Claims
- 1. A diffuser for redirecting a flow of fluid into a dispersed pattern, the diffuser comprising:a frame for disposing the diffuser within a path of flowing fluid; and a web containing an array of pores mounted in the frame and not containing any angled vanes or louvers, the web for changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web to flow laterally to and radially outward from the web.
- 2. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is composed of an essentially non-combustible material and is coated with a soil-resistant non-combustible composition.
- 3. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is composed of an essentially combustible material, coated with a non-combustible composition.
- 4. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is composed of an essentially combustible material, coated with a soil-resistant composition.
- 5. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is composed of an essentially non-combustible material, coated with a non-combustible composition.
- 6. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is composed of an essentially non-combustible material, coated with a soil-resistant composition.
- 7. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is flat, composed of an essentially combustible material, and is coated with a soil-resistant, non-combustible composition.
- 8. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is coated with a composition selected from the group consisting of PTFE, silicone, epoxy, polyimide, polyamide, elastomer, NHBR, neoprene, EPDM, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane, aqueous-based polymer, solvent based polymer, halogenated plastic, non-halogenated plastic and blends thereof.
- 9. The diffuser of any of claims 2, 4 or 6, wherein the soil-resistant composition is a low surface energy polymer.
- 10. The diffuser of claim 9, wherein the soil-resistant composition comprises a fluoropolymer selected from the group consisting of FEP, PVDF, PFA, THV, PTFE, PCTFE, FKM, FFKK and blends thereof.
- 11. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the frame is rectangular in shape and wherein the web is a fabric having warp and fill yarns extending diagonally across the frame.
- 12. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the frame is non-rectangular in shape and wherein the web is a fabric having warp and fill yarns extending diagonally across the frame.
- 13. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the frame is non-rectangular in shape and wherein the web is a fabric having warp and fill yarns extending non-diagonally across the frame.
- 14. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the frame is rectangular in shape and wherein the web is a fabric having warp and fill yarns extending non-diagonally across the frame.
- 15. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein a portion of the web is blocked to redirect the flow of air traveling laterally and radially outward.
- 16. The diffuser of claim 15, wherein the web is blocked with a perforated blocking agent.
- 17. The diffuser of claim 15, wherein the web is blocked with a slotted blocking agent.
- 18. The diffuser of claim 15, wherein the web is blocked with a moveable blocking device.
- 19. The diffuser of claim 15, wherein the web is blocked by a combination of two or more stationary or moving blocking agents superimposed.
- 20. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web comprises a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastic, nylon, thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers, elastomeric polymers, elastoplastic polymers, fluoroplastic, fluoroelastomer, polyester, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, PEEK, acrylic polymers, polystyrene, ABS, PPS, Polyaramid, fibrillated PTFE, metal, ceramic, carbon fibers, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and blends and composites thereof.
- 21. The diffuser of claim 20, wherein the web further comprises a material capable of generating heat under applied electric current.
- 22. The diffuser of claim 20, further comprising a material capable of generating heat under applied electric current disposed in proximity to the web.
- 23. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the surface of the web is treated with a surface active agent, a biocide, a fluorinated surfactant, an antistatic coating, a water repellent coating, a stain repellent coating, a coating capable of generating heat, an electrically conductive coating or a dye or any combination thereof.
- 24. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a gas.
- 25. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the fluid is aqueous.
- 26. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the fluid is nonaqueous.
- 27. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the fluid is an aqueous and nonaqueous blend.
- 28. The diffuser of claim 24, wherein the gas is air.
- 29. The diffuser of claim 1, further comprising means for heating the fluid exiting the web.
- 30. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the web is coated with a material capable of controlling the static electric charge of the web surface.
- 31. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the surface of the web is planar.
- 32. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the surface of the web is non-planar.
- 33. A system for diffusing air comprising:a diffuser for redirecting a flow of air into a dispersed pattern, the diffuser comprising: a frame for mounting the diffuser to a backpan attached to an air supply duct; and a pore-containing web mounted in the frame, the web for changing the direction of the air upon exiting the web to flow laterally to and radially outward from the web, the web composed of a fibrous or polymeric material, the web comprising an array of openings and not comprising any angled vanes or louvers for changing the direction of the air upon exiting the web; and said air duct supplying air at an angle to the diffuser through said backpan.
- 34. A system for diffusing air comprising:a diffuser for redirecting a flow of air into a dispersed pattern, the diffuser comprising: a frame for mounting the diffuser to a backpan attached to an air supply duct; and a pore-containing web mounted in the frame, the web for changing the direction of the air upon exiting the web to flow laterally to and radially outward from the web, the web composed of a fibrous or polymeric material, the web comprising an array of openings and not comprising any angled vanes or louvers for changing the direction of the air upon exiting the web; and said air duct supplying air essentially normal to the diffuser through said backpan.
- 35. A system for diffusing air comprising:a diffuser for redirecting the flow of air in a dispersed pattern, the diffuser comprising: a frame for mounting the diffuser to a backpan attached to an air supply duct; and a pore-containing web, the web for changing the direction of the air upon exiting the web to flow laterally to and radially outward from the web, the web composed of a fibrous or polymeric material; and a means for changing the direction of the air supplied from the air supply duct to the web.
- 36. The system for diffusing air of any of claims 33-35, wherein a portion of said pore-containing web is blocked.
- 37. The system for diffusing air of claim 35 wherein the web is blocked with a perforated blocking agent.
- 38. The system for diffusing air of claim 35 wherein the web is blocked with a slotted blocking agent.
- 39. The system for diffusing air of claim 35 wherein the web is blocked with a moveable blocking device.
- 40. The system for diffusing air of claim 35 wherein the web is blocked by a combination of two or more stationary or moveable blocking agents superimposed.
- 41. A system for diffusing fluid flowing from an unenclosed space, the system comprising:a diffuser for redirecting a flow of fluid into a dispersed pattern, the diffuser comprising: a frame for placing the diffuser in the path of fluid flowing from an unenclosed space; and a pore-containing web mounted in the frame, the web for changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web to flow laterally to and radially outward from the web, the web composed of a fibrous or polymeric material, the web comprising an array of openings and not comprising any angled vanes or louvers for changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web; and said fluid flowing at an angle to the diffuser.
- 42. A system for diffusing fluid flowing from an unenclosed space, the system comprising:a diffuser for redirecting a flow of fluid into a dispersed pattern, the diffuser comprising: a frame for placing the diffuser in the path of fluid flowing from an unenclosed space; and a pore-containing web mounted in the frame, the web for changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web to flow laterally to and radially outward from the web, the web composed of a fibrous or polymeric material, the web comprising an array of openings and not comprising any angled vanes or louvers for changing the direction of the fluid upon exiting the web; and said fluid flowing essentially normal to the diffuser.
Parent Case Info
This application is (i) a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/037,470, filed on Mar. 10, 1998 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,426) which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/975,430, filed on Nov. 20, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,655 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/590,102 filed on Jan. 24, 1996 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,427); and (ii) a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/975,430, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/590,102 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,427).
US Referenced Citations (20)
Continuation in Parts (5)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/037470 |
Mar 1998 |
US |
Child |
09/522988 |
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US |
Parent |
08/975430 |
Nov 1997 |
US |
Child |
09/037470 |
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US |
Parent |
08/590102 |
Jan 1996 |
US |
Child |
08/975430 |
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US |
Parent |
08/975430 |
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US |
Child |
08/590102 |
|
US |
Parent |
08/590102 |
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US |
Child |
08/975430 |
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US |