GB2331346A

GB2331346A - Duct divider

Info

Publication number: GB2331346A
Application number: GB9723903A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles David Belcher
Original assignee: SILAVENT
Current assignee: SILAVENT
Priority date: 1997-11-12
Filing date: 1997-11-12
Publication date: 1999-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-12
Also published as: GB9723903D0; GB2331346A9; GB2331346B

Abstract

The divider 4, for dividing a longitudinally extending pipe 1 into two ducts 2, 3, comprises an elongate web having at least one aperture into which a corresponding insert 5 is inserted. The thickness of the insert is less than the thickness of the web. The insert 5 may be provided with transverse or longitudinal corrugations 6. The insert has a lip which can be glued to the web.

Description

1 2331346 A DIVIDER FOR A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING TUBULAR PIPE The

present invention relates to a divider f or a longitudinally extending pipe. An example of such a pipe is disclosed in our earlier application GB 2311580, although the invention is also applicable to other types of duct dividers which are glued or otherwise fastened in place in a duct.

According to the present invention, a duct divider for dividing a longitudinally extending pipe into two longitudinally extending ducts comprises an elongate web, and at least one insert f itted into a complementary hole in the web and extending generally in the plane of the web, the insert having a thickness which is less than the thickness of the web.

Thus, when the pipe is used in a heat exchanger to convey opposing flows of hot and cold fluid, the reduced thickness of the insert improves the heat exchange between the two air streams. The invention has been found to make a significant improvement to the efficiency of the heat exchanging ventilator fan duct which carries cold incoming air in one duct, and warm outgoing air in the other duct.

Such an arrangement is beneficial in its own right, or can be used to increase the efficiency of a ventilator fan which is provided with an additional heat exchanger, such as that disclosed in our earlier GB 2283087.

If the insert is provided with undulations, this increases its surface area and thus improves heat exchange. The divider and insert may be of any suitable material such as aluminium or PVC. When PVC is used, the optimum thickness for the insert has been found to be between 250 and 500 lim.

A plurality of longitudinally spaced inserts may be provided on a single web. This will improve the heat exchange efficiency particularly in a long pipe.

2 An example of a duct divider constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pipe incorporating the duct divider; Fig. 2 is a plan view of an insert to be used in the duct divider; Fig. 3 is a side view of the insert; Fig. 4 is a cross section through line IV-IV section in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is an end view of the insert.

A pipe 1 is divided into two ducts 2, 3, which convey opposing air streams of hot and cold air respectively, by a duct divider 4. The illustrated duct divider 4 has a web which is provided with three holes, into each of which is inserted an insert 5 as shown in Figs.2 to 5.

The insert is blow or vacuum formed from thin gage PVC, or is pressed aluminium. The insert has a thickness which is significantly less than that of the web. The illustrated insert has a plurality of corrugations 6 which, in the illustrated example, extend transversally. However, the purpose of these corrugations is to increase the surface area of the insert, so that the corrugations can equally extend longitudinally, or in any other configuration. The inserts 5 have a peripheral lip 7. When an insert 5 is inserted into corresponding hole in the web, the lip 7 engages with the web and can be glued in place to provide a seal.

3

Claims

1. A duct divider for dividing a longitudinally extending pipe into two longitudinally extending ducts comprises an elongate web, and at least one insert fitted into a complementary hole in the web and extending generally in the plane of the web, the insert having a thickness which is less than the thickness of the web.

2. A duct divider according to claim 1, wherein the insert is provided with undulations.

3. A duct divider according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the insert has a thickness of between 250 and 500AM.

4. A duct divider according to any one of the preceding claims, where a plurality of longitudinally spaced inserts are provided on the web.

5. A duct divider substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A pipe divided into two longitudinally extending ducts by a duct divider according to any one of the preceding claims.