Object of the Invention
[0001] The invention herein refers to an induction diffuser for air conditioning installations,
which contributes essential novel characteristics and substantial advantages in relation
to the means known and used for the same purpose in the current stage of technical
advancement.
[0002] Particularly, the invention proposes the development of an internal induction type
of air diffuser, like those used as outlet devices fitted to ceilings of enclosed
areas that are to be conditioned. This invention offers a considerable increase in
the performance of the diffuser is achieved and notably simplifies its manufacture,
due to the design characteristics that have been implemented on same. The diffuser
is made in such a way that the effect of the induction, that takes place inside it,
is carried out from the quantity of induced air that enters the inner space through
a wide opening on the front plate. This effect is facilitated by the profile itself,
that has been fitted to a section of the previously mentioned front plate.
[0003] The field of application of the invention is comprised within the industrial sector
dedicated to the manufacture and/or installation of equipment and devices for air
conditioning in general.
Background of the Invention
[0004] Experts in this field know that for many years, induction diffusers have been used
in air conditioning installations to project the air into the enclosed area to be
conditioned. These diffusers consist of devices that are made up of a plurality of
conical elements, with diameters that successively get smaller towards the central
axis of the device. These elements are situated in mutually concentric positions,
maintaining separating distances between the successive conical elements and they
are arranged in such a way that the separations between the cones make up diverging
sections that lead towards the outside. Inside the diffuser opposite the outlet there
is a cylindrical section so that it can be connected to the plenum, where the air
is received at the lowest temperature transported by the corresponding duct. The effect
of induction with a mixture of air from the outside is carried out in the external
part of the diffuser, and is a consequence of the depression created by the previously
mentioned divergent separation that exists between the successive adjacent conical
elements.
[0005] The invention herein purports as its main objective, to develop a diffuser of the
type mentioned in which, unlike the conventional diffusers, the induction is generated
inside the device, which offers a series of advantages compared to traditional diffusers.
These advantages mean that it is possible to work with much lower or much higher temperatures,
depending on the time of the year, to reduce the flow and, as a result, thus reduce
the size of the device. These objectives have been achieved with the induction diffuser
and will be described below and the main characteristics are defined in the part corresponding
to Claim 1.
[0006] In essence, the diffuser that has been invented comprises a main outer casing, that
is principally in the form of a truncated cone. On the upper end there is a cylindrical
projection, which is standard, so it can be connected to the plenum where the cold
or hot air current is received from the corresponding duct. Inside this outer casing
there are two sub-casings, principally in the form of truncated cone shapes. They
are respectively concentric with each other and with the main casing. One of the sub-casings
is closed at the top end and completely covers the other, and maintains a separating
distance between them. This separating space is in fluid communication with the inside
of the smaller sized sub-casing, due to the provision of a cylindrical neck on the
smaller one. This unit is closed on the front by a circular plate, which has a diameter
that is slightly smaller than the outer casing but larger than that of the internal
sub-casings, whose front plate is used as a mount and support for both sub-casings,
and in addition provides a central circular orifice through which the air penetrates
from the outside environment, with a view to induction with the air supplied inside
the diffuser.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention are clearly explained
in the following in-depth description of the preferred realisation mode. It is provided
only as an illustrative example and is not limiting, and refers to the drawings attached,
where:
Figure 1 shows an elevation view, the cross-section of a quarter of the diffuser proposed
by the invention;
Figure 2 shows a top view of the front plate of the diffuser invented;
Figure 3 shows an elevation view of the front plate seen in figure 2 and
Figure 4 illustrates an elevation view of a cross-section of the plate in Figure 2,
cut through the line IV-IV.
Description of a Preferred Realisation Mode
[0008] As indicated above, the detailed description of the preferred realization mode of
the invention will be defined below, helped by the diagrams attached. The same numerical
references are used to refer to same or similar parts. In this respect, looking firstly
to Figure 1, this is a side elevation view of the diffuser invented, referred to with
the numerical reference 1 and the partial cross-section of a quarter. The aim is to
be able to clearly distinguish the inner layout. The figure illustrates the diffuser
in its functional position, i.e. fitted to a ceiling (11).
[0009] According to the constructive characteristics when it is made this way, the diffuser
consists of an outer casing (2), made up of a truncated cone, which is standard. On
the smaller base (top position) it has a cylindrical projection so that it can be
adjusted to the plenum that receives the air current from the installation's duct
pipe (not shown).
[0010] Inside this outer casing, there are two sub-casings, indicated by numbers (3) and
(4) respectively, which in general terms are also in the form of truncated cones,
and they are concentric with respect to the central axis of the outer casing. The
first sub-casing (3), that occupies the intermediate position, is connected to the
outer casing (2) using parts (5) at an angle that connect it to the said casing at
its top closed base, while at the lower perimeter edge (or the large base of the truncated
cone) it is joined to a front mount and support plate, helped by several long uprights
(7), distributed at predefined positions along a circumferential line. This plate
(6) is responsible for supporting the second sub-casing (4), open at the top and extended
by a cylindrical neck (9), arranged concentrically with the others as mentioned, with
the help of short uprights (8), that preferentially occupy positions opposite the
previously mentioned long uprights (7).
[0011] With this layout, between both sub-casings there is a separation that determines
a space that is in fluid connection with the inside of the afore-mentioned innermost
casing (4) (through neck (9)) and also with the space determined by its separation
with respect to the outer casing (2). The front plate (6) has an orifice (10) in an
axially central position, that has a predefined diameter, facing the inner space of
the smaller sub-casing (4).
[0012] In Figure 1 there are several arrows that indicate the direction of the air flow
and how the induction takes place. In effect, arrow f
1 indicates the direction that the air follows from the plenum, in such a way that
as it progresses towards the opening (12), which circles the perimeter of the plate
(6), the depression created originates the intake of a volume of air, shown by arrow
f
2, so that after passing through the innermost sub-casing (4), it continues its way
through the space that exists between both sub-casings (3), (4), again towards the
outlet (12). Thus, the induction effect is achieved inside the diffuser, with the
advantageous consequences that have been mentioned above.
[0013] If we now look at Figures 2 and 3, these are top and elevation views respectively
of the front plate (6), associated to the diffuser which, as seen in the top view,
shows the uprights (7), (8), that are built-in on the plate. They emerge from radially
facing positions and they are separated equal-angularly by angular distances of 120°.
However, as understandable, this way to distribute the uprights is only illustrative,
as any other suitable way is possible for the perfect development of the invention.
The elevation view in Figure 3, shows a projection that enables us to see how the
configuration of the front plate (6) has been designed. There is a substantial increase
of the thickness as it progresses towards the inside of the plate. The cross-section
view of the plate can be seen in greater detail in the cross-section shown in Figure
4, which has been taken from the line IV-IV on Figure 3. It has been designed in this
way, not only for aesthetic reasons, but taking into account the functional aspects
of the unit too.
[0014] It is not considered necessary to further extend the contents of this description
for an expert in the matter to understand its scope and the advantages arising from
the invention, as well as to develop and put into practice the object of the same.
[0015] Nevertheless, it should be understood that the invention has been described according
to a preferred realisation of the same, therefore it is susceptible to modification
without the need to alter the fundamentals of the invention. Such modifications may
particularly affect the shape, size and/or materials used in the manufacture of the
unit or its parts.
1. Induction diffuser for air conditioning installations, that is suitable to be anchored
to the ceiling of an enclosed area and to project non-isothermal air at a lower temperature
towards the inner space of this enclosed area. The diffuser has an outer casing which
in general, is in the form of a truncated cone, that through its smaller base, positioned
at the top, projects through a cylindrical section that is connected to the plenum
from where the treated air is fed; characterized as it has two sub-casings (3,4) which
are also in the form of truncated cones. However, they are different in size and situated
at positions that are respectively concentric with each other and with the afore-mentioned
outer casing (2) of the diffuser (1). One of the sub-casings (3), the larger of the
two, is closed at its smaller base, positioned at the top, and joined from this to
the outer casing (2) by angular parts (5). Along the edge of the perimeter of the
larger base, positioned at the lower end, it is sustained to a front plate (6) by
several long uprights (7) that are built-in on the plate and distributed equal-angularly.
This front plate (6) represents a mount and support element for the smaller sub-casing
(4) by means of short uprights (8) built-in on the plate, situated at positions radially
opposite the long uprights (7). This sub-casing is designed so that along the smaller
base it has a cylindrical neck and it is arranged in such a way that it maintains
a predetermined separation distance from the sub-casing (3) that is situated at the
intermediate position. The front plate (6) has an orifice (10) that is axially centred
and facing the larger base of the innermost sub-casing (4). The diameter of this orifice
is smaller than that mentioned on the larger base of the afore-mentioned smaller sub-casing
(4).
2. The diffuser, in accordance with claim 1, is characterised because the front plate
(6) is designed in such a way that the thickness increases as it progresses towards
the inside, according to a predefined profile.