AIR FLOW DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus and method of distributing conditioned air throughout a room are provided. The apparatus includes a boot transition disposed on the bottom side for connecting the apparatus to a boot of an HVAC system, the boot transition configured to receive the air flow at the bottom side of the apparatus, a plenum box including a plurality of vanes disposed between the bottom side and a top side for dispersing the air flow along a plurality of directions within the plenum box, the plurality of directions being one greater than the plurality of vanes, and a face plate connected to the plenum box at a top side of the apparatus for receiving the air flow from the plenum box and for distributing the air flow through the top side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following relates generally to an air flow distribution apparatus and method, and more particularly to an air flow distribution apparatus for distributing conditioned air throughout a space, and a method of distributing conditioned air throughout a space.

INTRODUCTION

Air registers and components in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems, play a crucial role in facilitating the controlled flow of conditioned air for optimal indoor air circulation and temperature control. These elements provide for maintaining year-round comfort by ensuring the effective distribution of warmth in winter and coolness in summer throughout living spaces, commercial spaces, and other indoor environments.

Despite the widespread use of linear air diffusers in commercial HVAC systems, conventional linear diffuser systems are difficult to tailor and customize for residential buildings due to the need for bulkheads, availability in the market, and high costs. Unique challenges arise due to the confined space between joists in such buildings, which prohibits the use of linear air diffusers unless bulkheads are created. This constraint is attributed to the space that the plenums of such diffusers occupy, and so their integration with the joist configuration becomes undesirable due to the encumbrance of creating bulkheads and boxes.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved air distribution apparatus that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of existing apparatus and methods.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for receiving air flow at a bottom side thereof and distributing air flow at a top side thereof is provided. The apparatus includes a boot transition disposed on the bottom side for connecting the apparatus to a boot of an HVAC system, the boot transition configured to receive the air flow at the bottom side of the apparatus, a plenum box including a plurality of vanes disposed between the bottom side and the top side for dispersing the air flow along a plurality of directions within the plenum box, the number of the plurality of directions being one greater than the number of the plurality of vanes, and a face plate connected to the plenum box at the top side of the apparatus for receiving the air flow from the plenum box and for distributing the air flow through the top side, the face plate including a plurality of face plate sections each configured to receive the air flow along one of the plurality of directions.

The boot may be in a floor.

The boot may be in a ceiling.

The plurality of vanes may be configured to be extendable.

An angle of the plurality of vanes may be configured to be adjustable.

The air flow may be dispersed within the plenum box at a first side, a middle side, and a second side.

The middle side may be configured to receive greater air flow than the first side and the second side.

The air flow may be dispersed uniformly within the plenum box at the first side, the middle side, and the second side.

The apparatus may include a border for smooth interfacing with drywall of the ceiling.

The apparatus may include a damper for adjusting the air flow.

The bottom side of the apparatus may include an air inlet.

The face plate may be a linear plate.

The boot may include a sheet metal boot.

The apparatus may be between 12 inches and 48 inches in length.

The face plate may be removably attached to the body of the apparatus.

The face plate may be approximately flush with the floor.

The plenum box may be approximately flush with the floor.

The apparatus may be a custom length based on dimensions of the floor and the ceiling.

The apparatus may have a custom angle based on dimensions of the floor and the ceiling.

A method for distributing air flow is provided. The method includes receiving air flow at a bottom side of an air flow distribution apparatus connected to a boot of an HVAC system, dispersing the air flow by a plurality of vanes, disposed in a plenum box disposed between the bottom side and a top side of the air flow distribution apparatus, along a plurality of directions, the number of the plurality of directions being one greater than the number of the plurality of vanes, receiving the air flow dispersed within the plenum box at a face plate, the face plate including a plurality of face plate sections each configured to receive the air flow along one of the plurality of directions, and distributing the air flow through the plurality of face plate sections.

The boot may be in a floor.

The boot may be in a ceiling.

The plurality of vanes may be configured to be extendable.

An angle of the plurality of vanes may be configured to be adjustable.

The air flow may be dispersed within the plenum box at a first side, a middle side, and a second side.

The middle side may be configured to receive greater air flow than the first side or the second side.

The air flow may be dispersed uniformly within the plenum box at the first side, the middle side, and the second side.

The apparatus may further include a border for smooth interfacing with the ceiling.

The apparatus may further include a damper for adjusting the air flow.

The bottom side of the apparatus may include an air inlet.

The face plate may be a linear plate.

The boot may include a sheet metal boot.

The apparatus may be between 12 inches and 48 inches in length.

The face plate may be removably attached to the body of the apparatus.

The face plate may be approximately flush with the floor.

The plenum box may be approximately flush with the floor.

The apparatus may be a custom length based on dimensions of the floor and the ceiling.

The apparatus may have a custom angle based on dimensions of the floor and the ceiling.

Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a side view of an air distribution apparatus, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A at a different height relative to the floor as shown therein;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 8A-8B are perspective views of the face plate of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A in situ;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A in situ;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 1A in situ;

FIGS. 12A-12B are perspective views of the air distribution apparatus, according to a second embodiment;

FIGS. 13A-13B are perspective views of a face plate of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 12A in situ;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the air distribution apparatus of FIG. 12A in situ; and

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a method of distributing conditioned air throughout a space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described (in the disclosure and/or in the claims) in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order that is practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

The following relates generally to an air flow distribution apparatus and method, and more particularly to an air flow distribution apparatus for distributing conditioned air throughout a space, and a method of distributing conditioned air throughout a space.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, shown therein is a side view of an air distribution apparatus 100, according to an embodiment. The air distribution apparatus 100 is configured to attach to a floor 102. In an embodiment, the air distribution apparatus 100 is configured to attach to the floor 102 by a borderline, such as borderline 114 shown in FIG. 7. The floor 102 is shown transparently to permit a clear view of the components of the air distribution apparatus 100 to enable the skilled person to understand how the air distribution apparatus 100 is installed in the embodiment of FIG. 1A. The air distribution apparatus 100 is further configured to attach to a new or existing sheet metal boot (ductwork, not shown) of the floor 102. The air distribution apparatus 100 configured to attach to an existing ductwork advantageously allows the air distribution apparatus 100 to be installed without modification to the ductwork.

The air distribution apparatus 100 includes a top side 101a and a bottom side 101b. The air distribution apparatus 100 receives air flow through the bottom side 101b and expels air flow through the top side 101a. The air flow travels from the bottom side 101b to the top side 101a through openings 122a, 122b, and 122c, along directions 103a, 103b, and 103c, respectively. The top side 101a of the air distribution apparatus 100 sits above the floor 102. The air distribution apparatus 100 may range from 12 inches to 48 inches in length along the floor 102, e.g., including but not limited to 10, 18, 20 or 36 inches in length The air distribution apparatus 100 may comprise a plurality of designs based on dimensions of the room where the air distribution apparatus is installed. As an example, the plurality of designs may comprise a curved face plate, such as face plate 104, or an angled design.

The air distribution apparatus 100 may include a damper mechanism (not shown) disposed at the bottom side 112. The damper mechanism comprises two foldable parts configured to control the air flow. The foldable parts are configured to fold inwards towards the top side 101a. The damper mechanism may connect to a boot transition, such as boot transition 110.

The air distribution apparatus 100 further includes a face plate 104 disposed atop the top side 101a. The face plate 104 comprises three openings 122a, 122b, and 122c (collectively referred to as the openings 122 and generically referred to as the opening 122), that allow the air flow to exit the air distribution apparatus 100 at a left side 105a, a middle side 105b, and a right side 105c (collectively referred to as the sides 105 and generically referred to as the side 105), respectively. The number of openings in which, to which, or along which the air flow exits is one more than the number of vanes of the air distribution apparatus 100, such as vanes 108a, 108b.

The left side 105a, the middle side 105b, and the right side 105c receive air flow along the directions 103a, 103b, and 103c (collectively referred to as the directions 103 and generically referred to as the direction 103), through the openings 122a, 122b, and 122c, respectively. The face plate 104 is configured to allow egress of the air flow from the bottom side 101b through the top side 101a. The face plate 104 is further configured to prevent ingress of contaminants or debris from the top side 101a. The face plate 104 may be configured to sit flush or approximately flush with the floor 102 such that little to no part of the face plate 104 protrudes substantially above the floor 102. The three openings of the face plate 104 allow egress of air flow along the directions 103a, 103b, and 103c, advantageously creating wide air flow coverage through the top side 101a. The face plate 104 further comprises a linear opening that further advantageously creates wider air flow coverage through the top side 101a.

The air distribution apparatus 100 further includes a plenum box 106 disposed between the top side 101a and the bottom side 101b. The plenum box 106 is configured to transfer the air flow from the bottom side 101b to the top side 101a. The plenum box 106 comprises an air inlet 112 for receiving the air flow at bottom side 101b. Advantageously, the air inlet, when disposed at the bottom of the plenum box 106 instead of the side of the plenum box 106, enables more uniform distribution of the air flow through the top side 101a. The linear plenum box 106 and the vanes 108 as configured to distribute the air flow to the two sides 105a, 105b of the air distribution apparatus 100 advantageously provide wider air flow coverage. The plenum box may be configured to sit flush or approximately flush with the floor 102 such that the face plate 104 sits above the floor 102, as shown in FIG. 1B.

The air distribution apparatus 100 further includes a plurality of vanes 108a, 108b disposed within the plenum box 106 (collectively referred to as the vanes 108 and generically referred to as the vane 108). The vanes 108 are configured to disperse the air flow received at the bottom side 101b in three directions, i.e. towards the left side 105a along the direction 103a, towards the middle side 105b along the direction 103b, and towards the right side 105c along the direction 103c. Each of the vanes 108 is configured to disperse the air flow in two directions, each direction being at a side of a vane 108 (e.g., the vane 108a disperses air towards the left side 105a along the direction 103a and towards the middle side 105b along the direction 103b, and the vane 108b disperses air towards the right side 105c along the direction 103c and towards the middle side 105b along the direction 103b).

The two vanes 108 shown in FIG. 1A disperse the air flow from the bottom side 101b along three directions within the plenum box 106, i.e., along the directions 103a-103c, towards the three openings of the top side 101a, i.e. towards the left side 105a, the middle side 105b, and the right side 105c. At least two vanes 108 are provided in the embodiment. Additional vanes 108 may be provided to disperse the air flow in further directions. The number of directions in which, to which, or along which the air flow is distributed is one more than the number of vanes 108.

In an embodiment, the vanes 108 are curved and fixed in place.

In an embodiment, the vanes 108 are extendable and adjustable to accommodate varying ceiling or floor heights.

The vanes 108 may be repositioned to change the angle and direction of the air flow through the plenum box 106.

The air distribution apparatus 100 further includes a boot transition 110 disposed at the bottom side 101b and connected to the plenum box 106. The boot transition 110 is configured to connect the air distribution apparatus 100 to new or existing sheet metal boot or ductwork (not shown). In particular, the boot transition 110 is configured to connect the boot or ductwork to the plenum box 106. The boot transition 110 connects to the boot or ductwork at the bottom side 101b. The boot transition 110 is configured to facilitate smooth transfer of the air flow from the boot or ductwork to the plenum box 106.

The air distribution apparatus 100 may be composed of any one or more of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), recycled aluminum, stainless steel, bamboo or wood composites, recycled polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, and natural fiber composites. The face plate 104 may similarly be composed of the aforementioned materials. Advantageously, the foregoing configuration of the air distribution apparatus 100 enables compatibility with HVAC systems, ductwork, and structures.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown therein is a top view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A without the face plate 104.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein is a side view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown therein is an isometric view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown therein is an isometric view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A without the face plate 104.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown therein is a perspective view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A without the face plate 104.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein is a perspective view of the air distribution apparatus of 100 of FIG. 1A with a borderline 114. The borderline 114 is configured to attach the air distribution apparatus 100 to the floor 102. The borderline 114 is further configured to be removable after the air distribution apparatus 100 is attached to the floor 102. The borderline 114 comprises a plurality of screw holes 116 configured to attach the borderline 114 to the floor 102 via a plurality of screws (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8B, shown therein are perspective views of the face plate 104 of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 8A shows the top view of the face plate 104. The face plate 104 comprises a plurality of dividers 118a, 118b (collectively referred to as the dividers 118, and generically referred to as the divider 118). The number of dividers 118 is equal to the number of vanes 108. The dividers 118 are configured to attach to the vanes 108 at the top side 101a of the vanes 108.

The dividers are configured to provide a plurality of openings 122a-122c to allow egress of the air flow through the air distribution apparatus 100 into a room. The openings 122 are configured to allow egress of the air flow through the air distribution apparatus 100 along the directions 103 through the sides 105. The number of the openings 122 through which the air flow is distributed is one more than the number of vanes 108.

The dividers 118 are further configured to block the air flow between two openings of the top side 101a, i.e. the divider 118a blocks the air flow between the openings 122a and 122b, and the divider 118b blocks the air flow between the openings 122b and 122c, such that the air flow travels along the direction 103a to the left side 105a through the opening 122a, along the direction 103b to the middle side 105b through the opening 122b, and along the direction 103c to the right side 105c through the opening 122c.

FIG. 8B shows a bottom view of the face plate 104. The face plate 104 comprises a plurality of snaps 120a-120f (collectively referred to as the snaps 120, and generically referred to as the snap 120). The snaps 120 are configured to attach the face plate 104 to the air distribution apparatus 100 at the top side 101a.

Referring now to FIG. 9, shown therein is a top view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A attached to a floor 102.

Referring now to FIG. 10, shown therein is a top view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A attached to a floor 102 without the face plate 104.

Referring now to FIG. 11, shown therein a side view of the air distribution apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A attached to hardwood 128 atop a floor 102.

Referring now to FIG. 12A-12B, shown therein are perspective views of an air distribution apparatus 200, according to another embodiment. Like numerals denote like references with respect to FIG. 1A. The air distribution apparatus 200 of the present embodiment is configured to attach to a ceiling, such as ceiling 217 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 12A shows a top view of the distribution apparatus 200. The air distribution apparatus 200 comprises a borderline 224 attached to the plenum box 206. The borderline 224 is configured to attach the air distribution apparatus 200 to a ceiling, such as ceiling 217 of FIG. 14. The borderline 224 comprises a plurality of screw holes 226 configured to attach the borderline 224 to the ceiling 217. Where the ceiling 217 includes drywall, the borderline 224 may be configured to attach to the drywall of the ceiling 217. The borderline 224 advantageously enables smooth interfacing of the air distribution apparatus 200 with the drywall of the ceiling 217. FIG. 12B shows a schematic diagram of the top view of the air distribution apparatus 200.

Referring now to FIG. 13A-13B, shown therein are perspective views of the face plate 204 of the air distribution apparatus 200 of FIG. 12A. The face plate 204 comprises a plurality of dividers 218 and a plurality of openings 222. The dividers 218 and the openings 222 are substantially similar to the dividers 118 and the openings 122. The face plate 204 is configured to be removable.

FIG. 13B shows the bottom view of the face plate 204. The face plate 204 comprises a plurality of snaps 220a-2201 (collectively referred to as the snaps 220, and generically referred to as the snap 220). The snaps 220 are configured to attach the face plate 204 to the air distribution apparatus 200 at the top side 101a.

Referring now to FIG. 14, shown therein is a bottom view of the air distribution apparatus 200 of FIG. 12A attached to the ceiling 217.

Referring now to FIG. 15, shown therein is a bottom view of the air distribution apparatus 200 of FIG. 12A attached to the ceiling 217 during installation of the air distribution apparatus 200.

Referring now to FIG. 16, shown therein is a flow diagram 300 of a method of distributing conditioned air throughout a space.

At 302, the method 300 includes receiving air flow at a bottom side of an air flow distribution apparatus. The air flow is received at an air inlet, such as the air inlet 112 of FIG. 1A.

At 304, the method 300 includes dispersing the air flow by a plurality of vanes along a plurality of directions. The air flow is dispersed within a plenum box, such as the plenum box 106 of FIG. 1A. The number of the plurality of directions is one greater than the number of the plurality of vanes.

At 306, the method 300 includes receiving the air flow dispersed within the plenum box at a face plate at a top side of the air distribution apparatus. The face plate may be the face plate 104 of FIG. 1A.

At 308, the method 300 includes distributing the air flow through a plurality of openings of the face plate, such as the openings 122. The air flow is distributed through the top side of the air flow distribution apparatus.

While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatus, methods, or systems, it will be appreciated that other apparatus, methods, or systems may be within the scope of the claims as interpreted by one of skill in the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving air flow at a bottom side thereof and distributing air flow at a top side thereof, the apparatus comprising: a boot transition disposed on the bottom side for connecting the apparatus to a boot of an HVAC system, the boot transition configured to receive the air flow at the bottom side of the apparatus;a plenum box comprising a plurality of vanes disposed between the bottom side and the top side for dispersing the air flow along a plurality of directions within the plenum box, the number of the plurality of directions being one greater than the number of the plurality of vanes; anda face plate connected to the plenum box at the top side of the apparatus for receiving the air flow from the plenum box and for distributing the air flow through the top side, wherein the face plate comprises a plurality of face plate sections each configured to receive the air flow along one of the plurality of directions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boot is in a floor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boot is in a ceiling.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vanes are configured to be extendable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an angle of the plurality of vanes is configured to be adjustable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air flow is dispersed within the plenum box at a first side, a middle side, and a second side.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the middle side is configured to receive greater air flow than the first side and the second side.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a damper for adjusting the air flow.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the apparatus comprises an air inlet.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the face plate is removably attached to the body of the apparatus.

11. A method for distributing air flow, the method comprising: receiving air flow at a bottom side of an air flow distribution apparatus connected to a boot of an HVAC system;dispersing the air flow by a plurality of vanes, disposed in a plenum box disposed between the bottom side and a top side of the air flow distribution apparatus, along a plurality of directions, the number of the plurality of directions being one greater than the number of the plurality of vanes;receiving the air flow dispersed within the plenum box at a face plate, wherein the face plate comprises a plurality of face plate sections each configured to receive the air flow along one of the plurality of directions; anddistributing the air flow through the plurality of face plate sections.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of vanes are configured to be extendable.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein an angle of the plurality of vanes is configured to be adjustable.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the air flow is dispersed within the plenum box at a first side, a middle side, and a second side.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the middle side is configured to receive greater air flow than the first side or the second side.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises a damper for adjusting the air flow.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the bottom side of the apparatus comprises an air inlet.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the face plate is removably attached to the body of the apparatus.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the face plate is approximately flush with a floor.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the apparatus has a custom angle based on dimensions of a floor and a ceiling.