INTEGRATED CEILING AND HVAC DUCT SYSTEM

Abstract

An integrated ceiling mainly includes an air supply system, an air return system, a frame system and a multifunctional system. The air supply system and air return system include a plurality of air duct modules assembled together. The frame system supports all air system modules on the ceiling, so the frame system should be installed first. The multi-function system is a ceiling module system that can be installed with functions other than ventilation, and has a plurality of ceiling multi-function modules. In addition to the above hardware systems, an HVAC routing aid design system can automatically design one or more indoor air system plans based on the actual installation conditions, space, and requirements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ceiling and ductwork structures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a suspended ceiling panel that includes integrated ductwork, where adjacent ceiling panels interjoin to form a modular ductwork system in a suspended ceiling.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Interior ventilation is an important part of building design, and almost all indoor places need a ventilation system to ensure air circulation. At present, most common ventilation systems are arranged above the ceiling, which is complicated to install and not convenient to maintain.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts are required to be deployed for providing a stream of air into a room or out of a room (as a return, for example, in an air conditioning system). Typically, the ducting is run above a ceiling and duct hangers are often used to support the ducts. While the conventional design permits change of the duct system, such change is often difficult, requiring tapping into a trunk line, for example, to run a new register in a room.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved duct system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention aim to solve the aforementioned problems in conventional duct systems by providing an integrated ceiling, which fits the ventilation system to the ceiling, is easy to install, easy to change the duct route, easy to maintain, and has an auxiliary design system to design the duct route.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular duct system comprising a ceiling framework; at least a first ceiling panel and a second ceiling panel, each of the first and second ceiling panels operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, each of the first and second ceiling panels having a lower side, facing a living area of an interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area; at least a first duct assembly and a second duct assembly, integrated into respective upper sides of each of the first and second ceiling panels; and a mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the first duct assembly of the first ceiling panel with the second duct assembly of the second ceiling panel, when the first ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to the second ceiling panel.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular duct system comprising a ceiling framework; a return air system including at least a first ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the first ceiling panel having a lower side, facing a living area of an interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area, at least a first duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the first ceiling panel, and a second ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the second ceiling panel having a lower side, facing the living area of the interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area, a second duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the second ceiling panel, the second duct assembly formed as a return air inlet module with a diffuser fluidly communicating the interior space with an interior of the second duct assembly, and a first mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the second duct assembly with the first duct assembly when the second ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to the first ceiling panel. The modular duct system further includes a supply air system including at least a third ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the third ceiling panel having a lower side, facing the living area of the interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area, at least a third duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the third ceiling panel, a fourth ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the fourth ceiling panel having a lower side, facing the living area of the interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area, a fourth duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the fourth ceiling panel, the fourth duct assembly formed as a supply air register module with a supply air diffuser fluidly communicating the interior space with an interior of the fourth duct assembly, and a second mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the third duct assembly with the fourth duct assembly when the third ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to the fourth ceiling panel, wherein the first duct assembly is operable to receive air flow from the interior space via the diffuser in the second duct assembly; and the third duct assembly is operable to provide air flow into the living space via the supply air diffuser in the fourth duct assembly.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular duct system comprising a ceiling framework creating a plurality of evenly spaced openings; a plurality of ducted ceiling modules, each of the plurality of ducted ceiling members including a duct assembly integrated therewith, wherein select ones of the duct assemblies are operable to fluidly interconnect with select others of the duct assemblies when one of the plurality of ceiling modules is disposed in the ceiling framework adjacent another one of the plurality of ceiling modules; and a plurality of non-ducted ceiling modules, wherein each of the plurality of ducted ceiling modules and the plurality of non-ducted ceiling modules fit into respective ones of the plurality of evenly spaced openings; and the plurality of ducted ceiling modules interconnect to provide a flow path through the duct assemblies of adjacent ones of the plurality of ducted ceiling modules.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a building having a ceiling ductwork system installed therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view, from inside the building, of the ceiling having the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1 installed therein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A illustrates a bottom perspective view of a frame assembly for the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B illustrates a detail view taken along circle IV of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B illustrates a detailed view taken along circle V of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partially exploded view of the assembly of the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of a straight duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the straight duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7C illustrates an end view of the straight duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7D illustrates a perspective view of the straight duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a duct terminal ceiling register panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the duct terminal ceiling register panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8C illustrates an end view of the duct terminal ceiling register panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8D illustrates a perspective view of the duct terminal ceiling register panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8E illustrates a bottom view of the duct terminal ceiling register panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8F illustrates a bottom perspective view of the duct terminal ceiling register panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9A illustrates a top view of a T-shaped duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9B illustrates a side view of the T-shaped duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9C illustrates an end view of the T-shaped duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9D illustrates a perspective view of the T-shaped duct ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10A illustrates a top view of a blank ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of the blank ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the blank ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10D illustrates a bottom view of the blank ceiling panel used in the ceiling ductwork system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the ceiling ductwork system, showing air flow therethrough; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow chart for forming a ceiling ductwork system using a computer-aided design software, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrations in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated ceiling, which mainly includes air supply system, air return system, frame system and multifunctional system. The air supply system and air return system include a plurality of air duct modules assembled together. The frame system supports all air system modules on the ceiling, so the frame system should be installed first. The multi-function system is a ceiling module system that can be installed with functions other than ventilation, and has a plurality of ceiling multi-function modules. In addition to the above hardware systems, aspects of the present invention also has an HVAC routing aid design system that can automatically design one or more indoor air system plans based on the actual installation conditions, space, and requirements.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the integrated ceiling and HVAC duct system 100 (also referred to simply as system 100) installed in a building 105, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 can include a supply air system 101, two return air systems 102, 103 and a ceiling multifunction system 104 located between the duct systems, where the system 100 provides a ceiling structure for an interior space of the building 105.

The supply air system 101 includes a main duct line 107 and multiple branch supply air duct lines 108, which are formed from a variety of air supply ceiling modules. Return air systems 102 and 103 can be symmetrical on both sides and can include two main air duct lines 109 and a plurality of branch return air duct lines 110, which include a plurality of air return ceiling modules 111.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the system 100 from the bottom (from within the building 105). A plurality of supply air outlets 202 and return air outlets 201 are located at the end of the branch supply air duct lines 108 and the end of the branch return air duct lines 110 respectively, to ensure the regulation of room temperature and air circulation. While the outlets 202, 201 are shown at the end of the branch duct lines 108, 110, it should be understood that outlets may be provided at various locations. For example, a return air ceiling module 111 may be positioned in line with the main air duct line 109, for example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the system 100. The air used to regulate the room temperature or maintain the indoor air circulation enters the system 100 through the air inlet 301. The return air system brings the indoor air out of the room through the air outlets 302, 303. The indoor space is divided into rooms by walls and the door 304 is the door of one of the rooms, for example. In the system 100 illustrated, a plurality of ceiling modules are included, such as return air inlet module 305, ceiling supply register module 306, two-way air module 307, one-way air module 308, T-shaped air module 309 and multi-function ceiling module 310.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of the ceiling module grid support system 400. The grid support system 400 can include a number of square grids 401, where each ceiling module is placed on a square grid 401, with four positioning pins 402 at the corners of each square grid. The positioning pins 402 can be used to limit and fix the position of the ceiling module. FIG. 5 illustrates the interposition of the ceiling modules with respect to the positioning pins 402 when the installation is complete.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the system 100. As can be seen, the ceiling air ducts (such as one way air module 308) are installed sequentially, with one ceiling air duct module supporting the next ceiling air duct module installed adjacent to it. As discussed below, the shape of the ceiling air ducts, such as one way air module 308, permits the sequential installation as shown in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 7A through 7D show different views of the one-way air module 308. The positioning holes 701 are located at the four corners of the module and are operable to interface with the positioning pins 402 during installation. The front end of the module 702 is a recessed curved structure that supports the adjacent air module, while the rear end 703 of the module 308 is a protruding curved structure that rests on and is supported by the adjacent air duct module. The sealing structure 704 is located at the most inner layer of the front end 702 of the module, and acts as a seal within the air duct system to prevent energy dissipation. The air duct located on the air duct module is divided into two main layers, with the inner layer 705 being a thin metal material that maintains the shape of the air duct. An outer layer 706 is an insulation layer, including insulation material to reduce the energy loss of the air within the duct during transportation.

FIGS. 8A through 8F show different views of the air supply register module 306. Since the return air outlet module 305 and the air supply register module 306 are similar in shape, only the structure of the air supply register module 306 is described here. The positioning structure 801 is located at the bottom of the air supply register module and is connected to the positioning pin 402 during installation. The front end 802 of the module 306 has a recessed curved structure 803, which serves as a support and vertical positioning for the adjacent air module (such as the one way air module 308, described above). The curved structure 803 not only ensures the sealing effect between the air duct modules, but also facilitates installation. The same scaling structure as in FIGS. 7A through 7D is formed inside the curved structure 803. The air diffuser 804 is located at the bottom of the air supply register module 306 and sends the air from the air duct into the room.

While the air supply register modules 306 (as well as the return air outlet modules 305) are shown at the end of branch lines, it should be understood that, in some embodiments, a module 305, 306 may also be configured similar to the one-way air module, the T-shaped air module, or the like, to permit air flow to not only go in or out the diffuser 804, but also permit air to continue to flow to a further downstream module with another diffuser 804. Thus, one branch may provide more than one air supply register module 306 or return air outlet module 305.

FIGS. 9A through 9D show multiple views of the T-shaped air duct module 309. The front end 902 of the module 309 has a recessed curved structure with the same sealing structure on the inmost layer as in FIGS. 7A through 8F. As shown in FIG. 3, the T-shaped air duct module 309 may be used to branch off a main line.

FIGS. 10A through 10D show multiple views of the multifunctional ceiling module 310. Recessed corners 1001 may be designed similarly to the panels that include ductwork, as described above. The module 310 may be used, with the modules that include ductwork, to create an entire ceiling structure in a building. A bottom side 1002 of the module 310 may have an appearance that is the same as the bottom side of, for example, the one way air module 308 or the T-shaped air module 309.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the direction of air flow in the system 100. The air from outside enters the room through the ducts in the middle and the air from inside leaves the room through the ducts on both sides to achieve circulation. As can be appreciated, with the system 100, if a room in the building 105, that includes the air supply register module 306 and the return air outlet module 305, gets partitioned into two rooms for example, it would be relatively easy to extend the return air duct system to add a return air outlet module 305 and an air supply register module 306 in the newly partitioned space.

FIG. 12 shows the logic flow diagram of the HVAC aided design system. The HVAC aided design system may include software with program code, on tangible media, that is configured to carry out the method steps described herein. The drawings of the interior structure where the HVAC ceiling system is to be installed can be entered into this assisted design system, and then the locations of special facilities in the room that will affect the ceiling, such as fire protection systems, ceiling lights, and the like, can be entered. The location of the air outlet and air inlets of the HVAC ceiling system can be entered to clarify the starting and ending points of the system. With the above conditions, the design assistant system can design multiple solutions and assign one of them as the optimal solution. Each solution includes the number of support grids, the type and number of ceiling modules, and the parameters of each ceiling module. In the given solution, the technician can adjust the design within the solution by himself to get the final layout solution of the HVAC ceiling system.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. A modular duct system comprising: a ceiling framework;at least a first ceiling panel and a second ceiling panel, each of the first and second ceiling panels operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, each of the first and second ceiling panels having a lower side, facing a living area of an interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area;at least a first duct assembly and a second duct assembly, integrated into respective upper sides of each of the first and second ceiling panels; anda mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the first duct assembly of the first ceiling panel with the second duct assembly of the second ceiling panel, when the first ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to the second ceiling panel.

2. The modular duct system of claim 1, further comprising: a third ceiling panel formed as a return air inlet module, whereinthe third ceiling panel including a third duct assembly integrated into an upper side of the third ceiling panel; andthe third ceiling panel has a mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the third duct assembly with at least one of the first and second duct assemblies when the third ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to at least one of the first and second ceiling panels.

3. The modular duct system of claim 2, wherein: the return air inlet module is fluidly interconnected with at least one of the first and second ceiling panels; andthe return air inlet module includes a diffuser providing fluid communication between the third duct assembly and the interior space to remove air from the interior space through the diffuser and the third duct assembly.

4. The modular duct system of claim 1, further comprising: a third ceiling panel formed as an air supply register module, whereinthe third ceiling panel including a third duct assembly integrated into an upper side of the third ceiling panel; andthe third ceiling panel has a mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the third duct assembly with at least one of the first and second duct assemblies when the third ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to at least one of the first and second ceiling panels.

5. The modular duct system of claim 4, wherein: the air supply register module is fluidly interconnected with at least one of the first and second ceiling panels; andthe air supply register module includes a diffuser providing fluid communication between the third duct assembly and the interior space to supply air to the interior space through the diffuser and from the third duct assembly.

6. The modular duct system of claim 1, wherein the first ceiling panel is a one-way air module, the first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof, the first duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends, permitting the one-way air module to fluidly interconnect to two additional duct assemblies of two additional adjacent ceiling panels.

7. The modular duct system of claim 1, wherein the first ceiling panel is a T-shaped air module, the first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof and open at one side thereof, the first duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends and the open side, permitting the T-shaped air module to fluidly interconnect to three additional duct assemblies of three additional adjacent ceiling panels.

8. The modular duct system of claim 1, wherein the first ceiling panel is a two-way air module, the first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof and open at opposite sides thereof, the first duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends and the open opposite sides, permitting the two-way air module to fluidly interconnect to four additional duct assemblies of four additional adjacent ceiling panels.

9. The modular duct system of claim 1, wherein the mating structure is formed from first and second curved cutouts of respective first and second duct assemblies, wherein the first and second curved cutouts mate to fluidly interconnect the first duct assembly to the second duct assembly.

10. The modular duct system of claim 9, further comprising a seal disposed along at least one of the first and second curved cutouts, the seal preventing inadvertent air release from the first and second duct assemblies.

11. The modular duct system of claim 1, wherein the ceiling framework includes a plurality of corner mounts operable to receive a recess in the first and second ceiling panels.

12. A modular duct system comprising: a ceiling framework;a return air system including: at least a first ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the first ceiling panel having a lower side, facing a living area of an interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area;at least a first duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the first ceiling panel;a second ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the second ceiling panel having a lower side, facing the living area of the interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area;a second duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the second ceiling panel, the second duct assembly formed as a return air inlet module with a diffuser fluidly communicating the interior space with an interior of the second duct assembly; anda first mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the second duct assembly with the first duct assembly when the second ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to the first ceiling panel; anda supply air system including: at least a third ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the third ceiling panel having a lower side, facing the living area of the interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area;at least a third duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the third ceiling panel;a fourth ceiling panel operable to be supported in the ceiling framework, the fourth ceiling panel having a lower side, facing the living area of the interior space, and an upper side, facing away from the living area;a fourth duct assembly integrated into the upper side of the fourth ceiling panel, the fourth duct assembly formed as a supply air register module with a supply air diffuser fluidly communicating the interior space with an interior of the fourth duct assembly; anda second mating structure operable to fluidly interconnect the third duct assembly with the fourth duct assembly when the third ceiling panel is mounted in the ceiling framework adjacent to the fourth ceiling panel, whereinthe first duct assembly is operable to receive air flow from the interior space via the diffuser in the second duct assembly; andthe third duct assembly is operable to provide air flow into the living space via the supply air diffuser in the fourth duct assembly.

13. The modular duct system of claim 12, wherein the first ceiling panel is a one-way air module, the first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof, the first duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends, permitting the one-way air module to fluidly interconnect to two additional duct assemblies of two additional adjacent ceiling panels.

14. The modular duct system of claim 12, wherein the first ceiling panel is a T-shaped air module, the first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof and open at one side thereof, the first duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends and the open side, permitting the T-shaped air module to fluidly interconnect to three additional duct assemblies of three additional adjacent ceiling panels.

15. The modular duct system of claim 12, wherein the first ceiling panel is a two-way air module, the first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof and open at opposite sides thereof, the first duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends and the open opposite sides, permitting the two-way air module to fluidly interconnect to four additional duct assemblies of four additional adjacent ceiling panels.

16. The modular duct system of claim 12, wherein the first and second mating structures are formed from first and second curved cutouts of respective first and second or third and fourth duct assemblies, wherein the first and second curved cutouts mate to fluidly interconnect the first duct assembly to the second duct assembly and the third duct assembly to the fourth duct assembly.

17. The modular duct system of claim 16, further comprising a seal disposed along at least one of the first and second curved cutouts, the seal preventing inadvertent air release from the first and second duct assemblies.

18. The modular duct system of claim 12, wherein the ceiling framework includes a plurality of corner mounts operable to receive a recess in the first and second ceiling panels.

19. A modular duct system comprising: a ceiling framework creating a plurality of evenly spaced openings;a plurality of ducted ceiling modules, each of the plurality of ducted ceiling members including a duct assembly integrated therewith, wherein select ones of the duct assemblies are operable to fluidly interconnect with select others of the duct assemblies when one of the plurality of ceiling modules is disposed in the ceiling framework adjacent another one of the plurality of ceiling modules; anda plurality of non-ducted ceiling modules, whereineach of the plurality of ducted ceiling modules and the plurality of non-ducted ceiling modules fit into respective ones of the plurality of evenly spaced openings; andthe plurality of ducted ceiling modules interconnect to provide a flow path through the duct assemblies of adjacent ones of the plurality of ducted ceiling modules.

20. The modular duct system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of ceiling panels include at least one of (1) a first ceiling panel formed as a one-way air module, the first ceiling panel having a first duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof, the first duct assembly having a first mating structure at the open opposite ends, permitting the one-way air module to fluidly interconnect to two additional duct assemblies of two additional adjacent ones of the plurality of ceiling panels; (2) a second ceiling panel formed as a T-shaped air module, the second ceiling panel having a second duct assembly, the second duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof and open at one side thereof, the second duct assembly having a second mating structure at the open opposite ends and the open side, permitting the T-shaped air module to fluidly interconnect to three additional duct assemblies of three additional adjacent ones of the plurality of ceiling panels; (3) a third ceiling panel formed as a two-way air module, the third ceiling panel having a third duct assembly, the third duct assembly being open at opposite ends thereof and open at opposite sides thereof, the third duct assembly having the mating structure at the open opposite ends and the open opposite sides, permitting the two-way air module to fluidly interconnect to four additional duct assemblies of four additional adjacent ones of the plurality of ceiling panels.