Ceiling Support Box Integrating Exhaust Venting and Combustion Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating appliance installations require separate openings for exhaust and combustion air, complicating the installation process and increasing the number of penetrations through walls or ceilings, which is undesirable for simplicity and code compliance.
Innovation Solution
A dual-function interface device that integrates both exhaust and intake paths within a single component, allowing for a single opening in the wall or ceiling for both venting combustion by-products and supplying combustion air, utilizing a thimble or support box design with dual-walled pipes and adjustable components for flexibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate openings are created for exhaust outlet and combustion air inlet, then proper venting and air supply are ensured, but the number of penetrations through wall or ceiling increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the exhaust outlet and combustion air inlet into a single integrated opening in the wall or ceiling. The support box structure provides both an exhaust passage and a combustion air passage through one unified component, eliminating the need for separate penetrations while maintaining proper venting and air supply functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support box serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the heating appliance, creates a single multi-functional opening in the building envelope, routes exhaust gases outward, and supplies combustion air to the appliance. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and openings required.
2Ease of operation
If a single opening is used for both exhaust and combustion air, then installation simplicity and code compliance improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support box is divided into distinct functional segments: an exhaust passage section and a combustion air passage section. Each passage is separately configured and routed within the single opening structure, allowing independent optimization of each flow path while maintaining the benefits of a unified installation interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust passage and combustion air passage are nested within the single support box structure. The passages are arranged concentrically or adjacently within the same component envelope, allowing both functions to be integrated in a compact, code-compliant design that simplifies installation while managing internal complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling support box is an interface for coupling two sections of pipe as part of a venting apparatus for a heating appliance. Dual functionality is provided in a single integrated device by having a vent path for exhausting combustion by-products, and a separate air inlet path to draw in combustion air for use by the heating appliance.