U.S. patent application number 13/065166 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for diffuser for aircraft heating and air conditioning system.
This patent application is currently assigned to John Bean Technologies Corporation. Invention is credited to Steven R. Maughan.
Application Number | 20110287706 13/065166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44972865 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110287706 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maughan; Steven R. |
November 24, 2011 |
Diffuser for aircraft heating and air conditioning system
Abstract
A heating and/or air conditioning system comprising a blower for
generating an air stream and a heat exchanger unit for heating or
cooling the air stream includes a diffuser which is positioned
between the blower and the heat exchanger unit and which comprises
a plurality of vertically spaced diffuser plates, each of which
includes an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The vertical
distance between the downstream edges of at least an adjacent pair
of diffuser plates is greater than the vertical distance between
the upstream edges of the pair of diffuser plates. Thus, the
diffuser diffuses the air stream vertically prior to the air stream
entering the heat exchanger unit.
Inventors: |
Maughan; Steven R.; (West
Point, UT) |
Assignee: |
John Bean Technologies
Corporation
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
44972865 |
Appl. No.: |
13/065166 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61340362 |
Mar 15, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
454/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/08 20130101;
F24F 2013/088 20130101; B64D 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/329 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08; F24F 7/007 20060101 F24F007/007 |
Claims
1. In combination with a heating and/or air conditioning system
which includes a blower for generating an air stream and a heat
exchanger unit for heating or cooling the air stream, the
improvement comprising a diffuser which is positioned between the
blower and the heat exchanger unit and which comprises: a plurality
of vertically spaced diffuser plates, each of which includes an
upstream edge and a downstream edge; wherein the vertical distance
between the downstream edges of at least an adjacent pair of
diffuser plates is greater than the vertical distance between the
upstream edges of said pair of diffuser plates; whereby the
diffuser diffuses the air stream vertically prior to the air stream
entering the heat exchanger unit.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the diffuser further
comprises: at least two horizontally spaced support brackets, each
of which extends generally vertically through the diffuser plates
and includes an upstream end and a downstream end; wherein the
horizontal distance between the downstream ends of the support
brackets is greater than the horizontal distance between the
upstream ends of the support brackets; whereby the diffuser
diffuses the air stream both vertically and horizontally prior to
the air stream entering the heat exchanger unit.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein each diffuser plate
comprises a generally flat body and a lip which extends from a
downstream edge of the body.
4. The combination of claim 3, wherein each lip comprises a
generally flat first portion which extends from the downstream edge
of the body and a generally flat second portion which extends from
a downstream edge of the first portion.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the first portion of each
lip extends downwardly at a first angle relative to the body and
the second portion of each lip extends downwardly at a second angle
relative to the first portion.
6. The combination of claim 5, wherein for each diffuser plate, the
first angle is greater than or equal to the second angle.
7. The combination of claim 4, wherein the plurality of diffuser
plates comprises at least a first diffuser plate, a second diffuser
plate which is positioned below the first diffuser plate and a
third diffuser plate which is positioned below the second diffuser
plate, and wherein the first angle of the first diffuser plate is
less than the first angle of the second diffuser plate and the
first angle of the second diffuser plate is less than the first
angle of the third diffuser plate.
8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the second angle of the
first diffuser plate is less than the second angle of the second
diffuser plate and the second angle of the second diffuser plate is
less than the second angle of the third diffuser plate.
9. The combination of claim 7, wherein the plurality of diffuser
plates also comprises at least a fourth diffuser plate which is
positioned below the third diffuser plate, a fifth diffuser plate
which is positioned below the fourth diffuser plate and a sixth
diffuser plate which is positioned below the fifth diffuser plate,
and wherein the first angle of the fourth diffuser plate is less
than the first angle of the fifth diffuser plate and the first
angle of the fifth diffuser plate is greater than the first angle
of the sixth diffuser plate.
10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the second angle of the
fourth diffuser plate is less than the second angle of the fifth
diffuser plate and the second angle of the fifth diffuser plate is
greater than the second angle of the sixth diffuser plate.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the plurality of diffuser
plates comprises at least a first diffuser plate, a second diffuser
plate which is positioned below the first diffuser plate and a
third diffuser plate which is positioned below the second diffuser
plate, and wherein the vertical distance between the downstream
edges of the first and second diffuser plates is greater than the
vertical distance between the upstream edges of the first and
second diffuser plates and the vertical distance between the
downstream edges of the second and third diffuser plates is greater
than the vertical distance between the upstream edges of the second
and third diffuser plates.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the plurality of diffuser
plates also comprises at least a fourth diffuser plate which is
positioned below the third diffuser plate, a fifth diffuser plate
which is positioned below the fourth diffuser plate and a sixth
diffuser plate which is positioned below the fifth diffuser plate,
and wherein the vertical distance between the downstream edges of
the fourth and fifth diffuser plates is greater than the vertical
distance between the upstream edges of the fourth and fifth
diffuser plates and the vertical distance between the downstream
edges of the fifth and sixth diffuser plates is greater than the
vertical distance between the upstream edges of the fifth and sixth
diffuser plates.
13. The combination of claim 1, further comprising at least one
flange bracket to which the diffuser plates are connected, the
flange bracket being connected to a portion of the heating and air
conditioning unit to thereby secure the diffuser to the heating and
air conditioning unit.
14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the blower comprises a
throat and the flange bracket is connected to the throat.
15. The combination of claim 13, wherein the diffuser plates extend
at least partially into the throat.
16. The combination of claim 13, wherein the at least one flange
bracket comprises at least first and second flange brackets.
17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the plurality of diffuser
plates comprises at least a first diffuser plate which is connected
to the first flange bracket, a second diffuser plate which is
connected to the first flange bracket below the first diffuser
plate, and a third diffuser plate which is connected to the first
flange bracket below the second diffuser plate.
18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the diffuser further
comprises: at least two horizontally spaced support brackets, each
of which extends generally vertically through the first, second and
third diffuser plates and includes an upstream end and a downstream
end; wherein the horizontal distance between the downstream ends of
the support brackets is greater than the horizontal distance
between the upstream ends of the support brackets.
19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the plurality of diffuser
plates also comprises at least a fourth diffuser plate which is
connected to the second flange bracket, a fifth diffuser plate
which is connected to the second flange bracket below the fourth
diffuser plate, and a sixth diffuser plate which is connected to
the second flange bracket below the fifth diffuser plate.
20. The combination of claim 19, wherein the diffuser further
comprises: at least two horizontally spaced support brackets, each
of which extends generally vertically through the fourth, fifth and
sixth diffuser plates and includes an upstream end and a downstream
end; wherein the horizontal distance between the downstream ends of
the support brackets is greater than the horizontal distance
between the upstream ends of the support brackets.
Description
[0001] This application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/340,362, which was filed on Mar. 15, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an air diffuser for a
heating and air conditioning system. More particularly, the
invention relates to a diffuser for an aircraft heating and air
conditioning system.
[0003] Conventional heating and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems
include a blower for generating a stream of air and a heat
exchanger unit for heating or cooling the air. The efficiency of an
HVAC system is affected by the degree of heat transfer between the
air stream and the heat exchanger unit. The more evenly and
uniformly the air can be made to flow over the entire surface of
the heat exchanger unit, the better will be the heat transfer
between the air and the heat exchanger unit.
[0004] In conventional HVAC systems, the air stream exiting the
blower often does not flow uniformly over the heat exchanger unit.
Instead, the air stream tends to flow mainly through only a portion
of the surface of the heat exchanger unit. Consequently,
temperature differentials are created within the overall air stream
which tend to reduce the efficiency of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, these and other
limitations in the prior art are addressed by providing a novel
diffuser for a heating and/or air conditioning system which
includes a blower for generating an air stream and a heat exchanger
unit for heating or cooling the air stream. The diffuser is
positioned between the blower and the heat exchanger unit and
comprises a plurality of vertically spaced diffuser plates, each of
which includes an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The vertical
distance between the downstream edges of at least an adjacent pair
of diffuser plates is greater than the vertical distance between
the upstream edges of said pair of diffuser plates. Thus, the
diffuser diffuses the air stream vertically prior to the air stream
entering the heat exchanger unit.
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the
diffuser further comprises at least two horizontally spaced support
brackets, each of which extends generally vertically through the
diffuser plates and includes an upstream end and a downstream end.
The horizontal distance between the downstream ends of the support
brackets is greater than the horizontal distance between the
upstream ends of the support brackets. Thus, the diffuser diffuses
the air stream both vertically and horizontally prior to the air
stream entering the heat exchanger unit.
[0007] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be made apparent from the following detailed
description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings, the same reference numbers may be used to denote similar
components in the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is cross sectional representation of an exemplary
aircraft heating and air conditioning system incorporating the
diffuser of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper diffuser sub
component of the diffuser shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the upper diffuser sub
shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the upper diffuser sub
shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the upper flange bracket
component of the upper diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B are top plan and side elevation views,
respectively, of the top diffuser plate component of the upper
diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIGS. 7A and 7B are top plan and side elevation views,
respectively, of the middle diffuser plate component of the upper
diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIGS. 8A and 8B are top plan and side elevation views,
respectively, of the bottom diffuser plate component of the upper
diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lower diffuser sub
component of the diffuser shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the lower diffuser sub
shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the lower diffuser sub
shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the lower flange
bracket component of the lower diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 13A and 13B are top plan and side elevation views,
respectively, of the top diffuser plate component of the lower
diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIGS. 14A and 14B are top plan and side elevation views,
respectively, of the middle diffuser plate component of the lower
diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIGS. 15A and 15B are top plan and side elevation views,
respectively, of the bottom diffuser plate component of the lower
diffuser sub shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an
aircraft heating and air conditioning system incorporating the
diffuser of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a partial side elevation view of the heating and
air conditioning system taken along line A-A of FIG. 16;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of the heating and air
conditioning system taken along line B-B of FIG. 16;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the blower and
diffuser assembly of the heating and air conditioning system shown
in FIG. 16;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the blower and diffuser
assembly shown in FIG. 19, with a portion of the blower throat
removed to better show the diffuser component; and
[0028] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the blower and diffuser
assembly shown in FIG. 19, with a portion of the blower throat
removed to better show the diffuser component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, the diffuser of the present invention,
generally 10, is shown installed in an exemplary aircraft heating
and air conditioning system 12. The heating and air conditioning
system 12 comprises a diverging inlet plenum 14, a blower 16 which
is connected to the inlet of the inlet plenum, a heat exchanger
unit 18 which is connected to the outlet of the inlet plenum, a
converging outlet plenum 20 which is connected to the outlet of the
heat exchanger unit, and an air supply conduit 22 which is
connected to the outlet of the outlet plenum.
[0030] In operation of the heating and air conditioning system 12,
the blower 16 generates a flow of air which is directed into the
inlet plenum 14 and over the diffuser 10. After exiting the
diffuser 10, the air flows through the heat exchanger unit 18,
where it either absorbs heat from a relatively high temperature
heat source or dissipates heat into a relatively low temperature
heat sink, depending on whether the heating and air conditioning
system 12 is operating as a heater or a cooler, respectively. After
the air passes through the heat exchanger unit 18, it converges in
the outlet plenum 20 and enters the air supply conduit 22, which is
typically connected to an aircraft in order to heat or cool the
cabin as the aircraft is parked on the tarmac.
[0031] In accordance with the present invention, the diffuser 10
serves to spread the air flow both vertically and horizontally over
a large portion of the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger
unit 18 in order to improve the efficiency of the transfer of heat
between the air and the heat exchanger unit.
[0032] The diffuser 10 may be constructed as a single unit.
However, in order to simplify assembly of the diffuser 10 with the
heating and air conditioning system 12, the diffuser may be divided
into an upper sub 24 and a lower sub 26.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the upper sub 24 includes an
upper flange bracket 28 in which top, middle and bottom diffuser
plates 30, 32 and 34 are mounted. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5,
the upper flange bracket 28 comprises a generally C-shaped body 36
in which opposing pairs of top, middle and bottom slots 38, 40 and
42 are formed. The downstream side edges of the top, middle and
bottom diffuser plates 30, 32, 34 are received and preferably
welded in the top, middle and bottom slots 38, 40, 42,
respectively, in order to connect the diffuser plates to the upper
flange bracket 28. The body 36 also includes a number of holes 44
which align with corresponding holes in the adjacent flange of the
inlet plenum 14 order to secure the upper sub 24 to the heating and
air conditioning unit system.
[0034] An embodiment of the top diffuser plate 30 is shown with its
representative dimensions in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Likewise, embodiments
of the middle and bottom diffuser plates 32, 34 are shown with
their representative dimensions in FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIGS. 8A and
8B, respectively. As shown in these figures, when viewed together
with FIG. 4, each of the diffuser plates 30, 32, 34 comprises a
generally flat body 46 which extends from the upstream edge of the
diffuser plate to approximately the upper flange bracket 28, and a
lip 48 which angles downwardly from the downstream edge of the body
to the downstream edge of the diffuser plate.
[0035] The upper sub 24 may also include two transverse support
brackets 50 and two transverse stiffener brackets 52. As shown most
clearly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6-8, each support bracket 50 is received
and secured in a corresponding slot 54 which is formed in the body
46 of each diffuser plate 30, 32, 34. Similarly, each stiffener
bracket 52 is received and secured in a corresponding elongated
aperture 56 which is formed in the body 54 of each diffuser plate
30, 32, 34 proximate the upstream edge of the diffuser plates.
[0036] As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the diffuser plates 30, 32,
34 are mounted and connected together such that the vertical
distance between adjacent diffuser plates at their downstream
edges, or at least at the upper flange bracket 28, is greater than
the vertical distance between adjacent diffuser plates at their
upstream edges. This configuration serves to diffuse the air stream
vertically. Also, as a result of the slots 54 being oriented at an
angle relative to the longitudinal centerlines of the diffuser
plates 30, 32, 34 as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the support brackets 50
are similarly oriented such that the distance between their
downstream ends is greater than the distance between their upstream
ends. Consequently, the support brackets 50 will act to diffuse the
air stream horizontally.
[0037] The structure of the lower diffuser sub 26 is very similar
to that of the upper diffuser sub 24. Referring briefly to FIGS.
9-11, the lower diffuser sub 26 comprises a lower flange bracket 58
in which top, middle and bottom diffuser plates 60, 62 and 64 are
mounted. An embodiment of the lower flange bracket with its
representative dimensions is shown in FIG. 12. Embodiments of the
top, middle and bottom diffuser plates 60, 62, 64 with their
corresponding representative dimensions are shown in FIGS. 13A and
13B, FIGS. 14A and 14B, and FIGS. 15A and 15B, respectively.
[0038] As with the upper diffuser sub 24, the lower diffuser sub 26
includes two support brackets 66 which are similar to the support
brackets 50 and two stiffener brackets 68 which are similar to the
stiffener brackets 52. These support and stiffener brackets 66, 68
are received in and connected to corresponding slots and apertures
in the diffuser plates 60, 62 and 64 in a manner similar to the
support and stiffener brackets 50, 52.
[0039] In order to assemble the diffuser 10 with the heating and
air conditioning unit 12, the lower diffuser sub 26 is inserted
into the inlet plenum 14 and bolted to the downstream flange 70 of
the inlet plenum (FIG. 1). The upper diffuser sub 24 is then
inserted into the inlet plenum 14 above the lower diffuser sub 26
and bolted to the downstream flange 70. In order to facilitate the
assembly of the upper diffuser sub 24 with the lower diffuser sub
26, each of the support brackets 50 of the upstream diffuser sub
may be provided with a transverse lower foot 72 (FIG. 2), each of
the support brackets 66 of the lower diffuser sub may be provided
with a transverse upper foot 74 (FIG. 9), and these feet may be
secured together after the upper diffuser sub is positioned on the
lower diffuser sub.
[0040] A second embodiment of an aircraft heating and air
conditioning system in which the diffuser 10 may be incorporated is
illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 18. The heating and air
conditioning system of this embodiment, which is indicated
generally by reference number 100, includes a blower 102 for
generating a flow of air to either heat or cool an aircraft. The
blower 102 comprises a diverging throat 104 having a generally
circular outlet flange 106. The outlet flange 106 is connected to
an upstream end wall 108 of a diverging inlet plenum 110. The
outlet of the inlet plenum 110 is connected to one side of a heat
exchanger unit 112, the opposite side of which is connected to a
converging outlet plenum 114. The downstream end of the outlet
plenum 114 comprises an outlet port 116 to which an air supply
conduit (not shown) may be connected. Although not required, the
components of the heating and air conditioning system 100 may be
mounted on a base structure 118.
[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, the diffuser 10 is
mounted in the throat 104 of the blower 102. Referring also to
FIGS. 19 through 21, the upstream ends of the upper and lower subs
24, 26 are inserted into the throat 104 to position the upper and
lower flange brackets 28, 58 against the upstream end wall 108 of
the inlet plenum 110. A number of bolts 120 extend through
corresponding aligned holes in the upper and lower flange brackets
28, 58, the upstream end wall 108 and the flange 106 to thereby
secure the diffuser 10 to the blower 102.
[0042] In operation of the heating and air conditioning system 100,
the blower 102 generates a flow of air which is directed into the
throat 104 and over the diffuser 10. As the air passes over the
diffuser 10, the upper and lower diffuser plates 30-34, 60-64
spread the air stream vertically and the upper and lower support
brackets 50, 66 spread the air stream horizontally. The air stream
then continues to diffuse both vertically and horizontally as it
passes through the inlet plenum 110. After exiting the inlet plenum
110, the air flows through the heat exchanger unit 112, where it
either absorbs heat from a relatively high temperature heat source
or dissipates heat into a relatively low temperature heat sink,
depending on whether the heating and air conditioning system 100 is
operating as a heater or a cooler, respectively. After the air
passes through the heat exchanger unit 112, it converges in the
outlet plenum 114 and exits the heating and air conditioning system
100 through the outlet port 116.
[0043] It should be recognized that, while the present invention
has been described in relation to the preferred embodiments
thereof, those skilled in the art may develop a wide variation of
structural and operational details without departing from the
principles of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are to
be construed to cover all equivalents falling within the true scope
and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *