AIR RECYCLING DEVICE

Abstract: There is a significant cost incurred in energy loss through warm air rising e.g. in a room; this application is directed to reducing this cost by using an air recycling device having an elongate duct means (12) and a means (14) for drawing air into the duct means at one end and discharging air from the duct means at the other end, the elongate duct means having substantially parallel first and second panels (20, 22) joined by side panels (24) inclined to each of the first and second panels.

Description: This invention relates to an air recycling device and, in particular, to an improved recycling device 9. suitable for use at whatever location in a room is aestheti¬ cally appropriate and/or functionally most suitable. 5 Regardless of the energy source used to heat or cool a room, a significant loss in efficiency and a greater operating cost results from warm air rising above the level required by the user or cooling air remaining at floor level. Also, due to non-uniformity of heating or cooling horizontally 10 within a room, cold spots or temperature differentials develop and, notwithstanding the use of temperature regulators, these can be avoided only by heating or cooling other areas above or below a desired temperature level or by the tempera¬ ture regulator operating to cause temperature to oscillate 15 over a relatively wide range above and below the required temperature. The present invention seeks to provide a device which minimizes these difficulties. In one aspect, the invention provides an air 20 recycling device having an elongate duct means adapted to be mounted with one end upper-most and means for drawing air into the duct means from the one end for discharge at or adjacent the other, lower-most end; the duct means being shaped so as to be mountable both on a substantially flat surface, such 25 as a wall, and in a vertical corner such as at the junction of two walls. The device most conveniently is such that when mounted on a wall away from a corner, the air is dischargeable in a direction substantially normal to the wall and, when 30 mounted in a corner, in a direction substantially bisecting the angle between the walls. That is, the device most con¬ veniently is such that air is discharged away from the wall or walls on which it is mounted, rather than along such wall. This, as will be appreciated, present difficulty where the one device is to be ountable either away from or in a corner, as required, particularly if space utilization is to be mini¬ mized and the arrangement is to be aesthetically acceptable. In one practical arrangement, the device has a duct means of truncated triangular section, having substantially parallel first and second panels and side panels inclined to each of the first and second panels. Where the device is to be mou table in a right angle corner the side panels are mutually inclined at substantially 90° with each forming an included or internal angle of substantially 45° with the first panel and of 135° with the second panel. With such arrangement, the duct means can be mounted on a wall away from a corner, with its first panel against the wall; or it can be mounted in a corner with its second panel facing into the corner and each side panel against a respective one of the walls defining the corner. The duct means may consist of a single length of ducting. Alternatively, it may be assembled from two or more shorter lengths of ducting connectable in end-to-end relation. In the latter case connector members may be used between adjacent ends of ducting lengths, these for example being of similar section and being telescopically receivable in or on each of the adjacent ends. The duct means may be of sheet or extruded metal, but preferably is of an extruded plastics material such as a PVC, polystyrene, acrylic, ABS, SAN, polyethylene or polypropylene. OU?l The means for drawing air into the duct means for dis¬ charge therefrom may be a fan mounted in relation to the duct means, such as at or adjacent the lower end thereof. In the case of the duct means of truncated triangular section, the air may be dischargeable from the first or second panel depending on whether the device is mounted in a corner or away from a corner, respectively. One arrangement to accom¬ modate this need for dual functioning is to provide a respec¬ tive outlet in each of the first and second panels at or adjacent the lower end of the duct means, with there being means for closing the one of the outlets not required for a particular mounting arrangement. However, as closing means are likely to permit undesired air leakage, a preferred alternative is to provide a housing which defines an outlet for the air and is reversibly mountable in or on the duct means so that the outlet thereof faces outwardly of the first or second panel, as required. The means for drawing the air may be mounted within the housing and reversible therewith, or it may be mounted within the duct means with the housing providing the function of guiding air flow from a direction longitudinally of the duct means so as to flow through the housing outlet. For such guiding function, the housing may have a baffle therein and positioned so as to be inclined across the duct means so as to deflect the air through the outlet. Where such housing defining an outlet for the device is provided, this may be engageable with the duct means in . telescopic relation. Thus, the housing may be inserted in the lower end of the duct means, to position the outlet of the housing at or through an opening formed in the required OMPI one of the first and second panels. Alternatively, the housing may be neatly insertable through such opening, with the lower end of the duct means being permanently or relea- sably closed. Such openings in the first and second panels may be provided by respective portions of those panels being cut away at the lower end of the duct means such that the openings are not enclosed at the lower end of the duct means, or the opening may be enclosed and spaced upwardly from the lower end. The outlet, whether in the duct means or housing, may be provided with a grill or screen. In the case of a grill, this may be in the form of fixed vanes or of vanes that are vertically and/or horizontally adjustable for varying the direction and/or volume of air flow. ' Description now is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an air re¬ cycling device; Fig. 2a is a plan view showing such device mounted in a corner; Fig. 2b is a plan view showing such device mounted away from the corner; Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view of the device; Fig. 4a is a view on line IV-IV of Figure 3 for a mounting arrangement as in Figure 2b; Fig. 4b is a view corresponding to Fig. 4a but for a mounting arrangement as in Fig. 2a. The device as illustrated has duct means 12 and means 14 for drawing air through the former from its upper -O PI end for discharge for its lower end. Duct means 12 has a number of duct lengths 16 inter-connectable in end-to-end relation by connectors 18. The number and/or length of sections 16 may be varied in dependence on the room height over which the device is to recycle air. Each duct length 16 is of truncated equilateral triangle form; having parallel panels 20, 22 jointed by side panels 24. The latter are inclined at an angle of 90° to each other, such that each provides an included angle of 45° with panel 20 and of 135° with panel 22. Connectors 18 are slightly smaller so as to provide a neat telescopic fit in adjacent ends of two duct lengths 16; with there being a circumferential rib 26 on each connector 18 to space its lengths 16 and provide a smooth continuation of the external surfaces of the latter. Means 14, located at the lower end of duct means 12, comprises a fan housing 28 having a fan 30 mounted therein. To accommodate housing 28, panel 22 of the lowermost length 16 terminates above the lower end of duct means 12 to provide an opening 32, while a corresponding cut-out is made in panel 20 to provide opening 34. Housing 28 has a duct portion 36 and, projecting to one side of the latter, an outlet portion 38 having somewhat the form of a truncated pyramid. Fan 30 is mounted within housing portion 38 so that, in operation of motor 31, air is directed by fan 30 to outlet 40 of housing 28; with a grill 42 being provided over outlet 40. Housing 28 is received longitudinally of means 12 so as to locate its duct portion 36 within the lowermost duct length 16, with its portion 38 projecting through one of openings 32, 34 depending on the one of faces 22, 20 res¬ pectively from which air is to be discharged. An end cover 44 then is positioned at the lower end of duct means 12 to close that end and secure housing 28. As shown, cover 44 has a base 46, of which the periphery corresponds substantially to the second of duct means 12, and an upstanding skirt 48 which is sealingly received in the latter. Duct portion 36 of housing 28 has a full height rear wall 50 and a short front wall 52 which are substantially parallel and spaced so as to be neatly slidably received between panels 20, 22. Walls 50, 52 are joined by side walls 54 which at first extend outwardly of rear wall 50 toward front wall 52, and then inwardly forward the latter. The inwardly extending portions of side walls 54 project beyond front wall 52 so as to provide side walls of housing outlet portion 38. As shown, side walls 54 are not complementary to side panels 24 of duct means 12. As will be appreciated, this is to allow housing 28 to be reversibly mounted in duct means 12. Rather, side walls 54 are spaced so that they are neatly receivable between the lateral edges of opening 32 or 34; with the inwardly extending portions of walls 54 serving to engage those edges to positively hold housing 28 against panel 20 or 22, respectively. In an alternative arrangement, openings 32, 34 may be enclosed about their peripheries by leaving a thin strap portion (as shown in broken outline at 32a, 34a in Figure 1) across the lower ends of duct means 12. With this arrangement it is not possible for housing 28 to be inserted via that end and its upper end therefore is inserted through the opening from which housing portion 38 is to project, and housing 28 the pivoted to bring rear wall 50 against the opposed one of panels 20, 22. For such insertion and pivoting the maximum spacing between walls 54 is not to exceed the lateral width of openings 32 and 34, and a transverse rib below housing portion 38 can be provided to locate over the strap to retain housing 28. Device 10 may be mounted on a vertical wall 56 of a room away from a corner, or in, a corner. In the former case shown in Figure 2b, panel 20 abuts wall 56 with housing portion 38 projecting away from wall 56 through panel 22. In the latter case, shown in Figure 2a, side panels 24 each abut a respective one of walls 56 defining the corner with panel 22 facing into the corner and housing portion 38 reversed to project through panel 20. Any suitable means may be provided to mount device 10. However, one simple arrangement for mounting the device as in Figure 2b is to provide a keyhole aperture 58 in panel 20 of the uppermost duct length 16 and to fit this over the head of a screw 60 in wall 56. Additionally, a depending tab 62 is provided on cover 44 adjacent panel 20 and has an aperture 64 for a further retaining screw to pass therethrough, into wall 56. A similar arrangement can be used when mounting device 10 as in Figure 2b, utilizing a respective keyhole aperture (not shown) in each of panels 24 of the uppermost length 16 to locate on screws 60 in walls 56; and utilizing opposed apertured tabs 66 on cover 44, each adjacent a panel 24, for a respective retaining screw to pass into each of walls 56. The foregoing mounting arrangement is simple and unobtrusive. Tab 62 and tabs 66 are located below normal eye level and the one or ones not required may be cut off, or broken off at a line of weakening. Also, the keyhole apertures are well above normal eye level and, in any event, do not detract from the appearance of device 10. In the event that it is found that such mounting is insufficient to prevent a central portion of duct means 12 from bowing slightly away from wall(s) 56, double-sided adhesive can be provided between panels 24 and walls 56 (Figure 2a) or panel 20 and wall 56 (Figure 2b) . It is indicated above, that the duct means can be formed by extrusion of a suitable plastics material. It will be appreciated that extrusion marks generally occurs in - this forming operation and, to mask this and also to enhance and aesthetic appearance of device 10, all external surfaces of duct lengths 16 may be longitudinally grooved in the extrusion operation, as shown in part at 68, to provide a textured finish. The device described, when mounted on a wall or walls of a room over a selected height between floor and ceiling levels, is able to recycle warm air from ari upper level to a lower level. It thus reduces temperature gradients which result from warm air rising, so that lower cold zones can be sub¬ stantially eliminated. Also, as a result of air mixing during this recycling, cold spots across a room can be eliminated, thus enhancing the overall benefit if a localized energy source is used to heat the room. In addition to use with a heated room, the device provides similar benefits when used in an air-conditioned room. Thus, by similar operation, it can recycle warm air to cooled air remaining at floor level to provide mixing of air both vertically and horizontally. Additionally, for both a heated and cooled room, the device can result in an over cost saving of about 10-15/5 in operation of the heating or cooling energy source. Also because the device can be mounted in or away from a corner, due to the reversible mounting facility, the device can be mounted at any required position. That is, the device can be mounted as required by overall aesthetic appearances and/or with regard to functional requirements such as dictated by the position of doors, windows and furniture or the shape of the room. Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be intro¬ duced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. OMFI

Claims: - 1. An air recycling device having an elongate duct means adapted to be mounted with one end upper-most and means for drawing air into the duct means from the one end for discharge at, or adjacent the other, lower most end; the duct means being shaped so as to be mountable both on a substantially flat surface and in a vertical corner. 2. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the arrangement is such that the air is dischargeable away from the surface or corner. 3. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the elongate duct mea-ns is of truncated triangular section, having substantially parallel first and second panels and side panels inclined to each of the first and second panels. 4. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the side panels are mutually inclined at substantially 90°. 5. An air recycling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the duct means comprises a con¬ tinuous length of ducting. 6. An air recycling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the duct means is assembled from a plurality" of shorter lengths of ducting connectable in end- to-end relation via connector members telescopically receivable in or on each of the adjacent ends. 7. An air recycling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for drawing air into the duct means for discharge therefrom is a fan. 8. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fan is mounted at or adjacent the lower end of the duct means. 9. An air recycling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a housing which defines an outlet for the air and is reversibly mountable in or on the duct means so that the outlet thereof faces out¬ wardly of the first and second panel, as required. 10. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the housing has a baffle therein positioned so as to be inclined across the duct means so as to deflect the air through the outlet. 11. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the housing comprises a duct portion having an elongate hexagonal cross-section and substantially parallel first and second panels. 12. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein there is provided an opening in the first and/or second panel at the lower end of the duct means, said opening or openings being adapted to receive the outlet. 13. An air recycling device as claimed in claim 1 sub¬ stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. OMPI

Inventors: CARLSON A
Applicants: CARLSON A, MAYER HEATING ELEC PTY LTD, MAYER HEATING & ELECTRICAL PTY LTD
Application year: 1981
Main classification: F24F13
IPC codes: F24F7