METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESKTOP AIR CONDITIONING
A method and apparatus for desktop air conditioning provides conditioned air to individuals sitting at a desk. A raised floor air delivery system provides a plenum having conditioned air under the raised floor upon which the individual and their desk sit. Small ducts extend vertically up from the floor to the underneath side of the desk where they are connected to a desktop diffuser. The desktop diffuser directs air from the plenum generally horizontally across a top of the desk toward the chest and face of the individual. The desktop diffuser is low profile so as not to interfere with the surface of the desktop and its aesthetics.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing desktop air conditioning. More particularly, this invention relates to a diffuser for use in combination with a raised floor air distribution system, wherein the diffuser is received in an opening in a desktop and provides a low profile air distribution component.
Providing conditioned air to a room or rooms within a building having a raised floor air distribution system is known in the art.
The prior art system illustrated in
In a cooling mode, conditioned air would be drawn up from a plenum underneath the floor upon which the user's chair sits. The conditioned air would pass through the ductwork and be forced out the front of the desktop units through manually adjustable louvers that are akin to the louvers found in automobile air distribution systems. The individual air terminals included knobs that control the volume of air through the face of the unit.
If a warmer temperature is desired, the user may use the control panel to turn on a radiant heat panel adjacent the user's feet. This is because it has generally been found that when a user is cold, it is their feet that require heating. As such, the radiant panel by their feet emits warmer air. In this mode, the system can also intake the warmer air by the floor up into the ductwork and disperse it out the individual air distribution towers.
While the system illustrated in
The method and apparatus of the present desktop air distribution system overcomes these and other drawbacks by providing a system which is low profile, simple to operate, and significantly less expensive to install. The system includes preferably, a pair of flexible tubular ducts that extend upwardly from openings in a floor tile of a raised floor air distribution system. The ducts engage with an underneath side of a low profile desktop diffuser. The diffuser includes a plurality of fins therein which direct the flow of air through an upper surface of the diffuser and out of the diffuser in a direction that is generally along the upper surface of the desk. In this manner, the air is directed to the occupant's torso and chest to provide cooling where desired. In one embodiment, the diffuser is a variable volume diffuser that includes a pair of plates that cooperate to control the volume of air flowing through the diffuser. The diffuser presents a low profile on the desktop and takes up a minimal amount of desk surface area.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
The features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, in which
Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to
The building 12 preferably also has a raised floor air distribution system 20. The raised floor air distribution system 20 includes a plurality of floor tiles 22 that are supported above the structural floor 16 to create an operating floor 24. The floor tiles 22 are supported by a plurality of adjustable pedestals or stands 26. The operating floor 24 and the structural floor 16, along with a portion of the walls 14, cooperate to define a plenum 28 between the operating floor 24 and the structural floor 16. An air handling unit (not shown) provides conditioned air to the plenum 28 underneath the operating floor 24. The plenum 28 is kept at a positive pressure when compared to the pressure of the ambient air in the room 18. As such, the conditioned air will attempt to move from the plenum 28 into the room 18 when permitted to do so. A floor terminal 30 may be provided in a floor tile 22 to accommodate the passage of air from the plenum 28 into the room 18, as illustrated by the arrows 32.
In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 is preferably coupled with the plenum 28 by way of a floor unit 34. The floor unit 34 may be of a similar size as the floor terminal 30 such that the floor unit 34 may be placed in a standard opening of a floor tile 22 for a floor terminal 30. Alternatively, and as illustrated, the floor unit 34 may be of a smaller size to decrease the size of the opening through the floor tile 22 into which the floor unit 34 is received. The floor unit 34 permits conditioned air from the plenum 28 to pass therethrough into the desktop air conditioning system 10, as discussed in more detail below.
The desktop air conditioning system 10 includes at least one supply duct 36 and a desktop diffuser 38. As illustrated in
The desktop air conditioning system 10 is preferably implemented in a desk 40 having a work surface or desktop 42 with a generally horizontal upper surface 44. An opening 46 is provided in the desktop 42 to receive a portion of the desktop diffuser 38, as illustrated in
Turning now to
The grille portion 52 has an outer periphery 62 of a first circumference and the body portion 54 has an outer surface 64 that defines a second circumference. As illustrated in
The raised floor air distribution system 20 with its floor terminals 30 provide general control of the temperature in the room 18. The desktop air conditioning system 10 of the present invention supplements those efforts by providing individualized, personalized, and customizable conditioned air to individual users 72 to help accommodate the different temperature desires of occupants of the building 12. In that regard, the desktop air conditioning system 10 can be used by the user 72 in
As illustrated in
The fins 68 also preferably include an upper vertical wall 86 and a lower vertical wall 88. The fins also include a lower surface 90 at the bottom of the angled lower surface 80 and a ridge 92 at a bottom of the angled upper surface 78.
As illustrated in
To provide the user 72 with some control of the volume of air flowing through the diffuser 38, the diffuser 38 in
The stationary plate 102 can be held in place by a number of different ways. In one embodiment, an inner surface 116 of the body portion 54 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges 118 thereon. The stationary plate 102 has a corresponding set of notches 120 in its outer periphery 122 that align with and cooperate with the ridges 118 on the inner surface 116 of the body portion 54, as illustrated in
In
In one embodiment of the invention, the supply ducts 36 are 4″ flexible ducts and the outer surface 64 of the body portion 54 has a circumference that is sized for receipt in the ducts. In this embodiment, the floor unit 34 is 5″×10″ and is received in an opening in a 24″×24″ floor tile 22. The plenum 28 is kept at a pressure of 0.02-0.1″ water gauge compared to the standard pressure in the room 18. This results in a volume of air of approximately 15 cubic feet per minute being directed to the user 72 at a velocity of less than 50 feet per minute. A velocity of zero to 50 feet per minute has been found beneficial and a volume of 5-50 cubic feet per minute has also been found beneficial. The majority of the air exiting the diffuser should fall between 0°-45° angle from the desktop 42.
Accordingly, the desktop diffuser 38 is well designed to provide a low profile desktop air conditioning delivery mechanism. Preferably, the upper surface 56 of the diffuser 38 projects up from the desktop 42 less than one-half of one inch. More preferably, the upper surface 56 of the desktop diffuser 38 protrudes from the desktop approximately less than two-tenths of one inch.
Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the diffusers can be square in shape and the air channels be straight across as opposed to arcuate. This would provide for a more uni-directional throw of the air across the desktop. Another modification would be to permit volume control of the constant volume diffuser of
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A method of providing desktop air conditioning in a building having a raised floor air distribution system, the system including an air handling unit for providing conditioned air and a raised floor with a plurality of floor tiles supported above a structural floor to define a plenum, and a desk having a desktop, the conditioned air being supplied to the plenum to keep it at a positive pressure variance when compared to a room above the raised floor, the method comprising:
- providing at least a first supply duct leading upwardly from and in fluid communication with the plenum, whereby conditioned air from the plenum may pass through the raised floor and up the supply duct; and
- providing a desktop diffuser, the diffuser having a lower portion that is coupled with the first supply duct and an upper portion that is supported by the desktop, wherein the diffuser is positioned in a opening in the desktop, wherein the diffuser includes a grille with a plurality of fins, wherein the fins define air channels through which the conditioned air may pass from the supply duct, through the diffuser and into the room through the air channels, wherein the grille includes an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is generally parallel to the desktop, wherein the air channels provide passages through the upper surface, and wherein the fins are angled with respect to the upper surface of the grille at a degree sufficient to direct air from the diffuser in a direction that is generally along the desktop.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes a body portion, wherein the body portion is generally cylindrical, and wherein the body portion extends downwardly from the grille.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fins are generally arcuate in shape, whereby the passages through the upper surface are generally arcuate in shape.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the grille is a generally planar circle having an outer circumference, wherein the outer circumference of the grille is greater than an outer circumference of the generally cylindrical body, thereby creating a lip around the diffuser, and wherein the lip of the diffuser rests on the desktop.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is a low profile diffuser such that the diffuser sticks up from the desktop less than one inch.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the diffuser sticks up from the desktop less than one quarter of one inch.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser further includes an air volume adjustment mechanism having a stationary plate and a movable plate, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent one another, below the grille, and generally parallel to the upper surface, wherein the plates include a plurality of openings therein, and wherein the movable plate is selectively movable between an open position, where at least one of its openings is aligned with at least one of the openings in the stationary plate, and a closed position, where none of the openings in the movable plate are aligned with the openings in the stationary plate.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the movable plate includes a user engageable tab that protrudes upwardly from and is generally perpendicular to an upper surface of the movable plate, wherein the grille includes an arcuate slot there in, and wherein a portion of the tab is received in the slot, whereby a user may move the movable plate via engagement with the tab.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes a body portion that extends downwardly from the grille, wherein the body portion is received in the opening in the desktop, wherein the body portion has a central longitudinal axis, wherein the central longitudinal axis is generally vertical and perpendicular to the desktop.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the body portion is generally cylindrical and wherein the diffuser may be rotated in the opening in the desktop about the central longitudinal axis to alter the direction of air flow out of the diffuser.
11. A desktop diffuser for use in an opening in a top of a desk as part of a desktop air conditioning system, the diffuser comprising:
- a grille portion having a plurality of fins which define air channels through which conditioned air may pass, wherein the grille includes a generally planar upper surface that is generally parallel to the top of the desk when the diffuser is received in the opening, wherein the air channels pass through the upper surface, and wherein portions of the fins are angled with respect to the upper surface of the grille such that a majority of air passing through the air channels and out of the diffuser is made to flow in a direction that is closer to parallel to the upper surface than it is to perpendicular to the upper surface; and
- a body portion, wherein the body portion extends downwardly from a lower surface of the grille.
12. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein a portion of the lower surface of the grille extends outwardly beyond the body portion to create a lip and wherein the diffuser is supported by the lip resting on the top of the desk when the diffuser is received in the opening.
13. The diffuser of claim 12, wherein the lower surface of the grille that extends outwardly beyond the body portion to create the lip is less than half of one inch from the upper surface of the diffuser.
14. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the fins include an upper angled surface and a lower angled surface, wherein the upper angled surface faces the upper surface, and wherein a plurality of the upper angled surfaces are angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface between 15°-55°.
15. The diffuser of claim 14, wherein a plurality of the upper angled surfaces are angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface approximately 35°.
16. The diffuser of claim 14, wherein the lower angled surface faces downwardly and wherein a plurality of the lower angled surfaces are angled downwardly with respect to the upper surface between 15°-55°.
17. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the fins include an upper angled surface and a lower angled surface, wherein the fin further includes a ledge having a downwardly facing surface, wherein the ledge extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower angled surface, and wherein the downwardly facing surface of the ledge is generally parallel to the upper surface of the grille.
18. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the air channels provide passages through the upper surface, wherein the fins are generally arcuate in shape, and wherein the passages through the upper surface are generally arcuate in shape.
19. The diffuser of claim 18, wherein the passages are concentric in shape from a point on the upper surface adjacent an edge of the upper surface.
20. The diffuser of claim 11, wherein the diffuser is a variable volume diffuser further comprising:
- a stationary plate and a movable plate, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent one another, below the grille, and generally parallel to the upper surface, wherein the plates include a plurality of openings therein, and wherein the movable plate is selectively movable between an open position, where at least one of its openings is aligned with at least one of the openings in the stationary plate, and a closed position, where none of the openings in the movable plate are aligned with the openings in the stationary plate.
21. The diffuser of claim 20, wherein the movable plate includes a user engageable tab that protrudes upwardly from and is generally perpendicular to an upper surface of the movable plate, wherein the grille includes an arcuate slot there in, and wherein a portion of the tab is received in the slot, whereby a user may move the movable plate via engagement with the tab.
22. A low profile, variable volume, desktop diffuser for use in an opening in a top of a desk as part of a desktop air conditioning system having a conditioned air supply duct, the diffuser comprising:
- a generally circular grille portion having a lower surface and a generally planar upper surface, the grille having a plurality of stationary fins which cooperate to define air channels through which conditioned air may pass, wherein portions of the fins are angled with respect to the upper surface of the grille such that a majority of air passing through the air channels and out of the diffuser is made to flow at an angle that is less than 45° to the upper surface, the grille having an outer circumference of a first dimension;
- a generally cylindrical body portion connected to and depending downwardly from the lower surface, wherein the body portion has an outer circumference of a second dimension, wherein the outer circumference of the body portion is less than the outer circumference of the grille portion such that an annular lip is formed having downwardly facing desktop engaging surface that is generally parallel to the upper surface of the grille, whereby the diffuser is supported in the opening in the desk by the lip, wherein the diffuser is rotatable in the opening; and
- means for controlling the volume of conditioned air flowing through the diffuser.
23. The diffuser of claim 22, wherein the cylindrical body portion is tubular in nature and includes an inner wall surface having at least one longitudinally extending ridge thereon, the means for controlling the volume of conditioned air flowing through the diffuser comprising:
- a stationary plate and a movable plate, wherein the plates are generally circular in nature, wherein the stationary plate has a larger circumference than the movable plate, wherein circumference of the stationary plate is less than a circumference of the inner wall, wherein the stationary plate includes a notch in an edge thereof, wherein the ridge is received in the notch to hold the stationary plate in place, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent one another, below the grille, and generally parallel to the upper surface, wherein the plates include a plurality of openings therein, and wherein the movable plate is selectively movable between an open position, where at least one of its openings is aligned with at least one of the openings in the stationary plate, and a closed position, where none of the openings in the movable plate are aligned with the openings in the stationary plate.
24. A method of providing desktop air conditioning comprising:
- providing a desk having a generally horizontal and planar desktop with an opening therein;
- providing a low profile diffuser having an upper surface with a plurality of passages therein through which conditioned air may pass and a support surface facing in a direction opposite of the upper surface;
- receiving the diffuser in the opening of the desk such that the support surface engages the desktop; and
- coupling a supply duct to a portion of the diffuser, whereby conditioned air may pass from the supply duct, through the diffuser, and out the upper surface of the diffuser.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the upper surface of the diffuser is less than half of one inch above the desktop when the diffuser is received in the opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 22, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2011
Applicant: WALNUT MANUFACTURING LLC (Kansas City, KS)
Inventors: Michael J. McQueeny, JR. (Leawood, KS), Pedro J. Bermudez (Olathe, KS), Frank A. LeMay (Sugar Creek, MO)
Application Number: 12/604,160
International Classification: F24F 7/00 (20060101); F24F 13/08 (20060101);