture  164  and the third bracket aperture  154  to pivotably couple the intermediate bracket  156  to the pin bracket  144 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the intermediate bracket  156  is shown in an installed configuration with the pin bracket  144 , whereby the pivot pin  166  pivotably couples the intermediate bracket  156  to the pin bracket  144 . 
     Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the blades  100  are shown in a neutral configuration  170 , in which a length  172  of each of the blades  100  may extend generally along a height  174  of the housing  72 . In some embodiments, while the blades  100  are in the neutral configuration  170 , and while the intermediate bracket  156  is in the installed configuration with the pin bracket  144 , the first intermediate aperture  160  of the intermediate bracket  156  may be aligned with the first bracket aperture  150  of the first bracket  140 , and the second intermediate aperture  162  of the intermediate bracket  156  may be aligned with the second bracket aperture  152  of the second bracket  142 . This configuration will be referred to herein as a “selection configuration  180 ” of the linkage mechanism  110 . That is, in the selection configuration  180  of the linkage mechanism  110 , the intermediate bracket  156  may be pivotably coupled to the pin bracket  144  via the pivot pin  166 , the first intermediate aperture  160  of the intermediate bracket  156  may be aligned with the first bracket aperture  150  of the first bracket  140 , and the second intermediate aperture  162  of the intermediate bracket  156  may be aligned with the second bracket aperture  152  of the second bracket  142 . 
     The diffuser assembly  70  further includes a selection pin  184  (e.g., a self-locking implanted cotter [SLIC] pin, a bolt, a dowel pin, a removable selection pin) that may be configured to selectively couple the intermediate bracket  156  to the first bracket  140  or to selectively couple the intermediate bracket  156  to the second bracket  142 . For example, to transition the linkage mechanism  110  to a first adjustment configuration  190  (see  FIG. 8 ), a user may extend the selection pin  184  through the first intermediate aperture  160  and the first bracket aperture  150  to pivotably couple the intermediate bracket  156  to the first bracket  140 . That is, in the first adjustment configuration  190  of the linkage mechanism  110 , the intermediate bracket  156  may be pivotably coupled to the pin bracket  144  mounted to the second blade  94  and to the first bracket  140  mounted to the first blade  90 . To transition the linkage mechanism  110  to a second adjustment configuration  192  (see  FIG. 7 ), a user may extend the selection pin  184  through the second intermediate aperture  162  and the second bracket aperture  152  to pivotably couple the intermediate bracket  156  to the second bracket  142 . That is, in the second adjustment configuration  192  of the linkage mechanism  110 , the intermediate bracket  156  may be pivotably coupled to the pin bracket  144  mounted to the second blade  94  and to the second bracket  142  mounted to the first blade  90 . It should be appreciated that, while the linkage mechanism  110  is in the selection configuration  180 , the user may quickly and easily transition the linkage mechanism  110  to the first adjustment configuration  190  or the second adjustment configuration  192  by repositioning the selection pin  184  in the manner described above. As discussed below, by transitioning the linkage mechanism  110  between the first adjustment configuration  190  and the second adjustment configuration  192 , the user may enable the linkage mechanism  110  to control adjustment of the blades  100  in various manners (e.g., discharge configurations) that permit different patterns of air discharge from the outlet  88  of the diffuser assembly  70 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the linkage mechanism  110  in the second adjustment configuration  192 , in which the selection pin  184  pivotably couples the intermediate bracket  156  to the second bracket  142 . To transition the linkage mechanism  110  from the second adjustment configuration  192  to the first adjustment configuration  190 , the user may remove the selection pin  184  from the second intermediate aperture  162  of the intermediate bracket  156  and from the second bracket aperture  152  of the second bracket  142 , and the user may insert the selection pin  184  in the first intermediate aperture  160  of the intermediate bracket  156  and the first bracket aperture  150  of the first bracket  140  to pivotably couple the intermediate bracket  156  to the first bracket  140 . In some embodiments, the user may access the selection pin  184  via the outlet  88  of the diffuser assembly  70  to install the selection pin  184  with or remove the selection pin  184  from the linkage mechanism  110 . In certain embodiments, the web  78  may include an opening  194  that is sufficiently sized to enable a user to manipulate the selection pin  184  from a side  196  of the diffuser assembly  70 . Additionally or alternatively, the web  78  may include a removable panel or door coupled thereto, which may be actuatable by the user to selectively enable or occlude access to the linkage mechanism  110  and the selection pin  184 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the linkage mechanism  110  in the first adjustment configuration  190 , in which the selection pin  184  pivotably couples the intermediate bracket  156  to the first bracket  140 . The following discussion will proceed with reference to an “input force  200 ” applied to the diffuser assembly  70 . For clarity, the input force  200  may be indicative of a force applied by the actuator  112  to the first blade  90  to drive rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92 , a force applied by the actuator  112  to the second blade  94  to drive rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96 , a force applied by a user (e.g., a human operator applying a physical force) to the first blade  90  to drive rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92 , a force applied by the user to the second blade  94  to drive rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96 , or any combination thereof. That is, the input force  200  may be any suitable force applied to the first blade  90  to drive rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92 , applied to the second blade  94  to drive rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  (e.g., via an actuator or a human operator), or both. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the blades  100  are shown in a neutral discharge configuration  202 , in which the blades  100  may extend generally parallel to one another and generally along the first wall  74  and/or the second wall  76  of the housing  72 . As such, the blades  100  may facilitate discharge of conditioned air  220  through the outlet  88  along the vertical direction  62  (e.g., when the diffuser assembly  70  is installed in the dropped ceiling  36 ). In the first adjustment configuration  190 , the linkage mechanism  110  may, in response to rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in a counter-clockwise direction  210  (e.g., due to application of the input force  200  on the first blade  90 ), induce rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the counter-clockwise direction  210 . In other words, the linkage mechanism  110  may transfer the input force  200  from the first blade  90  to the second blade  94 . Further, in the first adjustment configuration  190 , the linkage mechanism  110  may, in response to rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in a clockwise direction  212  (e.g., due to application of the input force  200  on the first blade  90 ), induce rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the clockwise direction  212  by transferring the input force  200  from the first blade  90  to the second blade  94 . 
     For example,  FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the blades  100  in a first discharge configuration  214 , in which the blades  100  have been rotated in the counter-clockwise direction  210  about the axes  92 ,  96 , with respect to the neutral discharge configuration  202  of the blades  100  shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the blades  100  in a second discharge configuration  216 , in which the blades  100  have been rotated in the clockwise direction  212  about the axes  92 ,  96 , with respect to the neutral discharge configuration  202  of the blades  100  shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  will be discussed concurrently below. 
     To transition the blades  100  from the neutral discharge configuration  202  to the first discharge configuration  214 , the input force  200  may be applied to the first blade  90 , for example, to rotate the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the counter-clockwise direction  210 , and to therefore enable the intermediate bracket  156  to cause rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the counter-clockwise direction  210 . As such, in the first discharge configuration  214 , the blades  100  may guide discharge of substantially all of the conditioned air  220  received by the diffuser assembly  70  (e.g., via the duct  86 ) through the outlet  88  along the first direction  48 . To transition the blades  100  from the first discharge configuration  214  to the second discharge configuration  216 , the input force  200  may be applied to the first blade  90 , for example, to rotate the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the clockwise direction  212 , and to therefore enable the intermediate bracket  156  to cause rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the clockwise direction  212 . As such, in the second discharge configuration  216 , the blades  100  may guide discharge of substantially all of the conditioned air  220  received by the diffuser assembly  70  through the outlet  88  along the second direction  58 . 
     In some embodiments, in the first adjustment configuration  190 , the linkage mechanism  110  may be configured such that a particular degree of rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  induces a corresponding (e.g., substantially equal) degree of rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96 , and vice versa. That is, in the first adjustment configuration  190 , the linkage mechanism  110  may coordinate (e.g., synchronize) and enable rotation of each of the blades  100  about the respective axes  92 ,  96  in a common (e.g., same) direction. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the blades  100  may be transitioned to any suitable position (e.g., angular orientation) between the first discharge configuration  214  and the second discharge configuration  216  described above. 
     In some embodiments, in the first discharge configuration  214 , the blade piece  134  of the second blade  94  (e.g., an upstream end portion  226  of the blade piece  134  of the second blade  94 ) may be configured to engage with an inner surface  230  of the first wall  74  to form a fluid seal at an interface between the second blade  94  and the first wall  74 . In the second discharge configuration  216 , the blade piece  134  of the first blade  90  (e.g., an upstream end portion  228  of the blade piece  134  of the first blade  90 ) may be configured to engage with an additional inner surface  232  of the second wall  76  to form a fluid seal at an interface between the first blade  90  and the second wall  76 . In this way, the blade pieces  134  may facilitate improved discharge of the conditioned air  220  in the first direction  48  or the second direction  58  when the blades  100  are in the first discharge configuration  214  or the second discharge configuration  216 , respectively. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the linkage mechanism  110  in the second adjustment configuration  192 , in which the selection pin  184  pivotably couples the intermediate bracket  156  to the second bracket  142 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blades  100  are shown in the neutral discharge configuration  202 , in which the blades  100  may facilitate discharge of conditioned air  220  through the outlet  88  along the vertical direction  62  (e.g., when the diffuser assembly  70  is installed in the dropped ceiling  36 ). 
     In the second adjustment configuration  192 , the linkage mechanism  110  may, in response to rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the counter-clockwise direction  210  (e.g., due to application of the input force  200  on the first blade  90 ), induce rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the clockwise direction  212 . Moreover, in the second adjustment configuration  192 , the linkage mechanism  110  may, in response to rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the clockwise direction  212  (e.g., due to application of the input force  200  on the first blade  90 ), induce rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the counter-clockwise direction  210 . 
     To better illustrate the actuation of the blades  100  while the linkage mechanism  110  is in the second adjustment configuration  192  and to facilitate the following discussion,  FIG. 12  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the blades  100  in a third discharge configuration  250 .  FIG. 13  is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of the diffuser assembly  70 , illustrating the blades  100  in a fourth discharge configuration  252 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  will be discussed concurrently below. To transition the blades  100  from the neutral discharge configuration  202  to the third discharge configuration  250 , the input force  200  may be applied to the first blade  90 , for example, to rotate the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the counter-clockwise direction  210 , and to therefore enable the intermediate bracket  156  to cause rotation the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the clockwise direction  212 . As such, in the third discharge configuration  250 , the blades  100  may guide discharge of the conditioned air  220  through the outlet  88  along both the first direction  48  and second direction  58 . That is, in the third discharge configuration  250 , the blades  100  may guide discharge of a first portion of the conditioned air  220  along the first direction  48  and guide discharge of a second portion (e.g., a remaining portion) of the conditioned air  220  along the second direction  58 . 
     In certain embodiments, in the third discharge configuration  250  of the blades  100 , the blade pieces  134  (e.g., the upstream end portions  226 ,  228 ) may be configured to engage one another to form a fluid seal at an interface between the first blade  90  and the second blade  94 . In this way, the blade pieces  134  may facilitate separation of the conditioned air  220  within the housing  72  into a first air flow that is directed through a first portion  260  of the outlet  88  between the first blade  90  and the second wall  76  and a second air flow that is directed through a second portion  262  of the outlet  88  between the second blade  94  and the first wall  74 . In some embodiments, the intermediate bracket  156  may include a notch  264  formed therein that enables avoidance of interference between the intermediate bracket  156  and the first pin  126  while the linkage mechanism  110  is in the third discharge configuration  250  or in other configurations disclosed herein. 
     To transition the blades  100  from the third discharge configuration  250  to the fourth discharge configuration  252 , the input force  200  may be applied to the first blade  90 , for example, to rotate the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the clockwise direction  212 , and to therefore enable the intermediate bracket  156  to cause rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the counter-clockwise direction  210 . As such, in the fourth discharge configuration  252 , the blades  100  may guide discharge of the conditioned air  220  through the outlet  88  along the vertical direction  62 . 
     In certain embodiments, in the fourth discharge configuration  252 , the blades  100  may reduce an effective cross-sectional area of the outlet  88 , as compared to a normal cross-sectional area of the outlet  88 , such as when the blades  100  are in the neutral discharge configuration  202 . For example, in the fourth discharge configuration  252 , the blade piece  134  of the first blade  90  may engage with (e.g., at the upstream end portion  228  to form fluidic seal with) the additional inner surface  232  of the second wall  76 , and the blade piece  134  of the second blade  94  may engage with (e.g., at the upstream end portion  226  to form a fluidic seal with) the inner surface  230  of the first wall  74 . As such, a width  270  between distal ends  272  of the first blade  90  and the second blade  94  may form an effective width of the outlet  88 , which may be less than an overall width  274  of the outlet  88 . In this way, the blades  100  reduce the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet  88  in the fourth discharge configuration  252 . As a result, the blades  100  may facilitate discharge of the conditioned air  220  from the diffuser assembly  70  at a higher pressure and/or a higher velocity as compared to a pressure and/or velocity at which the conditioned air  220  is discharged from the diffuser assembly  70  while the blades  100  are in the neutral discharge configuration  202 . As such, while the blades  100  are in the fourth discharge configuration  252 , the blades  100  may enable the diffuser assembly  70  to more effectively direct conditioned air toward the floor  42  of the room  30  and/or further into the room  30 , for example, compared to when the blades  100  are in the neutral discharge configuration  202 . 
     In some embodiments, in the second adjustment configuration  192 , the linkage mechanism  110  may be configured such that a particular degree of rotation of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in a first direction (e.g., the clockwise direction  212 ) induces a corresponding (e.g., substantially equal) degree of rotation of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in an opposite direction (e.g., the counter-clockwise direction  210 ), and vice versa. That is, in the second adjustment configuration  192 , the linkage mechanism  110  may coordinate (e.g., synchronize) rotation the blades  100  such that at least a subset of the blades  100  (e.g., one or more of the blades  100 ) rotates in an opposite direction about their respective axes (e.g., counter-rotate) with respect to a direction of rotation of a remaining portion of the blades  100  about their respective axes. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the blades  100  may be transitioned to any suitable position (e.g., angular orientation) between the third discharge configuration  250  and the fourth discharge configuration  252  described above. 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of a portion of another embodiment of the diffuser assembly  70 , referred to herein as a diffuser assembly  290 . In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser assembly  290  includes the first blade  90 , the second blade  94 , a third blade  292 , and a fourth blade  294 . Indeed, as set forth above, it should be appreciated that the diffuser assembly  290  may include any suitable quantity of blades  100  and may be configured to operate in the manner discussed herein. The first blade  90 , the second blade  94 , the third blade  292 , and the fourth blade  294  may be collectively referred to herein as the blades  100  of the diffuser assembly  290 . 
     The third blade  292  includes a third bracket  296  coupled thereto or formed thereon, and the fourth blade  294  includes a fourth bracket  298  coupled thereto or formed thereon. The third bracket  296  may be pivotably coupled to the first bracket  140  of the first blade  90  via a first bridge  300  (e.g., a linkage, connector), and the fourth bracket  298  may be pivotably coupled to the pin bracket  144  of the second blade  94  via a second bridge  302  (e.g., a linkage, connector). Accordingly, the first bridge  300  may pivotably couple the third blade  292  to the first blade  90 , such that movement of the first blade  90  about the first axis  92  in the clockwise direction  212  or the counter-clockwise direction  210  induces corresponding movement of the third blade  292  about a third axis  320  of the third blade  292  in the clockwise direction  212  or the counter-clockwise direction  210 , respectively. Similarly, the second bridge  302  may pivotably couple the fourth blade  294  to the second blade  94 , such that movement of the second blade  94  about the second axis  96  in the clockwise direction  212  or the counter-clockwise direction  210  induces corresponding movement of the fourth blade  294  about a fourth axis  322  of the fourth blade  294  in the clockwise direction  212  or the counter-clockwise direction  210 , respectively. The first bridge  300  and the second bridge  302  may thus form a portion of the linkage mechanism  110 . 
     In accordance with the aforementioned techniques, a user may transition the selection pin  184  between corresponding positions with the linkage mechanism  110  to transition the linkage mechanism  110  between the first adjustment configuration  190  and the second adjustment configuration  192 . For example, while the linkage mechanism  110  is in the first adjustment configuration  190 , the linkage mechanism  110  may couple the blades  100  such that application of the input force  200  to any of the blades  100  causes each of the blades  100  to rotate in unison (e.g., in the same direction) about their respective axes  92 ,  96 ,  320 ,  322  (e.g., in the clockwise direction  212  or the counter-clockwise direction  210 ). While the linkage mechanism  110  is in the second adjustment configuration  192 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 14 , the linkage mechanism  110  may couple the blades  100  such that rotation of the first and third blades  90 ,  292  in the counter-clockwise direction  210  about their respective axes  92 ,  320  induces rotation of the second and fourth blades  94 ,  294  in the clockwise direction  212  about their respective axes  96 ,  322 , and vice versa. As such, the diffuser assembly  290  may be selectively adjustable to discharge air in the vertical direction  62 , the first direction  48 , the second direction  58 , or a combination of both the first and second directions  48 ,  58 . 
     As set forth above, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more technical effects useful for enabling quick and user-friendly adjustment of an air discharge direction of a diffuser assembly. Indeed, by enabling directionally-adjustable air discharge, the diffuser assembly disclosed herein may facilitate effective, desired, and adjustable air distribution within a room or other space to be conditioned. In this way, the diffuser assembly may mitigate or substantially eliminate stratification of conditioned air within the room or space to be conditioned and/or enhance occupant comfort within the room or space. The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are examples and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems. 
     While only certain features and embodiments have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, such as temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. 
     Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode, or those unrelated to enablement. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).