Air handling kit including an air fitting and air handling unit and an arrangement of absolute pressure sensors

Abstract

The invention relates to an air handling kit comprising: - an air handling unit (28) further comprising a plurality of connection ports (30) for connecting a plurality of air fittings (20) to an interior space of the air handling unit (28), - at least one air fitting (20), characterized in that the air handling kit further comprises: - at least one first absolute pressure sensor (60) carried by said at least one air fitting, - a second absolute pressure sensor (62) carried by the air handling unit (28) for determining a reference pressure of the air present outside the air handling unit, - a controller configured to determine a flow rate value of an airflow circulating through said at least one air fitting (20) as a function of the air pressure of said at least one first sensor and the reference pressure of said second pressure sensor. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Aerodynamic kit comprising an air fitting and housing and an arrangement of absolute pressure sensors. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ventilation and / or air conditioning systems. In particular, the invention relates to an air handling kit comprising at least one air fitting and an air handling unit, for example a controlled mechanical ventilation unit (called "CMV"). Technological background

[0002] A mechanical ventilation system generally comprises an air handling unit connected to a plurality of air ducts. A fan located in the air handling unit generates an airflow through the air ducts to supply or extract air from one or more rooms of a building.

[0003] The installation generally includes airflow modulation devices arranged in the air ducts so as to provide a different or modulated airflow in the different rooms. These modulation devices are, for example, located at the junction between the air ducts and the air handling unit. In particular, each air duct can be connected to the air handling unit by means of an air fitting, also called an "air spigot," which forms an interface between the air duct and the air handling unit.

[0004] To control the ventilation system, it is important to determine the airflow rate through the various air ducts. This can be done using a flow meter placed in each air duct to precisely measure the airflow. However, this solution is very expensive and / or difficult to integrate into such a mechanical ventilation system. Therefore, a commonly used solution is to install a differential pressure sensor at the air handling unit and consider a theoretical distribution per air duct.

[0005] Such a solution using a differential pressure sensor has the disadvantage of being inaccurate, expensive, and difficult to integrate into the air handling unit because crystal tubes must connect the two measurement points to perform the differential pressure measurement. These crystal tubes, as well as the sensor itself, also require a significant amount of space within the air handling unit.

[0006] There is therefore a need for an aerodynamic kit that allows the airflow rate circulating inside the air ducts to be determined more precisely, more easily integrated and also less expensively. Summary of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes an air handling kit comprising: - an air handling unit, for example a controlled mechanical ventilation unit, defining an interior space in which a ventilation device is located, the air handling unit further comprising a plurality of connection ports for connecting a plurality of air fittings to the interior space of the air handling unit, - at least one air fitting for connecting an air duct to a connection port of the air handling unit, characterized in that the air handling kit further includes: - at least one first absolute pressure sensor carried by said at least one air fitting to determine the air pressure present at said at least one air fitting, - a second absolute pressure sensor mounted on the air box to determine a reference pressure of the air present outside the air box, - a controller configured to determine a flow rate value of an airflow circulating through said at least one air fitting as a function of the air pressure of said at least one first sensor and the reference pressure of said second pressure sensor.

[0008] An absolute pressure sensor is much less expensive than a relative pressure sensor. Therefore, using two absolute pressure sensors instead of one relative pressure sensor is less costly. This advantage is even more significant when there are multiple air fittings connected to the air handling unit. Indeed, it is necessary to place a relative pressure sensor on each air fitting when this type of pressure sensor is used. This allows the reference pressure value determined by the second sensor to be used for each of the air fittings.

[0009] Said at least one air fitting is preferably an air fitting that is removable in relation to the air box and / or the air duct.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the air handling kit, said at least one air handling fitting comprises an external wall configured to receive and hold in position a portion of air duct and defining an air diameter, said at least one first pressure sensor being disposed inside this air diameter. This makes it possible to limit the overall size of the air handling fitting compared to a configuration where the first pressure sensor would be positioned on an external portion of the air handling fitting, outside the air diameter. The first sensor The pressure is thus positioned inside or in the extension of the internal cavity of the air duct.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the air handling kit, the air handling diameter is divided so as to form: - a first portion receiving said at least one first pressure sensor, and - a second portion forming a channel for the passage of the airflow through said at least one aerodynamic fitting and intended to cooperate fluidly with a connection orifice of the aerodynamic box.

[0012] The air fitting can thus be in the form of a tube connecting an air duct to a connection port of an air box. This tube can be divided longitudinally to define the first and second portions. A longitudinal division means that the first and second portions extend primarily along the longitudinal axis of the air fitting.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, the first and second portions of said at least one aerodynamic fitting are separated by an interface wall, said at least one first pressure sensor being disposed opposite a measuring orifice formed through the interface wall so that said at least one first pressure sensor is in contact with an airflow circulating through the aerodynamic fitting.

[0014] Said at least one first sensor may also extend partially inside this connection orifice. Said at least one first sensor may be disposed at least partially inside the second portion, through this measuring orifice.

[0015] Alternatively, the first pressure sensor may be positioned opposite the measuring orifice without extending, even partially, into the measuring orifice. The first pressure sensor may also be recessed from the interface wall, within the first portion.

[0016] The measuring orifice is preferably further formed by a lateral wall of the air fitting so as to allow air to flow along the longitudinal axis of the air fitting towards the first absolute pressure sensor. Thus, the measuring orifice comprises a first portion formed through the interface wall so as to allow air to flow transversely to the longitudinal axis of the air fitting and a second portion formed through the lateral wall so as to allow air to flow longitudinally to the longitudinal axis of the air fitting.

[0017] The measuring orifice can be covered by a protective element, for example a grid, to protect the first pressure sensor or more generally the electronic board.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the air handling kit, said at least one air handling connection further comprises: - a modulation device configured to modulate the airflow of an airflow circulating through said air fitting, - a control unit electrically connected to the modulation unit and configured to control said modulation unit.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, the aerodynamic fitting defines a first end configured to be connected to an aerodynamic duct and a second end configured to be connected to a connection port of the aerodynamic box, said at least a first pressure sensor being disposed between the first end and the modulation element.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, the control element is disposed in the first portion of the hydraulic diameter.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, the controller is configured to determine at least one pressure loss value induced by the modulation device and to determine said flow rate value of an airflow circulating through said at least one aerodynamic fitting as a function of said at least one pressure loss value.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, the second pressure sensor is located outside the interior space of the aerodynamic box.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, the aerodynamic box includes a control board, called a motherboard, the second sensor being arranged on said control board.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the aerodynamic kit, one or more of the first and second pressure sensors is a microelectromechanical system type sensor. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the accompanying figures:

[0026] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 schematically represents an air handling kit comprising a air box and a plurality of air fittings;

[0027] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] a perspective view of an air fitting of an air kit as shown in [Fig.1];

[0028] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the air fitting of the [Fig.2] in the position of connection with an air duct;

[0029] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] schematically represents a perspective and cross-sectional view of the aerodynamic connection of the [Fig.2] in the connection position with the aerodynamic box of the [Fig.1];

[0030] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the air fitting of [Fig.2] showing a first portion of the air fitting including an electronic fitting board carrying a first absolute pressure sensor;

[0031] [Fig.6] Fig.6 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the air fitting of [Fig.2] showing a second portion of the air fitting through which air can flow, a measuring orifice being formed in an interface wall separating the first and second portions;

[0032] [Fig.7] Fig.7 schematically represents a bottom wall of the box aerodynamics on which is placed a control board carrying a second absolute pressure sensor;

[0033] [Fig.8] Figure [Fig.8] represents a graph illustrating the evolution of an air flow rate passing through an air fitting, either determined by means of the first and second absolute pressure sensors or measured by means of a flow meter. Description of embodiment(s)

[0034] For reasons of clarity, only the essential elements for understanding the invention have been represented schematically in these figures, without regard to scale.

[0035] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar elements in all the drawings. However, this concept of the invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are offered so as to make this description complete and to communicate the scope of the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0036] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Moreover, the term "including" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0037] An air handling kit is proposed including in particular an air handling unit, for example a controlled mechanical ventilation unit, and at least one air handling fitting for connecting an air duct to the air handling unit.

[0038] An "air duct" is defined as a hollow, slender body through which a gas, such as air, can flow. The air duct defines an air diameter that characterizes an associated pressure drop. Thus, the same air diameter is used for an air duct with a circular, square, or any other cross-section that exhibits the same pressure drop for a given airflow. An air duct is generally circular or nearly circular (flattened circular) in cross-section, but any shape can be used. An air duct can be made in the form of a single-piece tube, for example, made of plastic, or in the form of a flexible material surrounding a core. This core is, for example, a rigid wire in the shape of a helix or a plurality of rings extending along the path of the air duct. An insulating layer can be placed around the air duct to limit heat loss.

[0039] The term "air handling unit" refers to a unit comprising a plurality of openings to which air ducts can be fluidly connected, i.e., so that a fluid can circulate between the air duct and an interior space of the unit. Generally, the unit includes a plurality of openings intended to be connected to air ducts opening into rooms of a building and an opening intended for fluid communication with the exterior of the building or a technical room. The air handling unit is thus a convergence point for air ducts in an air circulation circuit between ventilated rooms of a building and one or more exterior or unregulated rooms of the same building.

[0040] Such an air handling unit is preferably an air handling unit for a controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) system or an air handling unit for an air conditioning system. In these cases, the air handling unit includes a ventilation unit that generates air circulation within the air ducts to which it is connected. It is thus possible to draw stale air from the rooms of the building where the air ducts are installed and expel it outside the building. Alternatively, it is possible to supply fresh air from outside or from an uncontrolled room of the building to the rooms where the air ducts terminate. The air handling unit is connected to the building's electrical network to supply power to the ventilation unit.

[0041] The term "air fitting" refers to a component configured to be fixed in a sealed manner between an air box and an air duct. The air fitting is therefore a component that provides an interface between an air duct and an air box. An air fitting is also called an "air branch connection".

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.1], an air kit includes an air box 28 and at least one air fitting 20. Preferably, the air kit includes a plurality of air fittings 20 intended to cooperate with the air box 28.

[0043] The air box 28 comprises a box body 32 forming an internal space. The box body 32 forms a plurality of connection ports 30 opening into the internal space.

[0044] The enclosure body 32 comprises two facing main walls and at least one lateral wall 33 extending between the main walls to form the interior space. The enclosure body 32 is preferably rectangular in shape. The main walls and said at least one lateral wall 33 form the faces of this rectangular parallelepiped.

[0045] These connection ports 30 are formed through the side walls 33 of the casing body 32.

[0046] One of the main walls can form a hood 34, totally or partially removable so as to access the interior space of the air box 28.

[0047] The air handling unit 28 further includes an external opening 35 for connection to an air duct leading to the outside of the building or into an unventilated room. This external opening 35 serves as a fresh air inlet when the air handling unit 28 is operating in supply air mode. Conversely, the external opening 35 serves as a stale air outlet from the rooms into which the air ducts connected to the air handling unit 28 open when the air handling unit is operating in exhaust air mode.

[0048] The air box 28 may include a ventilation unit (not visible) located in the interior space of the box body 30. The cover 34 allows access to the ventilation unit.

[0049] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the air fitting 20 comprises a fitting body 22 onto which an air duct (not visible) can be threaded. The air duct can be threaded onto a first end 23 of the fitting body 22. In particular, the fitting body 22 forms an outer wall 24 configured to receive an air duct. A relief 26 can be formed on this outer wall 24 to improve the retention of the air duct on said outer wall 24. In particular, this relief 26 can be a portion of a thread or any shape projecting from said outer wall 24.

[0050] The outer wall 24 is preferably circular. Indeed, the majority of air ducts have a circular cross-section, so a complementary shape improves or simplifies the seal between the air fitting 20 and the air duct. More generally, the outer wall 24 can be of any shape. The dimensions of the outer wall 24 are configured to allow a connection The airtight seal of the air duct at the air fitting 20 includes the diameter of the outer wall 24 when it is circular. The outer wall 24 is preferably configured to correspond to a predetermined air duct diameter, regardless of its geometric shape. For example, the outer wall 24 can be configured to connect to an air duct with a diameter of 80 mm or 125 mm.

[0051] The air fitting 20 is also configured to be fixed at a second end 25 of the fitting body 24 to the air box 28. The air fitting 20 is thus configured to be connected to a connection port 30 of the air box 28.

[0052] The air fitting 20 is preferably configured to modulate the airflow rate passing through it. To this end, the air fitting 20 includes a modulating element 40 configured to modulate the airflow rate of an airflow passing through said air fitting 20. An example of a modulating element is shown in Figures 3 and 4, which represent a cross-sectional view of an air fitting 20.

[0053] The connecting body 22 defines an air diameter by means of the outer wall 24. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the air diameter is defined by the diameter of the outer wall 24 and corresponds to the internal diameter Di of the air duct 16.

[0054] The air fitting 20 further comprises a control element 42. The modulation element 40 and the control element 42 are preferably located within the air diameter. Thus, the air fitting 20 defines a configuration in which all of its components are located within said air diameter. This results in a substantially cylindrical or elongated air fitting 20 without any electronic or electrical components protruding from the outer wall 24 that receives the air duct 16.

[0055] The connecting body 22 also defines a passage channel 48 for the airflow through the air fitting 20. This passage channel 48 extends between the first 23 and second 25 ends of the air fitting so as to allow air circulation between the air duct 16 and the air box 28 when these are connected to the air fitting 20.

[0056] The air fitting 20 is preferably formed as an elongated body along an extension axis A and divided to define an air passage portion and a portion to house the electronic and control components. The passage channel 48 is preferably coincident with the air passage portion and extends along this extension axis A.

[0057] This division is preferably longitudinal so that each of the portions extends along the extension axis A.

[0058] The air diameter defined by the connecting body 22 is preferably divided to define a first 44 and a second 46 portion. The first portion 44 is intended to house the electronic and control components of the air fitting 20. The second portion 46 corresponds to the passage channel 48. According to a preferred configuration illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, this division is longitudinal and extends along the entire length of the connecting body 22. Thus, the first portion 44 extends along the entire length of the connecting body 22.

[0059] The first 44 and second 46 portions may have a cross-section forming a circular segment. A "circular segment" is understood to be a portion of a disk obtained by drawing a chord on that disk. Thus, the cross-section of the air diameter can be divided in two by a straight line to form the first 44 and second 46 portions.

[0060] By defining the aerodynamic diameter as corresponding to 100%, the second portion 46 of air passage preferably occupies at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60% of the aerodynamic diameter.

[0061] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the modulation element 40 may include a flap 41 disposed across the passage channel 48 and a motor 43 disposed in the first portion 44. The flap 41 is configured to selectively obstruct the passage channel 48. This obstruction is variable so as to modulate the airflow circulating through the passage channel 48.

[0062] The control unit 42 is electrically connected to the modulation unit 40 and configured to control said modulation unit 40. The control unit comprises a printed circuit board on which are arranged electronic components enabling the supply and control of the modulation unit 40, in particular, the motor 43 of the modulation unit 40.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a first absolute pressure sensor 60 is carried by the air fitting 20 to determine the air pressure present at at least one air fitting 20. The first pressure sensor 60 is mounted on an electronic fitting board 61 of the control element 42 of the air fitting 20. This electronic board preferably carries all the electronic components enabling control of the flow modulation through the air fitting 20. This electronic fitting board 61 is located in the first portion 44 of the air fitting 20.

[0064] Fig. 5 illustrates the position 63 of the first pressure sensor 60 when the air fitting 20 is observed on the side of the first portion 44, with a protective cover of the control unit 42 removed.

[0065] The first pressure sensor 60 is positioned opposite a measuring orifice 64 opening into the second portion of the air fitting 20. Thus, the first The pressure sensor 60 is in contact with the air circulating within the second portion of the air fitting 20. This measuring orifice 64 is preferably formed in the interface wall 66 separating the first 44 and second 46 portions.

[0066] As seen in [Fig.6], the air fitting 20 also includes a side wall 72 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis A from the interface wall 66. The measuring orifice 64 preferably also extends through this side wall 72.

[0067] The aerodynamic kit further includes a second absolute pressure sensor 62 carried by the aerodynamic box 28 to determine a reference pressure of the air present outside the aerodynamic box 28.

[0068] As seen in [Fig.7], this second pressure sensor 62 can be positioned at the level of a bottom wall 68 of the caisson body 30. This bottom wall 68 forms, for example, a wall of the interior space of the caisson body 30.

[0069] A control board 70 is arranged on this bottom wall 68. The second pressure sensor 62 is preferably arranged on this control board 70.

[0070] The control card 70 is preferably configured to control the ventilation unit located inside the housing body 30.

[0071] The aerodynamic kit also includes a controller preferably located on the control board 70. This controller is configured to receive measurement information from the first 60 and second 62 pressure sensors to determine a flow rate value of an airflow circulating through one or more aerodynamic fittings 20.

[0072] As shown in [Fig. 8], a graph represents the airflow rate as a function of the opening state of the modulating element 40. The airflow rate is expressed in m³ / h and the opening state is expressed as a percentage. An opening state of 0% indicates that the modulating element 40 completely obstructs the air passage channel.

[0073] A first dashed curve represents the airflow rate in the air fitting determined by means of an air fitting kit as described above, comprising the first 60 and second 62 absolute pressure sensors. A second solid curve represents the airflow rate measured directly in the air fitting. The measured airflow rate is obtained, for example, using a flow meter.

[0074] It can be seen that the difference between the determined air flow rate or the measured flow rate is very small, in particular between 0 and 15% depending on the state of opening of the modulation element 40.

Claims

Demands

1. An air handling kit comprising: - an air handling unit (28), for example a controlled mechanical ventilation unit, defining an interior space in which a ventilation device is disposed, the air handling unit (28) further comprising a plurality of connection ports (30) for connecting a plurality of air fittings (20) to the interior space of the air handling unit (28), - at least one air fitting (20) for connecting an air duct to a connection port (30) of the air handling unit (28), characterized in that the air handling kit further comprises: - at least one first absolute pressure sensor (60) carried by said at least one air fitting to determine an air pressure present at said at least one air fitting (20),- a second absolute pressure sensor (62) carried by the air box (28) to determine a reference pressure of the air present outside the air box, - a controller configured to determine a flow rate value of an airflow circulating through said at least one air fitting (20) as a function of the air pressure of said at least one first sensor and the reference pressure of said second pressure sensor.

2. Air kit according to claim 1, wherein said at least one air fitting (20) comprises an external wall (24) configured to receive and hold in position a portion of air duct and defining an air diameter, said at least one first pressure sensor (60) being disposed inside this air diameter.

3. Aerodynamic kit according to claim 2, wherein the aerodynamic diameter is divided so as to form: - a first portion (44) receiving said at least one first pressure sensor, and - a second portion (46) forming a channel for the passage of the airflow through said at least one aerodynamic fitting (20) and intended to cooperate fluidly with a connection orifice (30) of the aerodynamic box (28).

4. Air kit according to claim 3, wherein the first (44) and second (46) portions of said at least one air fitting (20) are separated by an interface wall (66), said at least one first pressure sensor being disposed opposite a measuring orifice formed through the interface wall so that said at least one first pressure sensor is in contact with an airflow circulating through the air fitting (20).

5. Air kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one air fitting (20) further comprises: - a modulation element (40) configured to modulate the air flow of an airflow circulating through said air fitting, - a control element (42) electrically connected to the modulation element (41) and configured to control said modulation element (41).

6. Air kit according to claim 5, wherein the air fitting (20) defines a first end configured to be connected to an air duct and a second end configured to be connected to a connection port (30) of the air box (28), said at least a first pressure sensor (60) being disposed between the first end and the modulation member (40).

7. Aerodynamic kit according to claim 6 in combination with claim 3, wherein the control member (42) is disposed in the first portion of the hydraulic diameter.

8. Air kit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine at least one pressure drop value induced by the modulating member (41) and to determine said flow rate value of an airflow circulating through said at least one air fitting (20) as a function of said at least one pressure drop value.

9. Aerodynamic kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pressure sensor (62) is disposed outside the interior space of the aerodynamic box (28).

10. Air kit according to claim 9, wherein the air box (28) includes a control board (70), called the motherboard, the second sensor being disposed on said control board (70). 13

11. Aerodynamic kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the first (60) and second (62) pressure sensors is a sensor of the microelectromechanical system type.

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