Air supply system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air supply systems for clean rooms face challenges in maintaining high cleanliness levels without causing discomfort due to the need for high air exchange rates in turbulent flows, and they struggle to prevent the entrainment of small-sized particles into laminar air flows, which can form low-pressure zones.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a dual air supply section configuration where the first section supplies cool clean air to brake its velocity, creating a gravitationally induced downward laminar flow, and the second section adjusts the air velocity to a predetermined direction, reducing turbulence and low-pressure zones by combining the flows to achieve a stable and uniform clean air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If turbulent air flow is used to dilute airborne particles, then contamination level is reduced, but air exchange rates must be very high making the environment not work friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow regime parameter from turbulent to laminar flow, and adjusts air velocity parameters to low speeds (0.1-0.5 m/s) while maintaining cleanliness through precise control of flow characteristics rather than high exchange rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized laminar flow zones directly over the workspace or surgical area, providing high cleanliness precisely where needed while avoiding the need for high air exchange rates throughout the entire room
2Ease of operation
If laminar air flow is used to reduce air supply needs, then work friendliness is improved, but low-pressure zones form causing particle entrainment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laminar flow sections (first and second air supply sections) to create a merged flow pattern that eliminates low-pressure zones while maintaining laminar characteristics, preventing particle entrainment through flow integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of air velocity parameters, varying the speed of air flows from different sections to optimize the combined flow pattern and prevent harmful low-pressure zone formation while maintaining laminar flow benefits
3Manufacturing precision
If high air flows are supplied to maintain low particle levels, then cleanliness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental approach from high-volume turbulent flow to low-volume laminar flow, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving cleanliness through controlled flow characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of high-velocity turbulent mixing with a controlled laminar flow system that uses precise velocity management and gravitational forces to achieve particle control without high energy input
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 configuration effectively reduces the risk of particle entrainment and turbulence, meeting cleanliness standards like DIN 1946-4, while providing a comfortable and clean environment by minimizing low-pressure zones and maintaining high cleanliness levels in clean rooms.
Implementation Method 1
a first air supply section through which a first flow of clean air is supplied with a lower temperature than the temperature of the ambient air in the room, wherein the first air supply section is arranged to brake the initial velocity of the first flow of clean air when entering the first air supply section, whereby the first flow of clean air thereafter forms a gravitationally induced downward flow
Implementation Method 2
the first flow of clean air thereafter forms a gravitationally induced downward flow
Implementation Method 3
The second air supply section is arranged to adjust the velocity of the second flow of clean air when entering the second air supply section to a predetermined velocity, and adapted to direct the second flow of clean air downwards
Data Source
AI summary
An air supply system (200, 300) for providing a clean air flow (250) in a room (1) is provided. The air supply system (200, 300) comprises a first air supply section (120) through which a first flow of clean air is supplied with a lower temperature than the temperature of the ambient air in the room (1), and a second air supply section (230) through which a second flow of clean air is supplied. The first air supply section (120) is arranged to form a gravitationally induced downward flow, whereas the second air supply section (230) is arranged to adjust the velocity (vi) of the second flow of clean air when entering the second air supply section (230) to a predetermined velocity (v2), and is adapted to direct the second flow of clean air downwards. A method (600) for providing a clean air flow in a room is further provided.