Plenum Box Air Diffuser for Residential Installation Without Bulkheads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear air diffusers in HVAC systems are difficult to tailor and customize for residential buildings due to space constraints between joists, requiring bulkheads that are undesirable and costly.
Innovation Solution
An air flow distribution apparatus with a boot transition, plenum box, and adjustable vanes that disperses air flow in multiple directions, allowing for customizable installation and uniform distribution without the need for bulkheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional linear air diffusers are used in residential buildings, then air distribution function is provided, but installation requires bulkheads which increase complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The air distribution system is divided into separate functional modules: a plenum box for air reception and distribution, adjustable vanes for flow direction control, and a face plate for air discharge. This segmentation eliminates the need for bulkheads while maintaining air distribution functionality in confined residential spaces between joists.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus transitions from conventional horizontal air distribution to a vertical orientation, receiving air from the bottom through the plenum box and distributing it through the top face plate. This dimensional change allows installation in confined spaces between floor joists without requiring additional bulkhead structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional linear air diffusers are used, then air distribution is provided, but customization for varying residential dimensions is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vanes within the plenum box are designed to be adjustable, allowing dynamic modification of air flow directions and distribution patterns. This enables the system to adapt to varying residential space configurations and dimensional requirements without requiring custom-manufactured components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum box serves multiple functions: receiving air from the boot, distributing air to multiple directions through adjustable vanes, and providing structural support for the face plate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for customized components while maintaining adaptability to different installation scenarios.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional linear air diffusers are used, then air flow distribution is achieved, but cost increases due to bulkhead requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead structure is extracted and eliminated from the installation requirements. The self-contained plenum box with integrated vanes and face plate provides all necessary air distribution functions without requiring additional bulkhead construction, thereby reducing material and labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum box is designed as a self-contained unit that performs all air distribution functions internally through its integrated vanes and face plate structure. This self-service design eliminates the need for external bulkhead structures and reduces overall system complexity and cost.
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
Enables efficient and customizable air distribution in residential spaces by accommodating varying dimensions and configurations, providing wider air flow coverage and compatibility with HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plenum box including a plurality of vanes disposed between the bottom side and the top side for dispersing the air flow along a plurality of directions within the plenum box
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of distributing conditioned air throughout a room are provided. The apparatus includes a boot transition disposed on the bottom side for connecting the apparatus to a boot of an HVAC system, the boot transition configured to receive the air flow at the bottom side of the apparatus, a plenum box including a plurality of vanes disposed between the bottom side and a top side for dispersing the air flow along a plurality of directions within the plenum box, the plurality of directions being one greater than the plurality of vanes, and a face plate connected to the plenum box at a top side of the apparatus for receiving the air flow from the plenum box and for distributing the air flow through the top side.