US20180283713A1 - Fluid actuated fluid extraction system - Google Patents
Fluid actuated fluid extraction system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180283713A1 US20180283713A1 US15/758,856 US201615758856A US2018283713A1 US 20180283713 A1 US20180283713 A1 US 20180283713A1 US 201615758856 A US201615758856 A US 201615758856A US 2018283713 A1 US2018283713 A1 US 2018283713A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- extraction system
- baffles
- fluid extraction
- baffle
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F7/00—Ventilation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F7/00—Ventilation
- F24F7/007—Ventilation with forced flow
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/081—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates for guiding air around a curve
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F7/00—Ventilation
- F24F7/02—Roof ventilation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F7/00—Ventilation
- F24F7/02—Roof ventilation
- F24F7/025—Roof ventilation with forced air circulation by means of a built-in ventilator
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F11/32—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
- F24F11/33—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to fire, excessive heat or smoke
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F11/32—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
- F24F11/33—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to fire, excessive heat or smoke
- F24F11/34—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to fire, excessive heat or smoke by opening air passages
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F7/00—Ventilation
- F24F2007/004—Natural ventilation using convection
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/0001—Control or safety arrangements for ventilation
- F24F2011/0002—Control or safety arrangements for ventilation for admittance of outside air
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
- F24F13/06—Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
- F24F2013/0616—Outlets that have intake openings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
- F24F2110/10—Temperature
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
- F24F2110/20—Humidity
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
- F24F2221/28—Details or features not otherwise provided for using the Coanda effect
Definitions
- the present invention is concerned with a fluid actuated fluid extraction system, and in particular an airflow actuated gas extraction system which in use is located in an airflow such as a natural flow of wind, and which airflow actuates the system in order to extract fluid such as a gas from a remote location such as the interior of a building or the like.
- the extraction system of the invention could for example be integrated with an existing air conditioning and/or ventilation system in order to improve or augment the existing building infrastructure.
- a fluid actuated fluid extraction system comprising a hollow body having at least a pair of concentric annular baffles longitudinally spaced from one another to define an annular flow channel circumscribing the body between the pair of baffles into which an actuating fluid can flow from an exterior of the body; an intake to permit an exhaust fluid to enter the body longitudinally; characterised in that one or more of the baffles are profiled to generate a vortex within an upstream portion of the flow channel and to effect propagation of the vortex circumferentially around the channel by means of the coanda effect.
- the annular flow channel is open to an interior volume defined by the body.
- the one or more baffles are profiled such that the vortex rotates in a direction which accelerates the exhaust fluid through the hollow interior of the body.
- the one or more baffles comprise a lower edge, a throat and an upper edge, the lower edge having a larger diameter than the upper edge and the throat having a smaller diameter than the upper edge.
- the one or more baffles define a convergent divergent cross section relative to a longitudinal axis, in which the baffle converges radially inwardly from the lower edge towards the throat and diverges radially outwardly from the throat towards the upper edge.
- At least a divergent portion of the baffle has a curved profile.
- At least the divergent portion defines a concave curvature with respect to an incident actuating fluid.
- adjacent baffles longitudinally overlap.
- adjacent baffles overlap such that a lower edge of one baffle extends longitudinally beyond the throat of an adjacent baffle.
- adjacent baffles radially overlap.
- the annular flow channel is shaped and dimensioned to accelerate and redirect the actuating fluid from an exterior to an interior of the body.
- the extraction system comprises a plurality of baffles defining three annular flow channels.
- one or more of the baffles comprise an array of circumferentially arranged apertures to permit fluid to flow from the respective flow channel, through the aperture, to an exterior of the body.
- the apertures are located adjacent the lower edge of the baffle.
- the intake is oriented such that the first fluid enters the body in a substantially longitudinal direction.
- the body comprises a top wall opposite and spaced from the intake.
- the top wall is longitudinally recessed below an upper edge of the uppermost baffle.
- the top wall is recessed below the throat of the uppermost baffle.
- a circumferential gap is provided between an edge of the top wall and an adjacent baffle.
- the body is substantially symmetrical about an axial axis of revolution.
- the fluid extraction system comprises a frame securing the baffles relative to one another.
- the frame retains the top wall.
- the fluid extraction system comprises a set of fan blades mounted on an interior of the body and operable to draw the exhaust fluid from the exhaust.
- the fluid extraction system comprises one or more sensors operable to monitor one or more environmental conditions.
- body is intended to mean a structure which is primarily defined by one or more generally solid outer walls which thus define an interior space within the body, which may however be accessible from an exterior of the body through one or more openings in the walls defining the body.
- upstream is intended to define the location of a leading or forward portion of a flow channel with respect to the direction of flow of an actuating fluid such as the wind, which upstream portion will therefore vary depending on the direction from which the wind approaches the flow channel.
- the terms “upper” and “lower” and related terms refer to a particular position or location on the fluid extraction system when mounted in a working location and orientation in which a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body is arranged in a generally vertical orientation.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fluid extraction system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectioned side elevation of the fluid extraction system illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 illustrates a computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated in FIG. 1 , viewed normally to the direction of wind flow and showing the formation of tubular vortices;
- FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated in FIG. 1 , viewed in line with the direction of wind flow and again showing the formation of tubular vortices, and in which arrow length is representative of velocity;
- FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the representation illustrated in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 6 illustrates a pressure curve plotting the negative pressure generated on the interior of the system for varying external wind speeds.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a fluid extraction system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic sectioned side elevation of the fluid extraction system illustrated in FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 illustrates a section side elevation of the fluid extraction system illustrated in FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 10 illustrates a computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated in FIG. 7 , viewed normally to the direction of wind flow and showing the formation of tubular vortices;
- FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated in FIG. 7 , viewed in line with the direction of wind flow and again showing the formation of tubular vortices, and in which arrow length is representative of velocity;
- FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrates a fluid actuated fluid extraction system according to a first embodiment of the invention, generally indicated as 10 , for use in extracting an exhaust fluid such as a gas from a remote location by means of an actuating fluid, for example a natural flow of wind or the like, which is used to actuate the extraction system 10 as hereinafter described.
- an actuating fluid for example a natural flow of wind or the like
- the extraction system 10 is particularly but not exclusively intended to be located in a gas flow such as a natural flow of wind to define the actuating fluid flow, which during operation flows through the system 10 as hereinafter described, in order to actuate the system 10 to extract an exhaust fluid such as a gas from the remote location.
- the extraction system 10 is adapted, as detailed hereinafter, to generate a reduced or negative pressure on an interior of the system 10 through the action of augmenting the direction and velocity of the wind passing thought the system 10 , in order to effectively generate suction within the system 10 which can be employed to extract an exhaust gas from a remote location.
- system 10 could for example be mounted to an exterior of a building (not shown) or the like, preferably at a height such as on the roof of the building in order to avail of higher wind speeds, and used to ventilate the building by extracting air from one or more interior spaces of the building.
- the system 10 may therefore be integrated with a new or existing air conditioning and/or ventilation system (not shown) of the building.
- a person skilled in the art will of course understand that the system 10 will have many other alternative or complimentary applications.
- the system 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 12 , the system 10 preferably being mounted, in use, such that a longitudinal axis is substantially vertically oriented.
- the body 12 comprises an array of longitudinally stacked annular baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 spaced from one another to define an array of annular flow channels 22 , 24 , 26 between adjacent pairs of the baffles as described in greater detail hereinafter.
- the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 give the body 12 a segmented form and are adapted through shape and orientation to perform a dual function, both accelerating and redirecting the natural flow of wind from an exterior to an interior of the body 12 in order to effect a pressure reduction within the body 12 , while also effecting the generation of vortices within the flow channels 22 , 24 , 26 which, again as will be described in detail hereinafter, serve to further accelerate the exhaust fluid through the interior of the body 12 .
- the acceleration results in a reduction in the local pressure of the air flow, which can then be utilised in order to extract the exhaust fluid, in particular a gas, from a remote location via an intake 28 forming, in use, a lower end of the body 12 .
- the cylindrical form of the body 12 presents an unchanging profile and thus functionality regardless of the angle of approach of the natural flow of wind, ensuring that the system 10 will operate consistently irrespective of the direction of the prevailing wind. This avoids the requirement for the system 10 to track the prevailing wind, and allows the design of the system 10 to be devoid of moving parts, simultaneously increasing the simplicity and effectiveness thereof.
- the intake 28 is in the form of a short pipe or spigot and in use is suitably secured to the downstream end of a duct (not shown) having a upstream end (not shown) located at the remote location from which a fluid such as a gas is to be extracted, the intake 28 providing access to the hollow interior of the body 12 .
- the duct (not shown) connected to the intake 28 may be terminated in any suitable fitting, for example a conventional exhaust air grill (not shown) at the upstream end.
- the reduced local pressure on the interior of the body 12 will result in a pressure differential between the upstream end of the duct and the intake 28 located at the downstream end.
- This pressure differential effectively creates suction which will result in gas or other fluid being extracted from the remote location through the duct to exit via the intake 28 and become entrained within the actuating fluid, again preferably in the form of accelerated wind flowing through the body 12 .
- the intake 28 preferably enters the body 12 in a longitudinal direction and in use results in the exhaust gas flow substantially vertically upward into the interior space of the body 12 .
- the body 12 preferably additionally comprises a top wall or roof 30 opposite and spaced from the intake 28 which provides weather proofing for the system 10 in order to reduce the ingress of precipitation and other foreign objects, for example bird or animal life, from the interior of the body 12 .
- roof 30 could be omitted, in particular in locations or environments where rainfall or other precipitation is not an issue.
- the outer edge of the top wall 30 is preferably spaced from the adjacent baffle 20 in order to permit air to flow upwardly through said circumferential gap, as will be described. However as will also be described, any precipitation which may pass downwardly through this gap will nevertheless be vented from the interior of the body 12 by means of the airflow through the body 12 and will not therefore be able to enter
- the various components of the system 10 are secured relative to one another, in the embodiment illustrated, by means of a frame 32 .
- the frame 32 extends upwardly from the lowermost baffle 14 to retain each of the remaining baffles 16 , 18 , 20 and the roof 30 in position relative to one another.
- the frame 32 is of minimalist construction in order to minimise the affect on the airflow through the body 12 . It will of course be understood that the frame 32 may be of any other suitable form once capable of embodying the above mentioned functionality.
- system 10 could be moulded or otherwise produced as a single piece, for example using 3D printing or the like, although for commercial and logistical reasons such as transport and storage, it is preferable that the system 10 is manufactured in sections which can then be assembly into the finished system 10 , whether onsite or elsewhere.
- the array of longitudinally stacked baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 are designed to augment the flow of the passing wind or other actuating fluid, in order to accelerate and redirect the wind which flows between the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 .
- the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 each comprise a solid surface such as to present a barrier to the direct passage of the actuating fluid through the body 12 , the actuating fluid conventionally flowing and approaching the system 10 in a substantially horizontal direction.
- the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 extend longitudinally from a lower edge 34 to an upper edge 36 , with a throat 38 defining a region at which the curve of the respective baffle reverses from having a positive angle relative to the oncoming wind to a negative angle where the baffle diverges radially outwardly from the throat 38 towards the upper edge 36 .
- the radially convergent portion between the lower edge 34 and the throat 38 is of significantly greater length than the divergent portion extending between the throat 38 and the upper edge 36 , and acts to redirect the oncoming wind from a substantially horizontal direction to a substantially vertical direction before flowing upwardly over the upper edge 36 and into the interior of the body 12 , such that the actuating fluid is then flowing in a substantially longitudinal or, in use, vertical direction and thus in line with the exhaust fluid entering the body 12 via the intake 28 .
- the curvature of the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 serves to reduce boundary layer separation of the incoming wind, and by redirecting the wind to flow into the interior of the body 12 in a substantially longitudinal or axial direction, turbulence is reduced as this air flow mixes with the exhaust gas entering via the intake 28 . Reducing the turbulence serves to increase the degree to which the exhaust gas becomes entrained within the redirected wind flow which, combined with the reduced pressure at the interior of the body 12 , improves the extraction efficiency of the system 10 .
- the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 further augment the oncoming wind in order to provide a further improvement to the extraction efficiency of the system 10 .
- This reversal in direction, along with the concave curvature of the divergent portion, results in the generation of a vortex of the incoming wind, located adjacent the upper edge 36 , and within the respective flow channel 22 , 24 , 26 , the vortex being formed and retained between adjacent pairs of baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 .
- This vortex is initially formed at the leading or upstream region of the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 with respect to the oncoming wind, but the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 are shaped to promote the progression or extension of the vortex radially around the respective baffle, in both directions, as a result of the coanda effect.
- the vortex ultimately establishes a tube or torus of swirling air substantially extending around the circumference of the annular flow channel 22 , 24 , 26 , as for example illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the oncoming wind is flowing from right to left, the vortex initially forming at the “front” or “upstream” portion of the baffle 14 at the right hand side of the image and then progressing around the baffle 14 towards the “rear” or “downstream” portion of the baffle 14 on the left hand side of the image.
- This lowermost vortex is also illustrated, in section and at two opposed portions, in FIG. 4 .
- the tubular vortex is formed and remains above the upper edge 36 of the respective baffle and thus is positioned to interact with the flow of exhaust gas entering the interior of the body 12 .
- the vortices thus transfers energy to the exhaust gas in order to increase the velocity of this exhaust gas.
- the exhaust gas is then accelerated up and out through the various openings provided about the segmented body 12 , for example between the upper wall 30 and the adjacent baffle 20 , and a large proportion becomes entrained within the vortices and is thus vented outwardly through the flow channels 22 , 24 , 26 between adjacent baffles to the exterior of the body 12 .
- the augmented air flow generated by the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 act to eject wind driven rain or other precipitation which might enter the interior of the body 12 , despite the presence of the upper wall 30 and the over lapping baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 . Any such precipitation is entrained into the airflow within the body and thus ultimately ejected outwardly from the interior volume of the body 12 at the gaps between adjacent baffles.
- the presence of the upper wall or roof 30 does however significantly reduces the entry of precipitation.
- the longitudinal positioning of the roof 30 below the upper edge 36 of the upper most baffle 20 is important in allowing the upper most vortex to develop and run without being hindered.
- the roof 30 is preferably positioned below the throat 38 of the uppermost baffle 20 and above the upper edge 36 of the adjacent baffle 18 .
- the exact longitudinal position of the roof 30 may however be varied to suit particular environmental conditions or operational requirements.
- the system 10 will however function in the absence of the roof 30 , which may therefore be omitted, for example in locations or environments where the entry of precipitation is not a significant issue.
- the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 are preferably provided with an annular array of openings 40 , preferably located adjacent the lower edge 34 of the respective baffle, which provide ports through which exterior air flow may be drawn into the flow channels to become entrained in the vortices, for example as illustrated by the computational fluid dynamics illustrations of FIGS. 3 and 5 , in which airflow can be seen to enter through the opening 40 on the left hand side of the image to feed vortex formation.
- the baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 longitudinally overlap, a lower edge 34 of each baffle 16 , 18 , 20 extending below an upper edge 38 of each adjacent baffle 14 , 16 , 18 in order to prevent the direct flow of wind between adjacent baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 .
- the level of overlap between adjacent baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 may be varied in order to alter the performance of the system 10 , and in a preferred embodiment the lower edge 34 of each baffle 16 , 18 , 20 extends beyond a throat 38 of each adjacent baffle 14 , 16 , 18 .
- the range of overlap may vary, and may vary from one set of adjacent baffles to the next.
- a baffle may overlap an adjacent baffle by between ⁇ 50% and 99%.
- a minus overlap signifies that the lower edge 36 of a baffle is longitudinally spaced from the upper edge 38 of the adjacent baffle, such that the baffles can be said to be “loosely” stacked, while the more positive the overlap the “tighter” the baffles are stacked and thus the greater the overlap.
- baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 may be varied as required, although the provision of four baffles 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 in order to define three flow channels 22 , 24 , 26 has been found to provide the greatest efficiency in accelerating and redirecting the natural flow of air into the interior of the body 12 .
- the system 10 will however operate with only a pair of baffles defining a single flow channel in which the above described tubular vortex will form. However by having multiple baffles and flow channels, multiple vortices are formed one about the other, significantly increasing the acceleration and ejection of the exhaust fluid from the interior of the body 12 .
- the system 10 is mounted at a location, for example on the roof of a building or the like, at which wind or another actuating fluid flow can freely pass and through the segmented body 12 .
- the intake 28 may be used to mount the system 10 , or another suitable form of mounting (not shown) may be employed.
- the intake 28 then provides the interface to a remote location (not shown) from which an exhaust fluid, in particular a gas such as air, is to be extracted, for example for ventilation purposes.
- the opposed end of the ducting to which the intake 28 is connected for example an existing ventilation duct of a building, may be terminated with an exhaust air grill (not shown) or the like.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a pressure curve plotting the negative pressure generated on the interior of the system 10 for varying external wind speeds, which negative pressure creates the pressure differential with the remote location from which an exhaust gas is to be extracted.
- a suitable vent or volume control damper valve may be located at any position along the ducting or within the intake 28 , in order to permit the intake 28 to be opened or closed in order to regulate the extraction of gas.
- a conventional fire damper assembly may be located in line within the intake 28 as is conventional practice in ventilation and air conditioning ducting.
- the system 10 may integrate with an existing volume control damper valve or fire damper assembly.
- the system 10 may then comprises one or more sensors (not shown) and associated control system (not shown), preferably provided about the body 12 , which sensors are operable to monitor the external environmental conditions, such as air temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc, the control system being arranged to effect operation of the above mentioned volume control damper in response to certain environmental conditions. For example if the external air temperature drops below a pre-set level, the control system may be arranged to partially or fully close the volume control damper in order reduce heat loss through the system 10 to the exterior. Once the system 10 is in position and any such vent or valve opened, wind will flow towards and through the segmented body 12 , and regardless of the direction from which the wind approaches, the system 10 will operate consistently and as described above. Referring now to FIGS.
- the extraction system 110 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 112 which, as with the previous embodiment, is preferably mounted such that a longitudinal axis of the body 112 is substantially vertically oriented.
- the body 112 comprises an array of longitudinally stacked annular baffles 114 , 116 , 118 , spaced from one another in order to define an array of annular flow channels 122 , 124 , between adjacent pairs of the baffles.
- the baffles 114 , 116 , 118 give the body 112 a segmented or louvered form and are adapted through shape and orientation to perform a dual function.
- the baffles both accelerate and re-direct the natural flow of wind from an exterior of the body 112 into an interior of the body 112 in a manner which affects a pressure reduction within the interior space defined by the body 112 , while also affecting the generation of vortices within the flow channels 122 , 124 which further accelerate the exhaust fluid through the interior of the body 112 .
- This acceleration effects a reduction in the local pressure of the airflow which is utilised in order to affect a pressure differential between the interior of the body 112 and the remote location from which the exhaust fluid is to be extracted, causing the exhaust fluid to flow from the remote location into the interior of the body 112 via an intake 128 forming a lower end of the body 112 .
- the intake 128 is preferably in the form of a short section of pipe formed integrally with the lower most baffle 114 and extending longitudinally into the interior space defined by the body 112 .
- the lower end of the intake 128 provides a connection point for an exhaust duct (not shown) or the like which can thus be connected between the system 110 and the remote location in order to facilitate the transfer of exhaust gas.
- the body 112 of the system 110 comprises a top wall in the form of a roof 130 opposite to and spaced from the intake 128 which provides both weather proofing to the system 110 in addition to augmenting the airflow passed the upper end of the system 110 .
- the system 110 additionally comprises a frame 132 to which the various preferably moulded parts of the body 112 are secured, including the roof 130 .
- the longitudinally stacked baffles 114 , 116 , 118 define an augmenting barrier or surface which prevents the direct passage of the oncoming wind to the interior of the body 112 , deflecting the oncoming wind from a substantially horizontal incoming direction to essentially reverse in direction from flowing over a lower edge 134 to an upper edge 136 , via a throat 138 .
- the respective baffle serves to redirect the oncoming airflow against the underside of the immediately adjacent upper baffle which acts to deflect the airflow downwardly, thus causing the formation of a vortex in the respective flow channel 122 , 124 .
- This vortex is initially formed at the leading or upstream region of the respective flow channel 122 , 124 with respect to the oncoming wind, but the baffles 114 , 116 , are shaped to promote the progression and adhesion of this vortex radially around the respective flow channel, in both directions, as a result of the coanda effect.
- the vortex extends to form a partial or full tube or torus of swirling air substantially extending around the circumference of the respective flow channel 122 , 124 .
- This tubular vortex interacts with the incoming flow of exhaust gas entering the interior of the body 112 via the intake 128 , accelerating the exhaust gas, reducing the pressure thereof and pushing the exhaust gas upwardly and outwardly through the various openings in the body 112 .
- the baffles 114 , 116 , 118 may be provided with an annular array of openings 140 preferably located adjacent the lower edge 134 of the respective baffle, which openings 140 permit exterior airflow to be drawn into the flow channels to become entrained within each of the vortices.
- baffles 114 , 116 , 118 are arranged to define two flow channels 122 , 124 , the number, dimension and shape of the baffles 114 , 116 , 118 may be varied as long as there are at least two of the baffles in order to define at least 1 annular flow channel.
- the system 10 ; 110 may additionally comprise a set of turbine blades (not shown) and/or a set of fan blades (not shown) provided within the interior space of the body 12 ; 112 .
- the set of turbine blades may be positioned to have a horizontal or a vertical axis, and to be driven by the exhaust gas flowing upwardly through the intake 28 ; 128 and/or the natural flow of air passing through the segmented body 12 ; 112 .
- the fan blades (not shown) are preferably provided as an inline fan at or adjacent the intake 28 ; 128 , and may be electrically or otherwise operated in order to supplement the action of the natural flow of air through the body 12 ; 112 in order to effect extraction of the exhaust fluid.
- the cylindrical shape of the body 12 ; 112 ensures that the flow path through the body 12 ; 112 that is presented to the oncoming wind, regardless of the direction that the wind approaches the system 10 ; 110 , will be the same.
- the system 10 ; 110 is omni-directionally operational, and thus requires no moving parts in order to track the prevailing wind, greatly improving the simplicity and effectiveness of the system 10 ; 110 .
Abstract
The present invention is concerned with a fluid actuated fluid extraction system, and in particular an airflow actuated gas extraction system which in use is located in an airflow such as a natural flow of wind, and which airflow actuates the system in order to extract fluid such as a gas from a remote location such as the interior of a building, the system comprising a hollow body having at least a pair of concentric annular baffles longitudinally spaced from one another to define an annular flow channel circumscribing the body between the pair of baffles into which an actuating fluid can flow from an exterior of the body, the body further having an intake to permit an exhaust fluid to enter the body longitudinally, wherein one or more of the baffles are profiled to generate a vortex within an upstream portion of the flow channel and to effect propagation of the vortex circumferentially around the channel by means of the coanda effect
Description
- The present invention is concerned with a fluid actuated fluid extraction system, and in particular an airflow actuated gas extraction system which in use is located in an airflow such as a natural flow of wind, and which airflow actuates the system in order to extract fluid such as a gas from a remote location such as the interior of a building or the like. The extraction system of the invention could for example be integrated with an existing air conditioning and/or ventilation system in order to improve or augment the existing building infrastructure.
- Energy consumption is a worldwide concern which has serious implications for global warming and environmental degradation. As a result renewable or alternative forms of energy are becoming more and more important. The power or kinetic energy of wind is now a well established form of alternative energy, with wind turbines, both on and off shore, being the most well-established form of renewable energy.
- While wind turbines are an effective use of this kinetic energy source, there are conceivably a considerable number of alternative uses to which wind power may be applied in order to save energy.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fluid, preferably wind, powered means of extracting or displacing another fluid, preferably air or the like, and to do so in a simple and cost effective manner.
- According to the present invention there is provided a fluid actuated fluid extraction system comprising a hollow body having at least a pair of concentric annular baffles longitudinally spaced from one another to define an annular flow channel circumscribing the body between the pair of baffles into which an actuating fluid can flow from an exterior of the body; an intake to permit an exhaust fluid to enter the body longitudinally; characterised in that one or more of the baffles are profiled to generate a vortex within an upstream portion of the flow channel and to effect propagation of the vortex circumferentially around the channel by means of the coanda effect.
- Preferably, the annular flow channel is open to an interior volume defined by the body.
- Preferably, the one or more baffles are profiled such that the vortex rotates in a direction which accelerates the exhaust fluid through the hollow interior of the body.
- Preferably, the one or more baffles comprise a lower edge, a throat and an upper edge, the lower edge having a larger diameter than the upper edge and the throat having a smaller diameter than the upper edge.
- Preferably, the one or more baffles define a convergent divergent cross section relative to a longitudinal axis, in which the baffle converges radially inwardly from the lower edge towards the throat and diverges radially outwardly from the throat towards the upper edge.
- Preferably, at least a divergent portion of the baffle has a curved profile.
- Preferably, at least the divergent portion defines a concave curvature with respect to an incident actuating fluid.
- Preferably, adjacent baffles longitudinally overlap.
- Preferably, adjacent baffles overlap such that a lower edge of one baffle extends longitudinally beyond the throat of an adjacent baffle.
- Preferably, adjacent baffles radially overlap.
- Preferably, the annular flow channel is shaped and dimensioned to accelerate and redirect the actuating fluid from an exterior to an interior of the body.
- Preferably, the extraction system comprises a plurality of baffles defining three annular flow channels.
- Preferably, one or more of the baffles comprise an array of circumferentially arranged apertures to permit fluid to flow from the respective flow channel, through the aperture, to an exterior of the body.
- Preferably, the apertures are located adjacent the lower edge of the baffle.
- Preferably, the intake is oriented such that the first fluid enters the body in a substantially longitudinal direction.
- Preferably, the body comprises a top wall opposite and spaced from the intake.
- Preferably, the top wall is longitudinally recessed below an upper edge of the uppermost baffle.
- Preferably, the top wall is recessed below the throat of the uppermost baffle.
- Preferably, a circumferential gap is provided between an edge of the top wall and an adjacent baffle.
- Preferably, the body is substantially symmetrical about an axial axis of revolution.
- Preferably, the fluid extraction system comprises a frame securing the baffles relative to one another.
- Preferably, the frame retains the top wall.
- Preferably, the fluid extraction system comprises a set of fan blades mounted on an interior of the body and operable to draw the exhaust fluid from the exhaust.
- Preferably, the fluid extraction system comprises one or more sensors operable to monitor one or more environmental conditions.
- As used herein, the term “body” is intended to mean a structure which is primarily defined by one or more generally solid outer walls which thus define an interior space within the body, which may however be accessible from an exterior of the body through one or more openings in the walls defining the body.
- As used herein, the term “upstream” is intended to define the location of a leading or forward portion of a flow channel with respect to the direction of flow of an actuating fluid such as the wind, which upstream portion will therefore vary depending on the direction from which the wind approaches the flow channel.
- As used herein, the terms “upper” and “lower” and related terms refer to a particular position or location on the fluid extraction system when mounted in a working location and orientation in which a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical body is arranged in a generally vertical orientation.
- The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fluid extraction system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectioned side elevation of the fluid extraction system illustrated inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated inFIG. 1 , viewed normally to the direction of wind flow and showing the formation of tubular vortices; -
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated inFIG. 1 , viewed in line with the direction of wind flow and again showing the formation of tubular vortices, and in which arrow length is representative of velocity; -
FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the representation illustrated inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 illustrates a pressure curve plotting the negative pressure generated on the interior of the system for varying external wind speeds. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a fluid extraction system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic sectioned side elevation of the fluid extraction system illustrated inFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 illustrates a section side elevation of the fluid extraction system illustrated inFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 10 illustrates a computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated inFIG. 7 , viewed normally to the direction of wind flow and showing the formation of tubular vortices; and -
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative computational fluid dynamics representation of the system illustrated inFIG. 7 , viewed in line with the direction of wind flow and again showing the formation of tubular vortices, and in which arrow length is representative of velocity; - Referring now to
FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrates a fluid actuated fluid extraction system according to a first embodiment of the invention, generally indicated as 10, for use in extracting an exhaust fluid such as a gas from a remote location by means of an actuating fluid, for example a natural flow of wind or the like, which is used to actuate theextraction system 10 as hereinafter described. - The
extraction system 10 is particularly but not exclusively intended to be located in a gas flow such as a natural flow of wind to define the actuating fluid flow, which during operation flows through thesystem 10 as hereinafter described, in order to actuate thesystem 10 to extract an exhaust fluid such as a gas from the remote location. Theextraction system 10 is adapted, as detailed hereinafter, to generate a reduced or negative pressure on an interior of thesystem 10 through the action of augmenting the direction and velocity of the wind passing thought thesystem 10, in order to effectively generate suction within thesystem 10 which can be employed to extract an exhaust gas from a remote location. In one application thesystem 10 could for example be mounted to an exterior of a building (not shown) or the like, preferably at a height such as on the roof of the building in order to avail of higher wind speeds, and used to ventilate the building by extracting air from one or more interior spaces of the building. Thesystem 10 may therefore be integrated with a new or existing air conditioning and/or ventilation system (not shown) of the building. A person skilled in the art will of course understand that thesystem 10 will have many other alternative or complimentary applications. - The
system 10 comprises a hollowcylindrical body 12, thesystem 10 preferably being mounted, in use, such that a longitudinal axis is substantially vertically oriented. Thebody 12 comprises an array of longitudinally stackedannular baffles annular flow channels baffles body 12 in order to effect a pressure reduction within thebody 12, while also effecting the generation of vortices within theflow channels body 12. The acceleration results in a reduction in the local pressure of the air flow, which can then be utilised in order to extract the exhaust fluid, in particular a gas, from a remote location via anintake 28 forming, in use, a lower end of thebody 12. The cylindrical form of thebody 12 presents an unchanging profile and thus functionality regardless of the angle of approach of the natural flow of wind, ensuring that thesystem 10 will operate consistently irrespective of the direction of the prevailing wind. This avoids the requirement for thesystem 10 to track the prevailing wind, and allows the design of thesystem 10 to be devoid of moving parts, simultaneously increasing the simplicity and effectiveness thereof. - The
intake 28 is in the form of a short pipe or spigot and in use is suitably secured to the downstream end of a duct (not shown) having a upstream end (not shown) located at the remote location from which a fluid such as a gas is to be extracted, theintake 28 providing access to the hollow interior of thebody 12. The duct (not shown) connected to theintake 28 may be terminated in any suitable fitting, for example a conventional exhaust air grill (not shown) at the upstream end. The reduced local pressure on the interior of thebody 12 will result in a pressure differential between the upstream end of the duct and theintake 28 located at the downstream end. This pressure differential effectively creates suction which will result in gas or other fluid being extracted from the remote location through the duct to exit via theintake 28 and become entrained within the actuating fluid, again preferably in the form of accelerated wind flowing through thebody 12. Theintake 28 preferably enters thebody 12 in a longitudinal direction and in use results in the exhaust gas flow substantially vertically upward into the interior space of thebody 12. - The
body 12 preferably additionally comprises a top wall orroof 30 opposite and spaced from theintake 28 which provides weather proofing for thesystem 10 in order to reduce the ingress of precipitation and other foreign objects, for example bird or animal life, from the interior of thebody 12. It should therefore be understood that theroof 30 could be omitted, in particular in locations or environments where rainfall or other precipitation is not an issue. The outer edge of thetop wall 30 is preferably spaced from theadjacent baffle 20 in order to permit air to flow upwardly through said circumferential gap, as will be described. However as will also be described, any precipitation which may pass downwardly through this gap will nevertheless be vented from the interior of thebody 12 by means of the airflow through thebody 12 and will not therefore be able to enter - The various components of the
system 10 are secured relative to one another, in the embodiment illustrated, by means of aframe 32. Theframe 32 extends upwardly from thelowermost baffle 14 to retain each of the remainingbaffles roof 30 in position relative to one another. Theframe 32 is of minimalist construction in order to minimise the affect on the airflow through thebody 12. It will of course be understood that theframe 32 may be of any other suitable form once capable of embodying the above mentioned functionality. In addition it will be understood that, while a more complex manufacturing operation, thesystem 10 could be moulded or otherwise produced as a single piece, for example using 3D printing or the like, although for commercial and logistical reasons such as transport and storage, it is preferable that thesystem 10 is manufactured in sections which can then be assembly into thefinished system 10, whether onsite or elsewhere. - Turning then to the operation of the
system 10, the array of longitudinally stackedbaffles baffles baffles body 12, the actuating fluid conventionally flowing and approaching thesystem 10 in a substantially horizontal direction. Thebaffles lower edge 34 to anupper edge 36, with athroat 38 defining a region at which the curve of the respective baffle reverses from having a positive angle relative to the oncoming wind to a negative angle where the baffle diverges radially outwardly from thethroat 38 towards theupper edge 36. The radially convergent portion between thelower edge 34 and thethroat 38 is of significantly greater length than the divergent portion extending between thethroat 38 and theupper edge 36, and acts to redirect the oncoming wind from a substantially horizontal direction to a substantially vertical direction before flowing upwardly over theupper edge 36 and into the interior of thebody 12, such that the actuating fluid is then flowing in a substantially longitudinal or, in use, vertical direction and thus in line with the exhaust fluid entering thebody 12 via theintake 28. As the incoming wind is redirected by thebaffles flow channel body 12 and the upstream end of the duct which thesystem 10 is servicing, in order to generate a positive displacement of fluid through the duct to be exhausted via thesystem 10. - The curvature of the
baffles body 12 in a substantially longitudinal or axial direction, turbulence is reduced as this air flow mixes with the exhaust gas entering via theintake 28. Reducing the turbulence serves to increase the degree to which the exhaust gas becomes entrained within the redirected wind flow which, combined with the reduced pressure at the interior of thebody 12, improves the extraction efficiency of thesystem 10. - In addition to the above redirection and acceleration, the
baffles system 10. In particular the reversing orientation of each of thebaffles throat 38 and back along the divergent portion before flowing over theupper edge 36. This reversal in direction, along with the concave curvature of the divergent portion, results in the generation of a vortex of the incoming wind, located adjacent theupper edge 36, and within therespective flow channel baffles baffles baffles annular flow channel FIG. 3 in which the oncoming wind is flowing from right to left, the vortex initially forming at the “front” or “upstream” portion of thebaffle 14 at the right hand side of the image and then progressing around thebaffle 14 towards the “rear” or “downstream” portion of thebaffle 14 on the left hand side of the image. This lowermost vortex is also illustrated, in section and at two opposed portions, inFIG. 4 . - The tubular vortex is formed and remains above the
upper edge 36 of the respective baffle and thus is positioned to interact with the flow of exhaust gas entering the interior of thebody 12. The vortices thus transfers energy to the exhaust gas in order to increase the velocity of this exhaust gas. The exhaust gas is then accelerated up and out through the various openings provided about thesegmented body 12, for example between theupper wall 30 and theadjacent baffle 20, and a large proportion becomes entrained within the vortices and is thus vented outwardly through theflow channels body 12. It will thus be appreciated that as a result of the coanda effect, enabling each vortex to adhere to the respective baffle and thus form a torus extending from a “front” to “rear” or upstream to downstream side of thebody 12, the accelerating effect of the vortices is applied around a significant proportion of the circumference of thebody 12 in order to increase the extraction efficiency. Without this effect the vortex would form only at a “front” or upstream portion of thebaffles - In addition to improving the extraction efficiency, the augmented air flow generated by the
baffles body 12, despite the presence of theupper wall 30 and the over lapping baffles 14, 16, 18, 20. Any such precipitation is entrained into the airflow within the body and thus ultimately ejected outwardly from the interior volume of thebody 12 at the gaps between adjacent baffles. The presence of the upper wall orroof 30 does however significantly reduces the entry of precipitation. - In addition to providing weather proofing, the longitudinal positioning of the
roof 30 below theupper edge 36 of the uppermost baffle 20 is important in allowing the upper most vortex to develop and run without being hindered. Theroof 30 is preferably positioned below thethroat 38 of theuppermost baffle 20 and above theupper edge 36 of theadjacent baffle 18. The exact longitudinal position of theroof 30 may however be varied to suit particular environmental conditions or operational requirements. Thesystem 10 will however function in the absence of theroof 30, which may therefore be omitted, for example in locations or environments where the entry of precipitation is not a significant issue. - In order to provide an addition source of air flow to feed and maintain the vortices, the
baffles openings 40, preferably located adjacent thelower edge 34 of the respective baffle, which provide ports through which exterior air flow may be drawn into the flow channels to become entrained in the vortices, for example as illustrated by the computational fluid dynamics illustrations ofFIGS. 3 and 5 , in which airflow can be seen to enter through theopening 40 on the left hand side of the image to feed vortex formation. - As detailed above, the
baffles lower edge 34 of eachbaffle upper edge 38 of eachadjacent baffle adjacent baffles adjacent baffles system 10, and in a preferred embodiment thelower edge 34 of eachbaffle throat 38 of eachadjacent baffle lower edge 36 of a baffle is longitudinally spaced from theupper edge 38 of the adjacent baffle, such that the baffles can be said to be “loosely” stacked, while the more positive the overlap the “tighter” the baffles are stacked and thus the greater the overlap. - It will be appreciated that the number, dimension, shape and relative positions of the
baffles baffles flow channels body 12. Thesystem 10 will however operate with only a pair of baffles defining a single flow channel in which the above described tubular vortex will form. However by having multiple baffles and flow channels, multiple vortices are formed one about the other, significantly increasing the acceleration and ejection of the exhaust fluid from the interior of thebody 12. - In use the
system 10 is mounted at a location, for example on the roof of a building or the like, at which wind or another actuating fluid flow can freely pass and through thesegmented body 12. Theintake 28 may be used to mount thesystem 10, or another suitable form of mounting (not shown) may be employed. Theintake 28 then provides the interface to a remote location (not shown) from which an exhaust fluid, in particular a gas such as air, is to be extracted, for example for ventilation purposes. The opposed end of the ducting to which theintake 28 is connected, for example an existing ventilation duct of a building, may be terminated with an exhaust air grill (not shown) or the like. Alternatively thesystem 10 may be mounted to or formed integrally with an air handling until such as condenser, air conditioning unit or other HVAC system, in particular in buildings such as residential apartment blocks, office buildings, manufacturing plants, etc, in order to increase the air flow through such air handling units and thus improve the operation and/or efficiency of same.FIG. 5 illustrates a pressure curve plotting the negative pressure generated on the interior of thesystem 10 for varying external wind speeds, which negative pressure creates the pressure differential with the remote location from which an exhaust gas is to be extracted. - A suitable vent or volume control damper valve (not shown) may be located at any position along the ducting or within the
intake 28, in order to permit theintake 28 to be opened or closed in order to regulate the extraction of gas. Additionally or alternatively a conventional fire damper assembly (not shown) may be located in line within theintake 28 as is conventional practice in ventilation and air conditioning ducting. As a further alternative, thesystem 10 may integrate with an existing volume control damper valve or fire damper assembly. Thesystem 10 may then comprises one or more sensors (not shown) and associated control system (not shown), preferably provided about thebody 12, which sensors are operable to monitor the external environmental conditions, such as air temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc, the control system being arranged to effect operation of the above mentioned volume control damper in response to certain environmental conditions. For example if the external air temperature drops below a pre-set level, the control system may be arranged to partially or fully close the volume control damper in order reduce heat loss through thesystem 10 to the exterior. Once thesystem 10 is in position and any such vent or valve opened, wind will flow towards and through thesegmented body 12, and regardless of the direction from which the wind approaches, thesystem 10 will operate consistently and as described above. Referring now toFIGS. 7 to 11 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a fluid actuated fluid extraction system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated as 110, which is again for use in extracting an exhaust fluid such as a gas from a remote location. In this alternative embodiment like components have been recorded like reference numerals and unless otherwise stated perform a like function as the corresponding feature of the first described embodiment. - The
extraction system 110 comprises a hollowcylindrical body 112 which, as with the previous embodiment, is preferably mounted such that a longitudinal axis of thebody 112 is substantially vertically oriented. Thebody 112 comprises an array of longitudinally stackedannular baffles annular flow channels baffles body 112 into an interior of thebody 112 in a manner which affects a pressure reduction within the interior space defined by thebody 112, while also affecting the generation of vortices within theflow channels body 112. This acceleration effects a reduction in the local pressure of the airflow which is utilised in order to affect a pressure differential between the interior of thebody 112 and the remote location from which the exhaust fluid is to be extracted, causing the exhaust fluid to flow from the remote location into the interior of thebody 112 via anintake 128 forming a lower end of thebody 112. Theintake 128 is preferably in the form of a short section of pipe formed integrally with the lowermost baffle 114 and extending longitudinally into the interior space defined by thebody 112. The lower end of theintake 128 provides a connection point for an exhaust duct (not shown) or the like which can thus be connected between thesystem 110 and the remote location in order to facilitate the transfer of exhaust gas. - The
body 112 of thesystem 110 comprises a top wall in the form of aroof 130 opposite to and spaced from theintake 128 which provides both weather proofing to thesystem 110 in addition to augmenting the airflow passed the upper end of thesystem 110. Thesystem 110 additionally comprises aframe 132 to which the various preferably moulded parts of thebody 112 are secured, including theroof 130. - In operation, the longitudinally stacked
baffles body 112, deflecting the oncoming wind from a substantially horizontal incoming direction to essentially reverse in direction from flowing over alower edge 134 to anupper edge 136, via athroat 138. In this way the respective baffle serves to redirect the oncoming airflow against the underside of the immediately adjacent upper baffle which acts to deflect the airflow downwardly, thus causing the formation of a vortex in therespective flow channel respective flow channel baffles respective flow channel body 112 via theintake 128, accelerating the exhaust gas, reducing the pressure thereof and pushing the exhaust gas upwardly and outwardly through the various openings in thebody 112. - As with the first described embodiment, the
baffles openings 140 preferably located adjacent thelower edge 134 of the respective baffle, whichopenings 140 permit exterior airflow to be drawn into the flow channels to become entrained within each of the vortices. - Although in this embodiment three of the
baffles flow channels baffles - The
system 10; 110 may additionally comprise a set of turbine blades (not shown) and/or a set of fan blades (not shown) provided within the interior space of thebody 12; 112. The set of turbine blades may be positioned to have a horizontal or a vertical axis, and to be driven by the exhaust gas flowing upwardly through theintake 28; 128 and/or the natural flow of air passing through thesegmented body 12; 112. The fan blades (not shown) are preferably provided as an inline fan at or adjacent theintake 28; 128, and may be electrically or otherwise operated in order to supplement the action of the natural flow of air through thebody 12; 112 in order to effect extraction of the exhaust fluid. - It will be appreciated that the cylindrical shape of the
body 12; 112 ensures that the flow path through thebody 12; 112 that is presented to the oncoming wind, regardless of the direction that the wind approaches thesystem 10; 110, will be the same. As a result thesystem 10; 110 is omni-directionally operational, and thus requires no moving parts in order to track the prevailing wind, greatly improving the simplicity and effectiveness of thesystem 10; 110.
Claims (24)
1. A fluid actuated fluid extraction system comprising:
a hollow body having at least a pair of concentric annular baffles longitudinally spaced from one another to define an annular flow channel circumscribing the body between the pair of baffles into which an actuating fluid can flow from an exterior of the body;
an intake to permit an exhaust fluid to enter the body longitudinally characterized in that one or more of the baffles are profiled to generate a vortex within an upstream portion of the flow channel and to effect propagation of the vortex circumferentially around the channel by means of the coanda effect.
2. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the annular flow channel is open to an interior volume defined by the body.
3. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more baffles are profiled such that the vortex rotates in a direction which accelerates the exhaust fluid through the hollow interior of the body.
4. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more baffles include a lower edge, a throat, and an upper edge, the lower edge having a larger diameter than the upper edge and the throat having a smaller diameter than the upper edge.
5. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more baffles define a convergent divergent cross section relative to a longitudinal axis, and the baffle converges radially inwardly from the lower edge towards the throat and diverges radially outwardly from the throat towards the upper edge.
6. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 5 , wherein at least a divergent portion of the baffle has a curved profile.
7. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 6 , wherein at least the divergent portion defines a concave curvature with respect to an incident actuating fluid.
8. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein adjacent baffles longitudinally overlap.
9. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 8 , wherein adjacent baffles overlap such that a lower edge of one baffle extends longitudinally beyond the throat of an adjacent baffle.
10. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein adjacent baffles radially overlap.
11. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the annular flow channel is shaped and dimensioned to accelerate and redirect the actuating fluid as it flows through the annular flow channel from an exterior to an interior of the body.
12. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of baffles defining three annular flow channels.
13. The A fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the baffles further comprise an array of circumferentially arranged apertures to permit fluid to flow from the respective flow channel, through the aperture, to an exterior of the body.
14. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 13 , wherein the apertures are located adjacent the lower edge of the baffle.
15. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the intake is oriented such that the first fluid enters the body in a substantially longitudinal direction.
16. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a top wall opposite and spaced from the intake.
17. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 16 , wherein the top wall is longitudinally recessed below an upper edge of the uppermost baffle.
18. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 16 , wherein the top wall is recessed below the throat of the uppermost baffle.
19. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 16 , wherein a circumferential gap is provided between an edge of the top wall and an adjacent baffle.
20. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , wherein the body is substantially symmetrical about an axial axis of revolution.
21. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , further comprising a frame securing the baffles relative to one another.
22. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 21 , wherein the frame retains the top wall.
23. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , further comprising a set of fan blades mounted on an interior of the body and operable to draw the exhaust fluid from the exhaust.
24. The fluid actuated fluid extraction system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors operable to monitor one or more environmental conditions.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1516110.2A GB2542185A (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2015-09-11 | A fluid actuated fluid extraction system |
GB1516110.2 | 2015-09-11 | ||
PCT/EP2016/071373 WO2017042371A1 (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2016-09-09 | A fluid actuated fluid extraction system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180283713A1 true US20180283713A1 (en) | 2018-10-04 |
Family
ID=54363020
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/758,856 Abandoned US20180283713A1 (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2016-09-09 | Fluid actuated fluid extraction system |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20180283713A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3247950A1 (en) |
AR (1) | AR105994A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2542185A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017042371A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11781763B2 (en) | 2020-01-13 | 2023-10-10 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Air flow amplifier for HVAC system |
Citations (5)
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US319552A (en) * | 1885-06-09 | Thomas j | ||
US2830526A (en) * | 1954-06-14 | 1958-04-15 | G C Breidert Co | Ventilating device |
FR2714718A1 (en) * | 1994-01-06 | 1995-07-07 | Bourlon Gerald | Static draught unit for chimney |
US8303385B2 (en) * | 2006-11-14 | 2012-11-06 | Tai Up Park | Stationary ventilating device |
US8552874B2 (en) * | 2009-09-01 | 2013-10-08 | Lloyd J. Wander | Security system for the vent stack of a structure |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB642672A (en) * | 1945-12-17 | 1950-09-06 | Percival George Allsop | An improved natural ventilator |
JP2012057839A (en) * | 2010-09-07 | 2012-03-22 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Ventilator |
GB2510840A (en) * | 2013-02-14 | 2014-08-20 | Flakt Woods Ltd | A Ventilation Turret |
-
2015
- 2015-09-11 GB GB1516110.2A patent/GB2542185A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2016
- 2016-09-09 WO PCT/EP2016/071373 patent/WO2017042371A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-09-09 US US15/758,856 patent/US20180283713A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-09-09 EP EP16763066.4A patent/EP3247950A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-09-12 AR ARP160102782A patent/AR105994A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US319552A (en) * | 1885-06-09 | Thomas j | ||
US2830526A (en) * | 1954-06-14 | 1958-04-15 | G C Breidert Co | Ventilating device |
FR2714718A1 (en) * | 1994-01-06 | 1995-07-07 | Bourlon Gerald | Static draught unit for chimney |
US8303385B2 (en) * | 2006-11-14 | 2012-11-06 | Tai Up Park | Stationary ventilating device |
US8552874B2 (en) * | 2009-09-01 | 2013-10-08 | Lloyd J. Wander | Security system for the vent stack of a structure |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11781763B2 (en) | 2020-01-13 | 2023-10-10 | Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP | Air flow amplifier for HVAC system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3247950A1 (en) | 2017-11-29 |
AR105994A1 (en) | 2017-11-29 |
GB2542185A (en) | 2017-03-15 |
WO2017042371A1 (en) | 2017-03-16 |
GB201516110D0 (en) | 2015-10-28 |
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