Abstract:
A device comprising a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side having a duct portal. A top surface and a bottom surface having a circular chilled beam interface.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more specifically to a duct interface for a chilled beam system that facilitates field installation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A chilled beam is an item of HVAC equipment that is used to provide cooled air to a space. Chilled beams can be installed in a recessed configuration, where the chilled beam is flush with ceiling tiles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A device for connecting a chilled beam to a duct is disclosed that includes a cubic structure having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, and where the fourth side has a duct portal that can be readily connected to field-run duct work. The device also has a top surface and a bottom surface, where the bottom surface further has a circular chilled beam interface that allows a mating circular interface on the chilled beam to be rotatably coupled to the device, so as to facilitate connecting the chilled beam to the duct. 
         [0004]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a system for providing a duct interface for a chilled beam in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a system for providing a duct interface for a chilled beam in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing parallel installation of chilled beams on a duct in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing series installation of chilled beams on a duct in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a side view of a chilled beam, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a top view of a chilled beam, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an isometric view of a chilled beam, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a system  100  for providing a duct interface for a chilled beam in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. System  100  includes chilled beam  102 , which has an exterior housing that includes interface assembly  104 . Interface assembly  104  is a circular aperture on top of chilled beam  102  that extends from the top surface of chilled beam  102 . System  100  also includes duct interface  106 , which includes mating assembly  108 . Mating assembly  108  is a circular aperture that extends into the bottom surface of duct interface  106  and that interlocks with interface assembly  104  of chilled beam  102 . Alternatively, interface assembly  104  of chilled beam  102  can extend into chilled beam  102  and mating assembly  108  of duct interface  106  can extend outward from the bottom surface of duct interface  106 , or other suitable interfaces can be used. 
         [0015]    Duct interface  106  also includes duct portal  110 , which extends outward from a side surface of duct interface  106  and is configured to interface with a duct. In one exemplary embodiment, duct portal  110  is circular, but can alternatively be square, rectangular or other suitable dimensions in accordance with the associated duct that duct interface  106  is used with. Likewise, duct portal  110  can extend into the side surface of duct interface  106  where suitable, provided that the associated duct can extend into duct interface  106 . 
         [0016]    Chilled beam  102  and duct interface  106  can be made from metal, plastic, a combination of metal and plastic, or other suitable materials or combinations of materials. Interface assembly  104  is clearance fit outside or inside of mating assembly  108 , and can rotate 360 degrees or other suitable amounts. 
         [0017]    Inside of chilled beam  102 , vents  112  extend downward from interface assembly  104  and carry outside or mixed outside and recirculated air from interface assembly  104  past heat exchanger  114 , which can be a water-cooled heat exchanger or other suitable devices. In addition, light fixture  116  is disposed within chilled beam  100 , and vents  112  are routed around light fixture  116 . Although exemplary vent  112 , heat exchanger  114  and light fixture  116  structures have been shown, distributed vents, adjustable light fixtures, radiant heaters or other suitable vent, heating and cooling or lighting structures or devices can also or alternatively be used. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of a system  200  for providing a duct interface for a chilled beam in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In this overhead view, the circular perimeter of interface assembly  104  and mating assembly  108  can be seen, in addition to the configuration of duct portal  110 . 
         [0019]    In operation, chilled beam  102  is typically installed in a desired location, such as in a recessed location in a ceiling or other suitable structure. Duct interface  106  can then be installed on chilled beam  102 , and can be rotated in a suitable direction so that duct portal  110  is directed towards a duct structure. Additional ductwork can then be more readily installed to connect the duct structure to duct interface  106 . In this manner, chilled beam  102  can be installed in parallel with duct work installation without the risk that the chilled beam or duct installation work will need to be redone, which facilitates building construction activities. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a diagram  300  showing parallel installation of chilled beams on a duct in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Diagram  300  includes main duct  302 , with three parallel duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308  that are used to connect main duct  302  with duct interfaces  310 ,  312  and  314 , respectively. Duct interfaces  310 ,  312  and  314  are then used to connect duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308 , respectively, to chilled beams  316 ,  318  and  320 , respectively. 
         [0021]    During construction, main duct  302  may be installed first, and parallel duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308  may be installed later, after chilled beams  316 ,  318  and  320  have been installed. Alternatively, parallel duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308  may be installed before chilled beams  316 ,  318  and  320  are installed, such that any misalignment of parallel duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308  with chilled beams  316 ,  318  and  320  can result in the need for expensive and time consuming rework. Such misalignment of chilled beams  316 ,  318  and  320  can be readily accommodated by rotating duct interfaces  310 ,  312  and  314 , respectively, to align with duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308 , respectively. In this manner, rework can be avoided, and the installation of parallel duct extensions  304 ,  306  and  308  and chilled beams  316 ,  318  and  320  can be facilitated. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a diagram  400  showing series installation of chilled beams on a duct in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Duct segment  402  connects to duct interface  408 , which has opposing first and second duct portals. Likewise, duct segment  404  connects to duct interface  408  and duct interface  410 , which also has opposing first and second duct portals. Finally, duct segment  406  connects to duct interface  410  and duct interface  412 , which has only a single duct portal. Because duct interfaces  408 ,  410  and  412  can rotate on top of chilled beams  414 ,  416  and  418 , respectively, the installation and alignment of duct segments  402 ,  404  and  406  is simplified, and can readily account for even significant deviations from designed locations of chilled beams  414 ,  416  and  418 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a diagram  500  showing a side view of a chilled beam  504 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A duct interface  502  is disposed on top of chilled beam  504 , and includes duct portal  506  and interface assembly  508 . As previously discussed, duct portal  502  and interface assembly  508  can be configured as suitable to interface with a duct and chilled beam  504 , respectively, and do not need to extend outwards from duct interface  502  as shown, as long as they allow duct interface to be rotated on top of chilled beam  504 , so as to be readily interfaced with the duct. 
         [0024]    Chilled beam  504  includes perimeter  510 , which interfaces with the ceiling structure. As previously discussed, because chilled beam  504  is installed in this manner, the alignment of chilled beam  504  might vary from a designed alignment by more than an allowable tolerance for the installation of the ductwork, such that duct interface  502  can be used to compensate for such lack of alignment. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a diagram  600  showing a top view of a chilled beam, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Duct interface  602  is disposed on the top surface  606  of the chilled beam, and duct portal  604  extends outward from duct interface  602  to interface with a duct (not explicitly shown). Perimeter  608  of the chilled beam interfaces with adjacent ceiling structures (not explicitly shown), such as ceiling tiles, and is aligned with those ceiling structures. 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a diagram  700  showing an isometric view of a chilled beam, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The chilled beam includes grates  706  and space  704  for a lighting fixture (not explicitly shown), which can be field-installed into space  704 . Duct interface  702  is shown on top of the chilled beam. 
         [0027]    Although chilled beams are shown herein, other suitable HVAC components can also or alternatively be used with the duct interface and duct arrangements disclosed herein. For example, passive duct components, lighted duct components, air handling units, vents, blowers, fans, heat exchangers, chillers or other suitable HVAC components can also or alternatively be used. 
         [0028]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.