DISPLACEMENT DIFFUSER WITH HEAT/COOL CHANGEOVER

Abstract

A displacement diffuser mounted in a suspended ceiling installation for supplying both heated and cooled air and using both displacement and mixing ventilation within an occupied space from a single unit. The diffuser includes a housing, an air inlet in the housing in communication with supply air, and a dual plenum divided by an intermediate wall into a heating plenum for receiving heated air and a cooling plenum for receiving cooled air. A high velocity linear air slot diffuser in directs air from the heating plenum into an occupied space at a high velocity. A low velocity diffuser allows cooled air to move via displacement into an occupied space. A damper within the housing is capable of directing heated air into the heating plenum and cooled air into the cooling plenum in response to an actuator signal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/218,575, filed Jun. 19, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a displacement diffuser for providing both heating and displacement cooling functions with minimal turbulence or induction of room air from the same unit. The displacement diffuser is capable of disbursing conditioned air using two different disbursement methods, and is used in connection with a ducted air conditioning and heating system. The displacement diffuser provides a dual plenum with a high velocity linear air slot diffuser for heated air, and a low velocity diffuser for cooled air and is capable of both displacement and mixing ventilation. The system switches from cooling to heating mode via an electronic actuator or a signal activated by duct temperature from the HVAC system.

2. Prior Art

Airflow in ventilated spaces generally can be classified into two categories: mixing (or dilution) ventilation and displacement ventilation. Mixing ventilation systems generally supply air in a manner such that the air in an entire room is fully mixed. The conditioned supply air exits the outlet at a high velocity, inducing room air to provide mixing and temperature equalization. Ideally, when the air in an entire room is fully mixed, temperature variations throughout the space are small while the contaminant concentration is uniform throughout the zone.

Mixing ventilation typically uses a high outlet velocity to mix the supply air with the ambient air at the ceiling level. The air that reaches the occupied zone is, then, a mixture of supply and ambient air. This system can be contrasted with a displacement ventilation system, where cool supply air is typically distributed with a low velocity to the floor level of a ventilated space, which results in the supply air reaching the occupied zone without any significant mixing of cool and contaminated ambient air. Thus, in mixing ventilation, the situation is opposite. Mixing systems successfully achieve changes in overall room temperature by thoroughly mixing conditioned supply air with ambient or room air. Impurities and heat within an occupied space are diluted and mixed.

The supply air in a mixing system is used to dilute the concentration of contaminants in the room (this is why it is also called dilution ventilation) but not to displace them. Unless the sources of contamination are evenly distributed throughout the space, however, high concentration levels of contaminants are always found near these sources. Because the conditioned air is usually supplied at a high level (above the occupied zone), the concentration levels above the occupied zone are generally lower than those existing within the zone, which results in a lower overall relative ventilation efficiency. In addition, stagnant zones of high concentration levels and/or short circuiting of conditioned air to extract points can cause a sharp drop in the ventilation efficiency.

A displacement ventilation system introduces air into an occupied space at low velocities, which causes minimal induction and mixing. Displacement outlets have been traditionally located at or near floor level. The system utilizes buoyancy forces generated by heat sources such as people, lighting, computers, and electrical equipment in a room to remove contaminants and heat from the occupied zone.

Conventional displacement ventilation systems generally supply cool air along the floor in a thin layer less than about a foot in height. The supply air spreads across the floor in a manner similar to water flowing out of a tap, filling the entire space. If obstructions such as furniture or partitions are encountered, the air will flow around and beyond the obstruction. When cool air meets a heat source such as a person or a piece of equipment, a portion of the conditioned air is captured by the thermal plume of the heat source, while the remainder of air continues further into the room. In a displacement ventilation system, fresh air pools at floor level and personal thermal plumes draw fresh air up the body while polluted air is extracted at the high-mounted return.

Displacement ventilation is often used to compensate for changing loads contained within an occupied space. Additionally, displacement ventilation outlets may have a lower pressure drop which could allow for a reduction in fan energy with the selection of smaller fan components. The superior air quality and low noise levels make displacement ventilation better suited for offices, classrooms, theaters, hotels or any application where air quality demands are high.

Displacement ventilation relies on the principle that thermal plumes drive the movement of the air within the space. Supplying a space with hot air at the same flow velocities required by displacement ventilation is not generally recommended because the supply air does not have enough forward momentum to overcome the effects of buoyancy, and will rise to the ceiling level and be exhausted or returned, bypassing the occupied zone.

Although displacement ventilation systems seem to be, in principle, more effective at meeting ventilation needs than the equivalent mixing approach, air cooling or heating capacity is limited by nature of the need for careful thermal control of the supply air temperature. Supplemental air conditioning must usually be employed through an additional system, such as through radiating ceiling panels. Further, unlike mixing ventilation, the spatial concentration of pollutant within an occupied space is non-uniform, with air upstream of the pollutant source being uncontaminated while the air downstream of source may be heavily contaminated. Displacement ventilation alone also can produce a high concentration level of airborne contaminants. In some situations, mixing ventilation is considerably more robust compared with displacement ventilation, while in other situations, displacement ventilation can be more effective than mixing ventilation when movements prevail, even though the movements reduce the effectiveness of the overall system.

Additionally, because conventional displacement ventilation systems are gravity driven, caution must be used in sloped applications. A theater with even seating will require less diffusers in the lower sections of the theater and more in the upper to compensate the natural movement of air to the lower portion of the theater. Also, displacement systems require a return located as high as possible within the space to remove as much of the polluted/hot air as possible, ideally at ceiling height. If the return air is located below the ceiling, the air above the return may not be exhausted properly from the space and polluted or hot air may remain in the occupied zone. Thus, conventional diffuser systems take up considerable space both at the floor level, where the supply air enters the room, and at the ceiling level for the return air.

Conventional dual heating and cooling displacement diffusers incorporate a concentrically-oriented, radial displacement outlet with an outer ring and central core with jet diffusers. A damper connected to the central tube closes in cooling mode, forcing cooled air vertically into an occupied space from the outer ring, which descends downward into the room at a low velocity. The damper is open in heating mode and a supporting jet directs heated air down the core and out of the diffuser at a higher velocity. This type of conventional heating/cooling displacement diffuser does not completely shut off the supply air to the low velocity, outer ring regardless of the position of the damper. Therefore, conditioned air exiting the diffuser face will be induced into the air from the high velocity supporting jet of the central core. This creates a buffer zone between the supporting jet and the ambient room air, virtually eliminating any mixing of the conditioned and ambient air. In operation, this type of conventional heating/cooling diffuser will adjust the momentum given to the conditioned air based on the differential between the conditioned and ambient room air temperatures.

While this typical system has a mechanism for changing the momentum of the discharge air from low in cooling mode to high in heating mode, it lacks the ability to change the air distribution method from displacement ventilation. Although using a displacement ventilation method for both heating and cooling may be ideal for removing pollutants from the environment in industrial applications, the relative inflexibility of the conventional “displacement-only” heating/cooling system makes it inappropriate for use outside of industrial spaces. The velocity and air pattern caused by the supporting jet make it unsuitable for use in areas where thermal comfort is a priority, like offices, theaters and the like.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that allows for the heating and cooling of a variety of configurations of an occupied space having various contaminant loads and rates of movement within the space where thermal comfort of occupants is a priority. There is a need for a mixing diffuser capable of changing its air circulation method to maximize comfort in both a heating and a cooling mode. There is additionally a need for a device that ensures a comfortable environment for building occupants who are highly sensitive to vertical air movement (drafts) that may pass over their body from overhead high velocity airstreams. There is also a need for such a device that is compact, easy to install and operate, and compatible with both heating and cooling functions from the same unit. There is a further need for a single device that overcomes the challenges of flow velocities needed when supplying a space with hot air such that the supply air has enough forward momentum to overcome the effects of buoyancy while providing a comfortable environment. Finally, there is a need for such a device that consumes minimal usable space within a room. It is to these needs and others that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The displacement diffuser of the present invention is constructed of two separate sections within the internal plenum: one for a heating operation, and one for a cooling operation. The housing of the displacement diffuser has one air inlet in communication with supply air. The heating plenum has a high velocity linear air slot diffuser, while the cooling plenum has a low velocity diffuser. A pivoting damper directs heated air into the heating plenum for high-velocity mixing ventilation, and cooled air into the cooling plenum for low velocity displacement ventilation.

The displacement diffuser produces a one-way low velocity air supply from a suspended ceiling installation. It discharges air evenly across the perforated face with minimal turbulence or induction of room air. The cool supply air flows from the ceiling, through the low velocity air outlet, and down to the floor level to gradually fill the space. It can be installed in a standard suspended ceiling, freeing up valuable floor space, and reducing needed ducting.

The displacement diffuser of the present invention offers a heating mode which, when supplied with warm air, will force supply air down into the occupied space. The device according to the present invention operates in both a heating and cooling mode, both utilizing the same air inlet, by varying the velocity of the conditioned air being supplied to the space according to whether the device is utilizing the heating or cooling function. The velocity of the air is controlled through the dual faces of the displacement diffuser of the present invention: a high velocity linear air slot diffuser and a low velocity diffuser. This allows cool, slow moving air to travel through one section from a sectioned portion of the dual plenum and warm, fast moving air through another sectioned portion of the dual plenum in order to provide a localized mixed zone of warm air near the diffuser. Cooled, low velocity air circulates in the room through displacement ventilation, but changes to mixing ventilation when the displacement diffuser is switched to a high velocity heating mode. This ability to switch from displacement ventilation to mixing ventilation maximizes the comfort of individuals in the room by eliminating drafts.

Conditioned air is supplied to the displacement diffuser of the present invention via a ducted connection. The dual plenum is tightly sealed to ensure optimum operation in a pressurized environment. The ceiling-mounted location of the device allows for both efficient and effective mixing and induction ventilation, while freeing up valuable floor space needed for conventional systems.

A pivoting dual blade damper within the diffuser can be rotated to direct either heated air into a heating section of the plenum (the heating plenum), or cooled air into a cooling section of the plenum (the cooling plenum). The damper can pivot in reaction to the temperature of the air through a signal from the HVAC system or in response to an electric or thermally powered actuator.

The cooling plenum is constructed with an equalization baffle behind the operative perforated diffuser face for uniform, low velocity distribution of supply air. Both the equalization baffle and the perforated diffuser face are securely fastened to the diffuser frame of the housing. The diffuser frame ensures the rigidity and positioning of the equalization baffle. The heating plenum has a linear air slot diffuser which can be constructed of heavy wall extruded aluminum air deflector frames.

Steel air pattern controllers are fully adjustable to allow movement from side to side to create various air pattern configurations. The diffuser utilizes a modulating actuator controlling the dual blade damper allowing two separate air flow paths. The actuator closes the heating plenum when in cooling mode, and closes the cooling plenum when in heating mode.

One feature of the present invention is a simple device that allows for the heating and cooling of a variety of configurations of an occupied space having various contaminant loads and rates of movement within the space. Another feature of the present invention is that it is compact, easy to install and operate, and compatible with both heating and cooling functions in the same unit. Another feature of the present invention is that the displacement diffuser is capable of changing its air circulation method from displacement ventilation to mixing ventilation to maximize comfort in both a heating and a cooling mode. Yet another feature of the present invention is that it ensures a comfortable environment for building occupants who are highly sensitive to drafts that may pass over their body from overhead high velocity airstreams. Yet another feature of the present invention is a single device that overcomes the challenges of flow velocities needed when supplying a space with hot air such that the supply air has enough forward momentum to overcome the effects of buoyancy while providing a comfortable environment. Yet another feature of the present invention is a ventilation device that consumes minimal usable floor space within a room. Still another feature of the present invention is a ventilation device having a dual plenum that fits easily into a ceiling grid yet is adaptable for mounting in unique mounting spaces.

These features, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals represent like components throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 cross-sectional side view of a displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are corner perspective views of the bottom and sides of two embodiments of a displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a corner perspective view of the top and front of an alternative embodiment of a displacement diffuser in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a corner perspective view of the top and front of another alternative embodiment of a displacement diffuser in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a corner perspective view of the top and front of yet another alternative embodiment of a displacement diffuser in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of a device according to the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. FIG. 1 cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiments of the displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention showing the exterior of the diffuser of FIG. 1, and detailing the control mechanism. FIGS. 3 and 4 are corner perspective views of the bottom and sides of two embodiments in different dimensions of a displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention in which an internal gasket can be seen in the duct housing. FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention from an end of the diffuser containing the duct housing, the pivoting damper blades, a gasket, and the actuator. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the displacement diffuser with a heating and cooling function in accordance with the present invention showing the perforated diffuser face.

FIG. 7 is a corner perspective view of the top and front of an alternative embodiment of a displacement diffuser in accordance with the present invention. The unit has a triangular profile such that it can be mounted in a corner of a room. A linear grille section can be seen at the bottom of this exemplary embodiment, which serves as the heating/mixing outlet. Also, a perforated low velocity diffuser is seen extending to the top of this exemplary embodiment, which serves as the displacement ventilation section. Similarly, FIG. 8 is a corner perspective view of the top and front of another alternative embodiment of a displacement diffuser in accordance with the present invention. This unit has a semi-circular profile. FIG. 9 is a corner perspective view of the top and front of yet another alternative embodiment of a displacement diffuser in accordance with the present invention. This unit has a pie-shaped profile which is also particularly suitable for corner mounts. FIG. 10 shows the bottom profile of the pie-shaped unit shown in FIG. 9.

The present invention is an economical and space-saving diffuser that provides both a mixed ventilation heating system and a displacement ventilation cooling system in one unit.

The present invention is suitable for indoor living spaces in which the maximum utilization of floor space is desirable. The displacement diffuser is intended for mounting in a suspended ceiling installation for applications requiring both cooling and heating. The diffuser is designed to produce a vertical low velocity displacement air pattern when supplying cool air or a horizontal high velocity pattern when supplying heated air. The diffuser switches from cooling to heating mode or vice versa with an electric or thermally powered actuator activated by a signal from the HVAC system or by duct temperature. When the displacement diffuser is in cooling mode it discharges air evenly across the perforated face with minimal turbulence or induction of room air. The cool air falls slowly to the floor and gradually fills the space. When the displacement diffuser is in heating mode, it discharges air parallel or normal to the perforated diffuser face toward the perimeter of an occupied space with a high velocity jet.

With reference to FIG. 1, an illustrative example of a displacement diffuser 10 according to the present invention comprises a housing 12 containing a dual plenum 14 which facilitates heating/cooling changeover. The dual plenum 14 is separated into two parts by an intermediate wall 16. The first part of the dual plenum 14 created by the intermediate wall 16 comprises a heating plenum 18, and the second part of the dual plenum 14 created by the intermediate wall 16 comprises a cooling plenum 20. The displacement diffuser 10 also comprises a single air inlet (the combination of 22 and 28), which is partitioned on one side to serve as a heated air inlet 22 when in heating mode, and partitioned on the other side to serve as a cooled air inlet 28 when in cooling mode so that heating and cooling modes do not operate simultaneously.

The heating plenum 18 receives heated air through the heated air inlet 22 from the duct via the duct housing 24 and releases the heated air into an occupied space via a high velocity linear air slot diffuser 26. Similarly, the cooling plenum 20 receives cooled air through the cooled air inlet 28 from the duct which is connected to the diffuser via the duct housing 24 and releases the cooled air into an occupied space via a low velocity diffuser 30. Air pattern controllers 32 located within the cooling plenum 20 adjacent the low velocity diffuser 30 are mounted to a pivot 34 at each end so that they are fully adjustable to allow movement of cooled air from side to side to create various air pattern configurations and are fully adjustable to allow shut-off without adding any blank-off devices.

Heating and cooling changeover is accomplished by an actuator 36 mounted on the duct housing 24 which controls a dual-blade damper 38a and 38b allowing two separate air flow paths. The blades of the dual-blade damper 38a and 38b connect at one end and form an angle such that a gasket 40 attached to the other end contacts a side of the duct housing 24 and the intermediate wall 16. The actuator 36 closes the heating plenum 18 when in cooling mode, and closes the cooling plenum 20 when in heating mode. The actuator 36 remains accessible from the outside of the displacement diffuser 10 for servicing. For example, a gasket 40 of one blade of the dual-blade damper 38a may contact a side of the duct housing 24 and another gasket 40 of the second blade of the dual-blade damper 38b may contact the intermediate wall 16 when the actuator 36 signals for cooling mode. Because the heating plenum 18 is closed off by the dual-blade damper 38a and 38b, cooled air is directed through the cooling plenum 20. The actuator 36 can be, for example, a 24 VAC modulating actuator, a floating point modulator, a thermal wax actuator, or any appropriate actuating system known in the art.

An embodiment of the displacement diffuser 10 of the present invention has a dual plenum 14, one section for heating operation, the heating plenum 18, and one section for cooling operation, the cooling plenum 20. The cooling plenum 20 is constructed with an equalization baffle (not shown) behind an operative diffuser face 44 (as displayed in FIG. 6) for uniform, low velocity, distribution of supply air. Both the equalization baffle and the perforated diffuser face 44 are securely retained to a diffuser frame 46.

In one embodiment, the diffuser frame 46 is constructed of steel and is welded to ensure rigidity and positioning of the equalization baffle. Another embodiment has no visible fasteners on the perforated diffuser face 44. The perforated diffuser face 44 can additionally be constructed of painted high-gauge steel, while the dual plenum 14 is constructed of satin coat steel, and the equalization baffle is preferably constructed of aluminum. In another exemplary embodiment, the high velocity linear air slot diffuser 26 for the heating plenum 18 is constructed of heavy wall extruded aluminum air deflector frames.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of an embodiment of the displacement diffuser 10 of the present invention comprises a housing 12 and a diffuser frame 46 connected to the bottom of the housing 12. The actuator 36 is seen in more detail connected to the side of the duct housing 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, two embodiments of the displacement diffuser 10 of the present invention are shown, with the sides of the housing 12, the duct housing 24, and the perforated diffuser face 44 clearly visible in relation to one another. The perforated diffuser face 44 is connected to and surrounded by the diffuser frame 46. The high velocity linear air slot diffuser 26 is located adjacent the perforated diffuser face 44 and opposite the duct housing 24. Cooled air is transmitted into an occupied space through the perforated diffuser face 44, and alternatively, heated air can be transmitted into an occupied space through the high velocity linear air slot diffuser 26. The linear air slot diffuser 26 is constructed to direct the air horizontally, normally, or in the direction of a contaminant.

The conditioned air travels from a duct (not shown) into the dual plenum 14 by first entering the duct housing 24, which connects the displacement diffuser 10 to the duct. The actuator 36 can be, for example, a thermal wax actuator or an electronic actuator, and is activated electronically or by a duct temperature signal from the HVAC system, and directs either heated air into the heating plenum 18 or cooled air into the cooling plenum 20. As heated or cooled air enters the duct housing 24 from the duct, a gasket 40 attached to the duct housing 24 or to the dual blade damper 38a and 38b (FIG. 1) provides a seal to prevent leakage of air from one plenum to another within the dual plenum 14.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the displacement diffuser 10 of the present invention shown from the side at the connection point to the duct housing 24 comprises the duct housing 24 attached to the side of the housing 12. The dual blade damper 38a is shown engaged in a heating mode. The blade face of dual blade damper 38a is seen contacting the top of the duct housing 24 and is pivoted to a vertical position on pivot 34 while dual blade damper 38b (not shown) is in a horizontal position. The individual blades of the dual blade damper 38a and 38b form an angle such that each contacts either the duct housing 24 or the intermediate wall 16 at the gasket 40. The gasket 40 attached either to the dual blade damper 38a and 38b or the duct housing 24 prevents air leakage. In one embodiment, the individual blades of the dual blade damper 38a and 38b are between 45 and 180 degrees relative to each other. In another embodiment, the individual blades of the dual blade damper 38a and 38b are approximately 90 degrees relative to each other. A rotating mechanism of the actuator 36, when engaged, turns the pivot 34 to rotate the dual blade damper 38a and 38b to engage heating or cooling mode.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the displacement diffuser 10 of the present invention shown from the bottom comprises a perforated diffuser face 44 mounted to a diffuser frame 46. The perforated diffuser face 44 corresponds to the cooling plenum 20 and is adjacent to the low velocity diffuser 30 for the induction of cooled air into an occupied space to accomplish displacement ventilation. The high velocity linear air slot diffuser 26 is adjacent to the perforated diffuser face 44 and to the heating plenum 18, which directs and mixes heated air with ambient room air at a high velocity into an occupied space to accomplish mixing ventilation. In one embodiment, the heated air is directed by the air slot diffuser 26 along the ceiling of an occupied space for optimal mixing of the heated air. In other embodiments, the heated air is directed by the air slot diffuser 26 toward problem areas or large obstacles within an occupied space, as desired by an occupant or for optimal mixing of the heated air. The diffuser frame 46 is mounted on the housing 12, and the housing 12 is mounted on the duct housing 24. Mounted to the duct housing 24 is the actuator 36.

In another embodiment, an equalization baffle (not shown) is positioned behind the perforated diffuser face 44 and within the housing 12 between the cooled air inlet 28 and the low velocity diffuser 30. The equalization baffle is a flat, perforated plate with a plurality of evenly spaced holes that accommodates the equal distribution of conditioned air and air pressure across the low velocity diffuser 30. The equalization baffle 42 equalizes the pressure across the low velocity diffuser 30, thereby ensuring a consistent and perpendicular flow of air to the low velocity diffuser 30. In another embodiment, an equalization baffle 42 is within the housing 12 between the heated air inlet 22 and the high velocity linear air slot diffuser 26. The equalization baffle 42 can be constructed from any suitable material known in the art, namely aluminum. The perforated diffuser face 44, diffuser frame 46, and dual plenum 14 likewise can be made from any suitable material, preferably coated steel. The displacement diffuser 10 can also utilize a 24 VAC floating point actuator 36. In a preferred embodiment, the overall plenum height of both the heating plenum 18 and the cooling plenum 20 is less than 12 inches in order to facilitate ease of installation into a standard ceiling without compromising throw capability of the heating function. In another preferred embodiment, the overall height of both the heating plenum 18 and cooling plenum 20 is 8 inches. The single air inlet (the combination of 22 and 28) supporting both heating and cooling modes in a single device further contributes to the displacement diffuser's advantageous space saving and qualities and ease of installation.

Various embodiments of a displacement diffuser 10 in accordance with the present invention include different shapes. For example, as seen in FIG. 7, the displacement diffuser 10 can be formed generally in the shape of a triangular prism. The unit can be mounted in a corner such that the diffuser face 44 and the linear air slot diffuser 26 face outward from the mount and direct air into an occupied space. Similarly, the displacement diffuser 10 can be mounted in any suitable complimentary setting, or can serve as a stand-alone or suspended unit within a room. The duct housing 24 can be connected to a duct either inside of a wall or ceiling or outside of a wall or ceiling if the duct is exposed with the occupied space. The generally triangular profile of this embodiment can also incorporate rounded “corners,” or a trapezoidal shape, where one or more “corners” of the displacement diffuser housing 12 is flattened.

In other embodiments of the displacement diffuser 10 a generally semi-circular profile is incorporated, with the unit generally in the shape of a semi-circular prism, as seen in FIG. 8; or a generally pie-shaped profile, as seen in FIGS. 9-10, is used. Again, these units can mount against or partially within a wall or ceiling, or in a corner, such that the diffuser face 44 and linear air slot diffuser 26 face outward and direct air into an occupied space. Alternatively, these units can serve as free-standing or suspended units. Other suitable shapes can also be used in conjunction with the present invention, including an arc-shaped device (not shown) or any shape known in the art to be capable of housing a dual plenum 14 connected to a diffuser face 44, a linear air slot diffuser 26, and a duct housing 24.

The displacement diffuser 10 according to one embodiment is designed to be installed in a standard suspended ceiling, freeing up valuable floor space and reducing ducting. To handle skin loads, the displacement diffuser 10 may be installed adjacent to the building perimeter. The superior air quality and low noise levels make the present invention suitable for offices, classrooms or any application where air quality demands are high, where floor space is minimal, and where there is a requirement for both cooling and overhead heating.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A displacement diffuser for supplying both heated and cooled air to an occupied space, comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a single air inlet in said housing in communication with supply air;

c. a dual plenum comprising a heating plenum for receiving heated air and a cooling plenum for receiving cooled air;

d. a high velocity linear air diffuser in communication with the heating plenum;

e. a low velocity diffuser in communication with the cooling plenum; and

f. a damper capable of directing heated air into the heating plenum and cooled air into the cooling plenum.

2. The displacement diffuser of claim 1, wherein the damper comprises at least two blades.

3. The displacement diffuser of claim 1, wherein the damper further comprises a gasket.

4. The displacement diffuser of claim 1, further comprising a duct housing attached to said housing for connecting said displacement diffuser with a duct.

5. The displacement diffuser of claim 1, further comprising an air pattern controller at said low velocity diffuser.

6. The displacement diffuser of claim 1, further comprising an equalization baffle within said housing between said air inlet and said low velocity air diffuser.

7. The displacement diffuser of claim 1, further comprising a diffuser frame attached to said housing adjacent to the low velocity diffuser and a perforated diffuser face attached to said diffuser frame.

8. The displacement diffuser of claim 2 further comprising a pivot, wherein an edge of each of the blades is attached to said pivot.

9. The displacement diffuser of claim 2, wherein the damper further comprises a gasket.

10. The displacement diffuser of claim 2, further comprising two gaskets mounted to said housing, wherein one gasket is in communication with one blade of the damper when the damper is engaged in a heating mode, and wherein other gasket is in communication the other blade of the damper when engaged in a cooling mode.

11. The displacement diffuser of claim 4, further comprising an actuator connected to said duct housing, wherein said actuator rotates the dual-blade damper to direct heated air into the heated air plenum and cooled air into the cooled air plenum.

12. A displacement diffuser for supplying both heated and cooled air from a single unit to an occupied space, comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a single air inlet in said housing communication with supply air;

c. a dual plenum comprising a heating plenum for receiving only heated air and a cooling plenum for receiving only cooled air separated by an intermediate wall within said dual plenum;

d. a high velocity linear air diffuser in communication with the heating plenum;

e. a low velocity diffuser in communication with the cooling plenum;

f. a damper within the air inlet capable of directing heated air into the heating plenum and cooled air into the cooling plenum; and

g. an actuator capable of moving said damper in response to a signal.

13. The displacement diffuser of claim 12, wherein the damper comprises at least two blades.

14. The displacement diffuser of claim 12, wherein the damper further comprises a gasket.

15. The displacement diffuser of claim 12, further comprising an air pattern controller at said low velocity diffuser.

16. The displacement diffuser of claim 12, further comprising an equalization baffle within said housing between said cooled air inlet and said low velocity air diffuser.

17. The displacement diffuser of claim 12, further comprising a diffuser frame attached to said housing adjacent to the low velocity diffuser and a perforated diffuser face attached to said diffuser frame.

18. The displacement diffuser of claim 13 further comprising a pivot, wherein an edge of each of the blades is attached to said pivot.

19. The displacement diffuser of claim 13, further comprising two gaskets mounted to said housing, wherein one gasket is in communication with one blade of the damper when the damper is engaged in a heating mode, and wherein other gasket is in communication the other blade of the damper when engaged in a cooling mode.

20. A displacement diffuser for supplying both heated and cooled air from a single unit to an occupied space, comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a duct housing connected to said housing for further connecting said housing to a duct;

c. a dual plenum comprising a heating plenum for receiving heated air and a cooling plenum for receiving cooled air separated by an intermediate wall within said dual plenum;

d. a single air inlet capable of being partitioned into: 1. a heated air inlet in said housing in communication with heated supply air and said heating plenum; and a cooled air inlet in said housing in communication with cooled supply air and said cooling plenum;

e. a high velocity linear air diffuser in communication with the heating plenum, wherein said linear air slot diffuser directs heated air in a horizontal direction or toward a wall within an occupied space and utilizes mixing ventilation;

f. a low velocity diffuser in communication with the cooling plenum, wherein said low velocity diffuser utilizes displacement ventilation; and

g. a damper in communication with said duct housing and said intermediate wall capable of directing heated air into the heating plenum and cooled air into the cooling plenum.