GB2589563A

GB2589563A - Ventilation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2589563A
Application number: GB1917112.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hopper Nicholas; Chandler Alex
Original assignee: Monodraught Ltd
Current assignee: Monodraught Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2019-11-25
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Also published as: GB201917112D0

Abstract

A roof mounted ventilation apparatus 100 ventilates an interior of a building and comprises first 101 and second 102 ducts extending from an exterior to an interior of the building and the ducts provide respectively first 101’ and second 102’ passageways conveying air. A heat exchanger 103 exchanges heat between the air conveyed through the passageways and a first duct end section 101a is orientated in a first direction 106 and a second duct end section 102a is orientated in a second direction 107 different to the first direction. At least one of the end sections is curved and their orientation separates the airstream thereto and therefrom to reduce mixing of the airstreams, and may be angled (f, fig 3) with respect to a longitudinal axis (109) of at least one of the ducts. The first duct end section may be angled at a first azimuthal angle (j) with the second duct end section angled at a second azimuthal angle (j). A first 104 and second fan 105 may communicate the air through the ducts and directed through a grille 108. A third duct 110 provides a third passageway 111 and may convey a natural flow of air.

Description

VENTILATION APPARATUS

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the present disclosure relate to a ventilation apparatus. 5 Some examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to a roof mountable turret ventilation device.

BACKGROUND

The provision of adequate ventilation is an important consideration in building design.

The combination of heat gains generated within buildings by occupants and electrical equipment, as well as solar heat gain, can cause a significant build-up of heat inside a building. This can lead to overheating/discomfort for users. Conventional air-conditioning systems can be used to provide cooling.

However, conventional air-conditioning systems typically consume large amounts of energy. Accordingly, they may not be environmentally friendly and may add to the carbon footprint of the building, as well as being expensive to operate.

The introduction of fresh air (i.e. either cool/cold fresh air when the external conditions are cool/cold, or even warm/hot fresh air when the external conditions are warm/hot) directly in to a building can cause discomfort to users if the ventilation air is not diffused efficiently.

It is therefore useful to provide an improved ventilation apparatus with enhanced air diffusion in an energy efficient manner.

The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects/examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is as set out in independent claim 1.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising a ventilation apparatus for mounting on a building and ventilating an interior of the building, the ventilation apparatus comprising: first and second air ducting means configured to extend, in use when the ventilation apparatus is mounted on a building, from an exterior of the building to an interior of the building to provide respectively first and second passageways to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building, heat exchanging means configured to, in use, exchange heat between 5 air conveyed through the first passageway and air conveyed through the second passageway; wherein an end section of the first air ducting means is orientated in a first direction; and wherein an end section of the second air ducting means is orientated in a second direction different to the first direction.

According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided a ventilation arrangement for mounting on a building and ventilating an interior of the building, the ventilation arrangement comprising: first and second air ducting configured to extend, in use when the ventilation arrangement is mounted on a building, from an exterior of the building to an interior of the building to provide respectively first and second ventilation pathways to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building; a heat exchanger configured to, in use, exchange heat between air conveyed through the first ventilation pathway and air conveyed through the second ventilation pathway; wherein an end section of the first air ducting is orientated in a first direction; and wherein an end section of the second air ducting is orientated in a second direction different to the first direction.

The following portion of this 'Brief Summary' section describes various features that can be features of any of the examples described in the foregoing portion of the 'Brief Summary' section.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the end section of at least one of the first and second air ducting means is curved.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the end sections of the first and second air ducting means are orientated with respect to one another so as to: separate, in use, airstreams from and to the end sections; and/or reduce, in use, a mixing of the immediately incoming and outgoing airstreams to and from the end sections.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the end section of the first and/or second air ducting means has an angle relative to the horizontal of at least one of more of: between 300-45°, between 350 to 40°, substantially 35°.

In some but not necessarily all examples, a segment of the first air 40 ducting means, disposed at a proximal side of the heat exchanging means, is configured such that its cross-sectional area gradually reduces.

In some but not necessarily all examples, the first air ducting means comprises a ducting segment, disposed at a proximal side of the heat exchanging means, wherein a hydraulic diameter of the ducting segment is configured to gradually reduce so as to increase, in use, the velocity of air egressing a proximal end of the first air ducting means.

In some but not necessarily all examples, there is provided roof mountable turret ventilation device comprising the above apparatus.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of the present disclosure that are useful for understanding the detailed description and certain examples of the present disclosure, reference will now be made by way of 15 example only to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side-on view of an example ventilation apparatus; FIG. 2 shows a perspective cut-through view of the ventilation apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows an example of a portion of air ducting for a ventilation apparatus; FIG. 4 shows a setup for a simulation model; and FIGs. 5-12 show result of the simulation model.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures may be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures schematically illustrate a ventilation apparatus 100 for mounting on a building and ventilating an interior of the building, the ventilation apparatus comprising: first and second air ducting means 101, 102 configured to extend, in use when the ventilation apparatus is mounted on a building, from an exterior of the building to an interior of the building to provide respectively first and second passageways 101', 102' to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building; heat exchanging means 103 configured to exchange heat between air conveyed through the first passageway and air conveyed through the second passageway; wherein an end section 101a of the first air ducting means is orientated in a first direction 106; and wherein an end section 102a of the second air ducting means is orientated in a second direction 107 different to the first direction.

For the purposes of illustration and not limitation, in various, but not necessarily all, examples provide a roof mountable turret ventilation device, wherein the end portions of the first and second ducting at a proximal end of the deice, i.e. a lower/bottom/internally facing side of the device) are orientated differently with respect to one another so as to increase separation and avoid mixing of incoming and outgoing airstreams therefrom. Advantageously, this may reduce kinetic energy of an outgoing airstream being lost to viscous dissipation, or becoming susceptible to vortex shedding, eddy formation etc. By avoiding such losses in kinetic energy, a higher velocity of the airstream may be provided that can penetrate a greater distance within a given volume in the interior of the building thereby improving the distribution of airflow in the interior of the building.

Furthermore, in various, but not necessarily all, examples, the end portions of the first and second ducting are curved/bent so as to provide an output air stream at a particular angle with respect to the horizontal. It has been found that an angle of between 30° and 40° is optimal for enhancing the distribution of airflow into an interior of the building.

Yet furthermore, in various, but not necessarily all, examples, the cross-sectional area of a ducting segment of the first and second air ducting, which is disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger on a proximal side thereof, is configured to gradually reduce. Advantageously, this may enable an increase in the velocity of airstreams egressing the end portions. By providing a higher velocity airstream, the airstream may penetrate a greater distance within a given volume in the interior of the building thereby improving the distribution of airflow in the interior of the building.

Various, but not necessarily all, examples can provide the technical advantages of one or more of: improved ventilation, enhanced air diffusion, 35 improved delivery of tempered air, improved energy efficiency, enhanced levels of energy conservation and reduced environmental impact FIGs. 1 and 2 show a side-on and a perspective cross-sectional cut-through views of an example ventilation apparatus 100. In this example, the ventilation apparatus is in the form of a turret ventilation device for mounting on a building and ventilating an interior of the building.

The ventilation apparatus comprises a first air ducting means 101 (e.g. such as a first: air duct arrangement, ductwork, or ducting) that is configured to extend from an exterior of the building to an interior of the building thereby providing/defining a first ventilation pathway/passageway 101' to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building. The apparatus also comprises a second air ducting means 102 (e.g. such as a second: air duct arrangement, ductwork, or ducting) that is configured to extend from the exterior of the building to the interior of the building thereby providing/defining a second ventilation pathway/passageway 102' to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building. The second passageway is a separate passageway to that of the first passageway, i.e. the first and second passageway are isolated/distinct from one another.

The ventilation apparatus also comprises a heat exchanging means 103, configured to exchange/transfer heat between air conveyed through the first passageway and air conveyed through the second passageway. Any suitable heat exchanger/heat exchange system may be used in this regard, e.g. a heat exchanger configured for air-to-air heat transfer. The heat exchange system may be based, e.g. on phase transition of a working fluid, e.g. coolant or refrigerant.

The first ventilation pathway through the apparatus is schematically represented via dashed arrow 101'. However, it is to be appreciated the section of the first ventilation pathway though the heat exchanger region may well be more convoluted than shown, e.g. it may be intertwined with, yet isolated, from the second pathway 102. Likewise, the same can be said for the send ventilation pathway mutatis mutandis.

The ventilation apparatus also comprises a first means 104 for moving air (e.g. fan) through the first air ducting means, and a second means 105 for moving air (e.g. fan) through the second air ducting means. The first and second fans may be disposed within the first and second ducting/passageways respectively. The first fan is operable to move air through the first passageway, and the heat exchanger, in a first direction. The second fan is operable to move air through the second passageway, and the heat exchanger, in a second direction. Typically, the second direction would be opposite to the first direction. For example, the first fan may be used to draw in/inlet fresh air from outside of the building and force it, through the first passageway and the heat exchanger, to be outlet in to the interior of the building. Meanwhile, the second fan may be used to draw/inlet in stale air from the interior of the building and force it, through the second passageway and the heat exchanger, to be outlet/expelled/exhausted to outside of the building.

The fans and heat exchanger may be controlled by control circuity to selectively operate in one of several modes, e.g.: a "heat reclaim/recovery" mode -where the outside air temperature is colder than the inside air temperature, the heat exchanger may transfer heat from the output warm (stale) internal air to the input cold (fresh) external air, thereby saving energy in heating up the ventilation air, i.e. the cold (fresh) external air; and a "cool reclaim/recovery" mode -where the outside air temperature is hotter than the inside air temperature, the heat exchanger may transfer heat from the input hot (fresh) external air to the output cool (stale) internal air, thereby saving energy in cooling down the ventilation air, i.e. the input hot (fresh) external air.

The apparatus may also be configured to operate in a further mode, namely a "passive" mode, wherein fresh air is supplied, and stale air is expelled, through one or more natural (i.e. non-powered/fan driven) ventilation paths, at a zero-energy cost. Such natural ventilation paths are described below with reference to one or more third air ducting means that provide one or more third passageways.

The apparatus, when installed/mounted on a building, is orientated such that its longitudinal axis is aligned vertically. For the purpose of the present disclosure, references to "proximal", e.g. a proximal end/side/direction, relate to a lower end/side/direction, a bottom end/side/direction or an end/side/direction facing towards the building interior. Whereas references to "distal", e.g. a distal end/side/direction, relate to an upper end/side/direction, a top end/side/direction or an end/side/direction that faces the building exterior.

The first air ducting means 101 has a proximal end 101a, and a distal end 101b. The second air ducting means 102 likewise has a proximal end 102a and a distal end 102b.

An opening 101a' is provided/defined at the proximal end 101a of the first ducting means 101. An opening 101b' is provided/defined at the distal end 102a of the first ducting means 101. Likewise, an opening 102a' is provided/defined at the proximal end 102a of the second ducting means 102, and an opening 102b' is provided/defined at the distal end 102b of the second ducting means 102.

In one mode of operation, the first distal opening 101b1 enables the ingress of (fresh) external air, "ventilation air", which is drawn in and driven, via the first fan 104, through the heat exchanger and the first passageway to the first proximal opening 101a' for the outlet therefrom. In such a manner, ventilation air is delivered into the building interior. Meanwhile, the second proximal opening 102a' enables the ingress of (stale) internal air, which is drawn in and driven, via the second fan 105, through the second passageway and the heat exchanger, to the second distal opening 102b' for the egress/exhaust therefrom. In such a manner, stale air is removed from the building interior.

Alternatively, the in another mode of operation, the first distal opening 101b1 enables the egress/exhaust of (stale) internal air, which is drawn in and driven, via the first fan 104, through the heat exchanger and the first passageway from the first proximal opening 101e. Meanwhile, the second proximal opening 102a' enables the egress of (fresh) external/ventilation air, which is drawn in and driven, via the second fan 105, through the second passageway and the heat exchanger, from the second distal opening 102b1.

Accordingly, depending on the operational mode of the apparatus, each of the distal openings may selectively serve as an air inlet or an air outlet, for example: an air inlet for the ingress of external/ventilation air from outside the building, e.g. when the apparatus is operating in a first operational mode, or an air outlet for the egress of internal air to outside the building, e.g. when the apparatus is operating in a second operational mode.

Likewise, depending on the operational mode of the apparatus, each of the proximal openings may selectively serve as an air inlet or an air outlet, for example: an air outlet for the egress of external/ventilation air to inside the building, e.g. when the apparatus is operating in a first operational mode, or an air inlet for the ingress of internal air from inside the building, e.g. when the apparatus is operating in a second operational mode.

The venting apparatus further comprising at least one or more third air ducting means 110 configured to extend from the exterior of the building to the interior of the building. Such further ducting means provide at least one or more third passageways 111 to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building. The venting apparatus is configured to: direct moving air caused by wind movement on a windward side of the apparatus through the at least one or more third passageways into the interior of the building, and exhaust air from the interior of the building through the at least one or more third passageways to a leeward side of the apparatus.

Such one more third air ducting means 110 and their associated at least 35 one or more third passageways may thereby provide passive (nonpowered/natural) ventilation (cf. the active/powered/fan assisted ventilation via the first and second air ducting means).

The apparatus may comprise a housing/body 112, an upper external portion thereof provided with a plurality of louvres 113 to permit air to pass into or out of the interior of the body. Thereby also permitting air to pass into or out of each of the first, second and at least one or more third ducting means 110.

The one more third air ducting means 110, are provided with external louvres 113 and internal adjustable vents 114 (such adjustable vents, or dampers, are shown in an open configuration in FIG. 2 [and are shown in a closed configuration in FIG. 1]). The louvres may be selectively adjustable to vary the amount of air which can pass therethrough.

The one more third air ducting means 110 allow natural ingress and egress of air flows dependent upon stack effect, temperature differentials and natural air stimulation through incident wind external to a building, occupant movements, or natural stratification within a building. Such a passive ventilation system provides energy efficient ventilation, and therefore provides advantages with respect to energy conservation and carbon emission environmental considerations.

The first and second air ducting means extends through and within the at least one or more third air ducting means. The at least one or more third air ducting means may be divided into a plurality of duct sections, e.g. for a quadrilateraly shaped housing/body, 4 duct sections. Such duct sections surrounding the first and second air ducting means and being arranged to direct moving air caused by wind movement through one or more of the duct sections on a windward side into the building interior and to exhaust air from the interior through other duct sections on a leeward side.

The apparatus also comprises a grille 108, disposed at the bottom of the apparatus. The proximal end sections are configured to as to direct an airstream therefrom to the grille.

The first end section 101a is orientated in a first direction 106 in order provide, in use, an output of air flow therefrom in the first direction. The second end section 102a is orientated in a second direction 107, different to the first direction, in order to provide, in use, an output of air flow therefrom in the second differing direction.

The end sections of the first and second air ducting means are orientated with respect to one another so as to separate, in use, airstreams leaving one of the end sections with airstreams entering the other end section, and thereby avoid such airstreams mixing with one another. Advantageously, this may provide a positive impact on the distribution and diffusion of the ventilation air within an interior/room of the building by avoiding a decrease in the outgoing air stream velocity such that it may thereby penetrate a greater distance within a given volume in the interior of the building thereby improving the distribution of airflow in the interior of the building.

FIG.3 illustrates a portion of the first and second ducting means 101 and 102 and their proximal end sections 101a and 102a. The side walls of the proximal end sections 101a and 102a are curved/bent so as to be orientated in first and second differing directions 106 and 107.

The proximal end sections are curved such that they are at an angle ((I)) with respect to a longitudinal axis 109 of the apparatus/air ducting means, i.e. a non-zero angle such that the proximal end sections are not coaxial and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus/air ducting means.

The proximal end section of the first air ducting means is angled at a first azimuthal angle (e.g. an azimuthal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus/air ducting means, in this case a first azimuthal angle (p) such that the curved first proximal end section is orientated towards the right). The proximal end section of the second air ducting means is angled at a second azimuthal angle different to the first azimuthal angle (in this case, a second azimuthal angle such that the curved first proximal end section is orientated towards the left).

The proximal end section of the first and/or second air ducting means has an angle relative to the horizontal (i.e. and altitude angle) of at least one of more of: between 25° -45°, between 30° to 40°, between 33° to 37°, and substantially 35°. As discussed below with respect to FIG. 10, it has been found that an optimum angle is dependent on the xy aspect ratio of the space/room for which the apparatus is to be used, i.e. the optimum angle is dependent on a ratio of a length to width of the interior space/room to be ventilated.

In some examples, the proximal end sections may be a curved flow nozzle and/or a swept nozzle.

A segment of the first air ducting means 101, which extends from a proximal side of the heat exchanger 103 to the proximal end section 101a, is configured such that an upper portion of the ducting segment has a first cross sectional area and a mid or lower portion of the ducting segment has a second cross sectional area less that the first cross sectional area. The ducting segment is configured such that its cross-sectional area gradually reduces. To put it another way, a hydraulic diameter Hdl of the upper portion of the ducting segment is configured to gradually reduce to a smaller hydraulic diameter Hd2 of the mid or lower portion of the ducting segment.

The change in hydraulic diameter of the ducting, i.e. at an upper portion thereof to a mid/lower portion thereof, may be of at least one of more of: 35 between 60-120 mm, between 70 -100 mm, between 85 -90 mm, and substantially 90 mm.

Such a reduction tapering of the cross-sectional area/ hydraulic diameter of the ducting chokes the flow of air passing therethrough which increases the velocity of air passing therethrough to the proximal end section for egression/outlet therefrom. Advantageously, increasing the velocity of the airstream enables the creation of a jetting effect when exiting the ducting that may enable the airstream/jet to penetrate a greater distance within a given volume in the interior of the building thereby improving the distributional airflow in the interior of the building.

FIG. 4 shows a setup for a simulation model and FIGs. 5 -12 show results of simulation model.

The aim of the simulation was to evaluate the flow through ductwork, namely ducting such as the first air ducting means as shown in figure 3, with respect to two geometry variables: Feature 1) hydraulic diameter narrowing and 2) varying the nozzle angle.

The performance of the ducting was quantified by measuring the overall temperature and the amount of fresh air delivered to the likely occupied space within a room over a set time period.

FIG. 4 shows a setup for a simulation model, namely a ventilation apparatus 100 disposed on top of a room/space/volume 400. The interior space comprising: occupiable space (for heights <2m), and non-occupiable space (for heights within the space >2m). Inlet/ventilation air from the ducting is treated as independent 'fresh air' mixing with existing 'stale air' residing in the room.

The mass fraction of fresh air may be defined as: (71 f mr.dV) Mass Fraction of Fresh Air (1171 mT dv) Where mf is the mass of fresh air; and m" is total mass of all air sources. Likewise, the bulk temperature may be defined as: Bulk Temperature = -T * dV

V

Where T denotes the temperature at a particular location in volume V. FEATURE 1) HYDRAULIC DIAMETER NARROWING: The first feature causes an increase in velocity in accordance with the law of conservation of mass, stating the following: Q=A1v1=A2v2 Where: Ai is the cross-sectional area of the flow -ut is the mean velocity of the flow.

This means that a reduction in hydraulic diameter, will reduce the cross-sectional area, thus increasing the velocity of the fluid flowing through the narrowed channel. Aivi

v2 = if Ai > Ay then v2 > Ay FEATURE 2) VARYING THE NOZZLE ANGLE: The second feature, a curved/swept nozzle, can direct the airflow outward in accordance with the Coanda effect. This phenomenon is the result of physical mechanisms and is best explained descriptively: As a fluid moves across the curved surface, friction occurs and slows the moving air. This resistance to the flow (via fluid viscosity) increasingly pulls the fluid towards the surface, therefore, a fluid emerging from a nozzle tends to follow a nearby curved surface.

The below tables set out the set-up and variables used in the model simulation: Boundary Conditions Value Location Inlet Volume Flow 0.18 m3/s fresh air @ Heat exchanger 19.6°C (at location 116 of FIG.3) Pressure Outlet 101315 Pressure) Pa (Total Heat exchanger (at location 115 of FIG.3) Surface Heat 100 W/m2 Room floor Generation Dampers Closed Venting apparatus (dampers 114 of FIG.]) Variable Range + unit Tested Volume Integral @f = 200s Hydraulic Diameter Reduction 50 mm -150 mm Mass Fraction of fresh air Bulk Temperature (AHd = Hd 1 -Hd2 of FIG. 3) Curved Flow 15° -75° Mass Fraction of fresh air Bulk Temperature Nozzle Angle (0 of FIG.3) FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate the results of the effect of reducing the hydraulic diameter. Reducing only the hydraulic diameter appears to have no considerable effect on the performance of the ducting using the testing methodology.

Regression analysis indicates a lack of proportionality between the results and was calculated as: y = -0.00000559x + 0.0156 (Mass Fraction of fresh air graph of FIG. 5) y = 0.0000723x + 21.87 (Bulk Temperature graph of FIG. 6) In both cases, the coefficient of all powers of variable x are close to zero, suggesting there is no cause/effect relationship between the two parameters.

FIGs. 7 and 8 illustrate the results of the effect of changing the nozzle angle. Changing the nozzle angle appears to have considerable effect on the performance of the ducting using the testing methodology.

Regression analysis indicates the proportionality between the results and was calculated as: y = -0.000000204x4 -0.0000192x3 + 0.000800x2 -0.0137x + 0.0979 (Mass Fraction of fresh air graph of FIG. 7) y = -0.0000000691x4 + 0.0000122x3 -0.000626x2 + 0.00809x + 21.87 (Bulk 20 Temperature graph of FIG. 8) In both cases, there are local maxima/minima that suggested an optimal nozzle angle for the model set-up. The inflection points were calculated as: Maxima @ 39° (Mass Fraction of fresh air graph of FIG. 7) Minima @340 (Bulk Temperature graph of FIG. 8) FIGs. 9 and 10 illustrate the results of the effect of both reducing the hydraulic diameter and changing the nozzle angle. Changing both the nozzle angle and the hydraulic diameter appears to have considerable effect on the performance of the ducting using the testing methodology.

Based on the tested values, a hydraulic diameter change of 90mm with a 35° degree nozzle angle appears to be an optimum configuration for supplying fresh air to an environment.

The effect of reducing hydraulic diameter increasing performance is likely the result of minimal air-to-air interactions, namely viscous dissipation. High velocity air will be more penetrating than its counterpart, as less of its energy will be lost to shear stresses in forming eddy currents, heat, sound or other energy media when in contact with lower pressure fluids.

By increasing the velocity of the airstream/jet from the nozzle, the airstream can penetrate a greater distance within a given volume, with minimal energy being lost to viscous dissipation, becoming susceptible to vortex shedding, eddy formation etc. This, without an angled nozzle however, appears to have no independent effect on the airflow distribution. There is however, an optimum range that exists, not least for the particular room geometry considered in the present testing methodology which is complimentary to the angle of the xy aspect ratio -approx. 350 in this case.

FIGs. 11 and 12 Illustrate streamline analysis of the simulation model. The theory for the success of the design and configuration of the shape of the ducting at angles that closely compliment the aspect ratio is likely related to the deflections of air particles on walls and floors, as shown in FIGs II and 12.

By changing the angle of the nozzle, the air jet entering the room is supplied at a complementary angle. At approximately 35 degrees, the spike in performance is due to the air being distributed more evenly around the room because the air deflects evenly off both the wall and floor simultaneously, moving air in the x, y and z axes (see FIG. 12).

At more obtuse angles, the flow deflects off the floor predominantly, giving a good distribution in the y axis, but poor distributions across the x and z axis'. At more acute angles, the opposite effect occurred and the flow deflected off the walls, increasing flow in the x and z axis' but less so in the y axis'.

The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function. Where a structural feature has been described, it can be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

Although certain specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Features described in the preceding description can be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions can be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features can also be present in other examples whether described or not. Accordingly, features described in relation to one example/aspect of the disclosure can include any or all of the features described in relation to another example/aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent.

Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims. For example, the apparatus has been described in the form of a roof mountable turret ventilation device, though it is to be appreciated that in other examples, the ventilation apparatus may be provided in an alternative form / form factor, e.g. not least having a curved, a circular, or polygonal cross-sectional shape. Also, the ventilation device may be configured to be mounted to a wall of a building.

The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one..." or by using "consisting".

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example', 'can' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

In this description, references to "a/an/the" [feature, element, component, means...] are to be interpreted as "at least one" [feature, element, component, means...] unless explicitly stated otherwise. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use 'a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or 'one or more' can be used to emphasise an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature (or combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims can be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention. Further, while the claims herein are provided as comprising specific dependencies, it is contemplated that any claims can depend from any other claims and that to the extent that any alternative embodiments can result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the various claims and/or changing dependencies of claims, any such alternative embodiments and their equivalents are also within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim: 1. A ventilation apparatus for mounting on a building and ventilating an interior of the building, the ventilation apparatus comprising: first and second air ducting means configured to extend, in use when the ventilation apparatus is mounted on a building, from an exterior of the building to an interior of the building to provide respectively first and second passageways to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building; heat exchanging means configured to exchange heat between air conveyed through the first passageway and air conveyed through the second passageway; wherein an end section of the first air ducting means is orientated in a first direction; and wherein an end section of the second air ducting means is orientated in a second direction different to the first direction.
2. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end section of at least one of the first and second air ducting means is curved.
3. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the end sections of the first and second air ducting means are orientated with respect to one another so as to separate, in use, airstreams therefrom and thereto.
4. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the end sections of the first and second air ducting means are orientated with respect to one another so as to reduce, in use, a mixing of airstreams therefrom and thereto.
5. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the end section of at least one of the first and second air ducting means is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the of at least one of the first and second air ducting means.
6. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claims, wherein the end section of the first air ducting means is angled at a first azimuthal angle, and the end section of the second air ducting means is angled at a second azimuthal angle different to the first azimuthal angle.
7. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the end section of the first and/or second air ducting means has an angle relative to the horizontal of at least one of more of: between 25° -45°, between 30° to 40°, between 33° to 37°, and substantially 35°.
8. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the end section of at least one of the first and second air ducting means comprises one or more of: a curved flow nozzle and a swept nozzle.
9. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the ventilation apparatus further comprises a grille, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in use, an airstream from the end section of at least one of the first and second air ducting means is directed to the grille.
10. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the ventilation apparatus further comprises at least a first means for moving air through at least the first air ducting means.
11. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein at least the first air ducting means comprises a ducting segment at a proximal side of the heat exchanging means, wherein a first portion of the ducting segment has a first cross sectional area and a second portion of the ducting segment has a second cross sectional area less that the first cross sectional area.
12. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein a segment of the first air ducting means, disposed at a proximal side of the heat exchanging means, is configured such that its cross-sectional area gradually reduces.
13. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the first air ducting means comprises a ducting segment, disposed at a proximal side of the heat exchanging means, wherein a hydraulic diameter of the ducting segment is configured to gradually reduce so as to increase, in use, the velocity of air egressing a proximal end of the first air ducting means.
14. The ventilation apparatus of any previous claim, further comprising at least one or more third air ducting means configured to extend, in use when mounted on the building, from the exterior of the building to the interior of the building to provide at least one or more third passageways to convey air between the exterior and interior of the building, wherein the apparatus is configured to: direct moving air caused by wind movement on a windward side of the apparatus through the at least one or more third passageways into the interior of the building, and exhaust air from the interior of the building through the at least one or more third passageways to a leeward side of the apparatus.
15. A roof mountable turret ventilation device comprising the apparatus of any previous claim.