US3511163A - Diffuser - Google Patents

Description

y 1970 J. F. NEWELL ETAL 3,511,163

DIFFUSER Filed Jan. 15, 1968 United States Patent 3,511,163 DIFFUSER John F. Newell, Madison, and Reuben A. Zahler, Verona,

Wis., assignors to Wehr Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.,

a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Jan. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 697,889 Int. Cl. F24f 13/08 US. CI. 98-40 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a slot type air diffuser wherein the pattern of discharge from the diffuser is adjustable through manipulation of an elongated blade which extends longitudinally of the diffuser. The blade is supported for pivotal movement in the diffuser flow passage about a longitudinal axis so as to vary the direction and amount of flow diversion caused by the blade. The blade is also supported for movement toward and away from the exit end of the diffuser so that the blade can be positioned in registry with the exit end toclose the diffuser to flow or its spacing from the exit end can be adjusted to provide volume as well as pattern control. Preferably, the blade is suspended in the diffuser by means of an L-shaped hanger. One leg of the hanger has a frictional engagement with a connecting block on the blade to define the pivotal axis and the other leg of the hanger has a sliding connection with a bracket support to permit movement of the hanger and blade toward and away from the exit end of the diffuser.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of invention This invention relates to diffusers and, more particularly, to diffusers of a slot type which are commonly used to control the pattern of air discharge into a room from a central delivery system. Diffusers of this type are commonly used in, but are not limited to, ceiling constructions.

Description of prior art Slot type diffusers of the type to which this invention relates have been proposed which incorporate various arrangements for achieving pattern control. The most commonly accepted type of pattern control has generally used a vane or blade supported in the diffuser for pivotal movement about a fixed axis to vary the amount of blade angle and obstruction to flow and thereby vary the discharge pattern. Examples of these types of controls can be found in US. Pats. 3,308,744; 3,320,869; 3,295,432 and 3,185,- 068. Such proposals have generally required relatively complex arrangements for supporting the blade in the diffuser and have generally been lacking in versatility due to the pivotal axis of the blade being fixed in the passage. The prior art also contains isolated showings of pattern control blades which are mounted for movement in the direction of flow through the diffuser passage, for example US. Pat. 3,302,550. However, the prior art has not recognized the versatility and simplicity of construction which can be achieved by providing an arrangement wherein the pattern control blade is supported for both pivotal movement in the diffuser passage to vary obstruction to flow and for movement in the passage generally parallel to the direction of flow through the passage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to an arrangement of a deflector blade within the flow passage of an air diffuser, or the like, wherein the deflector blade is supported for pivotal movement in the passage to vary the blade orientation with 'ice respect to flow through the passage and also to afford movement of the blade toward and away from the exit end of the passage. The Walls defining the passage are provided with lateral projections adjacent the exit end and cooperation of the blade and the projections determine the pattern of discharge through the exit end. Preferably, the blade is supported by a hanger having a first rod-like portion connected to the blade and cooperating to define the pivotal axis for the blade and also having a second rodlike portion which has a sliding connection with a support bracket. The sliding connection is such as to permit the hanger, with the blade attached, to move in the direction of flow through the passage so that the blade can be moved toward and away from the exit end.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially exploded, of a diffuser section incorporating this invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the diffuser section with the end brackets removed illustrating an operative position of the pattern control blades; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternative embodiment with the end brackets removed and also illustrating a further operative position of the pattern control blade.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As stated above, diffusers of this type have particular application to, but are not limited to, ceiling construction where the ceiling is to include outlets of an air distribution system and where the diffuser is to control the discharge of air into a particular room or area. It will also be appreciated that although the invention is to be described in a vertically oriented diffuser other orientations can be used and, therefore, the terms vertical and horizontal are used in the following discussion in a relative and not a limiting sense. Moreover, the diffuser can be used to control flowing media other than air but since its major application will be in air systems it will be described in that environment.

Typically a pair of adjacent T-bars are used in the ceiling framework to define an elongated slot through which air is discharged. This invention is concerned with the problem of controlling the pattern of discharge through the slot. As illustrated in the drawings, diffuser section 10 includes three T- bars 12, 14 and 16 which are relatively spaced to define a pair of elongated slots 18 and 20. As will be described hereinafter, center T-bar 14 can be eliminated and end T- bars 12 and 16 move closer together to provide a single slot.

T- bars 12, 14 and 16 include vertical, parallel sections 22, 2'4 and 26. The inner walls of sections 2.2 and 26 face the opposite walls of section 24 so that the walls cooperate to define two air flow passages 28 and 30 therebetween. The cross portions of the T-bars are provided by transverse flanges 32, 34 and 36 arranged in relative horizontal alignment but spaced from each to define slots 18 and 20 at the exit ends of the main flow passages. The opposite ends of the main flow passages provide the inlet. Flanges 32, 34 and 36 form the outer face of the diffuser and constitute the portion of the diffuser section which is visible in the ceiling.

The outer walls of sections 22 and 26 are provided with L-shaped in cross section strips 38 and 40 adjacent the upper or inner end of the T-bars. The L-shaped strips cooperate with the section walls to define channels opening outwardly, or in the same direction as the inlet ends of main passages 28 and 30 open, to receive the edges of suitable duct work (not shown). This provides a simple and effective manner of connecting the duct work to the diffuser section and, moreover, assures proper alignment of the duct work and the diffuser section inlet to provide efiicient delivery of air to the difluser section.

A single dilfuser section is illustrated in the drawings but it will be appreciated that a number of diffuser sections can be arranged end to end to provide any desired length of difluser. At this point it should be noted that additional L-shaped projections are provided on the T- bars, specifically, projections 42 and 44 on the outer walls of T- bars 12 and 16 and projections 46 and 48 on T-bar 14. These projections face toward projections 50, 52, 54 and 56 on the upper sides of flanges 32, 34 and 36 and define a guide way for receipt of a suitable joint member, not shown but which can take the form of any elongated strip adapted to fit between opposed projections on a diffuser section and span the joint between two adjacent sections.

End brackets 58 and 60 are connected between adjacent T-bars, one bracket having been shown assembled between the T-bars and the other removed therefrom to better illustrate the construction and arrangement. In addition to the projections already described as provided on the upper sides of T- bars 12 and 16, the T-bars also include opposed projections 62, 64 and 66, 68. The end brackets each include a rear panel 70, sidewalls 72, 74 and a top wall 76; the bracket can be a stamping which is subsequently formed to the desired shape. Rear lower corners of bracket 60 are notched at 78 and 80 and the upper side edges of the bracket are separated to provide spaces 82 and 84. Bracket 58 has a structure which is identical to bracket 60 and will not be described in detail. Notches 78 and 80 of bracket 60 fit over projections 54 and 68 of T- bars 14 and 16 and spaces 82 and 84 fit over projections 48 and 64 as the bracket is positioned between T- bars 14 and 16. Similarly, the notches and spaces of bracket 58 fit over projections 62, 66, 46 and 52 of T- bars 12 and 14. When bracket 60 is in the desired position between the T-bars, projections 54 and 68 are staked in the area of notches 86, one such notch being provided in each of side walls 72 and 74 to hold the bracket against longitudinal movement with respect to the T-bars. Bracket 58 is similarly staked between T- bars 12 and 14. An end cover 88 fits over the longitudinal end of each of the flow passages 28 and 30 and-- between adjacent T-bars, the end covers being connected to the end brackets by screws 90'.

The pattern of discharge through slots 18 and 20 is controlled by blades 92 and 94 supported in the flow passages. The support for each blade is identical and only one will be described in detail with the same identifying numerals being used for corresponding elements of both supports. Blades 92 and 94 are elongated to extend generally co-extensively with the T-bars and slots 18 and 20, the blades being slightly shorter and spaced inwardly at both ends of the diifuser to accommodate the end brackets and covers. As illustrated, each blade is suspended from two support brackets 96 and 98 by hanger rods 100, 102, it will be noted that the use of two such brackets is not necessary in all applications. The hanger rods are L-shaped having a leg 104, 106 engaged in pivot blocks 108, 110 fixed to blades 92 and 94 and the other legs 112 and 114 engaged in blocks 116 and 118 fixed to support brackets 96 and 98. The blocks are characterized by being made of a material which has inherent lubricity such as nylon, Teflon, or the like.

The pivot blocks will be more particularly described with reference to FIG. 2 wherein block 108 is illustrated it being appreciated that all of the blocks 108, 110, 116 and 118 are of identical construction and have an identical connection to their respective blades or brackets so that the description of one will suffice for all. Block 108 includes base 120 and two relatively spaced arms 122 and 124 extending from the base. A groove 126 is defined between arms 122 and 124 and the arms include opposed arcuate recesses 128 and 130 to provide an area in which rod 104 can be received. Blade 92 includes an aperture 132 for receipt of block 108. To assemble the block on the blade, legs 122 and 124 of the block are pinched together sufliciently to clear the inner walls of aperture 132, or a similar aperture in blade 94 and brackets 96, 98. When base is in engagement with the under side of blade 92, the legs are released and spring back to their normal position with the block being held on the blade through the cooperation between base 120 and shoulders 134, 136 provided on the block legs. The outer ends of legs 122 and 124 are beveled at 138 and 140 to guide leg 104 of rod 100 into the groove and between opposed recesses 128 and 130, the bevels cooperating to permit the rod to cam the legs outwardly for receipt of the rod leg. The block legs are constructed so that in their normal position the distance between opposed recesses 128 and is less than the diameter of rod leg 104 so that the rod will be securely clamped between the block legs; however, due to the inherent lubricity of the material used to fabricate block 108, the rod can slide freely within the block.

With this construction and arrangement of blocks 108, 110, 116 and 118 and the hanger rods, blades 92 and 94 are supported for pivotal movement in the passages about a longitudinal axis which is located between the longitudinal edges 92a, 92b and 94a, 94b of the blades. In addition, the assemblies of the blades and hanger rods are slidable in the blocks fixed to brackets 96 and 98 in the direction of flow through the passages toward and away from slots 18 and 20.

Support brackets 96 and 98, which also function as spacers holding the desired spacing between adjacent T- bars, are generally U-shaped having a web and arms 142, 144. All four brackets are identical in construction and therefore only one bracket 96 will be referred in describing the brackets in detail. Notches 146, 148, 150, 152 are provided at the corners between the arms and web of the bracket. The arms fit into guide ways provided on the T-bars by opposed pairs of projections 154-156 and 158-160, 162-164, and 166-168. Various methods of attachment can be used to connect the brackets to the T-bars. Preferably, bracket arms 142 and 144 are initially formed so that they are U-shaped in cross-section with their opposite edges having a suflicient flair to permit the arms to clear and be positioned between respective pairs of projections 154-168. When the arms are positioned between the pairs of projections, the arms are straightened, with a suitable tool, to slide into and wedge behind projections 154468. This holds the brackets in place with a simple and effective connection and one which utilizes a minimum of component parts.

This completes the description of the structure of the diffuser and typical pattern of settings of blades 92 and 94 will now be described to illusrate the versatility of the structure as well as the elfectiveness of pattern control.

Each of the blades is supported for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis which is disposed between their respective longitudinal edges, the location of the pivotal axis for the blades can be varied between the exit and inlet ends of the difluser by sliding the hanger rods in their respective blocks 116 and 118. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the hangers in passage 28 can be spaced sufliciently above slot 18 to permit blade 94 to be pivoted into engagement with either flange 32 or 34. As illustrated blade 92 engages flange 32 thereby directing all air flow through passage 28 to the right of the blade where, in cooperation with flange 34, the air is discharged through slot 18 with a horizontal throw to the left as illustrated by the arrow. Similarly, the hangers in passage 30 can be adjusted so that blade 94 can be pivoted into engagement with either flange 34 or 36. As illustrated, blade 94 engages flange 36 so that all flow is directed to the left of blade 94 and with the cooperation of flange 34, discharge through opening 20 is with a horizontal throw to the right. As illustrated by the dotted line showings of blades 92 and 94, the blades can be adjusted to permit discharge through both passages with a horizontal throw to either the left or the right. It will be appreciated that both blades can be arranged so that they extend generally normal to the T-bars or the direction of the flow (in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4) and are spaced above openings 18 and 20. With this arrangement, the discharge through both openings will be vertical. The blades can also be adjusted to any angular position between those positions to vary the amount of horizontal throw to either the left or the right as desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative construction incorporating this invention. More specifically, it illustrates the use of this invention in connection with a single flow passage. Center T-bar 14 has been eliminated and T- bars 12 and 16 have been moved closer together to accommodate a single blade 92 therebetween. This figure also illustrates a further function which can be achieved with this support arrangement for the pattern control blade. More particularly, the blade has an extension between its longitudinal edges 92a, 92b which is greater than the distance between the adjacent flanges 32 and 36 defining the exit opening. The blade can be lowered until it is engaged in the exit opening and thereby provide full damping of air flow through the passage. As illustrated in the full line showing of FIG. 4 and by the arrow, the passage between T- bars 12 and 16 is closed to air flow. As illustrated by the dotted line, the volume of air flow can be varied by moving the blade away from the slot opening, this can be achieved either by moving the blade in the full line orientation or by pivoting the blade toward one or the other of the flanges to provide volume control as well as pattern control with either direction of horizontal throw. It will be appreciated that this damping and volume control can also be achieved in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

It will also be noted that the blade or blades are arcuate in cross-section with the concave side presented to flow and the convex side to the exit opening. This construction and arrangement is preferred as the convex side enhances closure in the exit opening to interrupt flow and the concave side imparts greater diversion to the flow so that a more pronounced change in direction is required at the flange which results in a greater throw. It should be noted further that the marginal edges of the blades are turned inwardly toward the center about which the arcs of the blades are generated to provide flanges 93, 95 and 97, 99 (and 101, 103 in FIG. 4) extending the length of the blades. In the illustrated embodiments these flanges are parallel to each other on each blade.

Although this invention has been illustrated and described in connection with particular embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated wall means facing toward each other and defining an elongated passage therebetween having inlet and exit ends to permit flow through said passage, means extending at an angle to said wall means in said passage adjacent said exit end and spaced to permit flow therebetween,

elongated flow deflector blade means,

hanger means,

means connecting said hanger means to said blade means intermediate the longitudinal edges of said blade means and defining a pivotal axis for said blade means extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension of said blade means so that said hanger means supports said blade means for pivotal movement in said passage generally about the longitudinal extension thereof to vary the blade means orientation in said passage and with respect to flow through said passage to adjust the diversion of flow by said blade means, and means supporting said hanger means for sliding movement in said passage in the general direction of flow through said passage and for movement of said blade means in said passage with said hanger means independent of said pivotal movement and in the direction of flow through said passage toward and away from said exit end so that said blade means is movable toward and away from said exit end while maintaining the orientation of said blade means in said passage and with respect to said flow as established by said pivotal movement and said blade means is pivotable about said pivot axis without disturbing the adjusted position thereof relative to said exit end. 2. Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated wall means facing toward each other and defining an elongated passage therebetween having inlet and exit ends to permit flow through said passage, elongated flow deflector blade means in said passage, a plurality of longitudinally spaced, aligned support means engaging said blade means intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof and mounting said blade means for pivotal movement in said passage about an axis extending at an angle to flow and generally longitudinally of said passage to vary the blade means orientation in said passage and with respect to flow through said passage to adjust the diversion of flow by said blade means, and said support means also supporting said blade means between said inlet and exit ends and for movement in said passage independent of said pivotal movement and in the direction of flow through said passage toward and away from said exit end while maintaining the orientation of said blade means in said passage and with respect to said flow so that adjustable movement of said blade means toward and away from said exit end and about said axis is mutually independent and one mode of adjustment does not atfect the other. 3. Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated wall means facing toward each other and defining an elongated passage therebetween having inlet and exit ends to permit flow through said passage, elongated flow deflector blade means in said passage, hanger means, bracket means supporting said hanger means in said passage, block means including relatively spaced legs defining a groove opening toward the inlet end of said passage and each including an open end and confronting recesses spaced inwardly from said open end and said block means connected to said blade means intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof, and said hanger means including a rod portion extending generally parallel to the longitudinal extension of said passage and engaged in said groove and cooperating therewith to define a pivotal connection of said blade means on said rod portion for pivotal movement of said blade means in said passage about an axis extending generally parallel to said exit end. 4. Apparatus of the type described comprising in combination,

first and second relatively spaced wall means facing toward each other and defining a passage therebetween having inlet and exit ends to permit flow through said passage, means extending at an angle to said wall means in said passage adjacent said exit end and spaced to permit flow therebetween,

flow deflector means,

and support means mounting said blade means for pivotal movement in said passage to vary the blade means orientation in said passage and with respect to flow through said passage to adjust the diversion of flow by said blade means, said support means comprising,

bracket means supported between said wall means, first block means connected to said bracket means and including means defining a first opening extending generally in the direction of flow through said passage, second block means connected to said blade means and including means defining a second opening extending at an angle to said direction of flow, and hanger means including a first rod portion engaged in said first opening and a second rod portion engaged in said second opening with said blade means being pivotable about said second rod portion, said first rod portion being movable in said first block means to provide for movement of said blade means in said passage independent of said pivotal movement toward and away from said exit end and in the direction of flow through said passage so that said blade means is movable toward and away from said exit end while maintaining the orientation of said blade means in said passage and with respect to said flow as established by said pivotal movement.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said hanger means comprises a one-piece L-shaped rod with one leg of said rod comprising said first rod portion and the other leg said second rod portion.

6. Apparatus of the type described comprising, in combination,

first and second relatively spaced elongated T-shaped members having opposed body portions facing toward each other and defining a passage there'between having inlet and exit ends to permit flow through said passage and cross portions at said exit end of said passage extending at an angle to said body portions and terminating in relative spaced relation from each other to define an elongated exit opening permitting flow therebetween,

elongated flow deflector blade means in said passage and extending along said exit opening,

support means having a plurality of longitudinally spaced connections to said blade means and said support means including,

bracket means supported between said T-shaped members, a plurality of hanger means, means connecting each of said hanger means to said bracket means for adjustable movement of said hanger means in said passage toward and away from said exit opening, and means pivotally connecting each of said hanger means to said blade means at longitudinally spaced points thereon so that said blade means is movable with said hanger means toward and away from said exit opening and said blade means is pivotal about said hanger means and an axis disposed at an angle to said direction of flow and said blade means is movable with said hanger means toward and away from said exit opening independent of said pivotal movement and in the direction of flow through said passage while maintaining the orientation of said blade means in said passage and with respect to said flow as established by said pivotal movement. 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said means connecting said hanger means to said bracket means comprises first block means each including means defining a first opening extending generally in the direction of flow through said passage,

said means connecting said hanger means to said blade means comprises second block means connected to said blade means and each including means defining an opening disposed at an angle to said direction of flow,

and each of said hanger means includes integral first and second rod portions and each having said first rod portions frictionally engaged in the opening of said first block means and said second rod portion frictionally engaged in the opening of said second block means.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said blade means is disposed in alignment with said exit opening and has a width greater than the opening between said cross portions of said T-shaped members so that said blade means is engageable over and effective to close said exit opening to flow.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said blade means is arcuate in cross section through said width dimension and arranged to present the convex side thereof to said exit opening and the concave side thereof to said flow.

10. The combination of claim 4 wherein said wall means each includes first and second relatively spaced projections having confronting surfaces,

and said bracket means includes first and second portions each wedged between respective pairs of said first and second projections to establish the connection of said bracket means in said passage.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein said first and second block means each comprises a body of low friction material having spaced legs defining a groove therebetween, said groove providing the opening for receipt of said hanger means between said legs, said legs frictionally engaging said hanger means to hold said hanger means in an adjusted position while permitting relative movement between said block means and said hanger means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM E. WAYNER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 251-228

Images