Curved Ventilation Grid for High-Momentum Surface Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air supply devices for displacement ventilation require large dimensions to achieve low-velocity air flow, leading to drafts and discomfort due to the high air layer above the floor.

Innovation Solution

An air supply device with curved air guiding profile elements having a tangential angle less than 15° relative to the floor or wall, producing a high-momentum air stream that forms a narrow, steady flow layer between 20 mm and 100 mm from the surface, with stepped and tapered profile elements to enhance uniformity and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If large supply air devices are used to achieve low velocity air flow, then displacement ventilation is achieved, but the air layer becomes too high (up to 1 m) causing drafts and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow velocityVSAvoidcomfort level
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air guiding profile elements are curved with a specific tangential angle (less than 15°) to deflect the air stream horizontally along the surface. This curvature guides the air flow in a controlled manner, creating a narrow boundary layer that maintains high velocity without causing discomfort, resolving the contradiction between flow velocity and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Quantity of substance

If large supply air devices are used to feed necessary air flow at low velocity, then displacement ventilation is achieved, but the device dimensions become very large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoiddevice area
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the flow parameters by using curved profile elements with specific tangential angles to deflect air horizontally. This allows the system to maintain high air flow rates while reducing the required device area, as the horizontal deflection creates a more efficient air distribution pattern that doesn't require large device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If air stream is supplied at high velocity, then the air layer remains narrow (20-100 mm), but the air stream may cause drafts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair stream velocityVSAvoiddrafts
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved profile elements with tangential angles less than 15° gently deflect the high velocity air stream horizontally along the surface, creating a narrow boundary layer. The curvature distributes the high velocity air in a controlled manner that maintains narrow layer thickness while reducing draft effects through smooth flow guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions the air flow from vertical to horizontal movement by using curved profile elements. This dimensional change allows the air stream to propagate along the surface in a narrow layer, maintaining high velocity benefits while eliminating the comfort issues associated with vertical high velocity streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides efficient and comfortable ventilation with a moderate-sized air supply system, maintaining high momentum for effective air distribution along surfaces, reducing drafts and temperature differences, and ensuring a pleasant room climate.

Implementation Method 1

air guiding profile elements which are curved to a tangential angle at each outlet end being less than 15° relative to the floor or wall surface, so that the air stream flowing out from the ventilation grid unit is deflected into a substantially horizontal or vertical air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

the flow velocity of the upwardly flowing air stream, at the outlet end of the ventilation grid unit, is at least 2.5 m/s, so that the resulting horizontal air stream will propagate along the wall and/or the floor with a high momentum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMomentum: Conservation of Momentum

Implementation Method 3

even if the air stream hits a wall, a floor or some other object, where the air stream bounces back or is deflected so as to follow an adjacent wall or floor surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2417401B1Air supply device
Publication Date: 2014.12.10 INVENTIAIR AB
  • EP2417401B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

An air supply device for supplying fresh air, at the floor or a wall of a room to be ventilated, is disclosed. The device comprises a ventilation grid unit (7) arranged flush with the floor or wall surface (1). This unit has a number of parallel profile elements (8) for guiding outwardly flowing air. Each profile element is curved, so that the tangential angle at the outlet end is less than 15° relative to the floor or wall surface (1). Hereby the air stream flowing out from the ventilation grid unit is deflected into an air flow (C) being substantially parallel to said floor or wall surface and having a relatively high flow velocity of at least 2.5 m/s.