Automated Self-Sealing Diffuser and Related Method of Use

Abstract

The invention is directed to an automated self-powered HVAC diffuser system having a central control unit that determines room-specific temperature. The system fits within a standard HVAC diffuser through a housing rod having a front side, a rear side and a middle portion. A central rod perpendicularly attached to the front side of the housing rod maintains an expandable damper fan through a damper head. A micro-motor attaches to the expandable damper fan through a drive shaft which expands and contracts the expandable damper fan to regulate conditioned air flowing out of the HVAC diffuser based upon instructions from the central control unit. In addition, a sensory board affixed to the rear end of the housing rod includes an infrared that communicates with the central control unit. A rechargeable battery stores energy, created by an airflow prop rotating through contact with conditioned air, creates electricity via a generator.

1 . An automated self-powered HVAC diffuser system comprising:
 a central control unit that determines room-specific conditions, including temperature;   a housing rod having a front side, a rear side and a middle portion, wherein the housing rod is dimensioned to be affixed within an opening of a standard HVAC diffuser;   a central rod perpendicularly attached to the front side proximate the middle portion of the housing rod;   an expandable damper fan attached to the central rod through a damper head; and   a micro motor attached to the expandable damper fan through a drive shaft which expands and contracts the expandable damper fan to regulate conditioned air flowing out of the HVAC diffuser based upon instructions from the central control unit.   
     
     
         2 . The diffuser system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensory board affixed proximate the rear end of the housing rod proximate the middle portion, the sensory board including an infrared receiver capable of communicating with the central control unit;   a generator having an airflow prop; and   a rechargeable battery which stores energy created by the airflow prop rotating through contact with conditioned air and creating electricity via the generator.   
     
     
         3 . The diffuser system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensory board further comprises an antenna, a circuit board and dip-switches. 
     
     
         4 . The diffuser system of  claim 3 , further comprising and energy management system wherein information is reported from the sensory board through the antenna to the energy management system. 
     
     
         5 . The diffuser system of  claim 4 , wherein the energy management system calculated energy efficiencies and related savings through use of the diffuser system as well as total energy consumption within a home. 
     
     
         6 . The diffuser system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing rod has a first end and a second end such that the housing rod is affixed to the diffuser opening through a first screw affixed to the first end and a corresponding second screw affixed to the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The diffuser system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable damper comprises an upper frame, a lower frame and bellows there between. 
     
     
         8 . The diffuser system of  claim 7 , wherein distal ends of the bellows include self-sealing gaskets which contact walls of the diffuser to reduce the flow of circulated air out of the diffuser. 
     
     
         9 . An automated self-powered HVAC diffuser system comprising:
 a central control unit that determines room-specific conditions, including temperature;   a housing rod having a front side, a rear side and a middle portion, wherein the housing rod is dimensioned to be affixed within an opening of a standard HVAC diffuser;   a central rod perpendicularly attached to the front side proximate the middle portion of the housing rod;   an expandable damper fan attached to the central rod through a damper head;   a micro motor attached to the expandable damper fan through a drive shaft which expands and contracts the expandable damper fan to regulate conditioned air flowing out of the HVAC diffuser based upon instructions from the central control unit;   a sensory board affixed proximate the rear end of the housing rod proximate the middle portion, the sensory board including an infrared receiver capable of communicating with the central control unit;   a generator having an airflow prop operable therewith, the prop rotating through contact with conditioned air and creating electricity via the generator; and   a rechargeable battery which stores energy generated by the airflow prop.   
     
     
         10 . The diffuser system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensory board further comprises an antenna, a circuit board and dip-switches operable therewith. 
     
     
         11 . The diffuser system of  claim 10 , wherein information is reported from the sensory board through the antenna to an energy management system. 
     
     
         12 . The diffuser system of  claim 11 , the energy management system calculated energy efficiencies and related savings through use of the diffuser system as well as total energy consumption within a home. 
     
     
         13 . The diffuser system of  claim 9 , wherein the housing rod has a first end and a second end such that the housing rod is affixed to the diffuser opening through a first screw affixed to the first end and a corresponding second screw affixed to the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The diffuser system of  claim 9 , wherein the expandable damper comprises an upper frame, a lower frame and bellows there between. 
     
     
         15 . The diffuser system of  claim 14 , wherein distal ends of the bellows include self-sealing gaskets which contact walls of the diffuser to reduce the flow of circulated air out of the diffuser. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using a diffuser system in combination with a central control unit to improve efficiency of an existing HVAC system, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) measuring a room's temperature through a central control unit;   (b) sending a signal to an infrared receiver within the diffuser system if the room temperature falls outside a desired range;   (c) commanding a micro motor to engage a drive shaft, through instructions received by a sensory board from the infrared receiver, the drive shaft being engaged with an expandable damper fan attached to a central rod through a damper head; wherein the central rod is perpendicularly attached to a housing rod which is affixed to an existing HVAC diffuser; and   (d) constricting the expandable damper fan through the drive shaft in order to allow conditioned air to exist the HVAC diffuser for a period of time in order to change the room temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 (e) rechecking the room temperature through use of the central control unit;   (f) instructing the drive shaft to expand the expandable damper fan if the room temperature falls within an acceptable temperature;   (g) restricting the flow of conditioned air through the HVAC diffuser; and   (h) reporting information to a central energy management system.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 (i) calculating energy efficiencies and related savings from data reported by the diffuser system to the energy management system, including but not limited to energy savings and total energy consumption within a home.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the expandable damper comprises an upper frame, a lower frame and bellows attached thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein distal ends of the bellows include self-sealing gaskets which contact walls of the diffuser to reduce the flow of circulated air out of the diffuser.