Cross flow induction ceiling convector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional air conditioning systems, including ceiling convectors, suffer from low efficiency and underutilized capacity, requiring additional energy consumption and external unit modifications to enhance performance.

Innovation Solution

The ceiling convector employs a cross flow principle by directing primary air flows towards each other, creating an improved induction effect that increases the secondary air flow through the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for extra driving means and enhancing the overall cooling and heating capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional parallel or opposite directed primary air flows are used, then the structure is simple, but the heat exchanger capacity is underutilized and energy efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchanger capacity utilizationVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using parallel or opposite directed air flows as in traditional systems, the invention inverts the approach by directing primary air flows towards each other in a crossed configuration. This inversion creates a stronger induction effect that fully exploits the heat exchanger capacity and improves energy efficiency without requiring additional driving means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by creating a crossed flow pattern of primary air streams that generate an enhanced induction effect. This pneumatic configuration increases the secondary air flow through the heat exchanger, maximizing its capacity utilization and improving overall system efficiency without additional mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If extra driving means are added to increase secondary air flow, then the cooling and heating capacity increases, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling and heating capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crossed primary air flows self-generate the required induction effect to draw secondary air through the heat exchanger. The system serves itself by using the kinetic energy of the primary flows to create the necessary suction, eliminating the need for additional driving means such as fans or pumps, thereby maintaining simplicity while increasing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the flow direction parameters of the primary air streams from parallel or opposite configurations to a crossed configuration. This parameter change optimizes the induction effect, increasing secondary air flow and cooling/heating capacity without requiring additional driving components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the ceiling convector size is reduced, then the system becomes more compact, but the capacity may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceiling convector sizeVSAvoidcooling and heating capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the flow configuration parameter to crossed primary air flows, the invention maximizes the induction effect within a compact volume. This allows a smaller ceiling convector to achieve higher cooling and heating capacity by efficiently utilizing the heat exchanger, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and sufficient capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach results in a more efficient use of the heat exchanger, increasing the net air flow into the room, which leads to a higher cooling and heating capacity with a smaller cross flow induction ceiling convector, reducing energy consumption and system size.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger is mounted for treating (cooling or heating) the air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The air flows which are expelled by the ceiling convector, have an air suction effect that is known as the induction principle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction principle: Entrainment

Implementation Method 3

the outflowing air sweeps along the ceiling and, as a result of the Coanda-effect, also continues to follow the ceiling over a longer distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoanda-effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2169322B1Cross flow induction ceiling convector
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 INTECO
  • EP2169322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2169322B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention concerns a ceiling convector (1) which is used as an internal unit of an air conditioning system and is suitable for delivering cooled or heated air. More in particular, the ceiling convector of the present invention uses the cross flow induction principle wherein at least two primary air flows (13) are directed towards each other or cross each other as a result of which an increased secondary air flow (15) is created by induction which is conducted from the room along an heat exchanger (9) and is mixed with the primary air flows.