Air Diffuser Vanes for Stable Airflow Under Pressure Fluctuations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air diffusers face challenges in maintaining optimal airflow rates and direction stability due to space constraints, supply air pressure fluctuations, and inefficiencies in temperature control, leading to issues like draughts, poor temperature distribution, and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The air diffuser design incorporates primary and secondary discharge elements with a common airflow rate element that allows independent adjustment of airflow rates and directions, using shared vanes to maintain constant airflow rates and directions despite changes in supply air pressure, and incorporates guide slots to enhance airflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adjustable dampers or blades are used to control airflow, then temperature control capability is improved, but supply air pressure fluctuations cause instability in airflow rate and poor temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including adjustable blades for airflow direction control and a spring-loaded damper mechanism that automatically adjusts to supply air pressure fluctuations. The spring force dynamically balances against pressure forces to maintain stable airflow rates despite pressure variations, while the adjustable blades provide continuous airflow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded feedback system where the spring force automatically compensates for supply air pressure changes. When pressure increases, the spring compresses to reduce damper opening; when pressure decreases, the spring expands to increase opening, creating a self-regulating feedback loop that stabilizes airflow rate.
2Productivity
If the number of diffusers is increased to meet space constraints, then airflow distribution is improved, but capital cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is segmented into distinct functional elements: primary discharge elements for main airflow, secondary discharge elements for induced airflow, adjustable blades for direction control, and a damper mechanism for flow rate regulation. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently while working together to achieve high airflow effectiveness from a single diffuser unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring-loaded damper as an intermediary element between the supply air pressure source and the discharge elements. This intermediary automatically mediates pressure fluctuations, converting unstable pressure variations into stable airflow rates, thereby improving the reliability of airflow distribution without requiring additional diffusers.
3Productivity
If supply air pressure increases, then airflow rate increases, but temperature control of subzones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded damper creates a feedback mechanism where the spring force automatically counteracts supply air pressure increases. When pressure rises, the damper closes slightly to maintain constant airflow rate; when pressure falls, the damper opens to maintain the same rate. This feedback stabilizes airflow and thus temperature control in the served subzone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the damper opening area dynamically in response to pressure changes. The spring mechanism automatically adjusts the damper opening parameter to compensate for pressure variations, maintaining a substantially constant airflow rate despite pressure fluctuations, thereby preserving temperature control precision.
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 stable airflow rates and directions, reduces energy consumption, enhances thermal comfort, and allows for smaller diffuser sizes, thereby saving energy and capital costs while improving aesthetics and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the secondary discharge element is arranged to discharge a secondary airstream capable of flowing across at least one surface that directs the secondary airstream substantially in a plane of the diffuser discharge face in the vicinity directly downstream of the secondary discharge element; and the primary discharge element is arranged to discharge a primary airstream that is induced by the secondary discharged airstream such that the direction of the primary discharged airstream is largely determined by the direction of travel of the secondary airstream
Implementation Method 2
the primary discharge element defines a common airflow rate element that is manipulable to vary the airflow rates of the secondary airstream and of the primary airstream; and wherein the common airflow rate element may vary the airflow rates of the primary airstream and of the secondary airstream substantially independently of one another
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air diffuser. The air diffuser comprises at least one primary discharge element. The secondary discharge element is arranged to discharge a secondary airstream capable of flowing across at least one surface that directs the secondary airstream substantially in a plane of the diffuser discharge face in the vicinity directly downstream of the secondary discharge element. The primary discharge element is arranged to discharge a primary airstream that is induced by the secondary discharged airstream such that the direction of the primary discharged airstream is largely determined by the direction of travel of the secondary airstream.