GB2273152A

GB2273152A - Swirl diffuser

Info

Publication number: GB2273152A
Application number: GB9224713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Brown; Carl Pendleton
Original assignee: GILBERTS
Current assignee: GILBERTS
Priority date: 1992-11-25
Filing date: 1992-11-25
Publication date: 1994-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-25
Also published as: GB9224713D0; GB2273152B

Abstract

A swirl diffuser comprises radial vanes 4 pivoted about radial extending axes, 31, 36 in order to control the direction in which air may flow from outlet 6. A control device 10 for pivoting the vanes 4 includes a circular plate 12. Pivot arms 16, one for each vane 4, are pivotally mounted to the plate 12 and to levers 14 fixed to respective vanes 4. A wax cylinder (not shown) within support sleeve 15 is connected to a ram 17 which is fixed to the plate 12. The wax cylinder expands and contracts in the axial direction, in dependance upon the temperature of air flowing through the diffuser. Hot air is directed downwardly into a room, and cool air is directed across the ceiling of the room. The wax cylinder may be replaced with an electric motor or a pneumatic cylinder responsive to a thermostat, or the plate 12 maybe moved by manually-operable means. <IMAGE>

Description

VENTILATION APPARATUS This invention relates to ventilation apparatus and particularly, although not exclusively, to a ceiling mountable air flow controller known as a "swirl diffuser".

The control of the flow of air from a ceiling mounted air flow controller into an occupied region of a room is vital to ensure the comfort of the occupants of the room.

If a temperature sensor within the room senses that the temperature is too cold, then air is heated within the ventilation apparatus and the hot air directed into the room via the air flow controller. In order to attain a substantially uniform temperature distribution within the room, the hot air should penetrate as deeply as possible into the occupied region of the room. If the penetration of the hot air into the occupied region is low, only air close to the ceiling of the room will be heated and air within the occupied region will remain relatively cold.

Thus, when a room is to be heated, the air flow controller is suitably arranged to direct the hot air downwardly into the room.

On the other hand, if the temperature sensor within the room senses that the temperature is too warm, then cool air will be directed into the room via the air flow controller. In order to obtain a substantially constant temperature distribution within the room without draughts, the cool air should not penetrate into the occupied region of the room. Accordingly, when a room is to be cooled, the air flow controller is arranged to direct cool air across the ceiling of the room.

Various arrangements have been proposed for controlling the direction of air flow from a ventilation apparatus. For example, U.K. Patent Number GB 2 090 964B (H. Krantz GmbH & Co) discloses a swirl outlet comprising an outer tube and a core tube arranged concentrically therein, with fixed, immovable swirl blades being disposed in the annular space between the outside diameter of the core tube and the inside diameter of the outer tube. An axially movable valve disc is provided within the core tube, the arrangement of the apparatus being such that the direction of air flow out of the outer tube is affected by the quantity of air flowing out of the core tube, as controlled by the valve disc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ventilation apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilation apparatus comprising an air flow control means which includes a plurality of air deflecting vanes disposed in an air flow path of the apparatus, the orientation of the vanes being adjustable between first and second positions in order to alter the direction of air flowing out of the apparatus.

The ventilation apparatus is preferably a swirl diffuser. Such a diffuser causes air flowing therethrough to emerge with a whirling or eddying motion.

The ventilation apparatus is preferably arranged to be fixed at a downstream end of an air conditioning system. For example, the ventilation apparatus is preferably arranged to be fixed at a downstream end of an air delivery pipe. The ventilation apparatus is preferably arranged to be fixed within a ceiling of an enclosed space, for example, a room.

The air flow control means is preferably arranged to control the direction of air flow from the ventilation apparatus. The ventilation apparatus is preferably arranged to deliver air at substantially equal flow rates when the air flow control means is in said first or second positions. In a preferred embodiment where the ventilation apparatus is fixed within a ceiling of a room, the flow control means may be in said first position when relatively hot air is supplied to the apparatus and in said second position when relatively cold air is supplied to the apparatus. In this case, when the flow control means is in the first position, the arrangement is such that air is directed to flow into an occupied zone of the room. For example, the air may be directed at an angle of greater than 300 to the plane of the ceiling of the room.

When the flow control means is in the second position, the arrangement is such that air is directed to flow across the ceiling of the room. For example, the air may be directed at an angle of less than 300 to the plane of the ceiling of the room. The air flow control means is preferably positionable in intermediate positions between said first and second positions.

The air deflecting vanes preferably have a first surface of relatively large surface area and a second surface of relatively small surface area. Said first surface is suitably arranged to deflect an air stream.

Said first surface is preferably substantially planar.

Said vanes are preferably provided around a central axis. Said axis preferably extends substantially in the direction of the air flow path of the apparatus. Said vanes are preferably equidistantly circumferentially spaced around said axis. Said vanes preferably extend radially outwardly from said axis.

Each of said vanes of said apparatus is preferably adjustable between respective first and second positions.

Said vanes are preferably pivotally mounted for adjusting their orientation between said first and second positions.

Said vanes are preferably pivotally mounted about pivot axes which extend transversely relative to the direction of the air flow path of the apparatus. Where the vanes are provided about said central axis, preferably the vanes are arranged to pivot about respective radially extending pivot axes. The apparatus is preferably arranged for adjustment of each of said plurality of vanes in a substantially identical manner. Preferably, the apparatus is arranged for substantially concurrent movement of the vanes between respective first and second positions.

The apparatus preferably includes operation means.

Said operation means is preferably arranged about a central axis of the apparatus. Said central axis preferaby extends in the direction of the air flow path of the apparatus. Said operation means is preferably arranged to adjust the orientation of the vanes substantially concurrently. Each of the vanes is preferably operatively connected to an operation member. Said operation member is preferably axially movable in the direction of the air flow path of the apparatus. Said operation member is preferably arranged axially within the apparatus. The operation member may be arranged to be moved by mechanical means, for example, by a motor or pneumatic cylinder.

The operative connection of said operation member to said vanes preferably includes respective pivotally mounted control arms. A respective control arm is preferably provided for each vane. Said control arms are preferably pivotally connected to a lever arm which, in turn, is preferably directly connected to a respective vane.

The vanes are preferably arranged within a housing which is preferably substantially cylindrical. Said vanes are preferably pivotally fixed at their respective outer radial edges to the casing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supplying air to an enclosed space, for example, a room, wherein a ventilation apparatus comprising air flow control means which includes a plurality of air deflecting vanes disposed in an air flow path of the apparatus, the orientation of the vanes being adjustable between first and second positions in order to alter the direction of air flowing out of the apparatus, is provided, wherein the direction of air flowing out of the apparatus is altered by adjusting the orientation of said vanes.

The ventilation apparatus of the second aspect may be as described in any statement herein.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial top plan view, partly in crosssection, of a wax cylinder operated air flow controller; Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly cut-away, of the air flow controller of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a deflection vane with an operation lever attached; and Figure 4 is an end elevation, from the left hand end, of the arrangement of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side elevation, partly in crosssection, showing part of a motor controlled air flow controller; Figure 6 is a right-hand end view, partly in crosssection, of the arrangement of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top plan view, partly in cross-section of the arrangement of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a side elevation, partly in cross-section showing part of a pneumatically controlled air flow controller; and Figure 9 is a side elevation, partly in crosssection, showing part of a manually-operable air flow controller.

The air flow controller 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, may be fixed within a ceiling of a room. The controller comprises a plurality of equidistantly spaced apart radial vanes 4 which are arranged to be pivoted about radial pivot points between two extreme positions.

In one extreme position, the vanes 4 are so arranged that air may issue from an output orifice 6 at a small angle (e.g. 0 to 300) relative to the elongate axis 8 of the controller. In this case, air issuing from the controller may penetrate deeply into a room, for example, to deliver hot air to the room. In the second extreme position, the vanes 4 are so arranged that air may issue from the output orifice 6 at a large angle (e.g. 80" to 900) relative to the elongate axis 8. In this case, the air will be directed along the ceiling of the room, for example, so as to deliver cool air to the room. The vanes 4 may also be arranged in any position between the two extreme positions.

A control device 10 for the vanes 4 includes a circular plate 12. A plurality of pivot arms 16, one being provided for each vane 4, are pivotally mounted at one end to the circular plate 12 and at an opposite end to an operation lever 14 which is fixed to a respective vane 4. A wax cylinder (not shown) is provided within an elongate support sleeve 15. The wax cylinder is operatively connected to a ram 17 which is fixed to the circular plate 12.

The wax cylinder is arranged to expand and contract in the axial direction, in dependence upon the temperature of air flowing through the controller 2. When hot air flows through the controller, the wax cylinder expands and the ram moves upwardly thereby raising the circular plate 12. Since the circular plate 12 is operatively connected to each vane 4 by respective pivot arms 16 and operation levers 14, this movement causes the vanes 4 to pivot about their pivot axes in order to cause the hot air to penetrate the room to a greater degree - that is, the vanes 4 move towards a vertical position. When cool air flows through the controller, the wax cylinder contracts and the vanes 4 are caused to pivot in order to cause the cool air to penetrate the room to a lesser degree - that is, the vanes 4 move towards a horizontal position.

The air flow controller 2 is now described in greater detail.

The controller 2 includes a cylindrical housing 20 which flares outwardly at the downstream end 22 thereof in order to define a flat horizontally disposed annular lip 24.

A vane 4 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The vane includes a planar segment-shaped part 26 for directing the air flow. The segment-shaped part 26 is angled at an angle of about 500 to a planar rectangular base part 28.

A pivot lug 30 having a pivot axis 31 is arranged at right angles to the base part 28 at one end 32 thereof. At an opposite end 34, an operation lever 14 is arranged at right angles to the base part 28. The operation lever 14 is substantially L-shaped and has a pivot axis 36 adjacent one end, which pivot axis 36 is coaxial with pivot axis 31. At the other end, the operation lever 14 includes a second pivot axis 38.

End 34 of each of the vanes 4 is pivotally mounted, about pivot axis 36, to a respective lug 40. The lugs 40 extend perpendicularly upwardly from, and are equidistantly spaced about, the circumference of a base plate 42 to which they are attached. Ends 32 of the vanes 4 are pivotally mounted to the housing 20 about respective pivot axes 31 which pivot axes are equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the housing 20.

A lower end of the support sleeve 15 is fixed, by means of a nut 46, within a central opening in the base plate 42. Thus, the base plate 42 is immovably fixed within the housing 20.

An upper support plate 50 is fixed to the support sleeve 15 at an upper end thereof by means of a nut 51.

Three equidistantly spaced apart lugs 52 extend downwardly from the plate 50. A respective rigid support arm 54 is rigidly fixed at one end to a respective lug 52 and at its opposite end to a lug 56 which is fixed to the housing 20.

The three support arms 54 serve to hold the support sleeve 15 (and parts fixed thereto) in position.

The wax cylinder (not shown) is immovably fixed at its lower end within support sleeve 15. At its upper end, the wax cylinder is fixed to the ram 17 and is arranged to adjust the axial position of the ram in dependence upon its temperature.

The pivot arms 16 are pivotally mounted at their upper ends about respective radially extending pivot axes 70. At their lower ends, the pivot arms 16 are fixed to a respective operation lever 14 and arranged to pivot about a respective pivot axis 38.

It should be noted that for each respective vane 4, pivot axes 70 and 36 are directly above one another; operation lever 14 extends tangentially to the base plate 42; pivot axes 70, 36 and 38 are parallel to one another; and the pivot points of the respective pivot axes 70, 36 and 38 lie in the same plane.

In operation, as the wax cylinder expands, the circular plate 12 is moved upwardly. The pivot arms 16 which are operatively connected to the plate 12 also move upwardly and cause the operation levers 14 to pivot about pivot axes 36 and in turn the vanes 4 are caused to pivot about the pivot axes 31, 36. Thus, the angle of the planar segment-shaped part 26 of the vanes 4 to the vertical is reduced so that air flowing through the air flow controller 2 may penetrate the room to a greater extent.

When cool air flows through the air flow controller, the wax cylinder contracts. Springs (not shown) are operative to aid the return of the wax cylinder and vanes 4. The angle of the planar segment-shaped part 26 of the vanes 4 to the vertical is increased so that air flowing through the air controller 2 is directed across the ceiling of the room.

The wax cylinder of Figures 1 to 4 may be replaced with an alternative control means, as shown in Figures 5 to 9. In the figures, like parts have the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figures 5 to 7, which show a motor controlled air controller, an electric motor is provided within a casing 80. A drive shaft 82 of the motor extends radially towards the support sleeve 15. The drive shaft 82 is fixed within bearings 84 to the support sleeve 15.

A cam member 86 is rotationally fixed to the drive shaft, within the casing 80. An axially slidable ram 88 is fixed within the sleeve 15. At a lower end, the ram 88 abuts the cam member. At an upper end, the ram 88 is fixed to the circular plate 12. A curved pivot arm 89 which replaces one of the pivot arms 16 is arranged to clear the drive shaft 82 in operation.

In operation, the drive shaft 82 is caused to index in order to cause the ram 88 to move axially to raise or lower the circular plate 12. The vanes 4 are operatively connected to the circular plate 12, as described previously. A temperature sensor, for example, a thermostat, may be provided and arranged to cause the motor to operate.

Referring to Figure 8 which shows a pneumatically controlled air-controller, there is provided a pneumatic cylinder 90 which replaces the casing 15 of the previous embodiments. A ram 92 which is fixed to the circular plate 12 is pneumatically operable in dependence upon the temperature of air flowing through the air controller, so as to raise or lower the plate 12 in order to adjust the position of the vanes 4, as required.

Referring to Figure 9 which shows a manually-operable air controller, there is provided an axially slidable shaft 94 within the casing 15. At its lower end, the shaft 94 cooperates with a screw-threaded member 96. At its upper end, the shaft is fixed to the circular plate 12. In operation, the screw-threaded member 96 may be screwed into or away from the casing 15 so as to adjust the axial position of the shaft 94 in order to raise or lower the plate 12.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A ventilation apparatus comprising an air flow control means which includes a plurality of air deflecting vanes disposed in an air flow path of the apparatus, the orientation of the vanes being adjustable between first and second positions in order to alter the direction of air flowing out of the apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a swirl diffuser.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the apparatus being arranged to be fixed at a downstream end of an air conditioning system.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus being arranged to be fixed within a ceiling of an enclosed space.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the air flow control means is arranged to control the direction of air flow from the ventilation apparatus.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus being arranged to deliver air at substantially equal flow rates when the air flow control means is in said first or second positions.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the flow control means may be in said first position when relatively hot air is supplied to the apparatus and in said second position when relatively cold air is supplied to the apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said vanes are provided around a central axis.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said vanes are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around said axis.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein said vanes extend radially outwardly from said axis.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of said vanes is adjustable between respective first and second positions.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said vanes are pivotally mounted for adjusting their orientation between said first and second positions.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus being arranged for adjustment of each of said plurality of vanes in a substantially identical manner.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus being arranged for substantially concurrent movement of the vanes between respective first and second positions.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus including operation means.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said operation means is arranged to adjust the orientation of the vanes substantially concurrently.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of said vanes is operatively connected to an operation member.

18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said operation member is axially movable for adjusting the orientation of the vanes.

19. Apparatus according to Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the operation member is arranged to be moved by mechanical means.

20. Apparatus according to any of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the operative connection of said operation member to said vanes includes respective pivotally mounted control members.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein said control arms are each pivotally connected to a respective lever arm which is directly connected to a respective vane.

22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vanes are arranged within a substantially cylindrical housing.

23. A method of supplying air to an enclosed space, wherein ventilation apparatus comprising air flow control means which includes a plurality of air deflecting vanes disposed in an air flow path of the apparatus, the orientation of the vanes being adjustable between first and second positions in order to alter the direction of the air flowing out of the apparatus, is provided, and in the method, the direction of air flowing out of the apparatus is altered by adjusting the orientation of said vanes.

24. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the ventilation apparatus is as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 22.

25. A ventilation apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

26. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.