Air Diffuser with Angled Nozzles for Low-Flow Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air diffusers fail to provide significant dispersion of conditioned air when the air flow through ducts is at low rates or volumes, leading to inadequate heating, cooling, and ventilation in interior spaces.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced air diffuser design featuring a low flow adapter with extruded nozzles angled relative to the horizontal plane, which increases air velocity and induction, and a diffusion plate to enhance the dispersion of conditioned air, even at low flow rates, by forming a vena contracta effect and reducing obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional air diffuser is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the dispersion of conditioned air is insufficient at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple functional components: a body portion with curved walls, a low flow adapter with extruded nozzles, and a diffusion plate with peripheral openings. Each segment performs a specific function to enhance air dispersion at low flow rates while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The low flow adapter acts as an intermediary component between the duct opening and the diffusion plate. It features extruded nozzles that condition the air flow and create a vena contracta effect, mediating the transition from low-velocity duct flow to high-velocity dispersed flow patterns.
2Productivity
If the air flow rate through the duct is low, then energy consumption is reduced, but the dispersion and throw of conditioned air into the interior space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The extruded nozzles in the low flow adapter are designed to transform the flow parameters of conditioned air. By constraining and redirecting the air through angled nozzles, the system converts low flow rate air into high-velocity jets that achieve adequate throw and dispersion distances, effectively decoupling throw performance from flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved walls of the body portion and the angled extruded nozzles introduce three-dimensional flow patterns and vertical components to the air discharge. This dimensional transformation allows the air to travel further and disperse more effectively in the interior space, compensating for the low volumetric flow rate.
3Speed
If extruded nozzles are added to increase air velocity, then the velocity and induction of air flow are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extruded nozzles are designed to self-form the desired flow patterns without requiring additional actuators or control mechanisms. The geometry of the nozzles themselves creates the velocity increase and induction effects through passive fluid dynamic principles, eliminating the need for complex active control systems.
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
The solution ensures increased dispersion and throw of conditioned air into interior spaces, effectively maintaining desired temperatures and ventilation levels even at low flow rates, enhancing the efficiency of HVAC&R systems.
Implementation Method 1
increase a velocity of air flow directed toward an interior space, and where the extruded nozzles are disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the center portion of the mounting plate
Implementation Method 2
extruded nozzles configured to increase a velocity and induction of air flow directed toward an interior space
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward an air diffuser that includes a mounting plate having an opening in a center portion of the mounting plate, where the opening is configured to be coupled to ductwork, a low flow adapter coupled to the mounting plate and disposed over the opening, where the low flow adapter includes extruded nozzles configured to increase a velocity and induction of air flow directed toward an interior space, and where the extruded nozzles are disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the center portion of the mounting plate, and a diffusion plate coupled to the mounting plate, such that the low flow adapter is positioned between the mounting plate and the diffusion plate.