EP1387989B1 - Method and device for diffusing a protective flux with regard to a surrounding environment - Google Patents

Method and device for diffusing a protective flux with regard to a surrounding environment Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1387989B1
EP1387989B1 EP02732868A EP02732868A EP1387989B1 EP 1387989 B1 EP1387989 B1 EP 1387989B1 EP 02732868 A EP02732868 A EP 02732868A EP 02732868 A EP02732868 A EP 02732868A EP 1387989 B1 EP1387989 B1 EP 1387989B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
stream
principal
air
panel
lateral
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EP02732868A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1387989A1 (en
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Pierre Bridenne
Pascale Coffinier
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Acanthe
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Acanthe
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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
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/16—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by purification, e.g. by filtering; by sterilisation; by ozonisation
    • F24F3/163—Clean air work stations, i.e. selected areas within a space which filtered air is passed
    • 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
    • F24F2013/0608—Perforated ducts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for diffusing a flow, for example treated air, to protect an area with respect to a risk of contamination, especially airborne, present in a surrounding environment.
  • a diffusion device associated with the method, that is to say a device for diffusing a healthy flow in an area to be protected, for example a zone of an intervention station.
  • the response station may, for example, be a work station or a storage station.
  • the airflow prevents contaminants in the surrounding environment from entering the area to be protected, and particularly protects sensitive products in this area.
  • air is used to designate any substantially gaseous fluid suitable for the use of the invention, for example a gas or a specific gas mixture or an aerosol charged with one or more substances in suspension.
  • This air can be extracted from the atmosphere and optionally treated to make it healthy with respect to the product to be protected.
  • the invention can be used in the food industry or in the pharmaceutical industry, but also in the catering industry, the cosmetics industry, electronics or the hospital environment.
  • this flow must be laminar, ie it is characterized by a speed whose value and direction are uniform throughout the flow, and by a number of Reynolds less than 3000, a value which corresponds to flow characteristics beyond which the flow becomes turbulent.
  • a conventional diffusion device comprises a diffusion wall of a laminar flow.
  • the flow causes at its periphery generally stagnant ambient air, whose characteristics are different.
  • the ambient air is progressively mixed by induction with the flow air by contaminating it and creating disturbances that progressively reduce the laminar flow section and thus the protectable volume.
  • the document FR-A-2.785.040 discloses a diffuser that creates a decontaminated atmosphere around the air. This result is obtained by maintaining around this first flow, that is to say between it and the ambient air, second, slower lateral flows.
  • the protective barrier thus formed is destroyed when it is crossed by an operator, a product or a third party and it takes a significant time to rebuild.
  • a first very slow stream is desired, even slower second streams will generally be inefficient.
  • the distance beyond which such a device becomes ineffective is relatively short because of the low energy of the slow streams, their desired divergence and therefore their rapid dilution in the ambient air.
  • WO 91/05210 discloses, particularly in Figure 3, a device for diffusing a slow flow, whose speed is uniform, and a fast flow, whose speed is uniform.
  • This fast flow is diffused parallel to the slow flow and the periphery of the latter.
  • the fast flow serves to protect the slow flow of ambient air contamination.
  • the velocity characteristics of the slow flow which may be laminar, and the fast, generally turbulent flow, are markedly different.
  • the fast flow, away from the diffuser generates in the slow flow more and more disturbances that gradually reduce the section of the slow flow and therefore the volume protectable.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to propose a method and an associated device for creating a confinement barrier around an area to be protected bathed in a main stream of conserved air that is undisturbed and for example substantially laminar. that the containment barrier does not create turbulence in the main stream, thus protecting the main flow, including the risk of contamination and pollution and the risk of disturbance if it is laminar.
  • such a method for protecting an area of an intervention station consists in establishing in the direction of this zone a substantially parallel flow of air having, beyond at least one boundary, a progressively increased speed . It is characterized in that below said boundary the airflow is given a velocity which is substantially uniform along a section of the flow in a plane transverse to the direction of flow.
  • a method for protecting a laminar flow in particular the risks of contamination, pollution and disturbance, is characterized in that a lateral flow having a common border with the laminar flow is established, said side stream having a progressively increased velocity beyond the boundary, and its velocity at the boundary being substantially equal to that of the laminar flow.
  • An air diffusion device for implementing such a method comprises means for generating at least one main air flow and on at least part of the periphery of the main air flow, a flow of lateral air having a flow velocity greater than the main air flow, so as to form a substantially parallel airflow composed at least in part of the main air flow and the side air flow.
  • This diffusion device is characterized in that it further comprises means for the air velocity in the main air flow to be substantially uniform along a two-dimensional section of the flow in a plane transverse to the direction. flow.
  • the means for generating may comprise at least one substantially flat porous main wall and at least one porous side wall disposed at the periphery of the main wall, said main wall being adapted to diffuse the main air flow, for example laminar, according to a main direction and said side wall being arranged to diffuse a lateral air flow which diverges from the main direction, preferably progressively as one travels the side wall away from the main wall, while at the exit of the side wall, the section available for the flow of a given quantity of air into the lateral flow is smaller and smaller when one moves away from the main flow, so that the lateral flow is more and more more accelerated when moving away from the main flow.
  • the device may comprise a skirt so that the side wall is disposed between the main wall and the skirt, the latter serving as deflector for at least a portion of the divergent flow from the side wall.
  • a skirt will be chosen whose surface in contact with a flow is defined by generatrices substantially parallel to the flow or parallel to the main direction.
  • the skirt may extend in a plane substantially parallel to the main direction.
  • At least part of the diverging flow is diffused at right angles to the main direction, or even obliquely in the opposite direction of the main flow.
  • the diffused air that is to say the air coming from one of the walls, will preferably have a speed of substantially constant value over the entire diffusion wall. Its value may, however, be gradually variable as one travels the side wall away from the main wall, for example continuously increase from the value of the speed of the laminar flow. This can be achieved by varying the pressure losses across the porosities of the sidewall.
  • the value of the slow speed is 0.2 to 0.6 m / s and that of the fastest speed is between 0.6 and 3 m / s.
  • the air source can be common to the side and main air flows.
  • the main and lateral walls may be part of an envelope constituting a sheath leading air at least up to these walls.
  • the volume of air defined by this envelope is the source of air and the envelope may comprise other porous walls or not.
  • the pressure of the source upstream of the diffusion wall is advantageously between 0 and 500 Pascals.
  • the skirt will preferably be disposed in order to constitute a deflector for the lateral flow so that it forms a deflected flow, for example substantially parallel to the main direction.
  • the skirt will be arranged so that the deflector is not only a guide but also an obstacle to the flow of the flow and so that a flow section available for lateral flow is reduced as the flow it's deflected.
  • the profile can be gradually bent along the sidewall as one moves away from the main wall. If the lateral airflow is diffused at any point perpendicular to the sidewall, its direction varies gradually with the increasing inclination of this wall. Thus, the air of the lateral flow is directed towards the deflector obstacle formed by the skirt, and more particularly towards points of the skirt and at angles which may be different depending on the point of the side wall from which this air has been diffused.
  • the diffusion wall may be made of a flexible material, for example a washable fabric or interchangeable or even disposable, permeable to air.
  • the diffusion wall may also comprise rigid parts, for example stainless steel. It can thus be a perforated plate or a metal screen. In general it may be made of any porous material generating no particles or other air pollution.
  • the diffusion device can be oriented so that the main stream is directed substantially vertically downwards, for example so that the main stream bathes an area to be protected from an intervention station.
  • the skirt is chosen of an appropriate length to maintain as much as possible the consistency of the flows to the area to be protected without hindering the access of operators and / or treated products in the area.
  • each skirt will have beyond the main wall a length substantially equal to the half distance between the two skirts.
  • a skirt will have a length substantially equal to or greater than three times the thickness of the fast flow, that is to say three times the shortest distance separating the skirt from the main wall.
  • the air used can be extracted from the atmosphere and, for example, treated to render it sterile. Especially if the diffused air is not used for the respiration, one can also use an air comprising a gas or a specific gas mixture, for example neutral vis-à-vis the treated products, that is to say that does not interact with these products. It can thus be hoped that the air contains no oxidant for these products.
  • an air diffusion device can be combined with one of a production line, a machine tool, a bed, a surgical operating table and a display stand.
  • the diffusion device and the means to which it is combined are adapted to each other to provide optimum protection.
  • FIG. 1 represents a diffusion device 1 used as a blowing ceiling, that is to say that it is disposed above an area 2 to be protected, which may correspond to part or all of a station 'intervention. It diffuses down vertically on the zone 2, a suitable gas, for example dust-free air 9.
  • the diffusion device 1 comprises a metal box 3, which is open downwards between parallel and opposite banks.
  • diffusion wall 4 extends between the two banks 5 across the entire opening defined between the banks 5.
  • Skirts 6 are disposed along opposite edges 7 of the box 3, parallel to the banks 5, so that the wall of diffusion 4 is located between the skirts 6 directed downwards from the lower side of the casing 3.
  • the casing 3 and the diffusion wall 4 define an internal volume 8 which is regularly supplied with air, treated and pressurized, and serves as an air source for the diffusion device.
  • a feed not shown, is disposed upstream of the inner volume 8. It generally comprises a prefilter for air drawn into the atmosphere, then a fan and finally a very high efficiency filter to ensure adequate dust removal of the air.
  • the diffusion wall which is here a perforated metal sheet, can be decomposed into three walls, a main wall 11 substantially flat and horizontal, and two side walls 12 which are quarter cylinders each having an axis parallel to the banks 5.
  • Each side wall is disposed between a respective one of the banks 5 of the box and the main wall, forming a curved extension of the main wall 11.
  • the axes of the cylinders are in the inner volume 8, so that the side walls are convex of the outside of the casing 3.
  • Each perforation of the diffusion wall 4 is a pore through which the air can be diffused from the internal volume 8 through the diffusion wall 4.
  • the porosity is the same over the whole of the diffusion wall, it is to say that the pores are regularly distributed and of substantially identical shape and size. They are small enough and close together so that each air stream 14 coming from any one pore 13 forms a coherent whole with air streams coming from neighboring pores.
  • the diffusion wall is thin and the pores have no directional role, ie they do not have, for example, the shape of a nozzle which impose a direction on the air that is broadcast.
  • the air is diffused substantially perpendicular to the diffusion wall 4 to the right of each pore.
  • the internal volume 8 forms a single source of substantially uniform pressure, the value of the diffusion rate V1 of all the air streams is substantially identical.
  • the air 9 coming from the diffusion device 1 comprises a main air flow 91 coming from the main wall 11, and lateral air flows 92 each coming from one of the side walls 12.
  • the main wall 11 forms a horizontal plane, so that the main diffusion rates V11 in the main air flow 91 at the time of its diffusion through the wall 11 are uniform in value and direction in a main direction D, directed vertically downwards.
  • the value of the main diffusion rates V11 is kept below a limit value, for example 0.6 m / s, beyond which a flow of air is no longer laminar.
  • the main stream is laminar.
  • the main stream 91 from the main wall 11, maintains its uniform speed. That is, its main flow velocity V21 (Fig. 2) as it passes through a plane P corresponding to the lower edge 16 of the skirt 6 is substantially identical in direction and value to the main diffusion velocity V11.
  • the lateral diffusion velocities V12 in a lateral air flow 92 at the moment of its diffusion by the wall 12 are uniform in value and their value is equal to that of the main diffusion rates V11.
  • the orientation of the velocity of each lateral air stream depends on the position of the pore from which the net is derived.
  • the directions of the V12 lateral diffusion speeds progressively diverge from the main direction D as the lateral wall 12 is moved away from the main wall 11. Consequently, the direction of a lateral diffusion velocity V12 of an air stream coming from a pore close to the main wall is substantially identical to the main direction D, thus substantially parallel to the skirts 6.
  • the direction of a lateral diffusion velocity V12 of a net from a pore close to a bank 5 is substantially perpendicular to the main direction D and thus directed horizontally to the skirt 6 closest to, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the same skirt.
  • the skirt 6 is an obstacle to the flow of the air streams 14 diffused through the side wall 12.
  • the air streams thus diffused will concentrate against the skirt 6 who deflects them, then the longer to its lower edge 16.
  • the lateral flow velocities V22 of the deflected lateral flow have directions that are substantially identical to each other and parallel to the main direction D. , but values that start from a minimum value equal to the speed V21 of the main flow along the border F and increase as we travel the plane P by approaching the lower edge 16 of the skirt 6 .
  • the border F is a substantially vertical plane that is preserved beyond the plane P, as is the laminar nature of the main flow.
  • this protected area can be divided into three parts. Between the borders F a portion 21 bathed by the main stream 91, laminar and slow, and beyond the borders F two side portions 22 bathed by a lateral flow, all the more rapid and turbulent as one moves away from borders.
  • the skirts are short enough to provide a free passage under their lower edge 16 and above the zone 2. Beyond the skirt, the external nets of the side stream, initially the fastest, can then slow down by causing the ambient air and widening in it, but the nets located on the side prevent a slowdown too strong and, in any case, maintain the protection of the main flow.
  • a gap has been created between the edge 5 of the box 3 and the skirt 6 to create a leak 20 of a portion of the lateral flow. This avoids the creation of excessive turbulence in a zone limited by the box, between the edge 7 and the bank 5, and the top of the skirt.
  • the skirt 6 is dismountable, it is difficult to seal between the skirt 6 and the box 3.
  • a pump effect through a poorly made seal would cause air pollution diffused by ambient air 99.
  • the overpressure between the side wall and the skirt, by generating the leakage 20 makes it possible to avoid this pump effect without requiring a seal between the skirt 6 and the box 3.
  • the diffusion wall is then adapted to allow the passage of light through the wall into the intervention zone.
  • the porosity may be sufficient for the passage of light and / or the wall to be made of a transparent or translucent material.
  • the lighting means may also be arranged in the wall.
  • air treatment devices that would be susceptible to disturb its flow.
  • These treatment devices may comprise air conditioning means for the hygrometry or the temperature of the air, means for mixing gases or means for charging the air into particles thus forming an aerosol.
  • These particles may be liquid or solid, for example a powder.
  • These particles can be a disinfectant that keeps the diffusion wall free of contamination.
  • the means for charging the air may be nozzles arranged upstream of the diffusion wall. Other means such as pulsed light or ultraviolet lamps can be inserted upstream of the diffusion wall. to decontaminate the air and surfaces, such as those of the box or wall.
  • the quarter cylinder is possible for a side wall 12.
  • Figure 3 it consists of a flat portion 23 extending parallel to the direction D from the side 5 and connected to the wall main 11 by another flat portion 24 inclined at 45 degrees relative to the main wall.
  • the side wall 12 forms a right angle with the main wall and follows a rectilinear profile to the bank 5.
  • the main wall extends up to the level of the bank 5 and is connected by a side wall consisting of two quarters of cylinders 26,27 flanking a flat portion 25 and perpendicular to the main wall.
  • the skirt is offset laterally outwardly relative to the box and rises above the bank 5.
  • the edge 7 of the box is coincident with the side 5.
  • the diffusion wall can be modular which can cover large surfaces or complex shape or to use multiple sources, simultaneously or not.
  • Figure 6 shows a diffusion wall composed of three modules, normally joined but presented distant for the sake of clarity. It comprises two end modules 30 and an intermediate module 31, all built on a rectangular base.
  • the end module comprises on two opposite sides of a main wall 11, side walls 12, and on its two other opposite sides a partition 32.
  • the two end modules comprise on three of their sides a side wall 12 and on the fourth side a separation 32 to coincide with a separation 32 of the intermediate module 31 during assembly.
  • the separations 32 extend perpendicular to the base of each of the modules, their main role is to ensure the rigidity of each of the modules, as well as to participate in the airtightness between two adjacent modules.
  • a diffusion wall comprising a plurality of intermediate modules or, conversely, a wall comprising only two end modules mounted contiguous.
  • contiguous modules are connected to different sources, they can make it possible to diffuse differently treated air without interrupting the continuity of the laminar flow.
  • a first module can diffuse simply filtered air and have a light source
  • a second module can be used to diffuse air charged with water particles in the form of a fog and a third dry and hot air.
  • the skirts can be rigid or flexible, transparent or not, short or long.
  • walls close to the device can be used as skirts, whether horizontal or vertical, flat or not, smooth or rough, fully sealed or only partially, provided that they constitute an effective deflector for the divergent lateral flow and that they do not introduce excessive turbulence.
  • the box does not necessarily have the shape of a parallelepiped but may be the end of a sheath or the side of a sheath provided with an opening and banks to have a diffusion wall.
  • the invention can also be designed so that the main direction is not vertical. This direction can be horizontal in the case of a diffusing wall.
  • An area to protect may be mobile or not and have dimensions of a few centimeters or even include a conveyor of several meters. It is not necessarily a plan but can also be a volume.
  • a diffusion device according to the invention can be adapted to protect an area regardless of its dimensions.
  • the lateral flow does not necessarily surround the entire main flow. It can be fractionated and other more or less fast or slow flows can occupy part of the periphery of the main flow or exist beyond the lateral flow.
  • the intervention station may be limited to a machine or part of a machine.
  • the station may not be designed for an operator to enter the stream during normal operation of this machine.
  • the invention is also not limited to the pharmaceutical industry but can also be used in any type of industry sensitive to airborne contamination, for example the food industry, the cosmetics industry, the electronics industry , health and any type of laboratory. It can be installed in a room where dust or other contamination is already under control.
  • the invention also has applications in the distribution, for example of food and particularly for restoration.
  • the invention may include a display for food products made available to the customer, for example as part of a buffet, or be used for the presentation of fresh produce in a store, for example in a butcher shop or a pastry.
  • the invention can find many applications. In a dentist, it can for example be adapted to broadcast a healthy flow on a jaw during treatment.
  • An intervention vehicle may be equipped with the invention to protect wounded from bacterial contamination during transport.
  • An operating room or convalescent room may also include the invention for sanitary purposes to deliver a healthy flow to all or part of a patient's body.
  • the invention may include a bed. Particularly in the case of a large burned, the invention may include means for diffusing on the wound air highly moist, optionally supplemented with calming and / or disinfecting substances.
  • An air laden with a disinfecting substance, diffused by the invention, is particularly suitable for preventing nosocomial infections.
  • the intervention station can be equipped with flow absorption means so that this flow is little or no disturbance in the vicinity, for example, of a table or a conveyor for supporting the sensitive product. So, a The support of this type may be porous and equipped with an air extraction device. Absorption means will also be useful if the diffused air should not mix with the surrounding environment, especially if the diffused air is toxic.
  • a diffusion device according to a prior art can be converted into a diffusion device according to the invention, by replacing an anterior diffusion wall by a suitably sized main wall and a side wall according to the invention and by adding as many skirts as needed.
  • Another possibility is to add a diffusion device according to the invention to a pre-existing diffusion device, thus creating, between a diffusion wall of the pre-existing device and those of the device according to the invention a homogenization space.
  • This mixing space makes it possible to homogenize the static and dynamic characteristics, in particular the pressure, of the air before its diffusion.
  • This space may advantageously have a thickness equal to the height of the side walls.

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Abstract

Device and method for diffusing a protective flux. In order to protect one area of a service station, a more or less parallel air flow is created in the direction of the area. Above a threshold F, the air flow has a gradually increasing speed V 22 and, below the threshold, the air flow speed V 21 is more or less uniform along the length of a flow section in a plane P which is transverse to the direction of flow D. One possible configuration for an air flow diffusion device, which allows a confinement barrier to be created, consists of a diffusing wall comprising a main wall and a lateral wall. The main planar wall is adapted to diffuse a main laminar flow in the sterile area to be protected. The lateral wall is adapted to diffuse a lateral flow divergent from the main flow. A skirt is disposed to create an obstacle to the lateral flow and to accelerate the flow by of deflection.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé pour diffuser un flux, par exemple d'air traité, en vue de protéger une zone à l'égard d'un risque de contamination, notamment aéroportée, présente dans une ambiance environnante.The present invention relates to a method for diffusing a flow, for example treated air, to protect an area with respect to a risk of contamination, especially airborne, present in a surrounding environment.

Elle concerne en outre un dispositif de diffusion, associé au procédé, c'est à dire un dispositif pour diffuser un flux sain dans une zone à protéger, par exemple une zone d'un poste d'intervention. Le poste d'intervention peut, par exemple, être un poste de travail ou un poste de stockage. Le flux d'air empêche des agents contaminants contenus dans l'ambiance environnante de pénétrer dans la zone à protéger, et protège tout particulièrement des produits sensibles présents dans cette zone.It also relates to a diffusion device, associated with the method, that is to say a device for diffusing a healthy flow in an area to be protected, for example a zone of an intervention station. The response station may, for example, be a work station or a storage station. The airflow prevents contaminants in the surrounding environment from entering the area to be protected, and particularly protects sensitive products in this area.

Dans la description, on emploie le mot air pour désigner tout fluide sensiblement gazeux adapté à l'utilisation de l'invention, par exemple un gaz ou un mélange gazeux spécifique ou encore un aérosol chargé d'une ou plusieurs substances en suspension. Cet air peut être extrait de l'atmosphère et éventuellement traité pour le rendre sain vis à vis du produit à protéger.In the description, the word air is used to designate any substantially gaseous fluid suitable for the use of the invention, for example a gas or a specific gas mixture or an aerosol charged with one or more substances in suspension. This air can be extracted from the atmosphere and optionally treated to make it healthy with respect to the product to be protected.

L'invention peut être utilisée dans l'industrie agro-alimentaire ou dans l'industrie pharmaceutique, mais aussi dans la restauration, l'industrie cosmétique, l'électronique ou encore le milieu hospitalier.The invention can be used in the food industry or in the pharmaceutical industry, but also in the catering industry, the cosmetics industry, electronics or the hospital environment.

Ces industries, et d'autres imposent de travailler dans une atmosphère parfaitement maîtrisée. Par exemple, cette atmosphère doit être exempte de poussières ou de micro-organismes susceptibles de contaminer le produit et plus généralement d'en affecter la qualité. Dans ce texte, la notion de produit recouvre autant des choses que des êtres vivants, par exemple des patients dans le milieu hospitalier.These industries, and others require to work in a perfectly controlled atmosphere. For example, this atmosphere must be free of dust or microorganisms that may contaminate the product and more generally affect the quality. In this text, the concept of product covers as many things as living beings, for example patients in the hospital environment.

Il n'est pas toujours envisageable, techniquement ou financièrement, de maintenir un atelier ou même une pièce totalement exempte d'agents contaminants. Il peut être préférable de n'assurer qu'une protection rapprochée des produits, c'est à dire de ne protéger qu'une zone relativement réduite du poste d'intervention. Cette protection ne doit pas non plus présenter une gêne importante pour l'accès d'opérateurs de production au poste d'intervention.It is not always possible, technically or financially, to maintain a workshop or even a room totally free of contaminants. It may be preferable to ensure only close protection of products, ie to protect only a relatively reduced from the intervention station. This protection must also not be a major hindrance for the access of production operators to the response station.

Il existe des dispositifs pour la protection rapprochée de produits sensibles par diffusion d'air stérile. Pour certaines applications, par exemple l'industrie pharmaceutique, ce flux doit être laminaire, c'est à dire qu'il est caractérisé par une vitesse dont la valeur et la direction sont uniformes dans l'ensemble du flux, et par un nombre de Reynolds inférieur à 3000, valeur qui correspond à des caractéristiques d'écoulement au-delà desquelles le flux devient turbulent.There are devices for the close protection of sensitive products by sterile air diffusion. For certain applications, for example the pharmaceutical industry, this flow must be laminar, ie it is characterized by a speed whose value and direction are uniform throughout the flow, and by a number of Reynolds less than 3000, a value which corresponds to flow characteristics beyond which the flow becomes turbulent.

Un dispositif de diffusion classique comprend une paroi de diffusion d'un flux laminaire. Cependant, en s'éloignant de la paroi de diffusion, le flux entraîne à sa périphérie l'air ambiant généralement stagnant, dont les caractéristiques sont différentes. Ainsi, l'air ambiant se mélange progressivement par induction avec l'air du flux en le contaminant et en créant des perturbations qui réduisent progressivement la section laminaire du flux et donc le volume protégeable.A conventional diffusion device comprises a diffusion wall of a laminar flow. However, by moving away from the diffusion wall, the flow causes at its periphery generally stagnant ambient air, whose characteristics are different. Thus, the ambient air is progressively mixed by induction with the flow air by contaminating it and creating disturbances that progressively reduce the laminar flow section and thus the protectable volume.

Le document FR-A-2.785.040 divulgue un diffuseur qui permet de créer autour de l'air d'un flux une ambiance décontaminée. Ce résultat est obtenu en entretenant autour de ce premier flux, c'est à dire entre celui-ci et l'air ambiant, des seconds flux latéraux plus lents. Cependant, la barrière de protection ainsi formée est détruite lorsqu'elle est franchie par un opérateur, par un produit ou un élément tiers et elle met un temps notable à se reconstituer. D'autre part, si l'on souhaite un premier flux très lent, des seconds flux encore plus lents seront généralement inefficaces. Par ailleurs, la distance au-delà de laquelle un tel dispositif devient inefficace est relativement courte du fait de la faible énergie des flux lents, de leur divergence recherchée et donc de leur dilution rapide dans l'air ambiant.The document FR-A-2.785.040 discloses a diffuser that creates a decontaminated atmosphere around the air. This result is obtained by maintaining around this first flow, that is to say between it and the ambient air, second, slower lateral flows. However, the protective barrier thus formed is destroyed when it is crossed by an operator, a product or a third party and it takes a significant time to rebuild. On the other hand, if a first very slow stream is desired, even slower second streams will generally be inefficient. Moreover, the distance beyond which such a device becomes ineffective is relatively short because of the low energy of the slow streams, their desired divergence and therefore their rapid dilution in the ambient air.

D'autres dispositifs existent qui permettent de créer à la périphérie d'un flux lent un flux rapide qui sert de barrière de confinement au flux d'air lent. Par exemple, les documents FR 2.748.508 et FR 2.788.843 décrivent des gaines poreuses cylindriques diffusant un flux dont la vitesse augmente du centre vers les bords. Ces variations ne permettent pas d'obtenir un flux laminaire. Le document US 3.776.121 présente des parois de diffusion d'un flux permettant de faire varier le débit, et donc la vitesse de l'écoulement d'air, progressivement du centre du flux vers ses bords. Comme pour les gaines déjà citées, on n'obtient pas de flux laminaire. Le document WO 91/05210 expose, particulièrement à la figure 3, un dispositif de diffusion d'un flux lent, dont la vitesse est uniforme, et d'un flux rapide, dont la vitesse est uniforme. Ce flux rapide est diffusé parallèlement au flux lent et à la périphérie de ce dernier. Le flux rapide a pour rôle de protéger le flux lent de la contamination par l'air ambiant. Cependant, les caractéristiques de vitesse du flux lent, qui peut être laminaire, et du flux rapide, généralement turbulent, sont nettement différentes. Le flux rapide, en s'éloignant du diffuseur génère dans le flux lent de plus en plus de perturbations qui réduisent progressivement la section du flux lent et donc le volume protégeable.Other devices exist which allow to create on the periphery of a slow flow a fast flow which serves as a barrier of confinement to the slow air flow. For example, documents FR 2.748.508 and FR 2.788.843 describe cylindrical porous sheaths diffusing a flow whose speed increases from the center towards the edges. These variations do not make it possible to obtain a laminar flow. The document US Pat. No. 3,776,121 has flow diffusion walls making it possible to vary the flow rate, and therefore the speed of the air flow, progressively from the center of the flow towards its edges. As for the sheaths already mentioned, laminar flow is not obtained. WO 91/05210 discloses, particularly in Figure 3, a device for diffusing a slow flow, whose speed is uniform, and a fast flow, whose speed is uniform. This fast flow is diffused parallel to the slow flow and the periphery of the latter. The fast flow serves to protect the slow flow of ambient air contamination. However, the velocity characteristics of the slow flow, which may be laminar, and the fast, generally turbulent flow, are markedly different. The fast flow, away from the diffuser generates in the slow flow more and more disturbances that gradually reduce the section of the slow flow and therefore the volume protectable.

Le but de l'invention est donc de proposer un procédé et un dispositif associé pour créer une barrière de confinement autour d'une zone à protéger baignée par un flux d'air principal conservé peu perturbé et par exemple sensiblement laminaire, c'est à dire que la barrière de confinement ne crée pas de turbulences dans le flux principal, le flux principal étant ainsi protégé, notamment des risques de contamination et de pollution et des risques de perturbation s'il est laminaire.The object of the invention is therefore to propose a method and an associated device for creating a confinement barrier around an area to be protected bathed in a main stream of conserved air that is undisturbed and for example substantially laminar. that the containment barrier does not create turbulence in the main stream, thus protecting the main flow, including the risk of contamination and pollution and the risk of disturbance if it is laminar.

Selon l'invention, un tel procédé pour protéger une zone d'un poste d'intervention consiste à établir en direction de cette zone un flux d'air sensiblement parallèle ayant, au-delà d'au moins une frontière, une vitesse progressivement accrue. Il est caractérisé en ce qu'en deçà de ladite frontière on donne au flux d'air une vitesse qui est sensiblement uniforme le long d'une section du flux dans un plan transversal à la direction d'écoulement.According to the invention, such a method for protecting an area of an intervention station consists in establishing in the direction of this zone a substantially parallel flow of air having, beyond at least one boundary, a progressively increased speed . It is characterized in that below said boundary the airflow is given a velocity which is substantially uniform along a section of the flow in a plane transverse to the direction of flow.

De même, selon l'invention, un procédé pour protéger un flux laminaire, notamment des risques de contamination, de pollution et de perturbation, est caractérisé en ce qu'on établit un flux latéral ayant une frontière commune avec le flux laminaire, ce flux latéral ayant une vitesse progressivement accrue au-delà de la frontière, et sa vitesse à la frontière étant sensiblement égale à celle du flux laminaire.Similarly, according to the invention, a method for protecting a laminar flow, in particular the risks of contamination, pollution and disturbance, is characterized in that a lateral flow having a common border with the laminar flow is established, said side stream having a progressively increased velocity beyond the boundary, and its velocity at the boundary being substantially equal to that of the laminar flow.

Un dispositif de diffusion d'air pour la mise en oeuvre d'un tel procédé comprend des moyens pour générer au moins un flux d'air principal et sur une partie au moins de la périphérie du flux d'air principal, un flux d'air latéral ayant une vitesse d'écoulement plus grande que le flux d'air principal, de façon à former un flux d'air sensiblement parallèle composé au moins pour partie avec le flux d'air principal et le flux d'air latéral. Ce dispositif de diffusion est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre des moyens pour que la vitesse de l'air dans le flux d'air principal soit sensiblement uniforme le long d'une section bidimensionnelle du flux dans un plan transversal à la direction d'écoulement.An air diffusion device for implementing such a method comprises means for generating at least one main air flow and on at least part of the periphery of the main air flow, a flow of lateral air having a flow velocity greater than the main air flow, so as to form a substantially parallel airflow composed at least in part of the main air flow and the side air flow. This diffusion device is characterized in that it further comprises means for the air velocity in the main air flow to be substantially uniform along a two-dimensional section of the flow in a plane transverse to the direction. flow.

Les moyens pour générer peuvent comprendre au moins une paroi principale poreuse, sensiblement plane et au moins une paroi latérale poreuse disposée en périphérie de la paroi principale, ladite paroi principale étant adaptée pour diffuser le flux d'air principal, par exemple laminaire, selon une direction principale et ladite paroi latérale étant agencée pour diffuser un flux d'air latéral qui diverge de la direction principale, préférablement progressivement à mesure que l'on parcourt la paroi latérale en s'éloignant de la paroi principale, tandis qu'à la sortie de la paroi latérale, la section disponible pour l'écoulement d'une quantité d'air donnée dans le flux latéral est de plus en plus petite lorsqu'on s'éloigne du flux principal, de façon que le flux latéral soit de plus en plus accéléré lorsqu'on s'éloigne du flux principal.The means for generating may comprise at least one substantially flat porous main wall and at least one porous side wall disposed at the periphery of the main wall, said main wall being adapted to diffuse the main air flow, for example laminar, according to a main direction and said side wall being arranged to diffuse a lateral air flow which diverges from the main direction, preferably progressively as one travels the side wall away from the main wall, while at the exit of the side wall, the section available for the flow of a given quantity of air into the lateral flow is smaller and smaller when one moves away from the main flow, so that the lateral flow is more and more more accelerated when moving away from the main flow.

En outre, le dispositif peut comprendre une jupe de sorte que la paroi latérale est disposée entre la paroi principale et la jupe, celle-ci servant de déflecteur pour une partie au moins du flux divergent issu de la paroi latérale. De préférence, on choisira une jupe dont une surface en contact avec un flux est définie par des génératrices sensiblement parallèles au flux ou parallèles à la direction principale. Par exemple, la jupe peut s'étendre dans un plan sensiblement parallèle à la direction principale.In addition, the device may comprise a skirt so that the side wall is disposed between the main wall and the skirt, the latter serving as deflector for at least a portion of the divergent flow from the side wall. Preferably, a skirt will be chosen whose surface in contact with a flow is defined by generatrices substantially parallel to the flow or parallel to the main direction. For example, the skirt may extend in a plane substantially parallel to the main direction.

Il est avantageux qu'une partie au moins du flux divergent soit diffusée à angle droit de la direction principale, ou même obliquement à contresens du flux principal.It is advantageous that at least part of the diverging flow is diffused at right angles to the main direction, or even obliquely in the opposite direction of the main flow.

L'air diffusé, c'est à dire l'air venant de franchir l'une des parois, aura préférablement une vitesse de valeur sensiblement constante sur l'ensemble de la paroi de diffusion. Sa valeur pourra cependant être variable progressivement à mesure que l'on parcourt la paroi latérale en s'éloignant de la paroi principale, par exemple augmenter continûment à partir de la valeur de la vitesse du flux laminaire. Cela peut être obtenu par une variation des pertes de charge à travers les porosités de la paroi latérale. De préférence la valeur de la vitesse lente est de 0,2 à 0,6 m/s et celle de la vitesse la plus rapide est comprise entre 0,6 et 3 m/s.The diffused air, that is to say the air coming from one of the walls, will preferably have a speed of substantially constant value over the entire diffusion wall. Its value may, however, be gradually variable as one travels the side wall away from the main wall, for example continuously increase from the value of the speed of the laminar flow. This can be achieved by varying the pressure losses across the porosities of the sidewall. Preferably the value of the slow speed is 0.2 to 0.6 m / s and that of the fastest speed is between 0.6 and 3 m / s.

La source d'air peut être commune aux flux d'air latéral et principal. Par exemple, les parois principale et latérale peuvent constituer une partie d'une enveloppe constituant une gaine conduisant l'air au moins jusqu'à ces parois. Le volume d'air défini par cette enveloppe constitue la source d'air et l'enveloppe peut comprendre d'autres parois poreuses ou non. La pression de la source en amont de la paroi de diffusion est avantageusement comprise entre 0 et 500 Pascals.The air source can be common to the side and main air flows. For example, the main and lateral walls may be part of an envelope constituting a sheath leading air at least up to these walls. The volume of air defined by this envelope is the source of air and the envelope may comprise other porous walls or not. The pressure of the source upstream of the diffusion wall is advantageously between 0 and 500 Pascals.

On disposera de préférence la jupe dans le but de constituer un déflecteur pour le flux latéral afin qu'il forme un flux défléchi, par exemple sensiblement parallèle à la direction principale. En même temps, on disposera la jupe pour que le déflecteur ne soit pas seulement un guide mais aussi un obstacle à l'écoulement du flux et donc pour qu'une section d'écoulement disponible pour l'écoulement latéral se réduise à mesure que celui-ci est défléchi.The skirt will preferably be disposed in order to constitute a deflector for the lateral flow so that it forms a deflected flow, for example substantially parallel to the main direction. At the same time, the skirt will be arranged so that the deflector is not only a guide but also an obstacle to the flow of the flow and so that a flow section available for lateral flow is reduced as the flow it's deflected.

On peut incurver progressivement le profil le long de la paroi latérale à mesure que l'on s'éloigne de la paroi principale. Si le flux d'air latéral est diffusé en tout point perpendiculairement à la paroi latérale, sa direction varie progressivement avec l'inclinaison croissante de cette paroi. Ainsi, de l'air du flux latéral est dirigé vers l'obstacle déflecteur formé par la jupe, et plus particulièrement vers des points de la jupe et sous des angles qui peuvent êtres différents selon le point de la paroi latérale à partir duquel cet air a été diffusé.The profile can be gradually bent along the sidewall as one moves away from the main wall. If the lateral airflow is diffused at any point perpendicular to the sidewall, its direction varies gradually with the increasing inclination of this wall. Thus, the air of the lateral flow is directed towards the deflector obstacle formed by the skirt, and more particularly towards points of the skirt and at angles which may be different depending on the point of the side wall from which this air has been diffused.

Une partie au moins de la paroi de diffusion peut être constituée d'un matériau souple, par exemple un tissu lavable ou interchangeable ou encore à usage unique, perméable à l'air. La paroi de diffusion peut aussi comporter des parties rigides, par exemple en acier inoxydable. Elle peut ainsi être une tôle perforée ou un tamis métallique. En général elle pourra être constituée de tout matériau poreux ne générant ni particules, ni autre pollution aéroportable.At least a portion of the diffusion wall may be made of a flexible material, for example a washable fabric or interchangeable or even disposable, permeable to air. The diffusion wall may also comprise rigid parts, for example stainless steel. It can thus be a perforated plate or a metal screen. In general it may be made of any porous material generating no particles or other air pollution.

On peut orienter le dispositif de diffusion pour que le flux principal soit dirigé sensiblement verticalement vers le bas, par exemple afin que le flux principal baigne une zone à protéger d'un poste d'intervention.The diffusion device can be oriented so that the main stream is directed substantially vertically downwards, for example so that the main stream bathes an area to be protected from an intervention station.

La jupe est choisie d'une longueur appropriée pour maintenir le mieux possible la cohérence des flux jusqu'à la zone à protéger sans gêner l'accès des opérateurs et/ou des produits traités dans la zone. Par exemple, pour un dispositif de diffusion dont deux bords opposés comprennent chacun une paroi latérale disposée respectivement entre une jupe et la paroi principale, chaque jupe aura au-delà de la paroi principale une longueur sensiblement égale à la demi-distance entre les deux jupes. De préférence une jupe aura une longueur sensiblement égale ou supérieure à trois fois l'épaisseur du flux rapide, c'est à dire trois fois la plus courte distance séparant la jupe de la paroi principale. Au-delà de chaque jupe, les flux respectivement défléchis conserveront leur cohérence sur une longueur sensiblement égale à la distance entre les deux jupes. Ces flux défléchis seront peu sensibles à leur franchissement, par exemple, par des opérateurs et/ou des produits traités et retrouveront leur cohérence dès que franchis.The skirt is chosen of an appropriate length to maintain as much as possible the consistency of the flows to the area to be protected without hindering the access of operators and / or treated products in the area. For example, for a diffusion device whose two opposite edges each comprise a lateral wall disposed respectively between a skirt and the main wall, each skirt will have beyond the main wall a length substantially equal to the half distance between the two skirts. . Preferably a skirt will have a length substantially equal to or greater than three times the thickness of the fast flow, that is to say three times the shortest distance separating the skirt from the main wall. Beyond each skirt, respectively deflected flows will maintain their consistency over a length substantially equal to the distance between the two skirts. These deflected flows will be insensitive to their crossing, for example, by operators and / or processed products and will regain coherence as soon as they are crossed.

L'air utilisé peut être extrait de l'atmosphère puis, par exemple, traité pour le rendre stérile. Particulièrement si l'air diffusé n'est pas utilisé pour la respiration, on peut aussi utiliser un air comprenant un gaz ou un mélange gazeux spécifique, par exemple neutre vis à vis des produits traités, c'est à dire qui n'interagisse pas avec ces produits. On peut ainsi souhaiter que l'air ne contienne pas d'oxydant pour ces produits.The air used can be extracted from the atmosphere and, for example, treated to render it sterile. Especially if the diffused air is not used for the respiration, one can also use an air comprising a gas or a specific gas mixture, for example neutral vis-à-vis the treated products, that is to say that does not interact with these products. It can thus be hoped that the air contains no oxidant for these products.

Selon l'invention un dispositif de diffusion d'air peut être combiné avec un moyen parmi une chaîne de fabrication, une machine-outil, un lit, une table d'opération chirurgicale et un présentoir. Ainsi, le dispositif de diffusion et le moyen auquel il est combiné sont adaptés entre eux pour offrir une protection optimale.According to the invention an air diffusion device can be combined with one of a production line, a machine tool, a bed, a surgical operating table and a display stand. Thus, the diffusion device and the means to which it is combined are adapted to each other to provide optimum protection.

D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention ressortiront encore de la description ci-après, relative à des exemples non limitatifs.Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description below, relating to non-limiting examples.

Aux dessins annexés :

  • la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'une coupe transversale et verticale d'un dispositif de diffusion selon l'invention utilisé comme plafond soufflant,
  • la figure 2 est une vue en détail de la figure 1, au voisinage d'une paroi latérale, illustrant des flux d'air issus du dispositif de diffusion,
  • les figures 3 à 5 sont des détails illustrant des configurations géométriques possibles pour une paroi latérale, et,
  • la figure 6 est une représentation en perspective d'une paroi de diffusion modulaire pour un dispositif de diffusion selon l'invention.
In the accompanying drawings:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a cross-section and vertical section of a diffusion device according to the invention used as a blowing ceiling,
  • FIG. 2 is a view in detail of FIG. 1, in the vicinity of a side wall, illustrating air flows coming from the diffusion device,
  • Figures 3 to 5 are details illustrating possible geometric configurations for a side wall, and,
  • Figure 6 is a perspective representation of a modular diffusion wall for a diffusion device according to the invention.

La figure 1 représente un dispositif de diffusion 1 utilisé comme plafond soufflant, c'est à dire qu'il est disposé au-dessus d'une zone 2 à protéger, qui peut correspondre à une partie ou à la totalité d'un poste d'intervention. Il diffuse vers le bas verticalement sur la zone 2, un gaz approprié, par exemple de l'air dépoussiéré 9. Le dispositif de diffusion 1 comprend un caisson métallique 3, qui est ouvert vers le bas entre des rives parallèles et opposées 5. Une paroi de diffusion 4 s'étend entre les deux rives 5 en travers de toute l'ouverture définie entre les rives 5. Des jupes 6 sont disposées le long de bords opposés 7 du caisson 3, parallèles aux rives 5, de sorte que la paroi de diffusion 4 se trouve entre les jupes 6 dirigées vers le bas à partir du côté inférieur du caisson 3.FIG. 1 represents a diffusion device 1 used as a blowing ceiling, that is to say that it is disposed above an area 2 to be protected, which may correspond to part or all of a station 'intervention. It diffuses down vertically on the zone 2, a suitable gas, for example dust-free air 9. The diffusion device 1 comprises a metal box 3, which is open downwards between parallel and opposite banks. diffusion wall 4 extends between the two banks 5 across the entire opening defined between the banks 5. Skirts 6 are disposed along opposite edges 7 of the box 3, parallel to the banks 5, so that the wall of diffusion 4 is located between the skirts 6 directed downwards from the lower side of the casing 3.

Le caisson 3 et la paroi de diffusion 4 définissent un volume intérieur 8 qui est régulièrement alimenté en air, traité et pressurisé, et sert de source d'air pour le dispositif de diffusion. Une alimentation, non représentée, est disposée en amont du volume intérieur 8. Elle comprend généralement un préfiltre pour de l'air puisé dans l'atmosphère, puis un ventilateur et enfin un filtre à très haute efficacité permettant d'assurer un dépoussiérage convenable de l'air.The casing 3 and the diffusion wall 4 define an internal volume 8 which is regularly supplied with air, treated and pressurized, and serves as an air source for the diffusion device. A feed, not shown, is disposed upstream of the inner volume 8. It generally comprises a prefilter for air drawn into the atmosphere, then a fan and finally a very high efficiency filter to ensure adequate dust removal of the air.

La paroi de diffusion, qui est ici une tôle métallique perforée, peut être décomposée en trois parois, une paroi principale 11 sensiblement plane et horizontale, et deux parois latérales 12 qui sont des quarts de cylindre ayant chacun un axe parallèle aux rives 5. Chaque paroi latérale est disposée entre l'une respective des rives 5 du caisson et la paroi principale, en formant un prolongement courbe de la paroi principale 11. Les axes des cylindres sont dans le volume intérieur 8, de sorte que les parois latérales sont convexes du côté extérieur du caisson 3.The diffusion wall, which is here a perforated metal sheet, can be decomposed into three walls, a main wall 11 substantially flat and horizontal, and two side walls 12 which are quarter cylinders each having an axis parallel to the banks 5. Each side wall is disposed between a respective one of the banks 5 of the box and the main wall, forming a curved extension of the main wall 11. The axes of the cylinders are in the inner volume 8, so that the side walls are convex of the outside of the casing 3.

Chaque perforation de la paroi de diffusion 4 est un pore par lequel l'air peut être diffusé depuis le volume intérieur 8 à travers la paroi de diffusion 4. La porosité est la même sur l'ensemble de la paroi de diffusion, c'est à dire que les pores sont régulièrement répartis et de forme et taille sensiblement identiques. Ils sont suffisamment petits et rapprochés pour que chaque filet d'air 14 issu d'un pore quelconque 13 forme un tout cohérent avec des filets d'air issus de pores voisins. Dans l'exemple des figures 1 et 2, la paroi de diffusion est fine et les pores n'ont pas de rôle directif, c'est à dire qu'ils n'ont pas, par exemple, la forme d'une buse qui imposerait une direction à l'air qui est diffusé. Ainsi, l'air est diffusé sensiblement perpendiculairement à la paroi de diffusion 4 au droit de chaque pore. De même, le volume intérieur 8 forme une source unique, de pression sensiblement uniforme, la valeur de la vitesse de diffusion V1 de tous les filets d'air est sensiblement identique.Each perforation of the diffusion wall 4 is a pore through which the air can be diffused from the internal volume 8 through the diffusion wall 4. The porosity is the same over the whole of the diffusion wall, it is to say that the pores are regularly distributed and of substantially identical shape and size. They are small enough and close together so that each air stream 14 coming from any one pore 13 forms a coherent whole with air streams coming from neighboring pores. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the diffusion wall is thin and the pores have no directional role, ie they do not have, for example, the shape of a nozzle which impose a direction on the air that is broadcast. Thus, the air is diffused substantially perpendicular to the diffusion wall 4 to the right of each pore. Similarly, the internal volume 8 forms a single source of substantially uniform pressure, the value of the diffusion rate V1 of all the air streams is substantially identical.

L'air 9 issu du dispositif de diffusion 1 comprend un flux d'air principal 91 issu de la paroi principale 11, et des flux d'air latéraux 92 issus chacun de l'une des parois latérales 12. La paroi principale 11 forme un plan horizontal, de sorte que les vitesses de diffusion principale V11 dans le flux d'air principal 91 au moment de sa diffusion par la paroi 11 sont uniformes en valeur et en direction selon une direction principale D, dirigée verticalement vers le bas. La valeur des vitesses de diffusion principale V11 est maintenue inférieure à une valeur limite, par exemple 0,6 m/s, au-delà de laquelle un flux d'air n'est plus laminaire. Le flux principal diffusé est laminaire.The air 9 coming from the diffusion device 1 comprises a main air flow 91 coming from the main wall 11, and lateral air flows 92 each coming from one of the side walls 12. The main wall 11 forms a horizontal plane, so that the main diffusion rates V11 in the main air flow 91 at the time of its diffusion through the wall 11 are uniform in value and direction in a main direction D, directed vertically downwards. The value of the main diffusion rates V11 is kept below a limit value, for example 0.6 m / s, beyond which a flow of air is no longer laminar. The main stream is laminar.

Le flux principal 91, issus de la paroi principale 11, conserve sa vitesse uniforme. C'est à dire que sa vitesse d'écoulement principal V21 (figure 2) lorsqu'il traverse un plan P correspondant au bord inférieur 16 de la jupe 6, est sensiblement identique en direction et en valeur à la vitesse de diffusion principale V11.The main stream 91, from the main wall 11, maintains its uniform speed. That is, its main flow velocity V21 (Fig. 2) as it passes through a plane P corresponding to the lower edge 16 of the skirt 6 is substantially identical in direction and value to the main diffusion velocity V11.

Les vitesses de diffusion latérale V12 dans un flux d'air latéral 92 au moment de sa diffusion par la paroi 12 sont uniformes en valeur et leur valeur est égale à celle des vitesses de diffusion principale V11. Cependant, l'orientation de la vitesse de chaque filet d'air latéral dépend de la position du pore dont le filet est issu. Ainsi, les directions des vitesses de diffusion latérale V12 divergent progressivement de la direction principale D à mesure que l'on parcourt la paroi latérale 12 en s'éloignant de la paroi principale 11. En conséquence, la direction d'une vitesse de diffusion latérale V12 d'un filet d'air issu d'un pore proche de la paroi principale est sensiblement identique à la direction principale D, donc sensiblement parallèle aux jupes 6. Par contre, la direction d'une vitesse de diffusion latérale V12 d'un filet issu d'un pore proche d'une rive 5 est sensiblement perpendiculaire à la direction principale D et donc dirigée horizontalement vers la jupe 6 la plus voisine, sensiblement perpendiculairement au plan de cette même jupe.The lateral diffusion velocities V12 in a lateral air flow 92 at the moment of its diffusion by the wall 12 are uniform in value and their value is equal to that of the main diffusion rates V11. However, the orientation of the velocity of each lateral air stream depends on the position of the pore from which the net is derived. Thus, the directions of the V12 lateral diffusion speeds progressively diverge from the main direction D as the lateral wall 12 is moved away from the main wall 11. Consequently, the direction of a lateral diffusion velocity V12 of an air stream coming from a pore close to the main wall is substantially identical to the main direction D, thus substantially parallel to the skirts 6. On the other hand, the direction of a lateral diffusion velocity V12 of a net from a pore close to a bank 5 is substantially perpendicular to the main direction D and thus directed horizontally to the skirt 6 closest to, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the same skirt.

Ainsi, en référence au détail de la figure 2, la jupe 6 est un obstacle à l'écoulement des filets d'air 14 diffusés au travers de la paroi latérale 12. Les filets d'air ainsi diffusés vont se concentrer contre la jupe 6, qui les défléchit, puis la longer jusqu'à son bord inférieur 16. Plus le pore dont sort un filet d'air est proche de la rive 5, plus la section disponible pour l'écoulement de ce filet est réduite. Pour un débit constant du filet d'air, cela entraîne une augmentation de sa vitesse d'écoulement.Thus, with reference to the detail of Figure 2, the skirt 6 is an obstacle to the flow of the air streams 14 diffused through the side wall 12. The air streams thus diffused will concentrate against the skirt 6 who deflects them, then the longer to its lower edge 16. The more the pore from which a stream of air comes close to the bank 5, the more the section available for the flow of this net is reduced. For a constant flow of the air stream, this causes an increase in its flow rate.

Il en résulte que, dans un plan P horizontal (voir figure 2) correspondant au bord inférieur 16 de la jupe 6, les vitesses d'écoulement latérales V22 du flux latéral défléchi ont des directions sensiblement identiques entre elles et parallèles à la direction principale D, mais des valeurs qui partent d'une valeur minimale égale à la vitesse V21 du flux principal le long de la frontière F et vont en augmentant à mesure que l'on parcourt le plan P en se rapprochant du bord inférieur 16 de la jupe 6.As a result, in a horizontal plane P (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the lower edge 16 of the skirt 6, the lateral flow velocities V22 of the deflected lateral flow have directions that are substantially identical to each other and parallel to the main direction D. , but values that start from a minimum value equal to the speed V21 of the main flow along the border F and increase as we travel the plane P by approaching the lower edge 16 of the skirt 6 .

Ainsi, le long de la frontière F, le flux latéral a la même vitesse que le flux principal puis sa vitesse croît d'abord très lentement puis de plus en plus rapidement lorsqu'on s'éloigne de la frontière F. Ainsi, la frontière F est un plan sensiblement vertical qui se conserve au-delà du plan P, de même que le caractère laminaire du flux principal.Thus, along the border F, the lateral flow has the same speed as the main flow then its speed first increases very slowly and then more and more rapidly when one moves away from the border F. Thus, the border F is a substantially vertical plane that is preserved beyond the plane P, as is the laminar nature of the main flow.

A l'opposé et au-delà du plan P, le flux latéral tend à reconquérir de l'espace pour son écoulement en réduisant l'espace occupé par l'air ambiant 99. Ainsi, le flux latéral tend à s'élargir en repoussant l'air ambiant ce qui contribue à augmenter la zone protégée 2 en formant une barrière de confinement pour le flux laminaire. En référence à la figure 1, cette zone protégée peut être divisée en trois parties. Entre les frontières F une partie 21 baignée par le flux principal 91, laminaire et lent, et au-delà des frontières F deux parties latérales 22 baignées par un flux latéral, d'autant plus rapide et turbulent que l'on s'éloigne des frontières. Les jupes sont suffisamment courtes pour ménager un passage libre sous leur bord inférieur 16 et au-dessus de la zone 2. Au-delà de la jupe, les filets extérieurs du flux latéral, initialement les plus rapides, peuvent ensuite ralentir en entraînant de l'air ambiant et en s'élargissant dans celui-ci, mais les filets situés en deçà empêchent un ralentissement trop fort et, quoi qu'il en soit, maintiennent la protection du flux principal.Opposite and beyond the plane P, the lateral flow tends to reconquer space for its flow by reducing the space occupied by the ambient air 99. Thus, the lateral flow tends to widen by repelling the ambient air which contributes to increase the protected area 2 by forming a confinement barrier for the laminar flow. With reference to FIG. 1, this protected area can be divided into three parts. Between the borders F a portion 21 bathed by the main stream 91, laminar and slow, and beyond the borders F two side portions 22 bathed by a lateral flow, all the more rapid and turbulent as one moves away from borders. The skirts are short enough to provide a free passage under their lower edge 16 and above the zone 2. Beyond the skirt, the external nets of the side stream, initially the fastest, can then slow down by causing the ambient air and widening in it, but the nets located on the side prevent a slowdown too strong and, in any case, maintain the protection of the main flow.

Un interstice à été ménagé entre le bord 5 du caisson 3 et la jupe 6 pour créer une fuite 20 d'une partie du flux latéral. Ceci permet d'éviter la création de turbulences excessives dans une zone limitée par le caisson, entre le bord 7 et la rive 5, et le haut de la jupe. D'autre part, si la jupe 6 est prévue démontable, il est difficile d'assurer l'étanchéité entre la jupe 6 et le caisson 3. Un effet de pompe au travers d'une étanchéité mal faite engendrerait la pollution de l'air diffusé par de l'air ambiant 99. Ainsi, la surpression entre la paroi latérale et la jupe, en générant la fuite 20, permet d'éviter cet effet de pompe sans nécessiter une étanchéité entre la jupe 6 et le caisson 3.A gap has been created between the edge 5 of the box 3 and the skirt 6 to create a leak 20 of a portion of the lateral flow. This avoids the creation of excessive turbulence in a zone limited by the box, between the edge 7 and the bank 5, and the top of the skirt. On the other hand, if the skirt 6 is dismountable, it is difficult to seal between the skirt 6 and the box 3. A pump effect through a poorly made seal would cause air pollution diffused by ambient air 99. Thus, the overpressure between the side wall and the skirt, by generating the leakage 20, makes it possible to avoid this pump effect without requiring a seal between the skirt 6 and the box 3.

Il peut être nécessaire de prévoir un éclairage de la zone protégée. Si cet éclairage est disposé dans la zone protégée l'écoulement du flux y sera perturbé. Il est donc avantageux de prévoir un éclairage en amont de la paroi de diffusion, par exemple dans le volume intérieur 8. La paroi de diffusion est alors adaptée pour permettre le passage de la lumière au travers de la paroi jusque dans la zone d'intervention. Ainsi, la porosité peut être suffisante pour le passage de la lumière et/ou la paroi être constituée d'un matériau transparent ou translucide. Les moyens d'éclairage peuvent aussi être disposés dans la paroi.It may be necessary to provide lighting for the protected area. If this lighting is arranged in the protected area the flow of the flow will be disturbed. It is therefore advantageous to provide illumination upstream of the diffusion wall, for example in the interior volume 8. The diffusion wall is then adapted to allow the passage of light through the wall into the intervention zone. . Thus, the porosity may be sufficient for the passage of light and / or the wall to be made of a transparent or translucent material. The lighting means may also be arranged in the wall.

Il est aussi préférable de prévoir, autant que possible, de diffuser de l'air déjà traité, c'est à dire qu'il n'est plus nécessaire de disposer dans la zone protégée des dispositifs de traitement de l'air qui seraient susceptibles de perturber son écoulement. Ces dispositifs de traitement peuvent comprendre des moyens de climatisation pour l'hygrométrie ou la température de l'air, des moyens pour y mélanger des gaz ou des moyens pour charger l'air en particules formant ainsi un aérosol. Ces particules peuvent être liquides ou solides, par exemple une poudre. Ces particules peuvent être une substance désinfectante qui conserve la paroi de diffusion exempte de contamination. Les moyens pour charger l'air peuvent être des buses disposées en amont de la paroi de diffusion. D'autres moyens tels que de la lumière pulsée ou des lampes à ultra-violets peuvent être insérés en amont de la paroi de diffusion pour décontaminer l'air et des surfaces, telles celles du caisson ou de la paroi.It is also preferable to plan, as much as possible, to distribute air that has already been treated, that is to say that it is no longer necessary to have in the protected area air treatment devices that would be susceptible to disturb its flow. These treatment devices may comprise air conditioning means for the hygrometry or the temperature of the air, means for mixing gases or means for charging the air into particles thus forming an aerosol. These particles may be liquid or solid, for example a powder. These particles can be a disinfectant that keeps the diffusion wall free of contamination. The means for charging the air may be nozzles arranged upstream of the diffusion wall. Other means such as pulsed light or ultraviolet lamps can be inserted upstream of the diffusion wall. to decontaminate the air and surfaces, such as those of the box or wall.

D'autres configurations que le quart de cylindre sont possibles pour une paroi latérale 12. A la figure 3, elle est constituée d'une partie plane 23 s'étendant parallèlement à la direction D à partir de la rive 5 et reliée à la paroi principale 11 par une autre partie plane 24 inclinée à 45 degrés par rapport à la paroi principale. A la figure 4, la paroi latérale 12 forme un angle droit avec la paroi principale et suit un profil rectiligne jusqu'à la rive 5. Dans la configuration de la figure 5, la paroi principale s'étend jusqu'à l'aplomb de la rive 5 puis elle est reliée par une paroi latérale constituée de deux quarts de cylindres 26,27 encadrant une partie 25 plane et perpendiculaire à la paroi principale. La jupe est déportée latéralement vers l'extérieur par rapport au caisson et remonte plus haut que la rive 5. Le bord 7 du caisson est confondu avec la rive 5.Other configurations that the quarter cylinder are possible for a side wall 12. In Figure 3, it consists of a flat portion 23 extending parallel to the direction D from the side 5 and connected to the wall main 11 by another flat portion 24 inclined at 45 degrees relative to the main wall. In FIG. 4, the side wall 12 forms a right angle with the main wall and follows a rectilinear profile to the bank 5. In the configuration of FIG. 5, the main wall extends up to the level of the bank 5 and is connected by a side wall consisting of two quarters of cylinders 26,27 flanking a flat portion 25 and perpendicular to the main wall. The skirt is offset laterally outwardly relative to the box and rises above the bank 5. The edge 7 of the box is coincident with the side 5.

Au lieu d'être d'un seul tenant, la paroi de diffusion peut être modulaire ce qui permet de couvrir des surfaces importantes ou de forme complexe ou encore d'utiliser plusieurs sources, simultanément ou non. La figure 6 présente une paroi de diffusion composée de trois modules, normalement jointifs mais présentés distants pour la clarté de la description. Elle comprend deux modules d'extrémité 30 et un module intermédiaire 31, tous construits sur une base rectangulaire. Le module d'extrémité comprend sur deux côtés opposés d'une paroi principale 11, des parois latérales 12, et sur ses deux autres côtés opposés une séparation 32. Les deux modules d'extrémité comprennent sur trois de leurs côtés une paroi latérale 12 et sur le quatrième côté une séparation 32 pour venir coïncider avec une séparation 32 du module intermédiaire 31 lors de leur assemblage. Les séparations 32, s'étendent perpendiculairement à la base de chacun des modules, elles ont pour rôle principal d'assurer la rigidité de chacun des modules, ainsi que de participer à l'étanchéité à l'air entre deux modules contigus.Instead of being in one piece, the diffusion wall can be modular which can cover large surfaces or complex shape or to use multiple sources, simultaneously or not. Figure 6 shows a diffusion wall composed of three modules, normally joined but presented distant for the sake of clarity. It comprises two end modules 30 and an intermediate module 31, all built on a rectangular base. The end module comprises on two opposite sides of a main wall 11, side walls 12, and on its two other opposite sides a partition 32. The two end modules comprise on three of their sides a side wall 12 and on the fourth side a separation 32 to coincide with a separation 32 of the intermediate module 31 during assembly. The separations 32, extend perpendicular to the base of each of the modules, their main role is to ensure the rigidity of each of the modules, as well as to participate in the airtightness between two adjacent modules.

On peut ainsi, selon les besoins, construire une paroi de diffusion comprenant plusieurs modules intermédiaires ou, au contraire, une paroi ne comportant que deux modules d'extrémité montés contigus. Dans le cas où des modules contigus sont raccordés à des sources différentes, ils peuvent permettre de diffuser de l'air différemment traité sans interrompre la continuité du flux laminaire. Ainsi, par exemple, un premier module peut diffuser de l'air simplement filtré et disposer d'une source lumineuse, un second module peut permettre de diffuser de l'air chargé de particules d'eau sous forme d'un brouillard et un troisième de l'air sec et chaud.It is thus possible, as needed, to construct a diffusion wall comprising a plurality of intermediate modules or, conversely, a wall comprising only two end modules mounted contiguous. In the case where contiguous modules are connected to different sources, they can make it possible to diffuse differently treated air without interrupting the continuity of the laminar flow. Thus, for example, a first module can diffuse simply filtered air and have a light source, a second module can be used to diffuse air charged with water particles in the form of a fog and a third dry and hot air.

Bien sûr, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples qui viennent d'être décrits et de nombreux aménagements peuvent être apportés à ces exemples sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Ainsi, les jupes peuvent être rigides ou souples, transparentes ou non, courtes ou longues. De plus, des parois proches du dispositif peuvent servir de jupes, qu'elles soient horizontales ou verticales, planes ou non, lisses ou rugueuses, totalement étanches ou seulement partiellement, pourvu qu'elles constituent un déflecteur efficace pour le flux latéral divergent et qu'elles n'y introduisent pas de turbulences excessives. Le caisson n'a pas obligatoirement la forme d'un parallélépipède mais peut être l'extrémité d'une gaine ou encore le flanc d'une gaine munie d'une ouverture et de rives pour y disposer une paroi de diffusion. L'invention peut aussi conçue pour que la direction principale ne soit pas verticale. Cette direction peut être horizontale dans le cas d'un mur diffusant.Thus, the skirts can be rigid or flexible, transparent or not, short or long. In addition, walls close to the device can be used as skirts, whether horizontal or vertical, flat or not, smooth or rough, fully sealed or only partially, provided that they constitute an effective deflector for the divergent lateral flow and that they do not introduce excessive turbulence. The box does not necessarily have the shape of a parallelepiped but may be the end of a sheath or the side of a sheath provided with an opening and banks to have a diffusion wall. The invention can also be designed so that the main direction is not vertical. This direction can be horizontal in the case of a diffusing wall.

Une zone à protéger peut être mobile ou non et avoir des dimensions de quelques centimètres ou encore comprendre un convoyeur de plusieurs mètres. Elle n'est pas obligatoirement un plan mais peut aussi être un volume. Un dispositif de diffusion selon l'invention peut être adapté pour protéger une zone quelles que soient ses dimensions.An area to protect may be mobile or not and have dimensions of a few centimeters or even include a conveyor of several meters. It is not necessarily a plan but can also be a volume. A diffusion device according to the invention can be adapted to protect an area regardless of its dimensions.

Selon les besoins de protection, le flux latéral n'entoure pas obligatoirement l'ensemble du flux principal. Il peut être fractionné et d'autres flux plus ou moins rapides ou lents peuvent occuper une partie de la périphérie du flux principal ou exister au-delà du flux latéral.Depending on the protection needs, the lateral flow does not necessarily surround the entire main flow. It can be fractionated and other more or less fast or slow flows can occupy part of the periphery of the main flow or exist beyond the lateral flow.

Le poste d'intervention peut être limité à une machine ou une partie d'une machine. Le poste peut ne pas être prévu pour qu'un opérateur pénètre dans le flux lors du fonctionnement habituel de cette machine.The intervention station may be limited to a machine or part of a machine. The station may not be designed for an operator to enter the stream during normal operation of this machine.

L'invention n'est pas non plus limitée à l'industrie pharmaceutique mais peut aussi être utilisée dans tout type d'industrie sensible à une contamination aéroportée, par exemple l'industrie agro-alimentaire, l'industrie cosmétique, l'industrie électronique, la santé et tout type de laboratoire. Elle peut être installée dans une salle où l'empoussièrement ou une autre contamination est déjà maîtrisé.The invention is also not limited to the pharmaceutical industry but can also be used in any type of industry sensitive to airborne contamination, for example the food industry, the cosmetics industry, the electronics industry , health and any type of laboratory. It can be installed in a room where dust or other contamination is already under control.

L'invention trouve aussi des applications dans la distribution, par exemple d'aliments et particulièrement pour la restauration. Ainsi, l'invention peut comprendre un présentoir pour des produits alimentaires mis à la disposition de la clientèle, par exemple dans le cadre d'un buffet, ou bien servir à la présentation de produits frais dans un magasin, par exemple dans une boucherie ou une pâtisserie.The invention also has applications in the distribution, for example of food and particularly for restoration. Thus, the invention may include a display for food products made available to the customer, for example as part of a buffet, or be used for the presentation of fresh produce in a store, for example in a butcher shop or a pastry.

Dans le domaine de la santé, l'invention peut trouver de nombreuses applications. Chez un dentiste, elle peut par exemple être adaptée pour diffuser un flux sain sur une mâchoire en cours de traitement. Un véhicule d'intervention peut être équipé de l'invention pour protéger des blessés de contaminations bactériennes durant leur transport. Une salle d'opération ou une chambre de convalescence peuvent aussi comprendre l'invention dans des buts sanitaires pour diffuser un flux sain sur tout ou partie du corps d'un patient. Ainsi, l'invention peut comprendre un lit. Particulièrement dans le cas d'un grand brûlé, l'invention peut comprendre des moyens de diffuser sur la plaie de l'air fortement humide, éventuellement additionné de substances calmantes et/ou désinfectantes. Un air chargé d'une substance désinfectante, diffusé par l'invention, est particulièrement adapté à éviter les infections nosocomiales.In the field of health, the invention can find many applications. In a dentist, it can for example be adapted to broadcast a healthy flow on a jaw during treatment. An intervention vehicle may be equipped with the invention to protect wounded from bacterial contamination during transport. An operating room or convalescent room may also include the invention for sanitary purposes to deliver a healthy flow to all or part of a patient's body. Thus, the invention may include a bed. Particularly in the case of a large burned, the invention may include means for diffusing on the wound air highly moist, optionally supplemented with calming and / or disinfecting substances. An air laden with a disinfecting substance, diffused by the invention, is particularly suitable for preventing nosocomial infections.

Le poste d'intervention peut être équipé de moyens d'absorption du flux afin que ce flux soit peu ou pas perturbé au voisinage, par exemple, d'une table ou d'un convoyeur destiné à supporter le produit sensible. Ainsi, un support de ce type pourra être poreux et équipé d'un dispositif d'extraction de l'air. Des moyens d'absorption seront utiles aussi si l'air diffusé ne doit pas se mélanger avec l'ambiance environnante, particulièrement si l'air diffusé est toxique.The intervention station can be equipped with flow absorption means so that this flow is little or no disturbance in the vicinity, for example, of a table or a conveyor for supporting the sensitive product. So, a The support of this type may be porous and equipped with an air extraction device. Absorption means will also be useful if the diffused air should not mix with the surrounding environment, especially if the diffused air is toxic.

Par ailleurs, un dispositif de diffusion selon un art antérieur peut être transformé en un dispositif de diffusion selon l'invention, en remplaçant une paroi de diffusion antérieure par une paroi principale et une paroi latérale selon l'invention convenablement dimensionnées et en y adjoignant autant de jupes que de besoin. Une autre possibilité est de rajouter un dispositif de diffusion selon l'invention à un dispositif de diffusion préexistant, créant ainsi, entre une paroi de diffusion du dispositif préexistant et celles du dispositif selon l'invention un espace d'homogénéisation. Cet espace de mélange permet d'homogénéiser les caractéristiques statiques et dynamiques, notamment la pression, de l'air avant sa diffusion. Cet espace pourra avoir avantageusement une épaisseur égale à la hauteur des parois latérales.Furthermore, a diffusion device according to a prior art can be converted into a diffusion device according to the invention, by replacing an anterior diffusion wall by a suitably sized main wall and a side wall according to the invention and by adding as many skirts as needed. Another possibility is to add a diffusion device according to the invention to a pre-existing diffusion device, thus creating, between a diffusion wall of the pre-existing device and those of the device according to the invention a homogenization space. This mixing space makes it possible to homogenize the static and dynamic characteristics, in particular the pressure, of the air before its diffusion. This space may advantageously have a thickness equal to the height of the side walls.

Claims (28)

  1. Method for protecting a zone (2) of an operating station by establishing in the direction (D) of this zone an substantially parallel air stream (9) having beyond at least one boundary (F) a progressively greater speed (V22), in which within the aforementioned boundary the air stream is given a speed (V21) that is substantially uniform along a section of the stream in a plane (P) transverse to the direction of flow, characterized in that within the aforementioned boundary, the stream is diffused through an substantially flat porous panel (11).
  2. Method for protecting a laminar stream (91), characterized in that a lateral stream (92) is established having a common boundary (F) with the laminar stream, the aforementioned lateral stream having a progressively greater speed (V22) beyond the aforementioned boundary (F), and its speed at the aforementioned boundary being substantially equal to the speed (V21) of the laminar stream (91), and that the laminar stream is diffused through an substantially flat porous panel.
  3. Air diffuser (1) for the implementation of a method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising means (3, 4, 6) of generating at least one principal air stream (91) and on at least part of the periphery of the principal air stream, a lateral air stream (92) with a flow speed (V22) greater than the principal air stream, in order to form an substantially parallel air stream (9) made up at least partly of the principal air stream and the lateral air stream, the aforementioned device also comprising means (3, 4, 6) so that the air speed (V21) in the principal air stream is substantially uniform along a two-dimensional section of the stream in a plane (P) transverse to the direction of flow (D), the principal air stream being diffused through an substantially flat porous principal panel (11), the lateral stream (92) being contiguous to the principal stream (91) along the boundary (F) and the speed (V22) of the air in the lateral stream at the boundary being substantially equal to the uniform speed (V21) in the principal stream, and in that the aforementioned speed (V22) of the lateral stream increases progressively the further away it is from the aforementioned boundary.
  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that along the boundary F, the lateral stream has the same speed as the principal stream and then its speed increases, very slowly at first and then more and more quickly the further away it is from the boundary F.
  5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the flow speed (V21) of the principal stream when it passes through a plane (P) corresponding to the lower edge (16) of the skirt (6) is substantially identical in direction and value to the principal diffusion speed (V11).
  6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the lateral stream of which is contiguous to the principal stream along the boundary, characterized in that, in the transverse plane, the air speed measured in the lateral stream diverges progressively from the direction of the principal stream the further away it is from the aforementioned boundary.
  7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the generation means comprise a porous lateral panel (12) arranged on the periphery of the principal panel, the pressure losses through the pores in the lateral panel varying so that the air speed through the lateral panel increases continuously from the speed of the principal stream, the further away the lateral stream is from the principal panel.
  8. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the diffusion panel has an substantially constant porosity.
  9. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the generation means comprise at least the substantially flat porous principal panel (11) and at least one porous lateral panel (12) arranged on the periphery of the principal panel, the aforementioned principal panel being designed to diffuse the principal air stream in a principal direction (D) and the aforementioned lateral panel being arranged to diffuse a lateral air stream divergent from the principal direction, and that at the end of the lateral panel, the section available for the flow of a given quantity of air in the lateral stream is increasingly small the further away it is from the principal stream, so that the lateral stream is increasingly accelerated the further away it is from the aforementioned principal stream.
  10. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a skirt (6) arranged in such a way that the lateral panel is located between this skirt and the principal panel and the aforementioned skirt being arranged to deflect at least part of the divergent stream coming from the lateral panel.
  11. Air diffuser according to claim 10, characterized in that an area of the skirt in contact with a stream is defined by generating lines substantially parallel to the stream or parallel to the principal direction.
  12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that beyond the principal panel, the length of the skirt is substantially equal to or greater than three times the thickness of the fast stream, i.e. three times the shortest distance between the skirt and the principal panel, and/or, when two opposite edges of the aforementioned diffuser each comprise a lateral panel respectively arranged between a skirt and a principal panel, the length of each skirt beyond the principal panel is substantially equal to half of the distance between the two skirts.
  13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the principal and lateral panels are panels of a housing (3), the skirt being arranged so that an opening is formed between the housing and the skirt to create a leakage (20) of part of the lateral stream.
  14. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the lateral panel is arranged so that the lateral air stream diverges progressively from the principal direction the further along the lateral panel it is from the principal panel.
  15. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the principal air stream is substantially laminar.
  16. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that the air is diffused at an substantially constant speed (V11, V12) through the entire diffusion panel (4).
  17. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that the air is diffused from a single volume of air (8), an envelope (3, 4) of which comprises the diffusion panel (4).
  18. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that the diffusion panel has a profile that curves progressively along the lateral panel away from the principal panel.
  19. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 18, characterized in that at all points of the diffusion panel a plane tangent to the aforementioned panel is perpendicular to the direction of the air stream.
  20. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 19, characterized in that the diffusion panel comprises an air permeable fabric.
  21. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 20, characterized in that it is arranged so that the principal stream bathes a zone to be protected on an operating station.
  22. Air diffuser according to claim 21, characterized in that it allows unrestricted access to the operating station and/or the zone to be protected.
  23. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 22, characterized in that it comprises, upstream of and/or in the diffusion panel, means of lighting the protected zone.
  24. Air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 23, characterized in that it comprises, upstream of the diffusion panel, means to charge the air with particles; these particles may form an aerosol and be solid or liquid.
  25. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 24, characterized in that it is made up of several modules (30, 31).
  26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that at least two of the modules are connected to different air sources.
  27. Combination of an air diffuser according to any one of claims 3 to 26 with either a production line, a machine tool, a bed, an operating table or a display cabinet.
  28. Diffuser characterized in that it is produced by replacing an existing diffusion panel with, or superimposing on it, a diffusion panel comprising at least one substantially flat porous principal panel and at least one porous lateral panel arranged on the periphery of the principal panel, the aforementioned principal panel being designed to diffuse a principal air stream in a principal direction and the aforementioned lateral panel being arranged to diffuse a lateral air stream divergent from the principal direction, and in that at the end of the lateral panel, the section available for the flow of a given quantity of air in the lateral stream is increasingly small the further away it is from the principal stream, so that the lateral stream is increasingly accelerated the further away it is from the aforementioned principal stream.
EP02732868A 2001-05-14 2002-05-14 Method and device for diffusing a protective flux with regard to a surrounding environment Revoked EP1387989B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0106333 2001-05-14
FR0106333A FR2824626B1 (en) 2001-05-14 2001-05-14 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BROADCASTING A PROTECTIVE FLOW WITH REGARD TO AN ENVIRONMENT
PCT/FR2002/001627 WO2002093082A1 (en) 2001-05-14 2002-05-14 Method and device for diffusing a protective flux with regard to a surrounding environment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1387989A1 EP1387989A1 (en) 2004-02-11
EP1387989B1 true EP1387989B1 (en) 2006-03-15

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02732868A Revoked EP1387989B1 (en) 2001-05-14 2002-05-14 Method and device for diffusing a protective flux with regard to a surrounding environment

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US7297050B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1387989B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2004525337A (en)
AT (1) ATE320579T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002304478B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2447086C (en)
DE (1) DE60209897T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2260436T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2824626B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1387989E (en)
WO (1) WO2002093082A1 (en)

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EP4200568A4 (en) * 2020-08-19 2024-08-21 Itt Mfg Enterprises Llc Air safety systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US7297050B2 (en) 2007-11-20
CA2447086A1 (en) 2002-11-21
EP1387989A1 (en) 2004-02-11
US20040198215A1 (en) 2004-10-07
FR2824626B1 (en) 2004-04-16
WO2002093082A1 (en) 2002-11-21
FR2824626A1 (en) 2002-11-15
DE60209897D1 (en) 2006-05-11
ATE320579T1 (en) 2006-04-15
ES2260436T3 (en) 2006-11-01
CA2447086C (en) 2009-12-22
PT1387989E (en) 2006-08-31
AU2002304478B2 (en) 2007-03-15
DE60209897T2 (en) 2006-11-16
JP2004525337A (en) 2004-08-19

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