IP Library Granted Patent US 11,268,540
Granted Patent B2
US 11,268,540 · App. 15/933,157 · Granted Mar 8, 2022

Damping component for a fan guard

Inventors: Robert L. Eskew (Kingman, KS); Wayne E. Romero (Wichita, KS)
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
F04D29/668F04D19/002F04D25/06F04D25/08F04D29/703F16B2/22F24F1/40F24F13/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,268,540
App. No.
15/933,157
Granted
Mar 8, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a housing configured to receive a motor of the HVAC system, a fan guard coupled to a surface of the housing, and a damping device disposed between the fan guard and the surface of the housing, where the damping device is configured to absorb vibrational energy generated by the HVAC system.

Claims (24)

1. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:

a housing configured to extend about and receive a motor of the HVAC system;

a fan guard comprising an array of cylindrical wires, the fan guard coupled to a surface of the housing via a plurality of coupling portions each coupling portion of the plurality of coupling portions extending from a respective cylindrical wire of the array of cylindrical wires; and

a plurality of damping devices disposed between the fan guard and the surface of the housing, wherein the plurality of damping devices is disposed against the surface of the housing, and the plurality of damping devices is configured to absorb vibrational energy generated by the HVAC system,

wherein each damping device of the plurality of damping devices comprises a clip having a body portion and opposing prongs extending therefrom that secure the damping device to a respective cylindrical wire of the array of cylindrical wires, a groove within the body portion defined by a peripheral wall surrounding a recessed surface therein, and a slot formed in and extending through the recessed surface,

wherein each coupling portion of the plurality of coupling portions is disposed within the groove of the damping device secured to the respective cylindrical wire from which the coupling portion extends, such that the peripheral wall surrounds an external perimeter of the coupling portion and the recessed surface abuts the coupling portion, and

wherein the slot is aligned with an opening formed in and extending through the coupling portion such that the slot and the opening are configured to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the fan guard and the damping device to the surface of the housing.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the slot is offset from the opening along an axis extending through the slot and the opening.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the slot comprises a length greater than a width of the opening.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the damping device comprises rubber, or foam, or a combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the damping device comprises an adhesive configured to couple the damping device to the surface of the housing.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the damping device comprises a tapered portion configured to conform to a shape of the coupling portion.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein each prong comprises a curved surface configured to conform to a shape of the respective cylindrical wire.

8. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:

a housing;

a fan disposed within the housing;

a motor coupled to the fan and disposed within the housing, wherein the motor is configured to drive rotation of the fan;

a fan guard comprising an array of cylindrical wires, the fan guard coupled to a surface of the housing via a plurality of coupling portions each coupling portion of the plurality of coupling portions extending from a respective cylindrical wire of the array of cylindrical wires;

a plurality of damping devices disposed between the fan guard and the surface of the housing, wherein the plurality of damping devices is configured to absorb vibrational energy caused by the motor, and the plurality of damping devices is disposed against the surface of the housing,

wherein each damping device of the plurality of damping devices comprises a clip having a body portion and opposing prongs extending therefrom that secure the damping device to a respective cylindrical wire of the array of cylindrical wires, a groove within the body portion defined by a peripheral wall surrounding a recessed surface wherein, and a slot formed in and extending through the recessed surface,

wherein each coupling portion of the plurality of coupling portions is disposed within the groove of the damping device secured to the respective cylindrical wire from which the coupling portion extends, such that the peripheral wall surrounds an external perimeter of the coupling portion and the recessed surface abuts the coupling portion, and

wherein the slot is aligned with an opening formed in and extending through the coupling portion; and

a respective fastener extending through each opening and corresponding slot to secure the fan guard and the plurality of damping devices to the surface of the housing.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the slot comprises a length greater than a width of the opening.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2025
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
Reel/Frame 072298/0096 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2025
From: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS LIGHT COMMERCIAL IP GMBH
Reel/Frame 070179/0435 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2024
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
To: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
Reel/Frame 067832/0947 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2022
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
Reel/Frame 058959/0764 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2018
From: ESKEW, ROBERT L.; ROMERO, WAYNE E.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 045324/0594 →