DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of air ventilation plants. In particular, the invention has as its object a multi-layered panel to make air distribution channellings, and particularly suited to air ventilation plants provided with ultraviolet-rays air-sanitizing devices.

STATE OF THE ART

As known, ventilation plants exist that comprise one or more channellings to distribute air fed by a ventilation unit to one or more locations.

It is also known to make the above mentioned channellings by mutually connecting a plurality of modular panels that externally delimit the channellings, bringing the advantages of offering a high flexibility with regards to shape and dimensions of the channellings thereby obtained, and to simplify the process of making the channellings. In particular, the above mentioned panels can be cut when necessary, in order to obtain channellings having the most various shape and/or dimensions.

The above mentioned panels are mutually connected at the corresponding edges generally by means of adhesive substances, adhesive tapes, profiles, inserts, or other mechanical connection elements, or whatever.

It is also known to provide the above mentioned ventilation plants with devices configured to sanitize the air during its passage along the channellings. Generally, the sanitizing devices comprise emitters that convey ultraviolet radiations, in particular UV-C radiations, inside the channellings. As known, the UV radiations, and, in particular, those of the UV-C type, are capable of purifying the air and eliminate the germs.

A drawback of the above described ventilation plants of known type derives from the limited penetration ability of UV-C rays, that lose their sanitizing power after a relatively short travel, in particular after they have been reflected on the inner surfaces of the channellings.

To obviate to the above mentioned drawback, it is necessary to conveniently dimension the sources of emission of the UV-C rays, and to limit the air flow rate in order to increase the time the air remains in the channellings.

As a consequence, a further drawback rises, that the power of the sanitizing device increases in relation to the air flow rate, hence reducing the plant overall efficiency.

Prior art documents US 2012/199005 Al, US 9506634 Bl, CN 104990162 A, and EP 2834571 Al, describes panels and other elements for making air distribution channellings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at overcoming at least partially the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, it is an aim of the invention to provide a modular panel to make air distribution channellings, in particular for the use in ventilation plants comprising sanitizing devices, that allows to increase the efficiency of the plant at given conditions, and, vice-versa, to increase the flow rate of the plant at a given overall power consumption.

The above mentioned aim is achieved by a modular panel according to the main claim.

The above mentioned aim is also achieved by a ventilation plant according to claim 7.

Further detail features of the invention are specified in the corresponding dependent claims.

Advantageously, the increase in efficiency of the plant brings a reduction in the size of the channelling for a given air flow rate, and in the power input to the sanitizing device, or, on the other hand, an increase in the air flow rate for given cross section area of the channelling and power consumption.

The above mentioned aim and advantage, together with others that are mentioned hereinafter, will be apparent from the following disclosure of a preferred embodiment of the invention, that is illustrated as exemplary and non limiting purpose with the help of the enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 depicts the modular panel of the invention, in axonometric view.

Fig. 2 depicts the modular panel of Fig. 1, in partial exploded view, sectioned according to a plane that is orthogonal to the main surface of the panel.

Fig. 3 depicts a portion of a channelling, comprising several panels as in Figs. 1 and 2, in sectioned lateral view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It is hereby specified that, in the present disclosure, the term “multi-layered panel” is used to indicate a panel comprising several layers made in different materials that are arranged overlapped and that are mutually connected in a single body before the panel is used.

The multi-layered panel of the invention, indicated in Fig. 1 in its whole with 1, is particularly suited to make an air distribution channelling 6 for a ventilation plant 7, a cross section of which is schematically depicted in Fig. 3. An end of the channelling 6 is connected to a fan device, not shown but in itself known, that conveys air along the channelling 6. The channelling 6 is further provided with one or more openings, also not shown but in themselves known, to distribute the air in the outside.

For the seek of simplicity, Fig. 3 depicts a single channelling 6, but it is clear that variant embodiments of the ventilation plant 7 may comprise a plurality of the above mentioned channellings 6.

Each channelling 6 is obtained by assembling a plurality of the above mentioned multi-layered panels 1 by means of any known technique, for example one of those previously disclosed, in order to externally delimit the channelling 6. For merely exemplary purpose, Fig. 3 depicts four of the above mentioned panels 1 in section view, and two further panels 1 in plan view.

The multi-layered panel 1, that can be seen in Fig. 2 in an exploded view to notice its structure, comprises a support layer 2 that, preferably, has such mechanical properties as to allow using the panel 1 directly for making the channelling 6, in order to limit the need for using further external support structures.

Also preferably, the support layer 2 is made in a thermally insulating material, that, advantageously, allows to keep an optimal air temperature inside the channelling 6.

Also preferably, the support layer 2 is made in a polymeric material, still more preferably of the expanded type, for example expanded polyurethane.

Also preferably, the thickness of the support layer 2 is comprised between 10 and 60 mm, based on the material that is used, on the mechanical resistance to be achieved, and on the superficial extension of the panel 1.

A first side 2a of the support layer 2 that is intended to face towards the inside of the channelling 6 is covered with a first cover layer 3 that defines the inner surface 6a of the channelling 6 during use. In particular, the above mentioned first cover layer 3 is made in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This material has shown to be efficient in reflecting the ultraviolet radiations, and, in particular, those of the UV-C type, that are generally employed for air sanitization purposes.

Therefore, the channelling 6 that is obtained by assembling the multi-layered panels 1 has its inner surface 6a already completely covered with PFTE, hence is capable of reflecting the ultraviolet radiations 9, shown in dashed view in Fig. 3, that are conveyed in the inside of the channelling 6 by an air-sanitizing device 8, with the advantage of increasing the penetrating power of the radiations.

As a consequence, the aim to increase efficiency of the ventilation plant 7 is achieved.

Preferably, the first cover layer 3 is made in virgin PTFE, i.e. PTFE free of additives or further elements, with the advantage of resulting more efficient for the purpose of reflecting the ultraviolet radiations 9. A possible form of the above mentioned PTFE can be that marketed by DuPont group with the commercial name of Teflon ®.

Also preferably, the first cover layer 3 has white color, which has been observed to be particularly effective from the point of view of the reflection of the ultraviolet radiations 9.

Also preferably, the thickness of the first cover layer 3 is not smaller than 0.25 mm. Advantageously, the just mentioned lower limit for thickness allows to prevent that, due to the micro structure of the PTFE, a part of the ultraviolet radiation 9 can pass through the first cover layer 3 and limit the overall efficiency of reflection of the ultraviolet radiation 9. Moreover, because the PTFE has a limited machinability, the above mentioned lower limit positively affects the flatness that is achievable for the surface of the first cover layer 3, with the advantage of improving the reflecting effect. On the contrary, an excessively small thickness could facilitate the subsequent deformation of the first cover layer 3.

Also preferably, the above mentioned thickness is not bigger than 3 mm. Advantageously, the just mentioned upper limit for thickness allows to limit the cost of the first cover layer 3, hence of the panel 1, Also advantageously, the above mentioned upper limit also limits the weight of the first cover layer 3, and, hence, prevents its deformations and/or movements with respect to the support layer 2 during use, in particular when the first cover layer 3 is associated to the support layer 2 through an adhesive substance.

Preferably, the first cover layer 3 is in the form of a PTFE sheet, sometimes called “molded sheet”, that shows the advantage of a high flatness and, moreover, facilitates gluing the first cover layer 3 to the support layer 2, in order to obtain a panel of higher overall quality.

Clearly, embodiments of the invention may envisage thicknesses and/or shapes different compared to those just disclosed.

For example, if a thickness smaller than those mentioned above is acceptable, the PTFE can be applied to the rest of the panel 1 in the form of a tape, or deposited on a convenient material through sintering, or through any other process suitable to form a uniform layer of material.

As an alternative, the first cover layer 3 can be obtained starting from a PTFE reel, which has the advantage of being suitable to making the panel 1 industrially on a large scale. In the latter case, it is preferable to perform a planarization operation on the material before its application to the support layer 2, in order to minimize possible planarity defects on the finished product.

Preferably, the first cover layer 3 covers completely the first side 2a of the panel 1, in order to extend the reflecting properties to the entire face 2a.

Preferably, the multi-layered panel 1 also comprises an intermediate layer 4 interposed between the support layer 2 and the first cover layer 3, and made in a different material compared to the materials of those two layers 2, 3.

Preferably, the above mentioned material of the intermediate layer 4 is particurarly suited to support the first cover layer 3 through interposition of an adhesive substance and/or through a chemical, thermal or mechanical process.

Also preferably, the above mentioned material is mechanically more resistant than the support layer 2, with the advantage of increasing the structural properties of the panel 1.

Also preferably, the above mentioned material is suited to reflect, to some extent, the ultraviolet radiations 9, with the advantage of cooperating with the first cover layer 3 in increasing its reflecting efficacy.

Also preferably, the above mentioned material is pliable, with the advantage of allowing to bend a portion of the panel 1 with respect of the remaining portion thereof in correspondence of the intermediate layer 4, after cutting the support layer 2 along the folding line, in order to make channellings 6 of various shapes.

Preferably, the material of the intermediate layer 4 is a metallic material, that allows to obtain one or more of the advantages above described. Also preferably, the above mentioned metallic material is aluminum, bringing the further advantages of conferring lightness to the panel 1, and of being easy to cut in case there is the need to shape the panel 1 in order to obtain a channelling 6 having a particular geometry.

Clearly, variant embodiments of the panel 1 may envisage a metallic material different than aluminum, provided it is suited to perform one or more of the functions above disclosed.

Also preferably, the multi-layered panel 1 comprises a second cover layer 5 arranged to cover a second side 2b of the support layer 2 opposite to the first side 2a and made in a different material than that of the support layer 2.

Preferably, the material of the second cover layer 5 has similar resistance and/or ease of cutting that are similar to those of the intermediate layer 4.

Also preferably, the above mentioned material is suited to act as a support for an adhesive tape that can be used to mutually connect two panels 1.

Preferably, but not necessarily,, the above mentioned material can be the same as that of the intermediate layer 4, for example aluminum.

The above described layers of the panel 1 can be mutually associated by means of an adhesive substance, thermal processing, comprising ultrasonic welding, chemical processing, mechanical means, or a combination of the above mentioned techniques.

In particular, if the intermediate layer 4 is made in aluminum, the first cover layer 3 is preferably associated to it through application of a primer and a cyanoacrylate glue, to advantage of the adhesive effect compared to that achieved through classic gluing based on two-component glues.

As regards the ventilation plant 7, it preferably comprises an air-sanitizing device 8 configured to convey the above mentioned ultraviolet radiations 9 inside the channelling 6, in a direction incident on the inner surface 6a of the channelling. Advantageously, the ultraviolet radiations 9 allow to sanitize the air conveyed by the channelling 6.

The air-sanitizing device 8 is configured to convey the above mentioned ultraviolet radiations 9 in a portion of the channelling 6 comprised between the above mentioned fan device and the air vents.

Preferably, the ultraviolet radiations 9 are UV-C rays, that are particularly effective in achieving the above mentioned sanitizing effect. As known, the UV-C rays are ultraviolet rays having a long wavelenght, comprised between about 100 nm and 280 nm.

The air-sanitizing device 8 comprises one or more sources of the above mentioned ultraviolet radiations 9 that, as an example, may be a fluorescent lamp, a led light, or any other emitting device of known type. It is hereby specified that the representation of the sanitizing device 8 shown in Fig. 3 is merely exemplary and, in execution, it may have any shape, dimensions, and position.

Operatively, a multiplicity of multi-layered panels 1 of the type above disclosed are mutually connected in order to assemble the channelling 6, with the corresponding first cover layers 3 facing towards the inside to form the inner surface 6a of the channelling. If necessary, the operation above mentioned can comprise the cutting and/or bending of one or more panels 1 in order to obtain a channelling 6 having the desired shape.

Subsequently, the channelling 6 is connected to the fan device. Further, the air-sanitizing device 8 is provided.

The fan device causes the air to be conveyed through the channelling 6 towards the corresponding air vents. During the travel, the air is subjected to the ultraviolet radiations emitted by the air-sanitizing device 8, that are reflected by the PTFE of the inner surface 6a of the channelling 6 one or more times, in order to perform threir germicidal effect on the air flow.

From the above disclosure, it is understood that the panel and the ventilation plant of the invention achieve the preset aims.

In particular, the PTFE covering of the inner surface of the multi-layered panel, thanks to its ability to reflect ultraviolet radiations, allows to increase the efficiency of the ventilation plant for given conditions, and, on the other hand, allows to increase the air flow rate of the plant for a given overall power consumption.

The invention is susceptible of changes and variant embodiments, all of which are comprised in the inventive concept expressed by the enclosed claims. In particular, the elements of the invention can be replaced by other elements that are technically equivalent.

Moreover, the materials can be chosen according to the needs, yet without departing from the scope of the invention.

Moreover, one or more elements of a specific embodiment of the invention that are technically compatible with another specific embodiment of the invention can be introduced in the latter in addition of, or in replacing for, elements of the latter. Where technical elements specified in the claims are followed by reference signs, those reference signs are included merely to help understanding the invention, hence they do not imply any limitation to the claimed scope of protection.