LUMINAIRE CHILLED BEAM

Disclosed herein is a luminaire chilled beam that can incorporate lighting into a chilled beam unit without affecting the capacity, performance, or dimensions of the chilled beam. The luminaire chilled beam can include a pressure chamber configured to receive primary air through a primary air inlet. A nozzle plate in a lower portion of the pressure chamber can allow the primary air to be expelled from the pressure chamber and thereby cause an induction of air from an external setting through an induction face and into an induction chamber. A water coil can be configured to treat the induced air within the induction chamber. The induced air and the primary air can be expelled from the induction chamber and into the setting through discharge channels. The luminaire chilled beam can further include a luminaire assembly including a luminaire positioned between the induction face and the discharge channel at the lower portion of the induction chamber, the luminaire configured to illuminate the external setting.

BACKGROUND

Chilled beams may be installed in ceilings of indoor environments to provide heated or cooled air to those environments. However, chilled beams may be unable to be incorporated in some environments where ceiling space is reserved for lighting. When incorporating lighting into chilled beam units, though, the lighting often obstructs air flow within the chilled beam, leading to degraded performance and capacity. These integrated units are also often of a different size and aesthetic appearance than chilled-beam-only units such that they cannot be seamlessly incorporated into existing environments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a luminaire chilled beam that can incorporate lighting into a chilled beam unit without affecting the capacity, performance, or dimensions of the chilled beam. Unlike conventional units, the luminaire chilled beam can integrate a luminaire with a chilled beam in a single unit with a same profile as a chilled-beam-only unit. The luminaire chilled beam can be constructed so that all its components fit within a standard cell of a suspension grid drop ceiling. Likewise, the luminaire chilled beam can be constructed so that it fits universally in existing buildings with different ceiling heights. In addition, the luminaire chilled beam can receive seismic certification as a single unit.

In some examples, multiple luminaire chilled beams can be connected together in parallel or in series. Connecting the multiple luminaire chilled beams can allow them to operate together while giving the aesthetic appearance of a single, integrated unit.

FIGS.1A-1Billustrate examples of front perspective views of a luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.1Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam100, whileFIG.1Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100. An exterior of the luminaire chilled beam100can include an outer housing103, exit casings106, and exit casing end caps109.

A lower portion of the luminaire chilled beam100can include an induction chamber111enclosed at least in part within the exit casings106and exit casing end caps109. The exit casings106can be affixed to a bottom portion of either side of the outer housing103and to exit casing end caps109, as well as to a nozzle plate121discussed in more detail below. The exit casings106can form outer sides of a discharge channel112on either side of the induction chamber111. An upper portion of the luminaire chilled beam100can include a pressurization chamber110enclosed at least in part within the outer housing103.

The outer housing103can enclose various internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100. The outer casing can include a primary air inlet114that can connect to ductwork through which an upstream air supply system can supply primary air to the luminaire chilled beam100. In some examples, the outer housing103can be made from galvanneal steel that can resist corrosion and damage.

The pressurization chamber110can be a space within the luminaire chilled beam100that functions as a plenum. Upper and lateral boundaries of the pressurization chamber can be defined by the outer housing103, and a lower boundary of the pressurization chamber110can be defined by a nozzle plate121. Primary air can be supplied to the pressurization chamber110through the primary air inlet114. The outer housing103and the nozzle plate121can together create a seal within the pressurization chamber110. Thus, the primary air flowing into the pressurization chamber110can create a high-pressure environment within the pressurization chamber110. The elevated pressure created in the pressurization chamber110can cause the primary air to be expelled at a high velocity from a plurality of nozzles124comprising small apertures in a portion of the nozzle plate121. In addition, a perforated baffle122can be attached to a central portion of the nozzle plate above the nozzles124. The perforated baffle122can include a plurality of perforations through which the primary air can pass before being expelled from the nozzles124, causing the primary air to be evenly distributed to the nozzles124.

The induction chamber111can be a space within the luminaire chilled beam100into which air from an external setting can be induced and treated. A lower boundary of the induction chamber111can be defined by an induction face118, while an upper boundary of the induction chamber111can be defined by the nozzle plate121. Lateral boundaries of the induction chamber111can be defined by the discharge channels112. Primary air expelled at a high velocity from the nozzles124into the discharge channel112can create a low-pressure environment within the induction chamber111. This low pressure can induce air from the external setting to flow upwards through the induction face118, be cooled or heated by a water coil115, and flow into the discharge channel112. The induced air can mix with the expelled primary air in the discharge channel112.

The water coil115can treat air within the induction chamber111by heating or cooling the air with heated or cooled water running through the water coil115. The water coil115can connect to an external water source through one or more inlets that protrude from the induction chamber111.

Induction face118can be a permeable cover attached to a bottom opening of the induction chamber111. The induction face118can face into an external setting in which the luminaire chilled beam100is installed. Induced air from the external setting can pass through the induction face118and into the induction chamber111. A portion of the induction face118through which air can pass can include a grille, perforations, louver, or other configuration. The induction face118can be contained within a frame attached at either side to a pair of luminaire assemblies130, discussed in more detail below.

The induction face118can swing open at one or both sides using a pin latch to provide access to internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100for maintenance, such as replacement of luminaires131within the luminaire assemblies130. In some examples, the induction face118may open only from a single side to prevent the induction face118from falling down freely, which could damage internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100. In some examples, the induction face118can open without the use of tools by pushing a handle on a pin latch.

The discharge channels112can be spaces within the luminaire chilled beam100through which air within the induction chamber111can be discharged from the luminaire chilled beam100and into an external setting. Lateral boundaries of each of the discharge channels112can be defined by a side flange of nozzle plate121and a side flange of water coil115, an exit casing106, a luminaire assembly130. The primary air combined with the induced air, which can be cooled or heated by the water coil115, can be discharged from the luminaire chilled beam100through the discharge channels112and into the external setting.

Luminaire assemblies130can include luminaires131that illuminate an external setting in which the luminaire chilled beam100is installed without affecting air treatment performance or the capacity of the luminaire chilled beam100. The frame of each luminaire assembly130can present a smooth surface that does not obstruct air flow through the discharge channel112. Each of the luminaires131can comprise a lamp that is held within a frame of its luminaire assembly130attached at one side to the induction face118. Each luminaire131can include a lamp such as, for example, an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, or other light source. The luminaires131can be detached from their luminaire assemblies130and replaced with new luminaires131. While a heat emitted by each luminaire131may undesirably add heat load to a proximity of the luminaire assembly130, that heated air can be induced into the induction chamber111and treated along with other air induced from the external setting.

The control module133can include various components used to control operation of the luminaire chilled beam100and the luminaires131in particular. For example, the control module133can activate and deactivate the luminaires131, adjust a brightness of light emitted by the luminaires131, or adjust a color temperature of light emitted by the luminaires131. The control module133can be secured to an outer surface of the outer housing103. In some implementations, however, the control module133can be installed remotely from the other components of the luminaire chilled beam100.

In some examples, a luminaire chilled beam100can be controlled by its own control module133. In other examples, a single control module133may be used to control operation of multiple luminaire chilled beams100. This single control module133can be attached to or proximate to one of the multiple luminaire chilled beams100or located in a location remote from the multiple luminaire chilled beams100.

FIGS.2A-2Cillustrate examples of front views of the luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.2Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam100from a front view, including portions of the outer housing103, the exit casing end caps109, the primary air inlet114, and water coil115.FIG.2Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a front view, with the outer housing103, the exit casing end caps109, and primary air inlet114not shown. The components shown inFIG.2Binclude portions of the exit casings106, pressurization chamber106, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coil115, induction face118, nozzle plate121, perforated baffle122, luminaire assemblies130, and control module133.FIG.2Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a front view, with the outer housing103, the exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, and luminaire assemblies130not shown. The components shown inFIG.2Binclude portions of the exit casings106, pressurization chamber106, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coil115, induction face118, nozzle plate121, perforated baffle122, luminaires131, and control module133

FIGS.3A-3Cillustrate examples of rear views of the luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.3Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam from a rear view, including portions of the outer housing103, exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, and control module133.FIG.3Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a rear view, with the outer housing103, exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, and control module133not shown. The components shown inFIG.3Binclude portions of the exit casings106, pressurization chamber110, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coil115, induction face118, nozzle plate121, perforated baffle122, and luminaire assemblies130.FIG.3Cshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a rear view, with the outer housing103, exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, luminaire assemblies130, and control module133not shown. The components shown inFIG.3Cinclude portions of the exit casings106, pressurization chamber110, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coil115, induction face118, nozzle plate121, perforated baffle122, and luminaires131.

FIGS.4A-4Dillustrate examples of top views of the luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.4Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam100from a top view, including portions of the outer housing103, exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, water coil115, and control module133.FIG.4Bshows various external and internal components the luminaire chilled beam100from a top view, with the outer housing103and the primary air inlet114not shown. The components shown inFIG.4Binclude portions of the exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, pressurization chamber110, water coil115, nozzle plate121, perforated baffle122, and control module133.FIG.4Cshows various external and internal components the luminaire chilled beam100from a top view, with the outer housing103, the primary air inlet114, and the perforated baffle122not shown. The components shown inFIG.4Cinclude portions of the exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, pressurization chamber110, water coil115, nozzle plate121, nozzles124, and control module133.FIG.4Dshows various external and internal components the luminaire chilled beam100from a top view, with the outer housing103, the primary air inlet114, the nozzle plate121, the perforated baffle122, and the control module133not shown. The components shown inFIG.4Dinclude portions of the exit casing106, exit casing end caps109, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, and water coil115.

FIGS.5A-5Billustrate examples of bottom views of the luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.5Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam100from a bottom view, including portions of exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, discharge channels112, induction face118, and luminaire assemblies130.FIG.5Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a bottom view, with the induction face118, and luminaire assemblies130not shown. The components shown inFIG.5Binclude portions of the exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coil115, and luminaires131.

FIGS.6A-6Cillustrate examples of first side views of the luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.6Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam100from a first side view, including portions of the outer housing103, exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, water coil115, and control module133.FIG.6Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a first side view, with the outer housing103, exit casings106, and primary air inlet114not shown. The components shown inFIG.6Binclude portions of the exit casing end caps109, the pressurization chamber110, induction chamber111, discharge channel112, water coil115, nozzle plate121, luminaire assembly130, and control module133.FIG.6Cshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a first side view, with the outer housing103, exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, luminaire assembly130, and control module133not shown. The components shown inFIG.6Cinclude portions of the pressurization chamber110, induction chamber111, discharge channel112, water coil115, nozzle plate121, and luminaire131.

FIGS.7A-7Cillustrate examples of second side views of the luminaire chilled beam100.FIG.7Ashows an outside of the luminaire chilled beam100from a second side view, including portions of the outer housing103, exit casings106, exit casing end caps109, primary air inlet114, water coil115, and control module133.FIG.7Bshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a second side view, with the outer housing103, exit casings106, and primary air inlet114not shown. The components shown inFIG.7Binclude portions of the pressurization chamber110, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coils115, nozzle plate121, and luminaire130.FIG.7Cshows various external and internal components of the luminaire chilled beam100from a second side view, with the outer housing103, exit casings106, and primary air inlet114not shown. The components shown inFIG.7Cinclude portions of the pressurization chamber110, induction chamber111, discharge channels112, water coils115, nozzle plate121, and luminaire131.

FIG.8illustrates an example of an isolated perspective view of a control module133of the luminaire chilled beam100. The control module133can include an enclosure801, a driver803, a wireless controller806, and a conduit809. The enclosure801can enclose the driver803, wireless controller806, and conduit809and protect them from external environments. The driver803and the wireless controller806can be secured to the outer housing103. The driver803can be any device capable of regulating power supplied to the luminaires130, such as, for example, a driver, a ballast, or a transformer. The wireless controller806can facilitate remote control of the luminaires130by a remote computing device. The wireless controller806can be any microcontroller, circuit board, or other electronic device capable of wirelessly connecting to a computing device to control the luminaires130. The conduit809can connect the driver803and/or the wireless controller806to one or multiple luminaires130to supply power. In examples where the conduit809connects to only one of the luminaires130, the luminaire130to which the conduit809connects can itself be connected to other luminaire130.

A phrase, such as “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is to be understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., can be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Similarly, “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is to be understood to present that an item, term, etc., can be either X, Y, and Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, as used herein, such phrases are not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of either X, Y, or Z to be present, but not, for example, one X and one Y. Further, such phrases should not imply that certain embodiments require each of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to be present.

Although embodiments have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features and elements may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure defined in the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.