Abstract: A module air curtain and recirculation system that can be incorporated into various tables and workstations that provides 1) an effective air curtain between individuals, 2) a reduction of harmful viruses and 3) the ability for two or more people to be in close proximity without having to wear personal protective equipment such as face masks.

Abstract: Tables for mitigating infectious disease spread are disclosed having at least two seating areas that are configured to minimize the transfer of aerosolized droplets among the seating areas. Between each seating area are a series of impermeable barriers—at least one hanging impermeable barrier that projects downwards towards a top surface of a table and at least one rising impermeable barrier that projects upwards away from a top surface of a table. The impermeable barriers are disposed to overlap one another along a line of sight between seating areas such that a bottom edge of the hanging impermeable barrier is at a height above the top edge of the rising impermeable barrier. Vacuum mechanisms can be positioned above the hanging impermeable barriers and below the rising impermeable barriers to create airstreams along the impermeable barriers that guide airborne particulate matter blocked by an impermeable barrier into a vacuum mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system for installing pipelines are disclosed. The method and system comprise creating a three-dimensional model of a work area, generating a proposed pipe alignment for fitting the pipeline within the work area, creating a three-dimensional model of a trench to be excavated within the work area based on the proposed pipe alignment, excavating the trench with a work tool to conform with the three-dimensional model of the trench, determining the position of the work tool during the excavating step, comparing the determined position of the work tool during the excavating step with the three-dimensional model of the trench to determine any differences between the excavated trench and the three-dimensional model of the trench, and adjusting the proposed pipe alignment to generate an adjusted pipe alignment based on the differences between the excavated trench and the three-dimensional model of the trench.

Abstract: Close proximity, including conversations at closer than three (3) feet apart, facilitates disease transfer via airborne pathogens. This transfer can be mitigated by the present invention, which is directed towards methods, systems and apparatuses to produce a predictably shaped and minimally intrusive air barrier that may comprise an airborne disinfectant, to divert and or render harmless and to divert and negate close proximity airborne pathogens, such as influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome, etc., and other airborne particulates transferred from an infected person towards the face of an unfortunate recipient at normal conversational distances apart from each other, and/or to divert and render harmless such airborne particulates.

Abstract: An environmental improvement system for placement within a room bounded by a floor and a ceiling is provided herein. In one embodiment, the system comprises a duct system that extends through the open volume of the room from the floor to the ceiling. The duct system comprises a base unit at a first end terminating proximate the floor, a support unit at a second end terminating proximate the ceiling, and a duct connecting the base and support units. The base unit defines a first opening, and the support unit defines a second opening. At least one fan is disposed between the first and second openings and draws air from the room into and through the system and discharges the air from the system. The first and second openings are each adapted to selectively act as an intake opening or as a discharge opening.

Abstract: An improved wall thimble as part of a venting apparatus for a heating appliance. Dual functionality is provided in a single wall thimble device by having a vent path for exhausting combustion by-products, and a separate air inlet path to draw in combustion air for use by the heating appliance. The wall thimble is preferably formed as a two-cylindrical part housing such that a first portion can be inserted into a second portion. When a smaller exhaust pipe is routed through the two-part housing, an annular region is formed between the exhaust pipe and the walls of the housing. A first air vent is formed in the first portion to draw combustion air into the annular region from outside. A second air vent is formed in the second portion to route the combustion air from the annular region out through the second air vent to be coupled with the combustion air inlet. A baffle is disposed in the first portion to preheat the combustion air.

Abstract: An environmental control system of a building utilizes lower vents which open into lower portions of rooms of a building, and upper vents which open into upper portions of rooms of the building. When the system is operating in a heating mode, heated air is delivered into the upper portions of the rooms through the upper vents and air is removed from the rooms through the lower vents. When the system is operating in a cooling mode, cool air is delivered into the rooms through the lower vents, and air is removed from the rooms through the upper vents. Operating the heating and cooling modes in this fashion provides the most efficient operation of the heating and cooling system. A switching unit is used to selectively couple the inlet and outlet of an air handling unit to the upper and lower vents.

Abstract: A self-contained pre-manufactured roof top unit is used to circulate fresh air, heat or cool a building. The housing has a blower connected into a circulation system to circulate air into and out of the building. The unit has a pressure relief opening for connection into the building that is used to relieve air pressure buildup within the building. The pressure relief opening is part of a pressure relief passage that is independent of the blower and has an exhaust vent that opens and closes automatically in response to pressure differential between the building and ambient air.

Abstract: The air destratifier comprises: a casing (10), an intake tube (26) connected to the casing (10) to draw the air from the upper part of the space where the air destratifier is intended to be installed, and a centrifugal blower with a vertical axis of rotation (23) arranged downstream of the intake tube (26) to dispense to the space the air drawn through the intake tube (26). The air destratifier further comprises an air filter (14) arranged in the casing (10) upstream of the blower.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system for a multi-level space is provided that comprises at least one lower level return air duct and at least one upper level return air duct, and a thermostat for controlling the operation of the heating or cooling system through either a low voltage cooling activation signal or a low voltage heating activation signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for abating fungi in a building supported on a ground surface and having an upper enclosed living space and a lower enclosed space beneath the upper enclosed space and proximate or beneath the ground.

Abstract: A method and means for automating the design of a ducting system for a fluid is proposed. Boundary data identifying boundary conditions of the ducting system, which boundary data comprises positional information in a three dimensional installation space and magnitude of partial fluid flow for each of at least one component terminal connection, through which fluid is exchanged with the ducting system, and positional information of at least one main terminal connection, at which the partial fluid flows are converging, is entered into a data processing system. Design data is determined by applying an optmization algorithm to the boundary data using the data processing system, which design data comprises an optimum layout of said ducting system and an identification of all required ducting components for building the ducting system, selected from a collection of standard ductwork primitives, and the data processing system communicates the design data to an external recipient.

Abstract: An air flow producer mounted at the ceiling of a room generates an air flow toward the floor, reducing temperature gradients and improving heating and cooling efficiency. A housing defines a circular cylindrical, vertical flow passage that receives the air flow. A discharge chamber discharges the air flow through a grill toward the floor. The discharge chamber has a cross-section that expands progressively from the outlet of the flow passage to the outlet of the discharge chamber. The air flow through the housing is produced by a fan with a rotary blade assembly, and the blade assembly extends partially into the discharge chamber. The position of the blade assembly and the expanding cross-section of the discharge chamber cooperate to increase air flows through the housing. Optionally, an air intake chamber of generally inverted frustoconical shape may be mounted at the upper inlet end of the cylindrical flow passage to smooth flows further.

Abstract: Energy saving in indoor air conditioning is achieved by combining indoor air vertical convection producing means and indoor air conditioning means. A fan for performing suction and exhaust of air for vertically circulating the indoor air through suction and exhaust ports provided on upper and lower parts of a room is operated or stopped according to a difference in temperatures detected on the upper and lower parts of the room. The output of the fan at the time of operation is increased or decreased according thereto to prevent energy loss occurring when warm air accumulates on the upper part and cool air accumulates on the lower part. The operation or suspension of an air conditioner installed indoors, and the amount of energy consumed at the time of operating the air conditioner is controlled depending on a difference between a temperature detected in the room and a preset indoor temperature.

Abstract: A method for circulating the air contained within an enclosure so as to reduce the vertical air temperature stratification. The method includes the steps of positioning a piece of furniture within the enclosure so as to create an air circulating conduit. The piece of furniture is positioned so as to form at least part of the air circulating conduit. The air circulating conduit defines a circulating conduit inlet positioned adjacent a first initial air temperature level and a circulating conduit outlet positioned adjacent a second initial air temperature level. The method also involves inducing a flow of air in the circulating conduit so as to force the air adjacent the first initial air temperature level to flow into the conduit inlet and to be discharged at the conduit outlet. An air circulating device is also proposed. The air circulating device includes a piece of furniture having a furniture spacing component for spacing the furniture bottom wall from the floor.

Abstract: A method for ventilating an internal space by rotating air flow comprises a step of blowing out a jet of internal air having a vertically long rectangular cross section and uniform blowout velocity distribution over the cross section horizontally along the side wall of the internal space. The jet of internal air generates a horizontal rotating air flow over the whole internal space to induce a horizontally circulating air flow and a vertically circulating air flow over the whole internal space.

Abstract: A self-contained activity module comprises a base assembly, a first service housing and distribution unit positioned on the base comprising walls forming at least one service passage, and a second service housing and distribution unit positioned on the first unit and substantially perpendicular thereto, the second unit spaced upwardly apart from and extending over at least a portion of the base, the second unit further comprising walls forming at least a second service housing and distribution passage positioned in fluid communication with the first service passage.

Abstract: Enhanced controls added to conventional heating and air conditioning equipment provides a uniform comfort environment though out the structure. Enhanced control module monitors variously placed sensors within the structure and activates a conventional fan. The fan mixes air throughout the structure maintaining a uniform comfort though out economically.

Abstract: Air purification or filtration unit having a triangular housing, with the open front face being the hypotenuse of the triangle. The unit is particularly adaptable for use with conventional sized high efficiency particulate air, or HEPA filters and low penetration air, or ULPA filters, to create a highly filtered clean air environment. The unit includes a circulating fan within the housing to draw air through the filters and housing and to exhaust the air through the top housing wall for recirculation, and can also be ducted to exhaust filtered air from the environment, either in whole or in part. A germicidal ultra violet light may be placed within the housing for additional air purification.

Abstract: A cold storage warehouse is provided in the configuration of a generally circular or octagonal structure. The center of the cold storage warehouse is configured as a cryogenic test site with separate cubicles provided for low temperature research and development. A freezer area is located around the perimeter of the cryogenic test site for storing processed frozen food products. Around the perimeter of the freezer area is located another storage area for non-frozen processed cold food products. Air circulation vents are disposed through the center of cryogenic test site and around the perimeter of the cold storage warehouse to circulate cold air and provide for the transfer of heat to maintain each of the three areas at its desired temperature. Fans are used to circulate the air through the vents and the equipment necessary to operate and control the cold storage warehouse is located on the roof above the three temperature controlled areas.

Abstract: A high efficiency fuel-fired induced draft condensing furnace is provided with a horizontal vent termination assembly installed in an exterior wall of a building served by the furnace. The vent termination assembly, constructed entirely from PVC plastic pipe and fittings, includes a combustion gas vent pipe connected to the furnace's draft inducer fan outlet, horizontally extending through an opening in the wall, and having an open discharge end positioned outwardly beyond the wall. A larger diameter combustion air inlet pipe circumscribes the vent pipe within the wall opening and forms around the vent pipe an annular combustion air flow passage that is communicated with the furnace combustion air inlet. A coupling member connected to the outer end of the inlet pipe has a diametrically enlarged end portion positioned on the outside surface of the wall, axially inwardly of the outer vent pipe, and forming an annular inlet to the flow passage between the two pipes.