Displacement ventilation systems for enclosed spaces

#Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to ventilation systems for buildings and more specifically relates to displacement ventilation systems for buildings such as school building, office building, auditoriums, and theatres.

#Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of a displacement ventilation system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 1B shows a rear perspective view of the displacement ventilation system shown in FIG. 1B.

#FIG. 2 shows a linear diffuser having internal flow control partitions for the displacement ventilation system shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

#Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, a displacement ventilation system 10 for ventilating, heating and/or cooling an enclosed space, such as a room within a building, preferably includes an air inlet 12 for supplying outside air to an air inlet duct 14. The air inlet duct 14 preferably has an upstream end 16 adjacent the air inlet 12 and a downstream end 18 remote therefrom. As used herein, the terminology “upstream” and “downstream” indicate the direction of flow of air through the displacement ventilation system of the present application. In one embodiment, the air will flow from the “upstream” region to the “downstream” region. In one embodiment, the air inlet duct 14 preferably extends horizontally over a floor of an enclosed space. In one embodiment, the air inlet duct 14 has a length L1 of between about 12-16 feet, a height H1 of between about 6-18 inches, and a width W1 of between about 18-36 inches. The relatively large dimensions noted above, in comparison to conventional ventilation systems, enables air to flow through the system at a lower velocity, which preferably provides a number of benefits including minimizing noise generated by the displacement ventilation system and reducing energy costs associated with operating the system. In one embodiment, the air inlet 12 preferably includes one or more louvers (not shown) that are moveable between an open position for allowing outside air to enter the air inlet duct 14 and a closed position for preventing outside air from entering the air inlet duct 14. In one embodiment, the one or more louvers may be open when the outside air is cooler than the inside air and it is desirable to lower the temperature inside an enclosed space. In one embodiment, the one or more louvers may be closed when the inside air is warmer than the outside air and it is desired to maintain the heat level within the enclosed space or increase the heat level within the enclosed space.

#In one embodiment, the displacement ventilation system 10 preferably includes a diffuser duct 20 that extends below the air inlet duct 14. The diffuser duct 20 preferably includes a downstream end 22 and an upstream end 24 remote therefrom. The diffuser duct 20 also preferably includes an inner face 26 having a linear diffuser plate 28 that extends at least partially along the length of the diffuser duct. In one embodiment, the linear diffuser plate preferably includes a plurality of openings or apertures extending therethrough that enables the air to be diffused through the plate and over a floor surface of an enclosed space. The linear diffuser plate 28 preferably extends in a longitudinal direction along the length of the diffuser duct. In one embodiment, the linear diffuser plate 28 extends adjacent a top surface of a floor. In one embodiment, spacing between a bottom edge of the linear diffuser plate and the top surface of a floor is less than six inches, more preferably less than three inches, and even more preferably less than one inch. The relatively small distance between the lower edge of the linear diffuser plate 28 and the top surface of the floor preferably ensures that the air diffused into the enclosed space is spread close to the top surface of the floor. In one embodiment, the diffuser duct 20 preferably has a length L2 of about 20-24 feet, a height H2 of about 6-18 inches and a width W2 of about 18-36 inches. As noted above, the relatively large dimensions of the diffuser duct 20, compared to a conventional ventilation system, provides a number of benefits, including, inter alia, reducing noise and energy costs associated with operating the system.

#Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, in one embodiment, the displacement ventilation system 10 desirably includes a vertical duct 30 having a lower end 32 and an upper end 34. In one embodiment, the lower end 32 of the vertical duct 30 is coupled with the downstream end 18 of the air inlet duct 14 and the upstream end 24 of the diffuser duct 20. As will be described in more detail below, the vertical duct 30 preferably houses a heat exchanger (FIG. 3) for transferring thermal energy between incoming air and return air, and a heat pump (FIG. 3) for heating or cooling air flowing through the system. In one embodiment, the vertical duct may house a system controller that may be engaged by an operator for controlling and operating the displacement ventilation system disclosed herein.