Columnar air moving devices, systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems lead to significant air temperature stratification between ceilings and floors in large spaces, resulting in inefficient heating and cooling costs and stagnant air pockets, particularly in structures with high ceilings like grocery stores and warehouses.
Innovation Solution
A columnar air moving device with a housing, impeller, and nozzle system that de-stratifies air in a localized, elongate pattern, reducing energy requirements by directing warm air towards the floor without directly impacting refrigeration units, thus reducing condensation and improving comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are used in large spaces with high ceilings, then air temperature stratification occurs between ceilings and floors, but heating and air conditioning costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air moving device creates localized air movement patterns that specifically target stratified air layers in different zones of the space. By directing air flow locally rather than using uniform system-wide air circulation, the device addresses temperature stratification in specific areas without requiring energy-intensive whole-building air handling adjustments.
2Temperature
If air is moved to de-stratify temperature layers, then air temperature distribution improves, but air movement directly onto refrigeration units causes condensation and fogging
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates localized air movement patterns that specifically target stratified air layers in different zones of the space. By directing air flow locally rather than using uniform system-wide air circulation, the device addresses temperature stratification in specific areas without requiring energy-intensive whole-building air handling adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The air moving device acts as an intermediary that warms aisles indirectly by de-stratifying air in controlled patterns, rather than directly heating or cooling refrigeration units. This intermediary approach allows temperature adjustment in customer areas while protecting refrigeration equipment from harmful direct air exposure.
3Loss of energy
If traditional air moving devices are used, then air circulation occurs, but air movement patterns are not localized and affect adjacent areas unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The air moving device creates localized air movement patterns that specifically target stratified air layers in different zones of the space. By directing air flow locally rather than using uniform system-wide air circulation, the device addresses temperature stratification in specific areas without requiring energy-intensive whole-building air handling adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the air movement function into localized zones, allowing independent control of air flow in different areas. This segmentation enables the system to address stratification problems in specific locations without moving air across the entire space, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
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 device effectively reduces temperature stratification, lowers energy consumption, increases shopper comfort, and minimizes condensation and slip hazards in grocery stores by warming aisles while avoiding direct air movement on refrigeration units.
Implementation Method 1
The impeller can have one or more rotor blades capable of directing a volume of air toward the second end of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle can have an inlet with a circular cross-section. In some embodiments, the nozzle has an outlet with an oblong cross-section
Implementation Method 3
In some cases, one or more stator vanes are positioned within the nozzle
Implementation Method 4
The rise of warm air and the sinking of cold air can create significant variation in air temperatures between the ceiling and floor
Data Source
AI summary
An air moving device includes a housing member, an impeller assembly, and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly can include one or more angled vanes set an angle with respect to a central axis of the air moving device. The air moving device can output a column of moving air having an oblong and/or rectangular cross-section. A dispersion pattern of the column of moving air upon the floor of an enclosure in which the air moving device is installed can have an oblong and/or rectangular shape. The dimensions of the dispersion pattern may be varied by moving the air moving device toward or away from the floor, and/or by changing the angles of the stator vanes within the nozzle assembly.