GB2273768A

GB2273768A - Space cooling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2273768A
Application number: GB9226881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William J Eele
Original assignee: UNILOCK HCP Ltd
Current assignee: UNILOCK HCP Ltd
Priority date: 1992-12-23
Filing date: 1992-12-23
Publication date: 1994-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2012-12-23
Also published as: GB2273768B; GB9226881D0

Abstract

Space cooling apparatus comprises at least one ceiling mountable housing open at its lower end to define inlet and outlet air flow passageways 15, 16 separated by an upwardly extending partition 14 which is spaced from a closed upper end 12 of the housing. Cooling means 17 are positioned within the outlet airflow passageway 16 to cool air passing therethrough. Air is caused to flow through passageways 15, 16 by convection. A hanger 19 has a condensate collecting recess 20. Grilles may be positioned over openings 9, 11. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS This invention relates to air conditioning apparatus and more especially, but not exclusively, to ceiling mounted ventilation apparatus.

Air conditioning systems are known in which polluted air removed by convection from a room passes into a generally open space above a false ceiling, is cooled and then re-admitted to the room through one or more outlets.

One major disadvantage of such known systems is that on occasions significant flows of cooled air are "dumped" into the room to the possible discomfort of occupants of that room. A further disadvantage is that the coolant, normally chilled water flowing through ceiling mounted pipes, must be cooled to a relatively low temperature in order to effect the required heat exchange with recirculating air. The airflow may also be fan assisted.

Any requirement for additional cooling or fan assistance adds cost to the system to be installed.

The present invention sets out to provide air conditioning apparatus which overcomes or at least alleviates the problems and disadvantages referred to above.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided air conditioning apparatus comprising a ceiling mountable housing open at its lower end to define inlet and outlet air flow passageways separated by an upwardly extending partition which is spaced from a closed upper end of the housing, and cooling means positioned within the outlet airflow passageway to cool air passing therethrough.

The housing preferably takes the form of a beam extending along a major or minor extent of the width or length of a ceiling. The beam may include only one housing or a plurality of such housings located side by side. For assemblies which include two or more housings it is preferred that the outlet airflow passageways are positioned adjacent to one another with the inlet airflow passageways positioned one to each side of the housing assembly.

The cooling means preferably comprises a generally horizontally extending coolant conveying tube. This tube may support a multiplicity of radially extending fins.

Conveniently, the cooling medium is cold water and the tube is produced from copper and the fins from aluminium.

In another aspect, the invention provides static cooling air conditioning apparatus comprising a ceiling mountable housing closed at its upper end and formed in its lower end with openings for the through flow of air under convection, the apparatus including separated inlet and outlet flow passageways and cooling means positioned in said outlet flow passageway.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which the sole Figure is a cross section taken through air conditioning apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus illustrated comprises a pair of air conditioning units 1,2 housed within a ceiling mounted housing 3 secured by screw fixings 4 to the ceiling 5 of a room. As shown, the housing 3 is located between the ceiling 5 and a false ceiling 6, outwardly extending lips 7 being provided for supporting panels of the false ceiling 6 or a grille. The sides of the housing are defined by generally vertical panels 8 which close off the housing sides and separate the units 1,2 from one another.

The units 1, 2 are open at their lower ends to define elongate openings 9,11 respectively for the admission and removal of air from the units 1,2. At its upper end, the housing is closed by a panel 12. Each unit 1,2 is provided with an upwardly extending partition 14 which defines with the neighbouring side panels 8 an air inlet flow passageway 15 and an air outlet flow passageway 16.

As will be seen from the drawing, each partition 14 is spaced from the upper panel 12 to enable the inlet flow passageway 15 to merge with the outlet flow passageways 16 above the partition 14 and below the panel 12.

Positioned within each outlet airflow passageway 16 is a cooling tube 17 through which chilled water at a temperature below that of air entering the housing passes.

Each tube 17 is conveniently produced from copper and the water is conveniently cold water. Mounted on and around each water conveying tube is a multiplicity of radial fins 18 of, for example, aluminium. These fins increase the cooling effect of the tube 17.

Each tube also supports a hanger 19 including a recessed section 20 into which condensate falling from the respective tube can collect.

It will be noted that the air conditioning apparatus illustrated is a static cooling system which relies simply upon convection forces to convey air into and through the airflow passageways 15, 16. No fans or the like are required to promote air circulation. Also, since the apparatus relies merely on convection forces to cause air to flow therethrough, the emerging conditioned air leaves the units 1,2 at relatively low speeds and low volumes.

In operation, heated air rising under convection enters the airflow passageways 15 at, for example, a temperature in the region of between 24"C to 27"C and passes over the upper extents of the partitions 14 before travelling downwardly between the fins 18 and over the tubes 17 before being re-admitted to the room via the outlet passageways 16. Any condensate collecting on the pipes falls into the recessed sections 20 of the hangers 19.

As shown, the outlet flow passageways 16 are sited one next to the other with the inlet flow passageways adjacent the side panels 8. It is to be understood that apparatus in accordance with this invention may only include only one unit 1, 2 or three or more such units.

It will also be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of air conditioning apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention. Thus, a variety of coolers of varying capacities can be employed in place of the pipes 17 and fins 18. Also, grills may be positioned over the openings 9,11 provided these do not interfere with the required convection flows. The positions of the coolers 17,18 may differ from those shown, the essential requirement being that they are positioned within the outlet flow passageways 16.

Claims

Claims

I. Air conditioning apparatus comprising a ceiling mountable housing open at its lower end to define inlet and outlet air flow passageways separated by an upwardly extending partition which is spaced from a closed upper end of the housing, and cooling means positioned within the outlet airflow passageway to cool air passing therethrough.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the housing takes the form of a beam extending along a major or minor extent of the width or length of a ceiling.
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the beam includes a plurality of housings located side by side.
4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the outlet airflow passageways of two said housings are positioned one adjacent another.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the cooling means comprises a generally horizontally extending coolant conveying tube.
6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the tube supports a multiplicity of radially extending fins.
7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the tube is produced from copper and the fins from aluminium.
8. Air conditioning apparatus comprising a ceiling mountable housing closed at its upper end and formed in its lower end with openings for the through flow of air under convection, the apparatus including separated inlet and outlet flow passageways and cooling means positioned in said outlet flow passageway.
9. Air conditioning apparatus substantially herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.