DAMPER FOR VENTILATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

The present invention is relative to a damper (5) adapted to regulate an air flow orifice (7) for passing of an air flow in a ventilation duct (2), wherein the damper (5) comprises a plate (11), a regulating device (12) and a mounting element (13), wherein the mounting element (13) is resilient and comprises a first and a second end (19, 20), the distance (L1, L2) between the first and the second end (19, 20) being arranged to change when the mounting element (13) bends resiliently, and wherein the first and a seconds end (19, 20) are adapted to cooperate with an inside of the ventilation duct (2) to removably mount the damper (5) in the ventilation duct (2), and a ventilation system (1) comprising such a damper (5).

Claims

1. A damper adapted to regulate an air flow orifice for the passage of an air flow in a ventilation duct, wherein the damper comprises a plate, a regulating device and a mounting element, wherein the plate is mounted to the regulating device and the regulating device is mounted to the mounting element, wherein the mounting element is resilient and comprises a first and a second end, the distance between the first and the second end being arranged to change when the mounting element bends resiliently, and wherein the first and the second end are arranged to cooperate with an inside of the ventilation duct to removably mount the damper in the ventilation duct, and wherein the regulating device is rotatably mounted on the mounting element.

2. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is formed of a metal wire.

3. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the damper is arranged to cooperate with an internal groove of the ventilation duct.

4. (canceled)

5. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the size of the air flow orifice is arranged to be regulated when the plate is rotated in the ventilation duct.

6. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is arranged to be mounted perpendicularly to the direction of the air flow in the ventilation duct.

7. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the plate is placed at a distance from the mounting element.

8. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the damper is arranged to cooperate with a ventilation duct having a circular cross section.

9. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the regulating device comprises at least one substantially circular hole.

10. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the regulating device is formed by a metal wire.

11. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the largest distance between the first and the second ends of the mounting element is greater than the distance between the points on the inside of the ventilation duct in which the damper is adapted to be mounted in.

12. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the regulating device comprises at least one regulating member, wherein each regulating member comprises a substantially circular hole.

13. The damper according to claim 12, wherein the regulating device comprises a helical portion and the ends of the regulating member are attached to the plate.

14. The damper according to claim 12, wherein the respective regulating member is mounted at the periphery of the plate.

15. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element comprises at its ends a substantially rectangular portion.

16. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is in longitudinal direction symmetrical around its centre point.

17. The damper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the mounting element presents a shape extending in at least two planes.

18. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is adapted to be mounted against the regulating device by means of the mounting element bending resiliently against the regulating device.

19. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the force required rotating the plate relative to the mounting element is greater than the power of the air flow adapted to being exerted on the plate.

20. The damper according to claim 19, wherein the force that is opposed to the force from the air flow in the ventilation duct is a friction force between the ventilation element and the regulating device.

21. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is resiliently biased towards the regulating device.

22. The damper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second ends of the mounting element comprises a recess wherein parts of the regulating device are adapted to be mounted in said recess.

23. The damper according to claim 1, wherein the plate is bent along its diameter.

24. A ventilation system comprising at least one damper according to claim 1, and a ventilation duct.

25. The ventilation system according to claim 24, wherein the damper is mounted in the ventilation duct so that the entire plate is outside the ventilation duct when the damper is in its closed position.

26. The ventilation system according to claim 24, wherein the damper is mounted in the ventilation duct so that some part of the damper is outside the ventilation duct when the damper is in its closed position.

27. The ventilation system according to claim 24, wherein the ventilation duct comprises on its inside a groove, and the mounting element is adapted to be mounted in said groove.

28. The ventilation system according to claim 24, wherein the size of the air flow orifice can be continuously or gradually regulated between a maximum open position and a closed position and values lying there between.

29. The ventilation system according to claim 24, wherein the size of the air flow orifice depends on the position of the plate relative to the ventilation duct.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 shows schematically a ventilation system.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view along B-B in FIG. 4 of a ventilation system with a damper in a closed position.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view along B-B in FIG. 5 of a ventilation system with a damper in an open position.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along A-A in FIG. 1 of a ventilation system with a damper in a closed position.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along A-A in FIG. 1 of a ventilation system with a damper in an open position.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a damper.

[0053] FIG. 7A shows a lateral view of a damper in a not mounted state.

[0054] FIG. 7B shows a lateral view of a damper in a mounted state.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a plate.

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a top view of a damper with a bent plate.

[0057] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a regulating device.

[0058] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a regulating device.

[0059] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a mounting element.

[0060] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a further mounting element.

[0061] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a mounting member with recesses.

[0062] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a ventilation duct.

[0063] FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of a ventilation duct with a damper for exhaust air.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] The here described damper is primarily an inlet air damper. However, the technical teaching may also be applied on exhaust air dampers. The following describes a ventilation system for an inlet air ventilation. The exhaust air ventilation works similarly.

[0065] Hereinafter, a ventilation system and a damper will be described more in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-15.

[0066] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a ventilation system 1 of a type that is commonly occurring in various buildings, as described initially. The ventilation system 1 comprises a ventilation duct 2 to which a plurality of pressure equalizing boxes 3, ventilation devices 4 and dampers 5 (not shown in FIG. 1) are connected. The ventilation devices 4 and the dampers 5 can as shown in FIG. 1 be connected at different positions along the ventilation duct 2. The ventilation duct 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1 have one or a plurality of branches to which one or several pressure equalizing boxes 3, ventilation devices 4 and dampers 5 can be connected. The ventilation system 1 further comprises a fan 6. The fan is arranged to generate a pressure in the ventilation system 1 to achieve a forced ventilation. The ventilation system 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 can be installed in buildings, i.e. habitations, and the ventilation duct 2 can extend over several different areas for the ventilation of these areas. It may concern inlet air ventilation or exhaust air ventilation.

[0067] FIGS. 2-5 shows a part of a ventilation system 1 comprising a part of the ventilation duct 2, a pressure equalizing box 3, a damper 5 and a ventilation device 1. In FIG. 2, the damper 5 is in its closed position and in FIG. 3, the damper 5 is in its open position.

[0068] An air flow orifice 7 is provided between the damper 5 and the ventilation duct 2. Air can pass through the air flow orifice 7 and the size of the air flow orifice 7 regulates the amount of air flow that can pass through the damper 5 in the ventilation duct 2. When the damper 5 is in its closed position, FIG. 2, the air flow orifice 7 is in a closed position and when the damper 5 is in its open position, FIG. 3, the air flow orifice 7 is in a maximum open position. The size of the air flow orifice 7 is continuously or incrementally adjustable between its maximum open position and its closed position, as well as any value between these positions.

[0069] The air in the ventilation system 1 flows in the ventilation duct 2 through the air flow orifice 7 between the ventilation duct 2 and the damper 5, which is also illustrated by arrows in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0070] Thereafter, the air flows further through to the pressure equalizing box 3. The pressure air flow is equalized in the pressure equalizing box 3. In the pressure equalizing box 3, the air can also pass through a “cooling unit” (not shown) to modify the temperature or the humidity of the air. How the air can be effected in the pressure equalizing box 3 will hereinafter not be described in detail. The air passes on from the pressure equalizing box 3 through the ventilation device 4 and further out into the area that is to be ventilated.

[0071] The ventilation device 4 can show a variety of forms and be located at the ceiling and on the wall of the area to be ventilated, which is generally known to one skilled in the art. Therefore, the ventilation device 4 will not be described more in detail hereinafter.

[0072] FIGS. 6-14, to which reference is now made, show a damper 5 comprising a plate 11, a regulating device 12 and a mounting element 13. The mounting element 13 is pivotally mounted on the regulating device 12. The regulating device 12 is mounted on the plate 11.

[0073] The plate 11 has a circular shape. The plate 11 comprises four holes 14 for mounting the regulating device 12 on the plate 11. The shape and the dimension of the plate 11 are designed in relation to the shape and the dimension of the ventilation duct 2 in which the damper 5 is to be mounted. The diameters D1 of the plate 11 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the ventilation duct 2. As the diameter D1 of the plate 11 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the ventilation duct 2, the plate 11 can be rotated in the ventilation duct 2.

[0074] According to one aspect, the plate 11 has a rectangular shape, a square shape or a triangular shape. The form of the plate 11 may substantially present a corresponding shape as the ventilation duct 2 in which it should be mounted.

[0075] The air flow orifice 7 between the damper 5 and the ventilation duct 2 is formed between the peripheral edge of the plate 11 and the inside of the ventilation duct 2.

[0076] According to one aspect, which is shown in FIG. 9, the plate 11 is bent along its diameter so that it presents a first portion 51 and a second portion 52. The plate 11 is bent so that the first portion 51 is inclined at an angle α relative to the second portion 52. The bent shape of the plate 11 gives an improved regulation of the air flow orifice 7. According to one aspect, the angle α is 10-60°. According to one aspect, the angle α is 20-50°. According to one aspect, the angle α is 30-40°.

[0077] The regulating device 12 comprises two regulating members 15. The regulating member 15 comprises a substantially circular hole 33 with a diameter D3.

[0078] According to one aspect, the regulating member 15 is formed of a metal wire. The respective regulating member 15 comprises two wire ends 16. At each end of the wire 16, the regulating member 15 is bent at an angle. The regulating member 15 is between its wire ends 16 provided with a helical portion 17. The regulating member 15 is in this helical portion 17 twisted 460 degrees to a helical form so that the two wire ends 16 of the regulating member 15 are directed in the same direction. The helical portion 17 forms the substantially circular hole 33 and has a centre axis 18. The helical portion 17 has a diameter D3. The regulating device 12 is mounted onto the plate 11 by introducing a respective wire end 16 of the regulating wire into a respective hole 14 of the plate 11. The angled wire ends 16 cooperate with the holes 14 of the plate 11 so that the centre axis 18 of the helical portion 17 is parallel with the radial extension of the plate. The centre axis 18 of the helical portion 17 is located at a distance O1 from the plate 11. The length of the angled wire ends 16 substantially correspond to half of the diameter D3 of the helical portion, which means that the helical portion 17 will after mounting bear against the plate 11 and lock the regulating member 15 against the plate.

[0079] The mounting element 13 has a first end 19 and a second end 20. The mounting element 13 comprises a mounting wire 21. The mounting wire 21 is mirror image shaped around its centre. The mounting wire 21 comprises at its first and second ends 19, 20 a rectangular portion 22 with a width B1 and a height H1 in the mounted state. The mounting wire 21 has in the rectangular portion 22 been drawn in one plane to a shape having three sides, two lateral sides 23 and one top portion 24, of a rectangle. FIG. 12 shows the first end 19 with the rectangular shape which it present when it has been mounted in the regulating device 12. Den other end 20 is shown with the shape which it has in a not mounted state. In the not mounted state, one lateral portion 23 is angled outwards at an angle γ. When the first and the second ends 19, 20 are mounted in the regulating device 12, the lateral part 23 is resiliently moved inwards and presses thereafter outwards against the regulating device 12. The width B1 of the rectangular part 22 is adapted to the diameter D3 of the substantially circular holes 33 of the regulating device 12.

[0080] The mounting element 13 is mounted to the regulating device 12 by introducing the respective first and second ends 19, 20 into the helical portion 17 of the respective regulating wire 15. The width B1 of the first respectively second ends 19, 20, i.e. the width B1 of the rectangular shaped portion 22 of mounting wire in FIG. 12, is the same or slightly less that the diameter D3 of helical portion 17 of the regulating device 12, and with regard to the substantially circular hole 33. When the first and second ends 19, 20 are inserted in the respective helical portion 17, a side part 23 of the rectangular shaped portion 22 is slightly elastically moved inwards. In the mounted position, the side parts 23 press outwardly with a force against the helical portion 17.

[0081] The first and second ends 19, 20 of the mounting element 13 can according to one aspect, see FIG. 14, comprise a recess 41. When the mounting element 13 is mounted onto the regulating device 12, the recess 41 of the first and second ends 19, 20 will attach the mounting element 13 against the regulating device 12. The recess 41 results in a locking of the position in height of the regulating device 12 to lock relative to the mounting element 13. By changing the position of the recess 41, the position in height between the regulating device 12 and mounting element 13 can thus be modified.

[0082] According to one aspect, which is shown in FIG. 11, the regulating member 15 of the regulating device 12 may comprise a plate 31 having a bent part 32 with a hole 33. The bent part 32 is attached against the plate 11 by welding, riveting, screwing or other suitable attachment method. The hole 33 has a function corresponding to that of the helical portion 17 as above and has a diameter that is adapted to the width of the mounting element 13. The mounting element 13 is mounted onto the regulating device 12 in the same way as described above.

[0083] The mounting element 13 is rotatable about the centre axis 18 of the regulating device 12. In order to rotate the mounting element 13 relative to the regulating device 12, a force needs to be applied to the regulating device 12 that exceeds the frictional force between the mounting element 13 and the regulating device 12. The frictional force depends on the material of the mounting element 13 and of the regulating device 12, and of the force with which mounting element 13 presses against the regulating device 12.

[0084] The mounting element 13 has a length L1 from its first end 19 to the other end 20 when it is in its resiliently unloaded state, see FIG. 7A. The mounting element's 13 length L1 is conceived in relation to the size of the ventilation duct 2 into which it is intended to be installed. In case the damper 5 is to be mounted in a circular ventilation duct 2, then the length L1 is adapted to the inner diameter of the ventilation duct 2. The mounting element 13 has a length L2 from its first end 19 to its other end 20 when it is in its resiliently loaded state, see FIG. 7B. The length L2 is inferior to the length L1. When the mounting element 13 is effected by a force, then the mounting element 13 will bend resiliently into an arcuate shape and thereby, the distance between its first end 19 and its second end 20 will modified.

[0085] The mounting element 13 is resilient in its longitudinal direction. When the mounting element 13 bends resiliently, its first and second ends 19, 20 will be pressed against each other and the distance between the first and second ends 19, 20 decrease. The distance between the first and second ends 19, 20 of the mounting element 13 is greatest in its unbiased position. The first and second ends 19, 20 of the mounting element 13 are placed to bear against the inside of the ventilation duct 2 to cooperate with the inside of the ventilation duct 2 for mounting the damper 5 in the ventilation duct 2. The mounting element 13 needs to be effected by an external force to bend resiliently. When the mounting element 13 is biased by a force being applied on the same, the mounting element 13 is bent to an arcuate shape, see FIG. 7B, and the distance between its first and second ends 19, 20 decreases.

[0086] The spring force of the mounting element 13 depends on several parameters, amongst others the necessary spring force, which is to be applied onto the mounting element 13 so as to bring the mounting element 13 to bend resiliently, has to be modified by changing the material, the length L1, the height H1 of the rectangular part, the thickness of the mounting wire 21 of the mounting element 13. Each of the mentioned parameters individually modify the required spring force.

[0087] The length L1 of the mounting element 13 is also adapted to the diameter D4 of a groove 26 of the ventilation duct 2 into which the damper 5 is intended to be mounted. The length L1 should be equal to or greater than the diameter D4 of the groove 26.

[0088] The shape to which the mounting wire 21 has been drawn in its first and second ends 19, 20 can be other than rectangular, they can for example be triangular.

[0089] FIG. 13 shows a mounting element 13, the first and second ends 19, 20 of which are angled at an angle so they have an extension in two planes. A first plane P1 that is parallel with the length L1, L2 of the mounting element 13 and a second and a third plan P2, P3 showing an extension at an angle β relative to the first plane P1. The lateral parts 23 of the rectangular part 22 of the mounting element 13 have been bent upwards so that the top part 24 of the mounting element 13 has been folded upwards. The angled first and second ends 19, 20 of the mounting element 13 cause the mounting element 13 to spring in the same way when a force is applied onto its first and second ends 19, 20. When a force is applied against the angled first and second ends 19, 20 of the mounting element 13, the mounting element 13 will bend resiliently to an arcuate shape depending on the angle of the first and second ends 19, 20. In this way, the resilience of the mounting element 13 can be predetermined, i.e. if it should have an arcuate shape bulging against or with the air flow in the ventilation duct 2.

[0090] FIG. 15 shows of a ventilation duct 2. A circle-shaped groove 26 is formed at the end 25 of the ventilation duct. The groove 26 extends in a circle around the inside of the ventilation duct 2. The diameter D4 of the circle-shaped groove 26 is larger that the inner diameter D2 of the inside the ventilation duct 2. The groove 26 is located at a distance O2 from the end of the ventilation duct 2. Grooves 26 as above are commonly known and exist in ventilation ducts 2 and, consequently, the groove in it self will not be described more in detail. The groove 26, which with reference to the FIG. 15 has been described as arranged in the ventilation duct 2, can also be located in a pipe of the pressure equalizing box 3. The groove 26 may also be located elsewhere at the ventilation duct 2 than at its ends.

[0091] According to one aspect, the groove 26 is formed between two inwardly bulging grooves in the ventilation duct 2. The diameter of the groove 26 may be the same as the inner diameter D2 of the ventilation duct 2 and the diameter of the two inwardly bulging grooves is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the ventilation duct 2.

[0092] Next, a method to mount and dismount a damper 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-15.

[0093] When the damper 5 is to be mounted in the ventilation duct 2, the damper 5 is inserted into the ventilation duct 2 and the first end 19 of the mounting element 13 is applied against the inside of the ventilation duct 2 in form of the groove 26. Then the damper 5 is turned upwards and thus the other end 20 of the mounting element 13 will go against ventilation duct 2. Thereafter, damper 5 is pushed further inwards with a force that is greater than the spring force of the mounting element 13. When the mounting element 13 is exposed to the force it will bend resiliently and the distance between its first and second ends 19, 20 decreases. The distance is reduced by the mounting element 13 bending resiliently and adopting an arcuate shape. When the distance between the first and second ends 19, 20 decreases, the damper 5 can be rotated further inwardly until the second end 20 of the mounting element 13 is located at the groove 26 of the inside of the ventilation duct 2. When the other end 20 of the mounting element 13 is located at the groove 26, then the mounting element 13 will bend resiliently outwardly and the other end 20 will now be located in the groove 26.

[0094] The damper 5 is now in its mounted position in the groove 26 of the ventilation duct 2. In the mounted position, the mounting element 13 is parallel to the diameter of the ventilation duct and perpendicular to the air flow of the ventilation duct 2. In its mounted position, plate 11 and regulating device 12 can be rotated relative to the mounting element 13 in the ventilation duct 2 to set the damper 5. When the plate 11 is rotated, the damper 5 is moved between its open and its closed position. The plate 11 can be rotated by the installer pressing with his hand directly on the plate, or otherwise strings may be mounted on the damper 5 so that the plate 11 can be rotated via the strings.

[0095] The force that has to be applied to the plate 11 and the regulating device 12 for rotating it relative to the mounting element 13, i.e. the force needed to overcome the frictional force between the regulating device 12 and the mounting element 13, is greater than the force by which the air in the ventilation duct 2 effects the damper 5. In this way, the air flow will change the setting of the damper.

[0096] In order to dismount the damper 5, a force is applied to the centre of the mounting element 13, which force is greater than this spring force of the same so that the mounting element 13 bends resiliently into its arcuate shape. When the mounting element 13 bends resiliently, the distance L2, L1 between the first and the second ends 19, 20 will be reduced and when the distance between the first and the second ends 19, 20 is less the inner diameter D1 of the ventilation duct, then the mounting element 13 will loosen from the groove 26. The damper 5 may then be moved out from the ventilation duct 2.

[0097] The distance O1 between the centre axis 18 of regulating device 12 and the plate 11 is larger than the distance O2 between the groove 26 and the end of ventilation duct 2. In this way, the plate 11 of damper 5 will be placed outside the ventilation duct 2 when the damper 5 is in its closed position and when the mounting element 13 is mounted in the groove 26 of the ventilation duct.

[0098] Tests on ventilation systems 1 for inlet air have shown that the sound generated by the damper 5 is significantly reduced if some part of the damper 5 is located outside the ventilation duct 2.

[0099] When the ventilation duct 2 is to be cleared from dirt and incrustations, the inside of the ventilation duct 2 has to be cleaned with a cleaning tool. To have access to the inside of the ventilation duct 2, the ventilation device 4 and the damper 5 have to be removed from the ventilation system 1. The damper 5 is easily accessible from the inside of the ventilation duct 2 via pressure equalizing box 3. This means that dismounting the damper 5 can be carried out easily and time efficiently without need for access to the outside of the ventilation duct 2. The outside of the ventilation duct 2 is often built-in in suspended ceilings and the like, which means that the access to the outside often difficult and entails damages on other parts such as ceilings. When the damper 5 is dismounted, the ventilation duct 2 may be cleared. When the ventilation duct 2 is cleared, the damper 5 may be refitted in accordance with the above method.

[0100] FIG. 16, to which reference is now made, shows an aspect in which the damper 5 is mounted in a ventilation duct 2 intended for a ventilation system 1 for exhaust air in which the air is intended to flow in the direction of the arrow. The damper 5 is mounted in same way as in a ventilation system 1 for inlet air in relation to the intended air flow. This means that the damper 5 is mounted with the regulating device 13 facing the end of the ventilation duct 2.

[0101] The ventilation system 1 has been described as a ventilation system that comprises a circular cross section. In a circular ventilation system 1, the damper 5 has the advantage that the positioning of the damper 5 in the ventilation duct 2 is simplified. However, the invention should not be considered as limited to circular ventilation systems 1, and may also be applied to other systems such as square systems, elliptical systems etc.

[0102] The above ventilation system 1 has been described with a ventilation duct 2 provided with a groove 26. However, the damper 5 can also be mounted against the inside of the ventilation duct 2 without a groove. The damper 5 can also be mounted against the inside of a ventilation duct 2 having a groove, but then the damper is mounted against a part of an inside of the ventilation duct 2 that is not constituted by the groove.

[0103] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment examples shown on the drawings, but can freely vary within the scope of the appended patent claims.