U.S. patent application number 10/600252 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for apparatus and method for directing air flow to a target surface or substantially enclosed volume.
Invention is credited to Kelley, Michael S., Kelley, Virginia R..
Application Number | 20050002658 10/600252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33552148 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050002658 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelley, Virginia R. ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
Apparatus and method for directing air flow to a target surface or
substantially enclosed volume
Abstract
An apparatus and method for directing airflow to a target
surface or substantially enclosed volume is described. The
apparatus comprises of one or more air channels with one or more
directed air flow ducts to the surface. Each of the air ducts may
feature numerous outlets that disperse unheated or hot air onto a
target surface or within a substantially enclosed volume. The one
or more air channels may be made of vinyl, rip-stop, or materials
that are temerature-appropriate. The apparatus is held in place by
it's effective air-weight or secured to prevent slippage during
operation. Several such apparatuses may be incorporated into a
vehicle to transfer air or gas to individual surfaces. The unit
contains a substantially circular air duct and an electrical feed
or other power source. The apparatus unit attaches to a hose vent
or other external air flow apparatus and extends along the target
surface or within the substantially enclosed volume. Air flow may
be controlled from a switch or other control mechanism associated
with the apparatus or the external air flow apparatus. When the
control mechanism is actuated to activate the external air flow
apparatus and the apparatus, air flow from the external air flow
apparatus. Air pressure resulting from the flow of air
substantially inflates the apparatus. The flow of air is discharged
through apertures positioned along a surface of an air channel and
diffuses the air flow along the target surface. In one embodiment,
the air flow is comprised of heated air. Heating the target surface
substantially removes condensed water, ice, frost, and the like
from the target surface, and prevents further condensation from
appearing on the target surface while the apparatus is activated.
In addition, heating the air flow to a substantially enclosed
volume assists in increasing the temperature of the substantially
enclosed volume. In another embodiment, air that has been cooled or
lowered in temperature, or air with no temperature adjustment may
also be used.
Inventors: |
Kelley, Virginia R.;
(Woodinville, WA) ; Kelley, Michael S.;
(Woodinville, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
33552148 |
Appl. No.: |
10/600252 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/379 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00564
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/379 |
International
Class: |
F24H 003/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for directing air flow, defogging, and deicing
windshields and other a heat-resistant material having an interior
or exterior surface.
2. The apparatus shall may be made appropriate materials to
transport and direct headed or unheated air or gas.
3. Where applicable, the apparatus may be made of UV protected
materials.
4. The apparatus in claim 1 shall have one or more external sources
which shall provide: A blower and; A air or gas source with
appropriate heat or cooling source downstream from said blower and;
Temperature control or thermostat and; Air flow regulation.
2. The basic apparatus (as stated in claim 1) comprises of a single
trunk which attaches to an external duct with an external single
source.
3. However, several apparatuses (as stated in claim 1) may daisy
chain together from multiple sources.
4. The trunk (as stated in claim 5) may be made of plastic molded
plastic, air duct, of vinyl, rip-stop, or other environmentally
resistant material
5. The basic apparatus (as stated in claim 1) comprises of air one
or more channels which attach to the trunk.
6. The air channel (as stated in claim 8) length is appropriate to
accommodate the surface wall, glass area, or enclosed area.
7. The air channels (as stated in claim 8) may be made of molded
plastic, plastic air duct of vinyl, rip-stop, or other
environmentally resistant material.
8. Each of the channels (as stated in claim 8) may feature numerous
outlets that disperse unheated or hot air the surface.
9. Optionally one or more air channels may include an air flow
director to block or limit air flow to a particular area of the
surface.
10. Alternately a wire mesh, or punch hole or other design may be
used as apertures for air or gas discharge (as stated in claim
9).
11. Additionally, one or more warm air discharges (as stated in
claim 9) may be added to control air flow.
12. Each of the air channels (as stated in claim 8) may feature
numerous outlets that disperse unheated or hot air onto the glass
surface.
13. Several such apparatuses (as stated in claim 1) may be
incorporated into a vehicle to direct flowage.
14. The apparatus (as stated in claim 1) may be held in place by
it's affective air-weight or secured by other means to prevent
slippage during vehicle operations.
15. Several such apparatuses (as stated in claim 1) may be
incorporated into a vehicle to heat each glass surface
individually.
16. Optionally, more than one source (as stated in claim 4) and
subsequent air ducts may be added to accommodate the environment.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method
for directing airflow to a target surface or substantially enclosed
volume. The present invention generally comprises a defroster,
deicer or dehumidifier device for any target surface including
windshields, other glass surfaces exposed to temperature gradients.
The present invention comprises of a series of apertures that
circumscribe a windshield or window and blanket the target surface
with air. In another embodiment, the present invention may also be
used as a diffuser to distribute air or gas to a substantially
enclosed volume. For example, the apparatus may be used to
distribute heated air in an egg hatchery, or to increase air flow
for animal cage enclosures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sudden changes or cold weather may cause the humidity to
rise and fog glass enclosures or other surfaces. The effect of
fogging is most recognizable in vehicles such as aircraft,
watercraft, automobiles, and the like. Visibility may be reduced
which may result in hazardous driving conditions. This condition is
especially dangerous when maneuvering around other vessels or
vehicles.
[0003] Condensation, fogging and icing are persistent problems for
aircraft, watercraft, automobiles, trains, residential and
commercial buildings, and all other devices that incorporate glass
surfaces that are exposed to significant ambient air temperature
gradients. The condition commonly known as fogging is caused by
condensed water vapor collecting on a glass surface due to the
difference in temperature between the glass and the adjacent air.
This is a common problem for many types of vehicles (including
aircraft, watercraft, and some farm vehicles). The inside
temperature of the vehicle often must differ significantly from the
outside temperature to maintain proper safety levels.
[0004] For example, if the interior temperature is warmer than the
outside temperature, the inside surface of the windshield will be
cooler than the air inside the vehicle. Air in contact with the
inside surface of the windshield will thus cool down through
contact with the glass. The cooling of this air reduces its ability
to retain moisture, and thus the moisture that is released
condenses on the inside surface of the windshield. This same
problem is encountered with windows in residential and commercial
buildings because of the difference in outside and inside
temperature.
[0005] Traditional vehicle defroster mechanisms may require an air
conditioner which is not available or appropriate for some types of
enclosures or vehicles. Often times the solution of one or more
electric fans is inadequate if there is inadequate circuitry or
electrical feeds.
[0006] Several attempts to improve the performance of traditional
heater and defroster systems have been made. U.S. Pat. No.
2,304,691, issued to F. C. Hund, discloses a windshield defroster
for an aircraft that distributes heated air along all edges of the
windshield. Hund '691 teaches a double-pane windshield with the
heated air being introduced between the panes of glass.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,216 issued to Krug and Schani discloses
a defroster unit which uses engine coolant that radiates heat in
reaction to the passing of an electric current through said heating
element.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,586, issued to Peter N. Gold, discloses
an electric heating attachment which frees frozen windshield wipers
from the exterior of a vehicle windshield. The Gold '586 device
extends along the bottom of a vehicle windshield and contacts the
blade of windshield wipers resting against it.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,718,037, issued to A. R. Lintern, discloses
a finned tube heater and defroster unit for a vehicle. Lintern '037
includes a long tube extending beneath the length of a windshield,
through which hot liquid from the engine coolant system is passed.
The tube comprises a several fins which extend, over which air is
blown from one end of the tube. The air is heated as it passes over
the finned tube, and the fins direct the air upward against the
inside surface of the windshield.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,770 issued to Shikata et al. discloses a
heater exchanger is sandwiched between the partition plates.
Further, the heat exchanger is formed by laminating tubes and a fin
while the fin is disposed in each main air passage formed between
tube walls of the tubes. Each end of the partition plates is
opposite to each end of the tubes so that the partition plates are
parallel to the tubes. In this way, air flows which respectively
have passed from the air first and second passages pass through the
heat exchanger without being mixed with each other therein. As a
result, the separation characteristics of air flows can be
improved.
[0011] None of these devices provide an ideal solution to the
problem of heating, defrosting, and deicing where there are space
concerns. These devices would be too complicated for solving simple
air flow.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cut-away side elevation view of an exemplary air
distribution apparatus in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top-view of an exemplary air distribution
apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is another top-view of an exemplary air distribution
apparatus used in a vehicle in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is another top-view of an exemplary air distribution
apparatus separated from an external air duct in accordance with
the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0016] 1=Windshield or wall
[0017] 2=Warm Air discharge
[0018] 3=Apparatus Side Wall
[0019] 4=Dashboard or Apparatus support
[0020] 5=Window wall
[0021] 6=Air Channel
[0022] 7=Trunk
[0023] 8=Join tab
[0024] 9=Air duct
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0025] Description of Main Embodiment
[0026] The typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The apparatus rests on a support 4 that allows
clear transport of air. The main embodiment of the apparatus has
inflatable air channels 6 which converge onto a trunk 7. The
channel has a warm air discharge 2 which directs the air to
specific location 1. The channel 6 is tapered to allow the air to
disperse evenly to throughout the channel. The warm air discharge 2
has apertures which are spaced to allow unobstructed inflation and
allows air to disperse evenly throughout the air channel 6. In one
embodiment, a join tab 8 attaches the trunk 7 to an external air
duct 9.
[0027] Operation of Main Embodiment
[0028] Warm, cool, or neutral air from an external source flows
into the duct 9 and travels through the trunk 7. In one embodiment,
the velocity and heat is controlled from the external source. At
the trunk 7, air diverts to the air channels 3. The channels
inflate 3 and air flows through the warm air discharge 2 to the
surface 1 which requires defrosting, deicing or continual passive
air.
[0029] Alternative Embodiments
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, other embodiments of the
invention may be described. Although this detailed description is
directed toward the device as installed on the windshield of a
boat, it is understood that the device is useful on any other type
of vehicle that has target surfaces to allow an operator to see
out, such aircraft, watercraft, and trains. It is also understood
that the device may be used on surfaces other than windshields,
such as side windows and rear windows. Moreover, the device may be
used on commercial and residential buildings to maintain windows
that are free from ice, fog, frost or condensation.
[0031] Additionally, it is understood the device may be used for
air distribution in a substantially enclosed volume. For example,
the invention may be used to increase circulation to enclosed areas
such as animal cages or plant nurseries.
[0032] Several apparatuses may daisy chain together from multiple
heat sources. Several such apparatuses may be incorporated into a
vehicle to heat each surface individually. The trunk may be made of
plastic molded plastic, air duct, of vinyl, rip-stop, or other heat
resistant material. The air channels may be made of molded plastic,
plastic air duct, of vinyl, rip-stop, or other heat resistant
material. The air channels may vary in length to accommodate the
actual surface.
[0033] Each of the channels may feature numerous outlets that
disperse unheated or hot air the surface. Alternately a wire mesh,
or punch hole or other design may be used place of the warm air
discharge. Each of the air channels may feature numerous outlets
that disperse unheated or hot air onto the glass surface.
Optionally one or more air channels may include an air flow
director to block or limit air flow to a particular area of the
surface.
* * * * *