Ceiling system with air movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling systems face challenges in improving thermal comfort while minimizing acoustical issues and visual intrusion, as passive thermal mass systems and radiant heating/cooling systems are limited by acoustics and aesthetics, and conventional fans are obtrusive.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an induction-style Venturi air mover within the ceiling panel to induce airflow, which is energy-efficient and acoustically absorbent, allowing for varied flow rates to simulate natural breezes without visible moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fans are used to create air motion for adaptive comfort, then thermal comfort is improved, but visual intrusion and acoustical issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fans with an induction-based air mover that uses fluid dynamics (Venturi effect) to generate airflow without visible moving parts. This substitution eliminates the visual intrusion and acoustical issues associated with conventional fans while maintaining the adaptive comfort benefit of induced airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an induction air mover as an intermediary device that creates airflow through the ceiling panel without requiring visible fans in the occupied space. The induction mechanism acts as a mediator between the thermal comfort goal and the aesthetic/acoustical requirements, achieving airflow through pressure differentials rather than direct mechanical action.
2Loss of energy
If set point temperature is increased for energy savings, then energy consumption is reduced, but thermal comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs oscillating or varying flow rates from the induction air mover to simulate natural breezes, creating periodic air motion that enhances evaporative cooling from skin surfaces. This periodic airflow allows the system to maintain thermal comfort at higher set point temperatures, realizing energy savings while preventing discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles through the induction air mover that leverages pressure differentials and fluid dynamics to generate cooling airflow. By increasing set point temperatures and relying on induced airflow for convective and evaporative cooling, the system achieves energy savings while maintaining comfort through pneumatic rather than thermal regulation.
3Temperature
If passive thermal mass systems are used, then thermal energy storage is improved, but acoustical performance worsens due to hard surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal mass function with the induction air mover system, integrating both thermal energy storage and airflow generation within the ceiling panel assembly. This combination allows the system to provide thermal inertia for temperature regulation while the induction mechanism supplies airflow for comfort, eliminating the need for separate hard-surface thermal mass that would create acoustical problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction in the ceiling panel, combining acoustically absorbent materials with the induction air mover components. This composite approach allows the ceiling assembly to provide both thermal mass for energy storage and acoustic absorption, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and acoustical performance.
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
Enhances thermal performance and acoustic absorption, providing energy savings by allowing increased set point temperatures while maintaining occupant comfort, with reduced fan requirements and no visual intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
an induction-style Venturi air mover within the ceiling panel to induce airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling system is provided that has a ceiling structure suspended within a space of a building thereby dividing the space into an occupied space below the ceiling structure and a plenum space above the ceiling structure; a panel structure supported by the ceiling structure and having an opening; a pressurized air passageway aligned with the opening, the pressurized air passageway having an outlet; and an inductive air passageway adjacent the pressurized air passageway, the inductive air passageway having an inlet and an outlet. The pressurized air passageway and the inductive air passageway are configured such that pressurized air passing through the outlet of the pressurized air passageway induces an induced air flow out of the outlet of the inductive air passageway.