초록 ▼

A flow control bladder for controlling flow through a conduit such as an HVAC duct comprises a flexible walled body having a hollow interior and an inflation stem for passing an inflation fluid in and out of the hollow interior thereby transforming the body between an inflated condition for restrict

A flow control bladder for controlling flow through a conduit such as an HVAC duct comprises a flexible walled body having a hollow interior and an inflation stem for passing an inflation fluid in and out of the hollow interior thereby transforming the body between an inflated condition for restricted flow through a conduit and a deflated condition for relatively unrestricted flow through a conduit. The body includes first and second panel walls, which normally are generally parallel when the body is in its deflated condition, and opposite side walls connected to the first and second panel walls at respective peripheral side folds. In addition, each side wall includes an inner fold which opens in a direction opposite the peripheral side folds when the body is in its deflated condition. The side walls are preferably folded between the panel walls although they may also be folded over one of the panel walls.

대표청구항 ▼

A flow control bladder for controlling flow through a conduit, comprising: a flexible walled body having a hollow interior; and fluid passage means for passing an inflation fluid in and out of said hollow interior thereby transforming said body between an inflated condition for restricted flow throu

A flow control bladder for controlling flow through a conduit, comprising: a flexible walled body having a hollow interior; and fluid passage means for passing an inflation fluid in and out of said hollow interior thereby transforming said body between an inflated condition for restricted flow through a conduit and a deflated condition for relatively unrestricted flow through a conduit; and wherein said body includes first and second panel walls, which normally are generally parallel when said body is in said deflated condition, and opposite side walls connected to the first and second panel walls at respective peripheral side folds, each side wall includes an inner fold which opens in a direction opposite the peripheral side folds when said body is in said deflated condition, said peripheral side folds extend between and converge towards one another at opposite ends of said body, said opposite ends of said body are movable towards one another upon inflation of said body, and said body is formed, at least in the regions thereof containing said side and inner folds, of a material that is flexible without permanent deformation during inflation and deflation of said body between said inflated and deflated conditions, whereby said body may resume its former shape when deflated.