Device for directing air flow in the air duct

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airflow reversal devices for ventilation systems have complex constructions and limited versatility, particularly in accommodating both radial and axial fans and turbines.

Innovation Solution

A profiled one-plane rotary damper with spherical canopies and a central opening, connected by symmetrical flat ribs, allows for 180-degree rotation within the air duct, enabling efficient airflow direction control for both radial and axial fans and turbines by sealing and unsealing air channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cylindrical damper with coaxial cylinders is used for airflow reversal, then the device can change airflow direction, but the construction becomes extensive and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow direction controlVSAvoiddamper structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is divided into two functional parts: a stationary outer cylinder with fixed openings and a rotating inner cylinder with movable openings. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex multi-cylinder arrangements while maintaining airflow reversal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The simplified damper structure with one stationary and one rotating cylinder can handle both radial and axial fans and turbines, making it a universal solution for different ventilation system configurations. The same basic structure achieves airflow reversal functionality across multiple application types without requiring design modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple coaxial cylinders are used in the damper, then airflow windows can be controlled, but the device construction becomes extensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow window controlVSAvoidcylinder arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary outer rotating cylinder from the traditional design, retaining only the essential rotating inner cylinder component. This reduction in components simplifies the construction while preserving the core functionality of controlling airflow windows through rotation, making the device easier to manufacture and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the damper structure is simplified, then manufacturing becomes easier, but versatility for different fan and turbine types may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamper constructionVSAvoidcompatibility with radial and axial fans and turbines
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The simplified damper design achieves universality by using a generic cylindrical structure with adjustable openings that can accommodate different fan and turbine types. The rotating mechanism and opening geometry can be configured to work with both radial and axial flow patterns, ensuring broad compatibility without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The damper's adaptability is achieved through parameter adjustments in the opening geometry, rotation angle, and cylinder dimensions rather than structural complexity. By varying these parameters, the same simplified structure can optimize performance for different fan and turbine configurations, maintaining versatility while ease of manufacture.

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

Simplifies the damper structure, enhances versatility by supporting both radial and axial airflow systems, and ensures efficient airflow reversal or direction change without mixing air streams during rotation.

Implementation Method 1

The profiled damper rotates 180 degrees to the left and 180 degrees to the right, or rotates in one direction, cyclically stopping every 180 degrees

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control through mechanical rotation:

Implementation Method 2

a sealing diaphragm with edges is formed. This diaphragm has edges that tightly fit to the dividing-sealing shelf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical sealing through tight fitting:

Data Source

PatentEP3497376A1Device for directing air flow in the air duct
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 RESPIRECO SP ZOO

AI summary

The device to control air flow direction in the air duct according to the invention, which has an air duct and is provided with a working machine in the form of a fan or turbine, is characterized by a working machine that is located in the profiled damper (3). This is a profiled single plane rotary baffle, in which there is a central hole and two embossings forming two canopies: the suction/inlet canopy (3a) and the compression /outlet canopy (3b), arranged in such a way that they are located on opposite sides of the plane of the baffle, while the canopies (3a), (3b) have the shape of the rotary bodies with a common axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the profiled damper (3), and are so interposed that the central hole is in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the profiled damper (3), and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the profiled damper (3). The profiled damper (3) rotates pendulously at an angle of no more than 180 degrees, and in extreme positions, through contact of the edge (4) to the partition/sealing shelf (2), separates the upper part (la) from the lower part (lb) of the air duct (I). With the angle of rotation of no more than 180 degrees, the position of the canopies (3a, 3b), relative to the air duct (1), changes so that the canopy that was in the upper part of the air duct is moved to its lower part and the canopy that was in the lower part of the air duct (1) is moved to its upper part.