BACKDRAFT DAMPER WITH ELECTROMAGNET FOR TERMINAL UNIT

Abstract

A terminal unit for a HVAC system, including: a housing including a first chamber configured to receive a first air flow and a second chamber configured to receive a second air flow; an internal wall disposed within the housing and extending between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the internal wall includes an opening formed therein; a damper door rotatable relative to the opening, wherein the damper door is configured to occlude the opening in a closed position; and an electromagnet that is configured to be selectively activated to generate a magnetic field to retain the damper door in the closed position and thereby prevent the first air flow from flowing through the opening; wherein when the electromagnet is deactivated, the magnetic field is not generated such that the second air flow may be forced from the second chamber to the first chamber through the opening.

Claims

1. A terminal unit for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a housing comprising a first chamber configured to receive a first air flow and a second chamber configured to receive a second air flow; an internal wall disposed within the housing and extending between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the internal wall comprises an opening formed therein; a damper door rotatable relative to the opening, wherein the damper door is configured to occlude the opening in a closed position; and an electromagnet that is configured to be selectively activated to generate a magnetic field to retain the damper door in the closed position and thereby prevent the first air flow from flowing through the opening; wherein when the electromagnet is deactivated, the magnetic field is not generated such that the second air flow may be forced from the second chamber to the first chamber through the opening.

2. The terminal unit of claim 1, comprising a control system configured to supply electrical current to the electromagnet to activate the electromagnet.

3. The terminal unit of claim 2, wherein the control system is configured to supply power to a blower to selectively generate the second air flow.

4. The terminal unit of claim 3, wherein the control system is configured to supply the electrical current to the electromagnet based on an operating state of the blower of the terminal unit.

5. The terminal unit of claim 2, wherein the control system is configured to supply the electrical current to the electromagnet based on an operating state of a blower of the terminal unit.

6. The terminal unit of claim 5, wherein the control system is configured to stop the electrical current from being supplied to the electromagnet during operation of the blower, such that the electromagnet is deactivated.

7. The terminal unit of claim 6, wherein the control system is configured to supply the electrical current to the electromagnet when the blower stops operating, such that the electromagnet is activated.

8. The terminal unit of claim 1, further comprising a blower positioned within the second chamber, the blower configured to selectively force the second air flow from the second chamber to the first chamber through the opening when the electromagnet is deactivated.

9. The terminal unit of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet is coupled to the internal wall and the damper door is rotatably coupled to the internal wall.

10. The terminal unit of claim 1, further comprising a damper collar coupled to the internal wall, wherein the damper door is rotatably coupled to the damper collar, and wherein the electromagnet is coupled to the damper collar.

11. The terminal unit of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the damper door is formed from a ferromagnetic material that is attracted by a magnetic force.

12. The terminal unit of claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to activate the electromagnet to prevent the second air flow from mixing with the first air flow and to deactivate the electromagnet to allow the second air flow to mix with the first air flow to adjust a characteristic of the first air flow.

13. A terminal unit for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a housing comprising a first chamber configured to receive a first air flow and a second chamber configured to receive a second air flow; an internal wall disposed within the housing and extending between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the internal wall comprises an opening formed therein; a damper door rotatably coupled to the internal wall, wherein the damper door is configured to occlude the opening in a closed position; and an electromagnet coupled to the internal wall, wherein the electromagnet is configured to generate a magnetic field to retain the damper door toward the closed position.

14. The terminal unit of claim 13, comprising a control system configured to regulate an electrical current supplied to the electromagnet.

15. The terminal unit of claim 14, wherein the control system is configured to regulate the electrical current supplied to the electromagnet based on an operating state of a blower of the terminal unit.

16. The terminal unit of claim 15, wherein the control system is configured to stop the electrical current from being supplied to the electromagnet to de-energize the electromagnet during operation of the blower, such that the second air flow driven by the blower may force the damper door from the closed position and move through the opening, and supply the electrical current to the electromagnet to energize the electromagnet when the blower is not operating, such that the damper door is maintained in the closed position when the blower is not operating.

17. A terminal unit for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a housing comprising a first chamber configured to receive a first air flow and a second chamber configured to receive a second air flow; an internal wall disposed within the housing and extending between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the internal wall comprises an opening formed therein; a damper collar coupled to the internal wall and disposed about the opening; a damper door rotatably coupled to the damper collar, wherein the damper door is configured to abut the damper collar and occlude the opening in a closed position; and an electromagnet coupled to the damper collar, wherein the electromagnet is configured to generate a magnetic field to draw the damper door toward the closed position.

18. The terminal unit of claim 17, comprising a control system configured to regulate electrical current supplied to the electromagnet.

19. The terminal unit of claim 18, wherein the control system is configured to regulate the electrical current supplied to the electromagnet based on an operating state of a blower of the terminal unit.

20. The terminal unit of claim 19, wherein the control system is configured to stop the electrical current from being supplied to the electromagnet to de-energize the electromagnet during operation of the blower, such that the second air flow driven by the blower may force the damper door from the closed position and move through the opening, and supply the electrical current to the electromagnet to energize the electromagnet when the blower is not operating, such that the damper door is maintained in the closed position when the blower is not operating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of a building that includes a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an example of a portion of a building, illustrating air flow to a conditioned space via a terminal unit of an HVAC system, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a terminal unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a portion of a terminal unit, illustrating a backdraft damper assembly of the terminal unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a backdraft damper assembly and an electromagnet system of a terminal unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example of a terminal unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a portion of a terminal unit, illustrating a backdraft damper assembly of the terminal unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a backdraft damper assembly and an electromagnet system of a terminal unit, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] One or more specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below. These described examples are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these examples, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] When introducing elements of various examples of the present disclosure, the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms comprising, including, and having are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to one example or an example of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features.

[0020] As used herein, the terms approximately, generally, and substantially, and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being approximately equal to (or, for example, substantially similar to) a given value, this is intended to mean that the property value may be within +/5%, within +/4%, within +/3%, within +/2%, within +/1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being substantially parallel to another feature, generally perpendicular to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to mean that the given feature is within +/5%, within +/4%, within +/3%, within +/2%, within +/1%, or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Further, it should be understood that mathematical terms, such as planar, slope, perpendicular, parallel, and so forth are intended to encompass features of surfaces or elements as understood to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and should not be rigidly interpreted as might be understood in the mathematical arts. For example, a planar surface is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be substantially flat or smooth (within related tolerances) using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art. Similarly, a surface having a slope is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be oriented at an angle (e.g., incline) with respect to a point of reference using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0021] As will be discussed in further detail below, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system may include a terminal unit for delivering air to a conditioned space of a structure. In general, the terminal unit may be located near or within the conditioned space, and the terminal unit may be configured to receive one or more air flows for supply to the conditioned space. For example, the terminal unit may receive a first air flow (e.g., a primary air flow, a conditioned air flow) from an HVAC unit (e.g., air handler) via ductwork extending from the HVAC unit to the terminal unit. To this end, the terminal unit may include a first air inlet configured to receive the first air flow from the ductwork. The terminal unit may also be configured to receive a second air flow (e.g., a plenum air flow, a return air flow) via a plenum air inlet of the terminal unit. For example, the second air flow may be received from a plenum space, such as a space above a ceiling of the conditioned space, in which the terminal unit is disposed.

[0022] In some examples, the terminal unit may include a first chamber configured to receive the first air flow and to discharge the first air flow from the terminal unit. The terminal unit may also include a second chamber configured to receive the second air flow. In some examples, the terminal unit may be configured to direct the second air flow from the second chamber and into the first chamber to enable discharge of the second air flow toward the conditioned space from the first chamber. In some examples, the terminal unit may be configured to receive the first air flow, receive the second air flow, and direct the second air flow from the second chamber and into the first air flow within the first chamber to generate a mixed air flow that is discharged to the conditioned space.

[0023] The first chamber and the second chamber of the terminal unit may be generally divided by an internal wall disposed within a housing of the terminal unit. To enable flow of the second air flow from the second chamber into the first chamber, the terminal unit may include a damper (e.g., backdraft damper) coupled to the internal wall. That is, the internal wall may include an opening to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber, and the damper may overlap with the opening to enable control of the second air flow from the second chamber into the first chamber. In some examples, the damper may also enable control of the first air flow from the first chamber into the second chamber. In particular, the damper may be configured to block flow of the first air flow from the first chamber into the second chamber.

[0024] In some examples, the terminal unit may include a blower configured to drive flow of air through the terminal unit. For example, the blower may be disposed within the second chamber and may be configured to force the second air flow from the second chamber and into the first chamber via the opening of the internal wall. As the blower forces the second air flow toward and through the opening, the second air flow may impinge against the damper and force the damper to transition toward an open position. In some circumstances, the blower may not be operated to force the second air flow through the terminal unit. In such instances, the damper may transition toward a closed position to at least partially block the opening in the internal wall. In this way, the damper may at least partially block flow of the first air flow from the first chamber and into the second chamber via the opening.

[0025] Unfortunately, existing dampers (e.g., backdraft dampers) in terminal units may rely upon a force of the first air flow directed through the first chamber to maintain the damper in a closed position to block flow of the first air flow into the second chamber. For example, existing backdraft dampers may include one or more protrusions (e.g., flanges) that extend outwardly from of a panel (e.g., body, door) of the damper and into a flow path of the first air flow. In some existing designs, a terminal unit may include a baffle configured to direct a portion of the first air flow toward the damper to bias the damper toward a closed position against the internal wall. In this way, the protrusions and/or baffle may harness the force of the first air flow to bias the backdraft damper toward the internal wall and in a closed position. However, traditional backdraft dampers including such features may generate acoustic energy (e.g., noise) as the first air flow contacts the protrusions, and the acoustic energy may manifest as undesirable noise and/or vibrations that are emitted from the terminal unit. Further, the protrusions of traditional backdraft dampers may create undesirable air flow resistance (e.g., a pressure drop) in the first air flow, thereby adversely affecting the discharge of air from the terminal unit and into the conditioned space. In some traditional backdraft dampers for terminal units, the backdraft damper may simply rely on the force of gravity to rest in a vertical position, whereby the backdraft damper may generally occlude the opening in the internal wall. However, as a speed of the first air flow through the first chamber increases, a pressure within the first chamber may decrease (e.g., relative to a pressure within the second chamber), thereby creating a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber. In such instances, the pressure differential may urge traditional backdraft dampers toward an open position that enables undesirable flow (e.g., leakage) of the first air flow into the second chamber.

[0026] It is now recognized that improved backdraft dampers and related features may enable improved flow of air flows through a terminal unit. Accordingly, present examples are directed to backdraft damper assemblies and control systems thereof that are configured to reduce undesired and/or unintended flow of air within and/or through the terminal unit. For example, the disclosed techniques enable a reduction in flow of air from the first chamber (e.g., primary air chamber) into the second chamber (e.g., plenum air chamber), such as during instances in which a blower of the terminal unit is not operating to force the second air flow (e.g., plenum air flow) into the first chamber. Indeed, present examples enable improper operation of backdraft dampers to control flow of air through a terminal unit without use of protrusions, baffles, and/or other features that may otherwise impede flow of the first air flow through the terminal unit and/or generate undesirable acoustic energy, noise, vibrations, and so forth. In some examples of the present disclosure, the backdraft damper assembly may be incorporated with an electromagnet system (e.g., control system) configured to enable securement of the backdraft damper in a closed position during non-operation of a blower of the terminal unit. As described in further detail below, the backdraft damper assembly may include a damper collar (e.g., damper frame) and a damper door. The damper collar may be coupled to an internal wall of the terminal unit and may generally extend about (e.g., surround) an opening formed in the internal wall. The damper door may be mechanically attached to an upper portion (e.g., side, edge, frame) of the damper collar, such as via a hinge, and the damper door may be configured to rotate or pivot (e.g., via the hinge) relative to the damper collar to enable and/or block air flow through the opening of the internal wall. The damper collar may also include an electromagnet coupled thereto. In accordance with present techniques, the electromagnet may be selectively energized to selectively retain the damper door against the damper collar and thereby more reliably and securely maintain the damper door in a closed position when desired. In this way, the disclosed examples may reduce undesired flow of air within the terminal unit (e.g., from the first chamber to the second chamber), while also avoiding generation of acoustic energy and undesirable air flow restrictions within the terminal unit.

[0027] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system for environmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units. As used herein, an HVAC system includes any number of components configured to enable regulation of parameters related to climate characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, air flow, pressure, air quality, and so forth. For example, an HVAC system as used herein is defined as conventionally understood and as further described herein. Components or parts of an HVAC system may include, but are not limited to, all, some of, or individual parts such as a heat exchanger, a heater, an air flow control device, such as a fan, a sensor configured to detect a climate characteristic or operating parameter, a filter, a control device configured to regulate operation of an HVAC system component, a component configured to enable regulation of climate characteristics, or a combination thereof. An HVAC system is a system configured to provide such functions as heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, pressurization, refrigeration, filtration, or any combination thereof. The examples described herein may be utilized in a variety of applications to control climate characteristics, such as residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, or other applications where climate control is desired.

[0028] In the illustrated example, a building 10 is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit 12. The building 10 may be a commercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit 12 is disposed on the roof of the building 10. However, the HVAC unit 12 may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building 10. The HVAC unit 12 may be a single packaged unit containing other equipment, such as a blower, heat exchangers, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In other examples, the HVAC unit 12 may be part of a split HVAC system, which may include an outdoor HVAC unit and an indoor HVAC unit.

[0029] The HVAC unit 12 may be an air-cooled device that implements a refrigeration cycle to provide conditioned air to the building 10. Specifically, the HVAC unit 12 may include one or more heat exchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow (e.g., primary air flow) is supplied to the building. In the illustrated example, the HVAC unit 12 is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flow drawn from the building 10. After the HVAC unit 12 conditions the air flow, the air flow, also referred to herein as a primary air flow, is supplied to the building 10 via ductwork 14 extending throughout the building 10 from the HVAC unit 12. For example, the ductwork 14 may extend to various individual floors or other sections of the building 10. In certain examples, the HVAC unit 12 may be a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate in different modes. In other examples, the HVAC unit 12 may include one or more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air flow and a furnace for heating the air flow. The primary air flow supplied to the building 10 by the HVAC unit 12 may include environmental air, such as air from outside the building 10, and/or recirculated air from within the building 10, which may or may not be actively and/or passively heated or cooled by the HVAC unit 12. For example, the HVAC unit 12 may operate in a recirculating or economizer mode, such that the supply air flow, and thus the primary air flow, is not actively heated or cooled in some operating modes.

[0030] A control device 16, one type of which may be a thermostat, may be used to designate a desired temperature of a conditioned space 18 within the building 10. The control device 16 also may be used to control the flow of air, such as volume, through the ductwork 14 to different areas within the conditioned space 18. For example, the control device 16 may be used to regulate operation of one or more components of the HVAC unit 12 or other components, such as dampers, fans, and/or terminal units 20 within the building 10 that may control the flow of air through and/or from the ductwork 14. In some examples, other devices may be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperature transducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of the conditioned air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device 16 may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate from other building control or monitoring systems, including systems that are remote from the building 10.

[0031] As mentioned above, an HVAC system may include one or more terminal units 20 fluidly coupled to the ductwork 14 of the HVAC system. The terminal units 20 may each be configured to receive a first air flow, such as the primary air flow discharged by the HVAC unit 12, and may direct the first air flow into the conditioned space 18. In some examples, the terminal units 20 may also be configured to receive a second air flow, such as a plenum air flow or return air flow. To this end, the terminal units 20 may be disposed within and/or adjacent a plenum space 22 within the building 10. In some examples, the plenum space 22 may facilitate transfer of return air back to the HVAC unit 12. For example, the plenum space 22 may be above a dropped ceiling 24 that separates the plenum space 22 from the conditioned space 18. Moreover, in some examples, the terminal unit 20 may be implemented in the building 10 without the dropped ceiling 24, and the terminal units 20 may be configured to receive a plenum air flow or other air flow from a portion of air near a ceiling or another area of the conditioned space 18.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a portion 26 of the building 10, illustrating an example of the terminal unit 20 implemented within the building 10. As discussed above, the terminal unit 20 may receive a first air flow 28 (e.g., a primary air flow), such as via the ductwork 14 extending from the HVAC unit 12. Accordingly, the first air flow 28 may be a conditioned air flow (e.g., a heated air flow, a cooled air flow, a dehumidified air flow) that is produced by the HVAC unit 12 or other HVAC system. The terminal unit 20 may also be configured to receive a second air flow 30, such as a plenum air flow from the plenum space 22 within the building 10. In the illustrated example, the terminal unit 20 includes a housing 50 defining a first air inlet 52 configured to receive the first air flow 28 and a second air inlet 54 configured to receive the second air flow 30. The terminal unit 20 may be configured to mix the first air flow 28 and the second air flow 30 within the housing 50 to generate a mixed air flow 56 (e.g., discharge air flow, supply air flow) that is then supplied to the conditioned space 18 via an air outlet 58 of the terminal unit 20 (e.g., the housing 50). In some implementations, the plenum space 22 may receive a return air flow 60, for example, drawn into the plenum space 22 via a vent 62, which may be formed in the dropped ceiling 24. In some examples, a portion of the return air flow 34 may be directed back to the HVAC unit 12 (e.g., via the ductwork 14) for conditioning. Additionally or alternatively, a portion of the return air flow 34 may be drawn into the housing 50 of the terminal unit 20, via the second air inlet 54, as the second air flow 30. The mixed air flow 56 may include a portion of the first air flow 28 and/or a portion of the second air flow 30 received by the terminal unit 20. That is, during some operations of the terminal unit 20, the mixed air flow 56 may include both the first air flow 28 and the second air flow 30, and in other operations the mixed air flow 56 may include one of the first air flow 28 or the second air flow 30 without the other of the first air flow 28 or the second air flow 30. To this end, the terminal unit 20 may include one or more valves, dampers, and/or other flow control device configured to regulate flow of air (e.g., first air flow 28, the second air flow 30) into and/or through the housing 50. For example, if the first air inlet 52 of the terminal unit 20 or the second air inlet 54 of the terminal unit 20 is closed (e.g., via a damper or valve), the mixed air flow 56 may include air from a single source. In other words, if the first air inlet 52 is closed, the terminal unit 20 may receive and supply the second air flow 30 alone to the conditioned space 18, and if the second air inlet 54 is closed, the terminal unit 20 may receive and supply the first air flow 28 alone to the conditioned space 18.

[0033] As mentioned above, present examples are directed to systems and methods configured to enable improved control of air flow through the terminal unit 20. In particular, examples of the terminal unit 20 incorporating the present techniques may include a damper assembly 66 (e.g., backdraft damper assembly) configured to block undesired flow of air through the terminal unit 20. For example, the damper assembly 66 may be configured to block a flow (e.g., a backdraft) of the first air flow 28 through the terminal unit 20, such as toward the second air inlet 54. In some examples, the terminal unit 20 may also include a control system 68 configured to adjust, control, and/other enable desired operation of the damper assembly 66, such as to reduce noise and/or vibrations generated during operation of the terminal unit 20. The present techniques may also enable more efficient operation of the terminal unit 20. Details of the damper assembly 66 and the control system 68 are described further below.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an example of the terminal unit 20 including the damper assembly 66 and the control system 68. As mentioned above, the terminal unit 20 includes the housing 50 having the first air inlet 52 configured to receive the first air flow 28, the second air inlet 54 configured to receive the second air flow 30, and the air outlet 58 configured to discharge the first air flow 28 and/or the second air flow 30 received by the terminal unit 20. The housing 50 generally defines a first chamber 100 (e.g., first section, first volume) configured to receive the first air flow 28 via the first air inlet 52 and a second chamber 102 (e.g., second section, second volume) configured to receive the second air flow 30 via the second air inlet 54. In the illustrated example, the first chamber 100 generally extends from the first air inlet 52 to the air outlet 58 defined by the housing 50. In some examples, the terminal unit 20 may include an inlet valve 104 configured to enable flow of the first air flow 28 from the HVAC unit 12 to the terminal unit 20. The second air inlet 54 may be an opening formed in the housing 50 and may be exposed to the plenum space 22 within the building 10 to enable flow of the second air flow 30 from the plenum space 22 into the terminal unit 20 (e.g., the second chamber 102).

[0035] The first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 within the housing 50 are generally divided (e.g., separated) by an internal wall 106 disposed within the housing 50. As described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 4, the internal wall 106 includes an opening configured to enable fluid coupling of the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. In accordance with present techniques, the terminal unit 20 includes the damper assembly 66 (e.g., backdraft damper assembly) configured to enable improved control of air flow through the opening and between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. The damper assembly 66 is configured to couple to the internal wall 106, such that the damper assembly 66 generally overlaps with the opening formed in the internal wall 106. In the illustrated example, the damper assembly 66 is coupled to the internal wall 106 and is disposed within the first chamber 100.

[0036] As described in further detail below, the damper assembly 66 may include a damper collar 108 (e.g., damper frame, damper mount) that is attached (e.g., fixed) to the internal wall 106 and generally surrounds the opening formed in the internal wall 106. The damper collar 108 may include a mounting flange 110 configured to mount the damper collar 108 to the internal wall 106 of the terminal unit 20. The mounting flange 110 may include mounting holes configured to receive fasteners, screws, or any other suitable attachment device to secure the damper collar 108 to the internal wall 106. Further, in other examples, the damper collar 108 may be affixed to the internal wall 106 of the terminal unit 20 via welding, adhesives, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. The damper assembly 66 may also include a damper door 112 (e.g., panel, cover) adjustably coupled to the damper collar 108. For example, the damper door 112 may be coupled to damper collar 108 via a hinge, a pivot joint, or other suitable connection configured to enable relative movement between the damper collar 108 and the damper door 112. In the illustrated example, the damper door 112 is shown in a closed position, whereby the damper door 112 overlaps with the opening formed in the internal wall 106 to block air flow between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102.

[0037] In addition to the damper assembly 66, the terminal unit 20 also includes the control system 68 configured to enable improved control of air flow through the opening of the internal wall 106 and between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. The damper assembly 66 may include an electromagnet, and the control system 68 may be configured to selectively activate (e.g., energize) and deactivate (e.g., de-energize) the electromagnet to control operation of the damper assembly 66 and regulate flow of air between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. For example, in some instances, the control system 68 may be configured to energize the electromagnet and cause the electromagnet to retain the damper door 112 against the damper collar 108 (e.g., via generating of a magnetic field that attracts the damper door 112) to block flow of air between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. In other instances, the control system 68 may be configured to de-energize the electromagnet and enable the damper door 112 to move (e.g., rotate, pivot) relative to the damper collar 108 and thereby enable flow of air between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 via the opening in the internal wall 106.

[0038] As will be appreciated, it may be desirable to enable flow of the second air flow 30 (e.g., received via the second air inlet 54) from the second chamber 102 to the first chamber 100 to enable discharge of the second air flow 30 from the terminal unit 20 via the air outlet 58. To this end, the terminal unit 20 may include a blower 114 disposed within the second chamber 102. The blower 114 may operate to draw the second air flow 30 into the second chamber 102 via the second air inlet 54 and may force the second air flow 30 to flow toward the opening formed in the internal wall 106. In this way, the second air flow 30 may be directed into the first chamber 100 and may be discharged via the air outlet 58. In accordance with present techniques, the control system 68 may be configured to control operation of the damper assembly 66 based on an operating state of the blower 114. For example, during operation of the blower 114, the control system 68 may cause the electromagnet of the damper assembly 66 to be de-energized and thereby enable movement of the damper door 112 relative to the damper collar 108. Accordingly, the second air flow 30 driven by the blower 114 may impinge against the damper door 112 and force the damper door 112 to rotate or pivot at least partially into the first chamber 100. In this way, the second air flow 30 may be directed into the first chamber 100 via the opening formed in the internal wall 106. During instances in which the blower 114 is not operating (e.g., when the terminal unit 20 receives and discharges the first air flow 28 and not the second air flow 30), the control system 68 may cause the electromagnet of the damper assembly 66 to be energized and thereby cause the electromagnet to attract and retain the damper door 112 against the damper collar 108. In this way, the damper assembly 66 and/or the control system 68 may maintain the damper door 112 in a closed position against the damper collar 108. Indeed, with the electromagnet energized, the damper door 112 may be restricted from movement (e.g., relative to the damper collar 108) that may otherwise be induced, such as via a pressure differential between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102). As a result, undesired flow of the first air flow 28 from the first chamber 100 to the second chamber 102 (e.g., backflow of the first air flow 28) and/or undesired flow of the second air flow 30 into the first chamber 100 may be reduced, which may enable more efficient operation of the terminal unit 20. For example, a fan or blower of an HVAC unit (e.g., HVAC unit 12) associated with the terminal unit 20 may be operated with reduced energy usage due to more efficient flow of the first air flow 28 through the terminal unit 20.

[0039] In some examples, the control system 68 may be configured to control and/or adjust other operations of the terminal unit 20. For example, the control system 68 may be configured to control a speed of the blower 114 to regulate a flow rate of the second air flow 30 through the terminal unit 20, a position of the inlet valve 104 to regulate a flow rate of the first air flow 28 through the terminal unit 20, and so forth. The control system 68 may be configured to control operation of one or more components of the terminal unit 20 based on data, feedback, and/or control instructions received from a sensor and/or other component of an HVAC system incorporating the terminal unit 20. For example, the control system 68 may control operation of the terminal unit 20 based on a temperature and/or a setpoint temperature of the conditioned space 18 serviced by the terminal unit 20. In some examples, the terminal unit 20 may include a heat exchanger (e.g., heater, cooling coil, etc.) disposed within the housing 50 (e.g., within the first chamber 100) to condition the first air flow 28, the second air flow 30, or both prior to discharge via the air outlet 58.

[0040] The control system 68 may further include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more operating parameters of the terminal unit 20, the conditioned space 18, and/or an HVAC system incorporating the terminal unit 20, and the control system 68 may be configured to adjust operation of the terminal unit 20 (e.g., blower 114, damper assembly 66, inlet valve 104, etc.) based on received data indicative of the one or more operating parameters. In some examples, the control system 68 may adjust operation of one or more components of the terminal unit 20 to approach, reach, and/or satisfy a target operating parameter, such as a target operating parameter of the first air flow 28, the second air flow 30, the mixed air flow 56, the conditioned space 18, and so forth. Such operating parameters may include, for example, volumetric flow rate, relative amounts of the first air flow 28 and the second air flow 30 discharged by the terminal unit 20, pressure, temperature, and so forth.

[0041] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the damper assembly 66 and the internal wall 106 of the terminal unit 20. As mentioned above, the internal wall 106 is configured to extend between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 within the housing 50 of the terminal unit 20, and the internal wall 106 includes an opening 140 (e.g., flow path, aperture, plenum air flow path) configured to enable flow of air between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. In accordance with present techniques, the terminal unit 20 includes the damper assembly 66 and the control system 68 to enable improved, selective control of air flow between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 via the opening 140. More specifically, the damper assembly 66 and the control system 68 are configured to enable improved regulation of flow of the second air flow 30 from the second chamber 102 into the first chamber 100 and to more effectively block flow of the first air flow 28 from the first chamber 100 into the second chamber 102 (e.g., backflow or backdraft of the first air flow 28).

[0042] As mentioned above, the damper assembly 66 includes the damper collar 108, which is configured to be mounted to the internal wall 106 (e.g., via the mounting flange 110), such that the damper collar 108 generally extends about (e.g., surrounds) the opening 140. In particular, the damper collar 108 may be coupled to a first side 142 of the internal wall 106 facing the first chamber 100 within the housing 50. The damper assembly 66 also includes the damper door 112, which is configured to adjustably couple to the damper collar 108. For example, the damper door 112 may couple to the damper collar 108 via a hinge joint 144 (e.g., a pin connection, pivot joint). The hinge joint 144 may be disposed at an upper or top end 146 of the damper assembly 66. Thus, the damper door 112 may be configured to pivot, rotate, or swing further into the first chamber 100, such as in response to a force applied to the damper door 112 by the second air flow 30 (e.g., via operation of the blower 114). In other examples, the damper door 112 may be pivotably coupled to the internal wall 106 (e.g., instead of the damper collar 108), as will be discussed below relative to FIGS. 6-8. The damper door 112 may have any suitable mass to enable a force of the second air flow 30 produced by the blower 114 to rotate or pivot at least partially away from the damper collar 108 and bias the damper door 112 toward an open position, thereby enabling flow of the second air flow 30 from the second chamber 102 into the first chamber 100 via the opening 140.

[0043] In a closed position, the damper door 112 may abut against the damper collar 108 and may generally block or occlude the opening 140 to block air flow between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. In some examples, the damper door 112 may be manufactured with certain dimensions that overlap and/or are greater than corresponding dimensions of damper collar 108. For example, the damper door 112 may include a main body 148 (e.g., main panel) and side flanges 150 extending from the main body 148. In a closed position of the damper door 112, the side flanges 150 may overlap with and/or extend along lateral sides 152 (e.g., side surfaces, lateral surfaces) of the damper collar 108 to more fully occlude the opening 140 and block air flow through the opening 140 (e.g., via a space or gap between the damper door 112 and the damper collar 108. Moreover, when the damper door 112 is in the closed position against the damper collar 108, movement of the damper door 112, such as in a lateral direction (e.g., along an axis 154) may be restricted via the overlap between the side flanges 150 and the lateral sides 152.

[0044] In some examples, the damper assembly 66 may include a gasket (e.g., seal) positioned on or against the damper collar 108, such as along an outlet face or surface 156 of the damper collar 108 that generally faces the damper door 112. The gasket may be configured to create a seal between the damper door 112 and the damper collar 108 in a closed position of the damper assembly 66. In this way, undesired flow of the first air flow 28 from the first chamber 100 to the second chamber 102, as well as undesired flow of the second air flow 30 from the second chamber 102 to the first chamber 100 may be blocked. The gasket may have a similar geometry as the outlet face 156 to enable the gasket to extend along a substantially portion and/or an entirety of the outlet face 156. The gasket may be made of any suitable material, such as rubber, cork, silicone, a polymer, foam, and so forth.

[0045] As mentioned above, the damper assembly 66 also includes an electromagnet 158 configured to enable selective securement of the damper door 112 in a closed position (e.g., against the damper collar 108) to occlude and/or substantially occlude the opening 140 and thereby block flow of air between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102. The electromagnet 158 may be attached to the damper collar 108 (e.g., one of the lateral sides 152) in some examples. In the manner described further below, the electromagnet 158 may be selectively actuated (e.g., energized, via operation of the control system 68) to cause the electromagnet 158 to generate a magnetic field and draw the damper door 112 toward the damper collar 108 and to retain the damper door 112 (e.g., damper assembly 66) in a closed position. Indeed, the electromagnet 158 may retain the damper door 112 in a generally fixed position against the damper collar 108 to improve blockage of air flow between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 (e.g., backflow of the first air flow 28 into the second chamber 102).

[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematic of an example of the damper assembly 66 and the control system 68 configured to regulate operation of the damper assembly 66, in accordance with present techniques. As discussed above, the damper assembly 66 includes the electromagnet 158 (e.g., electromagnetic coil) configured to be selectively actuated (e.g., energized) to enable retention of the damper door 112 in a closed position against the damper collar 108 via a magnetic force. The electromagnet 158 may be positioned in any suitable location of the damper assembly 66, such as coupled to the damper collar 108 or to the damper door 112. For example, the electromagnet 158 may be coupled to one of the lateral sides 152 of the damper collar 108, as shown. In some examples, the electromagnet 158 may be integrated with the damper collar 108. Alternatively, the electromagnet 158 may be mechanically coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to an existing example of the damper collar 108. For example, the damper assembly 66, the electromagnet 158, and/or the control system 68 may be incorporated with an existing example of the terminal unit 20 as a retrofit kit. As discussed in greater detail below, the electromagnet 158 may be coupled to the internal wall 106. In some examples, the damper assembly 66 may include multiple electromagnets 158 (e.g., positioned on opposite lateral sides 152) of the damper collar 108.

[0047] In the illustrated example, the damper door 112 also includes a flange 180 (e.g., damper door flange) extending (e.g., along axis 154) from the main body 148 of the damper door 112. The flange 180 may be configured to enable improved magnetic attraction of the damper door 112 to the electromagnet 158. To this end, the flange 180 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a ferromagnetic material (e.g., steel, sheet metal) that may be attracted by a magnetic force. The flange 180 may be attached to the damper door 112 via any suitable manner, such as welding, adhesive, a mechanical fastener, and so forth. In this way, the flange 180 may be incorporated with existing examples of the damper door 112. Alternatively, the flange 180 may be integrally formed with the damper door 112. In a closed position of the damper door 112 (e.g., damper assembly 66), the flange 180 may overlap with and/or contact the electromagnet 158. In this way, the electromagnet 158 and the flange 180 may enable improved retention of the damper assembly 66 in the closed position (e.g., during energization of the electromagnet 158). In some examples, the electromagnet 158 may be integrated internally within the damper collar 108, and the damper door 112 may not include the flange 180 to enable retention of the damper door 112 in the closed position via the electromagnet 158.

[0048] As discussed above, the control system 68 may be configured to control operation of the electromagnet 158 based on an operational state and/or operating mode of the terminal unit 20. More specifically, the control system 68 may control operation of the electromagnet 158 based on an operation of the blower 114 of the terminal unit 20. For example, during operation of the blower 114 to force the second air flow 30 from the second chamber 102 into the first chamber 100, the control system 68 may operate to deactivate (e.g., de-energize) the electromagnet 158. Thus, the electromagnet 158 may not generate a magnetic field to attract the damper door 112 to the closed position against the damper collar 108, thereby enabling the damper door 112 to open and enable fluid coupling of the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 via the opening 140 of the internal wall 106. During instances in which the blower 114 is not operating, the control system 68 may operate to activate (e.g., energize) the electromagnet 158 to generate a magnetic field and attract the damper door 112 to the closed position against the damper collar 108. Thus, the opening 140 in the internal wall 106 may be occluded via the damper assembly 66, and air flow between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102 may be blocked. In particular, a back flow of the first air flow 28 from the first chamber 100 to the second chamber 102 via the opening 140 may be blocked, which may enable improved operation of the terminal unit 20 and/or an HVAC system (e.g., HVAC unit 12) utilized with the terminal unit 20. Further, the electromagnet 158 may retain the damper door 112 in the closed position, which may reduce undesired noise and/or vibration that may otherwise be generated via incidental movement of the damper door 112 (e.g., via a pressure differential across the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102.

[0049] As will be appreciated, the electromagnet 158 may include an electromagnetic coil wound around a magnetic core. The electromagnetic coil may be formed from copper or any other suitable conductive material configured to create a magnetic field. Further, the magnetic core may be formed from iron, steel or any other suitable material. The amount, size, and/or thickness of the material forming electromagnetic coil may be any suitable amount, size and/or thickness configured to create a magnetic field configured to draw and retain the damper door 112 in the closed position to block flow of the first air flow 28 into the second chamber 102 and/or to block flow of the second air flow 30 into the first chamber 100. As an electric current is supplied through the electromagnetic coil, the flow of electric current may create a magnetic field to magnetically attract the damper door 112 (e.g., the flange 180). The amount of electric current directed through the electromagnetic coil may be any amount suitable to create a magnetic force configured to draw and retain the damper door 112 in the closed position while also withstanding and/or resisting a force generated by the first air flow 28 directed through the first chamber 100 and/or a pressure differential between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102.

[0050] Flow of electric current to the electromagnet 158 may be regulated by the control system 68. One or more of the components of the control system 68 described herein may be incorporated with the terminal unit 20, the HVAC unit 12, another portion of an HVAC system having the terminal unit 20, or any combination thereof. In the illustrated example, the control system 68 includes a controller 182 (e.g., a control system, a control panel, control circuitry). The controller 182 may be a component of the terminal unit 20. Alternatively, the controller 182 may be a component of another system or subsystem of the HVAC unit 12, the building 10, or other system. The controller 182 may be configured to control operation of one or more components of the terminal unit 20, such as the damper assembly 66 and/or the electromagnet 158, in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. The controller 182 includes processing circuitry 184, such as one or more microprocessors, which may execute software for controlling the components of the terminal unit 20. The processing circuitry 184 may include multiple microprocessors, one or more general-purpose microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processing circuitry 184 may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors.

[0051] The controller 182 may also include a memory device 186 (e.g., a memory) that may store information, such as instructions, control software, look up tables, configuration data, etc. The memory device 186 may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory device 186 may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device 186 may store processor-executable instructions including firmware or software for the processing circuitry 184 execute, such as instructions for controlling components of the terminal unit 20. In some examples, the memory device 186 includes one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable-media that may store machine-readable instructions for the processing circuitry 184 to execute. The memory device 186 may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The memory device 186 may store data, instructions, and any other suitable data.

[0052] The control system 68 also includes an electromagnet circuit 188 (e.g., interlock circuit) having a switched-mode power supply 190 (e.g., switching-mode power supply, switched power supply, switcher, SMPS) and an electromagnet relay 192. The controller 182 may be configured to supply power, such as 24-volt alternating current (24 VAC), to the blower 114 (e.g., a blower relay 194 of the blower 114) and to the SMPS 190. The SMPS 190 may be configured to receive the 24 VAC and convert the 24 VAC to 24-volt direct current (24V DC). The controller 182 may supply power to the blower relay 194 to cause the blower 114 to draw the second air flow 30 into the terminal unit 20 and to force the second air flow 30 from the second chamber 102 and into the first chamber 100 of the terminal unit 20. For example, the controller 182 may be configured to operate the blower 114 in response to data and/or a control instruction from another controller and/or from a thermostat, such as a call for heating. Thus, the controller 182 may operate the blower 114 to direct the second air flow 30, which may be warmer than the first air flow 28, through the terminal unit 20 to provide the second air flow 30 to the conditioned space.

[0053] In response to supply of power (e.g., 24 VAC) to the blower relay 194 to power the blower 114, the blower relay 194 may provide first feedback (e.g., a first signal) to the SMPS 190 and/or to the electromagnet relay 192. Based on the first feedback (e.g., first signal) from the blower relay 194, the electromagnet relay 192 may be energized. Upon such energization of the electromagnet relay 192, the electromagnet relay 192 may de-energize the electromagnet 158, which may suspend generation of a magnetic field by the electromagnet 158. As a result, the electromagnet 158 may not operate to draw and retain the damper door 112 against the damper collar 108. Thus, the damper door 112 may transition toward an open position, via force of the second air flow 30 generated by the blower 114, to enable flow of the second air flow 30 from the second chamber 102 and into the first chamber 100.

[0054] In other instances, the controller 182 may determine that the blower 114 should not operate, and supply of power to the blower 114 from the controller 182 (e.g., via the blower relay 194) may be suspended. In response to suspended supply of power to the blower relay 194, the blower relay 194 may provide second feedback (e.g., a second signal) to the electromagnet circuit 188. In response to the second feedback from the blower relay 194, the electromagnet circuit 188 may remain energized (e.g., via the SMPS 190), and the electromagnet relay 192 may operate to activate and/or energize the electromagnet 158. Thus, the electromagnet 158 may generate a magnetic field to draw and retain the damper door 112 against the damper collar 108. In accordance with present techniques, the energized electromagnet 158 (e.g., electromagnetic coil) may cause the damper door 112 (e.g., the flange 180) to magnetically attach to the damper collar 108, thereby retaining the damper door 112 in a substantially closed position against the damper collar 108.

[0055] The electromagnet relay 192 may be mechanical (e.g., with movable contacts) or with no movable contacts. In some examples, the electromagnet relay 192 may include a coil, configured to receive electric current and generate a magnetic field utilizing the electric current. The magnetic field may cause contacts of the electromagnet relay 192 to move or change positions. The contacts may be normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO). When the contact state is normally closed, the electromagnet relay 192 contacts are closed, thereby enabling electric current to flow to an output of the electromagnet relay 192 (e.g., to the electromagnet 158). When the contact state is normally open, the electromagnet relay 192 contacts are open, and no electrical current may flow to the output of the electromagnet relay 192. When a control signal (e.g. an electrical current) is applied to the electromagnet relay 192 having normally open contacts, the magnetic field created by the coils may cause the contacts to move or change position to a closed configuration, thereby enabling electrical current to flow to the output of the electromagnet relay 192. When a control signal is applied to the electromagnet relay 192 having normally closed contacts, the magnetic field created by the coils cause the contacts to move or change position to the open configuration, and no electrical current may flow to the output of the electromagnet relay 192. The electromagnet relay 192 of the electromagnet circuit 188 in the illustrated example may have a normally closed configuration. In this way, when power is supplied to the blower relay 194 to operate the blower 114, and electrical current flows through the electromagnet circuit 188, the electromagnet relay 192 contacts may move or change position to an open configuration, thereby de-energizing the electromagnet 158. When power is not supplied to the blower relay 194 to suspend operation of the blower 114, the electromagnet relay 192 may not be energized by the power supplied to the blower relay 194, and the normally closed contacts will return to the closed configuration to enable continued supply of electric current to the electromagnet 158.

[0056] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate another exemplary damper assembly 66. The damper assembly 66 of FIGS. 6-8 similar to the damper assembly 66 of FIGS. 3-5. Thus, like structure will be identified with like reference numerals and only the differences will be discussed. As shown, the damper assembly 66 may have a configuration in which the damper collar 108 is omitted. In such case, the damper door 112 may be fixed directly to the internal wall 106 via a hinge, a pivot joint, or other suitable connection configured to enable relative movement between the internal wall 106 and the damper door 112. In FIGS. 6 and 8, the damper door 112 is shown in a closed position, whereby the damper door 112 overlaps with the opening 140 formed in the internal wall 106 to block air flow between the first chamber 100 and the second chamber 102.

[0057] The example of FIGS. 6-8 also importantly illustrates that the damper door 112 may have any suitable configuration. The damper door 112 is rotatably or pivotably along a lateral side of the opening 140 in the internal wall 106, rather than along a top side of the opening 140 in FIGS. 3-5. Moreover, the damper door 112 includes a flange 200 that projects from a surface facing the first chamber 100. This flange 200 may assist the first air flow 28 in moving the damper door 112 to the close position. Moreover, the damper door 112 is generally planar such that a planar surface thereof engages a planar surface of the internal wall in the closed position. A gasket (not shown in FIGS. 6-8) may surround all or a portion of the opening 140 to help seal the damper door 112 to the internal wall 106 in the closed position. Similarly, the gasket of the damper assembly 66 may have a similar geometry as the perimeter of the opening 140.

[0058] Additionally, in FIGS. 6-8, the electromagnet 158 is coupled to the internal wall 106. In the illustrated example, the electromagnet 158 is positioned within the second chamber 102, but in other examples, the electromagnet 158 may be positioned elsewhere or embedded into the internal wall 106. In the illustrated example, the electromagnet 158 is positioned adjacent to a perimeter of the opening 140 at a location that is overlapped by the damper door 112. In other examples there may be multiple electromagnets 158 adjacent to the perimeter of the opening 140 at locations that are overlapped by the damper door 112.

[0059] The damper door 112 may be formed from a ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, the damper door 112 may include a ferromagnetic material member coupled to the planar surface of the damper door 112 at the location corresponding the electromagnet. In still other examples, the damper door 112 may include a flange 180 formed from ferromagnetic material, as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 3-5. If included, the flange 180 may extend from the perimeter of the damper door and thereby give greater flexibility to the placement of the electromagnet 158.

[0060] While only certain features and examples have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, such as temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative examples. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

[0061] Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary examples, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode, or those unrelated to enablement. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

[0062] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . or step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . , it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).