NZ211804A - Diffuser for air duct; plurality of readily disassembled, nestable vane members each with air-deflecting member extending therefrom - Google Patents

Description

211804 W.t-. PATf-'M~| C . 1 . 1. „ ) L i NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO; 211804 DATED: 15 April 1985 DIEEUSER We, TEMPERZONE LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 38 Tidal Road, Mangece, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1090cs.486 211804 FIELD This invention relates to a diffuser for an air duct. Air conditioning systems typically deliver air along ducts in the ceiling to one or more outlets provided in the ceiling, each outlet having a plurality of blades or vanes intended to deflect and diffuse the air flow so that it is diffused over a substantial portion of the room rather than entering as a single jet.

Hitherto, diffusers for airconditioning systems have typically been formed of sheet metal, the blades of which are folded and secured together by brazing, welding, or the like. Prior art diffusers are not suited to hospitals and other clean environments, as it is difficult to clean the joins between the components. Moreover, the prior art diffusers are relatively complex in manufacture and cannot readily be disassembled.

Examples of prior art diffusers are shown in New Zealand Patents 104070, 103738, 101191, and 129600.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved air conditioning diffuser, or one which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In one aspect, the invention provides a diffuser having a plurality of vane members each of which is formed in one piece, and which may in use be nested one within another, wherein each said vane member includes a core portion from which air deflecting members outwardly extend.

Preferably, each vane member is formed by casting, or the like, as a core having outwardly disposed deflector surfaces.

Preferably, each core member has a plurality of fins each of which is capable of engaging the next larger core.

Preferably, the core members are polygonal in shape, and have their fins extending radially outwards from a central polygonal region so that the fins of one core member will fit within a polygonal aperture of th BACKGROUND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION j 1090cs.486 3U8J4 cx>re member.

DRAWINGS These and other aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its aspects, will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an underside plan view of a preferred embodiment of this invention (ie the view of the diffuser as seen from the ground).

Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of the diffuser of figure 1 prior to the insertion of locking rods.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the diffuser of figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a view from above of an assembled 4-core diffuser prior to the insertion of Uu> locking rods.

This invention enables a series of diffusers of different sizes to be produced, utilizing standard components.

Figures 1-3 show a 3-core diffuser whilst figure 4 shows a 4-core diffuser.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A diffuser 10 is formed from polygonal components 11, 12, 13, each of which may be of any desired shape, although the preferred embodiment has four diffuser faces 16 to conform to the standard rectangular outlet.

The centre of the diffuser is preferably formed by a core 11 which has fins 17 extending outwardly from a closed central portion 18, so that the central diffuser 11 acts as a central deflecting portion to deflect any air passing down the centre of the diffuser.

Each larger core, ie 12, 13, etc, is provided with a central aperture 20 surrounded by walls 21, from the corners of which fins 22 extend radially.

It will be generally convenient to provide apertures 25 in the fins 22, or 1090cs.486 211804 in portions of the walls 21 of the larger cores, eg core 13. * ;In addition, it will be generally convenient to provide break lines 27 on the fins, enabling the fins to be broken off to required sizes. ;It is preferred that the outside edge of each fin is tapered slightly, as is the corners of the apertures 20, so that each core is a wedge fit into the aperture of the next larger core. This enables the cores to be readily assembled by a simple push fit, it also enables the diffusers to be readily taken to pieces for cleaning. ;Preferably, the cores are locked together by locking rods or tubes 30 and clips 31 as will be apparent from figures 3 and 4. With the cores assembled by pushing them together, the cores can be placed within a surrounding frame, not shown, and the locking rods or tubes 30 positioned across the top of the diffuser so as to pass through the apertures 25 in the various core members, ie in the side walls 21 or in the fins 22. The clips 31 can then be placed over the apertures 25 to secure the locking tubes or rods 30 in place. These tubes or rods 30 may extend from appropriate brackets 34 in the surrounding frame so that the diffuser can be secured to the frame. ;It has been found that the central core 11 can be securely held in place by the wedging action without the need for a locking rod to pass across the central core. Nevertheless, clips or like can be used between the fins 17 of core 11 and the adjacent corners of the core 12, if required. ;It will be appreciated from figures one and two, that the appearance of the diffuser from below, is not unlike that of conventional prior art diffusers formed from sheet metal components. Nevertheless, the diffuser of this invention is easy to assemble and disassemble, and is thus easy to clean, ;and is particularly suited for clean or sterile environments. ;It is preferred that each diffuser component is cast or moulded from an appropriate material. It is particularly preferred that components are cast from aluminium, although other metals or plastics could be used if required. ;If the diffuser is to be formed in other polygonal shapes, it will be apparent that the core components can be formed with the fins extending outwardly from the central polygonal portion, so as to fit within the ;1090CS.486 ;- 5 - ;211804 ;corners of the next larger polygonal core. ;Although the invention has been described with reference to outward flow diffusers, it would be appreciated that the invention can be applied to other types of diffusers. ;Finally, it will be appreciated that various alterations or modifications maybe made to the foregoing without departing from the or scope of this invention as exemplified by the following claims. ;1090cs.486 *

Claims (9)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 211804

1. A diffuser having a pluraLity of vane members each of which is formed in one piece, and which may in use be nested one within another, wherein each said vane member includes a core portion from which air deflecting members outwardly extend.

2. A diffuser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane members are of different sizes.

3. A diffuser as claimed in claim 2, wherein apertures are provided in said core portions of one or more said vane members, in which a smaller said vane member may be nested.

4. A diffuser as claimed in claim 3, wherein said apertures are provided in all said vane members except the smallest said vane member.

5. A diffuser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said vane members are cast or moulded.

6. A diffuser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said vane members are cast in aluminium.

7. A diffuser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said vane members may in use be held in association by locking means.

8. A diffuser as claimed in claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises one or more rods or tubes and a plurality of clamps or clips by which said rods or tubes may be held in association with each said vane member.

9. A diffuser substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. MLl, JAMES W PIPER & CO Attorneys for the Applicant TEMPERZONE LIMITED 1090cs.486 .s - /} 15SEPI987SJ %J,^J