Air diffuser and an air circulation system

Abstract

An air diffuser comprises a plurality of discharge elements (4a to 4d). The discharge elements are configured such that they are able to be arranged in the diffuser so as to abut to form a tessellation of discharge elements in a plane. At least one of the discharge elements may be displaceable out of the plane for adjustment of its orientation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]An air diffuser and an air circulation system including the air diffuser are disclosed.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Many buildings with large volume spaces contain air delivery systems in which the air is delivered to and mixed into the occupancy space via one or more side blow diffusers, which may be located in a sidewall or bulkhead.[0003]Such systems can deliver supply air through grilles, each of which delivers the supply air largely as a single jet of air into the space. Discharge direction adjustability of the jet of air is via horizontal and / or vertical vanes that may be manually swivelled about vertical and / or horizontal axes. Hence, the discharge direction may be manually adjusted in up to two planes—up and down, and left and right—and horizontal throw may be increased or decreased by arranging vane direction to converge or diverge, thereby concentrating or dispersing the discharged airflow pattern, respectively.[0004]In order for an isothermal air stream to ach...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a high induction air diffuser assembly that can be used in various air delivery systems. The diffuser has a unique design with discharge elements that can be arranged in a tessellation plane, allowing for different orientations and air flow directions. The discharge elements can be adjusted to create a variety of air streams, including a primary air stream and a secondary air stream that is lower in velocity and can be induced by the primary air stream. The orientation of the discharge elements can be manipulated to change the airflow direction of the primary air stream. The diffuser can provide a consistent and efficient air delivery system for various applications.

Problems solved by technology

These factors can, in turn, reduce the stability of the discharged air stream (such as by increasing uncontrolled air stream trajectory deviations in non-isothermal applications, or due to air motion from other sources in the space).

These factors can also increase temperature and velocity deviations from the average in the space (such as a tendency towards hot and stuffy, and cold and draughty spots).

This is because multi-nozzle diffusers induce large quantities of room air into the supply air stream.

This is in contrast to air streams from grilles, which have a relatively narrow allowable throw band for each airflow rate and diffuser vane setting, thereby further compromising comfort, as well as increasing HVAC commissioning costs and occupant complaints.

In prior art multi-nozzle diffusers, the diffuser discharge face of ball-in-socket and rotatable disc designs is neither flush nor uniform in discharge pattern.

This often leads to such multi-nozzle diffusers being rejected due to unsightliness.

Further, as the discharge nozzles are usually made of plastic, colour choice tends to be limited, especially where small quantities of diffusers are involved, which is in contrast to the large range of colours usually available for grilles (e.g. when made from powder coated metal vanes).

The vanes of grilles can suffer from dirt deposits, called “smudging”, that settle onto the visible grille surfaces, including the recessed surfaces of the vanes.

Not only is this unsightly, but these surfaces are also difficult to clean, and cleaning generally results in the inadvertent re-adjustment of vanes, thereby compromising airflow to the space, hence causing discomfort and poor performance.

Similarly, wiping clean prior art multi-nozzle diffusers can result in inadvertent discharge direction adjustment due to the vulnerability of the protruding nozzles or nozzle discs to accidental re-adjustment.

Grilles may also suffer from condensation when used in high humidity environments, such as lobbies in the tropics, or in restaurants.

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