How to insulate air duct walls

Abstract

The present invention relates to air ducts and air systems, and methods and uses of air ducts and air systems. The air ducts have electrically conductive members built into the walls of the air ducts for insulating the walls of the air ducts and / or heating the air flowing through the air ducts. The air ducts can be used in air systems, for example, air systems for air purification, heating, refrigeration, ventilation or air conditioning in buildings or vehicles.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air duct and air system, and to a method and use of the air duct and air system. [Background technology]

[0002] If the temperature of the air passing through the ducts of an air system differs from the ambient temperature, the ducts may need to be insulated with insulation. Air system ducts are often installed in small spaces, making the placement of insulation complicated. Heating the air flowing through the air system also requires space and equipment for similar reasons. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present inventors have found a method for solving such problems and have provided the present invention.

[0004] A first aspect of the invention relates to an air duct having a wall, the wall comprising electrically conductive reinforcing members in the form of separate parallel coils integrated into the wall and distributed at a distance from each other along the pitch of the air duct, the wall of the air duct comprising electrically conductive fibres distributed in the wall between the coils, a first coil configured as a cathode and a second coil configured as an anode, across the fibres so as to realize an electric field between them.

[0005] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an air system configured by connecting the air duct of the first aspect to a voltage source.

[0006] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of heating air flowing through an air duct of an air system according to the second aspect, comprising the step of applying an electric field between conductive coils embedded in a wall of the air duct.

[0007] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method of insulating a wall of an air duct of an air system according to any of the second aspects, comprising the step of applying an electric field between conductive coils integrated into the wall of the air duct.

[0008] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to the use of an electrically conductive element integrated into the wall of one or more air ducts of an air system for insulating the wall of said air ducts and / or for heating the air flowing through the air ducts.

[0009] The use of electrically conductive elements integrated into the air duct walls of the air system can prevent heat loss at the air duct walls.

[0010] When an electric field is applied to the conductive member by a voltage source, heat is generated on the wall of the air duct in which the conductive member is incorporated. This heat prevents heat loss from the inside of the duct to the outside when the air inside the duct is warmer than the surroundings. This is suitable when the air system is used for heating purposes. On the other hand, the heat prevents heat from entering from the outside of the duct to the inside when the air inside the duct is colder than the surroundings. This is suitable when the air system is used for cooling purposes, such as in an air conditioning system.

[0011] Furthermore, from this perspective, the air flowing through the air duct can be heated by generating an electric field on the fibers using conductive materials built into the wall of the air duct, which eliminates the need for expensive air heating equipment and allows the air flowing through the duct to be heated uniformly.

[0012] Furthermore, by using conductive materials built into the duct walls, an electric field can be generated in the duct walls, which can have a sterilizing effect on the air flowing through them. The electric field converts oxygen into ozone, which is expected to have a sterilizing effect.

[0013] According to the invention, the air duct comprises reinforcing elements integrated into the wall, the reinforcing elements being arranged in the form of parallel coils distributed at a distance from one another along the pitch of the duct, i.e. the reinforcing elements being arranged in the form of coils in the longitudinal direction of the air duct.

[0014] The duct wall also comprises conductive fibers distributed in the wall between the reinforcing elements. In this way, the reinforcing elements can act as electrodes capable of generating an electric field on the fibers. The spiral arrangement of the conductive elements allows for a large coverage of the duct wall, allowing for a uniform local temperature increase across the entire duct wall. This also favors the insulating properties of the conductive elements.

[0015] The conductive member functions as a means for conducting electricity as well as a means for reinforcing the duct, making the present invention particularly applicable to flexible ducts.

[0016] The air duct is preferably reinforced and flexible. However, the helical electrically conductive member can also be used in rigid or semi-rigid ducts. The air duct can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible depending on the application. The duct can have an oval, rectangular, circular cross section, or other suitable cross section. The configuration of the air duct can vary depending on the selected application.

[0017] Similarly, the air duct may have further reinforcing members in addition to the conductive reinforcing coil, although these are not necessarily conductive.

[0018] The reinforcing coil is configured as an electrode capable of forming an electric field on the fibers. In this regard, the reinforcing member should consist of at least two separate reinforcing members distributed in at least two separate coils spaced apart from each other along the pitch of the air duct. In this case, the first coil functions as a cathode and the second coil adjacent to the first coil functions as an anode, allowing an electric field to be generated between the fibers. In this regard, the air duct may preferably consist of two separate coils of conductive reinforcing members, the first coil acting as a cathode and the second coil acting as an anode, crossing the fibers between the coils and allowing an electric field to be generated therebetween.

[0019] The reinforcing coils can be in the form of cables, wires, threads, etc. and act as electrodes that generate an electric field in the conductive fibers distributed in the wall.

[0020] The reinforcing coils are integrated into the wall of the duct, i.e., connected to or attached to the base material of the wall. In this regard, the parallel coils can be located within the wall, or on its interior or exterior surface.

[0021] According to the present invention, the walls of the air duct are made of electrically conductive fibers. Any electrically conductive material is suitable for the purposes of the present invention, including electrically conductive metals, non-metallic conductors such as carbon (graphite) and conductive polymers. The use of fibers allows the walls to be uniformly covered with electrically conductive material, which is particularly advantageous in terms of thermal insulation and heating.

[0022] For production efficiency, it may be preferable for the fibers to be randomly distributed within the wall material, but oriented fibers can also be used as long as a resulting heating and insulating electric field is achieved between the spiral electrodes.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the conductive wall is made of carbon, such as graphite, which is a material that is particularly suitable for achieving the effects of the present invention and is safe and easy to use.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the wall of the air duct comprises an electrically insulating material, for example consisting of or including a nonwoven fabric or plastic.

[0025] The electrical insulator can be made into a conductive composite by impregnation with a conductive material, preferably fibers such as carbon fiber. This composite can be used, for example, by extrusion, to produce air ducts with multiple separate reinforcing members, for example, two reinforcing members that function as respective anodes and cathodes, thereby covering the entire wall. Such air ducts can be made, for example, by extruding a plastic with conductive fibers of any suitable conductive material using polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyurethane granules based on carbon fiber.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air duct wall is made of or contains a layer of nonwoven fabric impregnated with conductive fibers to act as a conductive member. This allows for maximum flexibility and coverage of the entire wall area, which is advantageous for thermal insulation and heating. Furthermore, this member can be designed as a fire-resistant member, which is safe to use and easy to process, maintain, and replace. Additives can also be used to improve fire resistance.

[0027] The conductive fibers are preferably distributed uniformly throughout the wall, which results in a uniform local temperature rise throughout the wall, which is beneficial to the insulating properties of the conductive member.

[0028] Generally, a low voltage is sufficient to establish the above-mentioned insulating or heating properties, and therefore, again in this regard, the voltage source may be suitably configured to provide a voltage of 24 volts or less, such as 14 volts or less, or even 12 volts or less.

[0029] Furthermore, under the same conditions, if a conductive member is incorporated into the wall of the duct and an electric field is generated, a sterilizing effect can be exerted on the air flowing therethrough. The electric field is thought to convert oxygen into ozone, which has a sterilizing effect. Therefore, the present invention also relates to the use of a conductive member incorporated into the wall of an air duct of an air system for sterilizing the air flowing through the air duct.

[0030] The use of conductive elements integrated into the walls of the air ducts of the air system allows communication between and / or control of the functional components of the air system without wasting space, and therefore, depending on requirements, the air system of the present invention does not necessarily require separate electrical wiring between the functional components of the air system.

[0031] For the purposes of the present invention, an air duct serves to transmit air between locations and typically has an air inlet and an air outlet. The duct can be connected to functional components, for example, via the inlet or outlet. To this end, the duct can be provided with integral or separate connecting members for easily connecting the duct to other components to realize the air system according to the present invention. Functional components can also be located within, along, or branching off from the duct.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive members can also control the functional components with electrical signals. In this sense, the conductive members enable communication between the functional components. In another aspect, the conductive members enable control of the functional components by supplying the electricity necessary to perform the function of the functional components.

[0033] In one embodiment, in the air system of the present invention, the functional components comprise a first functional component that is a control device, and a second functional component configured to perform an action based on an input from the control device and an electrical signal transmitted via a conductive member.

[0034] On the other hand, such a control device can be controlled externally, for example, from a computer or a mobile phone.

[0035] A controller may also be a device that controls the function of a functional component based on feedback obtained from one or more of such functional components.

[0036] Preferably, the controller is configured to control multiple functional components to perform actions based on input from the controller via electrical signals transmitted via the conductive members, whereby the controller acts as a central coordination point from which the various functional components can be efficiently controlled. This efficient control is further enhanced when the air system is comprised of a single controller configured to control multiple functional components and configured to perform actions based on input from the controller via electrical signals transmitted via the conductive members.

[0037] The voltage source in this case is preferably integrated with the control device. The control device may be configured to transmit an electrical signal to the functional element via a conductive element integrated into the wall of the air duct. In this case, a low voltage of 24 volts or less is sufficient, for example, a voltage of 14 volts or less, or even 12 volts or less. Therefore, the voltage source may be configured to provide a voltage of 12 volts or less, for example. Therefore, the method in the context of the present invention preferably includes the application of these voltages.

[0038] The action exerted by the functional element and triggered by the control device can obtain the necessary energy from a source other than the electrically conductive element integrated into the wall of the air duct, for example from a separate source of electrical energy, or the energy can be conducted away via another electrically conductive element integrated into the wall of the air duct.

[0039] The air system referred to in the present invention may be a system installed in a building or a vehicle, such as an automobile, airplane, boat, truck, etc. The air system may be, but is not limited to, an air purification system, a heating system, a refrigeration system, or an air conditioning system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Illustrative Embodiments An example of the use of an air duct according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. Such an air duct can be incorporated between functional components in an exemplary air system according to the present invention and can be used in accordance with the present invention. The following description is intended to explain the principles of the present invention based on exemplary embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a perspective and schematic view of a portion of an air duct 1. The air duct 1 includes electrically conductive reinforcing wires 2 and 3 embedded in a wall 4 and arranged in parallel coils spaced apart along the pitch of the air duct 1. The air duct wall 4 includes an insulating material with conductive fibers 5 arranged therein, allowing an electric field to be applied between successive wires 2 and 3. The reinforcing wires 2 and 3 are configured as electrodes, allowing an electric field to be generated across the fibers. For example, wire 2 can be configured as an anode and wire 3 as a cathode, or vice versa. The air duct wall 4 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a nonwoven fabric or plastic. The wall 4 can be made into an electrically conductive composite material by impregnation with conductive fibers 5, such as carbon fibers. The reinforcing members 2 and 3, combined with the fibers 5, can be arranged in a spiral to provide a wide coverage of the duct wall. An electric field can be applied to the reinforcing members 2 and 3, which function as electrodes. The impregnation of the wall 4 with the conductive fibers 5 ensures uniform heating throughout the entire length of the duct 1. As a result, the air flowing through the air duct 1 can be uniformly heated and sterilized.

[0042] In this regard, the inventors discovered that when a voltage of 14 volts is applied to the reinforcing wires 2 and 3 integrated with a nonwoven fabric in which carbon fibers are distributed, the inner surface of the duct is uniformly heated to 28°C compared to an ambient temperature of around 20°C.

[0043] Although a symmetrical duct is shown in Figure 1, ducts used in the context of the present invention may have an asymmetric cross-section, e.g., oval or rectangular, depending on the user's desires. Similarly, the duct may be flexible or rigid. The duct may include connecting elements for easily connecting the duct to other components to realize the air system according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of insulating the walls of an air duct in an air heating or air conditioning system, comprising: the air duct is connected to a voltage source and has a wall with electrically conductive reinforcing elements in the form of separate parallel coils integrated into the wall and distributed at a distance from one another along the pitch of the air duct, the wall of the air duct comprises conductive fibers distributed in the wall between the coils; a first coil configured as a cathode and a second coil configured as an anode so as to establish an electric field between them across the fiber; applying an electric field between the conductive coils embedded in the wall of the air duct; the voltage source causes an electric field between the conductive coils to generate heat on the wall of the air duct in which the conductive coils are embedded; The heat prevents heat loss from the inside of the air duct to the outside when the air inside the air duct is warmer than the surroundings, or The method prevents heat from entering the air duct from the outside to the inside when the air in the air duct is cooler than the surroundings due to the heat.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wall of the air duct comprises a layer of nonwoven fabric containing the conductive fibers.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the conductive fibers are embedded in a plastic.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductive fibers are carbon fibers.

5. 5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcing member is in the form of a cable, wire or thread.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising applying a voltage of 24 volts or less.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising applying a voltage of 14 volts or less.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising applying a voltage of 12 volts or less.

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