Damper assembly for air handling system

Abstract

A damper assembly and method is provided for readily installing the damper assembly into an air duct of an existing air handling system to regulate air flow through the air duct. The damper assembly includes a mounting plate and a damper plate movably attached to the mounting plate. The mounting plate may include plurality of spaced apart through holes adjacent one end for securing the mounting plate to the air duct with a fastener. The damper assembly further includes means for movably attaching the damper plate to the mounting plate and means for adjusting the position of the damper plate within the air duct. The damper assembly is inserted into the outlet end of the air duct and the mounting plate is mounted with the damper plate positioned within the air duct. The position of the damper plate is adjusted to provide the desired air flow through the air duct.

1 . A damper assembly for regulating air flow through an air duct, the damper assembly comprising:
 a mounting plate for mounting the damper assembly to the air duct; and   a damper plate movably attached to the mounting plate;   wherein the mounting plate is inserted into the air duct and mounted adjacent an outlet end of the air duct.   
   
   
       2 . The damper assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate comprises a hook at one end for engaging the air duct. 
   
   
       3 . The damper assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate has at least one through hole for receiving a fastener to secure the mounting plate to the air duct. 
   
   
       4 . The damper assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate has a plurality of spaced apart through holes, at least one of the through holes receiving a fastener to secure the mounting plate to the air duct. 
   
   
       5 . The damper assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for adjusting the position of the damper plate within the air duct. 
   
   
       6 . The damper assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the means for adjusting the position of the damper plate comprises a bracket attached to the damper plate and wherein the bracket comprises a flange portion extending outwardly from the damper plate. 
   
   
       7 . The damper assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting plate is relatively thin and has an elongate, generally rectangular shape and wherein the damper plate is relatively thin and has a generally circular shape. 
   
   
       8 . The damper assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for movably attaching the damper plate to the mounting plate. 
   
   
       9 . The damper assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the means for movably attaching the damper plate to the mounting plate comprises a first mounting bracket attached to the damper plate and a second mounting bracket attached to the mounting plate and wherein each of the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket has a pair of openings for receiving fasteners. 
   
   
       10 . The damper assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the fasteners comprise an externally threaded bolt, and internally threaded nut and a wave washer. 
   
   
       11 . A damper assembly comprising:
 a mounting plate adapted for mounting adjacent an outlet end of the air duct;   a damper plate movably attached to the mounting plate;   means for movably attaching the damper plate to the mounting plate; and   means for adjusting the position of the damper plate within the air duct.   
   
   
       12 . The damper assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the mounting plate is inserted into the outlet end of the air duct to install the damper assembly into an air duct of an existing air handling system. 
   
   
       13 . The damper assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for movably attaching the damper plate to the mounting plate comprises a first mounting bracket attached to the damper plate and a second mounting bracket attached to the mounting plate and wherein each of the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket has a pair of openings for receiving fasteners. 
   
   
       14 . The damper assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the fasteners comprise an externally threaded bolt, and internally threaded nut and a wave washer. 
   
   
       15 . The damper assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for adjusting the position of the damper plate comprises a bracket attached to the damper plate and wherein the bracket comprises a flange portion extending outwardly from the damper plate. 
   
   
       16 . A method of installing a damper assembly into an air duct of an existing air handling system, the method comprising:
 providing a damper assembly comprising a mounting plate and a damper plate movably attached to the mounting plate;   inserting the damper assembly into an outlet end of the air duct; and   mounting the mounting plate to the air duct adjacent the outlet end.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising providing means for movably attaching the damper plate to the mounting plate. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the means for movably mounting the damper plate to the mounting plate comprises a first mounting bracket attached to the damper plate and a second mounting bracket attached to the mounting plate, and wherein each of the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket has a pair of openings for receiving fasteners. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the fasteners comprise an externally threaded bolt, and internally threaded nut and a wave washer. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising providing means for adjusting the position of the damper plate within the air duct, the means for adjusting the damper plate comprising a bracket attached to the damper plate, the bracket comprising a flange portion extending outwardly from the damper plate.