US2127095A - Air circulatory system - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 16, 1938.

w. s. STRO NG AIR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1936 INVENTOR f ATTORNEY Ollg HIS;

Aug. 16, 1938. w. E. s. STRONG AIR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1936 mvzgngr William' ron BY 2 j 5 H ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1938 2,127,095 AIR. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM William E. S. Strong, New York, N. Y., assignor to John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., I a. corporation of New York Application April 24, 1936, Serial No. 76,113

Claims.

This invention relates to an air circulatory system.

More particularly the present invention relates to an air circulatory system for heating and ventilating and otherwise air conditioning the interior of a structure such as a dwelling house.

The present system effects a forced flow of air over a central thermal and/or other conditioning unit and distribution of the thereby treated air through appropriate chambers, such as the rooms of a dwelling house, for utilization, and provides for the return of such used air, thereafter, to an appropriate chamber, followed by a re-flow of such air over the thermal and/or other conditioning unit or units to afford. continuous conditioning of air in the system and continuous circulation of such conditioned air distributively throughout the utilization chambers of the system.

Advantageously, the air collection chamber is provided with means for admitting fresh air from the outer atmosphere, and regulating the admission of such fresh air into the circulatory system. Desirably, also, one or more of the utilization chambers are provided with means affording partial cut-01f for such chamber or chambers from other component chambers of the system, such means allowing admission of conditioned air from they system to such partially cut-off chamber or chambers but effecting discharge of 'used air therefrom .into the outside atmosphere rather than the return of such air into thesystem for re-circulation.

Embodiments of this invention in their essentials include an air-collection chamber, a plenum chamber spaced apart therefrom a distance determining one dimension of the utilization chambers to be provided with conditioned air, a conditioning' conduit extending between the air-collection chamber and the plenum chamber, and communicating therewith at its ends, outlets from the plenum chamber into the utilization chambers, outletsfrom the utilization chamber into the air-collection chamber, a thermal or other conditioning unit or units positioned within the conditioning conduit, and air circulating means for effecting a forced circulation of air from the air-collection chamber through the conditioning conduit into the plenum chamber, and thence, distributively through the utilization. chambers back to the air-collection chamber.

The present invention is particularly applicable to the heating and ventilating of dwelling-houses, preferably one story dwelling houses having an attic insulated against the outside atmosphere to form the air-collection chamber of the system.

Such dwelling houses may be designed without basement and have defined between the floor and an insulated false floor, the plenum chamber of the system. The conditioning conduit may ex- 5 tend vertically between such plenum chamber and the attic i. e., air-collection chamber, at any convenient location in the house, and the remaining space between side-walls, floor, and ceiling of such house maybe divided as desired into rooms, 1. e. the utilization chambers of the system. The floor of each room is preferably provided with one or more air inlets from the, plenum chamber, and the ceiling of each room is preferably provided with one or more air outlet openings into the attic, such ceiling openings being preferably at locations in the room remote from that of the floor openings. Air is drawn from the attic, by suitable air circulating means, and flows down through the conditioning conduit over a suitable heater, humidifier, cooler, or other conditioning unit or units positioned therein, into the plenum: chamber for distribution .through the variantly located floor openings of the room of the house. The used air from the'rooms passes into the attic through the variantly located ceiling openings, and, as thus collected, is re-conditioned and re-circulated continuously, as desired.

Further features and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detall description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a vertical section, taken on the line l-l, Fig. 2, of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; I

Fig. 2 illustrates a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings which represent an application of the present air circulatory system to one type of dwelling housefor heating and 40 ventilating and otherwise air conditioning the same; illustrated therein is a dwelling house preferably one story and without basement. Such dwelling house has an attic as at llldefined be-l tween a roof ll, gable ends l2 and I3, and a ceiling I4. Such roof and gable ends are preferably insulated against the outside atmosphere to, together with the ceiling, provide a .tight air-collection chamber for thehouse.

' The floor l5 of such dwelling house'is provided "with a false floor l6 spaced apart lowerly therefrom a distance greater than thedep'th of the joists IT. The flooring l5'and the false flooring l6 cooperate to form a unitary plenum chamber I8 walls 2.

substantially coextensive with the area of the floor IS.

The plenum chamber i8 is spaced below the air-collection chamber iii a distance equal to the desired height of the space to be provided with conditioned air. Such space is bounded by the exterior 'side walls I8, 20, 2i and 22, respectively of the house and may be divided into rooms as at A, B, C, D, E, etc., by suitable interior-wall partitions, see Fig. 2.

Extending between the air-collection chamber l0 and the plenum chamber i3, at any desired location within the bounds of the space heretofore mentioned, is a conditioning conduit 23 normally entirely enclosed laterally by suitable One or more doors 25, Fig. 2, may be provided for access into such conditioning conduit 23.

A thermal unit, such as the coal furnace 26, and/or other suitable air-conditioning units (not shown) is positioned within the conduit23. As

, illustrated, the furnace 26 may comprise an inner structure 2611 defining a combustion chamber, and an outer hood 26b defining, together with the inner structure 26a, a thermalizing passage 260 for air. A smoke pipe 21, communicating with the inner structure 26a, cooperates with the draft-opening 23 to promote, in the usual manner, combustion within the furnace. Such draft opening 23 may communicate with the plenum chamber IS.

The conditioningconduit 234s provided at its upper end with an air inlet port 29 aflording passage for air, thereinto from the air-collection chamber ll. Passage from the conditionin conduit into the plenum chamber l3 may be aflorded the air by an outlet opening 30 at the,

lower end of such conditioning conduit. Advantageously, such outlet opening 30 forms the lower'end of the thermalizing passage 23c, so that air, forced by suitable air-circulating means as for instance by the suction fan 3|, to enter the conditioning conduit 23 through the inlet port 23, will be forced through such thermalizing passage 23c in heat exchange relation with the thermal surfaces of the furnace 23, and will be discharged into the plenum chamber II as heated Variantly located in the floor II, and preferably apportioned one or more to respective rooms A, B, C, D, E, etc. of the house, see Fig. 2, are outlet means 32 for the plenum chamber l3, such means preferably takingthe form of registers of the type djustable from closed to open position. Such outlet means 32 are desirably located, respectively, adjacent respective windows, as at 33, Fig. 2, of respective rooms-to attain equalization of room temperature during operation of the system.

Variantly located in the ceiling l4, and preferably apportioned to respective rooms to correspond to the apportionment of the outlet means 32, are outlet means 34 from the respective rooms, 1. e. utilimtion chambers to the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber. Such outlet means 34 are desirably positioned, respectively, .at loca tions in the rooms remote from the outlet means 32 to effect substantially complete distribution of conditioned air throughout -the room when the system is in operation. Also, such outlet means 33 preferably take the form of registersof the t p adlustable from closed'to open position.

Upon actuation of thesuction fan 3!, as by an electric motor preferably thermostatically controlled. a r is drawn into the conditioning conduit 23 from the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber l0 through the port 29, is forced through the thermalizing passage 260 of the furnace 26, and out of the open end 30 thereof into the plenum chamber [3 for distribution through the variantlylocated outlet openings 32 into the respective rooms of the house. Such conditioned air is passed distributively through the respective rooms of the house for utilization and is removed therefrom, through the variantly located outlet openings 34, into the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber i II for continued circulation through the system in a similar manner.

Admission of air to the system from the outside atmosphere may be had in varying degree by the air inlet 35 positioned preferably in a gable end of the attic, i. e. air-collection chamber Ill. The degree of opening of such air inlet 35 may be regulated by suitable means, as for instance by the louvres 35a.

One or more of the rooms, i. e. utilization chambers, may be provided with a ventsuch as that indicatedat 31, Fig. 2, variably adjustable between open and closed position. Such room or rooms may be partially cut ofi from the air circulatory system proper by closure of the proper outlet opening or openings; in the illustrated case,.the outlet opening 34. Consequently, when it is desirable to eliminate used air, such as air tainted with cooking odors as in the case of the kitchen, the. vent 31 may be opened and the outlet opening 34 closed. Conditioned air may then be admitted to such room from the plenum chamber l8 through the opening 32, the discharge of'used, tainted air being to the outside atmosphere through the open vent 31, rather than back into the system for recirculation. At such time the air inlet 35, controlling admission ofv air to the system from the outside, may be opened as required.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collection chamber spaced apart from the said plenum chamber, a conduit extending between said air-collection chamber and said plenum chamber and communicating at its respective ends therewith, air conditioning means operatively positioned in said conduit, a plurality of utilization chambers between said plenum chamber and said air-collection chamber, outlet means adjustable from closed to open pofltion leading from said plenum chamber into said utilization chambers, outlet means adjustable from closed to open position leading from said utilization chambers into said air-collection chamber, and means for effectinga forced circulation of air from said air-collection chamber through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relationship with said conditioning means, into and throughout said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout said utilization chambers, to return finally to said air-collection chamber for continued re-circulation.

2. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collection chamber spaced apart fran and substantially co-extensive in opposing area with the said plenum chamben'a conduit extending between said air-collection chamber and saidplenum chamber and communicating at its respective ends therewith, air conditioning means operatively positioned in said conduit, a

plurality of utilization chambers comprehending I 'chamber' into said utilization chambers, outlet means adjustable from closed to open position leading from said utilization chambers into said air-collection chamber, adjustable air-inlet means for establishing communication of the air-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere, and means for effecting a forced circulation of air from said air-collection chamber through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relationship with said conditioning means into and throughout said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout said utilization chambers, to return finally to said aircollection chamber for continued re-circulation.

3. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collection chamber spaced apart from the said plenum chamber, a conduit extending between said air-collection chamber and said plenum chamber and communicating at its respective ends therewith, air-conditioning means operatively positioned in said conduit, a plural ity of utilization chambers between said plenum chamber and said air-collection chamber, outlet means from said plenum chamber into said utilization chambers, outlet means from said utilization chambers into said air-collection chamber, means for effecting a forced circulation of air from said air-collection chamber through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relationship with said conditioning means, into and throughout said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout said utilization chambers, to return finally to said air-collection chamber for continued re-circulation, adjustable air-inlet means afiordi'ng for said air-collection chamber communication with the outside atmosphere, vent means in at least one of'said utilization chambers adjustable from open to closed position, and means for. closing the outlet into the air-collection chamber from any utilization chamber provided with said vent means.

4. In an air circulatory system a plenum chamber, an air-collection chamber spaced apart from and substantially coextensive in opposing area with the said plenum chamber, a conduit extending between said air-collection chamber and said plenum chamber intermediate their boundaries and communicating at its respective ends therewith, air conditioning means operatively positioned in said conduit, a plurality of utilization chambers substantially coextensive with the space between said plenum chamber and said air-collection chamber surrounding said conduit, outlet means from said plenum chamber I air-collection chamber communication with the open to closed position, and means for closing the outlet into the air-collection chamber from any utilization chamber provided with said vent means.

5. In a system for air-conditioning a one story dwelling house, an attic insulated against the outside atmosphere, an insulated false floor beneath the floor of said housing, forming, together with said floor of the dwelling house, a plenum chamber, said plenum chamber being substan-' tially coextensive with the floor proper, a conduit extending between said attic and said plenum chamber and communicating at its ends therewith, air-conditioning means operatively positioned within said conduit, outlet registers from said plenum chamber into the space between the floor and ceiling of the house, outlet registers from such space into, the said attic, and means for effecting a forced circulation of air from said attic, through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relation with the conditioning means, into and throughout the said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout said space, to return finally to said attic for continued re-circulation.

6. In a system for air-conditioning a one story dwelling house divided into rooms, an attic insulated a ainst the outside atmosphere, an insulated fa se fioor beneath the floor of said housing, forming, together with said floor of the dwelling house, a plenum chamber, said plenum chamber being substantially co-extensive with the floor proper, a conduit extending between said attic and said plenum chamber and communicating at its ends therewith, air-conditioning means operatively positioned within said conduit, outlet registers adjustable from closedto open position leading from said plenum chamber into the various rooms of the house, outlet registers adjustable from closed to open position leading from the various rooms of the house into said attic, adjustable air-inlet means for establishing communication of the air-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere,- and means for effecting a forced circulation of air from said attic, through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relation with the conditioning means into and through the said plenum chamber, distributively into and throughout'the various rooms of the house to return finally to said attic for continued re-circulation.

7. In a system for air-conditioning a one story dwelling house divided into rooms, an attic insulated against the outside atmosphere, an in sulated false floor beneath the floor of said dwelling house, forming, together with said floor of the dwelling house, a plenum chamber, said plenum chamber being substantially co-extensive with the floor proper, a conduit extending between said attic and said plenum chamber and to open position leading from said plenum chamber into the various rooms of the house, outlet registers adjustable from closed to open posi,- tion leading from the various rooms of the house into said attic, adjustable air-inlet means, for establishing communication of the air-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere, vent means in at least one of the rooms of the house adjustable from open to closed position, and means for efiecting a forced circulation of air from said attic, through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relation with the conditioning means positioned within the conduit, outlets adjustable from closed to open position leading, respectively, from the plenum chamber into the utilization chambers of the mid-portion of the building, outlets adjustable from closed to open position leading, respectively, from the said utilization chambers of the mid-portion of the building to the air-collection chamber, and means for 20 effecting a forced circulation of air from said air-collection chamber through said conduit, and therewith in conditioning relationship with said conditioning means into and throughout said plenum'chamber, distributively into and throughout said utilization chambers, to return finally to said air-collection chamber for continued recirculation.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein there is adjustable air-inlet means for establishing communication of the air-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere.

10. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein there is adjustable air-inlet means for establishing communication of the air-collection chamber with the outside atmosphere, and wherein there is vent means, adjustable from open to closed position, in at least one of the utilization chambers.

WILLIAM E. S STRONG.

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