Supply air system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems in buildings face challenges with draft issues due to inefficient replacement air flow, especially with the transition from traditional radiators to low-heat radiators or underfloor heating, leading to uncontrolled air entry through unintended pathways, causing drafts, moisture issues, and health risks from radon infiltration.
Innovation Solution
A supply air system utilizing an electrical blower arrangement to mix outdoor and indoor air, with an air distribution device placed above or integrated with replacement air valves, ensuring an overhead air flow that heats before descending, eliminating drafts and improving ventilation efficiency by using extra-low voltage blower operation and electronic speed control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If replacement air valves are installed above radiators to utilize warm air flow, then draft feeling is eliminated, but with low-heat radiators or underfloor heating the warm air flow is insufficient to lift replacement air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air distribution device as an intermediary component between the replacement air valve and the indoor space. This device actively distributes the replacement air using a blower arrangement, eliminating the dependency on natural warm air convection from radiators. The air distribution device mediates the air flow process, ensuring replacement air reaches the ceiling area without requiring high temperature differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the natural convection mechanism (thermal buoyancy) with an active mechanical air distribution system. Instead of relying on warm air rising naturally to carry replacement air to the ceiling, the system uses an electric blower to mechanically force the air flow, substituting the thermal-mechanical convection process with an electrically-driven flow system.
2Loss of energy
If windows are tightened to improve energy efficiency, then heat loss is reduced, but uncontrolled air entry through structures and hallways causes drafts and health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air replacement function from the window structure itself and relocates it to a controlled replacement air valve system. By separating the tight window sealing from the air intake function, the system allows windows to remain tightly sealed for energy efficiency while providing a dedicated, controllable pathway for replacement air through the replacement air valve and air distribution device.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement air valve and air distribution device serve as intermediaries between the tightly sealed building envelope and the indoor space. This intermediary system provides controlled air intake, preventing uncontrolled infiltration through structures and hallways while maintaining the tightness of the building envelope for energy efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If replacement air valves are closed to eliminate drafts, then draft feeling is reduced, but ventilation is disrupted and indoor air quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic air distribution system that can adapt to different conditions. The electronic speed control allows the blower arrangement to adjust its operation dynamically, providing sufficient air flow when needed while maintaining comfortable conditions. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain ventilation reliability without causing draft problems, allowing replacement air valves to remain open.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates electronic speed control that can respond to operational conditions, creating a feedback mechanism. This allows the air distribution device to adjust its performance based on actual ventilation needs and comfort conditions, ensuring proper ventilation function while preventing draft sensations that would otherwise require valve closure.
4Productivity
If replacement air flow speed is increased through spotlike delivery, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but draft feeling increases and replacement air valves are closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing the air flow specifically to the ceiling area where it is needed for ventilation, rather than distributing it uniformly throughout the space. The air distribution device is positioned and configured to deliver replacement air locally to the upper region, maintaining high ventilation efficiency while preventing draft sensation in the occupied zone through proper spatial targeting of the air flow.
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
This solution enhances ventilation efficiency, reduces the need for closing replacement air valves, prevents drafts, and minimizes health risks by ensuring proper air circulation and filtration, maintaining indoor air quality and reducing mold and radon-related problems.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the outdoor air to be brought into the indoor space with air from the indoor space
Implementation Method 2
an electrical blower arrangement for producing outdoor air into an indoor space by simultaneously mixing the outdoor air with air from the indoor space
Implementation Method 3
ensuring an overhead air flow that heats before descending, eliminating drafts
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a supply air apparatus, which is meant for producing outdoor air into an indoor space assisted by an auxiliary powered blower arrangement (1) by simultaneously mixing the outdoor air (u) to be brought into the indoor space with air from the indoor space (s). The supply air apparatus comprises in connection with an outdoor air flow way that exists in a structure (W) in a building between the indoor space and outside air a flow space (V) along with its flow connections for outdoor and indoor air for mixing the above with each other, the blower arrangement (1), such as one or more, advantageously on axial principle operated, blowers, and a blow flow arrangement (2) for leading a mixed flow of air (us) into the indoor space in the building. The supply air apparatus comprises in connection with a supply air device (X), such as a replacement air valve or like, in an outer wall of the building a built-in air distribution device (Y), which comprises: a boxstructured frame (R); an internal flow space (V) in the frame; an inflow arrangement (SV) of outdoor and indoor air that joins with the flow space and opens into an internal space (ST) in the building; the blower arrangement (1), such as one or several parallelly coupled device blowers or like; and a blow flow arrangement (2) leading the mixed air (us) into the indoor space.