An air diffuser and an air circulation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air diffusers face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature and velocity distribution, especially at high airflow rates, leading to comfort issues and increased HVAC commissioning costs, while also being aesthetically unappealing and less efficient than low induction counterparts.
Innovation Solution
A high induction air diffuser assembly with a tessellated pattern of discharge elements, including hexagonal and part-hexagonal elements, that can be adjusted for various orientations to optimize airflow patterns, featuring a powder-coated metal discharge plate for aesthetics and structural benefits, and an adjustable slide damper for airflow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the effective discharge diameter of the grille is increased to achieve a given throw at higher volume flow rates, then the axial throw is maintained, but the discharge velocity decreases causing a more limp supply air stream and reduced stability
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser divides the single large discharge opening into multiple smaller nozzles arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation allows each nozzle to maintain higher discharge velocity while the collective arrangement achieves the required axial throw, resolving the contradiction between throw distance and discharge velocity at high airflow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional grille opening to a three-dimensional multi-nozzle configuration with specific spatial arrangement. The nozzles are positioned at different heights and angles, creating a distributed discharge pattern that maintains velocity while extending throw through vertical and horizontal components.
2Quantity of substance
If the discharge diameter is increased to handle larger volume flow rates, then the airflow capacity is improved, but the stability of the discharged air stream decreases due to increased trajectory deviations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the large volume flow rate into multiple smaller nozzle discharges, each nozzle produces a stable, coherent jet. The collective effect of multiple stable jets maintains overall stream stability while handling high airflow rates, unlike a single large opening which produces unstable, turbulent flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Each nozzle is designed with specific local characteristics (diameter, angle, orientation) optimized for stable discharge. This local optimization ensures that each portion of the airflow contributes to overall stability, allowing the system to handle large volume flow rates while maintaining stream coherence and reducing trajectory deviations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high discharge velocities are used to maintain air stream stability, then the stability is improved, but draught risk increases due to high velocity air streams
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of discharge into multiple nozzles allows the system to use moderately high velocities that maintain jet coherence without creating excessive draught conditions. The distributed nature of the nozzles spreads the high-velocity discharge across multiple locations, preventing concentrated draught zones while maintaining overall stream stability.
Solution Approach 2:
By orienting nozzles in multiple directions (vertical and horizontal components), the invention distributes the velocity vector across different spatial dimensions. This reduces the horizontal velocity component that causes draughts while maintaining vertical momentum for stable throw, effectively decoupling stability from draught risk.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multi-nozzle diffusers are used to induce large quantities of room air, then the discharge velocity decay is rapid and draught risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases compared to simple grilles
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-nozzle configuration inherently provides induction capability through the segmented arrangement. The nozzles are positioned to create entrainment zones that draw in room air, and this segmentation-based induction mechanism achieves rapid velocity decay and draught reduction without requiring additional complex induction devices or mechanisms.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge face is made non-uniform to accommodate adjustable nozzles, then the discharge direction adjustability is improved, but the aesthetic appeal and flush appearance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle arrangement uses asymmetric positioning and orientation within a symmetric overall diffuser shape. The nozzles are angled and positioned to provide adjustable discharge patterns, while the diffuser face itself maintains a uniform, symmetric appearance. This asymmetric internal arrangement within a symmetric external form resolves the contradiction between adjustability and aesthetics.
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 diffuser achieves stable, draught-free, and uniformly distributed airflow, improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency, while being aesthetically appealing and capable of handling larger airflow rates with reduced energy consumption and commissioning costs.
Implementation Method 1
multi-nozzle diffusers induce large quantities of room air into the supply air stream. This can bring about rapid discharge velocity decay, thereby allowing relatively high discharge velocities to be used that stabilise the discharged air stream
Implementation Method 2
multi-nozzle diffusers can break down the temperature differential between supply and room air, thereby reducing air stream trajectory deviation in non-isothermal applications to further stabilise the air stream trajectory
Data Source
AI summary
An air diffuser comprises a plurality of discharge elements (4a to 4d). The discharge elements are configured such that they are able to be arranged in the diffuser so as to abut to form a tessellation of discharge elements in a plane. At least one of the discharge elements may be displaceable out of the plane for adjustment of its orientation.