US 6,974,381 B1 · Drop ceiling air flow producer

Abstract

An air flow producer of non-rectangular shape is adapted for installation in a rectangular opening of a drop ceiling. In preferred form, the producer has a circular housing with an open bottom covered with a grill. A fan with a rotary blade assembly is mounted in the housing to produce a downward air flow, and a circular metal band surrounding the rotary blade assembly defines an air discharge zone centered in the grill and an annular air intake zone surrounding the discharge zone. Flow rates are optimized by positioning the band close to the grill. The grill is preferably integrally molded with a rectangular flange that seats in the drop ceiling opening. The flange supports the housing from the framework and closes the opening to prevent the producer from drawing air from the plenum above the drop ceiling.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An air flow producer adapted for installation on a seating structure surrounding a rectangular opening in a drop ceiling, the air flow producer comprising:

a housing with a vertical axis, a circular-cylindrical side wall centered about the axis, a closed top and an open bottom;
a fan located in and supported from the housing, the fan comprising a rotary blade assembly rotating about the vertical axis and producing an air flow through the open bottom of the housing;
an air flow grill overlaying the open bottom of the housing;
a circular flow-separating cylindrical band supported from the housing proximate to the open bottom, the band centered about the vertical axis and extending around the blade assembly, the band defining an air discharge zone centered in the grill and an annular air intake zone radially outward of the discharge zone;
and,
means defining a flange with a generally rectangular periphery for supporting the housing from the seating structure, the flange extending horizontally outward relative to the side wall of the housing and conforming to the seating structure thereby to close the opening against flow of air.

3 more elements

An air flow producer adapted for installation on a rectangular seating structure surrounding an opening in a drop ceiling, the air flow producer comprising:

a housing comprising a vertical axis, a non-rectangular side wall centered about the axis, a closed top and an open bottom;
an air flow grill overlaying the open bottom of the housing
a fan located in and supported from the housing, the fan comprising a rotary blade assembly rotating about the vertical axis, the fan drawing air through the open bottom of the housing and discharging air through the open bottom;
a circular flow-separating cylindrical band mounted in the housing, the flow-separating band is centered about the vertical axis and extends around the blade assembly, the flow-separating band defining an air discharge zone centered in the grill and an air intake zone radially outward of the discharge zone;
and
support means for supporting the housing on the seating structure, the support means comprising solid structure defining a generally rectangular periphery extending horizontally outward relative to the side wall of the housing and conforming in shape to the seating structure thereby to close the opening against passage of air from above the drop ceiling.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drop ceiling air flow producer

Life of this patent

Drop ceiling air flow producer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14