Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and equipment for dispersing the air flowing out of air conditioning systems and mixing it with the ambient air of the enclosure to be conditioned. The quick mixing of the conditioned air jets will create better comfortable feeling of people in front of the conditioned air outlet.

Description:
This application is the United States national phase application of International Application PCT/US08/005079 filed Apr. 21, 2008, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/994,766, filed Sep. 21, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method and equipment for dispersing the air flowing out of air conditioning systems and mixing it with the ambient air of the enclosure to be conditioned. The quick mixing of the conditioned air jets will create better comfortable feeling of people in front of the conditioned air outlet. Known air outlets from air conditioning systems can be adjusted to different directions and even to automatically changing directions, but direct air flow to the body is inconvenient and directing the air flow off the body will leave the bad feeling of the unconditioned air. It also takes time to change the temperature of the whole volume of an enclosure to feel comfortable at all its entire volume. It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for dispersing the air flowing out of air conditioning systems and mixing it for better comfortable feeling of people in front of the conditioned air outlet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a method and equipment for dispersing the air flowing out of air conditioning systems in such a way that the separated air jets will turbulent in different directions, changing the temperature of maximum air volume without the direct feeling of them. The method is using at least one oblong air outlet structure having a plurality of air outlets ( 301 ,  302 ), said outlets being relatively positioned with respect to each other and dimensioned to issue air streams in divergent mutually interacting directions and thereby create whorls, turbulences and pulsations between each adjacent two air streams. 
     The invention relates to any type of air conditioning system, like autonomous wall mounted systems, like central systems with air outlets along or at the end of ducts, pipes or hoses and like small systems in cars and other moving systems. The invention relates also to flowing turbulent clean air into clean rooms used in the industry, hospitals and in other necessities. 
     In a preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 3 dimensions and separated by progressively inclined partitions with different angles to each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 3 dimensions in lines, in progressively inclined different directions, and several of them are mounted side by side to cover the whole air outlet of air conditioning systems with progressively inclined partitions in different angles to each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 3 dimensions including progressively inclined partitions and alternate outwardly inclined side wall portions. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 3 dimensions and the progressively inclined partitions and side walls are arranged in two or more layers, perpendicular to each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 3 dimensions and the progressively inclined partitions are arranged in two or more layers, in different angles to each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 dimensions in lines separated by progressively inclined partitions in different angles to each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 dimensions in lines of side walls separated by progressively inclined partitions in different angles to each other and several of them are mounted side by side to cover the whole air outlet of air conditioning systems. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 dimensions in lines separated by progressively inclined partitions in different angles to each other and several of them are mounted side by side and perpendicular to others to cover the whole air outlet of air conditioning systems. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 dimensions and arranged in two or more layers of progressively inclined partitions, perpendicular to the layers of the progressively inclined side walls. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 dimensions and arranged in two or more layers of progressively inclined partitions, in different angles to each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 or 3 dimensions and arranged in two or more layers of progressively inclined partitions, in different angles to the layers of the progressively inclined side walls where each layer of the partitions and side walls can be directed manually to a desired direction, while keeping the different angles between each one of them. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 or 3 dimensions and arranged in two or more layers of progressively inclined partitions, in different angles to the layers of the progressively inclined side walls where each layer of the partitions and side walls can be directed automatically to a desired direction, while keeping the different angles between each one of them. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 or 3 dimensions and arranged in two or more layers of progressively inclined partitions, in different angles to the progressively inclined side walls where each layer of the partitions and side walls can be directed manually to a desired direction, while keeping the different angles between each one of them with the help of an adjustable connecting rod and fixed pivot to each partition. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in 2 or 3 dimensions and arranged in two or more layers of progressively inclined partitions, in different angles to the progressively inclined side walls where each layer of the partitions and side walls can be directed automatically to a desired direction, while keeping the different angles between each outlet with the help of an adjustable connecting rod and fixed pivot to each partition. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets, made by the progressively inclined partitions and side walls, are arranged in different directions and are moveable as a whole arrangement in different directions. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets are arranged in different directions in two layers of progressively inclined partitions and side walls, and are moveable as a whole arrangement in different directions. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets of any arrangement of the progressively inclined partitions and side walls are mounted over an existing type of air outlets of air conditioning systems. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets of progressively inclined partitions and side walls are mounted over an existing grille type of air outlets of air conditioning systems. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets of any arrangement of the progressively inclined partitions and side walls are mounted over an existing type of air outlets of air conditioning systems and the partitions and/or side walls can be operated to close the outlet when the system shut down. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets of any arrangement of the progressively inclined partitions and side walls are mounted over an existing type of air outlets of air conditioning systems with air shutters, or gates at the rear of the air outlets. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets of any arrangement of the progressively inclined partitions and side walls are mounted over an existing type of air outlets of air conditioning systems with air shutters in front of the air outlets. 
     In another preferred embodiment the air outlets of any arrangement of the progressively inclined partitions and side walls are mounted over an existing type of air ducts of air conditioning systems of vehicles, land, sea or air ones. 
     In another preferred embodiment a fogging nozzle is mounted at the air outlets to create small droplets in order to add moisture to the conditioned air. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand alone air conditioning system with an air outlet structure with progressively inclined partitions in different directions in each row with the side walls of each row progressively inclined to each other. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of an air outlet structure with two layers of adjustable air directors perpendicular to each other. 
         FIG. 2 b    is an exploded perspective view of one layer of the air outlet structure of  FIG. 2   a.    
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an air outlet structure with several progressively inclined parallel side walls  20  with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them in different directions in each row as is designed for a vehicle, the structure can be mounted with axes to let it been directed to different directions, a back shutter, if exist can lock the air flow. 
         FIG. 4  is a two-dimensional velocity vector-field close to a part-section of a dispersing air outlet showing the turbulence effect. 
         FIG. 5  shows the air outlet structure of  FIG. 6 a    and a diagram of measured air velocities and air jet directions along the length of the entire air outlet structure. 
         FIG. 6 a    is a longitudinal section, taken along line  6   a - 6   a  in  FIG. 6 b   , of a dispersing and mixing air outlet structure showing air outlets emitting turbulent pulsating air streams from progressively endwardly inclined partitions. 
         FIG. 6 b    is a section along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6 a    with a fogging nozzle at the side of the dispersing air outlet structure. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an air outlet structure including progressively inclined partitions and alternate outwardly inclined side wall portions. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross section of the air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 7  taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of two air outlet structures as in  FIG. 7 , mounted together at an air outlet of an air conditioning system. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9  and mounted at an outlet of an air-conditioning system. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an air outlet structure directing the air in two directions at progressively inclined directions and progressively inclined partitions between them. 
         FIG. 12 a    is a perspective view of an air outlet structure with several parallel side walls in one layer and progressively inclined partitions in a second layer with the side walls are progressively inclined to each other. 
         FIG. 12 b    is a front view of the air outlet structure of  FIG. 12   a.    
         FIG. 12 c    is a cross section of  FIGS. 12 a  and 12 b    at line B-B 
         FIG. 12 d    is a cross section of  FIGS. 12 a  and 12 b    at line A-A 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cross-section of an air outlet structure  100  with several parallel side walls  20  as a front layer with progressively inclined partitions  10  as a rear layer with the side walls  20  progressively inclined to each other, and both are connected by a control rod. 
         FIG. 14 a    is a front view of an air outlet structure with a circular shape directing the turbulent air jets at progressively inclined directions of the front layer of side walls and progressively inclined partitions in the rear layer. 
         FIG. 14 b    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 14 a    showing the two layers of side walls and partitions and a shutter at their back. 
         FIG. 15 a    is a cross-section an air outlet structure with several curved side walls  20  with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them and the side walls  20  are progressively inclined to each other and shutters  30  at the back. 
         FIG. 15 b    is a cross-section an air outlet structure with several straight side walls  20  with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them and the side walls  20  are progressively inclined to each other and shutters  30  at the back. 
         FIG. 16  are front views of air outlet structures with different directions of the turbulent air jets where the side walls are arranged in different directions and are progressively inclined to each other with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them. 
         FIG. 17 a    is a front view of the air outlet structure of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 17 b    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 17 a    along line b-b. 
         FIG. 17 c    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 17 a    along line C-C with the progressively inclined partitions directed to the other direction of the progressively inclined partitions of  FIG. 17   b.    
         FIG. 17 d    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 17 a    along line A-A. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand alone air conditioning system  40  with an air outlet structure  50  with progressively inclined partitions in different directions in each row with the side walls of each row progressively inclined to each other. 
       FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of an air outlet structure with two layers of adjustable air directors  100   a  and  100   b  perpendicular to each other, the angle between each two directors is approximately constant as they are pivoted to the main structures and connected by a rod to change the direction the whole set. 
       FIG. 2 b    is a perspective blown view of one layer an of the air outlet structure  100   b  of  FIG. 2 a    with the adjustable air directors (or partitions)  10  pivoted to the main structures and connected by a rod (not shown) with the pins  12  to change the direction the whole set and maintain approximately the same angle between each two of them. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an air outlet structure with several progressively inclined walls  20   a  with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them in different directions in each row,  10   a  are progressively directed to the left and  10   b  is progressively directed to the progressively directed to the right, and the side walls  20   a  are progressively inclined downward, as is designed for a vehicle. Each side wall  20   a  has two faces which are parallel to one another. The structure can be mounted with axes to let it been directed to different directions, a back shutter, if exist can lock the air flow. 
       FIG. 4  is a two-dimensional velocity vector-field close to a part-section  100  of a dispersing air outlet showing the turbulence effect caused by the partition walls  205 ,  206 ,  207  at the side wall  1 . The arrows  14  present the imposing of the 3 dimensional air velocity as the length of the arrows and the direction of the moving air at each point. It is clear that the air flowing out of the air outlet  100  is highly turbulent at all directions. 
       FIG. 5  shows the air outlet structure of  FIG. 6 a    and a diagram of measured air velocities and air jet directions along the length of the entire air outlet structure. 
       FIG. 6 a    is a longitudinal section, taken along line  6   a - 6   a  in  FIG. 6 b   , of a dispersing air outlet structure showing air outlets emitting turbulent pulsating air streams from progressively endwardly inclined air outlets. 
       FIG. 6 b    is a cross section along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6 a    with a fogging nozzle  13  at the side of the dispersing air outlet structure. 
       FIGS. 6 a , 6 b    and  5  show a preferred embodiment of an air outlet structure  100  according to the present invention. Turbulent pulsating air streams are issued from air outlets  303 ,  302 ,  301  which are of progressively greater end ward inclination toward the left end of the outlet structure and which each have an increasing cross section from an air inlet side extending outwardly. That is, air outlet  301  is more leftward inclined than air outlet  302 , which in turn is more leftward inclined than air outlet  303 , and the cross section of air outlet  301 , for example, increases from the air inlet side, where the cross section is defined by the distance between points  501  and  502 , to the air outlet side, where the cross section is defined by the distance between points  601  and  602 . Air outlets  304 ,  305 ,  306  similarly have progressively greater end ward inclination toward the right end of the outlet structure  100 , and each has an increasing cross section from an air inlet side extending outwardly. Due to the diverging direction of adjacent air streams and to diffuser action, whorls are created between each adjacent two air streams which effect substantially continuous change in flow direction (e.g., turbulence) and flow velocity (e.g., pulsation) as measured and recorded in  FIG. 5 . The turbulence of the air jets creates a mixing effect with the ambient air in front and sides of the air outlet structure. 
       FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show an outlet structure  100  which includes two parallel longitudinal side walls  1  and several partitions  2  connected between opposing side walls  1 . A flange  3  surrounds an air inlet opening at the bottom of the structure. The flange  3  serves as a mounting flange to couple the air inlet opening to an air duct or an outlet of an air conditioning system as will be described herein below. Any other connecting means can be used to couple the air inlet opening to an air duct or an outlet of an air conditioning system. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , seven partitions  201 - 207  extend between the opposed longitudinal side walls  1 . The partitions  2  are progressively inclined toward the ends of the structure with respect to each other on both sides of a central upright prism shaped partition as shown by progressively decreasing angles a, b, c, d. A central, prism shaped, partition wall  204  is substantially perpendicular to the two longitudinal side walls  1  and partition walls  203 ,  202 ,  201  and  205 ,  206 ,  207  are progressively endwardly inclined at respective angles b, c, and d as shown in  FIG. 6 a   . Angle a as shown in  FIG. 6 a    is preferably smaller than 90 degrees. The angles b, c, and d at which the partition walls are progressively endwardly inclined may decrease by increments of about 10 degrees, or in a range of from about 1-20 degrees, 6-30 degrees, and 15-45 degrees, respectively. For example, angles b, c, and d may be 80, 70 and 60 degrees, respectively. If an additional partition wall is provided on each end of the air outlet structure, the angle of inclination of such additional partition walls may decrease by a further increment of about 10 degrees, or in a range from about 20-60 degrees. If still further partition walls are provided, the angle of inclination of such further partition walls may decrease by further increments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 a   , a row of air outlets each having respective axes  401 - 406  which are progressively endwardly inclined with respect to an adjacent air outlet is thus formed. End air outlets  307 ,  308  with respective axes  407 ,  408  are also provided. The axis of each air outlet is shown by a dotted line in  FIG. 6 a   , and angles e-h indicate the angles of inclination of the axes, as shown in  FIG. 6 a   . Specifically, the axis of a given air outlet (except the outermost air outlets  307 ,  308 ) is defined as a plane running between the two longitudinal side walls defining the air outlet at an angle to the central partition wall  204  that is about midway between the angle at which each of the adjacent partition walls defining such air outlet is inclined with respect to the central partition wall  204 . For example, the air outlet defined by adjacent partition walls  205  and  206  has an axis  405  defined by a plane running between longitudinal side walls  1  at an angle f that is about midway between the angles b and c at which partition walls  205  and  206  are respectively inclined with respect to central partition wall  204 . It should be noted that the respective outermost air outlets  307 ,  308  may be open on their ends and may be defined by just one partition wall,  207  and  201 , respectively. In such case, the axis of each such outermost air outlet  307 ,  308  is defined by a plane running between longitudinal side walls  1  and an angle a that is about somewhere between 1 degrees and the angle d at which the outermost partition wall,  207  or  201 , is formed with respect to the central partition wall  204 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 a   , the cross section of each air outlet increases extending outwardly from the air inlet opening on the air inlet side towards the open environment, as defined by the top of the outlet structure. For example, the cross section of air outlet  301  increases from the air inlet side, where the cross section is defined by the distance between points  501  and  502 , to the air outlet side, where the cross section is defined by the distance between points  601  and  602 . 
     Also as shown in  FIG. 6 a   , the partition walls  2  separating each adjacent air outlet may also be spaced progressively closer together toward the respective outermost ends of the air outlet structure so that the cross section of successive adjacent air outlets decreases from the central portion of the air outlet structure to the respective outermost ends thereof. (See, for example, the decreased cross sections of outermost air outlets  408  and  407 .) 
     Instead of providing the air outlet structure with air outlets each having respective axes which are progressively endwardly inclined with respect to the adjacent air outlet as shown in  FIGS. 6 a ,6 b    and  5 , it is also possible to provide an air outlet structure having adjacent air outlets whose axes are endwardly inclined in opposing directions and/or at increasing and decreasing angles of inclination. That is, adjacent air outlets on each side of the air outlet structure may have axes that are endwardly inclined at increasing and decreasing angles of inclination in the same end ward direction, and/or the air outlet structure may have adjacent air outlets whose axes are endwardly inclined in alternating end ward directions. The critical feature is that the air outlet structure issues turbulent pulsating air streams in diverging directions. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of an air outlet structure including progressively inclined partitions and alternate outwardly inclined side wall portions. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross section of the air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 7  taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
     Still further, instead of providing the outlet structure with two parallel longitudinal side walls  1  (as shown in  FIGS. 6 a , 6 b    and  5 ) it is also possible to form the side walls in a “zigzag” fashion, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , thereby also extending the air outlets sideways in alternate order. The air outlet structure  120  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  includes air outlets which, in addition to diverging from each other endwardly along the structure (as in  FIG. 6 a   ), extend sideward to the right and the left from a center line. The structure includes a rectangular oblong inlet opening  5  surrounded by a flange  3 , progressively endwardly inclined transverse partitions  102  and pairs of longitudinal side wall portions  101  and  111  which are alternately inclined in opposite directions to the right and to the left from an imaginary center line in  FIG. 8 . Since the center line extends horizontally in  FIG. 8 , the pairs of longitudinal side wall portions  101 ,  111  are alternately sideward inclined as seen in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the air outlets are thus both endwardly and sideward inclined, causing the turbulence and pulsation of the emerging air streams to further increase. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the sideward angles of inclination of the longitudinal sidewall portions  101  and longitudinal side wall portions  111  comprising each pair of longitudinal side wall portions may differ. For example, the sideward angle of inclination of longitudinal side wall portion  101  may be about 70.degree, from the imaginary center line and the sideward angle of inclination of longitudinal side wall portion  111  may be about 80.degree, from the imaginary center line. 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of two air outlet structures  120  as in  FIG. 7 , mounted together at an air outlet of an air conditioning system in order to get larger area for larger air flow. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9  and mounted at an outlet of an air-conditioning system with air duct  9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of an air outlet structure directing the air in two directions at progressively inclined directions of the side walls  20  and progressively inclined partitions  10  between them, the progressively inclined partitions  10  are at different direction in each second row with an angle β between each other. The turbulent air jets are flowing out as in  FIG. 6   a.    
       FIG. 12 a    is a perspective view of an air outlet structure with several parallel side walls in one layer and progressively inclined partitions in a second layer with the side walls are progressively inclined to each other. 
       FIG. 12 b    is a front view of the air outlet structure of  FIG. 12   a.    
       FIG. 12 c    is a cross section of  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    at line B-B, with the front layer of partitions  10  are progressively inclined to each other at an angle α and the rear side walls  20  are progressively inclined to each other at an angle α. 
       FIG. 12 d    is a cross section of  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    at line A-A, with the front layer of partitions  10  and the rear side walls  20  are progressively inclined to each other at an angle β. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cross-section of an air outlet structure  100  with several parallel side walls  20  as a front layer with progressively inclined partitions  10  as a rear layer with the side walls  20  at the front layer progressively inclined to each other, and both are connected by control rods (not shown). 
       FIG. 14 a    is a front view of an air outlet structure with a circular shape directing the turbulent air jets in at progressively inclined directions of the front layer of side walls and progressively inclined partitions in the rear layer. 
       FIG. 14 b    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 14 a    showing the two layers of side walls  20  at the front, partitions  10  at the rear and a shutter  30  at their back. The angle between each two close side walls  20  is β. 
       FIG. 15 a    is a cross-section of an air outlet structure with several curved side walls  20  with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them and the side walls  20  are progressively inclined to each other with angle α between them and shutters  30  at the back. 
       FIG. 15 b    is a cross-section of an air outlet structure with several straight side walls  20  with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them and the side walls  20  are progressively inclined to each other with angle β between them and shutters  30  at the back. 
       FIG. 16  are front views of air outlet structures with different directions of the turbulent air jets where the side walls  20  are arranged in different directions and are progressively inclined to each other with progressively inclined partitions  10  between them.  16   a  has 4 directions of turbulent air jets.  16   b  has two opposite directions and one perpendicular direction of turbulent air jets.  16   c  has two perpendicular directions of turbulent air jets.  16   d  has two opposite directions of turbulent air jets.  13   e  has one direction of turbulent air jets. 
       FIG. 17 a    is a front view of the air outlet structure of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 17 b    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 17 a    along line B-B. The partitions  10   b  are progressively directed to the right with an angle a between each two close partitions. 
       FIG. 17 c    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 17 a    along line C-C with the progressively inclined partitions directed to the left with an angle α between each two close partitions. 
       FIG. 17 d    is a cross section of the dispersing air outlet structure shown in  FIG. 17 a    along line A-A. The side walls  20  are progressively directed downward at an angle β between each two close side walls.