WO2025085838A1

WO2025085838A1 - Diffuser having weldless connection between blade and frame

Info

Publication number: WO2025085838A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/052102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vishal K. YEOLE; Manoj Patel; Shweta S. PHAD; Wasim W. MANGA
Original assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP LLC
Current assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP LLC
Priority date: 2023-10-20
Filing date: 2024-10-18
Publication date: 2025-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-20

Abstract

The present disclosure a diffuser including a frame, at least one blade positioned within the frame to direct air, and a support rod coupled to the frame and passing through the at least blade to operatively support the blade.

Description

DIFFUSER HAVING WELDLESS CONNECTION BETWEEN BLADE AND FRAME

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to diffusers.

[0002] A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system provides proper ventilation and maintains air quality in a confined space, for example, a commercial or household building. The HVAC system circulates a refrigerant through a closed circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Refrigerant in the evaporator is utilized to cool an airflow via thermal exchange to condition the confined space. The HVAC systems primarily control temperature and humidity of airflow. The HVAC system includes a ductwork for supplying conditioned airflow to various spaces. Typically, ducts extend from a conditioned airflow supply unit, such as an air handling unit, to desired spaces. An end of the duct terminating into the space to be conditioned is provided with a diffuser to properly distribute conditioned air in the desired space.

[0003] A typical diffuser includes a frame, support members, and blades. The blades are positioned in a space enclosed by the frame. Preferably, the support members are attached to the frame, and the blades are attached to the support members.

[0004] There is still a need of an arrangement that facilitates coupling between blades and a frame of a diffuser.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to one aspect, the present disclosure discloses a diffuser including a frame, a blade positioned within the frame to direct air, and a support rod coupled to the frame and passing through the blade to operatively support the blade.

[0006] In some embodiments, the diffuser further includes a locking member attached to a first end of the support rod, wherein the locking member is engageable with a collar of the frame to restrict longitudinal movement of the support rod.

[0007] In some embodiments, the locking member has a slot configured to be engaged in a hole configured on the collar. [0008] In some embodiments, the diffuser includes a spring mounted at or proximal to a second end of the support rod to facilitate controlled longitudinal movement of the support rod when the support rod is partially disengaged from the collar to remove the blade from the support rod.

[0009] In some embodiments, the blade has a coupling portion and an air guiding portion, and the support rod passes through the coupling portion of the blade.

[0010] In some embodiments, the coupling portion is vertical, and the air guiding portion extends downwards from the coupling portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the support rod passes orthogonally through the coupling portion of the blade.

[0012] In some embodiments, the diffuser is a louvered face diffuser.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect, the diffuser includes a frame, a plurality of blades positioned within the frame to direct air, and a plurality of support rods. Each support rod is coupled to the frame and passes through one or more blades of the plurality of blades to operatively support the one or more blades within the frame.

[0014] In some embodiments, the support rods are coupled to a collar of the frame.

[0015] In some embodiments, a first end of each support rod is configured to receive a locking member engageable to the collar of the frame to facilitate secure coupling between the support rod and the frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the support rods are arranged in a parallel configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. [0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building including a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) system, according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an airside system including an air handling unit (AHU) which can be used in the HVAC system of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an AHU controller which can be used to monitor and control the AHU of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a diffuser in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the diffuser according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of engagement between support rods and blades of the diffuser.

[0024] FIGs. 7-8 show schematic views of coupling between support rod and a frame of the diffuser, according to some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a schematic of an embodiment of a portion of the building and of the HVAC system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. [0027] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

Building HVAC System

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a building 10 is shown. Building 10 is served by a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) system 100. HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, air conditioning, ventilation, and/or other services for building 10. For example, HVAC system 100 is shown to include a waterside system 120 and an airside system 130. Waterside system 120 may provide a heated or chilled fluid to an air handling unit of airside system 130. Airside system 130 may use the heated or chilled fluid to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10.

[0029] HVAC system 100 is shown to include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and a rooftop air handling unit (AHU) 106. Waterside system 120 may use boiler 104 and chiller 102 to heat or cool a working fluid (e.g., water, glycol, etc.) and may circulate the working fluid to AHU 106. In various embodiments, the HVAC devices of waterside system 120 can be located in or around building 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) or at an offsite location such as a central plant (e.g., a chiller plant, a steam plant, a heat plant, etc.) that serves one or more buildings including building 10. The working fluid can be heated in boiler 104 or cooled in chiller 102, depending on whether heating or cooling is required in building 10. Boiler 104 may add heat to the circulated fluid, for example, by burning a combustible material (e.g., natural gas) or using an electric heating element. Chiller 102 may place the circulated fluid in a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) to absorb heat from the circulated fluid. The working fluid from chiller 102 and/or boiler 104 can be transported to AHU 106 via piping 108.

[0030] AHU 106 may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an airflow passing through AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages of cooling coils and/or heating coils). The airflow can be, for example, outside air, return air from within building 10, or a combination of both. AHU 106 may transfer heat between the airflow and the working fluid to provide heating or cooling for the airflow. For example, AHU 106 can include one or more fans or blowers configured to pass the airflow over or through a heat exchanger containing the working fluid. The working fluid may then return to chiller 102 or boiler 104 via piping 110.

[0031] Airside system 130 may deliver the airflow supplied by AHU 106 (i.e., the supply airflow) to building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and may provide return air from building 10 to AHU 106 via air return ducts 114. In some embodiments, airside system 130 includes multiple variable air volume (VAV) units 116. For example, airside system 130 is shown to include a separate VAV unit 116 on each floor or zone of building 10. VAV units 116 can include dampers or other flow control elements that can be operated to control an amount of the supply airflow provided to individual zones of building 10. In other embodiments, airside system 130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10 (e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. AHU 106 can include various sensors (e g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 may receive input from sensors located within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and may adjust the flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflow through AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.

Airside System

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an airside system 200 is shown, according to some embodiments. In various embodiments, airside system 200 may supplement or replace airside system 130 in HVAC system 100 or can be implemented separate from HVAC system 100. When implemented in HVAC system 100, airside system 200 can include a subset of the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., AHU 106, VAV units 116, ducts 112-114, fans, dampers, etc.) and can be located in or around building 10. Airside system 200 may operate to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10 using a heated or chilled fluid provided by waterside system 120.

[0033] In FIG. 2, airside system 200 is shown to include an economizer-type air handling unit (AHU) 202. Economizer-type AHUs vary the amount of outside air and return air used by the air handling unit for heating or cooling. For example, AHU 202 may receive return air 204 from building zone 206 via return air duct 208 and may deliver supply air 210 to building zone 206 via supply air duct 212. In some embodiments, AHU 202 is a rooftop unit located on the roof of building 10 (e.g., AHU 106 as shown in FIG. 1) or otherwise positioned to receive both return air 204 and outside air 214. AHU 202 can be configured to operate exhaust air damper 216, mixing damper 218, and outside air damper 220 to control an amount of outside air 214 and return air 204 that combine to form supply air 210. Any return air 204 that does not pass through mixing damper 218 can be exhausted from AHU 202 through exhaust damper 216 as exhaust air 222.

[0034] Each of dampers 216-220 can be operated by an actuator. For example, exhaust air damper 216 can be operated by actuator 224, mixing damper 218 can be operated by actuator 226, and outside air damper 220 can be operated by actuator 228. Actuators 224-228 may communicate with an AHU controller 230 via a communications link 232. Actuators 224-228 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to AHU controller 230. Feedback signals can include, for example, an indication of a current actuator or damper position, an amount of torque or force exerted by the actuator, diagnostic information (e.g., results of diagnostic tests performed by actuators 224-228), status information, commissioning information, configuration settings, calibration data, and/or other types of information or data that can be collected, stored, or used by actuators 224-228. AHU controller 230 can be an economizer controller configured to use one or more control algorithms (e.g., state-based algorithms, extremum seeking control (ESC) algorithms, proportional-integral (PI) control algorithms, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms, model predictive control (MPC) algorithms, feedback control algorithms, etc.) to control actuators 224-228.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 2, AHU 202 is shown to include a cooling coil 234, a heating coil 236, and a fan 238 positioned within supply air duct 212. Fan 238 can be configured to force supply air 210 through cooling coil 234 and/or heating coil 236 and provide supply air 210 to building zone 206. AHU controller 230 may communicate with fan 238 via communications link 240 to control a flow rate of supply air 210. In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 controls an amount of heating or cooling applied to supply air 210 by modulating a speed of fan 238.

[0036] Cooling coil 234 may receive a chilled fluid from waterside system 120 (via piping 242 and may return the chilled fluid to waterside system 120 via piping 244. Valve 246 can be positioned along piping 242 or piping 244 to control a flow rate of the chilled fluid through cooling coil 234. In some embodiments, cooling coil 234 includes multiple stages of cooling coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 230, by supervisory controller 266, etc.) to modulate an amount of cooling applied to supply air 210.

[0037] Heating coil 236 may receive a heated fluid from waterside system 120 via piping 248 and may return the heated fluid to waterside system 120 via piping 250. Valve 252 can be positioned along piping 248 or piping 250 to control a flow rate of the heated fluid through heating coil 236. In some embodiments, heating coil 236 includes multiple stages of heating coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 230, by supervisory controller 266, etc.) to modulate an amount of heating applied to supply air 210.

[0038] Each of valves 246 and 252 can be controlled by an actuator. For example, valve 246 can be controlled by actuator 254 and valve 252 can be controlled by actuator 256. Actuators 254-256 may communicate with AHU controller 230 via communications links 258-260. Actuators 254-256 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to controller 230. In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 receives a measurement of the supply air temperature from a temperature sensor 262 positioned in supply air duct 212 (e.g., downstream of cooling coil 234 and/or heating coil 236). AHU controller 230 may also receive a measurement of the temperature of building zone 206 from a temperature sensor 264 located in building zone 206.

[0039] In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 operates valves 246 and 252 via actuators 254-256 to modulate an amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 210 (e.g., to achieve a setpoint temperature for supply air 210 or to maintain the temperature of supply air 210 within a setpoint temperature range). The positions of valves 246 and 252 affect the amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 210 by cooling coil 234 or heating coil 236 and may correlate with the amount of energy consumed to achieve a desired supply air temperature. AHU controller 230 may control the temperature of supply air 210 and/or building zone 206 by activating or deactivating coils 234-236, adjusting a speed of fan 238, or a combination of both.

[0040] Still referring to FIG. 2, airside system 200 is shown to include a supervisory controller 266 and a client device 268. Supervisory controller 266 can include one or more computer systems (e.g., servers, supervisory controllers, subsystem controllers, etc.) that serve as system level controllers, application or data servers, head nodes, or master controllers for airside system 200, waterside system 120, HVAC system 100, and/or other controllable systems that serve building 10. Supervisory controller 266 may communicate with multiple downstream building systems or subsystems (e.g., HVAC system 100, a security system, a lighting system, waterside system 120, etc.) via a communications link 270 according to like or disparate protocols (e.g., LON, BACnet, etc.). In various embodiments, AHU controller 230 and supervisory controller 266 can be separate (as shown in FIG. 2) or integrated. In an integrated implementation, AHU controller 230 can be a software module configured for execution by a processor of supervisory controller 266.

[0041] In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 receives information from supervisory controller 266 (e.g., commands, setpoints, operating boundaries, etc.) and provides information to supervisory controller 266 (e.g., temperature measurements, valve or actuator positions, operating statuses, diagnostics, etc ). For example, AHU controller 230 may provide supervisory controller 266 with temperature measurements from temperature sensors 262-264, equipment on/off states, equipment operating capacities, and/or any other information that can be used by supervisory controller 266 to monitor or control a variable state or condition within building zone 206.

[0042] Client device 268 can include one or more human-machine interfaces or client interfaces (e.g., graphical user interfaces, reporting interfaces, text-based computer interfaces, client-facing web services, web servers that provide pages to web clients, etc.) for controlling, viewing, or otherwise interacting with HVAC system 100, its subsystems, and/or devices. Client device 268 can be a computer workstation, a client terminal, a remote or local interface, or any other type of user interface device. Client device 268 can be a stationary terminal or a mobile device. For example, client device 268 can be a desktop computer, a computer server with a user interface, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, a PDA, or any other type of mobile or non-mobile device. Client device 268 may communicate with supervisory controller 266 and/or AHU controller 230 via communications link 272.

AHU Controller

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating AHU controller 230 in greater detail is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. AHU controller 230 may be configured to monitor and control various components of AHU 202 using any of a variety of control techniques (e.g., state-based control, on/off control, proportional control, proportionalintegral (PI) control, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, extremum seeking control (ESC), model predictive control (MPC), etc.). AHU controller 230 may receive setpoints from supervisory controller 266 and measurements from sensors 318 and may provide control signals to actuators 320 and fan 238.

[0044] Sensors 318 may include any of the sensors shown in FIG. 2 or any other sensor configured to monitor any of a variety of variables used by AHU controller 230. Variables monitored by sensors 318 may include, for example, zone air temperature, zone air humidity, zone occupancy, zone CO2 levels, zone particulate matter (PM) levels, outdoor air temperature, outdoor air humidity, outdoor air CO2 levels, outdoor air PM levels, damper positions, valve positions, fan status, supply air temperature, supply air flowrate, or any other variable of interest to AHU controller 230.

[0045] Actuators 320 may include any of the actuators shown in FIG. 2 or any other actuator controllable by AHU controller 230. For example, actuators 320 may include actuator 224 configured to operate exhaust air damper 216, actuator 226 configured to operate mixing damper 218, actuator 228 configured to outside air damper 220, actuator 254 configured to operate valve 246, and actuator 256 configured to operate valve 252. Actuators 320 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to AHU controller 230.

[0046] AHU controller 230 may control AHU 202 by controllably changing and outputting a control signal provided to actuators 320 and fan 238. In some embodiments, the control signals include commands for actuators 320 to set dampers 216-220 and/or valves 246 and 252 to specific positions to achieve a target value for a variable of interest (e.g., supply air temperature, supply air humidity, flow rate, etc.). In some embodiments, the control signals include commands for fan 238 to operate a specific operating speed or to achieve a specific airflow rate. The control signals may be provided to actuators 320 and fan 238 via communications interface 302. AHU 202 may use the control signals an input to adjust the positions of dampers 216-220 control the relative proportions of outside air 214 and return air 204 provided to building zone 206.

[0047] AHU controller 230 may receive various inputs via communications interface 302. Inputs received by AHU controller 230 may include setpoints from supervisory controller 266, measurements from sensors 318, a measured or observed position of dampers 216-220 or valves 246 and 252, a measured or calculated amount of power consumption, an observed fan speed, temperature, humidity, air quality, or any other variable that can be measured or calculated in or around building 10.

[0048] AHU controller 230 includes logic that adjusts the control signals to achieve a target outcome. In some operating modes, the control logic implemented by AHU controller 230 utilizes feedback of an output variable. The logic implemented by AHU controller 230 may also or alternatively vary a manipulated variable based on a received input signal (e.g., a setpoint). Such a setpoint may be received from a user control (e.g., a thermostat), a supervisory controller (e.g., supervisory controller 266), or another upstream device via a communications network (e.g., a BACnet network, aLonWorks network, aLAN, a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.).

[0049] Still referring to FIG. 3, AHU controller 230 is shown to include a communications interface 302. Communications interface 302 can be or include wired or wireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications with various components of AHU 202 or other external systems or devices. In various embodiments, communications via communications interface 302 can be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via a communications network (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc ). For example, communications interface 302 can include an Ethernet card and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications link or network. In another example, communications interface 302 can include a Wi-Fi transceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network. In another example, communications interface 302 can include a cellular or mobile phone transceiver, a power line communications interface, an Ethernet interface, or any other ty pe of communications interface.

[0050] Still referring to FIG. 3, AHU controller 230 is shown to include a processing circuit 304 having a processor 306 and memory 308. Processor 306 may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 306 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 308 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). [0051] Memory 308 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 308 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, nonvolatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory 308 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 308 may be communicably connected to processor 306 via processing circuit 304 and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 306) one or more processes described herein.

[0052] Memory 308 can include any of a variety of functional components (e.g., stored instructions or programs) that provide AHU controller 230 with the ability to monitor and control AHU 202. For example, memory 308 is shown to include a data collector 310 which operates to collect the data received via communications interface 302 (e.g., setpoints, measurements, feedback from actuators 320 and fan 238, etc.). Data collector 310 may provide the collected data to actuator controller 312 and fan controller 314 which use the collected data to generate control signals for actuators 320 and fan 238, respectively. The particular type of control methodology used by actuator controller 312 and fan controller 314 (e.g., state-based control, PI control, PID control, ESC, MPC, etc.) may vary depending on the configuration of AHU controller and can be adapted for various implementations.

DIFFUSER HAVING WELDLESS CONNECTION BETWEEN BLADE AND FRAME

[0053] A typical diffuser includes a frame and one or more blades (alternatively can be referred as damper blades) positioned within the frame. The diffuser includes one or more tie bars that are welded to the frame and to the blades to secure the blades within the frame. However, welding results in uneven surface finish, thereby hampering aesthetics of the diffuser. Further, welding process generates hazardous fumes creating potential health and environmental hazards. Additionally, the welding process is time consuming and expensive.

[0054] The present disclosure discloses a diffuser that has one or more blades secured in a frame of the diffuser without welding. [0055] The diffuser may include a frame and one or more blades positioned within the frame. The blades are provided to direct air to desired spaces. The frame has an inlet to receive air (generally from an air duct) and an outlet to deliver received air. The blades are provided in a passage defined between the inlet and the outlet. The diffuser further includes one or more support rods coupled to the frame. Each rod passes through one or more blades to operatively support the blades in the frame.

[0056] The diffuser is now elaborated in detail with reference to accompanying FIGs. 4-9.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a diffuser 400 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The diffuser 400 includes a frame 410 having an inlet 420, an outlet 430, and a flow passage 440 defined between the inlet 420 and the outlet 430. The inlet 420 may be coupled to an air duct to receive air. The flow passage 440 can be defined in a space enclosed by the frame 410. In case of the diffuser 400 being a ceiling diffuser, the inlet 420 is above the outlet 430, whereas the outlet 430 is configured to direct air towards the ground. However, in other embodiments, the relative positions of the inlet 420 and the outlet 430 may alter. Further, flow directions of the outlet 430 may alter depending upon type of the diffuser.

[0058] The frame 410 may include a collar 450 and a skirt 460 extending from the collar 450. The collar 450 and the skirt 460 may have suitable shapes and sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the collar 450 is rectangular or square shaped and formed by joining four collar members. In some embodiments, the collar 450 may be circular. In some other embodiments, the collar 450 may be formed by joining two, three, or more than four collar members together. The collar 450 is configured to facilitate coupling between the frame 410 and the air duct.

[0059] The skirt 460 may have area more than the area of the collar 450 measured orthogonal to direction of air flow through the diffuser 400. In some cases, the area of the skirt 460 and the collar 450 may be same. The inlet 420 may be defined as an opening on the collar 450. Similarly, the outlet 430 may be defined as an opening on the skirt 460.

[0060] The diffuser 400 further includes a blade 470 positioned within the frame 410 to direct air. The blade 470 can have any suitable shape and size for directing air. The diffuser 400 may further include a support rod 480 for securing the blade 470 to the frame 410.

[0061] The support rod 480 is passed through the blade 470 and is also coupled to the frame 410. In some embodiments, the blade 470 may include a coupling portion 490 and an air guiding portion 500. The coupling portion 490 is configured to facilitate coupling of the blade 470 to the frame 410. The air guiding portion 500 may extend from the coupling portion 490 and is configured to direct air. In some embodiments, the coupling portion 490 may be vertical, whereas the air guiding portion 500 may extend downw ards from the coupling portion 490. It is to be noted that the downw ard extension of the air guiding portion 500 is with reference to the diffuser 400 being a ceiling diffuser. Similar blade 470 can be mounted if the diffuser 400 is of any other type.

[0062] The support rod 480 may be passed through any suitable portion of the blade 470. In some embodiments, the support rod 480 is passed through the coupling portion 490 of the blade 470. As shown in FIG. 4, the support rod 480 may be passed originally through the coupling portion 490. The coupling portion 490 may include one or more holes configured thereon to facilitate passing of the support rod 480. The dimension of the holes can be provided to allow close fit between the support rod 480 and that hole. This prevents movement of the blade 470 along the support rod 480 when mounted in the diffuser 400.

[0063] In some embodiments, more than one support rod 480 may be passed through the blade 470 to operatively support the blade 470 in the diffuser 400. The support rods 480 may run parallelly to each other maintaining same or variable gaps between adjacent support rods 480.

[0064] Although the blade 470 is shown as a four- way blade, the present disclosure is not limited to four way blades in the diffuser 400. The diffuser 400 can have one way, two way, three way blades or any other suitable blades, wherein the support rod(s) 480 may be passed through these blades, and can be further coupled to the frame 410 to operatively support the blades in the frame 410.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the diffuser 400 according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The diffuser 400 is shown to include a plurality of blades 470 positioned in the frame 410. The blades 470 may form a core of the diffuser 400. The blades 470 may be arranged in any suitable arrangement. For example, in FIG. 5, the blades 470 are shown to be arranged in a four way pattern. In other embodiments, the blades 470 can be arranged in one way, two way, three way, or any suitable pattern to direct the air.

[0066] The diffuser 400 includes one or more support rods 480 passing through one or more blades of the plurality of blades 470, and coupled to the frame 410 to operatively support the blades 470 within the frame 410. In some embodiments, the support rod 480 may pass through a single blade 470. In some other embodiments, the support rod 480 may pass through two or more blades 470.

[0067] The support rods 480 may run parallel to each other. Gap between the adjacent rods 480 may be same or varying depending upon type the blades 470 provided in the frame 410. The support rods 480 may pass through the coupling portions 490 of the respective blades 470. In some other embodiments, the support rods 480 may be arranged in any suitable configuration, for example, the support rods 480 may be arranged non-parallel with each other. Although FIG. 5 shows parallel support rods 480, the diffuser 400 may have support rods running orthogonal to the support rods 480 shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, some of the support rods 480 may run along diagonals of the frame 410.

[0068] The diffuser 400 may include one or more mounting angles 510 suitably positioned within the frame 410. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the mounting angles 510 can be positioned between an outermost blade 470 and at comers of the frame 410 or a portion of the frame 410 proximal to the comers.

[0069] In some embodiments, both ends of the support rods 480 are coupled to the frame 410. In some embodiments, one end of the support rods 480 may be coupled to the frame 410. In some other embodiments, both ends of some of the support rods 480 may be coupled to the frame 410, wherein other support rods 480 have only one end coupled to the frame 410. In some embodiments, the support rods 480 having only one end coupled to the frame 410 may act as additional support along with other support rods 480 having both ends coupled to the frame 410.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of engagement between the support rods 480 and the blades 470. As discussed in foregoing paragraphs, the support rod 480 may be passed through the coupling portion 490 of the blade 470. The coupling portion 490 may include one or more holes 520 to facilitate passing of the support rod(s) 480. Number of holes 520 and location thereof on the coupling portion 490 may be determined based on number of support rods 480 to be passed and gap between adjacent support rods 480.

[0071] In some embodiments, dimension of the hole 520 can be determined such that the support rod 480 tightly fits in the hole 520. This can prevent movement of the blade 470 along length of the support rod 480. In some embodiments, the support rod 480 may be provided with engaging means that locks into the hole 520, thereby preventing movement of the blade 470 along length of the support rod 480. The engaging means may be formed on the support rod 480 by altering outer geometry of the support rod 480. In some embodiments, the engaging means may include notches, slots, etc. The engaging means may be provided on portions of the support rods 480 engaged with the hole 520. In some embodiments, the engaging means may include mechanical members such as pins, that are mounted on a portion of the support rod 480 outside the hole 520.

[0072] The diffuser of the present disclosure may include any other suitable engaging means to prevent movement of the blade 470 along length of the support rod 480.

[0073] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of coupling between the support rod 480 and the frame 410. The support rod 480 may be coupled to the collar 450 of the frame 410. The diffuser 400 may further include a first locking member 530 attached to the support rod 480. In some embodiments, the first locking member 530 is attached to a first end 540 of the support rod 480. The first locking member 530 is configured to engage with the collar 450 such that longitudinal movement of the support rod 480 restricted. In some embodiments, the first locking member 530 may have sectional area more than area of a hole 550 on the collar 450 through which the support rod 480 is passed. The first locking member 530 may be attached to a portion of the support rod 480 extending through the hole 550 beyond the collar 450. Similar first locking member can be attached to other end of the support rod 480 so that longitudinal movement of the support rod 480 with respect to the frame 410 can be restricted.

[0074] The first locking member 530 may have locking means to facilitate secure engagement between the first locking member 530 and the collar 450. In some embodiments, locking means may include slot, notch, etc. that locks with the hole 550 configured on the collar 450. In some embodiments, a portion of the first locking member 530 may extend beyond boundaries of the collar 450. The locking means may include any other geometrical feature provided on the first locking member 530.

[0075] In some embodiments, the locking means may be provided on the support rod 480 instead of providing on the first locking member 530.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first locking member 530 may have external threads engaging with internal threads configured on the support rod 480. In some other embodiments, the first locking member 530 may have internal threads engaging with external threads on the support rod 480. In some other examples, the first locking member 530 may include any other suitable restraining member, such as a clip or a pin, that prevents longitudinal movement of the support rod 480 when attached to one or both ends of the support rod 480.

[0077] FIG. 8 depicts a schematic view of engagement between a second end 560 of the support rod 480 and the frame 410. Similar to the first end 540, the second end 560 can be coupled to the collar 450 of the frame 410. In some embodiments, the collar 450 may have polygonal shape, and the first end 540 and the second end 560 of the support rod 480 may be coupled to opposite members of the collar 450.

[0078] The second end 560 of the support rod 480 can be equipped with a second locking member 545. In some embodiments, the second locking member 545 may have sectional area more than area of a hole 555 on the collar 450 associated with the second end 560 of the support rod 480.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 8, the diffuser 400 includes a spring 570 mounted at or proximal to the second end 560 of the support rod 480. In some embodiments, the spring 570 may be positioned on a portion of the support rod 480. The spring 570 may be arranged within a space enclosed by the collar 450. The spring 570 is mounted such that the spring 570 is compressed against an inner surface of the collar 450 associated with the second end 560 when the support rod 480 is displaced in a direction towards the second end 560. A mounting member may be provided on the support rod 480 such that the spring 570 is mounted between the inner surface of the collar 450 and the mounting member. The mounting member may be an extension extending radially outwards from the support rod 480. The spring 570 facilitates controlled longitudinal movement of the support rod 480 when the support rod 480 is partially disengaged from the collar 450. The support rod 480 can be partially disengaged by disengaging the first locking member 530 from the collar 450. In some embodiments, the blades 470 on one support rod 480 can be removed from the support rod 480 by disengaging the first locking member 530 or the first end 540 of the support rod 480 from the collar 450, and displacing the support rod 480 in the direction towards the second end 560 thereof, thereby compressing the spring 570 by the mounting member against the inner surface of the collar 450. In this configuration, the blade(s) 470 on the support rod 480 can be removed or mounted. Further, the spring 570 exerts force on the support rod 480 in a direction towards the first end 540 of the support rod 480 to move the support rod 480 to original position thereof before partial disengagement. [0080] FIG. 9 is a schematic of an embodiment of a portion of the building 10 and of the HVAC system 100. As discussed in foregoing paragraphs, the AHU 106 is configured to condition an air flow that is supplied to a building zone 206 within the building 10, which may include a room, a zone, a floor, and/or another suitable region within the building 10. Ductwork 209 may include a return air duct 208 that enables the AHU 106 to draw a flow of return air 204 from the building zone 206 and a supply air duct 212 that enables the AHU 106 to direct a supply air flow 210 (e.g., heated air, cooled air) into the building zone 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser 400, is coupled to the supply air duct 212 at an inlet 420 of the diffuser 400. The inlet 420 is configured to receive the supply air flow 210 from the supply air duct 212 and to direct the supply air flow 210 into a frame 410 of the diffuser 400. The frame 410 may subsequently discharge the supply air flow 210 from the diffuser 400 into the building zone 206.

[0081] In an installed configuration of the diffuser 400 within the building 10, the diffuser 400 may be positioned near a ceiling 580 of the building zone 206. Specifically, in the installed configuration, the diffuser 400 may be coupled to the ceiling 580 or to a support structure suspended from the ceiling 580, such as an array of ceiling tiles. In some embodiments, in the installed configuration, the diffuser 400 may be positioned and/or oriented such that an axis 590 (e.g., a central axis) extending through the inlet 420 is aligned generally parallel to a vertical axis 600 extending along a direction of gravity and perpendicular to a horizontal axis 610. For clarity, it should be understood that the axis 590 may extend along a direction of air flow through the inlet 420. Moreover, it should be understood that, as used herein, discussions relating to axes (and/or directions) being “generally” parallel to or aligned with other reference axes (and/or reference directions) are intended to denote that the axes are within a threshold orientational range of the references axes, such as within 1 degree of, within 5 degrees of, or within 10 degrees of the reference axes.

[0082] As discussed in detail herein, the diffuser 400 discharges the supply air flow 210 into the building zone 206 along a first direction 620, which extends generally parallel to the axis 590 and the vertical axis 600, and/or a set of second directions 630, which extend oblique to (e.g., radially or laterally from) the axis 590. For clarity, as used herein, discussions relating to axes (and/or directions) being oblique to other reference axes (and/or reference directions) are intended to denote that the axes are angled from the reference axes by threshold orientational range, such as, for example, more than approximately 15 degrees. Thus, as a non-limiting example, it should be appreciated that respective angles 640 between the axis 590 and the second directions 630 may be between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 45 degrees, between approximately 400 degrees and approximately 60 degrees, or between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 90 degrees.

[0083] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that, in the installed configuration, the diffuser 400 may discharge the supply air flow 210 into the building zone 206 along a vertical direction (e.g., the first direction 620) that extends generally along the vertical axis 600 and toward a floor 650 of the building zone 206, and/or along lateral directions (e.g., the second directions 630) that extend generally away from the vertical axis.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

[0084] The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0085] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machineexecutable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine- readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0086] Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A diffuser comprising: a frame; a blade positioned within the frame to direct air; and a support rod coupled to the frame and passing through the blade to operatively support the blade.

2. The diffuser of claim 1 , further comprising a locking member attached to a first end of the support rod, wherein the locking member is engageable with a collar of the frame to restrict longitudinal movement of the support rod.

3. The diffuser of claim 2, wherein the locking member has a slot configured to be engaged in a hole configured on the collar.

4. The diffuser of claim 1, further comprising a spring mounted at or proximal to a second end of the support rod to facilitate controlled longitudinal movement of the support rod when the support rod is partially disengaged from the collar to remove the blade from the support rod.

5. The diffuser of claim 1, wherein the blade has a coupling portion and an air guiding portion, and the support rod passes through the coupling portion of the blade.

6. The diffuser of claim 5, wherein the coupling portion is vertical, and the air guiding portion extends downwards from the coupling portion.

7. The diffuser of claim 5, wherein the support rod passes orthogonally through the coupling portion of the blade.

8. A diffuser comprising: a frame; a plurality of blades positioned within the frame to direct air; and a plurality of support rods, each support rod coupled to the frame and passing through one or more blades of the plurality of blades to operatively support the one or more blades within the frame.

9. The diffuser of claim 8, wherein the support rods are coupled to a collar of the frame.

10. The diffuser of claim 8, wherein a first end of each support rod is configured to receive a locking member engageable to the collar of the frame to facilitate secure coupling between the support rod and the frame.

11. The diffuser of claim 8, wherein the support rods are arranged in a parallel configuration.