SE544713C2 - A device for regulating an airflow - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention refers to a device (1) for regulating an airflow comprising two cooperating, axially overlapping flow guiding means, a first means (2) and a second means (3). The first means comprises at least one first nozzle (20) defined by inclining walls forming a smaller opening in the bottom (21) and a larger opening at the top (22). The second means comprises at least one second nozzle (30) defined by inclining walls forming a smaller opening in the bottom (31) and a larger opening at the top (32). The at least one first nozzle fits inside the at least one second nozzle forming at least one mutual nozzle (10), whereby the airflow is regulated by displacing at least one of the flow guiding means in relation to the other in a lengthwise direction. The at least one first nozzle is further provided with a tab (23) on one end wall, forming an inner end wall of the mutual nozzle when the displacement takes place. The nozzles have a streamlined shape and together form a streamlined shape of the at least one mutual nozzle. The invention further refers to a ventilation system comprising such a device.

Description

A device for regulating an airflow The present invention refers to a device for creating a variable flow in air and climate prod- ucts, which can serve as air supplying means and exhaust units in a ventilation system.

Background of the invention Ventilation units for the adjustment ofthe flow of air are previously known and are used in various types of building, vehicle and transport means.

Ventilation systems in buildings are normally built up from a ventilation duct, for example a spiral duct, and some type of air supply unit that distributes the air throughout the room. lt can further be an air condition system or a pressurized system such as a pressurized floor or wall system.

A flow regulator, for example a damper, valve or mixer box, is normally arranged in a venti- lation system for the feed of air into the input air unit, in order to regulate the flow of air that is supplied to the airsupply unit. The purpose ofthe flow regulator is to supply a desired flow of air to the air supply unit. lt is a problem with flow regulators that they tend to gen- erate unwanted sound and also causes a drop in pressure. lt is previously well-known that the air supply unit may be provided with nozzles, and that the magnitude of the flow can in this way be regulated through the choice of the number of nozzles through which air flows. A number of different applications on how to cover or close openings has previously been described. There are many different examples available where two tubular channels are used, where one of the channels are provided with open- ings that can be partly or fully covered in different ways by the other channel. Such systems have for example been described in DE 3301570 A1, US 832247, DE 102006035336 A1, US 1997181, DE 10155206 C1, JP2007038711, US 20080318510 and SE 1250226 A Unlike the ones described above, the present invention refers to an air control device com- prising two parts that are movable in relation to each other, wherein both parts comprise openings and wherein the openings of the two parts can overlap fully, partly or not at all. -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ Other solutions that also comprises two parts that are movable in relation to each other in order to regulate an air flow are described for example in: US 4407187 which describes an air control device consisting of a stationary plate attached to the airflow duct and a movable plate with plurality of apertures. The movable plate being movable from a fully closed position in which the apertures of the movable plate are com- pletely out of alignment with the apertures of the stationary plate to a partially opened position in which the apertures of the movable plate are partially aligned with the apertures ofthe stationary plate and to a fully opened position in which the apertures ofthe movable plate are fully aligned with the apertures of the stationary plate; US 5984775 which describes an apparatus for controlling air flow, comprising a shutter as- sembly consisting of a fixed plate and a moving plate, both having a plurality of openings of same shape and number. The shutter moving plate being capable of moving in relation to the shutter fixed plate and thus varying the ratio of the shutter openings; US 6910340 which describes an airflow damper comprising a fixed damper element and a movable damper element juxtaposed over said fixed element. Both having openings similar in size, shape and relative positioning. The movable damper element being movable be- tween a first position in which said second plurality ofopenings is not aligned with said first plurality of openings and a second position in which said second plurality of openings is in substantial alignment with said first plurality of openings; and CN 106276783 which discloses a central air-conditioning duct air volume balance damping plate comprising of a fixed damping plate and a movable damping plate. The movable damping plate of the present invention can move left and right to change the aperture ratio ofthe damping plate and adjust the air volume of the damping plate.

Problems still arising with the solutions in the applications above is to maintain the spread of airflow when the air flow is altered. When openings in the system is partly covered it often leads to unwanted noise and it is also common that the pressure differs between the different nozzles. The direction of the airflow will also be altered when an opening is partly cove red. -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ lt is also a problem with the previous solutions on the market that are adapted to be placed in a system comprising an airflow adjustment that the airflow adjuster can only be placed on the last ventilation unit in a system since the adjuster will close up the air duct system. A product like this can therefore only be used in a system using parallel connection, not in system using serial arrangement or ring-mounted systems. A further disadvantage is that such systems need extra space in the end part of the device for placement of the movable section.

The present invention solves these and other problems, by a device which maintains the form of the opening even after it is partly closed, which is described in detail below.

Summary of the invention One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a device for regulating an airflow com- prising two cooperating flow guiding means, a first means and a second means, wherein \.. J. -,«>\-\“~ ._ ». . \-\.\ -' :Ei8:;.=:.rš;ï9 :P “å v kni 6/ -' Gif: ' .s _ _ i ._ _. .\.~.~\ fi-fiq vw. q.. vw 1 :Samt kšiuz. :š=:.=:.~.,:=::š __....\.\ :_ g _. g- _. . sex-saa om: st-svefsïü m. .-«_.--. - == š~.= the airflow can be regulated by displacing at least one of the first .Ä , Ai., ..\- ÉQLSÉ G “QÜÛQÉÉ ÉÉ and second means in relation to the other in a lengthwise direction, = * *Q 1.10, 139 :šiiè “w w . mama: m “ni = x ~ \ .-~~ .\.«.~\» .~ » \ gu ~ ~ P2 \.\.ï_.'st .~ J O 'IJ få? 0.»._ .- - .- .- .s _.. _.,.\.; _ .nwamt .Mt .w ,-.\.\,.\.~\;.\.. .v _» .ct .\ t... ..._ . _ .. .g .. -t jgmopenings of the second means essentially corresponds to the shape of the openings of the first means. The shapes of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is prefer- ably coherent.

The corresponding shape of the openings of the first and second means is preferably an elongated opening such as a rectangle, an oval, an ellipse or any other elongated shape suitable to use. .- - _ .N ,-.\_.\ å... Mg .\ _.\ W _ - Another purpose of the present invention is a system that has the possibility of being scal- able. The device according to the present invention can be provided with means for attach- ing one or more devices to create a series or a matrix of devices.

The first and second means are preferably made of materials having different density and/orfriction.

The device can further be provided with a drive engine, controlling the motion of the first means and the second means in relation to the other.

According to another aspect of the invention, a ventilation system is provided. The ventila- tion system can comprise one or more devices and the devices can be connected to each other in series or in form of a matrix.

Brief description of the drawings ln the following, the invention will be described in detail, with reference to exemplifying embodiments ofthe invention and to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1A shows a device in a perspective view Fig. 1B is an exploded view of a device Fig. 2A shows a side view of one single mutual nozzle Fig. 2B shows an exploded perspective view of one single mutual nozzle Fig. 3 shows a device in a plan view in a fully open configuration Fig. 4 shows a device in a plan view in a half open configuration Fig. 5 shows a device in a plan view in a closed configuration Fig. 6A-E shows alternative embodiments ofthe shape of the nozzles Fig. 7 shows a matrix of devices connected to each other H ll For the purpose ofthis description and claims the terms ”upper”, ”lower , top", ”bottom”, H ll ”vertical”, ”lengthwise , cross direction” and any derivatives thereof relate to the inven- tion as oriented in Fig. 1A.

Detailed description of the invention Referring to Figs. 1-4 a device for regulating an airflow in accordance with the present in- vention is shown which system comprises a first, upper, means with openings and a second, lower, means with openings essentially corresponding to the shape of the openings in the first part. The openings of the first and seconds means is preferably provided with nozzles and can have different shapes as long as the shape ofthe opening in the first part essentially corresponds to the openings in the second part as shown in Figs. 5-6. The devices can be used as a single unit, in a serial system or in a matrix system, as shown in Fig.Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a device 1 for regulating an airflow, which device comprises two cooperating flow guiding means, a first means 2 and a second means 3. The first means 2 is assembled on top of a second means 3. The first means 2 is provided with at least one first nozzle 20 and the second means 3 is provided with at least one second nozzle 30. The first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 togetherforms a mutual nozzle 10 when the first means 2 and the second means 3 are assembled into one unit.

Fig. 1B shows one embodiment of the device 1 in an exploded perspective view, wherein it can be seen that the first and second means are configured to be axially overlapping means, wherein the first nozzle 20, ofthe first means, fits inside the second nozzle 30, ofthe second means. The first nozzle 20 of the first means 2, as it is shown in this embodiment, comprises four walls, two end walls and two side walls together creating a rectangle. The nozzle fur- ther comprises an opening at the top 22 and an opening in the bottom 21, and can further -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ be provided with a tab 23 on one ofthe end walls. The tab 23 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the end wall on which it is provided on the first nozzle 20. The tab and its function are explained more in detail below with regard to Figs. 2-5. The walls of the first nozzle 20 are inclined so that the opening at the top 22 is bigger than the opening in the bottom 21. The second nozzle 30 of the second means 3, as it is shown in this embodiment, comprises four walls, two end walls and two side walls together creating a rectangle. The nozzle further comprises an opening at the top 32 and an opening in the bottom 31. The walls of the second nozzle 30 are inclined so that the opening at the top 32 is bigger than the opening in the bottom The shape of the first nozzle 20 and the second nozzle 30 must be substantially the same, preferably coherent, so that the first and second means ofthe device 1 can be axially over- lapping means and the openings of the second means 31 essentially corresponds to the shape of the openings of the first means 21 so that the first nozzle 20 fits inside the second nozzle 30 when the first and second means are assembled to a device ln another embodiment, where the shape of the nozzle is different, the walls could for ex- ample be one continuous wall, which is described more in detail with reference to Fig.6. No matter the shape of the nozzle, the walls are however always inclined so that the opening at the top is always bigger than the opening at the bottom of the nozzle and the shape of the tab always follows the shape of the wall to which it is attached.

Fig.2A and 2B shows the mutual nozzle 10, which comprises the first nozzle 20 and the sec- ond nozzle The first and second nozzles 20, 30 are defined by the inclining walls, which walls forms the opening 21, 31 in the bottom of the nozzle and an opening 22, 32 at the top of the nozzle. Since the walls are inclined, the opening at the top 22, 32 has a larger diameter/circumfer- ence than the opening in the bottom 21, The shape of the at least one first nozzle 20 and the at least one second nozzle 30 corre- sponds to each other, so that when the first means 2 is placed in top of the second means 3, the at least one first nozzle 20 and the at least one second nozzle 30 together forms at -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ least one mutual nozzle 10. The diameter of the opening 21 in the bottom of the nozzle in the first means corresponds mainly to the diameter of the opening 32 at the top of the nozzle in the second means. The tab 23 will function as an inner end wall when one of the first and second means is dislocated in relation to the other.

When the first means 2 are placed on top ofthe second means 3 so that the opening in the bottom ofthe at least one first nozzle 20 is above the at least one second nozzle 30, the first and second nozzle 20 and 30 together forming the mutual nozzle 10, the device is said to be in an open position. The open position is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 also shows the openings at the top 22, 32 and the bottom 21, 31 of the nozzles 20 , After the first means 2 and the second means 3 has been assembled it is possible to dislo- cate one of the means in relation to the other. One of the first and second means 2,3 can preferably be fixedly attached in a ventilation system and the other of the first and second means is displaceable in relation to the fixedly attached means through a shear motion. The shear motion displaces one ofthe first and second means in one direction, called the length- wise direction. The cross direction, as referred to below, is defined to be perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.

As an example, in this description, the first means 2 is defined to be the fixedly attached means and the second means 3 is defined to be the movable means, it is however possible to have a system where the fixedly attached means is the second means 3 and the first means 2 is in that case the movable means. ln a preferred embodiment, the shape ofthe at least one first nozzle 20 and the at least one second nozzle 30 are streamlined and together forms a streamlined shape of the at least one mutual nozzle 10. The streamlined character of the nozzle is constant and will not change when the first means 2 and second means 3 is dislocated in relation to each other. The dislocation of either the first means or the second means will change size of the opening in the bottom of the mutual nozzle 10, and therefor changes the magnitude of the air flow out of the nozzle. -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ When a streamlined shape ofthe nozzles is used, the tab 23 ensures that no air can leak out from the nozzle from any part other than the opening 31. lt is important that the tab 23 has the same shape as the end wall of the nozzles 10,20,30 to assure that there is no leakage of air. The tab can further be provided with fastening means, such as a snap fit, to further reduce any distance between the first means 2 and the second means 3. The fastening means ofthe tab 23 will snap around the edge ofthe side walls of the second means When the second means 3 is displaced, the opening 31 ofthe second means 3 will decrease, which can be seen in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows the first means 2 and the second means 3 assem- bled and partly displaced to a so called ”half-open” configuration. One ofthe inner end walls 31A ofthe at least one second nozzle 30 has been displaced compared to the position that can be seen in Fig.3. it can also be seen that the opening 31 is now smaller as compared to the opening 31 shown in Fig. 3, while the opening 21 has the same size as shown in Fig. 3. The displacement of the second means affects the proportion of the at least one mutual nozzle 10 and the amount of air that can pass through the opening When the opening 31 decreases, the magnitude of the air flowing out of the nozzle de- creases. To increase the magnitude ofthe air flow again, the opening 31 must increase. This is done by again dislocating ofeither the first means 2 or the second means 3 in the opposite direction as to when the opening 31 was decreased.

Fig.4 also shows the tab 23 of the first nozzle 20, which has the function of remaining an inner end wall for the mutual nozzle 10 when the second means 3 is dislocated. The opening 21 will have the same size regardless if the device is in an open, half-open or closed config- uration, while the opening 31 will differ.

Fig.5 further shows the device in a closed position, where no air can pass out of the nozzle 10. The inner wall 31A and the tab 23 together closes the opening 31. The opening 21 has the same size as before.

As shown in Figs. 1-5, the first means 2 comprises at least two first nozzles 20 arranged at a distance from each other and the second means 3 comprises at least two second nozzlesarranged at a distance from each other. The distance between the at least two nozzles-,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ and the distance between the at least two nozzles 30 must be essentially the same so that the first nozzles 20 fits in the second nozzles ln one embodiment the first means 2 and the second means 3 are provided with several nozzles in rows in two columns on each device. The device can have any size and the number of rows and/or columns with nozzles can be varied and adapted to suit the intended use. The nozzles can also be arranged in any other pattern, such as for example a zigzag pattern or diagonal patterns. Where a pattern with rows and columns are used, the distance be- tween the rows and columns can differ and be adapted to the intended use. The arrange- ment of the nozzle on the first means 2 must however correspond to the arrangement of the nozzle on the second means 3, so that the first nozzles 20 and the second nozzlestogether forms mutual nozzles One advantage with the system according to the present invention is that the air flow through the nozzle 10 can be regulated by a linear shear motion ofthe mutual overlapping means 2,3. ln this way, all of the nozzles in a system is adjusted coherently/simultaneously and with identical settings, without affecting the direction of the airflow. ln an air flow sys- tem containing regular nozzles, where the opening is partly covered, the direction of the air flow will change as compared to when the nozzle is not covered at all. ln the system accord- ing to the present application, the shape of the openings will stay more or less the same regardless of whether the opening is completely open, partially open or closed. ln Figs.1-5, the openings are of a rectangular shape, but the same principle applies also for nozzles having any other shape. The shape ofthe openings 21,31 is preferably an elongated opening such as a rectangle, an oval, an ellipse or any other elongated shape suitable to USS.

Examples of nozzles having other shapes are shown in Fig. 6. A person skilled in the art understands that also other shapes could be used, as long as the shape of the nozzles 20 and 30 have corresponding shapes. Fig.6E shows a nozzle wherein the tab is cut from a metal sheet and bent or curved to achieve the correct shape and fitting inside the nozzle.

This could also be made from other materials than metal, such as for example plastics. -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _ The first and second means can either be flat, as shown in the drawings, or have a bow shape, a rounded shape or any other shape suitable for a ventilation system. ln the case where non-flat means are used, the shape of the nozzle can be adjusted in the upper end. When a bow shape or rounded shape are used for the means, the nozzle will be slightly bow shaped as well.

A further advantage is that the same pressure can be retained in all nozzles and no turbu- lence is created. lt is commonly known that turbulence in an air flow duct creates unwanted sound generation and also energy losses. By using the system according to the present in- vention, wherein the nozzles maintain its shape when the air flow is regulated, the turbu- lence can be substantially reduced. The streamlined shape of the nozzles and the tab con- tributes even more to decrease the turbulence.

The displacement of the second means in relation to the first means can be a gradual dis- placement, a step-by-step displacement or a continuous displacement. The appearance of the nozzles together with the coherent displacement contributes to that every nozzle can be adjusted to an airflow of 0-100%. ln some applications it can however be more advanta- geous to have an airflow of for example 15-100%, 20-100%, 25-100% or any other interval. ln those cases, it is possible to restrict the displacement of the first and second means in relation to each other to achieve a system that is not fully closed.

The first and/or second means can also be provided with means 5 for attaching at least two devices in series or in a matrix. This can be seen in Fig. 7, where means 5', 5" are used to attach one device to another like pieces in a puzzle to form a matrix. The person skilled in the art un- derstands that the means for attaching the devices to one another can be done in several ways, and that the example shown in Fig. 7 should not be regarded as limiting the invention.

The possibility to be able to create a series or a matrix of the devices makes it possible to achieve an endless scalability in area and proportions. The device, comprising first and sec- ond means, can be joined together with additional devices, also comprising first and second means, to create larger, wider and/or longer, sections. This makes it possible to adapt the means to different types of products and systems. lt can be used in any type of ventilation products or systems regardless ofthe dimensions. The same airflow adjustment can be used -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _in a small ventilation product for floor mounting as in a complex water product for roof mounting without the need for a new production tool. This means that the production cost will be lower as well as the stresses on our external environment.

The first and second means are preferably made of materials having different density and/or friction. The first and second means can be made of different materials or the same material but having different density and/or friction. lt is an advantage that the density of the material for the first means differs from the density ofthe material of the second means since different densities will lower the friction between the first and second means when they are displaced and will also make sure that the first and second means closes tightly.

The second means 3 can be an existing means in an air duct system in a building and is in most cases made of a metal material, but can also be made of plastics or any other material. The first means 2, which can be provided with a tab 23, is preferably made of another ma- terial, such as for example a rubber, silicone or other type of plastic material, but can be made of any other material.

The system according to the present invention can be used to adjust the magnitude of an air flow in a ventilation system from 0-100% with very high precision, without affecting the shape of the nozzle or the direction of the air flow. The use of a system according to this contributes to a lower pressure drop and sound generation from the product, which is very advantageously for the end users.

The device according to the invention can be placed anywhere in a ventilation system, or air duct system. lt can be placed in the system, in the central unit or on the end product. This is very adva ntageous since it can be fully integrated into an existing system without any costly redesigning or rebuilding of the ventilation system. When the airflow adjustment is mounted as a part of an exhaust system, it is provided with inwardly directed nozzles to effectively bring air through the ventilation unit to the existing air-duct system. ln the case where the airflow adjustment is mounted as a part of an air supply system, it is provided with outward nozzles that follows the direction of the air. -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _The regulation ofthe air flow in the device according to the present invention can either be done manually or the device can further be provided with a drive engine to be able to adjust the air flow. The first means 2 can for example be provided with a gear rod (not shown) arranged in the center of a device in its cross direction. The gear rod is used together with a shaft and a gear wheel to displace the first means 2 in relation to the second means 3 and thereby decrease or increase the opening ofthe mutual nozzle 10. Low friction between the first means 2 and the second means 3 makes it easy to regulate the air flow manually by turning the shaft.

The device according to the present invention can be used in a ventilation system, such as for example an air duct system, air conditioning devices, dampers, etc. The ventilation sys- tem can comprise one single device, at least two devices connected in series or at least three devices connected in the form of a matrix, as described above in relation to the de- scription of how the devices can be connected to each other. -,t.-_-l.\_.kl\á,_ïtï. > -,_. .~»~». '_ ' .tt ~. .LU _ _

Claims (12)

1. A device (1) for regulating an airflow comprising two cooperating flow guiding means, a first means (2) and a second means (3), characterized in that the first and second means are configured to be axially overlapping means, in that the first means (2) comprises at least one first nozzle (20) defined by inclining walls and forms a smaller opening (21) in the bot- tom and a larger opening (22) at the top, and the second means (3) comprises at least one second nozzle (30) defined by inclining walls forming a smaller opening (31) in the bottom and a larger opening (32) at the top, and wherein the at least one first nozzle (20) fits inside the at least one second nozzle (30) and the first and second nozzle together forms at least one mutual nozzle (10), whereby the airflow can be regulated by displacing at least one of the first and second means in relation to the other in a lengthwise direction through a shear motion, in that the at least one first nozzle (20) is further provided with a tab (23) on one end wall, forming an inner end wall of the mutual nozzle (10) when at least one of the first and second means is displaced in relation to the other in a lengthwise direction through a shear motion and in that the at least one first nozzle (20) and the at least one second nozzle (30) having a streamlined shape and together forming a streamlined shape of the at least one mutual nozzle (10). openings of the sec-

2. A device according to claim 1 characterized in that the ond means (31) essentially corresponds to the shape ofthe openings ofthe first means (21).

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one first nozzle (20) and the at least one second nozzle (30) have coherent shapes.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means (2) comprises at least two first nozzles (20) arranged at a distance from each other, and the second means (3) comprises at least two second nozzles (30) arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the distance between the at least two first nozzles (20) and the distance between the at least two second nozzles (30) must be essentially the same.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the openings (21,31) are elongated openings such as a rectangle, an oval, an ellipse or any other elongated shape suitable to use.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the first and second means (2,3) is fixedly attach in a ventilation system and the other of the first and second means is displaceable in relation to the fixedly

7. A device according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and/or the second means are provided with at least one means for attaching the device to a second additional device.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first means (2) and the second means (3) are made of materials having different friction and/or density.

9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, which device are provided with a drive engine, controlling the motion of the first means (2) or second means (3) in relation to the other.

10. Ventilation system comprising at least one device according to any of claimg 1-

11. Ventilation system comprising at least two devices according to any of claim¿§_ 1-9, which two devices are connected in series.

12. Ventilation system comprising at least 3 devices according to any of claim_=__=._ 1-9, which devices are connected in the form of a matrix.