Variable flow adapters for air diffusers with damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air diffusers in HVAC systems are ineffective in dispersing conditioned air across a wide range of flow rates, leading to inadequate heating and cooling, especially at low flow rates, and can result in discomfort due to either insufficient or excessive air delivery.
Innovation Solution
A variable flow adapter system for air diffusers, incorporating a damper and nozzles, actuated by an actuator to adjust airflow based on operating parameters, allowing for efficient dispersion of conditioned air at both low and high flow rates by switching between configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional air diffusers are designed for high flow rates, then high flow air distribution is improved, but low flow rate performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffuser incorporates a movable damper that can dynamically adjust between different positions (fully open, partially open, fully closed) to change the effective flow area. This dynamic adjustment allows the diffuser to adapt to varying flow rates, maintaining effective dispersion across a wide range of operating conditions rather than being optimized for a single flow rate
2Ease of manufacture
If a single configuration air diffuser is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but performance across different flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffuser is segmented into multiple functional components: a body with dispersion features, a movable damper, and an actuator. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular construction. The damper can be manufactured as a separate piece that interfaces with the diffuser body, simplifying production while enabling variable flow rate performance
Data Source
AI summary
An air diffuser for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a variable flow adapter including a plurality of nozzles and a damper. The variable flow adapter is configured to receive conditioned air from the HVAC system. The air diffuser also includes an actuator coupled to the damper and configured to actuate the damper between a first configuration and a second configuration. The damper is configured to block the conditioned air from passing therethrough and direct the conditioned air through the plurality of nozzles in the first configuration. Additionally, the damper is configured to open to direct the conditioned air therethrough in the second configuration.