Variable Flow Adapter for HVAC Air Diffusers Across Flow Rate Ranges
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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 are often designed for either low or high flow conditions, failing to meet the desired temperature and humidity levels in conditioned spaces.
Innovation Solution
A variable flow adapter system for air diffusers that includes a housing with actuable nozzles and a pressure-actuated damper, allowing the system to transition between low and high flow configurations by adjusting the air flow paths, ensuring efficient dispersion of conditioned air across varying flow rates, pressures, and volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional air diffusers are designed for low flow rates, then they provide adequate air dispersion at low flows, but they fail to provide significant dispersion at high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffuser is divided into multiple nozzle groups (first plurality and second plurality of nozzles) with different orientations and functions. The first nozzles provide dispersion at low flow rates while the second nozzles are activated at high flow rates, allowing each segment to be optimized for specific operating conditions without requiring complete redesign of the entire diffuser.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser incorporates a movable partition or damper system that dynamically reconfigures the flow paths based on operating conditions. This dynamic element allows the diffuser to transition between different operational modes (low flow vs. high flow configurations), enabling adaptability across varying flow rates while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional air diffusers are designed for high flow rates, then they provide adequate air dispersion at high flows, but they fail to provide significant dispersion at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The air diffuser is divided into multiple nozzle groups (first plurality and second plurality of nozzles) with different orientations and functions. The second nozzles are optimized for high flow rate dispersion while the first nozzles remain active at low flow rates, allowing each segment to be optimized for specific operating conditions without requiring complete redesign of the entire diffuser.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser incorporates a movable partition or damper system that dynamically reconfigures the flow paths based on operating conditions. This dynamic element allows the diffuser to transition between different operational modes (high flow vs. low flow configurations), enabling adaptability across varying flow rates while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single nozzle configuration is used, then the device structure is simple, but the air velocity and dispersion are insufficient across varying flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is segmented into multiple groups with different orientations and activation conditions. The first plurality of nozzles and second plurality of nozzles can be independently controlled, allowing the system to select appropriate nozzle configurations based on flow rate requirements, thereby maintaining air velocity and dispersion effectiveness across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selectively activating different nozzle groups based on flow rate conditions. This parameter change approach allows the same physical nozzle structure to deliver different flow characteristics (velocity, direction, dispersion pattern) by controlling which nozzles are active, effectively adapting to varying flow rates without physical modification.
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
The variable flow adapter system enhances air diffusion and conditioning efficiency by increasing air velocity at low flow rates and providing greater dispersion at high flow rates, ensuring consistent heating and cooling across the entire range of operating conditions, thereby improving occupant comfort and system performance.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to transition between actuation states based on an air flow parameter in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An air diffuser for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a variable flow adapter including a housing and an actuator configured to transition between actuation states based on an air flow parameter in the housing. The air diffuser includes a first plurality of nozzles disposed in the housing and defining a first set of flow paths from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. Additionally, the air diffuser includes a second plurality of nozzles disposed in the housing and defining a second set of flow paths from the interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. The air diffuser also includes a valve system configured to be actuated by the actuator to control air flow through the second set of flow paths of the second plurality of nozzles.