Air Nozzle Patents (Class 454/305)
  • Patent number: 11945285
    Abstract: The air discharge device includes a duct defining: a main flow path through which an air flow passes; and a main hole opened in a flat shape to discharge the air flow as a working air flow toward a downstream from the main flow path. A throttle portion is provided in the duct to reduce a flow path height of the main flow path from an upstream of the air flow toward a downstream of the air flow. A plurality of partitions are arranged to divide the main flow path in a major direction into a pair of side flow paths and at least one center flow path. The plurality of partitions are disposed in the duct such that a flow path width of the center flow path is reduced from the upstream of the air flow toward the downstream of the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Etsuro Yoshino, Yuuji Okamura, Jun Yamaoka, Masaharu Sakai, Yusuke Komatsubara, Yasuhiko Niimi, Tatsuya Yoshida, Hidetaka Nomoto
  • Patent number: 11031265
    Abstract: Substrate loading device including a frame adapted to connect the substrate loading device to a substrate processing apparatus, the frame having a transport opening through which substrates are transported between the loading device and processing apparatus, a cassette support for holding at least one substrate cassette container, and cassette support purge ports with purge port nozzle locations disposed on the cassette support, each nozzle location being configured so that a nozzle at the nozzle location couples to at least one purge port of the substrate cassette container, wherein each nozzle location defines an interchangeable purge port nozzle interface so that different interchangeable purge port nozzles are removably mounted to respective nozzle interfaces of the nozzle locations that correspond to the different nozzle configurations of the interchangeable purge port nozzle modules, in conformance with and effecting coupling to different ports of different substrate cassette containers having different
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Radik Sunugatov, Robert Carlson
  • Patent number: 10251312
    Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system includes an inflatable air duct to be positioned above a cold aisle defined between two rows of electronic equipment. The inflatable air duct is to be air permeable to deliver conditioned air into the cold aisle. The electronic equipment has fans to force cool air within the cold aisle through the electronic equipment to adjacent hot aisles on opposite sides of the two rows of the electronic equipment. The inflatable air duct to be spaced apart from the rows of computers such that the cold aisle is in unobstructed fluid communication with the adjacent hot aisles over top of the rows of electronic equipment. The conditioned air delivered from the inflatable air duct to substantially prevent a mixing of warm air in the hot aisles with the cool air in the cold aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Sloan, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim
  • Patent number: 9039499
    Abstract: An air guiding element (10) for an aircraft air conditioning system comprises a housing base body (12), in which an air inlet opening (14) and an air outlet opening (16) are constructed. A first flow control element (28) is arranged in the housing base body (12), relative to the direction of the air flow through the air guiding element (10), upstream of the air outlet opening (16). The first flow control element (28) comprises a plurality of air guiding channels (30) which are surrounded by a noise-absorbing material (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Gores, Andreas Edom, Thorsten Raible
  • Publication number: 20150111486
    Abstract: A directional air jet system includes a body frame. The body frame defines a cavity therein. A plurality of pedestals is affixed to the body frame and each has a pedestal surface. A plurality of magnets is each affixed to a different one of the pedestal surfaces and are couple the body frame to the air vent. A turret extends outwardly from the hole defined by the lateral surface and is configured to rotate about a first axis. A ball nozzle is pivotally fit into the turret and defines a bottom opening that is in fluid communication with the cavity through the turret. The ball nozzle is configured to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis so as to be configured to direct air from the air vent as an air jet in a user-selected direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Migliore, Maria Migliore
  • Publication number: 20140220879
    Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.
    Inventor: National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140199935
    Abstract: A system for drying a container includes an air manifold. The air manifold includes a main body having multiple outlets and multiple arms. Each arm is coupled to a respective outlet, is disposed in a fixed position relative to the main body, and is configured to direct air received from the main body toward the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Steve Pucciani, Jeem E. Newland, III
  • Publication number: 20140170959
    Abstract: A hand dryer comprising a first jetting nozzle comprising a first duct in fluid communication with a first slot which forms a first nozzle outlet and a second jetting nozzle, disposed opposite the first jetting nozzle, comprising a second duct in fluid communication with a second slot which forms a second nozzle outlet. The first and second slots extend transversely with respect to the hand dryer. At least a portion of each of the first and second slots is curved such that the distance between the slots varies in the longitudinal direction of at least one of the slots. The hand dryer further comprises a blower which blows air through the jetting nozzles to produce respective air jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Farrar SMITH, Philip Jonathan STEPHENS
  • Patent number: 8707989
    Abstract: A fluid discharge device having a main body with first and second ends may be mounted to one or more components of a system. The first end may include an inlet for receiving a fluid flow. A mounting system may include a first mounting plate having an opening with a diameter that is greater than the inlet diameter. An insert may include an outside wall configured to be fitted to the opening of the first mounting plate and may include an inside wall that defines another opening through which the inlet of the fluid discharge device may be fitted. The opening defined by the inside wall of the insert may provide a radial clearance for the inlet that compensates for distortions and/or deviations from an expected inlet and/or main body shape, wherein such distortions may be caused at least partially by stresses experienced during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Allen S. Pucciani
  • Publication number: 20140099874
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for lowering the internal relative humidity inside of a concrete structure by applying a pressurized gas and forcing such pressurized gas into the concrete structure, in turn driving moisture in the pores of the concrete to the exterior of the structure. Pressurized gas is supplied to a network of sealed cavities extending into the face of the concrete structure, ultimately causing the gas to move into the concrete structure through pores and capillaries through the structure, in turn driving moisture in the concrete structure toward the surface. Optionally, a competitive inhibiting agent, such as lithium nitrate, may also be provided to stabilize the concrete structure against future deleterious expansions caused by moisture uptake in the existing ASR gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Structural Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. EMMONS
  • Publication number: 20130284397
    Abstract: A system and associated method is disclosed for manipulation and control of air temperature in sport field and associated environments, wherein geothermally and/or mechanically cooled source air is distributed, via one or more air handling unit or air handling component, to the requisite environment through one or more pipes and a plurality of associated, uniquely configured, supply air nozzles. Such system and associated method of use and application solves, or dramatically reduces, the problem of elevated playing surface and/or elevated player envelope environmental temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Brian F. Storm
  • Publication number: 20120309286
    Abstract: A purge apparatus for replacing a gas atmosphere in a purge object vessel by a purge gas through a port provided on a bottom face of the purge object vessel is disclosed. The purge apparatus includes a purge unit attached to a table that receives the purge object vessel, and a purge nozzle body including a port contacting portion provided on an upper side of the purge nozzle body and an attachment object portion provided on a lower side of the purge nozzle body. The purge unit has an attachment portion and the port contacting portion of the purge nozzle body is configured to contact the port of the purge object vessel. The attachment object portion of the purge nozzle body removably engages with the attachment portion of the purge unit so that the purge nozzle body is removably attached to the purge unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SINFONIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaaki NAKANO
  • Patent number: 8302669
    Abstract: A louver for an air-conduction housing of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system includes a plurality of regions. The plurality of regions are arranged directly adjacent to one another to facilitate air stratification and are subdivided by partitions which are part of the louver. At least one of the regions is configured as a drum-type louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ronny Kiel, Wolfgang Dieksander, Erich Litwing
  • Patent number: 8128465
    Abstract: An air displacing device for transferring air from a first location to a second location comprising a housing including a fan, a prime mover for the fan, means defining an air inlet to receive air from the first location, and an air outlet to deliver air to the second location and a duct for air through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, the fan being operable by way of the prime mover to cause air to be displaced along the duct from the inlet to the outlet, the housing serving to define a datum plane characterized in that the housing has external members adapted for displacement between a first, standby, configuration where the projection of the housing from the datum plane is a minimum and so the volume of the housing is a minimum and a second, working, configuration where the projection of the housing from the datum plane is a maximum and so the volume of the housing is a maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Airdri Limited
    Inventor: Peter Collins
  • Patent number: 8091335
    Abstract: A swept fan ramp for a pivot door thrust reverser includes a cylindrical unit with an elliptical flared portion, a side portion, and a rectangular flared portion. The elliptical flared portion is operable to reduce drag on airflow in a reverse direction and is coupled to the top center and bottom center of the circumference of the cylindrical unit. The side portion is operable to reduce side spillage airflow and is coupled to the central left side and central right side of the aft circumference of the cylindrical unit. The rectangular flared portion is operable to promote separation of airflow into an upper airflow path and a lower airflow path, is coupled with the aft circumference of the cylindrical unit, and is connected to the elliptical flared portion and the side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe E. Sternberger
  • Publication number: 20110039491
    Abstract: A ventilation system with hardware to direct two independent airflows, wherein an outer airflow (at least partially) surrounds the an inner airflow. Preferably the inner and outer airflows come from different sources such that the air of the inner airflow has higher associated costs than the air of the outer airflow. For example, the inner airflow may be more cleaned and/or more thermally conditioned than the outer airflow. The inner airflow may have a different velocity than the outer airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: H. Ezzat Khalifa, Mark Glauser
  • Patent number: 7871317
    Abstract: An air exit guidance which in particular is provided for arrangement in the personal service unit of an passenger aircraft. The guidance includes an air inlet and an air outlet as well as an adjustable throttle which is arranged at the inflow side of the air exit guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Meckes, Wolfgang Rittner
  • Publication number: 20100120350
    Abstract: Air knives having improved end caps and mounting apparatuses are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a system having an air knife having first and second end caps that include recessed openings. Fasteners may extend through the recessed openings to fasten the first and second end caps to a main body of the air knife. The recessed openings prevent fasteners from protruding beyond the first end cap and the second end cap, thereby allowing for first and second mounting plates to be secured flush against the first and second end caps, respectively. In one embodiment, a mounting system including the first and second mounting plates may provide a first fastener that retains the air knife axially while providing a pivot point for rotational adjustments. A second fastener radially offset from the first fastener is configured to provide for rotational movement of the air knife about the pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Allen S. Pucciani
  • Patent number: 7444832
    Abstract: A cooling appliance (1) with circulated air cooling, comprising at least one cooling chamber (2) for reception of stock (3) to be cooled, at least one channel (4) for cooling air (5) and a coldness generator (12) for generating cooling air (5), wherein the channel (4) provides a fluid-conducting connection of the coldness generator (12) with the cooling chamber (2) and opens into the cooling chamber (2) by an outlet opening (6), wherein a jet forming means (7) is provided and wherein the jet forming means (7) is formed by a nozzle element (18) and/or by a spacer (10), by which the stock (3) to be cooled is kept at a spacing from the outlet opening (6), at the outlet opening (6). A precise, uniform and energy-saving temperature conditioning of the stock (3), which is to be cooled, in the cooling chamber (2) is made possible by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Home Appllances Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Görz, Hans Ihle, Matthew Ricket, Ralf Spiller, Martin Wagner
  • Patent number: 7288747
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a grill part to cook food thereon, and a grill housing coupled with the grill part. The cooking apparatus includes a cover member coupled with the grill housing, to cover the grill part, and having an opening part, and at least one opening and closing member coupled with the cover member, to open and close the opening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-sung Han, Han-seong Kang, Yong-hyun Kwon, Chul Kim, Han-jun Sung, Tae-uk Lee, Seong-deok Jang
  • Patent number: 6776710
    Abstract: A vent structure comprises an inlet-connector section, an outlet section, and a transition section between the inlet-connector section and outlet section. The inlet-connector section is at an inlet end of the vent structure and is adapted for connection with an inlet duct from which the vent structure receives a flow of air. The outlet section is at an outlet end of the vent structure and includes an outlet slot that is adapted to direct the flow of air into a room. The transition section has a flared portion that diverges in cross-sectional area as it extends generally toward the outlet section. The transition section has a constricted portion located between the inlet-connector section and the outlet slot. The constricted portion is also located substantially centrally within a plane that is generally perpendicular to a direction of air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Messmer, Richard Eason
  • Patent number: 6735884
    Abstract: A dryer system for automated car wash systems includes a new and improved air dryer having a fan and a rotatable nozzle at its discharge end with the nozzle orientation being controlled by a rotary actuator whose drive shaft is mounted on the axis of rotation of the nozzle. A method of using the blowers includes the use of two or more blowers that are positioned above the vehicle and oriented so the streams of concentrated air complement each other in moving liquid particles on the vehicle toward the side or end of the vehicle where they drop from the lower edges of the sides and ends of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Mark VII Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Fratello, Dennis R. McCadden, Thanh Tran
  • Patent number: 6719623
    Abstract: A device that allows a sitting airline passenger to control the direction and volume of the airflow from an overhead air conditioning nozzle by manipulating a remote control keyboard located near the passenger. It increases an individual's thermal comfort in an aircraft cabin by allowing the individual to regulate the thermal conditions at their seat. The present invention also allows an individual-supplemental air volume to be introduced into an aircraft cabin by means of individual spreadable and adjustable air outlets to provide a “local” climate zone that is distinct from the basic cabin climate or condition. The present invention also provides a means of remote passenger manipulation of the individual-supplemental air volume and direction and all from the comfort of the passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hybrid Systems
    Inventors: Levik Kodaveridan, David Garakanian
  • Patent number: 6431978
    Abstract: A slot-shaped outlet having first flow guide means extending in the interior space of a flow chamber. The flow guide means are extensions of the parallel arranged longitudinal side flanks that extend from the outside to the inside of the slot outlet. The flow guide means are first parallel with each other, and subsequently extend in a curved manner, diverging from each other, with their free longitudinal edges resting closely against the inner surface of the flow chamber. There are second flow guide means arranged parallel with each other between the longitudinal side flanks. The second flow guide means extend transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Christian Israel
  • Patent number: 6168518
    Abstract: A vent structure with a slotted rectangular outlet includes a cylindrical connector section to mate with a cylindrical duct, a flared and curved transition section, and a rectangular outlet section. The structure is formed in such a manner that turbulence is minimized in air flowing through the structure to thereby lessen the generation of airflow noise. The structure is sized and shaped to fit within a stud wall formed by conventionally sized studs positioned at a typical spacing. The structure includes a mounting plate with a mounting channel to receive an extendible mounting bracket, the ends of which are fastened to studs between which the structure is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Messmer, Joseph F. Intagliata
  • Patent number: 6135877
    Abstract: A supply air terminal device (1) of box-like or screen-like construction has a front wall (5) in which there are disposed a plurality of groups (10) of slots (7) with the groups and the slots in each group mutually spaced apart. Each group of slots is allocated a nozzle module (11) mounted on the inside of the wall (5). Each nozzle module (11) includes a number of nozzles (12) corresponding to the number of slots, wherein each nozzle functions to repeatedly deflect the part-flows (B) through an angle of 90.degree. from a delivered main flow. To this end, each nozzle (12) of a nozzle module (11) carries at its ends curved deflecting parts (12b) which project progressively further out in the direction of the main flow. The deflected part-flows mutually collide and exit with a low impulse through the slots (7) allocated to respective nozzles (12). The invention also relates to a nozzle module for a supply air terminal device (1) of the aforesaid kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Leif Lind
  • Patent number: 5876281
    Abstract: A pulse air jet generator being used for an air shower apparatus. An air flow restricting member, which is so configured as to cross an air flow blown off from an air blowoff nozzle intermittently at part of the rotational locus thereof and to rotate by the air flow, is provided on the air blowoff side of the air blowoff nozzle, and the weight of a rotating portion including the air flow restricting member is unbalanced so that the air flow restricting member is reset to a position corresponding to that of the air blowoff nozzle by the dead weight when the air blowoff is stopped. The air blowoff nozzle is disposed in an annular frame fixed on an air blowoff portion at a position shifted to the outer peripheral side from the center of the annular frame, the rotational center of the air flow restricting member is positioned at the center of the annular frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignees: Air Tech Japan, Ltd., Airtech International Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kosuke Hirasawa, Kazuki Itakura, Taizo Shoji, Yoshihide Isobe, Kenichi Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 5823009
    Abstract: A blowoff orifice is constituted by an upper wall, a lower wall and a vertical wind deflecting plate. The upper wall inclines so that a flow passage becomes narrow toward downstream and provided with a protrusion at its end portion. The lower wall has a horizontal linear portion on the downstream side and an end portion forming an acute angle at the tip of the linear portion. The vertical wind deflecting plate is provided between the upper wall and the lower wall, and capable of changing an airflow from a horizontal direction to a downward direction. The upper wall protrusion is located more downstream than the lower wall end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoko Suzuki, Takayuki Yoshida, Satoru Kotoh, Hiroaki Ishikawa, Kazunobu Jojima, Itsutarou Akiyama, Akihiro Matsushita, Masataka Kabuki
  • Patent number: 5782290
    Abstract: A tubular heat exchange systems is disclosed. An outer tube section, though which a first medium passes, also contains inner coils, through which a second medium passes. The first medium can be drawn into the outer tube at each end of the tube using pumps or fan motors. The first medium can be released from the outer tube in a way such that the operator of the system can control both the direction and flow rate of the first medium as it is propelled from the system. The first medium is propelled from the system through various openings along the length of the system. The size of these openings can be adjusted by the user. Heat can be transferred from the first medium into the second medium or from the second medium into the first medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: David R. Cook
  • Patent number: 5740641
    Abstract: A self storage warehouse facility (10) has a plurality of separate insulated self storage rooms (12) each having an exterior foldable door (14) mounted for movement between open and closed positions to permit access to the insulated storage room (12). The foldable door (14) has a plurality of insulated partitions (50, 52, 54) having rollers (66) mounted in guide rails or tracks (42) for movement. In closed position, the lower partition (54) has a lower tubular seal (74) which seals against the foundation (11) and an adjacent ledge (74, FIG. 4). The entire outer perimeter of the door (14) is sealed against a rubber strip (40) along the side edges and upper edge of the door (14). A tubular seal (72) seals along the bottom edge of the door (14). A solenoid operated damper (82, FIG. 7) in a cool air duct (80) is moved to a closed position by energizing of the solenoid (87) upon opening of the door (14). The damper (82) is opened upon return of the door (14) to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Adeline Investment Properties, L.L.P.
    Inventor: Henry J. Oxnard
  • Patent number: 5584761
    Abstract: An air diffuser for an air outlet. The air diffuser is mounted to a ceiling or wall surface and has an inner plate member with an opening communicating with the air outlet. A plurality of nozzles extend from the inner plate member and are positioned at predetermined intervals around the periphery of the inner plate member. An outer plate member is fastened to the inner plate member so as to sandwich the nozzles therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Howard W. Locker
  • Patent number: 5370578
    Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating spacious public rooms, workshops, industrial halls, underground parking lot and the like spaces, which apparatus comprises a damper having a plurality of shutters attached by a ring to inner surface of tubular body so as to radially move a series of shutters from shut position to opened position. The apparatus further comprises a nozzle having a plurality of guide vanes which occur swirls in jet as well as in injected ventilation air supplied to the rooms. With this arrangement, the apparatus is effective for obtaining a precise adjustment of supply air with minimum air resistance, non-turbulent, and protecting dwelling zones against undesirable thermal air streams or undesirable radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Sang Su Lim
    Inventor: Seong H. Yi
  • Patent number: 5356336
    Abstract: An air discharge nozzle and method for vehicles having a grill (21') which has a high degree of visual opacity to enhance design aesthetics, low impedance to air flow so that the face velocity remains high, and which does not significantly affect directionality of the air as imparted to the air stream by an upstream control mechanism. The grill (21') is comprised of a monolayer of polygonal cells in an array of cells, each cell being bounded by planar walls having a depth "L" interstitial thickness "T" and a diameter or major dimension "D", wherein the interstitial depth L is short enough such that the planar walls do not act as vanes to significantly affect directionality of the air, the interstitial thickness T has a value such that the impedance to air flow is low, and the length to diameter ratio L/D is no greater than about 0.7 and no less than about 0.3, such that the relative visual opacity of the grill when viewed from any angle is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Stouffer, Ernest W. Chesnutis, Jr., Milan Kuklik
  • Patent number: 5340358
    Abstract: An air vent for the generation of high turbulence air jets is comprised of a rotationally symmetrical casing having a flared discharge mouth. A deflector plate is mounted in the plane of the mouth to define with the mouth an annular discharge opening. An air guide is mounted within the casing that includes an annular flared deflector portion located adjacent the discharge mouth of the casing. Radially extending twist paddles or fins are mounted on the air guide to impart a twist to the air stream. The air guide is preferably adjustably mounted within the casing for movement axially thereof whereby when the deflector portion of the guide is disposed above the plane of the mouth portion a spreading of the air stream is achieved, and when the deflector is located below the plane of the mouth portion a concentration of the stream is achieved, intermediate effects being achieved at intermediate positions of the guide relative to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: H. Krantz-TKT GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Halupczok, Franc Sodec
  • Patent number: 5338254
    Abstract: A free jet of air is disturbed at a frequency that substantially matches natural turbulences in the free jet to increase the entrainment, mixing, and spreading of air by the free jet, for example in a room or other enclosure. The disturbances are created by pulsing the flow of air that creates the free jet at the desired frequency. Such pulsing of the flow of air can be accomplished by sequentially occluding and opening a duct that confines and directs the flow of air, such as by rotating a disk on an axis transverse to the flow of air in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Robert B. Farrington
  • Patent number: 5295905
    Abstract: An air nozzle (1) for directed discharge of air into a room (A) and comprising a nozzle head (2) with an air channel (3) being adjustably provided in a mounting opening (4) in a surface (5), e.g., the wall of a compressed air channel or a compressed air chamber. Nozzle head (2) is provided to be rotatable in mounting opening (4) and with its axis of rotation (B) normal to the plane of mounting opening (4). The air channel (3) extends from its inlet opening (3a) to its outlet opening (3b) with a decreasing cross sectional area (C), at least along its first longitudinal portion (3'). The air channel shows a change of direction in order to provide an approximately laminar discharge flow of air at an angle (.alpha.), preferably in the range of 10.degree.-45.degree., with the plane of mounting opening (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Per B. Simble
  • Patent number: 5259817
    Abstract: An air diffuser that injects triangular columns of air into a space to be air conditioned. The triangular columns of air entrain air into their wake and set up a cross flow of air in a direction normal to the path of travel of the air in the triangular columns. In a first embodiment, a plurality of elongate, triangular nozzles are disposed at an angle in penetrating relation to a ceiling so that a first end of each nozzle is above the plane of the ceiling and a second end of each nozzle is below the plane. A housing in fluid communication with a source of air to be introduced into the space is positioned above the ceiling in housing relation to the respective first ends of the nozzles so that air introduced into the housing under positive pressure is constrained to exit the housing through the nozzles. In second and third embodiments, the nozzles are of differing geometrical configurations in transverse section and do not penetrate the plane of the panel within which they are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventors: Donald J. Schumacher, William G. Fields
  • Patent number: 5230656
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaining improved flow uniformity through and at the exit of an air duct by mixing and distributing the air flow. The apparatus has a wall containing a plurality of convoluted corrugations or lobes arranged in conjunction with an airfoil shaped faired body to form an ejector passage between the wall and the faired body. There is a primary flow passage on the side of the wall opposite the ejector passage. The corrugations extend into both the primary flow and ejector flow passages so that a lobe in one passage is a trough in the other passage. Air flow in the primary flow passage acts to cause a flow through the ejector passage and thus a suction in the inlet to the ejector passage. The suction acts upon streamlines around the apparatus to obtain improved downstream air flow performance. One embodiment of the flow distributor increases the spreading half angle at the exit of an air flow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Paterson, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Bruce L. Morin
  • Patent number: 5176567
    Abstract: A ventilation outlet for use in a motor-vehicle dashboard has a cylindrical distributor with an outlet slot facing an outlet hole in the dashboard. A duct with converging walls is interposed between the outlet slot in the rotatable distributor and the outlet hole to direct the air-flow in a predetermined direction according to the position of the distributor, without the use of deflecting vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Fiat Auto SpA
    Inventors: Giuseppe Piritore, Antonio Tarzia
  • Patent number: 5176569
    Abstract: A terminal for a building ventilation system has, in combination, a throt nozzle located at the downstream end of an air inlet duct and a curved surface located in the room near the outlet of the duct such as to present its curved surface to the air stream and to be located outside the extension of the opening of the regulating nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Societe d'Etude et de Recherche en Ventilation et Aeraulique S.E.R.V.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Jardinier, Jacques Simonnot
  • Patent number: 5121675
    Abstract: In a device for aerating and, if necessary, deaerating a space by means of individual nozzles arranged in a casing box (4, 4a), at least one individual nozzle (14) is rigidly mounted in a nozzle grid (5, 5a) arranged so as to swivel about an axis of the casing box (4, 4a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Schako Metallwarenfabrik Ferdinand Schad KG
    Inventors: Gottfried Muller, Paul Hipp
  • Patent number: 5076152
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing box and a partition therein separating a supply air space from an exhaust air space, with both spaces being connected to a supply air line and an exhaust air line via corresponding connecting pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Schako Metallwarenfabrik Ferdinand Schad KG
    Inventors: Gottfried Muller, Paul Hipp