Electroactive smart hvac vent register

Abstract

An electroactive register is shown configured to modulate the incoming airflow in an HVAC duct to form two localized airflows: a first a high-speed airflow to form a conical air curtain surrounding an occupant and limiting air exchange between inside air and air outside of the air curtain, and a second a low-speed airflow (also referred to as center air) inside the air curtain to cool or heat the occupant comfortably. The temperature gradient between inside and outside of the air curtain enables expansion of set points of HVAC. The electroactive register is also able to improve personal comfort as the center air F LS can be customized for each individual occupant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electroactive airflow distribution apparatus for HVAC, comprising:
 a housing;   said housing being in fluid communication with an HVAC duct;   plurality of electrically actuated tubes disposed in said housing;   said tubes having an aperture configured for receiving airflow from the duct and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; and   said electrically actuated tubes being responsive to an electric signal such that the electrically actuated tubes change shape to modify the outward airflow delivered to the location.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to constrict or expand to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to bend to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 2 :
 wherein the plurality of electrically actuated tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuated tubes;   wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuated tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location;   wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a controller coupled to each of the electrically actuated tubes; and   wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes and thereby move the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 6 :
 wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and   wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the electrically actuated tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP). 
     
     
         11 . An electroactive register for HVAC airflow distribution, comprising:
 a housing;   said housing being in fluid communication with an HVAC duct;   plurality of electrically actuated tubes disposed in said housing;   said tubes having an aperture configured for receiving airflow from the duct and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct;   wherein the plurality of electrically actuated tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuated tubes;   wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuated tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location;   wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.   
     
     
         12 . A register as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said electrically actuated tubes are responsive to an electric signal such that the electrically actuated tubes change shape to modify the outward airflow delivered to the location. 
     
     
         13 . A register as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to constrict or expand to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes. 
     
     
         14 . A register as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to bend to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes. 
     
     
         15 . A register as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain. 
     
     
         16 . A register as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a controller coupled to each of the electrically actuated tubes; and   wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes and thereby move the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.   
     
     
         17 . A register as recited in  claim 16 :
 wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and   wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.   
     
     
         18 . A register as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the electrically actuated tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion. 
     
     
         19 . A register as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes. 
     
     
         20 . A register as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP). 
     
     
         21 . A method for electroactive airflow distribution for HVAC, comprising:
 coupling a housing to be in fluid communication with an HVAC duct;   wherein the housing comprises a plurality of electrically actuatable tubes each having an aperture;   receiving airflow from the duct within an aperture of the electrically actuatable tubes and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; and   delivering an electric signal to said electrically actuatable tubes to change shape of said electrically actuatable tubes; and   modifying the outward airflow delivered to the location as a result of changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes.   
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes comprises constricting or expanding the tubes to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes. 
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes comprises bending the tubes to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes. 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 22 :
 wherein the plurality of electrically actuatable tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuatable tubes;   wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuatable tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location;   wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.   
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain. 
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 24 , further comprising:
 individually actuating the electrically actuatable tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes; and   moving the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.   
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising:
 receiving data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and   individually actuating the electrically actuatable tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.   
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the electrically actuatable tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion. 
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes. 
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP).