Airflow capture hood flow correction system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airflow capture hoods used in HVAC systems face accuracy issues when measuring airflow entering vents due to increased resistance caused by the grid, leading to inaccurate measurements, especially for 'exhaust' or 'return' airflow.
Innovation Solution
A flexible toroidal or rectangular-shaped flow control ring is coupled around the base of the airflow capture hood, allowing an airflow sensor to measure airflow with at least 90% accuracy by reducing resistance and eliminating dead spaces, potentially extending below the hood and covered with vinyl or foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an airflow capture hood with a grid is used to measure airflow, then airflow measurement capability is provided, but airflow resistance increases resulting in measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grid component from the airflow capture hood base. By taking out the grid that was causing airflow resistance and measurement inaccuracy, the invention allows unobstructed airflow into the hood while maintaining measurement capability through alternative sensing methods, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and airflow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flow control ring as an intermediary component between the airflow source and the hood interior. This ring serves as a mediator that guides airflow smoothly into the hood without creating resistance, eliminating the need for a grid while maintaining measurement accuracy through its structured flow management.
2Measurement precision
If a grid is installed at the base of the hood to enable airflow measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but dead spaces are created increasing resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the grid structure from the hood base, eliminating the dead spaces that formed between grid elements. This removal eliminates the complex resistance structures while preserving measurement capability through alternative means, directly addressing the contradiction between measurement function and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the flow measurement function from the physical barrier (grid) structure. By segmenting the measurement capability from the obstructive grid elements, the invention achieves airflow measurement without creating dead spaces or resistance structures, resolving the contradiction between measurement function and device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the hood structure is used to capture airflow, then airflow capture is enabled, but resistance to entering airflow increases reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grid component that was generating resistance force against entering airflow. By taking out this obstructive element, the hood can capture entering airflow without creating significant resistance force, thereby improving measurement accuracy for exhaust and return airflow applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by removing the grid barrier entirely rather than trying to minimize its resistance. Instead of modifying the grid to reduce resistance, the invention reverses the approach by eliminating the grid completely and using alternative flow management structures that naturally guide airflow without resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of an airflow capture hood flow control ring may include a flexible ring including a toroidal shape configured to couple around a base of an airflow capture hood. The ring may be configured to permit an airflow sensor coupled to the airflow capture hood coupled to an inlet to measure a flow of air into the inlet with at least 90% accuracy.