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Pliable air duct with pressure responsive discharge outlets

a discharge outlet and air duct technology, applied in the field of air ducts, can solve the problems of low airflow rate, fabric ducts tend to partially deflate, and partially deflated ducts can create poor appearan

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-09
RITE HITE HLDG CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In some embodiments, a fabric air duct includes a variable discharge opening that redirects the f...

Problems solved by technology

A problem unique to VAV systems with fabric air ducts as opposed to rigid ones is that at lower airflow rates, fabric ducts tend to partially deflate.
A partially deflated duct can create a poor appearance or may interfere with whatever might be directly beneath the duct.

Method used

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  • Pliable air duct with pressure responsive discharge outlets
  • Pliable air duct with pressure responsive discharge outlets
  • Pliable air duct with pressure responsive discharge outlets

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a variable air volume system 10 (VAV system) that comprises a tubular air duct 12 with a pliable wall 14 made of fabric such as polyester, vinyl, canvas, or some other type of pliable material. Duct 12 can be of any tubular cross-sectional shape including, but not limited to, round, semicircular, quarter-round, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. A variable speed blower 16, or some other type of pressurized air supply, forces air 18 through duct 12 at a variable flow rate for satisfying the heating, ventilating or air conditioning needs of a building. The static pressure of the air inflates duct 12 to its full-body shape. To release the air from within duct 12 and into various rooms or other areas of the building, a plurality of discharge members 20 are disposed on the pliable wall of duct 12.

[0032] Referring further to FIGS. 2-5, to minimize deflation and sagging of duct 12 when the flow rate of air 18 and / or the static pressure within duct 12 is relatively lo...

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PUM

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Abstract

An air-handling system (preferably a variable air volume system) includes an inflatable air duct with a discharge member whose discharge opening varies with the static pressure or flow rate within the duct. To prevent the duct from deflating at low airflow rates, the discharge opening, in some embodiments, tends to close in response to reduced air pressure associated with the lower airflow. The closing of the discharge opening prevents the static pressure from decreasing as much as the pressure would otherwise if the discharge opening were fixed. In some embodiments, the discharge opening responds to static pressure or airflow within the duct such that the discharge member redirects the discharge air as a function of the static pressure of flow volume. Warmer air at relatively low volume, for instance, can be directed downward, and cooler air at greater airflow rates can be directed upward.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The subject invention generally pertains to air ducts and more specifically to a discharge outlet for such a duct. BACKGROUND [0002] To help control the temperature, humidity, or ventilation of a building, variable air volume, or VAV systems, supply air at a flow rate that varies to meet the building's heating, ventilating, or air conditioning demand. In some cases, the total flow rate is varied by adjusting the speed of a variable speed blower, which forces the air through a network of supply air ducts that run through the building. The supply air ducts usually include a number of variable opening valves for apportioning the air as needed. [0003] Although VAV systems often use relatively rigid sheet metal ductwork, pliable fabric ducts can also be used. A DUCTSOX duct by the DuctSox Corporation of Milwaukee, Wis., for example, includes a flexible fabric wall that inflates to a generally cylindrical shape by the air pressure within the duct. Fixed or m...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F24F13/06
CPCF24F11/043F24F13/0209F24F2013/0608F24F13/068F24F13/0218F24F11/745
Inventor GEBKE, KEVIN J.
Owner RITE HITE HLDG CORP
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