Forced Air Apparatus for Conditioning a Volume of Air

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning a volume of air is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having an electric heating element; a high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower for providing constant velocity air flow. The apparatus also includes a controller adaptable to control the electric heating element and the high pressure variable speed blower to raise the temperature within the zone by substantially 15 degrees, or more, in substantially 7 minutes or less. The apparatus also includes an air output flange for disposition between the zone and an air duct disposed between the housing and the air output flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for adjusting the temperature and air circulation within a zone bounded by upper bedding and a mattress surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing comprises:
 an electric heating element; 
 a high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower for providing air flow, wherein the high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower comprises:
 an air input port adaptable for drawing air from an air reservoir; 
 an air output port; 
 acoustic foam for minimizing noise; 
 
   means for selecting heated air or ambient air to be provided to the zone;   a controller for controlling the electric heating element and the high-pressure variable-speed blower, wherein the controller is adaptable to control the electric heating element and the high pressure variable speed blower to raise the temperature within the zone by substantially 15 degrees Fahrenheit or more in substantially 7 minutes or less;   a second air output for disposition of heated air directly within the zone; and   a flexible air duct disposed between the housing and the second air output port.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the controller further comprises a timer for controlling the on-time of the apparatus, wherein the timer comprises:
 circuitry and logic for selecting and controlling heat time increments in heating mode cool time increments when in cooling mode. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the high-pressure variable-speed blower substantially provides:
 between 30 cubic feet per minute (CFM) to 100 CFM; and 
 between 0.3 inch static pressure to 1.1 inch static pressure. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the controller is adaptable to receive wireless radio frequency (RF) control signals over an RF band, wherein the RF band is substantially 315 MHz or 433 MHz. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a cooling element; and 
 means for selecting cooled air or ambient air to be provided to the zone 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the air duct comprises substantially in the range of 2-3.5 inch diameter ribbed hose. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the air delivery assembly to the zone includes a bedding retention device wherein the bedding retention device comprises retention clips. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the air output flange further comprises an aroma therapy module adaptable for aerial dispersion of diffused aromatic compounds. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the controller comprises:
 at least one temperature feedback sensor for varying power to the electric heating element to maintain a constant air temperature output due to varying blower speed or air output static pressures. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the air duct is comprises:
 compressible plastic walled duct with minimum 3:1 length compressibility for maintaining substantially a fixed shape when bent, extended or compressed to allow ease of adaptation to various bed frame configurations. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus in  claim 1  wherein the high-pressure variable-speed blower comprises a brushless DC motor. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for adjusting the temperature and air circulation within a zone bounded by upper bedding and a mattress, the apparatus comprising:
 a low profile housing not exceeding seven inches in height, wherein the housing comprises:
 a high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower for providing air flow, wherein the high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower comprises:
 an air input port adaptable for drawing air from an air reservoir; 
 an air output port; 
 
   a controller for controlling the high-pressure variable-speed blower, wherein the controller is adaptable to receive wireless radio frequency (RF) control signals over an RF band, wherein the RF band is substantially between 2400 MHz and 2480 MHz; and   an air output port for disposition directly within the zone;   
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 12  further comprising a heating element, wherein the heating element comprises an adjustable 1500 Watt heating element. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 12  further comprising a cooling element. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as in  claim 12  further comprising noise reducing acoustic foam. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as in  claim 12  wherein the controller comprises temperature feedback sensors for varying power to the electric heating element to maintain a constant air temperature output due to varying blower speed or air output static pressures. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for adjusting the temperature and air circulation within a zone bounded by upper bedding and lower bedding, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing comprises:
 a high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower for providing air flow, wherein the high-pressure variable-speed centrifugal blower comprises:
 an air input port adaptable for drawing air from an air reservoir; 
 a first air output port; 
 
   a controller for controlling the high-pressure variable-speed blower;   a second air output port for disposition directly within the zone; and   an air duct disposed between the first and second air output ports.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as in  claim 17  further comprising at least one air duct retainer, wherein the at least one air duct retainer comprises:
 a spring clamp sized to firmly hold the air duct; 
 at least one bedding clip attachable to the spring clamp; 
 a retainer horizontal extension; and 
 a retainer riser disposed between the retainer horizontal extension and the spring clamp.