The invention relates to apparatus for exchanging room air, as stated in the introductory part of claim 1 , for ventilation and optionally cooling of premises. Such ventilation apparatus has application particularly in connection with dwelling rooms in housings, offices, hotels and rooms for entertainment and similar, to reduce the energy loss on providing fresh air.

Background It is known to provide a ventilation apparatus for interchangable operation, which can collect heat from air expelled from a room. In a known apparatus, a fan or fan device is arranged in a ventilation channel or duct, between two equal heat exchange elements. This demands two divided heat exchange elements, which increases manufacturing costs. This solution also demands for horizontal mounting to achieve balanced air flows, but such mounting demand can be a drawback in different situations.

Object

The primary object of the invention is to provide a combined ventilation apparatus and a cooling device for ventilation air, which can be mounted in different positions, which has a simpler structure than corresponding apparatus known in the art, and which may allow the collection of condensated water. Further, a low energy consumption is desirable.

The invention The main objects of the invention can be achieved by a apparatus according to claim 1.

This apparatus has greater freedom in its mounting, whether arranged under a ceiling, at the floor or installed within or close to a wall. This means that the apparatus can be arranged with its axis vertically disposed and it is possible to utilize the ventilation apparatus for purposes of producing condensation of water.

The possibility for vertical mounting provides the option to mount the apparatus to allow for condensation to be used for cooling.

It is a provision for such mounting, that the end design, e.g. with a sound lock, is substantially equal in both ends. This is required to maintain the desired equlibrium in the exchange of air.

Example

The invention is described with reference to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a room with a pair of ventilation apparatuses according to the invention, and Fig. 2 is an axial section through a tandem design of the ventilation apparatus according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a room 11 in which controlled and balanced exchange of air is desired. Ventilation apparatus 13 is arranged under the ceiling on the outside wall.

The apparatus can be two units arranged side by side in a tandem design as shown in Fig. 2, or two units arranged at different locations in the room.

The ventilation apparatus 13, which will be further described in the following, is mounted with a vertical axis. At the upper end, the apparatus is provided with a stub pipe 14 communicating with the room, while at the lower end a corresponding stub pipe 15 faces downwardly. In Fig. 1 a further ventilation apparatus 16 is arranged at the floor on the inside wall. The apparatus 16 has an open upper end, and a angled stub pipe 17 penetrates the wall. In Fig. 2 there is shown an embodiment of a ventilation apparatus 18. This example comprises two units 18A and 18B, arranged as an entity in a symmetrical arrangement. Therefore, only one unit is described below. In a cylindrical shaped main section or duct 19, a heat exchanger 20 is arranged. At each end of the main . section 19 there is arranged a stub pipe being respectively an inner 21 and an outer

22 relative to the adjoining unit. The stubs project from different sides and are at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. In each stub pipe 21 and 22 there is respecively arranged a fan 23 and 24. The fans 23 and 24 are operable interchangeably by a control system (not shown) such that one unit 18A expells air while the other 18B takes in air. In each of inlet

chambers 25 respectively 26, i.e. the chambers adjoining each stub pipe 22 facing the room, there is arranged a nozzle valve 27 connected to a water inlet for controlled introduction of a water jet. The purpose of this feature is described below. The heat exchangers 20 can be manufactured in a known manner e.g. of metal sheets arranged to provide channels for the air. Adjacent to the inner fans, temperature sensors 28 are included in the control system of the fans so as to control operation of the apparatus with optimal efficiency.

Function The basic function of the apparatus shown is to ventilate the room served by the appartus. Room air is then interchangeably blown through one or other of units 18A and 18B respectively, while the other is takes in ambient air from the outside. Upon the expelling of hot room air heat exchanger 20 is warmed, and this heat energy is delivered to heat suction air. This will save energy on ventilation. Consequently, energy costs are reduced while the apparatus provides a balanced ventilation effect.

In an alternative mode of operation, the ambient air is warmer than the room air, resulting in a cooling requirement. Moisture is added to the expelled air in the inlet chambers 25, respectively 26 before the air reaches the heat exchanger 20. The moisture is emitted on the heat exchanger and cools its disks. When ambient air is taken in at the next cycle of operation, it is cooled by the heat exchanger and enters the room at a lower temperature.

In both modes of operation sensors 28 will control the changing of the direction of flow. Due to the arrangement of the fans, the volumes of air moved will be in equlibrium thus the pressure conditions of the room will not be disturbed. This will avoid suction of air from or the expelling of air to other premises.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the fans of each unit 18A and 18B are arranged on a common axle, to be powered by one motor. This reduces the number of motors and the costs of extra journalling of the fan axle.