Air diffuser for localized climate control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC diffusers inefficiently mix conditioned and room air, and are unable to effectively throw air a desirable distance from the diffuser, leading to suboptimal air conditioning and ventilation in large spaces.
Innovation Solution
An air diffuser with a mixing chamber, nozzles to accelerate conditioned air, a circulation inlet for room air induction, and a blank-off plate to control room air entry, combined with an oblique additional plate to enhance air flow velocity and throwing distance, facilitating adiabatic mixing and reducing the need for cooling/heating coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional diffusers are used to distribute conditioned air, then air can be delivered to the space, but the mixing of conditioned air and room air is inefficient and the air cannot be thrown a desirable distance
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into separate functional components: a mixing chamber for combining air streams, a nozzle for accelerating conditioned air, and a distribution outlet. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the nozzle creating high-velocity jets that effectively induce room air movement and improve overall air distribution effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a nozzle to accelerate conditioned air into high-velocity jets. This pneumatic approach creates induced drafts that draw in and mix with room air, achieving desirable throw distances and effective air distribution without requiring additional mechanical propulsion systems.
2Productivity
If traditional diffusers mix conditioned air with recirculated room air, then some air distribution is achieved, but the mixing efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser merges the conditioning function and mixing function into a single integrated device. The mixing chamber combines accelerated conditioned air with induced room air in one structure, eliminating the need for separate mixing equipment and achieving high mixing efficiency without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser design allows the accelerated conditioned air from the nozzle to automatically induce and draw in room air through the mixing chamber without requiring external fans or additional energy input. The high-velocity jet creates its own induction effect, making the mixing process self-driven and highly efficient.
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
Improves air flow velocity and mixed air temperature, allowing for more efficient conditioning of large spaces by concentrating air conditioning resources on occupied zones while minimizing energy consumption and equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle disposed adjacent to the circulation inlet and configured to accelerate a conditioned air flow into the mixing region such that unconditioned room air is induced by the conditioned air flow to enter the mixing region through the circulation inlet
Implementation Method 2
an additional plate partially forming a mixed air outlet of the air diffuser and extending at an oblique angle relative to the blank-off plate
Data Source
AI summary
An air diffuser of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a mixing chamber having a circulation inlet and a mixing region, a room air intake fluidly coupled with the circulation inlet and separated from the mixing region by a blank-off plate, and a nozzle. The nozzle is disposed adjacent to the circulation inlet and configured to accelerate a conditioned air flow into the mixing region such that unconditioned room air is induced by the conditioned air flow to enter the mixing region through the circulation inlet and from the room air intake.