A system including a building ceiling having one or more integrated air inlet diffuser devices, and a metal ceiling plate for a suspended ceiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building ceiling systems with air inlet diffuser devices face challenges in achieving efficient air flow and temperature distribution, leading to high energy consumption and noise, with traditional devices having a low air flow resistance coefficient (k_r) and limited cooling capacity.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates air inlet diffuser devices into the ceiling, designed to minimize projection from the ceiling, with a tubular part and air guiding part configuration that ensures low resistance and efficient air flow close to the ceiling, allowing for high temperature difference air delivery without ducts, and includes a PC-program for calculating device placement and size based on heat load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional air inlet diffuser devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the air flow resistance coefficient (k_r) is low and cooling capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser device is segmented into multiple functional zones: a central outlet region and a peripheral annular region. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to serve different purposes - the central region provides primary air flow while the peripheral region enhances cooling capacity through additional air distribution, thereby increasing overall productivity without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional planar diffuser design to a three-dimensional structure with a tubular outlet portion that extends into the plenum space. This dimensional change allows the diffuser to utilize the vertical space above the ceiling, increasing the effective air flow area and cooling capacity while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
2Productivity
If air inlet diffuser devices project significantly from the ceiling, then air flow distribution may be improved, but the device projection from the ceiling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser device is nested within the ceiling structure, with the tubular outlet portion extending into the plenum space above the ceiling rather than projecting downward into the room. This nesting approach allows the device to achieve effective air flow distribution while minimizing visual projection and maintaining a clean ceiling appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of projecting the diffuser outward from the ceiling plane, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by extending the tubular outlet upward into the plenum space. This dimensional reorientation achieves the desired air flow distribution efficiency while keeping the downward projection to a minimum, effectively resolving the contradiction between performance and aesthetics.
3Productivity
If high temperature difference air delivery is achieved, then cooling efficiency improves, but energy consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the diffuser device, particularly the outlet area and tubular dimensions, to achieve high cooling efficiency with moderate air flow velocities. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system can deliver air with effective temperature differences without excessive energy consumption or noise generation, as the optimized geometry reduces flow resistance and turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser device creates a controlled air flow pattern that efficiently distributes cooled air throughout the room. The tubular outlet structure acts as a flow guide that replicates the desired air distribution pattern, allowing high cooling efficiency to be achieved with lower energy input compared to traditional high-velocity systems.
4Productivity
If air flow velocity is increased to improve cooling, then cooling capacity increases, but noise and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the diffuser, particularly increasing the outlet area and optimizing the tubular outlet dimensions. This parameter change allows the system to achieve the required cooling capacity with lower air flow velocities, thereby reducing noise generation while maintaining effective cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular outlet portion provides a smooth, curved flow path that reduces turbulence and eddy formation compared to sharp-edged traditional diffusers. This curvature in the flow path allows air to be delivered with higher effectiveness at lower velocities, reducing noise without sacrificing cooling capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves a higher air flow resistance coefficient (k_r) of 3.72, reducing noise and energy consumption, and provides effective cooling through sub-cooled air distribution, enhancing comfort with a cooling effect of up to 100 W/m^2 floor area without additional installations.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature gradient in the aforementioned plenum allows for air to be blown into the room at the highest possible temperature difference relative to the temperature in the room
Implementation Method 2
Air is blown into the room below the ceiling through the air inlet diffuser devices
Implementation Method 3
The present invention provides a low resistance to the air flow through the diffuser devices with a consequential reduction in noise and energy consumption
Implementation Method 4
This sub-cooled air will spread out on the ceiling plates, being heavier than the surrounding air. This leads to a significant cooling of the (metal/aluminium) ceiling plates which cools the room through radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air inlet diffuser device (1) comprising a) an outer cylindrical tubular part (5) having an inside surface (5') and an upper free edge (8) and b) an inner elongated air guiding part (20) which is symmetrical about an axis of rotation (25).