Air Flow Hood with Quadrant Segmentation for Uniform HVAC Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air flow hoods used in HVAC systems suffer from inaccuracies due to non-uniform airflow and backpressure issues, which affect the measurement of airflow through diffusers, leading to unreliable volumetric flow rate calculations.
Innovation Solution
A balometer with flow disrupting structures, such as turbulators, and a design that divides airflow into quadrants to ensure even distribution and minimize backpressure, combined with wireless data transmission and a smart device for processing measurements, to provide accurate airflow measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional air flow hoods are used to measure airflow through diffusers, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to non-uniform airflow and backpressure issues
Solution Approach 1:
The hood is divided into multiple quadrants with internal walls separating the airflow path into distinct sections. Each quadrant contains discharge channels that guide airflow separately, allowing uniform distribution of air across multiple paths rather than a single concentrated flow, thereby improving measurement accuracy while managing complexity through modular segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Flow disrupting structures such as turbulators are introduced as intermediary elements within the discharge channels. These structures actively manipulate the airflow to create uniform distribution and minimize backpressure effects, serving as mediators between the incoming non-uniform airflow and the measurement process, thereby enhancing measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If flow disrupting structures are added to ensure uniform airflow distribution, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Flow disrupting structures are placed specifically at strategic locations within the discharge channels where airflow non-uniformity occurs. Rather than uniformly distributing complexity throughout the entire hood, the turbulence-inducing elements are localized to specific regions where they are most effective in promoting uniform airflow distribution, thereby improving measurement precision with minimal increase in overall device complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If internal walls are used to divide airflow into quadrants, then airflow distribution uniformity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal walls are configured to create four quadrants with asymmetric positioning relative to the hood's overall geometry. This asymmetric segmentation allows the airflow to be divided into stable, manageable sections that maintain consistent distribution patterns, while the modular asymmetric design can be manufactured using standard fabrication techniques, balancing manufacturing ease with airflow stability
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 balometer achieves accurate and reliable airflow measurements by ensuring uniform airflow distribution and minimizing backpressure, allowing for precise calculation of volumetric flow rates and facilitating easier HVAC system balancing.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor probes can include hot point anemometer sensors
Implementation Method 2
hot point anemometer sensors
Implementation Method 3
The flow disrupting structures can comprise turbulators
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for measuring airflow through a diffuser of an HVAC system includes a hood for being positioned adjacent the diffuser so that airflow discharged from the diffuser is directed into the hood. The hood is configured to divide and direct the airflow through a plurality of discharge channels. Sensor probes measure the airflow through each discharge channel.