US3448675A

US3448675A - Air diffuser

Info

Publication number: US3448675A
Application number: US707806A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-02-23
Filing date: 1968-02-23
Publication date: 1969-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 1986-06-10

Description

C. DAVIES June 10, 1969 AIR DIFFUSER I Filed Feb. 25. 1968 :3 Rm. H T N N 1 R E 0 Vi mm n M A C United States Patent Qfice 3,448,675 Patented June 10, 1969 3,448,675 AIR DIFFUSER Charles Davies, 265 Coligni Ave., New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801 Filed Feb. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 707,806 Int. Cl. F24f 7 02 US. CI. 98-40 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Two concentric cylindrical walls define an annular air flow passage between them. An electric light housed within inner wall. Air inlet opening near upper endsof walls. Flange projects radially outwardly from lower end of inner wall, defining annular air outlet opening between flange edge and outer wall. Annular baflle projects radially inwardly from outer wall and is slidable vertically along outer wall, and may be positioned to alternatively block air, or cause horizontal or vertical flow of air from outlet.

This invention relates to air diffusers, and more particularly to such a diffuser which introduces air into a room through a continuous slot, usually situated in the ceiling of the room, surrounding a source of illumination.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved diffuser structure which permits the direction of an air pattern flowing into a room, as well as its volume, to be controlled in a very simple manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an air diffuser which is admirably adapted to be combined with a source of illumination for the room.

To accomplish these and other objectives, the invention provides inner and outer concentric walls of, preferably, circular cross-section defining an annular flow passage between them. The diameter of the inner wall is large enough to accommodate an electric light installation. An air inlet opening is provided near the top of the annular passage, and an annular flange projects radially outwardly from the lower end of the inner wall, thereby defining an annular outlet opening between the free edge of the flange and the outer wall. An annular baifle projects radially inwardly from the outer wall and is vertically adjustable so that in cooperation with the flange it can control the direction and volume of air flowing from the diffuser.

Additional objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a diffuser according to this invention showing the baflle in one position of adjustment;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the baflle in another position of adjustment; and

FIG. 3 is transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2. j

The air diffuser chosen for illustration comprises a pair of concentrically arranged cylindrical walls 10 and 11, which may be formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal. The diameter of the outer wall 11 is substantially greater than that of theinner wall so as to provide an air flow passage 12 between the walls. The air flow passage 12 is continuous, when viewed in crosssection (see FIG. 3), and in the present example is annular in shape. A circular top wall 13, having an upstanding lip secured by any suitable means to the upper margin of the outer wall 11, serves as a closure at the upper ends of the walls 10 and 11. Near its upper end, the outer wall 11 is furnished with an air inlet opening 14 adapted to communicate with a duct 15 for channeling air to be diffused into the flow passage 12. At its lower end, the outer wall 11 is formed with an outwardly projecting flange 16 by means of which the diffuser may be secured, by suitable fasteners, to a support structure 17, such as a ceiling.

The inner wall 10 presents a flange 20 at its upper end secured to lower face of the top wall 13. A circular flan-ge 21 projects radially outwardly from the lower end of the inner wall 10, the radial dimension of the flange 21 being smaller than the spacing between the walls 10 and 11 so as to define an annular outlet opening 22 'between the free edge of the flange 21 and the lower edge of the outer wall 11.

For the purpose of controlling the direction and volume of air flow from the outlet 22, an annular baflle or damper 23 is adjustably arranged within the flow passage 12. The baflle 23 has an L-shaped cross-section, its vertical arm 24 extending adjacent and parallel to the outer wall 11, and its horizontal arm 25 extending radially inwardly from the outer wall. The radial dimension of the arm 25 is illustrated as being greater than the corresponding dimension of the outlet 22. However, it is essential only that the radial dimension of the arm 25 be great enough so that when the arm 25 is brought into adjacence with the flange 21 (as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1), the outlet 22 will be closed.

The external diameter of the bafie 23 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the outer wall 11 so that the baffle may be adjusted vertically within the flow passage 12. A number of leaf springs 26 are fastened at circumferentially spaced intervals about the arm 24 of the baffle, and project upwardly therefrom, the upper ends of the springs being suitably deformed to frictionally engage the inner surface of the outer wall 11. In this way, the springs 26 serve to maintain the baffle 23 in any desired position of adjustment. Adjustment of the baffle is effected, in the present example, by a manually manipulable tool 29 having a hook-shaped end adapted to cooperate with two diametrically arranged loops 30 projecting downwardly from the arm 25 of the baflle. Obviously, however, other means of baflle adjustment may be employed.

With the bafile 23 located relatively far from the flange 21, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, air flowing through the duct 15 and into the flow passage 12 will follow the path of the arrows in FIG. 1 and enter the room through the outlet 22 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ceiling 17. This mode of introduction of air into a room might be desirable, for example, if the air is warm and is intended to heat the room.

By moving the bafl'le 23 down closer to the flange 21, as shown in FIG. 2, the air flowing through the duct 15 and flow passage 12 is constrained to follow the path of the arrows in FIG. 2 and enter the room through the outlet 22 in a substantially horizontal direction, i.e., parallel to the ceiling 17. This type of flow pattern may be desired when the air introduced is intended to cool the room.

If the baflie 23 is moved even closer to the flange 21 than as shown in FIG. 2, the volume of air entering the room will of course be reduced. Finally, if the baffle is brought into engagement with the flange 21, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1, all air flow through the outlet 22 is blocked.

The air diffuser of this invention is admirably adapted to incorporate a source of illumination within it so as to produce a combined air diffuser and recessed electric lighting fixture of the type commonly referred to as a high hat. In the illustrative embodiment, a conventional electric light socket 31 is secured to the lower face of the top wall 13 within the inner wall 10. The socket is supplied with electric current via conductors 32, and threadably accommodates an electric light bulb 33. If desired,

ngers i 3 a light diffusing element (not shown) may be mounted on the inner wall 10 beneaththe bulb 33.

It will be appreciated that a device according to this invention offers several advantages, among which are the following: an air diffuser and light source may be installed simultaneously with little more effort than is required to'install an air diffuser alone; and by means of a single movable part, adjustable to a number of different positions, air maybe directed into a room perpendicular or parallel to the ceiling, its volume may be varied, or air flow may be cut off entirely.

The invention has been shown and described in preferred form only, and by Way of example, and many variations may be made in the invention which will still be comprised within its spirit. For example, rather than the walls 10 and 11 being cylindrical, they could have a square, rectangular, or any other useful cross-sectional shape. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are included in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

' 1. An air diffuser comprising a pair of coaxial walls spaced apart to define an air flow passage between them, said air flow passage being continuous in cross-section, an air inlet opening near the upper end of one of said walls, a flange projecting outwardly from the inner wall near the lower end of the latter, said flange having a width smaller than the spacing between said walls thereby defining an air outlet surrounding the free edge of said flange, and a single continuous baflle within said air flow passage and completely surrounding the inner wall, said baffle being located adjacent to the inner surface of the outer Wall and projecting inwardly therefrom, said baflie having a width at least as large as the corresponding dimension of the air outlet, and said baffle being slidable vertically along the inner surface of the outer wall so that it may be optionally positioned (a) spaced relatively far from said flange so that air will flow from said outlet in a substantially vertical direction, (b) spaced relatively close to said flange so that air flowing from said outlet may be varied mint rad amass amma horizontal 66inponent of movement, or (0) in engagement with said flange so that air flow is blocked, positioning of only said single baffle as described serving to vary both direction and volume of air flow.

2. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said walls has a circular, cross-sectional shape, and said baflie is annular. E

33. air diffuser as defined in claim 2 wherein said walls are in the form of concentric cylinders;

4. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1 including means for supporting a source of illumination within the inner wall, saidinner 'wallserving as the sole housing for said source of illumination. v

. 5. An air diffuser. as definedin claim 4wherein said means includes an electric socket for threadably accepting an electric lightbulb. Y 1

6. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1 wherein said baffle has an L-shaped cross-section, the vertical arm of baflie extending parallel to and slidable along theouter of said concentric walls.

7.. An air diffuser as defined in claim 6 including a spring carried by said bafile and frictionally engaging one of said walls.

8. An installation including an air diffuser as defined in claim 1, meansfor securing said diffuser to'the ceiling of a room, andmeans for channelingair to be diffused to I said inlet opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1935 Riddell 98-37 3,302,550 2/ 1967 Thomson 98-40 3,310,672 3/1967 Bursell 98-40 X 33220332 11/1965 Straub 9840 3,406,623 10/1968 Lambert 98-40 WILLIAM E. WAYNER, Primary Examiner.

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