Wind Hood Multi-Inlet Design to Reduce Ventilation Pressure Build-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind hoods for ventilation inlets of barns experience high air flow resistance and pressure build-up due to wind, which disrupts the ventilation system and requires more power from fans to maintain airflow.
Innovation Solution
A wind hood design with two sets of hood inlets and multiple air-flow paths between them, where each set comprises two inlets facing different directions, reduces pressure build-up by allowing excess pressure to escape, and includes air guidance members to promote laminar airflow and reduce resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a wind hood with a single air inlet oriented downwards is used to protect the ventilation inlet from direct wind influx, then the ventilation inlet is protected from direct wind, but high air flow resistance and pressure build-up occur inside the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The single air inlet is segmented into multiple air inlets (first air inlet and second air inlet) positioned at different locations and orientations on the housing. This segmentation allows wind to enter the housing from multiple directions rather than being blocked by a single downward-oriented inlet, thereby reducing pressure build-up and air flow resistance while still protecting the ventilation inlet from direct wind influx.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlets are oriented in different spatial dimensions and directions (e.g., first air inlet facing sideways, second air inlet facing another direction) rather than all oriented downwards in the same dimension. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the housing to capture wind from various directions, reducing pressure build-up while maintaining protection functionality.
2Stress or pressure
If the housing is made airtight to prevent pressure equalization between inlets, then pressure build-up is prevented, but turbulent airflow and high drag occur between inlet and outlet
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing have different airflow characteristics - some air flow paths are designed to be substantially airtight to prevent pressure equalization and pressure build-up, while other regions include turbulence-reducing elements such as rounded edges, streamlined passages, or gradual transitions to promote laminar airflow and reduce drag.
Solution Approach 2:
Turbulence-reducing elements act as intermediaries between the air inlets and the ventilation inlet. These elements (such as rounded edges, flow straighteners, or streamlined passages) mediate the airflow, converting turbulent flow into laminar flow while maintaining the pressure differential needed for effective ventilation.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple air inlets are added to reduce pressure build-up, then pressure equalization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each air inlet serves multiple functions: it allows wind to enter the housing for pressure equalization, it can serve as a protection element for the ventilation inlet, and it can be integrated with turbulence-reducing elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite adding multiple air inlets.
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 design minimizes pressure build-up and turbulence, reducing the disturbance on the ventilation system and improving airflow efficiency by allowing excess pressure to escape and promoting laminar airflow.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air-flow path is provided between the hood outlet and at least one of the hood inlets of at least one of the first and second set of hood inlets. Furthermore, at least one air-flow path is provided between at least one hood inlet of the at least one of the first and second set of hood inlets and at least one other hood inlet of the first and second set of hood inlets
Implementation Method 2
includes air guidance members to promote laminar airflow and reduce resistance
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wind hood for a ventilation inlet of a ventilated space, the wind hood comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises: - a hood outlet; - a first set of hood inlets comprising two hood inlets; - a second set of hood inlets comprising two hood inlets; wherein at least one air-flow path is provided between: - the hood outlet and at least one of the hood inlets of at least one of the first and second set of hood inlets; - at least one hood inlet of the at least one of the first and second set of hood inlets and at least one other hood inlet of at the first and second set of hood inlets.