20150153111 | INDOOR COIL | June, 2015 | Mercer et al. |
20120248816 | RAIN SHIELD AND A TILT AND SLIDE WINDOW HAVING SAID RAIN SHIELD SET THEREON | October, 2012 | Wan |
20020155807 | Device for controlling an air-moving apparatus upon activation of a smoke detector | October, 2002 | Moor et al. |
20120171949 | Variable air volume control apparatus | July, 2012 | Baik |
20110302876 | Protective structure for plumbing vents | December, 2011 | Giffin |
20110151766 | RESIDENTIAL INTEGRATED VENTILATION ENERGY CONTROLLER | June, 2011 | Sherman et al. |
20080314260 | DUAL DAMPER CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD | December, 2008 | Hardenburger |
20060105699 | Vent baffle and perforation machine | May, 2006 | Kortuem et al. |
20060030254 | Storage unit for being portable towable, liftable, rackable, and weatherproof | February, 2006 | Norris Jr. |
20050130581 | Roof vent having labyrinth features | June, 2005 | Dodge |
20140213165 | MOTOR VEHICLE DEFROST SYSTEM | July, 2014 | Goenka et al. |
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The subject invention generally pertains to air ducts and more specifically to an illuminated fabric air duct.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Many HVAC systems (heating ventilating and air conditioning systems) include a network of air ducts with several discharge registers that distribute forced air to various rooms or areas within a building. Conventional air ducts are made of sheet metal, which is functional, but often considered not very attractive. But their appearance is usually not that important, as ductwork is often conveniently installed where they are out of sight, such as hidden above a ceiling or below a floor of the area being ventilated.
[0005] However, some buildings, such as warehouses and factories, do not have a convenient, out of sight location to install metal ductwork. In such cases, the ductwork is often installed just below the ceiling where it is in clear view. Moreover, if the ductwork conveys cool air, condensation may form on the exterior metal walls of the ducts, which may then drip onto the inventory or personnel below. The consequences of the dripping can range anywhere from a minor irritation to a dangerously slippery floor for the personnel, or complete destruction of the products it may drip on (especially in food-processing facilities).
[0006] Sometimes, temperature differentials between the ducts and the air being conveyed creates condensation on the interior of the ducts. The presence of condensed moisture on the duct's interior may form mold or bacteria that the duct then passes onto the room or other areas being supplied with the conditioned air.
[0007] In some applications, the rooms or areas being served by the ductwork require a more even distribution of air than what can be achieved with several spaced-apart discharge registers. Metal ducts with localized discharge registers have been known to create uncomfortable drafts and unbalanced localized heating or cooling within the discharge registers. Metal ducts with localized discharge registers have been known to create uncomfortable drafts and unbalanced localized heating or cooling within the building. In many food-processing facilities, where the target temperature is 42 degrees Fahrenheit, a cold draft can be especially uncomfortable and possibly unhealthy.
[0008] Consequently, for the reasons just mentioned, air ducts made of fabric are often preferred over those made of sheet metal. Fabric ducts typically have a flexible fabric wall that is porous and/or includes additional holes along its length for evenly dispersing air from within the duct into the areas being conditioned or ventilated. The fabric's ability to “breathe” appears to minimize condensate accumulation on both the interior and exterior of the duct. An example of such a duct is a DUCTSOX by the Frommelt Safety Products Corporation of Milwaukee, Wis.
[0009] Since fabric ducts disperse air generally along its entire length, fabric ducts are usually installed such that they are fully exposed to the area they serve. Fabric ducts are often suspended from a horizontal cable or track mounted just below the ceiling of the building. Thus, they are usually clearly visible, which makes their appearance generally more important than if they were hidden. Although many prefer the appearance of fabric ducts over those made of sheet metal, there may always be a desire to further enhance their appearance.
[0010] A fabric air duct is provided with a light-transmitting fabric wall that is illuminated, such that light travels outward from inside the duct. Such a fabric duct may exhibit an enhanced appearance over existing ducts, and has added functionality.
[0011] In some embodiments, a fabric air duct and a light source are suspended underneath a ceiling using the same hangers.
[0012] In some embodiments, the light-transmitting fabric wall is translucent to broadly disperse light into a room.
[0013] In some embodiments, the interior of a fabric air duct is illuminated with ultraviolet radiation to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as mold, fungus, or bacteria.
[0014] In some embodiments, the interior of a fabric air duct is illuminated with a light that changes with a changing condition of the air being conveyed through the duct, wherein the changing condition of the air is temperature, pressure or rate of airflow.
[0015] In some embodiments, the interior of a fabric air duct is illuminated with blinking lights to create a twinkling or moving-light effect.
[0016] Alternatively, light may not pass through the duct, but the duct and indirect lighting may be commonly mounted.
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024] To disperse light as well as air into a room, an air duct assembly
[0025] To provide duct
[0026] To expel pressurize air
[0027] To transmit light
[0028] Light source
[0029] In another embodiment, shown in
[0030] Air duct
[0031] In some cases, it may be desirable to have one light
[0032] Several openings
[0033] Other special lighting effects can be achieved with a duct assembly
[0034] In another embodiment, an air duct assembly
[0035] Although the invention is described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by reference to the claims that follow.