U.S. patent application number 12/604160 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-28 for method and apparatus for desktop air conditioning.
This patent application is currently assigned to WALNUT MANUFACTURING LLC. Invention is credited to Pedro J. Bermudez, Frank A. LeMay, Michael J. McQueeny, JR..
Application Number | 20110097989 12/604160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43898847 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110097989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McQueeny, JR.; Michael J. ;
et al. |
April 28, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESKTOP AIR CONDITIONING
Abstract
A method and apparatus for desktop air conditioning provides
conditioned air to individuals sitting at a desk. A raised floor
air delivery system provides a plenum having conditioned air under
the raised floor upon which the individual and their desk sit.
Small ducts extend vertically up from the floor to the underneath
side of the desk where they are connected to a desktop diffuser.
The desktop diffuser directs air from the plenum generally
horizontally across a top of the desk toward the chest and face of
the individual. The desktop diffuser is low profile so as not to
interfere with the surface of the desktop and its aesthetics.
Inventors: |
McQueeny, JR.; Michael J.;
(Leawood, KS) ; Bermudez; Pedro J.; (Olathe,
KS) ; LeMay; Frank A.; (Sugar Creek, MO) |
Assignee: |
WALNUT MANUFACTURING LLC
Kansas City
KS
|
Family ID: |
43898847 |
Appl. No.: |
12/604160 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/289 ;
454/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2221/10 20130101;
A47B 2200/06 20130101; A47B 13/00 20130101; F24F 13/06 20130101;
F24F 2221/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/289 ;
454/306 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00; F24F 13/08 20060101 F24F013/08 |
Claims
1. A method of providing desktop air conditioning in a building
having a raised floor air distribution system, the system including
an air handling unit for providing conditioned air and a raised
floor with a plurality of floor tiles supported above a structural
floor to define a plenum, and a desk having a desktop, the
conditioned air being supplied to the plenum to keep it at a
positive pressure variance when compared to a room above the raised
floor, the method comprising: providing at least a first supply
duct leading upwardly from and in fluid communication with the
plenum, whereby conditioned air from the plenum may pass through
the raised floor and up the supply duct; and providing a desktop
diffuser, the diffuser having a lower portion that is coupled with
the first supply duct and an upper portion that is supported by the
desktop, wherein the diffuser is positioned in a opening in the
desktop, wherein the diffuser includes a grille with a plurality of
fins, wherein the fins define air channels through which the
conditioned air may pass from the supply duct, through the diffuser
and into the room through the air channels, wherein the grille
includes an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is generally
parallel to the desktop, wherein the air channels provide passages
through the upper surface, and wherein the fins are angled with
respect to the upper surface of the grille at a degree sufficient
to direct air from the diffuser in a direction that is generally
along the desktop.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes a body
portion, wherein the body portion is generally cylindrical, and
wherein the body portion extends downwardly from the grille.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fins are generally arcuate in
shape, whereby the passages through the upper surface are generally
arcuate in shape.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the grille is a generally planar
circle having an outer circumference, wherein the outer
circumference of the grille is greater than an outer circumference
of the generally cylindrical body, thereby creating a lip around
the diffuser, and wherein the lip of the diffuser rests on the
desktop.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is a low profile
diffuser such that the diffuser sticks up from the desktop less
than one inch.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the diffuser sticks up from the
desktop less than one quarter of one inch.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser further includes an
air volume adjustment mechanism having a stationary plate and a
movable plate, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent one
another, below the grille, and generally parallel to the upper
surface, wherein the plates include a plurality of openings
therein, and wherein the movable plate is selectively movable
between an open position, where at least one of its openings is
aligned with at least one of the openings in the stationary plate,
and a closed position, where none of the openings in the movable
plate are aligned with the openings in the stationary plate.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the movable plate includes a user
engageable tab that protrudes upwardly from and is generally
perpendicular to an upper surface of the movable plate, wherein the
grille includes an arcuate slot there in, and wherein a portion of
the tab is received in the slot, whereby a user may move the
movable plate via engagement with the tab.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes a body
portion that extends downwardly from the grille, wherein the body
portion is received in the opening in the desktop, wherein the body
portion has a central longitudinal axis, wherein the central
longitudinal axis is generally vertical and perpendicular to the
desktop.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the body portion is generally
cylindrical and wherein the diffuser may be rotated in the opening
in the desktop about the central longitudinal axis to alter the
direction of air flow out of the diffuser.
11. A desktop diffuser for use in an opening in a top of a desk as
part of a desktop air conditioning system, the diffuser comprising:
a grille portion having a plurality of fins which define air
channels through which conditioned air may pass, wherein the grille
includes a generally planar upper surface that is generally
parallel to the top of the desk when the diffuser is received in
the opening, wherein the air channels pass through the upper
surface, and wherein portions of the fins are angled with respect
to the upper surface of the grille such that a majority of air
passing through the air channels and out of the diffuser is made to
flow in a direction that is closer to parallel to the upper surface
than it is to perpendicular to the upper surface; and a body
portion, wherein the body portion extends downwardly from a lower
surface of the grille.
12. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein a portion of the lower
surface of the grille extends outwardly beyond the body portion to
create a lip and wherein the diffuser is supported by the lip
resting on the top of the desk when the diffuser is received in the
opening.
13. The diffuser of claim 12, wherein the lower surface of the
grille that extends outwardly beyond the body portion to create the
lip is less than half of one inch from the upper surface of the
diffuser.
14. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the fins include an upper
angled surface and a lower angled surface, wherein the upper angled
surface faces the upper surface, and wherein a plurality of the
upper angled surfaces are angled downwardly with respect to the
upper surface between 15.degree.-55.degree..
15. The diffuser of claim 14, wherein a plurality of the upper
angled surfaces are angled downwardly with respect to the upper
surface approximately 35.degree..
16. The diffuser of claim 14, wherein the lower angled surface
faces downwardly and wherein a plurality of the lower angled
surfaces are angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface
between 15.degree.-55.degree..
17. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the fins include an upper
angled surface and a lower angled surface, wherein the fin further
includes a ledge having a downwardly facing surface, wherein the
ledge extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower angled
surface, and wherein the downwardly facing surface of the ledge is
generally parallel to the upper surface of the grille.
18. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the air channels provide
passages through the upper surface, wherein the fins are generally
arcuate in shape, and wherein the passages through the upper
surface are generally arcuate in shape.
19. The diffuser of claim 18, wherein the passages are concentric
in shape from a point on the upper surface adjacent an edge of the
upper surface.
20. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the diffuser is a variable
volume diffuser further comprising: a stationary plate and a
movable plate, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent one
another, below the grille, and generally parallel to the upper
surface, wherein the plates include a plurality of openings
therein, and wherein the movable plate is selectively movable
between an open position, where at least one of its openings is
aligned with at least one of the openings in the stationary plate,
and a closed position, where none of the openings in the movable
plate are aligned with the openings in the stationary plate.
21. The diffuser of claim 20, wherein the movable plate includes a
user engageable tab that protrudes upwardly from and is generally
perpendicular to an upper surface of the movable plate, wherein the
grille includes an arcuate slot there in, and wherein a portion of
the tab is received in the slot, whereby a user may move the
movable plate via engagement with the tab.
22. A low profile, variable volume, desktop diffuser for use in an
opening in a top of a desk as part of a desktop air conditioning
system having a conditioned air supply duct, the diffuser
comprising: a generally circular grille portion having a lower
surface and a generally planar upper surface, the grille having a
plurality of stationary fins which cooperate to define air channels
through which conditioned air may pass, wherein portions of the
fins are angled with respect to the upper surface of the grille
such that a majority of air passing through the air channels and
out of the diffuser is made to flow at an angle that is less than
45.degree. to the upper surface, the grille having an outer
circumference of a first dimension; a generally cylindrical body
portion connected to and depending downwardly from the lower
surface, wherein the body portion has an outer circumference of a
second dimension, wherein the outer circumference of the body
portion is less than the outer circumference of the grille portion
such that an annular lip is formed having downwardly facing desktop
engaging surface that is generally parallel to the upper surface of
the grille, whereby the diffuser is supported in the opening in the
desk by the lip, wherein the diffuser is rotatable in the opening;
and means for controlling the volume of conditioned air flowing
through the diffuser.
23. The diffuser of claim 22, wherein the cylindrical body portion
is tubular in nature and includes an inner wall surface having at
least one longitudinally extending ridge thereon, the means for
controlling the volume of conditioned air flowing through the
diffuser comprising: a stationary plate and a movable plate,
wherein the plates are generally circular in nature, wherein the
stationary plate has a larger circumference than the movable plate,
wherein circumference of the stationary plate is less than a
circumference of the inner wall, wherein the stationary plate
includes a notch in an edge thereof, wherein the ridge is received
in the notch to hold the stationary plate in place, wherein the
plates are positioned adjacent one another, below the grille, and
generally parallel to the upper surface, wherein the plates include
a plurality of openings therein, and wherein the movable plate is
selectively movable between an open position, where at least one of
its openings is aligned with at least one of the openings in the
stationary plate, and a closed position, where none of the openings
in the movable plate are aligned with the openings in the
stationary plate.
24. A method of providing desktop air conditioning comprising:
providing a desk having a generally horizontal and planar desktop
with an opening therein; providing a low profile diffuser having an
upper surface with a plurality of passages therein through which
conditioned air may pass and a support surface facing in a
direction opposite of the upper surface; receiving the diffuser in
the opening of the desk such that the support surface engages the
desktop; and coupling a supply duct to a portion of the diffuser,
whereby conditioned air may pass from the supply duct, through the
diffuser, and out the upper surface of the diffuser.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the upper surface of the
diffuser is less than half of one inch above the desktop when the
diffuser is received in the opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
providing desktop air conditioning. More particularly, this
invention relates to a diffuser for use in combination with a
raised floor air distribution system, wherein the diffuser is
received in an opening in a desktop and provides a low profile air
distribution component.
[0004] Providing conditioned air to a room or rooms within a
building having a raised floor air distribution system is known in
the art. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art raised floor air
distribution system that was modified to provide personalized or
individually controllable distribution of conditioned air to
individual desks. While it is important that any air distribution
system adequately control the temperature of the rooms as a whole,
such may not be sufficient to accommodate the individual needs of
persons in the rooms. Thus, while the room may be of a desired
overall temperature, individuals in the room may have different
desires as to the temperature in their specific locations. This is
of particular concern in office buildings where individuals are
asked to sit for long periods at a time at a specific location,
such as at a desk and/or in a cubicle.
[0005] The prior art system illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2 attempted to
accommodate the individual desires of a person sitting at a desk by
providing a desk with a flow of conditioned air through a duct
which would deliver the conditioned air out the front of the desk
beneath the desktop. Presumably, the individual at the desk would
have the ability to control the amount of air flowing through the
duct underneath the desk and therefore the amount of air coming out
of the desk. Unfortunately, this prior art system had several
shortcomings that prevented widespread adoption. For example, the
conditioned air was provided to an individual's lap or waist.
Generally, however, when an individual is hot and desiring a cooler
temperature, it is their upper body or torso that is in need of
cooling, not their waist or legs. Additionally, because the air
coming out of the duct underneath the desk is cooler, the air would
have a tendency to drop down to the individual's feet, thereby
making their feet cold and not cooling their core mass or upper
body. Additionally, the provision of the large ductwork directly
underneath the desktop where the user sits makes it impossible to
provide a drawer in the opening where the user's legs reside while
seated at the desk.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate prior art embodiment that
attempted to address the shortcomings of the system of FIGS. 1 and
2. The prior art system illustrated in FIG. 3 discloses a desktop
air conditioning system that makes use of a pair of air terminals
or towers that extend or protrude upwardly from the desktop. A
control box is also positioned on the desktop to permit the
occupant to control the temperature and volume of air flowing
through the system.
[0007] In a cooling mode, conditioned air would be drawn up from a
plenum underneath the floor upon which the user's chair sits. The
conditioned air would pass through the ductwork and be forced out
the front of the desktop units through manually adjustable louvers
that are akin to the louvers found in automobile air distribution
systems. The individual air terminals included knobs that control
the volume of air through the face of the unit.
[0008] If a warmer temperature is desired, the user may use the
control panel to turn on a radiant heat panel adjacent the user's
feet. This is because it has generally been found that when a user
is cold, it is their feet that require heating. As such, the
radiant panel by their feet emits warmer air. In this mode, the
system can also intake the warmer air by the floor up into the
ductwork and disperse it out the individual air distribution
towers.
[0009] While the system illustrated in FIG. 3 represented an
improvement over the prior art system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the prior art system in FIG. 3 also has numerous shortcomings that
have prevented widespread adoption of the system. Initially, the
system is quite complex and is therefore expensive to manufacture
and install. The control panel that sits on the desk must be
connected to a number of items in order to control the various
functions of the unit. In addition to having to have the control
panel on the desktop, the occupant must also deal with having to
have the two air distribution towers protruding up from the
desktop. In a cubicle-type environment, desktop space is often at a
premium and having to have three large components sitting on the
desktop is often undesirable.
[0010] The method and apparatus of the present desktop air
distribution system overcomes these and other drawbacks by
providing a system which is low profile, simple to operate, and
significantly less expensive to install. The system includes
preferably, a pair of flexible tubular ducts that extend upwardly
from openings in a floor tile of a raised floor air distribution
system. The ducts engage with an underneath side of a low profile
desktop diffuser. The diffuser includes a plurality of fins therein
which direct the flow of air through an upper surface of the
diffuser and out of the diffuser in a direction that is generally
along the upper surface of the desk. In this manner, the air is
directed to the occupant's torso and chest to provide cooling where
desired. In one embodiment, the diffuser is a variable volume
diffuser that includes a pair of plates that cooperate to control
the volume of air flowing through the diffuser. The diffuser
presents a low profile on the desktop and takes up a minimal amount
of desk surface area.
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed
description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the
attached figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The features of the invention noted above are explained in
more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the
attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote
like elements, in which FIGS. 1-16 illustrate several possible
embodiments of the present invention, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art system for
providing conditioned air to individual desks using an under floor
air distribution system with a plenum;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an individual desk outfitted
with the prior art system of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an alternate prior art
system for providing conditioned air to individual desks using an
under floor air distribution system with a plenum;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a system for providing
conditioned air to individual desks using an under floor air
distribution system with a plenum in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a desk of FIG. 4 outfitted
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of one of the
desks of FIG. 4 with a user seated at the desk;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
desktop air conditioning system of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of
an adjustable desktop diffuser of the present invention with a
portion of a desktop cut away for clarity;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the
diffuser of FIG. 8 with a portion thereof cut away for clarity;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the diffuser of FIG.
8 with a portion of a stationary plate cut away for clarity;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the diffuser of FIG. 8 with
a movable plate in an open position;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the diffuser of FIG. 8 with
the movable plate in a partially closed position;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the diffuser of FIG. 8 with
the movable plate in a closed position;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the diffuser of FIG. 8 with
the movable plate omitted;
[0027] FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of
the diffuser of FIG. 14 with a portion cut away for clarity;
and
[0028] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of an embodiment
of a constant volume diffuser of the present invention with a
portion of the diffuser cut away for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially
to FIG. 4, numeral 10 generally designates a desktop air
conditioning system arranged in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The system 10 is implemented in a building
12 having walls 14 and structural floors 16. The structural floors
16 can be concrete slabs and one structural floor 16 may be a
ceiling to help define a room 18. Often the lower surface of a
structural floor 16 that is used as a ceiling is hidden from view
by a false or a dropped ceiling (not shown).
[0030] The building 12 preferably also has a raised floor air
distribution system 20. The raised floor air distribution system 20
includes a plurality of floor tiles 22 that are supported above the
structural floor 16 to create an operating floor 24. The floor
tiles 22 are supported by a plurality of adjustable pedestals or
stands 26. The operating floor 24 and the structural floor 16,
along with a portion of the walls 14, cooperate to define a plenum
28 between the operating floor 24 and the structural floor 16. An
air handling unit (not shown) provides conditioned air to the
plenum 28 underneath the operating floor 24. The plenum 28 is kept
at a positive pressure when compared to the pressure of the ambient
air in the room 18. As such, the conditioned air will attempt to
move from the plenum 28 into the room 18 when permitted to do so. A
floor terminal 30 may be provided in a floor tile 22 to accommodate
the passage of air from the plenum 28 into the room 18, as
illustrated by the arrows 32.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 is preferably
coupled with the plenum 28 by way of a floor unit 34. The floor
unit 34 may be of a similar size as the floor terminal 30 such that
the floor unit 34 may be placed in a standard opening of a floor
tile 22 for a floor terminal 30. Alternatively, and as illustrated,
the floor unit 34 may be of a smaller size to decrease the size of
the opening through the floor tile 22 into which the floor unit 34
is received. The floor unit 34 permits conditioned air from the
plenum 28 to pass therethrough into the desktop air conditioning
system 10, as discussed in more detail below.
[0032] The desktop air conditioning system 10 includes at least one
supply duct 36 and a desktop diffuser 38. As illustrated in FIGS. 5
and 7, the desktop air conditioning system 10 may be implemented
with a pair of supply ducts 36 coupled with a pair of desktop
diffusers 38. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the floor unit 34 may take
the shape of a rectangular metal plate or lid for covering an
opening in a floor tile 22 and having a pair of openings
therethrough to permit the ducts 36 to be in fluid communication
with the plenum 28. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the
floor unit 34 is provided with a pair of cylindrical collars (not
shown) that extend upwardly from an upper surface of the plate like
portion of the floor unit 34. These collars provide a structural
portion of the floor unit 34 onto which ends of the supply duct 36
may be received and to which they may be coupled. As illustrated in
FIG. 7, a floor unit 34 may be omitted and the supply ducts 36 may
be directly coupled with floor tiles 22 around openings therein.
Additionally, the supply ducts 36 may be rigid, as illustrated in
FIG. 7, or flexible tubing, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Similarly,
the supply duct 36 may have any type of configuration, beyond just
the cylindrical configuration illustrated.
[0033] The desktop air conditioning system 10 is preferably
implemented in a desk 40 having a work surface or desktop 42 with a
generally horizontal upper surface 44. An opening 46 is provided in
the desktop 42 to receive a portion of the desktop diffuser 38, as
illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 also illustrates that the diffuser 38
is coupled with an upper end 48 of the supply duct 36. A lower end
50 of the supply duct 36 is coupled with a floor unit 34 or
directly with a floor tile 22.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 8-10, the desktop diffuser 38 will now
be described in more detail. Preferably, the diffuser includes a
grille portion 52 and a body portion 54. In the illustrated
embodiment where the desktop diffuser 38 is round in appearance,
the grille portion takes the shape of a circular disc-like member
and the body portion takes the shape of a cylindrical member, such
as a section of a pipe or tube. The grille portion 52 has an upper
surface 56 that is also the upper surface of the desktop diffuser
38. The upper surface 56 is preferably flat or planar, for reasons
that will be discussed below, and oriented in a generally
horizontal position. The body portion 54 is preferably coupled with
a lower surface 58 of the grille portion 52 adjacent an upper or
proximal edge 60 of the body portion 54 such that the body portion
54 depends downwardly from the grille portion 52, as illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0035] The grille portion 52 has an outer periphery 62 of a first
circumference and the body portion 54 has an outer surface 64 that
defines a second circumference. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the
first circumference of the grille portion 52 is larger than the
second circumference of the body portion 54 such that an outwardly
depending lip 66 is created about the proximal edge 60 of the body
portion 54. The lip 66 includes an annular ring of the lower
surface 58 of the grille portion 52. When the desktop diffuser 38
is received in the opening 46 in the desktop 42, the lower surface
58 of the grille portion 52 that is part of the lip 66 rests on the
upper surface 44 of the desktop 42 about the opening 46 to support
the diffuser 38 in the opening 46, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The
grille portion 52 includes a plurality of fins 68 which cooperate
to define air channels 70 through which air may exit the diffuser
38 through the upper surface 56.
[0036] The raised floor air distribution system 20 with its floor
terminals 30 provide general control of the temperature in the room
18. The desktop air conditioning system 10 of the present invention
supplements those efforts by providing individualized,
personalized, and customizable conditioned air to individual users
72 to help accommodate the different temperature desires of
occupants of the building 12. In that regard, the desktop air
conditioning system 10 can be used by the user 72 in FIG. 6 to
provide cooler air from the plenum 28 when the user 72 feels hot.
To best cool the user 72, the conditioned air that passes through
the diffuser 38 should be primarily directed at the user's upper
body or torso 74. To accomplish this, the fins 68 are angled with
respect to the upper surface 56 to direct the flow of air, as
represented by the arrows 76 in FIG. 6, primarily along the upper
surface 44 of the desktop 42. To accomplish the desired generally
horizontal throw of the desktop diffuser 38, the fins 68 were
designed accordingly.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the fins include an angled upper
surface 78 and an angled lower surface 80. The angled upper surface
78 preferably slopes downwardly from the upper surface 56 an angle
.alpha. and the angled lower surface 80 slopes downwardly with
respect to the upper surface 56 and angle .beta.. The angle .alpha.
is preferably between 15.degree.-55.degree. and, in one embodiment,
is approximately 35.degree.. The angled .beta. is in the range of
25.degree.-65.degree. with respect to the upper surface 56, and, in
one embodiment, is approximately 48.degree.. The angled lower
surface 80 joins a downwardly facing surface 82 that provides a
ledge 84 that is generally parallel to the upper surface 56. The
ledge 84 helps direct air coming up the lower angled surface 80 of
the fin into a generally horizontal throw.
[0038] The fins 68 also preferably include an upper vertical wall
86 and a lower vertical wall 88. The fins also include a lower
surface 90 at the bottom of the angled lower surface 80 and a ridge
92 at a bottom of the angled upper surface 78.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the fins may also be arranged in
an arcuate shape to spread the air flow out in a wide direction
radially from the diffuser 38. As will be appreciated from the plan
view in FIG. 14, the air would be disbursed across an angle of less
than 180.degree., with the majority of the throw being directed
along a centerline of the diffuser 38 which would fall along a rib
94 that separates the two groups of air channels 70. The arcuate
fins 68 create arcuate air channels 70. As illustrated in FIG. 14,
the fins can be arranged in a concentric orientation about a point
96 adjacent and edge of the grille portion 52.
[0040] To provide the user 72 with some control of the volume of
air flowing through the diffuser 38, the diffuser 38 in FIGS. 8-13
is a variable air volume diffuser. As such, the diffuser 38
includes a volume control mechanism 98. In the illustrated
embodiment, the mechanism includes a movable plate 100 and a
stationary plate 102. The plates 100, 102 take the shape of
disc-like objects and have a plurality of radially aligned pie
shaped openings therethrough, thereby providing a wagon wheel
appearance. The plates 100, 102 are received in the body portion 54
and coupled with a hub 106 in the center of the lower surface 58 of
the grille portion 52 along the rib 94 by a screw 108 that passes
through the center of the plates 100, 102. As illustrated in FIG.
9, the movable plate 100 is placed closest to the grille portion 52
and includes a user engageable tab 110 that is generally
perpendicular to an upper surface 112 of the movable plate 100. The
tab 110 extends upwardly through an arcuate slot 114 in the grille
portion 52 of the diffuser 38. The user 72 may then move the tab
110 side to side to rotate the movable plate 100.
[0041] The stationary plate 102 can be held in place by a number of
different ways. In one embodiment, an inner surface 116 of the body
portion 54 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges
118 thereon. The stationary plate 102 has a corresponding set of
notches 120 in its outer periphery 122 that align with and
cooperate with the ridges 118 on the inner surface 116 of the body
portion 54, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The movable plate 100 has a
smaller diameter than the stationary plate 102 so that the outer
edge of the movable plate 100 fits within and does not engage with
the ridges 118.
[0042] In FIG. 11, the movable plate 100 is in an open or first
position, where the openings 104 in the movable plate 100 are
aligned with the openings 104 in the stationary plate 102. In this
position, the maximum amount of air is allowed to pass through the
desktop diffuser 38. In FIG. 12, the user 72 has rotated the
movable plate 100 by way of the tab 110 such that a portion of the
openings 104 in the stationary plate 102 are covered by portions of
the movable plate 100. In this position, the air flow has been
reduced by an amount somewhat less than half. FIG. 13 illustrates
the movable plate 100 in a second or closed position where none of
the openings 104 in the movable plate 100 are aligned with the
openings 104 in the stationary plate 102. As such, the volume
control mechanism 98 operates to prevent the flow of air through
the diffuser 38.
[0043] FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the desktop
diffuser 38. In this embodiment, the desktop diffuser 38 is a
constant volume diffuser and does not include a volume control
mechanism 98. The user 72 could still control the amount of air
blown in their direction by rotating the diffuser 38 in the opening
46 in the desktop 42 such that the centerline of the throw pattern,
represented by the rib 94, points away from them. The farther the
user rotates the diffuser away from pointing at them, the lower the
volume of air being directed to the user, and therefore the user
will notice a decrease in cooling.
[0044] In one embodiment of the invention, the supply ducts 36 are
4'' flexible ducts and the outer surface 64 of the body portion 54
has a circumference that is sized for receipt in the ducts. In this
embodiment, the floor unit 34 is 5''.times.10'' and is received in
an opening in a 24''.times.24'' floor tile 22. The plenum 28 is
kept at a pressure of 0.02-0.1'' water gauge compared to the
standard pressure in the room 18. This results in a volume of air
of approximately 15 cubic feet per minute being directed to the
user 72 at a velocity of less than 50 feet per minute. A velocity
of zero to 50 feet per minute has been found beneficial and a
volume of 5-50 cubic feet per minute has also been found
beneficial. The majority of the air exiting the diffuser should
fall between 0.degree.-45.degree. angle from the desktop 42.
[0045] Accordingly, the desktop diffuser 38 is well designed to
provide a low profile desktop air conditioning delivery mechanism.
Preferably, the upper surface 56 of the diffuser 38 projects up
from the desktop 42 less than one-half of one inch. More
preferably, the upper surface 56 of the desktop diffuser 38
protrudes from the desktop approximately less than two-tenths of
one inch.
[0046] Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment of
the present invention without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the diffusers can be square in
shape and the air channels be straight across as opposed to
arcuate. This would provide for a more uni-directional throw of the
air across the desktop. Another modification would be to permit
volume control of the constant volume diffuser of FIG. 16 by
placing an object on top of the upper surface 56 of the diffuser
38. The user 32 could move the object back and forth across the
upper surface of the diffuser to control the amount of air passing
therethrough. It should be noted that while the diffuser was
described as having a grille portion coupled with a body portion,
the diffuser 36 may be cast as a single unitary member. Other
modifications would be within the scope of the present
invention.
[0047] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the method and apparatus. It will be
understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility
and may be employed without reference to other features and
subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of
the invention.
[0048] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention
without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood
that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying
drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of
the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *