GB2049161A

GB2049161A - Air circulating device for mixing room air

Info

Publication number: GB2049161A
Application number: GB8010767A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-04-30
Filing date: 1980-03-31
Publication date: 1980-12-17
Also published as: GB2049161B; DE3016562A1; JPS55146345A; CA1134666A; ZA793332B

Abstract

An air circulating device for disposition within a room and directing an airstream vertically to mix room air to prevent temperature stratification comprises a fan and motor assembly (6, 7) which is supported by a support structure 3 and drives the stream of air through a multi- channelled e.g. honeycomb body (12) which removes swirling currents from the airstream and results in a linear airstream effective for a range of several feet, and a nozzle (14) which increases stream velocity and range. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Air circulating device for mixing room air The present invention concerns a device for use in enclosed areas for the purpose of circulating ambient air to avoid temperature stratification.

Heated air within a room tends to rise by convection resulting in that area immediately below a ceiling or roof being warmer than the habitable area immediately above the floor.

The collection of warm air in the upper nonhabitable limits of a room is undesirable, primarily because of accentuated heat loss through the ceiling or roof structure. A savings in energy used for heating is effected by continuous mixing of the warmer, elevated air with that air in the lower habitable portion of the room.

Solutions to the avoidance of temperature stratification have been attempted with devices having vertically disposed ducts which transfer fan driven air between upper and lower room areas. While this solution is practical in some instances, there are some instances when such a duct is objectionable as it may detract from room use and appearance.

The present invention is embodied within an air circulating device including a fan and motor assembly for driving a column shaped flow of air for the purpose of mixing air of different temperatures within a closed area.

The present device utilizes a perforate body, such as a honeycomb structure, to directionalize the fan discharge by removing swirling air currents to effectively provide a columnar airflow. Accordingly, an effective airflow may be discharged for a range of several feet, as between ceiling and floor, without utilization of a duct. A nozzle or constrictor is provided downstream from the perforate structure to increase airflow velocity enhancing the effectiveness of the airflow.

The present invention includes the provision of an air circulating device for use in enclosed areas for discharging a vertical airflow so as to mix room air, which normally has a tendency to thermally stratify while avoiding use of a duct thereby avoiding visual detraction from and interference with use of a room area.

The present invention is embodied within an air circulating device for use in an enclosed room area to prevent temperature stratification, said device comprising a support structure adapted for attachment to a superjacent support, a fan and motor assembly supported by said support structure with said fan on a motor output shaft, mounting means on said support structure past which fan discharged air moves, a perforate body carried by said mounting means and having multiple passageways constraining passing fan discharged air for formation of a linear stream of air, and a constrictor subjacent said perforate body and serving as a nozzle to constrict and accellerate the stream of air to enhance stream range and hence effectiveness.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is an elevational view of the device located intermediate the ceiling and floor of a room; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device with fragments broken away and parts removed along a centerline for purposes of illustration; Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken downwardly along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modified air circulator.

With continuing attention to the drawing, the reference numeral 1 indicates a room ceiling or roof structure defining the upper limit of a room area RA. A floor surface of the room area is indicated at F.

Indicated generally at 2 is the present air circulating device shown suspended subjacent ceiling 1. A support structure 3 is of domelike configuration and constitutes a base for later described components. A hanger at 4 may be of chain link construction provided at its apex with a hook 5 for convenient roof or ceiling attachment.

Within the support structure is a motor 6 and a fan 7 of a fan and motor assembly.

Fasteners at 8 couple the motor to the interior surface of support structure 3. A motor output shaft is indicated at 6A.

Mounting means is indicated at 9 and includes a ring which is concentrically diposed and in close proximity to fan 7. Securing mounting means 9 in place are spacers 10 extending intermediate the periphery of the mounting means and the interior support structure 3 with suitable fasteners as at 11 extending oppositely through the support structure and said mounting means.

Receiving fan discharge is a multi-channelled, perforate body 1 2 disclosed as a honecomb structure with a multitude of air passageways 1 2A which serve to remove any horizontal component or swirling motion from said discharge and thereby effect a linear stream.

Fig. 2 shows the perforate body fixed within a collar 1 3 on an internal shoulder 1 3A with collar 1 3 being in inserted engagement with the ring of the mounting means. Such an arrangement enables the removal of collar 1 3 and the perforate body should it be desired to attach a pliable duct fitted at its upper end with a like collar.

In inserted engagement with collar 1 3 but at the lower end of same is a nozzle or constrictor indicated at 14 with a conical segment and having an upper rim 1 4A for detachable attachment to collar 1 3. A constrictor or nozzle outlet end at 1 4B is approximately one-half the area of the inlet end as defined by rim 1 4A and functions to accelerate air discharged by the device.

The presently disclosed air circulating device is effective to circulate air within rooms of standard ceiling height and those having somewhat greater floor-to-ceiling heights.

Also, air may be circulated effectively in most office buildings. With the present unit, no obstructions exist in the lower room area to impede human or machine movement. Further, the room's decor, usefulness and appearance are not detracted from by the presence of a duct.

To increase the effective range of air circulator output, the circulator may include a second fan driving air through a second perforate body. Such an arrangement permits lower fan speed to reduce operational sound. In the modified form of the invention, in Fig. 4, prime reference numerals indicate like parts similar to those above mentioned. A first fan is indicated at 1 6 in place on motor output shaft 6A' which is extended to receive a second fan at 1 7. In place within mounting means at 1 8 are first and second perforate honeycomb structures at 10 and 21. A detachable nozzle or constrictor at 22 increases airstream velocity. This last described form of the invention is intended for use in rooms exceeding normal floor-to-ceiling heights.

Claims

1. An air circulating device for use in an enclosed room area to prevent temperature stratification, said device comprising, a support structure adapted for attachment to a superjacent support, a fan and motor assembly supported by said support structure with said fan on a motor output shaft, mounting means on said support structure past which fan discharged air moves, a perforate body carried by said mounting means and having multiple passageways constraining passing fan discharged air for formation of a linear stream of air, and a constrictor subjacent said perforate body and serving as a nozzle to constrict and accelerate the stream of air to enhance stream range and hence effectiveness.

2. The device claimed in claim 1 additionally including a collar detachably mounted to the mounting means, said collar supporting said perforate body.

3. The device claimed in claim 1 additionally including a second fan on said motor output shaft below the first mentioned fan, a second perforate body below and receiving fan discharged air from said second fan, said constrictor adjacent said second perforate body.

4. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said constrictor is of circular configuration and includes a conical segment.

5. The device claimed in claim 4 wherein said constrictor is generally of downwardly tapered shape having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end having an area of approximately one-half the area of the inlet end.

6. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means is of ring configuration, said perforate body is of circular configuration and disposed within a collar, said constrictor having an upper rim attached to said collar.

7. An air circulating device constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.