Air treatment device with fluid dynamics optimization for a confined space

Abstract

Device (100) for treating the air in an confined space, comprising a first module (1) having a mouth (10) and a body (3) projecting from the mouth, a second module (2) having a mouth (20) and a body (4) projecting from the mouth; a first fan (V1) is disposed in an inner chamber (C2) of the mouth of the first module and a second fan (V2) is disposed in an inner chamber (C4) of the mouth of the second module; the outer tube (31) of the body of the first module is a grooved tube having a square wave shape with circular development around the inner tube (30) in such a way to generate inner channels (34) wherein air flows from the inside of the confined space towards the outside, and outer channels (35) wherein air flows from the exterior to the confined space.

Description

[0001] AIR TREATMENT DEVICE WITH FLUID DYNAMICS OPTIMIZATION FOR A CONFINED SPACE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a device provided with fluid dynamics optimization system for treating the air in a confined space, and in particular for reducing the concentration of radon.

[0004] WO2021004867A1 , in the name of the same applicant, describes a device for treating the air in a confined space. Such a device comprises an electrostatic measuring chamber that defines a useful volume for measuring the concentration of radon. The chamber houses a detector and a collection electrode.

[0005] Two aspects are essential for the proper functioning of such a device:

[0006] - the air exchange between the interior and the exterior of the chamber must take place in an appropriate manner;

[0007] - such an air exchange must take place by ensuring an adequate heat transfer;

[0008] - the inlet and outlet flows must not come into contact.

[0009] In view of the above, fluid-dynamic and thermodynamic studies have been carried out to optimize the device of W02021004867A1 and improve the aforementioned aspects.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by devising a device for air treatment in a confined space that is capable of optimizing the airflow exchanged between the interior and the exterior of the device.

[0011] Another purpose is to devise such a device for air treatment in a confined space that is energy efficient, space efficient, easy to install, practical and versatile, and capable of adjusting to different wall thicknesses.

[0012] These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features listed in the attached independent claim 1 .

[0013] Advantageous achievements appear from the dependent claims.

[0014] The device according to the invention is defined by the independent claim For explanatory clarity, the description of the device according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which are for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, wherein:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention;

[0016] Fig. 2 is an axially sectioned perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 3 is an axial sectional view of a first module of the device of Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Fig. 4 is an axial sectional view of a second module of the device of Fig. 1 ;

[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the central body of the first module of Fig. 3;

[0020] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the central body of the first module of Fig. 5;

[0021] Fig. 7 is an axial sectional view of the device according to the invention, illustrating an airflow from the exterior to the interior;

[0022] Fig. 8 is an axial sectional view of the device according to the invention, illustrating an airflow from the interior to the exterior;

[0023] Figs. 9, 10 and 1 1 are cross-sectional views taken along the sectional planes IX-IX, X-X and XI-XI of Fig. 8;

[0024] Fig. 12 is an axial sectional view of the device according to the invention, illustrating an electrical cable that connects the second fan to the power supply;

[0025] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the sectional plane XIII-XIII of Fig. 12;

[0026] Fig. 13A is an enlarged detail of Fig. 13;

[0027] Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the device according to the invention, with the mouth separated from its rear wall, illustrating an electromechanical safety system arranged in the external chamber of the mouth of the device according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 15 is a view taken along the sectional plane XV-XV of Fig. 14;

[0029] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the electromechanical safety system of Fig. 14; and

[0030] Fig. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a control logic of the device according to the invention.

[0031] With the aid of the Figures, the device according to the invention, which is comprehensively denoted with reference numeral 100, is described. The device (100) is suitable for being installed in a wall separating a confined indoor space from an outdoor space and has the function of reducing / eliminating the concentration of air pollutants such as radon, Co2 and particulate matter (PM) in order to improve the quality of the indoor air.

[0032] Hereafter, the terms “front” and “rear” are referred to an observer standing in the confined space.

[0033] With reference to Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 4, the device (100) comprises a first module (1 ) and a second module (2) having a tubular shape.

[0034] The first module (1 ) and the second module (2) are telescopically coupled to each other in such a way to axially slide in order to vary the axial length of the device (100) according to the thickness of the wall wherein the device is installed.

[0035] With reference to Fig. 3, the first module has a mouth (10) suitable for being disposed in the confined space. The mouth (10) has a substantially cylindrical shape with a side wall (11 ), a front wall (12) and a rear wall (13).

[0036] A duct (14) is arranged coaxially in the mouth (10) so as to generate an outer chamber (C1 ) between the duct and the mouth and an inner chamber (C2) inside the duct.

[0037] A conveyor (6), a first fan (V1 ) and a filter (Z) are disposed in the inner chamber (C2) of the duct (14) of the mouth.

[0038] The side wall (11 ) of the mouth has an opening (11 a) for the inlet of air in communication with the outer chamber (C1 ) of the mouth. The front wall (12) of the mouth has an opening (12a) for the outlet of air in communication with the inner chamber (C2) of the duct of the mouth.

[0039] The conveyor (6) is disposed at a rear end of the duct (14) of the mouth; the filter (Z) is disposed in contact with the front wall (12) of the mouth, and the first fan (V1 ) is disposed between the conveyor (6) and the duct (14) of the mouth.

[0040] The conveyor (6) has a tapered conical or pyramidal shape with the tip facing toward the axis of the first fan (V1 ) in order to convey the air radially toward the axis of the fan.

[0041] The first fan (V1 ) is configured in such a way to suck in the air that enters the inner chamber (C2) and eject the air toward the opening (12a) of the front wall (12) of the mouth, after the air has passed through the filter (Z).

[0042] The filter (Z) is suitable for filtering the air sucked in by the first fan (V1 ) from the exterior to the interior. Advantageously, the filter (Z) is a particulate filter configured in such a way to filter the particles with aerodynamic diameter lower than 2.5 pm. In view of the above, the air is filtered before being introduced into the confined space.

[0043] The following components are arranged in the outer chamber (C1 ) of the mouth:

[0044] - a control unit (9) that manages the operation of the electrical components of the device; and

[0045] - a power supply unit (D) that is responsible for the power supply of the electrical components of the device.

[0046] The first module (1 ) comprises a body (3) that protrudes posteriorly and axially from the mouth (10).

[0047] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the body comprises an inner tube (30) and an outer tube (31 ).

[0048] The inner tube (30) has a cylindrical shape.

[0049] The outer tube (31 ) is shaped like a grooved tube having a square wave shape with circular development around the inner tube (30). Thus, the outer tube (31 ) comprises a plurality of protrusions (32) projecting radially outward and a plurality of grooves (33) projecting radially inward.

[0050] Each protrusion (32) defines an inner channel (34) between two adjacent grooves. Each groove (33) defines an outer channel (35) between two adjacent protrusions.

[0051] Each groove (33) has a U-shape in cross section and comprises a bottom wall (36) and two side walls (37).

[0052] The bottom walls (36) of the grooves are disposed at a distance (d) from the inner tube (30) so as to define an annular gap (G) between the inner tube (30) and the bottom walls (36) of the grooves. The annular gap (G) communicates with the inner channels (34).

[0053] Preferably, the body (3) of the first module comprises between a number of inner channels (34) comprised between six and ten, and a number of outer channels (35) comprised between six and ten.

[0054] In cross-section, the sum of the surfaces of the outer channels (35) is equal to the circular surface area defined by the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module so as to ensure uniformity to the passage of air from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside.

[0055] A plurality of fins (38) protrude into the grooves (33), namely in the outer channels (35), so that the outer channels (35) are finned ducts with a greater heat exchange surface area than the inner channels (34). The fins (38) are in the form of longitudinal ribs that extend longitudinally.

[0056] The fins (38) protrude from the side walls (37) of the grooves (33). Preferably each side wall (37) of the groove comprises a number of fins (38) comprised between two and six.

[0057] The inner tube (30) is connected to the outer tube (31 ) by means of radial ribs (39) that protrude from the inner tube (30) in order to be connected to the bottom wall (36) of some grooves of the outer tube (31 ). As an example, there are four radial ribs (39) connecting the inner tube (30) to the outer tube (31 ).

[0058] The body (3) of the first element is made of a heat dissipating material, such as aluminum, so as to act as a heat exchanger.

[0059] Returning to Fig. 3, the inner tube (30) of the body (3) of the first element is connected to the conveyor (6), whereas the outer tube (31 ) of the body (3) of the first element is connected to the rear wall (13) of the mouth (10).

[0060] The first module (1 ) comprises an annular-shaped front flange (7) disposed between the conveyor (6) and the outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module. The front flange (7) acts as air distributor.

[0061] With reference to Fig. 9, the front flange (7) closes the inlet of the outer channels (35) and frees the inlet of the inner channels (34) of the body of the first module. Therefore the front flange (7) has openings (70) at the inner channels (34) of the body of the first module. In view of the above, the air from the inside that hits the front flange (7) is only introduced into the inner channels (34) and in the gap (G) of the body of the first module.

[0062] With reference to Fig. 7, the front flange (7) has communication ducts (72) that put the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module in communication with the inner chamber (C1 ) of the mouth (10) of the first module.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 4, the second module (2) has a mouth (20) suitable for being disposed outside the confined space and a body (4) that protrudes axially and anteriorly from the mouth in order to be coupled with the body (3) of the first module.

[0064] In view of the above, the mouth (10) of the first module is disposed in a front part of the device (100) and the mouth (20) of the second module is disposed in a rear part of the device (100).

[0065] The mouth (20) has a substantially cylindrical shape with a side wall (21 ) and a rear wall (22). A duct (24) is disposed coaxially in the mouth (20) of the second module, generating an outer chamber (C3) between the duct and the mouth and an inner chamber (C4) inside the duct.

[0066] A second fan (V2) is disposed in the inner chamber (C3) of the duct (24) of the mouth of the second module.

[0067] The side wall (21 ) of the mouth of the second module has an opening (21 a) for the inlet of air in communication with the outer chamber (C3) of the mouth of the second module. The rear wall (22) of the mouth of the second module has an opening (22a) for the outlet of air in communication with the inner chamber (C4) of the duct of the mouth of the second module.

[0068] The second fan (V2) is configured to suck in the air from the inner chamber (C4) toward the opening (22a) of the rear wall of the mouth of the second module.

[0069] The body (4) of the second module comprises an inner tube (40) and an outer tube (41 ).

[0070] The inner tube (40) of the body of the second module has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module.

[0071] With reference to Fig. 2, the inner tube (40) of the body of the second module is disposed in the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module so as to generate a gap (I) between the inner tube of the body of the second module and the inner tube of the body of the first module.

[0072] The outer tube (41 ) of the body of the second module has a cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than the diameter of the outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module.

[0073] Referring to Figs. 2 and 10, the outer tube (41 ) of the body of the second module is fitted onto the outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module so as to close the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module.

[0074] Returning to Fig. 4, the inner tube (40) of the body of the second module is connected to the second fan (V2). The outer tube (41 ) of the body of the second module is connected to the side wall (21 ) of the mouth of the second module.

[0075] The second module (2) comprises an annular-shaped rear flange (8) arranged between the inner tube (40) and the outer tube (41 ) of the body of the second module. The rear flange (8) acts as air distributor.

[0076] Referring to Fig. 11 , the rear flange (8) closes the inlet of the inner channels (34) and of the gap (G) and frees the inlet of the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module. Therefore the rear flange (8) has openings (80) at the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module. In view of the above, the air from the outside that hits the rear flange (8) is only introduced into the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module and does not enter the inner channels (34) and the gap (G) of the body of the first module.

[0077] With reference to Fig. 8, the rear flange (8) has communication ducts (82) that put the inner channels (34) of the body of the first module in communication with the gap (I) between the inner duct (40) of the body of the second module and the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module.

[0078] With reference to Fig. 7, the airflow from outside to inside that is obtained by operating the first fan (V1 ) is described. The airflow is illustrated with arrows and indicated with Fi.

[0079] The air from the outside enters the opening (21 a) of the side wall (21 ) of the mouth of the second module and flows in the outer chamber (C3) of the mouth of the second module. The air hits the rear flange (8). Then the air enters the openings (80) of the rear flange and flows into the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module.

[0080] The air flowing in the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module is in contact with the fins (38) in the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module and exchanges the heat, thus being conditioned. Then the air arrives at the front flange (7), enters the communication ducts (72) of the front flange and is conveyed into the inner chamber (C1 ) of the duct (14) of the mouth (10) of the first module.

[0081] The air hits the conveyor (6) that conveys the air toward the first fan (V1 ) that sucks in the air and pushes it onto the filter (Z). Then the filtered conditioned air exits inside the confined space from the opening (12a) of the front wall of the mouth of the first module.

[0082] With reference to Fig. 8, the airflow from inside to outside that is obtained by operating the second fan (V2) is described. This airflow is illustrated with arrows and is indicated with Fo.

[0083] The air from the inside enters the opening (11 a) of the side wall (1 1 ) of the mouth of the first module and arrives in the outer chamber (C1 ) of the mouth of the first module. Then the air hits the front flange (7). Therefore, the air enters the openings (70) of the front flange and flows into the inner channels (34) and into the gap (G) of the body of the first module. The air arrives at the rear flange (8) and is conveyed through the communication ducts (82) of the rear flange into the gap (I) between the inner tube (40) of the body of the second module and the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module. In view of the above, the air follows an S-shaped winding path to arrive in the inner tube (40) of the body of the second module. The conveyor (6) prevents the air from entering the inner chamber (C2) of the mouth of the first module.

[0084] The air contained in the inner tube (40) of the body of the second module is sucked in the inner chamber (C4) of the duct (24) of the mouth of the second module by the second fan (V2) in order to exit from the opening (22a) of the rear wall (22) of the mouth of the second module.

[0085] It should be noted that the airflow (Fi) from outside to inside is in countercurrent with respect to the airflow (Fo) from inside to outside. The body (3) of the first module, which acts as heat exchanger, works with maximum efficiency, thus allowing the heat exchange between the air coming from inside and the air coming from outside.

[0086] The function of the first fan (V1 ) is to introduce an airflow (Fi) from the outdoor space into the confined space The function of the second fan (V2) is to take an airflow (Fo) from the confined space and release said airflow outside. The paths followed by the two airflows are shown in Figs. 7 and 8. When the fans (V1 ) and (V2) are operating, the device (100) simultaneously establishes the two airflows (Fi, Fo) while keeping them always separate.

[0087] It should be considered that the front flange (7) and the rear flange (8) act as air distributors. The front flange (7) conveys the air flow (Fo) into the inner channels (34) of the body of the first module; on the other hand, the rear flange (5) conveys the air flow (Fi) into the outer channels (35) of the body of the first module.

[0088] The function of the body (3) of the first is to absorb the heat from the airflow (Fo) coming from the confined space and release heat to the airflow (Fi) coming from the outside. The body (3) of the first module ensures that the air entering the confined space does not cause any sudden changes in temperature in the confined space.

[0089] With reference to Figs. 12, 13 and 13A, the second fan (V2) is connected to the electric power supply (D) by means of an electric cable (200) disposed in one of the outer channels (35) of the outer tube of the first module. The electric cable (200) passes through a hole (73) of the front flange (7) of the first module and enters the outer chamber (C1 ) of the mouth where it is connected to the electric power supply (D). The electric cable (200) has a flexible spiral shape that allows the length of the electric cable (200) to be modified when the first module (1 ) and the second module (2) are moved telescopically.

[0090] With reference to Figs. 14, 15 and 16, the device (100) comprises an electromechanical safety system (300) comprising a disconnecting device (301 ) that operates as a switch to enable and disable the passage of electric current toward the fans (V1 , V2).

[0091] When the mouth (10) is closed on its rear wall (13), the mouth (10) is in contact with the disconnecting device (301 ) that closes an electrical circuit, allowing current to flow from the electrical power supply (D) towards the fans (V1 , V2).

[0092] When the mouth (10) is open, that is to say is separated from its rear wall (13), the mouth (10) is not in contact with the disconnecting device (301 ), which opens an electrical circuit, interrupting the current flow from the electrical power supply (D) toward the fans (V1 , V2).

[0093] The disconnecting device (301 ) is mounted on an electronic board (302) wherein high-voltage power passes. A fuse (303) is mounted below the electronic board (302). The fuse (303) acts as a safety device, in case of malfunctioning of the disconnecting device (301 ) or of the electrical power supply (D).

[0094] Referring to Fig. 17, the device (100) comprises a sensor unit (S) connected to the control unit (9). The sensor unit (S) comprises at least one sensor suitable for detecting the air quality, such as a radon sensor (R), a particulate matter sensor (PM), a CO2 sensor (C), and a pressure sensor (P).

[0095] The control unit (9) is configured to receive an indicative value of the air quality in the confined space from the sensor unit (S). The control unit (9) comprises a comparator to compare the indicative value of the air quality with a stored threshold value. The control unit (9) is connected to the fans (V1 , V2) that will be activated according to the air quality detected by the sensor unit (S). The control unit (9) is configured to activate and move the fans (V1 , V2) individually and / or simultaneously if the air quality value is above the threshold value.

[0096] Advantageously, the sensor unit (S) comprises the radon sensor (R) that detects the concentration of radon in the confined space. However, the sensor unit (S) may also comprise a pressure sensor (P) that is connected to the control unit (9) to send information about an air pressure value in the confined space to the control unit (7) and / or a CO2 sensor (C) to send information about an air CO2 value in the confined space to the control unit (9). The sensor unit (S) may also comprise a particulate matter sensor (PM) connected to the control unit (9) to send information about a particulate matter value (PM1 , PM2.5 and PM10) of the air in the confined space to the control unit (7).

[0097] In such a case, the comparator of the control unit (9) is configured to compare the detected radon gas concentration value (R) with a threshold radon gas concentration value and at the same time compare the detected particulate matter value (PM1 , PM2. 5 and PM10) with a threshold particulate matter value, as well as compare the detected CO2 value with a threshold CO2 value and the detected pressure value with a threshold pressure value.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Device (100) for treating the air in a confined space, comprising:- a first module (1 ) comprising a mouth (10) suitable for being disposed in a confined space, and a body (3) projecting posteriorly from the mouth, and- a second module (2) having a mouth (20) suitable for being disposed outside said confined space, and a body (4) projecting anteriorly from the mouth in order to be coupled with the body (3) of the first module; wherein the mouth (10) of the first module is disposed in a front part of the device (100) and the mouth (20) of the second module is disposed in a rear part of the device (100); said mouth (10) of the first module having a duct (14) that defines an outer chamber (C1 ) in communication with an opening (11 a) and an inner chamber (C2) in communication with an opening (12a); said mouth (20) of the second module having a duct (24) that defines an outer chamber (C3) in communication with an opening (21 a) and an inner chamber (C4) in communication with an opening (22a); said body (3) of the first module having an inner tube (30) and an outer tube (31 ); said body (4) of the second module having an inner tube (40) disposed inside the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module in such a way to define a gap (I) and an outer tube (41 ) fitted on the outer tube (41 ) of the body of the first module; said device further comprising:- a first fan (V1 ) disposed in the inner chamber (C2) of the mouth of the first module to generate a flow from the outside to the inside of the confined space;- a second fan (V2) disposed in the inner chamber (C4) of the mouth of the second module to generate a flow from the inside to the outside of the confined space;- a filter (Z) disposed in said inner chamber (C1 ) of the mouth of the first module;- a sensor unit (S) suitable for detecting an indicative value of the air quality inside said confined space; and- a control unit (9) connected to said sensor unit (S) to receive said value indicative of the air quality and control said fans (V1 , V2) in accordance with saiddetected value, characterized by the fact that said outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module is a grooved tube having a square wave shape with circular development around the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module, wherein the outer tube (31 ) comprises a plurality of protrusions (32) protruding radially outwardly and a plurality of grooves (33) protruding radially inwardly; each protrusion (32) defining an inner channel (34) between two adjacent grooves, in which the air flows from the inside of the confined space to the outside; each groove (33) defining an outer channel (35) between two adjacent protrusions, in which the air flows from the outside to the inside of the confined space.

2. The device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein each groove (33) of the outer tube of the body of the first module has a U-shaped cross section and comprises a bottom wall (36) and two side walls (37).

3. The device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the bottom walls (36) of the grooves of the outer tube of the body of the first module are disposed at a distance (d) from the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module such to define an annular gap (G) between the inner tube (30) and the bottom walls (36) of the grooves, in communication with the inner channels (34) of the outer tube of the body of the first module.

4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said outer channels (35) of the outer tube of the body of the first module are finned ducts having a plurality of fins (38) protruding into the grooves (33) of the outer tube of the body of the first module.

5. The device (100) according to claim 4, wherein said fins (38) of the outer channels (35) of the outer tube of the body of the first module are longitudinal ribs protruding from the side walls (37) of the grooves (33) of the outer tube of the body of the first module.

6. The device (100) according to claim 5, wherein each side wall (37) of the groove (33) of the outer tube of the body of the first module is provided with a number of fins (38) comprised between two and six.

7. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module is provided with a number of inner channels (34) comprised between six and ten and a number of outer channels (35) comprised between six and ten.

8. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner tube (30) is connected to the outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module by means of radial ribs (39) protruding from the inner tube (30) in order to be connected to the bottom walls (36) of some grooves of the outer tube (31 ).

9. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner tube (30) and the outer tube (31 ) of the body of the first module are made of a heat dissipating material, such as aluminum.

10. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in cross section, the sum of the surface areas of the outer channels (35) is equal to the circular surface area defined by the inner tube (30) of the body of the first module.

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