The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 08, 1999
Mark Gould, Brookline, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method or device is provided for connecting a centrifugal blower to a process requiring the flow of forced air such that the flow of air may be reversed. The method is applied to a process that benefits from the switching of the direction of air flow to either positive pressure or suction. The method was developed primarily use in the forced aeration composting process but may have other applications. The invention consists of a damper with a plurality of vanes rotating on parallel shafts, which is closely coupled to both the inlet and outlet of a centrifugal blower. When set to provide positive pressure, the vanes direct outside air to the blower intake and direct the blower discharge to the process requiring aeration. When set to provide suction, the vanes direct air from the process to the blower intake and direct the blower discharge to a port that may be connected to an air pollution control device. The shafts are connected by co-planar crank arms and linkages, such that the damper setting may be switched by a single actuator, thereby simplifying the automation of the reversal of air flow.