The present disclosure relates generally to venturi devices and more particularly to venturi devices with multiple portions.
Venturi devices such as venturi rings are important components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, venturi rings can be installed around an axial fan to improve fan performance.
Traditionally, these venturi rings are manufactured as a single piece. That is, the venturi ring is typically manufactured as a whole ring, even for larger sizes such as 28- and 30-inch diameter venturis. Manufacturing these single-piece venturis, especially at larger sizes, can require larger and increasingly complex and expensive tooling. For example, as the diameter of the venturi increases, larger injection molds can be required. In addition, packing, shipping, and storing single-piece venturis can be space inefficient. The single-piece venturis necessarily require a large amount of space to account for the unused space in the interior of the ring, which can result in high costs relating to packing, shipping, and/or storage. Single-piece venturis also carry a high risk of becoming damaged or broken during packing, shipping, and/or storage due to this unsupported dead space in the interior of the ring.
Therefore, what is needed are improved venturi designs that facilitate simpler and/or cheaper manufacturing and reduced space, costs, and/or risk of damage associated with packing, shipping, and storage for the venturi.
The present disclosure relates to venturi devices and more particularly to venturi devices with multiple portions. The disclosed technology includes a venturi system. The venturi system can include a plurality of venturi portions. Each of the plurality of venturi portions can include an exterior surface, an interior surface having a generally convex profile, a first end, and a second end. Each of the plurality of venturi portions can generally form an arc of a circle. The first end of each of the plurality of venturi portions can be configured to attach to the second end of an adjacent venturi portion to form the venturi system. The venturi system can be generally circular.
The first end can include a first flange portion. The second end can include a second flange portion.
The first flange portion can be configured to abut the second flange portion.
The exterior surface can include an outermost edge defining a circumference of the venturi system. The first flange portion and the second flange portion can be located within the circumference of the venturi system.
The first end can include one or more protrusions. The second end can include one or more holes. Each of the one or more holes can be configured to receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions.
The first end can include one or more guide holes. The second end can include one or more lead-in holes. The venturi system can include one or more screws. The one or more screws can be configured to attach the first end to the second end by one of the one or more screws extending through a corresponding one of the one or more guide holes and a corresponding one of the one or more lead-in holes.
The first end can include one or more protrusions. The second end can include one or more depressions. The one or more depressions can be configured to at least partially receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions to form a snap fit therebetween.
The exterior surface of one of the first and second venturi portions can be configured to nest within the interior surface of the other of the first and second venturi portions such that the plurality of venturi portions are stackable.
The disclosed technology includes a venturi system. The venturi system can include a first portion. The first portion can include a first portion exterior surface, a first portion interior surface having a generally convex profile, a first portion first end, and a first portion second end. The venturi system can include a second portion. The second portion can include a second portion exterior surface, a second portion interior surface having a generally convex profile, a second portion first end, and a second portion second end. The first portion first end can be configured to attach to the second portion second end. The second portion first end can be configured to attach to the first portion second end.
The first portion and the second portion can be substantially identical.
The first portion and second portion can each have a generally semicircular shape such that when the first portion and second portion are attached together, the first portion and second portion form the venturi system. The venturi system can be generally circular.
The first portion first end and second portion first end each can include one or more protrusions. The first portion second end and the second portion second end each can include one or more holes. Each of the one or more holes of the first portion second end can be configured to receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions of the second portion first end. Each of the one or more holes of the second portion second end can be configured to receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusion of the first portion first end.
The first portion first end and second portion first end each can include one or more guide holes. The first portion second end and the second portion second end each can include one or more lead-in holes. The venturi system can include one or more screws configured to attach the first portion to the second portion.
The first portion first end and second portion first end each can include one or more protrusions. The first portion second end and the second portion second end each can include one or more depressions. Each of the one or more depressions of the first portion second end can be configured to at least partially receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions of the second portion first end to form a snap fit therebetween. Each of the one or more depressions of the second portion second end can be configured to at least partially receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions of the first portion first end to form a snap fit therebetween.
The first portion exterior surface can be configured to nest with the second portion interior surface such that the first portion and second portion are stackable.
The first portion and the second portion each can include one or more tabs configured to attach to one or more protrusions of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit.
The disclosed technology includes a venturi system. The venturi system can include a plurality of venturi portions. Each of the plurality of venturi portions can include an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first end, and a second end. The exterior surface can include an outermost edge. The interior surface can have a generally convex profile. The first end can include a first flange portion. The second end can include a second flange portion. Each of the plurality of venturi portions can generally form an arc of a circle. The first end of each of the plurality of venturi portions can be configured to attach to the second end of an adjacent venturi portion to form the venturi system. The venturi system can be generally circular. The venturi system can have a circumference formed by the outermost edge of the exterior surface. The first flange portion and the second flange portion can be located within the circumference of the venturi system.
The first flange portion can be configured to abut the second flange portion.
The first end can include one or more protrusions. The second end can include one or more holes. Each of the one or more holes can be configured to receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions.
The first end can include one or more guide holes. The second end can include one or more lead-in holes. The venturi system can include one or more screws. The one or more screws can be configured to attach the first end to the second end by one of the one or more screws extending through a corresponding one of the one or more guide holes and a corresponding one of the one or more lead-in holes.
These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described in the Detailed Description below and the accompanying drawings. Other aspects and features of embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments in concert with the drawings. While features of the present disclosure may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures, all embodiments of the present disclosure can include one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features can also be used with the various embodiments discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments, it is to be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure.
The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown in the drawings.
Throughout this disclosure a venturi device with multiple portions or sections is described. More specifically, the disclosed technology can relate to a venturi device comprising multiple portions, where each portion is the same. As such, the manufacturing of the venturi device can be simplified to manufacturing a plurality of identical portions, each portion being a smaller part than the entire venturi device as a whole. In addition to reduced manufacturing complexity, manufacturing cost, as well as tooling costs (e.g., cost of making tools for manufacture, etc.) may also be reduced as a result of the venture device configuration. The portions can also be packed, shipped, and stored with a smaller footprint than an entire venturi device (e.g., a traditional single-piece venturi device, an assembled venturi device as described herein). For example, the unassembled portions can be stacked or nested. Finally, assembly of the portions into a venturi device can be simplified by each portion being the same. For example, each portion can be interchangeable with any other portion so that a user can assemble the venturi device without needing to match different types of parts together.
While the disclosed technology is described throughout this disclosure in relation to a venturi device for heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) systems, those having skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed technology is not so limited and can be applicable to other scenarios and applications. For example, it is contemplated that the disclosed technology can be applicable to any venturi device, such as venturi rings and venturi devices provided with a fan. Moreover, a venturi device as disclosed herein that is provided with a fan is not limited to any specific fan types and can include axial fans and centrifugal fans as non-limiting examples. In addition, the disclosed venturi device can be used with any system such as refrigeration systems, industrial ventilation systems, and the like.
Some implementations of the disclosed technology will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, it is to be understood that other examples are contemplated. Many suitable components that would perform the same or similar functions as components described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosed devices and methods. Such other components not described herein may include, but are not limited to, for example, components developed after development of the disclosed technology.
Herein, the use of terms such as “having,” “has,” “including,” or “includes” are open-ended and are intended to have the same meaning as terms such as “comprising” or “comprises” and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as “can” or “may” are intended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure, material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to reflect that structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts are presently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.
It is to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a device or system does not preclude the presence of additional components or intervening components between those components expressly identified. Further, it is contemplated that the disclosed methods and processes can include, but do not necessarily include, all steps discussed herein. That is, methods and processes in accordance with the disclosed technology can include some of the disclosed while omitting others.
Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless otherwise indicated. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. By “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” it is meant that at least the named element, or method step is present in article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other elements or method steps, even if the other such elements or method steps have the same function as what is named.
As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being discussed and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
Although the disclosed technology may be described herein with respect to various systems and methods, it is contemplated that embodiments or implementations of the disclosed technology with identical or substantially similar features may alternatively be implemented as methods or systems. For example, any aspects, elements, features, or the like described herein with respect to a method can be equally attributable to a system. As another example, any aspects, elements, features, or the like described herein with respect to a system can be equally attributable to a method.
To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the present disclosure, various examples of the disclosed technology are explained herein. Reference is made in detail herein to the disclosed technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and disclosed herein. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The components, steps, and materials described herein as making up various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components, steps, and materials that would perform the same or similar functions as the components, steps, and materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosure. Such other components, steps, and materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, similar components or steps that are developed after development of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, examples of the present disclosure are herein described. As will be described in greater detail, the present disclosure can include venturi systems and more particularly to venturi systems with multiple portions or sections.
As shown in
As illustrated in
The exterior surface 114 can include an outermost edge 140. The outermost edge 140 can define the outermost points of the venturi system 100, for example, the outer circumference of the venturi system 100. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As shown in
The second end 118 can include one or more lead-in holes 330. As illustrated in
Alternatively, or in addition, the first end 116 and the second end 118 can be attached through snaps. For example, the first end 116 can include one or more protrusions and the second end 118 can include one or more depressions or recesses configured to mate with the one or more protrusions. The one or more protrusions can be configured to snap into the one or more depressions creating a snap fit (e.g., the protrusion can plastically deform as the first end 116 and second end 118 are attached). Alternatively, or in addition, the first end 116 can be attached to the second end 118 by any attachment system known in the art, including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, nails, adhesive, hook and loop, snap and button, welding, and the like, or any combination thereof.
The interior surface 112 can include a venturi profile 350 configured to reduce the cross sectional area of the interior 120 of the venturi device 100. For example, as illustrated in
The first end 116 and/or the second end 118 can include one or more braces or supports 410. For example, as illustrated in
The venturi device 100 can be formed of one or more plastics. For example, the venturi portions 110 can be injection molded using a plastic. Alternatively, or in addition, the venturi device 100 can be formed of one or more metals (e.g., aluminum).
It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.
Furthermore, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/350,921, filed Jun. 10, 2022, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63350921 | Jun 2022 | US |