WO2005054606A2

WO2005054606A2 - Device for heating and drying inflatable structures

Info

Publication number: WO2005054606A2
Application number: PCT/BE2004/000169
Authority: WO
Inventors: Freddy Vansteenlandt
Original assignee: Freddy Vansteenlandt
Priority date: 2003-12-02
Filing date: 2004-11-30
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Also published as: WO2005054606A3

Abstract

The present invention is related to a device for supplying hot air to an inflatable structure, said device comprising one or more electrical heating elements (4), said device being equipped to be installed in the air flow between an air blower (21) and an inflatable structure. According to the preferred embodiment, the device is further equipped with a spring-operated air pressure switch, comprising a hinged plate (10), said plate being arranged to be blown to a closed condition by air flowing into the device, thereby closing an electrical contact, said plate being further arranged to open when said air flow is absent, thereby opening said electrical contact.

Description

DEVICE FOR HEATING AND DRYING INFLATABLE STRUCTURES

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention is related to a device for heating and drying an inflatable structure, such as a structure for recreational use or a tent.

State of the art

[0002] Inflatable structures like tents, arches, bouncers and other recreational modules, advertising items etc... are inflated using a ventilator, which is constantly blowing air into the structure, thereby keeping the air pressure inside the structure at a given level. In rainy weather, the inside of this type of structure can become wet, which causes a number of problems. When the structure is deflated, water becomes trapped inside the structure, which may lead to rotting of the structure after a given time. Drying the structure before storing it, is not easy. Structures which are large enough may be entered by a person who may then wipe the structure dry. This is however impossible for smaller structures ^' for which there is no other option but to inflate it again and let the water evaporate. However, inflating the structure with cold air means a long drying time. Aims of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a device for applying warm air to the inside of an inflatable structure.

Short description of the drawings

[0004] Fig. 1 represents a blower equipped with a device according to the invention.

[0005] Fig. 2 represents a cutaway view of the device of the invention.

[0006] Fig. 3 represents a frontal view of the device and top and side view of one heating element contained in the device.

[0007] Fig. 4 represents a view of the electrical circuit of the device of the invention

Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention is related to a device as described in the- appended claims. It concerns a device for heating up air which is blown into an inflatable structure.

Detailed description of the invention

[0009] As shown in figure 1, the device 20 of the invention can be installed between the output of a blower V 21, and a connection part 22 which is to be connected"' to the inflatable structure. The device 20 is shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3.

[0010] It is described as a- universal electrical heating module, able to heat up the inflation air, thereby allowing thorough drying of the structure and the seams from the inside, reduce the overall drying time significantly and protect the structure against rotting or mould. The module 20 comprises electrical heating elements, which when powered by a voltage, heat up the air which is blown into the structure. [0011] Figures 2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention. The shape of the device may differ from the one shown, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0012] The device of figure 2 is box-shaped, having an outside wall 1 made of aluminium. The flow of air is indicated by the arrows. For clarity's sake, the wall is shown only partially; it extends over a distance towards the front of the drawing, as indicated by the dotted lines. Inside the box is at least one fire-proof, non-electrically conducting frame 2 flanked by stainless steel walls 3. The device in figure 2 has two such frames, but more may be present. To each fire-proof frame is attached a heating element 4, which is basically a resistor producing heat when a voltage is applied to it. Each heating element is preferably equipped with a temperature-sensitive switch 5 (bi-metal) further secured by a fuse 6. When excessive temperatures occur, the switch 5 will disconnect the heating elements from the supply voltage. As seen in figure 3, the heating elements are connected through conductors 7, to the voltage supply cable 8, preferably through a connection piece 9. [0013] An air pressure switch is preferably present, which is basically an electrically conducting plate 10, hinged to the side of the device by means of a spring, so that when no air is blown into the device, the spring causes the switch to be in an open position. Air which is blown into the device pushes the switch into a closed position, against the spring force. In the closed condition, the plate closes the electrical contact between the conductors 7, thereby activating the heating elements 4, when the device is powered up. When the air flow stops, the spring causes the switch to open again, and the heating elements are deactivated, so no overheating can occur. The elements 5 and 6 can be seen as additional security means. According to the preferred embodiment, the plate 10 hinges around an axis 11, and the contact is made in the switchbox 12, which is connected by conductor 13 to the heating elements. The connection piece 9 and switchbox 12 are mounted on a separation plate 19. [0014] The conductors 7 connect to the heating elements at connection points 14, 15 and 16. The device is closed off by a lid 17. A lamp indicator 18 on the outside of the device is present to indicate whether the heating element is active or not. Connection points 23 are present for connecting the device to the blower 21 and to the connection part 22 (figure 1) . Connection points 25 are for the connection between the heating elements and the aluminium frame.

[0015] The device may be powered by 230V one phase or other net voltages. Figure 4 shows the electrical circuit of a device of the invention, comprising four heating elements.

[0016] The heating of the air takes place without burning oxygen, and without a flame. No fumes, gases or liquids are produced. The device does not produce noise additional to the blower noise. Due to its aluminium cover, the device is lightweight. It produces 100% clean and dry heat. The cooling of the blower motor is not hampered by the device of the invention. The device allows drying of the inflatable structure from the inside, with the stitches allowing hot air to be blown through for effective drying. The structure itself is heated up slightly, which makes it easier to roll up afterwards, even in cold temperatures. While drying, it may be useful to leave the inlet opening to the inflatable structure slightly open, to evacuate condensation faster. [0017] The device can be used for inflating double- walled tents, thus creating an insulating layer of warm air inside the tubes which contributes to the heating of such buildings .

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Device for supplying hot air to an inflatable structure, said device comprising one or more electrical heating elements (4), said device being equipped to be installed in the air flow between an air blower (21) and an inflatable structure. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further equipped with a spring-operated air pressure switch, comprising a hinged plate (10), said plate being arranged to be blown to a closed condition by air flowing into the device, thereby closing an electrical contact so that said heating elements are supplied with electrical power, said plate being further arranged to open when said air flow stops, thereby opening said electrical contact. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising in connection with every heating element, a temperature-sensitive switch (5) . 4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said temperature-sensitive switch (5) is further secured by a fuse (6) . 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, said device comprising two heating elements. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, said device comprising four heating elements. 7. A blower equipped with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.