GB2483049A

GB2483049A - Temperature regulation apparatus particularly for use with a conservatory

Info

Publication number: GB2483049A
Application number: GB1013543.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alun Victor Thomas; Colin J Biggs
Original assignee: Nuaire Ltd
Current assignee: Nuaire Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-12
Filing date: 2010-08-12
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-12
Also published as: GB201013543D0; GB2483049B

Abstract

The temperature regulation apparatus comprises an inlet 6 in fluid communication with a first space 30; a first outlet 8 in fluid communication with the inlet and a second space 32; a second outlet 10 in fluid communication with the inlet and a third space 34; a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature T1 in the first space; a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature T2 in the second space; a fan 4; and a control means configured to selectively redirect air from the inlet to the second or third space dependant on a predetermined temperature condition defined by detected temperatures T1 and T2. The control means may comprise a processor and a baffle 26 actuated by the processor. The first, second and third spaces may comprise a conservatory, a room within a building and an outside space respectively.

Description

TEMPERATURE REGULATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a temperature regulation apparatus, and in particular an apparatus for regulating the temperature between a conservatory and an adjacent room of a property Conservatories comprise a plurality of glazed walls, doors and/or roof panels, to provide the room they form with large amounts of natural light, and often to provide a large external viewing area to a garden or the like. The large glazed external surfaces of a conservatory provide the further benefit of allowing the absorption of solar thermal radiation which leads to passive heating of the room. The amount of heat absorbed by the conservatory is dependant on the contemporaneous level of solar radiation and as such cannot be directly controlled. In cooler conditions heating of the conservatory may be supplemented by the active heating system of the property, for example a central heating system. However, in warmer conditions high levels of solar radiation can lead to excessive heating of the conservatory, causing discomfort for the occupants.

Therefore, means of cooling the conservatory are required. Active or passive ventilation systems, such as open vents or ventilation fans, may be provided to vent heated air from the conservatory to the atmosphere, and to allow the ingress of external air. A problem with such systems is that this venting action will result in cooling only if the external air is at a lower temperature than the air within the conservatory. Furthermore, venting the heated air constitutes a loss of energy to the property which could potentially be otherwise utilised.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved temperature regulation apparatus which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a temperature regulation device as described in the accompanying claims.

n an embodiment of the invention there is provided a temperature regulation apparatus for regulating the temperature within an enclosure such as a conservatory. The apparatus comprises an inlet configured for fluid communication with a first space; a first outlet in fluid connection with the inlet and configured to direct air from the inlet to a second space; a second outlet in fluid connection with the inlet and configured to direct air from the inlet to a third space; a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature Ti in the first space; a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature T2 in the second space; air transporting means configured to transport air from the first space via the inlet to either of the second space or the third space via the first and second outlets respectively; and control means configured to selectively cause the air transported by the air transporting means to be directed from the inlet to the second space or third space dependant on a predetermined temperature condition defined by at least one of the detected temperatures Ti and T2. The predetermined temperature condition may be one of a plurality of predetermined temperature conditions.

Therefore, when installed in a conservatory, if the temperature (Ti) in the conservatory is (the first space) exceeds a predetermined threshold, the heated air may be channelled to the rest of the house (the second space) to cause cooling of the conservatory and heating of the house.

The control means may be configured to selectively cause air to be directed from the inlet to the second space ifTi is greater than T2.

th this way, air is only channelled into the house if the temperature (Ti) in the conservatory (the first space) is greater than the temperature (T2) in the rest of the house (the second space). This ensures that air is directed from a hotter conservatory to a cooler house such that the cooler house is heated by the air from the conservatory, while preventing air from entering the house if it is cooler than the house temperature, as may be the case in winter when the house is heated and the conservatory may be significantly cooler.

The control means may be configured to selectively cause air to be directed from the inlet to the second space only if T2 is also less than a predetermined temperature T3. T3 may therefore be selected as the maximum temperature for the house, thereby preventing excessive heating of the house to an uncomfortable temperature The control means may be configured to cause the air to be directed from the first space to the third space if T2 is greater than or equal to T3 and Ti exceeds a predetermined temperature T4. T4 may be selected as a maximum temperature for the conservatory, with T3 being the maximum house temperature. Therefore, if the maximum temperature T4 of the conservatory is exceeded, and the house is already at or has exceed the maximum temperature T3, the overheated air from the conservatory is directed to the external atmosphere to cool the conservatory and prevent further heating of the house.

The control means may be configured to cause air to be directed from the first space into the second space if T2 is greater than or equal to T3 to overheat the second space in response to a corresponding input command. Directing heated air to the second space rather than the third space when the second space has reached or exceeded the maximum temperature T2 to cause overheating of the second space may be desirable when the property is vacated. The second space (i.e. the house) may be overheated prior to the occupants return, such that the house cools to the optimum temperature by the time of return. This is particularly beneficial if the occupant anticipates returning at night time, at which time passive heating of the conservatory has ceased. The input command may be the activation of an overheat switch which overrides the normal operation of the controller, or the input of a timed activation command to the controller which activates the overheat program at a specific time and/or date.

The control means may include a deflection member movable between a first position in which air transported from the inlet is directed to the first outlet and a second position in which air flowing from the inlet is directed to the second outlet. Alternatively, the first and second outlets may be provided with individual inlet valves or movable members which selectively permit airflow therethrough from the main inlet.

The deflection member may be a movable baffle positioned between the inlet and the first and second outlets. The baffle is movable between a first position in which air is directed from the inlet to the first outlet and a second position in which air is directed from the inlet to the second outlet. The movable baffle arrangement provides a simple construction requiring minimal parts, which is easy to maintain.

The control means may comprise a controller, and an actuator for moving the deflection member, wherein the deflection member is moved by the actuator in response to the controller. In addition, the air transport means is also operated by the controller, such that when the predetermined temperature condition is confirmed, the air transport means is activated to transport air from the first space, and the deflection member is also actuated to directed the transported air to the appropriate destination, being the second or third space, dependant on the particular temperature condition. The controller actuates the deflection member and the air transport means in response to signals provided by the temperature sensors. As such, regulation of the temperature in the first and second spaces is automated by the controller.

The temperature regulation apparatus may also be provided with humidity sensors, with the controller being configured to cause the transportation of air from the first space to the second or third space dependant on a predetermined humidity condition.

The controller may comprise a processor for comparing the temperatures Ti and T2 with the predetermined temperature condition based on inputs from the first and second temperature sensors.

The apparatus may be configured to be connected to a building such that the inlet is in fluid communication with a first room defining the first space and the first outlet is in fluid communication with a second room defining the second space. More specifically, the apparatus may be configured to be mounted to a wall of a building. For example, the main body of the apparatus may be mounted within a conservatory, with the first outlet extending through a wall into an adjacent room of the house to which the conservatory is connected.

The apparatus may be further configured such that when connected to the building the second outlet is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere defining the third space. The second outlet may be configured to extend through and aperture formed within a glazed panel of the conservatory. This is advantageous as it allows the apparatus to be mounted at an elevated position within the conservatory, at a point where the temperature will be greater than at the lower aspect of the conservatory structure where the brick or other hard wall structure is found.

The first room is preferably a conservatory or the like comprising a plurality of glazed exterior surfaces.

The air actuation means preferably comprises a motor driven fan, which may be a centrifugal fan. The apparatus may further comprise solar powered electricity generation means for generating electricity to power the fan. In this way, the apparatus is self powering, and may be installed easily without the requirement for hard wiring the apparatus to the building's power supply, or the skilled labour and associated expense required for such a task. As the apparatus will generally only be required at times of high solar radiation, the power source at times of demand will not be compromised as the same solar radiation which leads to heating of the conservatory will also be present in abundance to power the apparatus.

At least one of the first and second outlets comprises means for preventing air from entering the outlet from the second or third space respectively. As such, when the apparatus is not in operation drafts are prevented from entering the conservatory and or the house from the external atmosphere. This may comprise a closure means movable to a closed position when engaged by air travelling from the direction of the respective first and second space and movable to an open position when engaged by air travelling from the direction of the inlet.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view from above of temperature regulator according to an embodiment; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view from above of the temperature regulator of figure 1 including the corresponding spaces to which the apparatus is connected.

Referring to Figure 1, a temperature regulation apparatus 1 comprises a body section 2 defining a housing for containing a motor driven fan 4. The housing 2 comprises a base 3, a plurality of upstanding walls 5, and a roof (not shown for illustrative purposes). The fan 4 is housed in a fan chamber 7 of the housing 2. The fan chamber 7 includes an inlet 6 for allowing the ingress of air. A filter 11 is provided at the inlet 6 to filter the incoming air, to protect the apparatus components, which is preferably in the form of a replaceable filter cartridge. The fan chamber 7 further includes a fan chamber outlet 13 leading to a second chamber 9. A first outlet 8 and second outlet 10 extend from the second chamber 9. The first outlet 8 and second outlet 10 comprise open ended, hollow cylindrical members, and are connected to adjacent side walls 5 in open fluid connection with the second chamber 9 and the fan chamber 7.

The housing 2 is configured to be mounted to a wall of a conservatory 30, or to an adjacent wall of the house to which a conservatory 30 is connected. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the housing 2 is mounted to the wall 20 of a house. The first outlet 8 is connected to an air duct 24 extending through the wall 20 into a room 32 of the house. Alternatively, the outlet 8 may be formed to define a duct which extends completely through the wall 20 into the room 32 of the house. The second outlet 10 is inserted into an aperture formed in a glazed panel 22 of the conservatory, and defines an air duct extending from within the conservatory to the external atmosphere 34. Alternatively the glazed panel 22 may be replaced with a structural panel for receiving the second outlet 10, or the housing 2 may be positioned such that the outlet 10 is able to extend or connect to a duct extending through an external wall portion of the conservatory.

A baffle 26 is provided within the second chamber 9. The baffle 26 is pivotally mounted to the housing 2 proximate the corner at which the two walls 5 supporting the first 8 and second 10 outlets intersect. An electrically powered actuation means (not shown), which may comprise an electrical motor, is provided to pivotally actuate the baffle 26.

The housing 2 is positioned such that the inlet 6 is in fluid communication with a first space 30 defined by the conservatory. Activation of the fan 4 causes air to be drawn into the fan chamber 7 through the inlet 6. This air is then forced out of the fan chamber 7 by the fan through the fan chamber outlet 13 into the second chamber 9. In a first position, the baffle 26 directs the air entering the second chamber 9 to the first outlet 8, and prevents air from entering the second outlet 10. In a second position the baffle 26 directs air into the second outlet 10 and prevents air from entering the first outlet.

The apparatus includes temperature sensors positionable in the first, second and third spaces 30, 32, 34. The temperature sensors detect the temperatures Ti, T2, and T3 in each of the spaces 30, 32, 34 respectively, and provide signals indicative of the detected temperatures to a controller provided within the housing 2. The controller includes a processor which is pre-programmed with predetermined temperature conditions. The processor compares the detected temperatures Ti, T2 and T3 with the predetermined temperature conditions and accordingly sends signals to actuate the baffle 26 and operate the fan 4.

If the temperature Ti in the conservatory space 30 is greater than the temperature T2 in the house space 32, and the house temperature T2 is not greater than or equal to the maximum house temperature T3, the controller activates the fan 4 and moves the baffle 26 to the first position such that heated air is drawn into the inlet 6 from the conservatory space 30 and directed into the house space 32 via the first outlet 8 to heat the house space 32 above the temperature T2. The fan 4 will continue to operate until equilibrium is reached in which Ti equals T2, providing Ti does not equal or exceed T3.

if the temperature Ti in the conservatory space reaches or exceeds a maximum conservatory temperature T4, but the temperature T2 in the house space 30 is greater than or equal to the maximum temperature T3, the conservatory space 30 cannot be cooled by directing air to the house space 32. Therefore, under this temperature condition the fan 4 is activated and the baffle 26 is moved to the second position to direct air from the inlet 6 to the external atmosphere 34 via the second outlet 10.

The apparatus 1 may also operate in a pre-heat mode when the home is unoccupied to utilise excess thermal energy collected in the conservatory. The pre-heat mode may be activated automatically, for example in response to a timed input program, or by a dedicated switch provide on or remote from the apparatus, which is activated by the occupant of the house when vacating the property, if they anticipate returning in the evening. In the pre-heat mode, the apparatus operates on the pre-determined temperature condition that if the temperature Ti is greater than T2, air is directed via the first outlet 8 into the house space 32, regardless of whether the temperature T3 has been reached or exceeded. As such, an over temperature is reached within the house during the period of the day in which the conservatory is being heated. This heat then dissipates during the evening when heating is no longer occurring, such that the house has cooled to the optimum temperature by the time the occupant returns.

Power for operating the fan 4 and the actuator for the baffle 26 is provided by a solar photovoltaic unit (not shown). The solar unit may be mounted directly to the housing 2, collecting solar radiation passing through the glazing of the conservatory. Alternatively, the solar unit may be connected to the apparatus 1, but remotely positionable such that it may be positioned externally for optimum solar collection.

It will be appreciated that in further embodiments various modifications to the specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made. For example, while the apparatus is described for use in a house having a conservatory, it will be appreciated that the apparatus may be used for regulating the temperature between any spaces in which temperature variations are present.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A temperature regulation apparatus for regulating the temperature within an enclosure such as a conservatory, the apparatus comprising: an inlet configured for fluid communication with a first space; a first outlet in fluid connection with the inlet and configured to direct air from the inlet to a second space; a second outlet in fluid connection with the inlet and configured to direct air from the inlet to a third space; a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature Ti in the first space; a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature T2 in the second space; air transporting means configured to transport air from the first space via the inlet to either of the second space or the third space via the first and second outlets respectively; and control means configured to selectively cause the air transported by the air transporting means to be directed from the inlet to the second space or third space dependant on a predetermined temperature condition defined by the detected temperatures Ti and T2.
2. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control means is configured to selectively cause air to be directed from the inlet to the second space ifTi is greater than T2.
3. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 2 wherein the control means is configured to selectively cause air to be directed from the inlet to the second space only if T2 is also less than a predetermined temperature T3.
4. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 3 wherein the control means is configured to cause the air to be directed from the first space to the third space if T2 is greater than or equal to T3 and Ti exceeds a predetermined temperature T4.
5. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 4 wherein the control means is configured to cause air to be directed from the first space into the second space if T2 is greater than or equal to T3 to overheat the second space in response to a corresponding input command.
6. The temperature regulation apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the control means includes a deflection member movable between a first position in which air transported from the inlet is directed to the first outlet and a second position in which air flowing from the inlet is directed to the second outlet.
7. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 6 wherein the deflection member is a movable baffle positioned between the inlet and the first and second outlets
8. The room temperature regulator of claim 6 or 7 wherein the control means comprises a controller and an actuator for moving the deflection member, wherein the deflection member is moved by the actuator in response to the controller.
9. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 8 wherein the controller comprises a processor for comparing the temperatures Ti and T2 with the predetermined temperature condition based on inputs from the first and second temperature sensors.
10. The temperature regulation apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is configured to be connected to a building such that the inlet is in fluid communication with a first room defining the first space and the first outlet is in fluid communication with a second room defining the second space.
ii. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 10 wherein the apparatus is further configure such that when connected to the building the second outlet is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere defining the third space.
12. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 10 or 11 wherein the apparatus is configured to be mounted to a wall of a building.
13. The temperature regulation apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the first room is a conservatory or the like comprising a plurality of glazed exterior surfaces.
14. The temperature regulation apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the air actuation means comprises a motor driven fan.
15. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises solar powered electricity generation means for generating electricity to power the fan.
16. The temperature regulation apparatus of any preceding claim wherein at least one of the first and second outlets comprises means for preventing air from entering the outlet from the second or third space respectively.
17. The temperature regulation apparatus of claim 16 wherein at least one of the first and second outlets comprises a closure means movable to a closed position when engaged by air travelling from the direction of the respective first and second space and movable to an open position when engaged by air travelling from the direction of the inlet.
18. A temperature regulation apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in figures 1 and 2.