U.S. patent application number 10/550751 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for induction diffuser.
Invention is credited to Vladimir Petrovic.
Application Number | 20060211365 10/550751 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33034717 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060211365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Petrovic; Vladimir |
September 21, 2006 |
Induction diffuser
Abstract
This invention relates to an induction air handling unit (10)
that in use has a primary air flow to induce a secondary air flow.
It comprises a primary air supply chamber (11) from which the
primary air flow is re-directed, an outlet nozzle (14) on the
supply chamber (11) that re-directs the jet of primary air away
from the supply chamber (11), a partition (15) dividing a space
into a first and second region, the supply chamber (11) being
positioned within the first region, and an air outlet (16) in the
partition (15) having an aperture into which the jet of primary air
is directed so that a secondary air flow is caused to flow from
within the first region into the second region. In this way, the
primary air is mixed with the secondary air and, in the mixed form,
meets the heating or cooling requirement within the second
region.
Inventors: |
Petrovic; Vladimir; (South
Australia, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
33034717 |
Appl. No.: |
10/550751 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
March 24, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU03/00347 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/261 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/078 20130101;
F24F 1/01 20130101; F24F 2221/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/261 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/04 20060101
F24F013/04 |
Claims
1. An induction air handling unit that in use has a primary air
flow to induce a secondary air flow comprising: a primary air
supply chamber from which primary air flow is redirected, an outlet
nozzle on said supply chamber that re-directs a jet of primary air
away from said supply chamber, a partition dividing a space into a
first and second region, said supply chamber positioned in said
first region, and an air outlet in said partition having an
aperture into which said jet of primary air is directed so that a
secondary airflow is caused to flow from within said first region
into said second region.
2. An induction air handling unit according to claim 1 further
comprising a plurality of nozzles on said supply chamber that
result in a plurality of jets of primary air.
3. An induction air handling unit according to claim 2 wherein said
plurality of nozzles are arranged in a plurality of rows, and said
outlet aperture is an elongate aperture.
4. An induction air handling unit according to claim 3 wherein
there are two rows of nozzles.
5. An induction air handling unit according to claim 2 wherein said
plurality of nozzles are arranged in a plurality of spaced rows and
further comprising a plurality of air outlets adjacent each said
row.
6. An induction air handling unit according to claim 5 wherein said
outlet apertures are elongate apertures.
7. An induction air handling unit according to claim 2 wherein said
air outlet comprises a rectangular or square aperture and wherein
said plurality of nozzles are positioned around the periphery of
said square or rectangular aperture.
8. An induction air handling unit according to claim 7 wherein said
outlet comprises an annulus around the periphery of said square or
rectangular aperture that is adjacent said plurality of
nozzles.
9. An induction air handling unit according to claim 1 wherein said
supply chamber if attached to said air outlet.
10. An induction air handling unit according to claim 9 wherein
said air outlet further comprises walls extending upwardly from
said outlet that are positioned around the periphery of said
outlet.
11. An induction air handling unit according to claim 10 wherein
there is a gap between some or all of said walls and said supply
chamber through which said secondary air flows.
12. An induction air handling unit according to claim 1 wherein
said partition comprises a ceiling of a room and wherein first
region is a ceiling space and said second region is said room.
13. An induction air handling unit according to claim 12 wherein
air flowing from said outlet is directed sideways.
14. An induction air handling unit according to claim 13 wherein
the edges of said outlet are curved so that the outlet reduces in
width and then increases in width between the entrance and exit of
the outlet.
15. An induction air handling unit according to claim 13 further
comprising a guide located centrally within the aperture of said
outlet to split the air flow from said outlet.
16. An induction air handling unit according to claim 15 wherein
said guide splits the air flow into two streams.
17. An induction air handling unit according to claim 15 wherein
said guide splits the air flow into four streams.
18. An induction air handling unit according to claim 1 wherein
said partition comprises the floor of a room and wherein said first
region is a space below said floor and said second region is said
room.
19. An induction air handling unit according to claim 1 wherein
said partition comprises the wall of a room and wherein said first
region is a space behind said wall and said second region is said
room.
20. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This invention relates to an induction diffuser or induction
air handling unit and in particular to a diffuser where primary air
flow induces secondary air flow that combines with the primary air
flow to cause flow of both primary and secondary air from an air
outlet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known air-conditioning systems treat predominantly outside
air that is mixed with a proportion of return air from within the
building. This conditioned air is then used to meet the heating or
cooling load within a particular space such as a number of rooms on
a floor or an open space area on a floor of a building. The air
supplied into a space is normally treated in one or more air
handling plants before it is ducted to discharge points or
registers in the ceiling of the room or space to be heated or
cooled.
[0003] Normally, an air-conditioning system provides the whole of
the treated air at a modest pressure from the air-conditioning
plant room through ducts mounted above ceilings to ceiling mounted
air registers distributed throughout the space. The ducts in the
ceiling necessarily have a relatively large cross-sectional area
because they convey the whole of the conditioned air at a low
pressure.
[0004] Ducts having a large cross-sectional area tend to dictate
the required height of the ceiling space and therefore will
influence the required slab to slab spacing in multi-storey
buildings. Thus, the size of the air-conditioning ducts in a
ceiling has a major influence on the number of building floors that
can be built for a given height which could be quite detrimental in
cities that have restrictions on building height. It would be
possible on some buildings to incorporate an additional floor if
ceiling space height could be reduced for each floor. It is an aim
of this invention to provide an air-conditioning system that can
minimise the cross-sectional area of air-conditioning duct
work.
[0005] Fans are known to be the single largest consumer of energy
within air-conditioning systems. This is due to the large volume of
air which is moved through ducts to achieve the required heating or
cooling effect. It is an aim of this invention to provide an
air-conditioning system which reduces the amount of conditioned air
which is circulated within an air-conditioning system.
[0006] Stratification is another significant problem with existing
air-conditioning systems. This is where a very cold or very warm
air is dumped into a room and settles, in the case of cold air
along the floor, or in the case of hot air towards the ceiling. The
problem is at its worst when there is a great temperature
difference between the conditioned air and the space into which it
flows. Cold air with a large temperature difference by comparison
to the conditioned space will be much denser. Accordingly, it will
sink rapidly towards the floor without effective mixing. This
produces a very uncomfortable environment due to inefficient mixing
of cold air. It is a further aim of this invention to overcome
stratification problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In its broadest form, the invention is an induction air
handling unit that in use has a primary air flow to induce a
secondary air flow comprising; [0008] a primary air supply chamber
from which primary air flow is re-directed, [0009] an outlet nozzle
on said supply chamber that re-directs a jet of primary air away
from said supply chamber, [0010] a partition dividing a space into
a first and second region, said supply chamber positioned in said
first region, and [0011] an air outlet in said partition having an
aperture which said jet of primary air is directed so that a
secondary airflow is caused to flow from within said first region
into said second region.
[0012] Preferably, a plurality of nozzles are provided, each
providing a jet of primary air that is directed towards the outlet.
An example of a nozzle is described in Australian Patent No.
693661. This nozzle uses a shaped outlet to reduce noise and to
also augment entrainment of air from the surroundings into the jet
of primary air. However, this invention is not restricted to such a
nozzle. Plain nozzle outlet shapes such as circular elliptical or
any other shape would be suitable.
[0013] In a case of a plurality of nozzles, they may be arranged so
as to form an elongate row and the outlet may be shaped
accordingly. Alternatively, the primary air supply chamber and
nozzles may be configured to suit a square or rectangular outlet
such as a conventional ceiling mounted register. Other outlets
having circular or irregular shapes can also be used. The supply
chamber may be a specific chamber connected to ducts that feed
primary air into the chamber. Alternatively, the chamber may be
part of a duct with the outlet nozzle or nozzles attached directly
to the duct.
[0014] The outlet may be provided with a plurality of vanes to
assist in directing of the air as it moves away from the outlet. In
addition, the outlet may be provided with walls that extend towards
the nozzles which aid in the containment of the air prior to it
exiting the outlet. A gap is provided between the walls and the
primary air supply chamber to allow induced secondary air to flow
in towards the jet or jets.
[0015] In the case of a square or rectangular register, secondary
air may be allowed to flow from the second region through a central
duct or opening in the outlet. This air flows to a point adjacent
to the nozzle or nozzles where it is then entrained into the
primary air flowing from the jets. Other means may be provided to
allow secondary air to flow to a position where it may be induced
into the primary air flow, but typically apertures may be provided
in the partition which allow air to flow from the second region
into the first region where it can then become entrained with the
primary air flow. A pair of outlets may be used in conjunction with
a combined light fitting. In this case, an outlet is positioned
either side of the light fitting which itself may be attached to
the air handling unit.
[0016] Preferably, the partition comprises a ceiling within a room,
but could also comprise a wall or floor with the primary air supply
chamber located behind the wall or beneath the floor. In addition,
the first region may be external to a building so that the
secondary air flow is in fact outdoor air with the primary air
being treated return air from the building.
[0017] In order to further describe the invention, preferred
embodiments will now be described. However, it should be realised
that the invention is not to be confined or restricted to the
features of these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] These embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings in which;
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an induction air handling
unit with a linear outlet,
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-section view of the induction
unit shown in FIG. 1,
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an induction air
handling unit with a square register,
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section view of the induction
unit shown in FIG. 3,
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an induction air handling
unit incorporating a light fitting, and
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section of the induction unit
shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the induction unit 10 comprises
a chamber 11 with an inlet 12. In these embodiments, the chamber 11
is sheet metal construction and is provided with flanges 13 for
mounting the induction unit 10 in a ceiling or wall space. As an
alternative, the chamber 11 may be constructed of other materials
such as sandwich-foam sheets or fibre reinforced plastics.
[0026] A plurality of nozzles 14 provide an outlet of air from the
chamber 11. In this embodiment, the nozzles 14 are small moulded
plastic nozzles attached to chamber 11 that result in a jet of air
being directed away from the nozzle 14 when supply air is provided
under pressure to the chamber 11. Alternatively, the nozzles 14 may
be pressed or drawn in metal, or formed integrally with the chamber
11. The inlet 12 connects to ducting that provides supply air under
pressure from a central or local air-conditioning plant.
[0027] As seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 the induction unit 10 is mounted
in a ceiling space. The partition comprises a ceiling 15 and the
outlet 16 is mounted within the ceiling 15.
[0028] Supply air entering the chamber 11 under pressure leaves the
chamber 11 via nozzles 14 as discrete jets. These jets of primary
air are directed towards the outlet 16. The primary jets induce the
flow of secondary air from the ceiling space so that the air
flowing from outlet 16 is a combination or mixture of primary and
secondary air.
[0029] The outlet 16 in FIG. 1 comprises an elongate opening formed
by two edge members 17 and a central guide 18. The edge member 17
is curved and together with central guide 18 directs the air flow
in a substantially lateral direction away from the outlet 16. This
arrangement assists in distributing conditioned air away from the
outlet 16 by causing it to remain attached to the ceiling 15 due to
the "Coanda effect" until its momentum is dissipated at which time
it then descends down into the occupied space below the ceiling 15.
This provides more even mixing and prevents dumping of cold air
into a room.
[0030] A pair of walls 20 are attached to the upper edges of each
member 17 and extend upwardly along their length towards the
chamber 11. A gap 30 is formed between the walls 20 and the chamber
11. End brackets 21 are secured to and extend away from the edge
members 17 with the upper end of the end brackets 21 attached to
the chamber 11. The outlet 16 is thereby mounted to the chamber
11.
[0031] Supply air entering the chamber 11 under pressure leaves the
chamber 11 via nozzles 14 as discrete jets. These jets of primary
air are directed towards the outlet 16. They induce a flow of
secondary air from within the ceiling chamber through the gaps 30
so that the air flowing out of the outlet 16 is a combination of
primary and secondary air.
[0032] In this embodiment, the partition comprises a ceiling 15.
The first region above the ceiling is referred to as the ceiling
space and the second region below the ceiling is the room or space
into which the mixture of primary and secondary air flows. A
portion of the conditioned air returns to the ceiling space. This
is either by way of additional ducting or via apertures or slots
within the ceiling 15. The air that returns to the ceiling space
becomes the secondary air which is induced by the primary air
exiting the nozzles 14.
[0033] The outlet 16 shown in the second embodiment of FIGS. 3 and
4 comprises a conventional square register 24. Walls 20 are mounted
to the periphery of the register 24 and extend towards the chamber
11. Brackets 25 connect the walls 20 to the chamber 11 so that a
gap 30 is left between the chamber 11 and the walls 20. Secondary
air flows through this gap 30. A plurality of nozzles 14 are
arranged in two rows which are generally directed around the
periphery of the register 24. One row or more than two rows may be
used. As seen in FIG. 4 a sheet metal structure 26 is used to fill
the centre region of the register 24 so that jets of air leaving
the nozzles 14 are not able to disburse and thereby reduce
velocity.
[0034] As an alternative, instead of the nozzles 14 comprising two
rows that are directed around the periphery of the register 24,
additional nozzles may be attached to the chamber 11 in the centre
region. In this embodiment, there would be no need to make use of
the structure 26.
[0035] Further, the structure 26 may be opened at its upper end
rather than closed as shown in FIG. 4. This would allow secondary
air to also be drawn from within the conditioned space so that it
flows through the centre of the register 24 through the structure
26 to join the primary air flow from the nozzles 14. In this case
the gap 30 may not be required and the walls 20 would extend to the
chamber 11.
[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a light fitting 32 located between
two outlets 16. The light fitting 32 comprises a light housing 33
within which fluorescent tubes 34 are operatively mounted.
[0037] The chamber 11 has two rows of nozzles 14 which are directed
towards the outer edges of the housing 33. Primary air is provided
to the chamber 11 in the manner similar to the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0038] The outlets 16 are formed by a single curved edge member 17
and a guide 18 that direct the air flows from the outlet 16
sideways and away from the induction unit 10. A second wall 35
extends upwardly from the guide 18 and the nozzles 14 are directed
at the space between walls 20 and 35. The primary air flow from the
nozzles 14 induces secondary air flow through the gaps 30 on both
sides of the induction unit 10.
[0039] As with the previous embodiments, the secondary air flow may
be induced from within the ceiling space and may flow into the
ceiling space via other air inlets (not drawn).
[0040] Alternatively, the secondary air may flow from the
conditioned space through a gap between the light fitting housing
33 and the second wall 35. In this case, the gaps 30 may be closed
completely so that only secondary air may flow into the induction
unit 10 via the gap between the housing 33 and the second wall
35.
[0041] In a further alternative, the light fitting 32 may be
replaced with a perforated plate or grill (not drawn) and the
secondary air stream will be induced into the induction unit 10
through this perforated plate or grill. Given that the mixture of
secondary and primary air exiting the outlet 16 is pushed sideways,
then there should be minimal mixing of this air with the secondary
air flowing through the perforated plate or grill.
[0042] All of the embodiments described show ceiling mounted units.
However, it will be readily understood that wall or floor mounted
units could also be used. In this arrangement the partition would
comprise a wall or a floor.
[0043] As will be seen from the above description, the invention
provides a unique method of increasing air flow from an outlet by
combining a primary air flow with a secondary air flow. The
invention is particularly suited to air-conditioning requirements
where the invention will minimise noise output and provide a
greater degree of control for air-conditioning rooms.
* * * * *