Bimetallic damper device

Abstract

In some examples, a damper device includes a frame member defining an opening and at least one bimetallic damper member connected to the frame member. The at least one bimetallic damper member includes bimetallic material and is configured to substantially straighten to form a substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening when at a first temperature and bend when at a second temperature to reduce the obstruction of airflow through the opening by the at least one bimetallic damper member, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A damper device comprising:
 a frame member defining an opening; and   at least one bimetallic damper member connected to the frame member, the at least one bimetallic damper member comprising bimetallic material and configured to:
 substantially straighten to form a substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening when at a first temperature; and 
 bend when at a second temperature to reduce the obstruction of airflow through the opening by the at least one bimetallic damper member, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. 
   
     
     
         2 . The damper device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is a first opening, and wherein:
 the frame member defines a second opening; and   the damper device comprises a second at least one bimetallic damper member configured to form a substantial obstruction of airflow through the second opening when at the first temperature.   
     
     
         3 . The damper device of  claim 2 , wherein the frame member comprises:
 an outer member being substantially rectangular and comprising a first, second, third, and fourth side member;   at least one vane member, each of the at least one vane member:
 being substantially perpendicular to the first and third side members of the outer member and substantially parallel to the second and fourth side members of the outer member; and 
 having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the first side member of the outer member and the second end being attached to the third side member of the outer member. 
   
     
     
         4 . The damper device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame member is positioned substantially within a duct such that the substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening results in a substantial obstruction of airflow through the duct. 
     
     
         5 . The damper device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is positioned between a first volume defining a storage volume and a second volume defining an exhaust volume. 
     
     
         6 . The damper device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the storage volume comprises a power distribution unit; and   the opening is positioned substantially proximate to the power distribution unit.   
     
     
         7 . The damper device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the at least one bimetallic damper member is elongate and comprises a first end and a second end; and   each of the at least one bimetallic damper member is connected to the frame member proximate to the first end of each of the at least one bimetallic damper member.   
     
     
         8 . The damper device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in the range of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and below; and   the second temperature is in the range of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit and above.   
     
     
         9 . The damper device of  claim 1 , wherein the bimetallic material comprises:
 a first portion comprising approximately 36% nickel; and   a second portion comprising approximately 72% manganese, 10% copper, and 10% nickel.   
     
     
         10 . An assembly comprising:
 a damper device comprising:
 a frame member defining an opening; and 
 at least one bimetallic damper member connected to the frame member, the at least one bimetallic damper member comprising bimetallic material and configured to:
 substantially straighten to form a substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening when at a first temperature; and 
 bend when at a second temperature to reduce the obstruction of airflow through the opening by the bimetallic damper member, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature; and 
 
   a duct,   wherein the frame member is positioned substantially within the duct such that the substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening results in a substantial obstruction of airflow through the duct.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a cooling system comprising:
 a cooling unit; and   the duct.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the opening is positioned between a first volume defining a storage volume and a second volume defining an exhaust volume;   the storage volume comprises a power distribution unit; and   the opening is positioned substantially proximate to the power distribution unit.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in the range of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and below; and   the second temperature is in the range of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit and above.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bimetallic material comprises:
 a first portion comprising approximately 36% nickel; and   a second portion comprising approximately 72% manganese, 10% copper, and 10% nickel.   
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the opening is a first opening, and wherein:
 the frame member defines a second opening; and   the damper device comprises a second at least one bimetallic damper member configured to form a substantial obstruction of airflow through the second opening when at the first temperature.   
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a damper device comprising:
 a frame member defining an opening; and 
 at least one bimetallic damper member connected to the frame member, the at least one bimetallic damper member comprising bimetallic material and configured to:
 substantially straighten to form a substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening when at a first temperature; and 
 bend when at a second temperature to reduce the obstruction of airflow through the opening by the bimetallic damper member, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature; 
 
   a power distribution unit, wherein the opening is positioned substantially proximate to the power distribution unit; and   a duct, wherein the frame member is positioned substantially within the duct such that the substantial obstruction of airflow through the opening results in a substantial obstruction of airflow through the duct.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is positioned between a first volume defining a storage volume and a second volume defining an exhaust volume. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one server, wherein the storage volume comprises the at least one server and the power distribution unit;   a cooling unit for providing a cool air stream to the storage volume.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in the range of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and below; and   the second temperature is in the range of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit and above.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the bimetallic material comprises:
 a first portion comprising approximately 36% nickel; and   a second portion comprising approximately 72% manganese, 10% copper, and 10% nickel.