Air duct systems and methods of air flow control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air duct systems are inefficient for varying environmental conditions, particularly in agricultural settings, where ventilation requirements change frequently due to factors like animal species, age, temperature, humidity, and airborne contaminants, leading to inadequate or excessive ventilation rates that affect animal health and production.
Innovation Solution
A flexible air duct system with an internally adjustable liner and rotatable design, featuring permeable or impermeable sections that can be manually or automatically adjusted to control airflow volume and velocity, allowing for independent regulation of airflow in different sections of a facility based on specific needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed ventilation system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the ventilation rate cannot be adjusted to match changing environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the liner adjustable within the duct system. The liner can be moved between different positions (retracted, extended, partially extended) to dynamically adjust the ventilation rate according to changing environmental conditions. This allows the system to adapt from high ventilation needs to low ventilation needs without requiring multiple fixed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the duct system into multiple functional sections: a plenum chamber, a duct portion with exit holes, and an adjustable liner. The liner itself can be divided into sections that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to perform specific functions while maintaining overall adaptability.
2Temperature
If ventilation is increased for hot weather, then cooling effect is improved, but excessive air flow causes waste of energy and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ventilation parameter (air flow rate) by adjusting the liner position. When the liner is retracted, maximum air flow is allowed for cooling during hot weather. When the liner is extended or fully retracted, air flow is reduced or blocked to prevent energy waste during cooler periods. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes both cooling effect and energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple duct systems are installed to accommodate various ventilation needs, then ventilation control precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single duct system universal by incorporating an adjustable liner that can provide multiple ventilation rates (high, medium, low, or blocked). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate duct systems while maintaining precise ventilation control. The same duct structure serves different ventilation needs through liner position adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An air control system 20 and associated methods including a flexible duct 30 having air exit holes 40, 42 and a flexible liner 50, 60 sheet within the duct 30 and extending longitudinally along the duct, the liner 50 sheet having opposite longitudinal edges 52, 54 connected to the duct 30 along the longitudinal length of the duct 30, the liner 50 sheet being permeable in one aspect and regulating air flow through the exit holes 40, 42 when the sheet is pressed against the portion of the duct having the exit holes. The duct 30 may also have multiple liner sheets 50, 60 arranged end-to-end and/or layered in various duct segments such that the different liners may be independently controlled to regulate the outflow of air from the duct as desired. The duct having a liner which closes or inhibits air flow from the exit holes may also be rotated to accommodate use of a single duct for different seasons and where the internal liner adjusts to assist with the downward control of air flow based on alignment of various perforations with the different exits holes.