Columnar Air Nozzle for Localized HVAC De-Stratification
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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 is designed to de-stratify air in a localized, elongate pattern, reducing temperature gradients by directing air from the ceiling to the floor with an oblong column, thereby reducing energy consumption and eliminating air movement directly onto refrigeration units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional HVAC systems are used to heat or cool large spaces with high ceilings, then the entire space is conditioned, but energy is wasted conditioning air in areas that do not need it (such as near ceilings where heat rises)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using targeted air moving devices that create localized downdrafts only in specific areas where temperature stratification occurs. Instead of conditioning the entire space uniformly, the system addresses only the localized problem areas near ceilings or in specific zones, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large space into multiple zones with independent air moving devices. Each device handles a specific zone's temperature stratification problem independently, allowing for localized control rather than uniform conditioning of the entire space. This segmentation enables energy efficiency by treating only the areas that require intervention.
2Temperature
If air is moved directly onto cooler or freezer aisles to de-stratify air, then temperature uniformity improves, but the refrigeration units are directly exposed to moving air which can cause condensation and fogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by directing air movement along the sides of cooler aisles rather than directly onto the refrigeration units. The air flow acts as a mediator that achieves temperature de-stratification while bypassing the refrigeration surfaces, thus preventing condensation and fogging caused by direct air exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by creating localized air movement patterns that target specific thermal stratification zones adjacent to cooler aisles. The air flow is precisely directed to affect only the surrounding air temperature distribution without contacting the refrigeration units themselves, thereby achieving temperature uniformity while avoiding harmful condensation effects.
3Temperature
If multiple air moving devices are deployed to de-stratify air throughout a large space, then temperature uniformity improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by deploying air moving devices only in specific locations where temperature stratification problems occur, rather than uniformly distributing devices throughout the entire space. This selective placement achieves adequate temperature uniformity with fewer devices, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining effectiveness in critical zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the space into critical zones requiring intervention and areas that can rely on natural convection. By placing air moving devices only in segmented problem areas rather than throughout the entire space, the patent reduces the total number of devices needed while still achieving acceptable temperature uniformity where it matters most.
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 solution effectively reduces temperature stratification, increases shopper comfort, decreases condensation and floor hazards, and lowers energy costs by warming aisles without directly moving air onto refrigeration units, allowing for fewer air moving devices and reduced air passage.
Implementation Method 1
The air moving device can include an impeller. The impeller can be rotatably mounted within the housing adjacent the first end of the housing. In some embodiments, the impeller has one or more rotor blades capable of directing a volume of air toward the second end of the housing.
Implementation Method 2
The air moving device can include a nozzle. The nozzle can be mounted in the housing between the impeller and the second end of the housing. 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
The rise of warm air and the sinking of cold air can create significant variation in air temperatures between the ceiling and floor of buildings with conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The columnar air moving device can be used to de-stratify air in a localized, elongate pattern, reducing temperature gradients by directing air from the ceiling to the 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.