EP0399935B1 - False ceiling in stretched fabric, at least partly permeable, used to create an air-volume for heating or cooling - Google Patents

Abstract

The device combines heating, ventilating or air-conditioning aeraulic and thermal equipment with a technique for distributing air using novel constituents in this application. The device eliminates the equipment of the duct or plug type which are characteristic of whole-air conditioners. It creates a horizontal technical duct which is accessible and demountable and is available over the totality of the surface of the premises. A ventilation unit (1) blows, above a false ceiling made of impervious stretched fabric (2), the air pretreated in the power unit (1). This air (8) is distributed and retreated by transfer modules (3) towards the blowing volumes above a false ceiling made of permeable fabric (4). The latter provides the homogeneous distribution of the air (8) over the entire surface of the treated premises (5). A recovery grille (6) provides the recycling of air (8) towards the circulation room (7). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a new technique for distributing treated air (heated, filtered, possibly cooled), in premises. As such it falls within the areas of ventilation, heating and air conditioning of buildings. The device according to the invention defines a new technology of the air duct network and air outlets specific to "all air" air conditioning systems. This device also makes it possible to constitute a horizontal technical sheath accessible and removable, usable on the entire surface of the premises treated. As such it is part of the technical equipment of the building.

Patent WO-A-7,901,100 (EUROC) is known which describes a filtration and acoustic absorption technique intended for the acoustic correction of premises. This false ceiling in stretched fabric is claimed for its acoustic correction properties, but is absolutely not associated with any heating or air conditioning device whatsoever. The permeability of the ceiling to an air flow is not mentioned or claimed in this patent. Our patent, on the other hand, uses the properties of permeability or impermeability of a false ceiling in stretched fabric for the purpose of constituting a complete air distribution network, air outlets included.

The fields of application of the EUROC process and ours are separate. EUROC is a room acoustic correction, which we do not claim. Our process is basically an air distribution technique, making more available an accessible and removable horizontal technical sheath.

Also known is American patent US Pat. No. 3,975,995 (B. SHULER), which describes a technique for distributing and filtering the air passing through a double false ceiling composed of panels, some of which are breathable.

This SHULER patent differs from our process because the false ceiling of this patent is not produced by a single constituent but by the juxtaposition of elements of different properties (permeable or not), requiring for their implementation a distributed load-bearing structure over the entire treated area. Our process uses a single component in one piece (a false ceiling in stretched fabric) which requires only a fixed edge for the surfaces of current premises.

Our device according to claims 1-6 is similar to an "all air" air conditioning system. By the methods usually used, it is known to ensure the distribution of fresh air and recycled air, after heat treatment and filtration, in a set of premises. An "all air" air conditioning system includes at least one air treatment unit (filtration, ventilation and heat treatment unit) blowing a mixture of fresh air and recycled air into a network of ducts, these ensuring the flow of air from the central unit to the blowing outlet (s) after any terminal treatment by parts or by zones. An air heating system will have the same structure, but in general with a lower flow of recirculated air. In heating, ventilation and air conditioning or air conditioning, duct networks and air outlets (or grilles) are specific equipment necessary for implementation according to the rules of the art. In addition, horizontal technical ducts (false ceiling), when they exist, are used as a cover for the air ducts and as an environment for air outlets, but do not replace these two types of components. The horizontal technical ducts, on the basis of their current technologies, cannot be used both in accessible removable air ducts and in homogeneous blowing mouth over their entire surface.

The purpose of the device according to the invention is to provide an improved means for distributing treated air (heating, ventilation or air conditioning), which does not require special air ducts or air outlets. The invention aims to create an air network integrated into the walls of the premises which constitute a horizontal technical sheath allowing the passage of networks, such as those for electrical distribution or sanitary water, intended for the technical equipment of the premises. The invention also aims to constitute, without additional device, large emission surfaces characteristic of heating techniques called "radiant ceilings". The invention also aims to constitute a blowing surface such that the air speeds at their outlet are so low that the effects of air jet are negligible. By the nature of the materials used, the invention aims to integrate the acoustic treatment of the premises into the functionalities of the system. air distribution. By the accessible and removable nature of the horizontal technical duct created, the invention aims to give the air distribution network all the characteristics required to ensure the development of the building in the field of technical equipment.

The device according to the invention ensures the removal of air ducts and air outlets, by the following design of the air network. The air duct network consists of the walls of the building, ceiling, walls or partitions, associated with a false ceiling in stretched fabric. The air network is divided into two zones. A first area used in main distribution is carried out using a false ceiling in waterproof fabric. A second zone corresponding to the treated premises is produced using a false ceiling of permeable fabric which is crossed by the flow of heating or air conditioning air.

The associated ventilation equipment ensures the circulation of the air flow distributed in the treated rooms thanks to the ventilation unit blowing in the volume located above the false ceiling in waterproof fabric of the circulation rooms. The overall flow of blown air is then distributed across all of the volumes located above the false ceilings in permeable fabric fitted to the rooms treated by means of transfer modules associated with filters, these filters ensuring air balancing of the network. The air distributed in the volumes defined by the permeable false ceilings is then diffused over the entire surface of the false ceilings to the treated rooms. The false ceiling then acts as a blowing mouth for the room treated. The air passes through the treated rooms and is then taken up in the circulation room, through a return grille embedded in the door or vertical wall. Centralized heat treatments, heating or cooling, are carried out in the ventilation and treatment unit. The terminal heat treatments are carried out in the transfer modules.

A variant of the device according to the invention is intended for the treatment of premises with a single volume. The air distribution network is this time limited to a single zone made using a false ceiling of permeable fabric which is crossed by the air blown by the treatment and ventilation unit through a filter poached. The entire false ceiling constitutes a blowing surface.

The invention also aims to use the volumes specific to the circulation of the treated air in the functions of horizontal technical ducts. The device according to the invention comprises a false ceiling in stretched fabric. The hanging device used consists of profiles (plastic or metallic) fixed on the shore, on the vertical walls of the premises. Baguettes of approximately 20 cm long can be used to wind the fabric and put it in place manually without tools, then slide the baguettes into a groove in the profile reserved for this purpose. The design of this fixing technique aims to authorize the mounting and dismounting of the false ceiling by a user without professional competence, for routine maintenance purposes, washing the fabric after total dismantling, access to the filters for cleaning with local dismantling and partial, intervention in electrical distribution networks, water ... passing through the volume defined by the false ceiling.

The invention also aims to constitute a thermal emission surface on all of the false ceilings. The device according to the invention comprises a false ceiling in stretched fabric which delimits in its lower part an air space corresponding to the treated air. By thermal transfer between this air space and the fabric, the false ceiling is approximately at the temperature of the treated air and therefore constitutes a source of thermal emission of large area, like those used in the techniques known as "radiating ceiling". ".

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en trois dimensions d'un ensemble de locaux auxquels l'invention est applicable;
• la figure 2 est une vue de détail en coupe du moyen utilisé pour la fixation du tissu tendu, en occurrence un profilé associé à un accessoire de montage (baguette);
• la figure 3 est, en trois dimensions, une réédition de la figure 1 complétée par les réseaux d'air correspondant à une ventilation mécanique double flux et par un local à pollution spécifique;
• la figure 4 montre en coupe une vue schématique d'implantation de l'unité centrale de ventilation et de traitement d'air associée au dispositif de filtration principale, selon la figure 1 ou 2;
• la figure 5 montre en coupe un détail de la figure 4 relatif à la fixation du filtre en faux plafond;
• la figure 6 représente une variante de la figure 1 dans le cas d'un local à volume unique, l'unité de traitement d'air étant disposée en position murale verticale;
• la figure 7 représente une variante de la figure 1 dans le cas d'un local à volume unique, l'unité de traitement d'air étant disposée en position centrale horizontale, incorporé au volume défini par le faux plafond.

We will now describe, by way of examples, certain embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a set of premises to which the invention is applicable;
• Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view of the means used for fixing the stretched fabric, in this case a profile associated with a mounting accessory (rod);
• FIG. 3 is, in three dimensions, a reissue of FIG. 1 supplemented by the air networks corresponding to mechanical ventilation with double flow and by a room with specific pollution;
• Figure 4 shows in section a schematic view of the location of the central ventilation and treatment unit air associated with the main filtration device, according to FIG. 1 or 2;
• Figure 5 shows in section a detail of Figure 4 relating to the fixing of the false ceiling filter;
• FIG. 6 represents a variant of FIG. 1 in the case of a room with a single volume, the air treatment unit being arranged in a vertical wall position;
• FIG. 7 represents a variant of FIG. 1 in the case of a room with a single volume, the air treatment unit being arranged in a horizontal central position, incorporated into the volume defined by the false ceiling.

A preferred embodiment according to the multiple premises variant is shown in Figure 1. The air distribution network is divided into two zones. A distribution area, which for commercial or residential premises, will be the circulation room (s) (7). The stretched fabric used (2) is then not permeable to air. The volume defined by the walls of the building (13) (14) and by the airtight stretched fabric (2) constitutes an air duct (18). This sheath ensures the distribution of air to all the treated parts (5) via transfer modules (3). In this zone, the overpressure maintained between the volume defined by the false ceiling (2) and the volume of the circulation room (7) is less than 20 Pa. This very low overpressure was sought so that the leak rates on the banks (17) or at the level of any accessories passing through the false ceiling (lighting hanger, ...) are negligible. The possible noises associated with leaks or deformations of the stretched tissue are also, therefore, negligible. The filter (10) is arranged at the air treatment unit (1) so that these leakage rates do not cause dirt. The volume (18) limited by the waterproof false ceiling (2) and by the walls (13 and 14) consists of an air gap of about 30 cm thick, which allows it to fill the functions of a horizontal technical sheath, surmounted by an insulating sheet of glass wool of about 4 cm.

The ventilation unit (11 in FIG. 4) and the air treatment unit (12 in FIG. 4) is a conventional ceiling fan coil (1). The cassette filter generally provided on these materials is removed. It is then mounted, in place of the original filter, an accessory forming a suction sleeve (26) and filter, constituted as shown in FIG. 4, a detail of which is given in FIG. 5.

The frame (25) in profile (17) of the above type allows the fixing of the false ceiling and the flexible adaptation cuff (26) in waterproof fabrics. It is mounted suspended under a slab and not in rigid mechanical connection with the casing of the fan coil unit (1). The cuff (26) is fixed to the body of the fan coil (1) by strapping.

The main filter (10) is simply pressed against the edge of the profile (17) of the frame (25) which has been previously covered with a strip (9) of the VELCRO type (registered trademark) glued to the frame (25). The external covering is done by a cover in decorative fabric (28) woven with large meshes so as to ensure an easy passage of air.

The filter is dismantled by removing the cover fabric (28), a solution chosen to allow this operation without tools or special skills.

The filtration surface thus offered, of the order of five times that of the cassette filter that is replaced, is chosen to considerably reduce the pressure drop across the filter while improving the filtration qualities. The large filtration surface (10) is made possible by the fact that this filter is arranged in a lost and invisible volume, the volume limited by the false ceiling (18), without being held to a rigid protection which would be expensive and n 'would not have the possibility of adaptation to the site of the solution chosen.

A conventional cassette filter results in a nominal pressure drop of around 25 Pa. The filtration technique main reservoir creates less than 10 Pa pressure drop. The removal of the fan coil blowing grid and the change in filtration technique ensures a gain in static pressure available at the outlet of the fan coil of approximately 20 Pa. This pressure made available is intended, in the device according to the invention, to compensate for pressure losses in the entire rest of the network. A conventional fan coil, known as "without static pressure available", ensures in our device an air flow corresponding to the nominal flow of the selected fan coil.

In the preferred embodiment according to FIG. (1), the passage from the distribution volume (18), limited by the sealed false ceiling (2), to the volume (19) delimited by the permeable false ceiling (4) takes place through the transfer module (3). This transfer module (3) consists of a metal casing whose shape is a trunk of a pyramid. The dimension of the outlet is approximately 60 cm by 5 cm. The transfer module (3) is positioned in vertical walls (14) at the level of the volumes (18) and (19) delimited by the false ceilings (2) and (4). On the outlet of the transfer module (3) is mounted a pocket filter (16) performing a second level of filtration and intended for the air balancing of air networks. The transfer module (3) and balancing filter (16) assembly presents, for the nominal design flow chosen, a pressure drop of approximately 10 Pa. The transfer module (3) comprises near its inlet, in the part of the module located cantilevered in the volume (18) of the false ceiling of the circulation room (7), an electrical resistance (15) acting as a heating terminal. This resistance is interchangeable, it is selected from a range, defined by its power or by its nominal air flow, and paired with the balancing filter (16) of the same nominal flow.

In the preferred embodiment according to Figure (1), the output of the balancing filter (16) takes place in the volume (19) located above the permeable false ceiling (4). This volume (19) consists of a thin layer of air, approximately 6 cm, which varies according to the balance sheets of the premises and therefore of the air flow introduced, and of an insulating sheet of approximately 4 cm.

The permeable fabric (4) used defines a pressure drop, for an air flow of approximately 10 m³ per hour through an m² of permeable surface, of approximately 0.2 Pa, greater than or equal to the pressure drop existing in the distribution air gap. This level of permeability is retained to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the flow of treated air introduced into a room (5) over the entire surface of the false ceiling (4).

Alternatively, a micro perforated waterproof fabric is used in place of the naturally permeable fabric. The micro perforation is such that the drilling density on the one hand, the size of the orifices on the other hand, define a pressure drop of approximately 1 Pa for the nominal flow rate of 10 m³ per hour per m² of permeable surface. This micro perforation corresponds to a set of holes obtained using needles of approximately 0.5 mm in diameter, at the rate of twenty holes per dm².

The operation of the device ensures a very small pressure difference between volume (19) and treated room (5). The resulting leakage air flows at the level of the sections (17) are negligible, as are those which may appear at the level of the members passing through the false ceiling (4) if minimum care is taken during implementation.

In the preferred embodiment according to Figure (1), the air network comprises an air intake grille (6) for wall mounting or recessed in the door. These grids in common use in all air conditioning, are dimensioned here in such a way that the pressure drop which they cause, for the nominal flow of the room, is less than that caused by the transfer module and the balancing filter (3) and (16) associated.

According to a variant shown in FIG. 3, the device according to the invention is supplemented by double-flow controlled mechanical ventilation (VMC). The fresh air pre-treated in a static recuperator is introduced through the fresh air duct (21) and blown into the volume (18) located above the false ceiling (2), at the desired flow rate, thanks to a self-adjusting fresh air inlet module (23) located near the supply air blower (1). This air is then mixed with the recycled air and then distributed as seen above. The extraction is carried out from the parts with specific pollution (20) by an extraction mouth (24) and an extraction sheath (22) passing in volume (18).

In the preferred embodiment according to FIG. (1), the device according to the invention is similar in principle to the distribution of air to an all-air air conditioning installation. On the other hand, it is characterized by the fact that the entire false ceiling surface (4) is at the air blowing temperature and participates, by radiation and convection, in the compensation of the air conditioning loads. As a result, for the same flow rate and the same air conditioning power, the blowing difference between the temperature of the air blown at the outlet of the permeable false ceiling (4) and the average temperature of the room air (5) is reduced and the air jet effects are canceled. On the other hand, the very low pressure losses in the network, lead to a sizing of fan with low available static pressure, therefore with electrical power and very low noise level.

In the preferred embodiment according to Figure (1), the device according to the invention has an analogy with low-temperature radiant ceiling heating systems, in that the surface of the false ceiling (4) behaves like an emitter by radiation towards the treated room (5). The forced convection air flow circulating through the false ceiling ensures the device according to the invention, a lower thermal resistance than a pure radiant ceiling. The lower thermal resistance ensures, for the same exchanged power, a significantly lower false ceiling temperature, which has the direct consequence of improving comfort, in particular by a significant reduction in vertical stratification and by the presence of a ventilation with an air circulation rate similar to that of an air conditioning system.

In the preferred embodiment according to Figure (1), the device according to the invention has the particularity of producing a large surface exchanger (false ceiling (4)), from a point energy source such as resistance electric (15) located in the transfer module (3) and the circulation of a heat transfer fluid (air (8)). The air located in volume (19) above the permeable false ceiling (4) can be treated by a large area thermal emitter, of the radiating film type, or treated locally by an electrical resistance if there is circulation of air. The device falls under the second solution, designed to achieve lower implementation costs.

In the preferred embodiment according to FIG. 6, a variant of the device, intended for the treatment of single-volume premises, is produced by removing the false ceiling (2) and its transfer module (3), by replacing the filter ( 10) and its frame (25) by a filter (16) previously mounted at the outlet of the transfer module (3) and placed in this variant at the outlet of the ventilation and air treatment unit (1).

Claims (6)

1. Air distribution device, for heating ventilation or air conditioning, whose air ductwork side walls are formed by suspended ceilings (2, 4), completed by upper floor slabs (13) and the vertical walls (14) of the rooms. The main feature of the device is the use of partly permeable streched material for the side walls of the suspended ceiling (4) working as an air channel.
2. A device following the previous claim is characterized by the fact that the permeable part (4) of suspended ceilings forms an air outlet on the whole of its surface.
3. A device following claim 1) which is characterized by the fact that the suspended ceiling of this type (2) consists of an air-tight material which acts as air distribution side wall.
4. A device corresponding to the claims 1), 2) and 3), characterized by the fact that the texture material making up suspended ceilings (2) or (4) is exclusively fastened on frames located on the upper side borders of the vertical walls of the room.
5. A device following claims 1) and 2), characterized by the fact that a type of facility, corresponding to the structure of a single volume room, includes a suspended ceiling made up of stretched air-tight material (4) located at upper level room serviced (5), a volume (19) limited by the suspended ceiling (4) an upper floor slab (13) and the vertical walls (14), a ventilation and air processing unit (1) installed inside the space previously mentioned (19) and which drives the conditioned air into the room (19) via the net filter (10).
6. A device following requirements 1), 2) and 3) whose type of assembly, suitable for a multi-room structure, includes a suspended ceiling (2) made air-tight stretched material situated upper level of circulation room (17), a volume (18) limited by the suspended ceiling (2), the upper floor slab (13) and the walls or room partitions (14), a ventilation or air processing unit (1) located in the previously mentioned volume (18), which is equipped at its air inlet with a filter (10) set into a frame (25) fixed to the suspended ceiling (2), modules for the transfer of air (3) placed within the volume mentioned (18) and the various other volumes (19) located each time above at the upper level of the ventilated or air conditioned rooms (5) limited by the upper floor slabs (13) the walls or partition walls (14) and an air permeable suspended ceiling (4), air filters (16) mounted at the outlet of transfer module (3), the previously mentioned volumes (19), the previously mentioned air permeable material ceilings (4), air recovering grilles (6) fitted into the lower part of the doors or walls (14) of the rooms (5).

Images