Ceiling Fan Airflow Diffuser for Uniform Velocity Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ceiling fans have non-uniform air velocity distribution in the occupied zone, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased energy consumption, and they can cause flickering issues with overhead lighting systems, limiting their adoption and energy-saving potential.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling fan airflow diffuser apparatus with concentric rings and integrated lighting, which redirects airflow to create a more uniform distribution and reduces air velocity under the fan blades, while also blocking flicker-producing light views and providing UV-C lighting to sanitize the air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If ceiling fans are used to create air movement for cooling occupants, then energy consumption is reduced, but air velocity distribution becomes highly non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling fan blade is segmented into multiple independent flow control elements (FCEs) along the span. Each FCE can be independently adjusted to control airflow distribution, transforming a single non-uniform jet into multiple controlled streams that collectively achieve more uniform air velocity distribution across the occupied zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the airflow characteristics to be modified in real-time. This enables optimization of air velocity distribution uniformity while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of ceiling fan operation.
2Productivity
If ceiling fans operate at higher speed levels to increase cooling effectiveness, then more energy savings are achieved, but air velocity in the jet becomes too high and uncomfortable for occupants
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the fan blade into multiple flow control elements, the single high-velocity jet is broken into several smaller streams. This segmentation reduces the velocity of individual air streams while maintaining total airflow, eliminating occupant discomfort without sacrificing cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the fan blade (different FCEs) can be configured with different characteristics to optimize local airflow quality. This allows high-speed operation for overall cooling effectiveness while creating locally comfortable velocity conditions in the occupied zone.
3Device complexity
If ceiling fans are integrated with overhead lighting systems, then device complexity is reduced, but flickering is produced that causes visual discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Flow control elements are positioned as intermediary structures between the light source and occupants. These elements block or diffuse the direct line of sight to the rotating blades, eliminating the flickering effect while allowing the integrated lighting system to remain in place.
4Loss of energy
If ceiling fans are used throughout a building to reduce HVAC energy consumption, then large energy savings are achieved, but air velocity distribution remains non-uniform limiting effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control elements segment the airflow to create multiple distributed streams rather than a single concentrated jet. This enables broader coverage and more uniform velocity distribution across the occupied zone, allowing ceiling fans to be effectively deployed throughout buildings for significant HVAC energy reduction.
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 apparatus increases air speed and uniformity across a larger area, reducing HVAC energy consumption and enhancing occupant comfort, while eliminating the need for separate lighting systems and minimizing visual discomfort from flickering.
Implementation Method 1
the diffuser redirects portions of the downward airflow from the ceiling fan to cover a larger area of the occupied zone more uniformly
Implementation Method 2
redirects portions of the downward airflow from the ceiling fan laterally outward and downward in a ring jet, thereby reducing the air velocity directly under the fan blades
Implementation Method 3
The upward-facing light source can be UV-C that irradiates the fan air circulation to kill bacterial and viral particles within the room
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan airflow diffuser apparatus and system that creates elevated air speeds indoors for cooling occupants, improving room air circulation, and reducing energy use by the cooling system of the building. The apparatus has a diffuser support structure and diffuser body oriented below the blades of a ceiling fan. The diffuser body has an outer rim with an annular opening and a top surface forming a shroud for the fan blades. A smaller concentric inner ring positioned coaxially in relation to the outer rim is joined to the outer rim with struts. The inner ring has a frustoconical shape with a central opening. The outer rim and inner ring may also have directional visible light sources to provide flicker-free lighting, or an integrated UV-C light source oriented in an upward direction to inhibit airborne pathogens exposed to the light source.