EP0926451A1 - Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling - Google Patents
Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0926451A1 EP0926451A1 EP97830721A EP97830721A EP0926451A1 EP 0926451 A1 EP0926451 A1 EP 0926451A1 EP 97830721 A EP97830721 A EP 97830721A EP 97830721 A EP97830721 A EP 97830721A EP 0926451 A1 EP0926451 A1 EP 0926451A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- air
- wall
- heat exchange
- exchange elements
- rotatable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/081—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates for guiding air around a curve
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0018—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans
- F24F1/0022—Centrifugal or radial fans
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
- F24F1/0047—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in the ceiling or at the ceiling
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
- F24F13/06—Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
- F24F2013/0616—Outlets that have intake openings
Definitions
- This invention relates to heating or cooling apparatus mounted within a suspended ceiling in a home, office, or other building space.
- this invention relates to the processing of air through such apparatus.
- the ceiling mounted apparatus typically includes a fan device for drawing in the air that is to be processed and discharged.
- This fan device may create a significant suction pressure at the air inlet. This suction pressure can draw the air being discharged from the ceiling mounted apparatus back into the apparatus. Re-circulation of this discharged air back through the heat exchange elements lowers the heating or cooling efficiency of the apparatus. It may also affect the long term integrity of the heat exchange elements that are being exposed to the re-circulated air that does not need to be further heated or cooled.
- a ceiling mounted heating or cooling apparatus that draws air upwardly into an inlet and processes the air through heat exchange elements before distributing the air downwardly.
- the air is preferably distributed downwardly by air discharge structure surrounding the heat exchange elements.
- the air is ultimately discharged through one or more air discharge ducts positioned relatively close to the air inlet.
- Each discharge duct includes a rotatable louver mounted therein that guides the air within the duct.
- the rotatable louver in each air discharge duct preferably rotates between either of two positions depending on whether warm or cool air is to be discharged.
- the position of the louver when warm air is to be discharged produces a substantially downward air flow path to the air exiting the duct.
- the position of the louver when cool air is to be discharged produces a substantially lateral air flow path to the air exiting the duct.
- the air is preferably discharged at a minimum distance from the ceiling so as to avoid any smudging of the ceiling. This is accomplished by a gradually curved wall in each air duct that extends laterally outwardly so as to define were the air exits from the duct at the minimum distance from the ceiling.
- each discharge duct preferably includes a smoothly curved bend of a prescribed angular arc that directs the discharged air away from the air inlet of the apparatus. This wall in each duct is relatively close to the air inlet.
- a ceiling mounted apparatus 10 for heating or cooling air is illustrated in mounted position with respect to a ceiling 12.
- the apparatus is seen to include a centrally located air intake grill 14, which allows air to be drawn in from the space being heated or cooled.
- the heating and cooling apparatus also includes four air discharge slots 16, 18, 20 and 22. These air discharge slots each form part of respective air discharge ducts which distribute processed air from the apparatus back into the space being heated or cooled. It is to be noted that each discharge slot is located relatively close to the centrally located grill 14.
- the beating and cooling apparatus 10 is shown before being mounted within the ceiling 12. It is to be noted that the heating and cooling apparatus includes a housing 24 containing the various components for processing the air that is drawn into the apparatus through the air intake grill 14.
- the heating and cooling apparatus 10 is illustrated in an exploded view form.
- the bottom portion of the heating and cooling apparatus is seen to include a frame 26 in which four air discharge ducts, such as duct 28, are formed therein.
- Each discharge duct defines one of the respective discharge slots 16, 18, 20 and 22 in the frame 26.
- a rotatable louver such as 30 is positioned within each air discharge duct.
- the rotatable louver 30 is seen to extend along the entire length of the duct 28.
- An air filter 32 and the intake grill 14 preferably fit into a central opening in the frame 26 and are appropriately secured thereto.
- the intake grill 14 is preferably square in shape and is curved slightly upwardly toward its center from all four sides.
- a centrifugal fan 34 draws air upwardly through the intake grill 14 and the air filter 32. This fan distributes the drawn up air radially outwardly toward heat exchange elements 36.
- the heat exchange elements preferably consist of a series of coils arranged around the periphery of the centrifugal fan. These coils carry a heat exchange medium which transfers heat to or from a series of heat exchange fins in thermal conducting contact with the coils.
- the outwardly flowing air from the centrifugal flow fan 32 is deflected downwardly by air channel structure 38 as shown in Figure 4.
- the air channel structure 38 is preferably molded out of polystyrene so as to form a single light insulative piece that fits into the housing 24.
- the air channel structure 38 is seen to extend inwardly along a top portion 40 of the heating and cooling apparatus to a point beyond the inner perimeter of the fins of the heat exchange elements.
- the air channel structure also extends downwardly along the inner wall of the housing 24.
- the air channel structure 38 also is slanted toward the inner wall of the housing 24 so as to define a continuously increasing radial spacing from the heat exchange elements.
- the air channel structure 38 extends downwardly at this definable slant to the top of a drain pan 42 that is more clearly shown in Figure 3.
- the bottoms of the fins of the heat exchange elements 36 rest in the drain pan 42 so as to allow any condensate from the coils of the heat exchange elements to be collected and drained away in a slot 44.
- a slotted hole 45 in the drain pan is aligned with respect to the air channel structure 38 so as to define a continuous air channel down to the air duct 28 formed in the frame 26. It is to be noted that similar slotted holes in the drain pan define continuous air channels down to the other respective air discharge ducts in the frame 26.
- the cross-section of the frame in Figure 4 reveals that the frame consists of two different structures.
- the frame includes an exterior portion 46 preferably molded of a hard plastic.
- the frame furthermore includes a lightweight molded polystyrene structure 47 above the exterior portion 46.
- this structure forms a continuous, smooth, inner wall surface for deflecting the air downwardly.
- the upper portion of this continuous, smooth, inner wall surface is preferably a curved arc having a constant radius of curvature.
- the slanted portion of this inner wall is preferably three to five degrees from the vertical. This smooth continuous inner wall assures that all air flows smoothly down to the slotted hole 46 in the drain pan and hence to the air passage duct 28 formed in the frame 26.
- the heating or cooling apparatus will either provide warm or cool air to the air discharge ducts in the frame 26.
- the louver 30 is attached at each end to rotatable members such as 48 which rotates within a bracket 50.
- the louver 30 is rotated to either of two positions depending on whether warm or cool air is flowing through the air discharge duct 28.
- the rotation of the louver 30 may either be by a motor or through manual adjustment.
- similar louvers are rotatably mounted and driven to respective positions in each of the other air discharge ducts formed in the frame 26.
- the air discharge duct 28 within the frame 26 is further illustrated in an enlarged cross-sectional view.
- the air discharge duct 28 is seen to comprise two continuous wall surfaces denoted as an inner wall surface 52 and an outer wall surface 54.
- the inner wall surface 52 is relatively close to the intake grill 14 whereas the outer wall surface 54 is further away from the grill.
- the outer wall surface 54 is seen to be a part of the frame 26 that extends outwardly in a lateral direction away from the portion of the frame 26 that fits up into the ceiling. This portion of the frame forms a lip 56 that generally fits up against the ceiling when the heating or cooling apparatus is mounted thereto. It is to be noted that the outer wall 54 extends outwardly to a point located at a distance "h" below the top of the lip 56.
- the distance "h” is preferably in the range of fifteen to twenty millimeters. This height assures that no smudging will occur to the ceiling when air flows out along the smoothly curved wall 54. It is finally to be noted that the beginning of the outer wall surface 54 is substantially vertical before sharply curving to a point where the lip 56 begins. This point is vertically below where the frame 26 fits into the ceiling. The outer wall surface continues almost laterally from this point at a substantially large radius of curvature until reaching the discharge point at the distance "h" below the top of the lip 56 of the frame 26.
- this wall begins within the frame 26 upstream of where the louver 30 is rotatably mounted within the duct 28.
- This wall slits slightly from vertical to a point vertically below the horizontal plane containing the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 48.
- the inner wall 52 thereafter comprises a substantially curved arc before tangentially meeting a straight slanted wall surface immediately upstream of the exit point of the air from the duct 28.
- the total angular change of the inner wall 52 from the first slanted portion of this wall beginning where the duct 28 is formed in the frame 26 to the second slanted straight wall portion ending where the air exits from the duct 28 is denoted by the angle ⁇ .
- This angle is determined by the curved arc portion of the inner wall 52 that joins the first and second slanted wall portions of the inner wall.
- This angular change in the inner wall 52 is preferably within the range of one hundred ten to one hundred thirty degrees. It has been found that when ⁇ is greater than one hundred thirty degrees, there is the potential for re-circulation of the air back into the inlet grill 14. It has also been found that when ⁇ is less than one hundred ten degrees, there is a poor discharge of heated air.
- this louver comprises two leg portions joined together by a curved arc portion therebetween.
- the curved arc portion defines an angle ⁇ between the two straight leg portions of the louver.
- the curved arc portion preferably has a constant radius of curvature so that the angle ⁇ defines the total angular measurement in degrees of arc defined by such a radius.
- the angle ⁇ is preferably in the range of one hundred ten to one hundred twenty degrees.
- the two straight leg portions of the louver 30 preferably define linear dimensions "A" and "B". These linear dimensions are defined by extending the center lines of these leg portions until they intersect at a point in the vicinity of the curved arc portion.
- the dimension "A” is measured from the tip of the upper leg portion along the center line of this upper leg portion of the louver to the aforementioned point of intersection of the center lines.
- the dimension "B” is measured along the center line of the lower straight leg portion from the aforementioned point of intersection to the tip of the lower leg of the louver.
- the ratio "A/B" of these dimensions is preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.6. It has been found that an A/B ratio of less than 0.4 produces poor discharge of air with the potential for re-circulation problems with respect to the air intake grill 14. An A/B ratio greater than 0.6 creates a louver that is too sensitive to rotational positioning.
- the louver 30 is shown in Figure 5 in its normal position for processing cooled air within the air discharge duct 28.
- the point of intersection of the dimensioned lengths "A" and “B” of the louver is preferably at a lateral distance "F” from the point of the inner wall 52 where the curved arc portion begins.
- the point of intersection of the lengths "A” and “B” of the louver is also at a lateral distance "G” from the top most point of the outer wall 54.
- the ratio of these dimensions, F/G is preferably between 0.8 and 1.2.
- the lower leg of the louver 30 during cooling is preferably at an angle ⁇ of sixty to seventy-five degrees from vertical. This angle allows for substantial air flow to either side of the louver. This thus positioned louver produces a directional discharge of air from the duct 28 defined by the angle ⁇ .
- the angle ⁇ as measured from horizontal will be between five and twenty degrees when the lower leg of the louver is at the angle ⁇ .
- the louver 30 is illustrated in the heating mode position.
- the louver 30 has been preferably rotated clockwise by twenty-five degrees from the cooling mode position so that the lower leg portion moves toward the inner wall 52 whereas the upper leg portion moves towards the outer wall 54.
- the lower leg portion of the louver 30 is now at a angle ⁇ of thirty-five to fifty degrees from vertical.
- the thus positioned louver now tends to deflect the air from its otherwise normal outward flow dictated by the slant of the inner wall 52 at the air exit point from the duct 28.
- the lower leg of the louver 30 tends to deflect the heated air substantially downwardly with less of a lateral component than when the louver 30 is in the cooling mode position.
- the angle of discharge, ⁇ is preferably in the range of forty to fifty-five degrees from horizontal. It is to be noted that this angle has a lateral component that is substantially less than the lateral component of the angle ⁇ defining the air discharge direction in the cooling mode.
- This angular slope is denoted as ⁇ in Figure 6.
- This angle as measured from vertical is preferably midway between a given value of ⁇ and a given value of ⁇ used in a particularly designed duct. This normally results in the angle ⁇ being in the range of fifty-five to sixty-five degrees. This allows the air flow closest to the inner wall to have a substantial lateral component in both heating and cooling so as to reduce the risk of any recirculating air to the air intake grill 14.
- angles ⁇ and ⁇ denoting the angular arc of curvature of the inner wall surface 52 and the louver 30, respectively. It is to be noted that these angular arcs allow for a substantial air flow along the inner wall 52 of the air duct 28 in both heating and cooling. If the angle ⁇ of the arc of the inner wall is however less than one hundred-ten degrees, then the exit slope angle ⁇ of this wall increases thereby producing excessive pressure loss on the inner wall side of the louver during heating mode. On the other hand, if the angle ⁇ is greater than one hundred-thirty degrees, then the exit slope ⁇ decreases to the point where discharged air may recirculate into the grill.
- the thus shaped air duct passage 28 in combination with the thus shaped louver 30 defines two separate distinct air paths to either side of the louver. These paths produce a first directional air discharge for cooling versus cooling a second directional discharge for heating.
- the air discharge path for cooling moves the air substantially laterally outwardly from the apparatus so as to avoid creating a cold draft on people within the room being cooled by the ceiling apparatus.
- the air discharge in heating is substantially more downward to counteract the tendency of heated air to normally rise and thereby not circulate toward the people in the room.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Devices For Blowing Cold Air, Devices For Blowing Warm Air, And Means For Preventing Water Condensation In Air Conditioning Units (AREA)
- Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to heating or cooling apparatus mounted within a suspended ceiling in a home, office, or other building space. In particular, this invention relates to the processing of air through such apparatus.
- It has been heretofore known to mount a heating or cooling apparatus in a suspended ceiling of a room or space that is to be heated or cooled. The thus mounted apparatus typically draws air in through an inlet provided in the apparatus. The thus drawn in air is circulated through appropriate heat exchange elements before exiting through one or more outlets provided in the apparatus.
- The ceiling mounted apparatus typically includes a fan device for drawing in the air that is to be processed and discharged. This fan device may create a significant suction pressure at the air inlet. This suction pressure can draw the air being discharged from the ceiling mounted apparatus back into the apparatus. Re-circulation of this discharged air back through the heat exchange elements lowers the heating or cooling efficiency of the apparatus. It may also affect the long term integrity of the heat exchange elements that are being exposed to the re-circulated air that does not need to be further heated or cooled.
- The potential for re-circulation of discharged air back through an air intake of a ceiling mounted apparatus has been heretofore addressed by providing air outlets that direct the discharged air away from the air intake. It has however been found that this directional discharge is hard to achieve when the air outlets are relatively close to the air inlet.
- It is an object of the invention to provide heating or cooling apparatus mounted within a suspended ceiling that maintains a proper distribution of either heated or cooled air that does not interfere with the intake of air into the same apparatus.
- It is another object of the invention to provide heating or cooling apparatus for mounting within a suspended ceiling that defines two distinct air flow paths for conditioned air leaving the apparatus that achieve optimal air flow for both heated and cooled air from the ceiling mounted apparatus.
- The above and other objects are achieved by a ceiling mounted heating or cooling apparatus that draws air upwardly into an inlet and processes the air through heat exchange elements before distributing the air downwardly. The air is preferably distributed downwardly by air discharge structure surrounding the heat exchange elements. The air is ultimately discharged through one or more air discharge ducts positioned relatively close to the air inlet. Each discharge duct includes a rotatable louver mounted therein that guides the air within the duct.
- The rotatable louver in each air discharge duct preferably rotates between either of two positions depending on whether warm or cool air is to be discharged. The position of the louver when warm air is to be discharged produces a substantially downward air flow path to the air exiting the duct. The position of the louver when cool air is to be discharged produces a substantially lateral air flow path to the air exiting the duct.
- The air is preferably discharged at a minimum distance from the ceiling so as to avoid any smudging of the ceiling. This is accomplished by a gradually curved wall in each air duct that extends laterally outwardly so as to define were the air exits from the duct at the minimum distance from the ceiling.
- Another wall of each discharge duct preferably includes a smoothly curved bend of a prescribed angular arc that directs the discharged air away from the air inlet of the apparatus. This wall in each duct is relatively close to the air inlet.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 illustrates a ceiling mounted heating and cooling apparatus having air discharge slots located around the perimeter of a centrally located air intake grill;
- Figure 2 illustrates the heating and cooling apparatus prior to being mounted in the ceiling of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is an exploded view of the heating and cooling apparatus of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a sectional view of the heating and cooling apparatus of Figures 2 and 3 illustrating how air is processed from the intake grill to the output of an air discharge duct;
- Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air discharge passage formed in the bottom most piece of the heating and cooling apparatus of Figures 2 and 3; and
- Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air discharge passage of Figure 5 when the rotated louver therein is in a position for distributing heated air.
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- Referring to Figure 1, a ceiling mounted
apparatus 10 for heating or cooling air is illustrated in mounted position with respect to aceiling 12. The apparatus is seen to include a centrally locatedair intake grill 14, which allows air to be drawn in from the space being heated or cooled. The heating and cooling apparatus also includes fourair discharge slots grill 14. - Referring to Figure 2, the beating and
cooling apparatus 10 is shown before being mounted within theceiling 12. It is to be noted that the heating and cooling apparatus includes ahousing 24 containing the various components for processing the air that is drawn into the apparatus through theair intake grill 14. - Referring to Figure 3, the heating and
cooling apparatus 10 is illustrated in an exploded view form. The bottom portion of the heating and cooling apparatus is seen to include aframe 26 in which four air discharge ducts, such asduct 28, are formed therein. Each discharge duct defines one of therespective discharge slots frame 26. A rotatable louver such as 30 is positioned within each air discharge duct. Therotatable louver 30 is seen to extend along the entire length of theduct 28. - An
air filter 32 and theintake grill 14 preferably fit into a central opening in theframe 26 and are appropriately secured thereto. Theintake grill 14 is preferably square in shape and is curved slightly upwardly toward its center from all four sides. - A
centrifugal fan 34 draws air upwardly through theintake grill 14 and theair filter 32. This fan distributes the drawn up air radially outwardly towardheat exchange elements 36. - The heat exchange elements preferably consist of a series of coils arranged around the periphery of the centrifugal fan. These coils carry a heat exchange medium which transfers heat to or from a series of heat exchange fins in thermal conducting contact with the coils.
- The outwardly flowing air from the
centrifugal flow fan 32 is deflected downwardly byair channel structure 38 as shown in Figure 4. Theair channel structure 38 is preferably molded out of polystyrene so as to form a single light insulative piece that fits into thehousing 24. Theair channel structure 38 is seen to extend inwardly along atop portion 40 of the heating and cooling apparatus to a point beyond the inner perimeter of the fins of the heat exchange elements. The air channel structure also extends downwardly along the inner wall of thehousing 24. Theair channel structure 38 also is slanted toward the inner wall of thehousing 24 so as to define a continuously increasing radial spacing from the heat exchange elements. Theair channel structure 38 extends downwardly at this definable slant to the top of adrain pan 42 that is more clearly shown in Figure 3. - Referring again to Figure 4, the bottoms of the fins of the
heat exchange elements 36 rest in thedrain pan 42 so as to allow any condensate from the coils of the heat exchange elements to be collected and drained away in aslot 44. A slottedhole 45 in the drain pan is aligned with respect to theair channel structure 38 so as to define a continuous air channel down to theair duct 28 formed in theframe 26. It is to be noted that similar slotted holes in the drain pan define continuous air channels down to the other respective air discharge ducts in theframe 26. - The cross-section of the frame in Figure 4 reveals that the frame consists of two different structures. The frame includes an
exterior portion 46 preferably molded of a hard plastic. The frame furthermore includes a lightweight moldedpolystyrene structure 47 above theexterior portion 46. - Referring again to the
air channel structure 38, it is to be noted that this structure forms a continuous, smooth, inner wall surface for deflecting the air downwardly. The upper portion of this continuous, smooth, inner wall surface is preferably a curved arc having a constant radius of curvature. The slanted portion of this inner wall is preferably three to five degrees from the vertical. This smooth continuous inner wall assures that all air flows smoothly down to the slottedhole 46 in the drain pan and hence to theair passage duct 28 formed in theframe 26. - Referring to the
heat exchange elements 36, it is to be appreciated that these elements will either add heat or remove heat from the air passing over the fins depending on the state of the heat exchange medium flowing through the coils of the heat exchange elements. In this manner, the heating or cooling apparatus will either provide warm or cool air to the air discharge ducts in theframe 26. Referring to theair discharge duct 28 in Figure 4, it is to be noted that thelouver 30 is attached at each end to rotatable members such as 48 which rotates within abracket 50. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, thelouver 30 is rotated to either of two positions depending on whether warm or cool air is flowing through theair discharge duct 28. The rotation of thelouver 30 may either be by a motor or through manual adjustment. It is to be appreciated that similar louvers are rotatably mounted and driven to respective positions in each of the other air discharge ducts formed in theframe 26. - Referring to Figure 5, the
discharge duct 28 within theframe 26 is further illustrated in an enlarged cross-sectional view. Theair discharge duct 28 is seen to comprise two continuous wall surfaces denoted as aninner wall surface 52 and anouter wall surface 54. Theinner wall surface 52 is relatively close to theintake grill 14 whereas theouter wall surface 54 is further away from the grill. Theouter wall surface 54 is seen to be a part of theframe 26 that extends outwardly in a lateral direction away from the portion of theframe 26 that fits up into the ceiling. This portion of the frame forms alip 56 that generally fits up against the ceiling when the heating or cooling apparatus is mounted thereto. It is to be noted that theouter wall 54 extends outwardly to a point located at a distance "h" below the top of thelip 56. The distance "h" is preferably in the range of fifteen to twenty millimeters. This height assures that no smudging will occur to the ceiling when air flows out along the smoothlycurved wall 54. It is finally to be noted that the beginning of theouter wall surface 54 is substantially vertical before sharply curving to a point where thelip 56 begins. This point is vertically below where theframe 26 fits into the ceiling. The outer wall surface continues almost laterally from this point at a substantially large radius of curvature until reaching the discharge point at the distance "h" below the top of thelip 56 of theframe 26. - Referring now to the
inner wall 52, it is to be noted that this wall begins within theframe 26 upstream of where thelouver 30 is rotatably mounted within theduct 28. This wall slits slightly from vertical to a point vertically below the horizontal plane containing the axis of rotation of therotatable member 48. Theinner wall 52 thereafter comprises a substantially curved arc before tangentially meeting a straight slanted wall surface immediately upstream of the exit point of the air from theduct 28. - It is to be noted that the total angular change of the
inner wall 52 from the first slanted portion of this wall beginning where theduct 28 is formed in theframe 26 to the second slanted straight wall portion ending where the air exits from theduct 28 is denoted by the angle α. This angle is determined by the curved arc portion of theinner wall 52 that joins the first and second slanted wall portions of the inner wall. This angular change in theinner wall 52 is preferably within the range of one hundred ten to one hundred thirty degrees. It has been found that when α is greater than one hundred thirty degrees, there is the potential for re-circulation of the air back into theinlet grill 14. It has also been found that when α is less than one hundred ten degrees, there is a poor discharge of heated air. - Referring now to the rotatably mounted
louver 30, it is seen that this louver comprises two leg portions joined together by a curved arc portion therebetween. The curved arc portion defines an angle β between the two straight leg portions of the louver. The curved arc portion preferably has a constant radius of curvature so that the angle β defines the total angular measurement in degrees of arc defined by such a radius. The angle β is preferably in the range of one hundred ten to one hundred twenty degrees. - The two straight leg portions of the
louver 30 preferably define linear dimensions "A" and "B". These linear dimensions are defined by extending the center lines of these leg portions until they intersect at a point in the vicinity of the curved arc portion. The dimension "A" is measured from the tip of the upper leg portion along the center line of this upper leg portion of the louver to the aforementioned point of intersection of the center lines. The dimension "B" is measured along the center line of the lower straight leg portion from the aforementioned point of intersection to the tip of the lower leg of the louver. The ratio "A/B" of these dimensions is preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.6. It has been found that an A/B ratio of less than 0.4 produces poor discharge of air with the potential for re-circulation problems with respect to theair intake grill 14. An A/B ratio greater than 0.6 creates a louver that is too sensitive to rotational positioning. - It is to be noted that the
louver 30 is shown in Figure 5 in its normal position for processing cooled air within theair discharge duct 28. In this regard, the point of intersection of the dimensioned lengths "A" and "B" of the louver is preferably at a lateral distance "F" from the point of theinner wall 52 where the curved arc portion begins. The point of intersection of the lengths "A" and "B" of the louver is also at a lateral distance "G" from the top most point of theouter wall 54. The ratio of these dimensions, F/G, is preferably between 0.8 and 1.2. - The lower leg of the
louver 30 during cooling is preferably at an angle γ of sixty to seventy-five degrees from vertical. This angle allows for substantial air flow to either side of the louver. This thus positioned louver produces a directional discharge of air from theduct 28 defined by the angle δ. The angle δ as measured from horizontal will be between five and twenty degrees when the lower leg of the louver is at the angle γ. - Referring now to Figure 6, the
louver 30 is illustrated in the heating mode position. In this regard, thelouver 30 has been preferably rotated clockwise by twenty-five degrees from the cooling mode position so that the lower leg portion moves toward theinner wall 52 whereas the upper leg portion moves towards theouter wall 54. The lower leg portion of thelouver 30 is now at a angle κ of thirty-five to fifty degrees from vertical. The thus positioned louver now tends to deflect the air from its otherwise normal outward flow dictated by the slant of theinner wall 52 at the air exit point from theduct 28. In this regard, the lower leg of thelouver 30 tends to deflect the heated air substantially downwardly with less of a lateral component than when thelouver 30 is in the cooling mode position. The angle of discharge, , is preferably in the range of forty to fifty-five degrees from horizontal. It is to be noted that this angle has a lateral component that is substantially less than the lateral component of the angle δ defining the air discharge direction in the cooling mode. - Referring to the
inner wall 52 and, in particular, to the angular slope of this wall near the exit point of the air from theduct 28. This angular slope is denoted as in Figure 6. This angle as measured from vertical is preferably midway between a given value of κ and a given value of γ used in a particularly designed duct. This normally results in the angle being in the range of fifty-five to sixty-five degrees. This allows the air flow closest to the inner wall to have a substantial lateral component in both heating and cooling so as to reduce the risk of any recirculating air to theair intake grill 14. - Referring again to the angles α and β, denoting the angular arc of curvature of the
inner wall surface 52 and thelouver 30, respectively. It is to be noted that these angular arcs allow for a substantial air flow along theinner wall 52 of theair duct 28 in both heating and cooling. If the angle α of the arc of the inner wall is however less than one hundred-ten degrees, then the exit slope angle of this wall increases thereby producing excessive pressure loss on the inner wall side of the louver during heating mode. On the other hand, if the angle α is greater than one hundred-thirty degrees, then the exit slope decreases to the point where discharged air may recirculate into the grill. - It is to be appreciated that the thus shaped
air duct passage 28 in combination with the thus shapedlouver 30 defines two separate distinct air paths to either side of the louver. These paths produce a first directional air discharge for cooling versus cooling a second directional discharge for heating. The air discharge path for cooling moves the air substantially laterally outwardly from the apparatus so as to avoid creating a cold draft on people within the room being cooled by the ceiling apparatus. In contrast, the air discharge in heating is substantially more downward to counteract the tendency of heated air to normally rise and thereby not circulate toward the people in the room. - It is to be finally appreciated that a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. Alterations, modifications and improvements thereto will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing is by way of example only and the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.
Claims (16)
- Ceiling mountable apparatus for heating or cooling air, said apparatus comprising:an external housing;a frame containing an air inlet, said frame fitting into said external housing;a fan within the external housing for drawing air up through the air inlet in said frame and for subsequently distributing the drawn in air radially outwardly;a plurality of heat exchange elements positioned radially outwardly of said fan for heating or cooling the radially distributed air from said fan;air channel structure positioned within the external housing relative to said fan so as to deflect the radially distributed air from said fan downwardly; andat least one air discharge duct in said frame containing the air inlet, said discharge duct having a first wall located near at least one edge of the air inlet and a second wall opposite said first wall which is located further outwardly from the edge of the air inlet than said first wall, wherein said first and second walls are smooth, continuous walls formed in said frame.
- The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first wall in said discharge duct comprises a first straight wall portion followed by a curved wall portion followed by a second straight wall portion terminating where air is discharged from the discharge duct.
- The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the curved wall portion of said First wall defines an angular arc in the range of one hundred ten to one hundred thirty degrees between said first and second straight portions of said first wall.
- The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second straight wall portion terminating where air is discharged from the discharge duct is at an angle from vertical in the range of fifty-five to sixty-five degrees.
- The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:a rotatable louver mounted within said discharge duct, said rotatable louver having first and second straight leg portions which are joined together by a curved arc portion therebetween.
- The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said curved arc portion between said first and second straight leg portions comprises an arc in the range of one hundred ten to one hundred twenty degrees.
- The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the centerlines of said first and second straight leg portions intersect at a point so as to define a first linear dimensional length "A" along the centerline of the first leg from the point of intersection to the tip of said first leg and a second linear dimensional length "B" along the centerline of the second leg from the point of intersection to the tip of the second leg and wherein the ratio of A/B is within the range of 0.4 to 0.6.
- The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rotatable louver is rotatable to a first position when the air is being cooled by said heat exchange elements whereby the point of intersection of said first and second center lines is at a horizontal distance, "F", from the point of the first wall where the first straight wall portion ends and the curved wall portion begins and at a horizontal distance, "G", from the top point of the second wall formed in the frame wherein the ratio of F/G is 0.8 to 1.2.
- The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second straight leg portion of said rotatable louver is at an angle from vertical of between sixty and seventy-five degrees when said rotatable louver is in the first position.
- The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rotatable louver is rotatable to a second position when the air is being heated by said heat exchange elements wherein the second straight leg portion of said rotatable louver is at an angle from vertical of between thirty-five and fifty degrees.
- The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said rotatable louver is rotatable to a first position when the air is being cooled by said heat exchange elements wherein the second straight leg portion of said rotatable louver is at an angle from vertical between sixty and seventy-five degrees.
- The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said rotatable louver is rotatable to a second position when the air is being heated by said heat exchange elements wherein the second straight leg portion of said rotatable louver is at an angle from vertical of between thirty-five and fifty degrees.
- The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second wall in said discharge duct includes a continuously curved portion extending laterally outwardly toward an outer edge of said flame, said curved portion defining the closest air exit point to a ceiling surface when the ceiling mountable apparatus is mounted to a ceiling.
- The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the closest air exit point to a ceiling surface is at a vertical distance from the ceiling surface that is within a range of fifteen to twenty millimeters.
- The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air channel structure positioned within the external housing comprises:a continuous structure surrounding said heat exchange elements and radially spaced therefrom at increasing radial distances as said continuous structure extends downwardly from a point above said heat exchange elements to a point below said heat exchange elements.
- The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said continuous structure furthermore curves radially inwardly above said heat exchange elements so as to define a smooth curved air channel beginning above said heat exchange elements.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE69724627T DE69724627T2 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Ceiling-mounted device for heating and cooling |
ES97830721T ES2201261T3 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | HEATING AND REFRIGERATION DEVICE MOUNTED ON THE ROOF. |
EP97830721A EP0926451B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling |
SG9803411A SG89263A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-09-03 | Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling |
JP35526598A JP3408440B2 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-15 | Ceiling mounted air conditioner |
KR1019980057602A KR100303755B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-23 | Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling |
HK99106123A HK1021018A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1999-12-24 | Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP97830721A EP0926451B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0926451A1 true EP0926451A1 (en) | 1999-06-30 |
EP0926451B1 EP0926451B1 (en) | 2003-09-03 |
Family
ID=8230924
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97830721A Expired - Lifetime EP0926451B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Ceiling mounted apparatus for heating and cooling |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0926451B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3408440B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100303755B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69724627T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2201261T3 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1021018A1 (en) |
SG (1) | SG89263A1 (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1139033A1 (en) * | 1999-01-18 | 2001-10-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Air conditioner |
EP1139034A1 (en) * | 1999-01-25 | 2001-10-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ceiling embedded-type air conditioner |
EP1310743A1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2003-05-14 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Decorative panel and diffuser unit of air conditioner, and air conditioner |
EP1589292A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-10-26 | Unico Consumer Products Co., Ltd. | Ceiling-recessed air treatment apparatus |
US20150096723A1 (en) * | 2013-10-08 | 2015-04-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for cassette type air conditioner |
EP3124888A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-02-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
CN106403220A (en) * | 2016-10-27 | 2017-02-15 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air conditioner air inlet grille mounting structure and air-conditioning device |
US10047972B2 (en) | 2013-10-02 | 2018-08-14 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for cassette type air conditioner |
US10197298B2 (en) | 2013-10-02 | 2019-02-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for cassette type air conditioner |
US10203150B2 (en) | 2013-10-11 | 2019-02-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for air conditioner |
US10203124B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2019-02-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for air conditioner having wind visors |
CN112013528A (en) * | 2019-05-30 | 2020-12-01 | 青岛海尔空调电子有限公司 | Air guide assembly of air conditioner |
EP3842703A4 (en) * | 2018-08-21 | 2022-03-30 | Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. | Indoor unit for air conditioner |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3820182B2 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2006-09-13 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Air conditioner louver, airflow control structure for air conditioner, and air conditioner |
JP2014126282A (en) * | 2012-12-26 | 2014-07-07 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Ceiling mounted indoor unit |
JP6414342B2 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2018-10-31 | 株式会社デンソー | Air blowing device |
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JPS6475823A (en) * | 1987-09-17 | 1989-03-22 | Sanyo Electric Co | Ceiling-embedded type air conditioner |
JPH0678242A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1994-03-18 | Sony Corp | Keyed afc circuit and keyed pulse presence/absence discrimination circuit |
DE29601794U1 (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1996-03-14 | Gesellschaft für Luftschleieranlagen mbH, 73278 Schlierbach | Ceiling ventilation device for heating and air conditioning rooms |
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US5577958A (en) * | 1994-09-26 | 1996-11-26 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Wind direction adjusting device |
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JPS6099935A (en) * | 1983-11-02 | 1985-06-03 | Matsushita Refrig Co | Ceiling embedded type air conditioner |
JPS6099936A (en) * | 1983-11-02 | 1985-06-03 | Matsushita Refrig Co | Ceiling embedded type air conditioner |
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1997
- 1997-12-24 EP EP97830721A patent/EP0926451B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-12-24 ES ES97830721T patent/ES2201261T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-12-24 DE DE69724627T patent/DE69724627T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-09-03 SG SG9803411A patent/SG89263A1/en unknown
- 1998-12-15 JP JP35526598A patent/JP3408440B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-12-23 KR KR1019980057602A patent/KR100303755B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-12-24 HK HK99106123A patent/HK1021018A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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JPS6475823A (en) * | 1987-09-17 | 1989-03-22 | Sanyo Electric Co | Ceiling-embedded type air conditioner |
JPH0678242A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1994-03-18 | Sony Corp | Keyed afc circuit and keyed pulse presence/absence discrimination circuit |
US5577958A (en) * | 1994-09-26 | 1996-11-26 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Wind direction adjusting device |
JPH08100942A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1996-04-16 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Airflow direction controller for ceiling embedded type air-conditioning machine |
DE29601794U1 (en) * | 1996-02-02 | 1996-03-14 | Gesellschaft für Luftschleieranlagen mbH, 73278 Schlierbach | Ceiling ventilation device for heating and air conditioning rooms |
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Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1139033A1 (en) * | 1999-01-18 | 2001-10-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Air conditioner |
US6370907B1 (en) | 1999-01-18 | 2002-04-16 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Air conditioner |
EP1139034A1 (en) * | 1999-01-25 | 2001-10-04 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ceiling embedded-type air conditioner |
US6450880B1 (en) | 1999-01-25 | 2002-09-17 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ceiling embedded-type air conditioner |
EP1310743A1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2003-05-14 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Decorative panel and diffuser unit of air conditioner, and air conditioner |
EP1310743A4 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2005-09-21 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Decorative panel and diffuser unit of air conditioner, and air conditioner |
EP1589292A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-10-26 | Unico Consumer Products Co., Ltd. | Ceiling-recessed air treatment apparatus |
US10197298B2 (en) | 2013-10-02 | 2019-02-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for cassette type air conditioner |
US10047972B2 (en) | 2013-10-02 | 2018-08-14 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for cassette type air conditioner |
US20150096723A1 (en) * | 2013-10-08 | 2015-04-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for cassette type air conditioner |
US10203150B2 (en) | 2013-10-11 | 2019-02-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for air conditioner |
US10203124B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2019-02-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device for air conditioner having wind visors |
EP3124888A1 (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2017-02-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
US10054320B2 (en) | 2015-07-30 | 2018-08-21 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Indoor device of air conditioner |
CN106403220A (en) * | 2016-10-27 | 2017-02-15 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air conditioner air inlet grille mounting structure and air-conditioning device |
EP3842703A4 (en) * | 2018-08-21 | 2022-03-30 | Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. | Indoor unit for air conditioner |
US11408618B2 (en) | 2018-08-21 | 2022-08-09 | Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, Inc. | Indoor unit of air-conditioner |
CN112013528A (en) * | 2019-05-30 | 2020-12-01 | 青岛海尔空调电子有限公司 | Air guide assembly of air conditioner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR19990066863A (en) | 1999-08-16 |
EP0926451B1 (en) | 2003-09-03 |
HK1021018A1 (en) | 2000-05-26 |
SG89263A1 (en) | 2002-06-18 |
JP3408440B2 (en) | 2003-05-19 |
ES2201261T3 (en) | 2004-03-16 |
JPH11248189A (en) | 1999-09-14 |
KR100303755B1 (en) | 2002-04-17 |
DE69724627D1 (en) | 2003-10-09 |
DE69724627T2 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
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