RECESSED FAN INLET COVER
A recessed fan inlet cover, for covering an enclosure inlet opening of an exhaust fan enclosure to provide an air flow channel into the fan enclosure while impeding sound emission from the fan enclosure, the fan inlet cover comprising: a cover frame having an outer peripheral edge extending outward of the enclosure inlet opening and having an inner edge defining a substantially planar frame surface, the frame having an upwardly recessed mounting surface joined to the inner edge with an arcuate wall, the mounting surface having an intake opening; and a cover plug mounted to the recessed mounting surface downwardly spaced from the mounting surface, the plug having a substantially planar plug surface co-planar with said frame surface, the plug having an outer peripheral edge with an inwardly projecting lip, the plug having a sound absorbing layer on an upper surface opposite said planar plug surface; wherein an air flow channel is defined between said arcuate wall and said lip.
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The invention relates to a recessed sound attenuating fan inlet cover with a flush outer surface profile.
BACKGROUND OF THE ARTExhaust fans are well known in the prior art, for example fans which are installed in ceilings of residential or commercial buildings to exhaust air from kitchens or bathrooms. In general, a sheet metal fan enclosure houses a rotating blower wheel or fan driven by an electric motor. The enclosure has an inlet opening to intake air into the fan which is then expelled from the enclosure through an outlet into an exhaust duct.
For visual effect, dust control, noise control and to define an inlet airflow path, fan enclosures are usually fitted with a cover which can range from a simple grill or grate to relatively complex covers which attempt to produce less turbulent airflow and reduce propagation of sound from the electric motor and fan blade themselves. Conventional enclosures are usually of minimum size to house the fan and motor. Conventionally, the covers extend over the fan enclosure opening and extend outwardly past a surface of the wall or ceiling into which they are mounted. Conventional covers intake air laterally reducing the perception of airflow turbulence directly below or in front of a fan cover.
It is desirable to provide a fan enclosure cover that provides less turbulent airflow reducing noise generated by airflow and friction, that reduces propagation of vibrations and sound from the electric motor and fan blades, that is aesthetically pleasing and that reduces the visual impact of the fan cover as much possible.
Features that distinguish the present invention from the background art will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention presented below.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a recessed fan inlet cover, for covering an enclosure inlet opening of an exhaust fan enclosure to provide an air flow channel into the fan enclosure while impeding sound emission from the fan enclosure, the fan inlet cover comprising: a cover frame having an outer peripheral edge extending outward of the enclosure inlet opening and having an inner edge defining a substantially planar frame surface, the frame having an upwardly recessed mounting surface joined to the inner edge with an arcuate wall, the mounting surface having an intake opening; and a cover plug mounted to the recessed mounting surface downwardly spaced from the mounting surface, the plug having a substantially planar plug surface co-planar with said frame surface, the plug having an outer peripheral edge with an inwardly projecting lip, the plug having a sound absorbing layer on an upper surface opposite said planar plug surface; wherein an air flow channel is defined between said arcuate wall and said lip.
In order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.
Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSAs indicated in
In contrast, the present invention discloses in
As seen in
Further, a substantially planar lower surface 18 of the plug 17 and frame 9 of the cover 8 intrudes minimally into the room below the ceiling 2 surface from which air is exhausted.
As seen in
As seen in
Referring to
The cover plug 17 has an outer peripheral edge 19 for example seen in
Preferably, the airflow channel 22 has an overall intake area relative to the enclosure inlet opening area in the range of 40 to 60% and most preferably in the range of 45 to 55%. Utilizing the cover plug 17 spaced from the recessed portion of the cover frame 8 to define the airflow channel 22 enables a relatively large intake area for the airflow channel 22 with visual masking of the blower 6 as indicated by line of sight 23 in
The recessed space created between the plug 17 and frame 9, the space created within the layer 21 and above the plug 17 can accommodate an electric night light, motion sensors, humidity sensors, smoke detectors and other wall/ceiling mounted devices. Since electric power and conductors must be provided to power and control the fan motor 5, such areas of the cover 4 can conveniently house such other devices and connect to wiring without other ceiling openings, separate junction boxes and visual disturbance of the ceiling or wall.
Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described herein.
Claims
1. A recessed fan inlet cover, for covering an enclosure inlet opening of an exhaust fan enclosure to provide an air flow channel into the fan enclosure while impeding sound emission from the fan enclosure, the fan inlet cover comprising:
- a cover frame having an outer peripheral edge extending outward of the enclosure inlet opening and having an inner edge defining a substantially planar frame surface, the frame having an upwardly recessed mounting surface joined to the inner edge with an arcuate wall, the mounting surface having an intake opening; and
- a cover plug mounted to the recessed mounting surface downwardly spaced from the mounting surface, the plug having a substantially planar plug surface co-planar with said frame surface, the plug having an outer peripheral edge with an inwardly projecting lip, the plug having a sound absorbing layer on an upper surface opposite said planar plug surface; wherein an air flow channel is defined between said arcuate wall and said lip.
2. The recessed fan inlet cover of claim 1 wherein the air flow channel has an intake area relative to an enclosure inlet opening area is in the range of 40-60 percent.
3. The recessed fan inlet cover of claim 2 wherein the air flow channel has an intake area relative to an enclosure inlet opening area is in the range of 45-55 percent.
4. The recessed fan inlet cover of claim 1 including a sloping planar wall extending upwardly and inwardly from the the inner edge to the arcuate wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 3, 2008
Publication Date: May 6, 2010
Applicant: AIREX INC. (Brampton)
Inventor: Robert IANTORNO (Mississauga)
Application Number: 12/263,595
International Classification: F24F 13/20 (20060101);