Wind pressure-driven air intake device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air intake devices for natural ventilation lack structural features and mechanisms to effectively capture wind pressure and flow from any direction without powered air drivers, leading to uncertainties in intake performance and potential adverse exhaust outcomes.
Innovation Solution
Aerodynamic device comprising multiple abutting wind collectors with one-way inflow valves and a central chamber that captures wind pressure and flow from any direction, redirecting it into a space needing ventilation, eliminating the need for powered air drivers and utilizing zero power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple wind collectors with one-way valves are used to capture wind from any direction, then air intake reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent wind collectors (typically 3-4) arranged around a central chamber, each capable of capturing wind from different directions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain air intake functionality from any wind direction while keeping each individual collector relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wind collector is designed with a one-way valve that allows it to function as an air intake from any direction. The collectors are universally applicable to capture wind from any azimuthal direction, and the system can adapt to different mounting surfaces (walls, roofs, etc.) without requiring fundamental design changes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If natural ventilation without powered air drivers is used, then power consumption is reduced, but air intake performance becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The wind collectors utilize the natural kinetic energy and pressure of incoming wind to drive the one-way valves open, allowing air to enter the central chamber. The system serves itself by using the wind's own energy to overcome valve resistance and maintain airflow, eliminating the need for external power sources while ensuring reliable air intake performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valves are designed to resist airflow when closed, which could be seen as a disadvantage. However, this resistance is converted into a benefit: when wind pressure exceeds the valve resistance, the valve opens and allows air intake. The same valve resistance that seems harmful actually ensures that air is only drawn in when sufficient wind pressure is present, preventing backflow and maintaining reliable unidirectional airflow.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wind collectors are designed to capture wind from any direction, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each wind collector is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that is optimized to capture wind effectively from a specific directional range. By arranging multiple asymmetric collectors around the central chamber at appropriate angles, the system achieves 360-degree wind direction adaptability while each individual component remains relatively simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges multiple identical or similar wind collector units around a common central chamber. This modular approach allows each collector to be manufactured independently using standardized processes, then assembled into the complete system. The merging of multiple simple units achieves the complex functionality of omnidirectional wind capture without requiring each individual component to be overly complicated.
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
Ensures reliable, zero-power, and durable air intake with reduced mechanical noise and maintenance, capable of functioning on any surface shape or slope, while being simple to manufacture and install, and resistant to rainwater, pests, and smog infiltration.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the one-way inflow air valves is a pressure-operated valve, only openable towards the central chamber
Implementation Method 2
wind collectors will capture and collect wind flow and positive pressure (at least one of them will capture flow stagnation pressure) under any possible oncoming wind direction
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a wind pressure-driven air intake device for natural ventilation of zero power consumption. Such a device comprises multiple tunnels being arranged around a common central chamber, each having an inflow valve at its inner end connecting the central chamber and an outer end open to ambient airflow. The inflow valve allows only inward flow from a corresponding tunnel into the central chamber. The central chamber has an opening allowing airflow exit to a space to be ventilated. The device is capable of capturing ambient wind flow and wind pressure to be fed to the vented space regardless of wind flow direction towards the device, with no need for a powered air driver.