ELECTROACTIVE SMART HVAC VENT REGISTER
An electroactive register is shown configured to modulate the incoming airflow in an HVAC duct to form two localized airflows: a first a high-speed airflow to form a conical air curtain surrounding an occupant and limiting air exchange between inside air and air outside of the air curtain, and a second a low-speed airflow (also referred to as center air) inside the air curtain to cool or heat the occupant comfortably. The temperature gradient between inside and outside of the air curtain enables expansion of set points of HVAC. The electroactive register is also able to improve personal comfort as the center air FLS can be customized for each individual occupant.
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This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/074,412 filed on Nov. 3, 2014, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF COMPUTER PROGRAM APPENDIXNot Applicable
NOTICE OF MATERIAL SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT PROTECTIONA portion of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. The owner of the copyright rights has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office publicly available file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The copyright owner does not hereby waive any of its rights to have this patent document maintained in secrecy, including without limitation its rights pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.14.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
This description pertains generally to HVAC airflow distribution devices, and more particularly to an electroactive smart register for HVAC airflow distribution.
2. Background Discussion
Existing means for distributing air in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems are generally achieved through the use of conventional registers or diffusers, which are simple mechanical devices placed at the end of air ducts to spread airflow. Some registers can be manually closed to keep out dust or minimize/cut off air flow to a particular duct. Airflow out of conventional HVAC registers and diffusers cools or heats an entire room relatively uniformly. Such generalized heating can be inefficient, as energy may be spent keeping locations of a room at a certain temperature even though that a user is not present at those locations.
BRIEF SUMMARYAn aspect of the present description is an extended range (>1 m) wireless energy transfer in the form of an electroactive smart air conditioner vent register for significant energy savings in HVAC systems without sacrificing personal comfort. In a preferred embodiment, the smart register described herein modulates the airflow in an HVAC duct to form two localized airflows: (1) a high-speed airflow to form an air curtain surrounding an occupant, limiting air exchange between inside and outside of the air curtain, and (2) a low-speed airflow inside the air curtain to cool or heat the occupant comfortably with desired thermal asymmetry and fresh air rate. The temperature difference between inside and outside of the air curtain can be easily over 4° F. and thus allow for expansion of the set points of building HVAC in each direction by 4° F., resulting in an estimated 30% total building HVAC energy reduction.
In a preferred embodiment, the smart register uses flow actuation members in the form of smart materials capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation. Such smart materials may be an electroactive polymer, such as a dielectric elastomer or bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP) capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation. In one specific example, along the airflow direction, the smart register has an array of BSEP tubes. Each tube may be individually controlled in real time to be closed, opened, or partially-opened to modulate the volume of airflow. The tube can be funnel-shaped to slow down or speed up the airflow inside the tube. Therefore, the air flowing out of different tubes in the smart register may have different speeds to create an airflow curtain and achieve localized cooling/heating. The tubes can be actuated to bend in different directions (up to 60°) such that the airflow can be beamed to cover the entire room and follow the occupant moving up to 1 m/s.
Further aspects of the technology will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the technology without placing limitations thereon.
The technology described herein will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:
For purposes of this description, the term “register” is used to describe electroactive device 14. However, it is appreciated the terms “diffuser”, “register”, “vent”, and “grill” are often used interchangeably in the art for regulating or distributing airflow from an HVAC duct. Often the term “diffuser” is used for devices that distribute airflow outward in a circular fashion (e.g. from a central location in a room) and “register” and “vent” are used to describe devices that distribute airflow in two outward opposing directions (e.g. a rectangular device positioned along or near a wall). Because the electroactive device 14 of the present description may be configured, both in prefabrication configurations and in real-time actuation, in multiple forms to function as a device associated as a “register”, “diffuser”, “vent”, or “grill,” the term “register” shall herein be defined to mean a airflow device that functions as any and all of the above terms.
As shown in
In a preferred configuration shown in
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, jet 30 comprises a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation. Preferably, the smart material may be an electroactive polymer, such as a dielectric elastomer or bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP) capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation. One exemplary BSEP is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,237,324 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
It is appreciated that the air jets 30 to modulate air flow can be implemented by an electroactive material, as generally described herein, or by a mechanical air nozzle that that can control airflow speed and direction.
As shown in
The air jets 30 are disposed within housing 54 such that the upper end of the tubes are fit into and anchored in the openings in the top plate of the housing 54. The lower end of jet tubes 30 is free to move. The register 24 may also comprise a lower filter screen (not shown) to isolate dusts and debris. The control unit 40 is connected to the electrodes 32 via individual leads for independent operation of electrodes 32. The air jets 30 preferably comprise multiple individually operable electrodes to control the shape and/or direction of the jet aperture 36. Leads 48 couple the electrodes to a control unit 40 for operating the electrodes to manipulate the air jets in one or more configurations as seen in the exemplary shapes shown in
Control unit 40 preferably comprises application software 46 that may be stored in non-transitory memory 44 for execution on processor 42 to control actuation of the electrodes 32 to manipulate the air jets 30. Application software 46 includes code configured with routines that automatically activate a certain set of electrodes 32 according to a desired trajectory and/or flow rate of the airflow FHS or FLS.
Control unit 40 and application software 46 may be programmed to communicate with and/or operate one or more sensors 50 or wireless communication circuitry 56 for various data exchange or gathering with an individual 18 or user device 58. For example, application software 46 may couple to a user device 58 via wireless interface 56 to receive one or more of location data or identification data of a user 18 within a proximity of the register 14, user settings for storage within memory 44, other user data such as local air temperature, relative speed (if moving), biometric data, etc.
Control unit 40 and application software 46 may be programmed to poll one or more sensors 50 to provide location data of a user 18 with respect to the register location. For example, sensors 50 my comprise IR sensors (detecting heat signals) or motion sensors to acquire location data of one or more occupants 18 within a room. With acquired location data from sensors 50, user device 58, or both, the application software can the control the one or more jets 30 to direct and adjust airflow at a trajectory configured to center the airflow curtain 20 to be centered around the occupant 18. Feedback may be acquired from the sensors 50 or wireless device 58 to further refine airflow trajectory and flow rate.
User settings may be input for use by application software 46 for loading user preferences, e.g. temperature range, airflow speed, curtain size or other device settings. Such settings may be input via a wireless device 50 (e.g. smartphone, laptop, or the like) and application software loaded on the device 50 for communicating with register 14 via communication interface 56.
Application programming 46 may further have various modes depending on the type of energy savings desired and number of room occupants as compared to number of registers 14 in a given room. For example, the register 14 may be preset to distribute air from a localized curtain to a distributed pattern depending on the number of occupants in a room.
Power 52 may be supplied to the register 14 to operate the control unit 40 via battery, energy harvesting device, AC power (e.g. 110 v, 220 v, low voltage via a transformer, etc.) or combination of the above.
In one alternative embodiment, air jets 30 may comprise one or more embedded heating elements (not shown) to warm up the airflow. When heated airflow is used for the air curtain 20, it provides warmer airflow close to the floor and helps to reduce the undesired temperature difference between an occupants head and feet.
As shown in
BSEP tube 30 activation generally includes two phases: a first heating phase, generally lasting about 5 seconds, and deformation phase taking lasting approximately 0.5 seconds. Because human being movement has a temporal continuity, i.e., once a person makes a move, he or she will keep moving for a while, the future movement of an individual can be predicted (and programmed in application software 46) based on the temporal continuity to pre-heat BSEP tubes and then configure them in the desired shape in approximately 0.5 seconds or less (depending on the degree of deformation). Because the curtain 20 may be configured to have a diameter larger than 1 m, a BSEP tube 30 activation of 0.5 seconds allows for the curtain to follow the occupant moving in 1 m/s or less.
As shown in
It is appreciated that BSEP tubes 30 of the present description can be configured to modulate airflow temperature as well. As shown in the bold text of Table 1, heating up by the register 14 tends to happen when the airflow is fast, the outlet diameter of the aperture 36 is small enough, and also the outlet diameter is smaller than the inlet diameter of the aperture 36. In one example, the air curtain 20 temperature is 1.9° F. warmer than that of air 22 inside curtain 20. This is beneficial to heating, as the air curtain 20 in this case leads to having more warm air close to the floor to warm up feet, a desired but difficult to achieve thermal comfort using a register from a high ceiling. Such register-based heating may be further manipulated with a suitable combination of air speed, and tube 30 shape and size.
The tube 30 dimensions in Table 1 mimics the real-time activation of the BSEP aperture 36 status based on thermal needs after the electroactive register 14 has been deployed. In contrast, the register 14 may have a preconfigured structure during fabrication. For example, design parameters such as tube 30 number, size, and placement may be preconfigured for each BSEP tube 30 of the register 14. As shown in
The electroactive registers 14 may be configured for different corners in real-time operating, and stochastic optimization may be applied to obtain an overall efficient design for different corners. Application software 46 may include stochastic optimization routines for electronic circuits of controller 40, multimedia communication, and oil reservoir systems (not shown) within the electroactive register.
The compliant electrodes 32 of the present description may be comprised of nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, or a mixture thereof, made of a conductive material such graphite, grapheme, single wall carbon nanotube, few wall carbon nanotube, multiwall carbon nanotube, a conducting polymer such as polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, poly(3-methylthiophene), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), a metal such as silver, copper, aluminum, gold, nickel, stainless steel, a ceramic conductor such as indium doped tin oxide, or a mixture thereof or other suitable conductive materials available in the art.
A wide range of transducer materials and mechanisms are contemplated for the actuation mechanism of the air tubes 30. Table 2 surveys the materials that are most relevant to the electroactive register 14 air tube 30 configuration. Most of these synthetic materials excel in certain measures of performance (e.g., stress for PZT piezoelectric crystals and strain for shape memory polymers), and underperform in other measures (low efficiency and response speed for nitinol and conducting polymers).
Among electroactive polymers (EAPs), the ionic types (including ionic polymer-metal composites, conducting polymers, ionic gel) are characterized by low driving voltage, low efficiency, slow response, and the involvement of mass transport in the actuation mechanism.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique properties in that they possess with a tensile modulus near that of diamond and a tensile strength larger than any other continuous fibers. CNT actuators can be actuated at low voltages (˜1 V) and are capable of high operating loads (26 MPa) as well as higher actuation strain rates and cycle lifetime than most other ionic actuators, as the actuation mechanism does not require ion intercalation. CNT actuators, however, suffer from poor electromechanical coupling, and are limited to small strains (<2%). Carbon nanotube aerogel sheets have recently been employed to obtain linear strains of 220% and very fast strain rates. Due to the low density of the aerogel sheets, however, electromechanical coupling and work output are low in the direction of large strain actuation.
Field activated electroactive polymers typically have higher efficiency, faster response speed, and require higher driving voltages than the ionic types. Dielectric elastomers (DEs) exhibit ultra-high strains when an electric field as high as 400 V/pm is applied. Specifically, highly prestrained acrylic elastomers achieve reversible electromechanical strains greater than 100% in area expansion, as well as a calculated maximum elastic energy density approaching 3.4 J/g and actuation stresses near 8 MPa. The response speed is high, and varies from a few hertz for large strain actuation up to the kilohertz range when operated at small strains. Prestrained silicone elastomers can also generate large strain, although their energy density is generally smaller than for the acrylics. The actuation of the DEs is instantaneous, meaning that a high electric field should be maintained in order to sustain actuated deformation. Moreover, current leakage and electromechanical instability at high strains can severely reduce the operation lifetime of DE actuators.
Shape memory polymers (SMPs) utilize the transition between rubbery and glassy states to aid in the deformation of rigid polymers. An SMP cast into a permanent shape can be mechanically stretched into a temporary shape at temperatures above its glass transition temperature (Tg). The temporarily deformed shape is retained after the polymer is cooled to below Tg. Upon reheating to above its Tg, the polymer regains its permanent shape. While an SMP may be used for multiple deployments, the requirement for mechanical stretching (programming) in each cycle causes complications in designing actuators for repeated deformation cycles. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain intermediate shapes.
Bistable electroactive polymers (BSEP), (e.g. poly(tert-butylacrylate) (PTBA)) possess many of the same properties of typical synthetic thermoplastic polymers, but with the added electro-mechanical functionality that is unique to this material. The actuation of an exemplary sheet of PTBA is illustrated in
p=εrε0E2=εrε0(V/z)2 Eq. 1
where E is the applied electric field, εr is the dielectric constant of the elastomer, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, V is the applied voltage, and z is the polymer film thickness. For small strains, the strain in the thickness direction (Sz) and area change (SA) are:
SZ=−ε0εrE2/Y SA=−SZ/(1+SZ) Eq. 2
where Y is the elastic modulus of the rubbery polymer. The actuated state, 34d in
Using a diaphragm actuator configuration as shown in
BSEP smart materials leverage the large-strain reversible actuation of DE polymers with the bistable deformation of SMPs, with low projected production cost, as the BSEP material can be produced like a commodity plastic, and structures and parts incorporating BSEP can be processed like typical thermoplastics. The BSEP materials are also nontoxic and recyclable.
Referring to
Referring to
The BSEP film 72 is ideally pre-stretched before rolling. In the resulting tube 70 shown in
The energy consumption in actuating the BSEP actuators 30 involves (1) heating the BSEP polymer 34 above Tg and (2) deforming the heated polymer 34 via DE actuation. The former process also incurs energy loss in heat dissipation, while the latter could lose energy due to incomplete electrical-to-mechanical conversion and current leakage.
For a rough estimation of energy needs in the electroactive register 14 design detailed above, we assume that the heat capacity of the BSEP polymer is comparable to amorphous polystyrene, or Cp˜1.22 J/g° C. The total amount of BSEP material used in an exemplary electroactive register 14 was found to be 10 grams. In a typical actuation operation, 50% of the BSEP polymers 34 are heated. The energy consumption for heating from 10° C. to 55° C., the low and high end of the temperature range in air-conditioner vent duct, respectively, is:
(10 g)×(50%)×(1.22 J/g° C.)×(55° C.−10° C.)=275 J Eq. 3
There is a heat loss through radiation and conduction. The conventional assumption is that this loss is about 50%. The energy for heating is:
275 J/50%=550 J Eq. 4.
For the DE actuation, the mechanical energy generated in each operation is limited to 0.5 J per gram of active material. Considering a 33% electrical-to-mechanical energy conversion efficiency, the total electricity consumed for DE actuation is:
(0.5 J/g)×(10 g)×(50%)/(33%)=7.6 J Eq. 5.
Hence, the total energy consumption in each actuation cycle is:
275 J+7.6 J=283 J Eq. 6.
During a normal daily activity, the electroactive register system is triggered on average 20 times, which means the total energy need is 5.66 kJ. This does not include the energy consumption for the embedded sensors 50 and control board 40 which is considered insignificant compared to the energy usage for the actuation.
Experimental ResultsTo validate the feasibility and impact of the electroactive register 14, a number of detailed 3D (three-dimensional) thermal simulations were performed using the Ansys Fluent Airpak tool, considering one occupant 18 (standing and sitting) and using specifications given in the FOA, Table 3. It was assumed that a room had a floor area of 6.1 m×7.6 m, and was 2.5 m tall. The wall heat transfer rate is 1.5 W/K/m2, environment temperature is 95° F. and 42.8° F. for cooling and heating, respectively.
Results are shown in
Most importantly, the predicted set point expansion, which is the horizontal temperature of same height averaged over a grid of 0.25 m between inside and outside of the air curtain FHS, was found to be 5.4° F. for cooling, and 6.0 to 7.4° F. for heating.
For similar cooling effect, cooling the sitting occupant in Table 3 uses less cool air volume compared to cooling the standing occupant (0.236 vs 0.170 in total). Most likely, the airflow used to cool the standing occupant is far away from being optimal. As previously explained air tube 30 placement, sizing and shape may be varied to optimizing the airflow for the electroactive register 14.
According to the FOA, the COP (coefficient of performance) in this case is the ratio between energy (Eo) delivered to the occupant and the well plug energy (Ep) consumed by electroactive register. FOA assumes that Eo=23 W for cooling and Eo=18 W for heating, which are estimated minimum energy needed to cool or heat the occupant when the environment temperature is at set points of 79° F. and 66° F., respectively.
It would be fair only when the electroactive register 14 uses Ep with the room temperature outside the air curtain at the set points. Such Ep can be estimated as the energy difference (1) baseline case: a conventional HVAC to cool or heat the room without the occupant almost uniformly to the set points; and (2) an electroactive register to cool or heat the same room and the occupant under the set points for HVAC.
In Table 4, the COP is calculated for cooling a sitting occupant and heating a standing occupant from Table 3 as the airflow may be more optimized for the two. We calculate energy as the product of COP of HVAC, total air volume, volumetric heat capacity of air at room temperature, and temperature difference at HVAC register and air return vent.
It is interesting to see in Table 4 that electroactive register 14 dissipates less power than the two baseline cases. If we use the COP definition from the FOA, we get a negative COP, meaning that electroactive register 14 at localized thermal management (LTM) gains energy. This virtual energy gain is due to the fact that electroactive register 14 only cools and heats around the occupant 18, with limited heat exchange between the inside and outside of the air curtain.
To avoid confusion, COP is re-defined as energy for the baseline divided by energy used by electroactive register 14 in this proposal. Note that power to operate the smart register 14 is negligible compared to HVAC power, and it is ignored in calculating COP. As it is small, it is sufficient to use built-in energy harvesting.
The technology of the present description may be implemented as a series of electroactive register 14 products, an in particular stand-alone smart air conditioner registers, as well as the auxiliary mobile phone application software for indoor positioning of the occupant and communication with the smart registers 14, along with embedded software 46 and hardware 40 for real-time control and configuration of the smart registers 14.
The electroactive register 14 may be configured t for retro-fitting existing HVAC systems. As such, conventional registers or diffusers may be replaced by the smart registers 14 in a “plug and play” fashion. No professional installer is needed. In larger-scale applications, the electroactive register 14 may be installed in a building as am HVAC system 10 with optimal system configuration (e.g. duct 12 sizing and placement) for significant reduction in system size, construction cost further improvement in energy efficiency.
In some embodiments an occupant may install the electroactive register control apps in connected devices 58 such as smart phones, tablets, or computers without extra expense, for convenience in control but without adding any hardware cost.
The more customized the electroactive register 14 is for a specific building, the higher the energy efficiency. Therefore, flexible manufacturing methods may be applied to fabricate the electroactive register 14 by leveraging 3D printer technology. A set of software tools may be developed to accept building and thermal need specifications, and output optimized electroactive register design.
Embodiments of the present technology may be described with reference methods and systems according to embodiments of the technology, and/or algorithms, formulae, or other computational depictions, including flowchart illustrations, of which may also be implemented as computer program products. In this regard, each block or step of a flowchart, and combinations of blocks (and/or steps) in a flowchart, algorithm, formula, or computational depiction can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/or software including one or more computer program instructions embodied in computer-readable program code logic. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, including without limitation a general purpose computer or special purpose computer, or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer program instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s).
Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts, algorithms, formulae, or computational depictions support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer-readable program code logic means, for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, algorithms, formulae, or computational depictions and combinations thereof described herein, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer-readable program code logic means.
Furthermore, these computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer-readable program code logic, may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s), algorithm(s), formula(e), or computational depiction(s).
It will further be appreciated that the terms “programming” or “program executable” as used herein refer to one or more instructions that can be executed by a processor to perform a function as described herein. The instructions can be embodied in software, in firmware, or in a combination of software and firmware. The instructions can be stored local to the device in non-transitory media, or can be stored remotely such as on a server, or all or a portion of the instructions can be stored locally and remotely. Instructions stored remotely can be downloaded (pushed) to the device by user initiation, or automatically based on one or more factors. It will further be appreciated that as used herein, that the terms processor, computer processor, central processing unit (CPU), and computer are used synonymously to denote a device capable of executing the instructions and communicating with input/output interfaces and/or peripheral devices.
1. An electroactive airflow distribution apparatus for HVAC, comprising: a housing; said housing being in fluid communication with an HVAC duct; plurality of electrically actuated tubes disposed in said housing; said tubes having an aperture configured for receiving airflow from the duct and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; and said electrically actuated tubes being responsive to an electric signal such that the electrically actuated tubes change shape to modify the outward airflow delivered to the location.
2. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to constrict or expand to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
3. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to bend to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
4. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment: wherein the plurality of electrically actuated tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuated tubes; wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuated tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location; wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
5. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
6. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, further comprising: a controller coupled to each of the electrically actuated tubes; and wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes and thereby move the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.
7. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment: wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.
8. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuated tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion.
9. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes.
10. The apparatus of any preceding embodiment, wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP).
11. An electroactive register for HVAC airflow distribution, comprising: a housing; said housing being in fluid communication with an HVAC duct; plurality of electrically actuated tubes disposed in said housing; said tubes having an aperture configured for receiving airflow from the duct and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; wherein the plurality of electrically actuated tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuated tubes; wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuated tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location; wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
12. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein said electrically actuated tubes are responsive to an electric signal such that the electrically actuated tubes change shape to modify the outward airflow delivered to the location.
13. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to constrict or expand to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
14. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to bend to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
15. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
16. The register of any preceding embodiment, further comprising: a controller coupled to each of the electrically actuated tubes; and wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes and thereby move the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.
17. The register of any preceding embodiment: wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.
18. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuated tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion.
19. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes.
20. The register of any preceding embodiment, wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP).
21. A method for electroactive airflow distribution for HVAC, comprising: coupling a housing to be in fluid communication with an HVAC duct; wherein the housing comprises a plurality of electrically actuatable tubes each having an aperture; receiving airflow from the duct within an aperture of the electrically actuatable tubes and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; and delivering an electric signal to said electrically actuatable tubes to change shape of said electrically actuatable tubes; and modifying the outward airflow delivered to the location as a result of changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes.
22. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes comprises constricting or expanding the tubes to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
23. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes comprises bending the tubes to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
24. The method of any preceding embodiment: wherein the plurality of electrically actuatable tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuatable tubes; wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuatable tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location; wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
25. The method of any preceding embodiment wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
26. The method of any preceding embodiment, further comprising: individually actuating the electrically actuatable tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes; and moving the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.
27. The method of any preceding embodiment, further comprising: receiving data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and individually actuating the electrically actuatable tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.
28. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrically actuatable tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion.
29. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes.
30. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP). From the description herein, it will be appreciated that that the present disclosure encompasses multiple embodiments which include, but are not limited to, the following:
Although the description herein contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art.
In the claims, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the disclosed embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed as a “means plus function” element unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for”. No claim element herein is to be construed as a “step plus function” element unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “step for”.
Claims
1. An electroactive airflow distribution apparatus for HVAC, comprising:
- a housing;
- said housing being in fluid communication with an HVAC duct;
- plurality of electrically actuated tubes disposed in said housing;
- said tubes having an aperture configured for receiving airflow from the duct and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; and
- said electrically actuated tubes being responsive to an electric signal such that the electrically actuated tubes change shape to modify the outward airflow delivered to the location.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to constrict or expand to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to bend to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2:
- wherein the plurality of electrically actuated tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuated tubes;
- wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuated tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location;
- wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
6. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising:
- a controller coupled to each of the electrically actuated tubes; and
- wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes and thereby move the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6:
- wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and
- wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the electrically actuated tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion.
9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes.
10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP).
11. An electroactive register for HVAC airflow distribution, comprising:
- a housing;
- said housing being in fluid communication with an HVAC duct;
- plurality of electrically actuated tubes disposed in said housing;
- said tubes having an aperture configured for receiving airflow from the duct and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct;
- wherein the plurality of electrically actuated tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuated tubes;
- wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuated tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location;
- wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
12. A register as recited in claim 11, wherein said electrically actuated tubes are responsive to an electric signal such that the electrically actuated tubes change shape to modify the outward airflow delivered to the location.
13. A register as recited in claim 12, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to constrict or expand to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
14. A register as recited in claim 13, wherein the electrically actuated tubes are configured to bend to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
15. A register as recited in claim 11, wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
16. A register as recited in claim 11, further comprising:
- a controller coupled to each of the electrically actuated tubes; and
- wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes and thereby move the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.
17. A register as recited in claim 16:
- wherein the controller is configured to receive data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and
- wherein the controller is configured to individually actuate the electrically actuated tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.
18. A register as recited in claim 14, wherein the electrically actuated tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion.
19. A register as recited in claim 18, wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes.
20. A register as recited in claim 19, wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP).
21. A method for electroactive airflow distribution for HVAC, comprising:
- coupling a housing to be in fluid communication with an HVAC duct;
- wherein the housing comprises a plurality of electrically actuatable tubes each having an aperture;
- receiving airflow from the duct within an aperture of the electrically actuatable tubes and directing said airflow outward toward an external location with respect to the duct; and
- delivering an electric signal to said electrically actuatable tubes to change shape of said electrically actuatable tubes; and
- modifying the outward airflow delivered to the location as a result of changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes.
22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes comprises constricting or expanding the tubes to vary a speed of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein changing the shape of said electrically actuatable tubes comprises bending the tubes to vary a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes.
24. A method as recited in claim 22:
- wherein the plurality of electrically actuatable tubes comprises an outer array of electrically actuated tubes and an inner array of electrically actuatable tubes;
- wherein the speed of the airflow exiting the outer array of electrically actuated tubes is much faster than the speed of the airflow an inner array of electrically actuatable tubes so as to generate an air curtain surrounding said external location;
- wherein the air curtain generates limiting air exchange between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the air curtain generates a temperature gradient between said external location and a location outside said air curtain.
26. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising:
- individually actuating the electrically actuatable tubes to change a direction of the airflow exiting the aperture of the tubes; and
- moving the air curtain from said first external location to said second external location.
27. A method as recited in claim 26, further comprising:
- receiving data relating to a position of an occupant at said first external location; and
- individually actuating the electrically actuatable tubes to move the air curtain in real time to thereby follow the occupant from said first external location to said second external location in response to receiving said position data.
28. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the electrically actuatable tubes comprise a smart material capable of electrically induced large-strain deformation to accommodate one or more of said bending, constriction or expansion.
29. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein said smart material comprises an electroactive polymer, said electroactive polymer being disposed between two conforming electrodes.
30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein said electroactive polymer comprises a bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP).
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 2, 2015
Publication Date: May 12, 2016
Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (Oakland, CA)
Inventors: Lei He (Irvine, CA), Qibing Pei (Calabasas, CA)
Application Number: 14/930,525