Canopy Ceiling Air Induction Design for Higher Cooling Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing canopy ceiling systems are not adequately designed to handle higher cooling and heating loads, limiting their effectiveness in air conditioning applications.
Innovation Solution
The canopy ceiling design features a distribution channel and heat exchangers arranged at a distance from the support plate, with supply air inducing room air into a free space where it is tempered before mixing with the supply air, creating a mixed airflow that is directed horizontally along the ceiling's longitudinal sides, and includes a perforated carrier plate with an acoustic mat for enhanced performance and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the distribution channel and heat exchangers are arranged close to the support plate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling capacity and air conditioning effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration by creating a free air space between the support plate and the distribution channel/heat exchanger assembly. This vertical dimensionality change enables adequate cooling capacity while maintaining structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The free air space acts as an intermediary medium between the support plate and the distribution channel with heat exchangers. This intermediate space allows supply air to induce room air, which then flows through the heat exchanger, enabling effective heat transfer without direct contact between components.
2Power
If the distance between support plate and distribution channel is increased to improve cooling capacity, then the air conditioning effectiveness increases, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The free air space serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mixing chamber for supply air and room air, provides a flow path for induced air through the heat exchanger, and maintains the required distance for adequate cooling capacity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the kinetic energy of the supplied air to automatically induce room air into the free air space and through the heat exchanger without requiring additional fans or pumps. The air flow pattern is self-generated, reducing mechanical complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the outlet openings are positioned to blow supply air directly into the room, then the installation is simpler, but the temperature control uniformity along the ceiling is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution channel is equipped with outlet openings at multiple locations along its length, enabling localized temperature control at different positions along the ceiling. This allows differentiated air distribution to match varying thermal requirements along the room's longitudinal axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous arrangement of outlet openings along the distribution channel ensures continuous supply of conditioned air along the entire ceiling length, maintaining uniform temperature control without interruption or variation in cooling effectiveness.
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 design significantly increases the air conditioning effectiveness by ensuring adequate cooling capacity and uniform temperature control along the ceiling, while also providing improved acoustics and visual integration with existing ceiling systems.
Implementation Method 1
the supply air flowing out of the distribution duct induces the room air into the free air space
Implementation Method 2
the distribution channel can be viewed as a pressure duct that blows out the supply air through the outlet openings
Implementation Method 3
which then enters the heat exchanger, is tempered
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanger being arranged on each side of the distribution duct
Implementation Method 5
This mixed air flow leaves the ceiling canopy along its longitudinal sides and is directed horizontally
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for air-conditioning a room using a canopy ceiling (1) comprising a support plate (2) with a length (L) and a width (B) and a distribution channel (9) arranged above the support plate (2), the distribution channel ( 9) runs parallel to a longitudinal axis (3) of the support plate (2) and is provided with outlet openings (12) on two opposite sides, so that supply air can flow parallel to the support plate (2) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (3) of the support plate ( 2) flows out of the distribution channel (9) on both sides, with a heat exchanger (13) being arranged on both sides of the distribution channel (9) and between the carrier plate (2) and the distribution channel (9) and between the carrier plate (2) and the heat exchangers (13) there is a distance (a) which defines a free air space (7) above the carrier plate (2). In order to increase the possible cooling or heating loads, it is proposed that the supply air flowing out of the distribution duct (9) induces the room air into the free air space (7), which then reaches the heat exchanger (13), is tempered and then mixed with the Supply air mixed to form a mixed air flow.