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Title:
A VENTILATOR
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/033875
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
This invention relates to a ventilator (10), particularly this invention relates to a smoke ventilator. The ventilator (10) comprises a shaft (12) having a bearing means (14) supporting the shaft (12) at a first end region thereof, wherein the shaft (12) is rotatable relative to the bearing means (14). A ventilator element (18) is further provided and mounted to the shaft (12). A heat diffusion plate (24) is further provided being spaced apart from the bearing means (14) but connected thereto. The heat diffusion plate (24) extends outwardly away from, and substantially orthogonal to, a longitudinal axis of the ventilator (10) so as to shield the bearing means (14) when in use from heated air and/or smoke passing upwardly past the heat diffusion plate (24), the bearing means (14), through the ventilator element (18) and to an outside environment.

Inventors:
VAN BILJOEN JEFFREY (ZA)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2017/054994
Publication Date:
February 22, 2018
Filing Date:
August 17, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
VAN BILJOEN JEFFREY (ZA)
International Classes:
F04D19/00; F24D7/00
Foreign References:
CN202546998U2012-11-21
CN2202208Y1995-06-28
AU2013200594A12013-08-22
US20090227198A12009-09-10
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
DESSINGTON & ASSOCIATES, INC. (ZA)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS:

1. A ventilator comprising: a shaft having a bearing means supporting the shaft at a first end region thereof, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the bearing means; a ventilator element mounted to the shaft; and a heat diffusion plate spaced apart from the bearing means and extending outwardly away from, and orthogonal to, a longitudinal axis of the ventilator so as to shield the bearing means.

2. The ventilator according to Claim 1, wherein the ventilator element is mounted to the shaft at a second opposite end region thereof via a connector means.

3. The ventilator according to Claim 2, wherein the connector means includes a threaded bore depending downwardly into the shaft from a terminal end point of the shaft and a complementary threaded headed bolt.

4. The ventilator according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the ventilator element is of turbine type or axial flow type.

5. The ventilator according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the bearing means includes friction reducing bearing elements contained inside a bearing housing.

6. The ventilator according to Claim 5, wherein the friction reducing bearing elements are roller bearings.

7. The ventilator according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, further comprising a spacer element to space apart the heat diffusion plate from the bearing means.

8. The ventilator according to Claim 7, wherein the spacer element includes a threaded bolt extending axially away from the housing and a pair of nuts spaced apart by the heat diffusion plate.

9. The ventilator according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, further comprising a mounting means for operative mounting to a structure, the mounting means including: a duct to be received through, and in register with, an aperture extending through the structure; and a support means connecting the bearing housing or the spacer or the heat diffusion plate to the duct.

10. The ventilator according to Claim 9, wherein the support means includes arms circumferentially spaced about the bearing housing and extending radially outwardly away therefrom such that a terminal zone of each arm joins to the duct.

11. The ventilator according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, further comprising a stabilizer for operative connection between the shaft and the ventilator element, such that in use, the stabilizer stabilizes the ventilator element.

12. The ventilator according to Claim 11, wherein the stabilizer includes elongate members circumferentially spaced about the shaft and extending radially outwardly away therefrom, each elongate member defining a terminus which engages a portion of the ventilator element.

13. A ventilator comprising: a shaft having a bearing means supporting the shaft between top and bottom end regions thereof, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the bearing means, the bearing means includes friction reducing bearing elements contained inside a housing; circumferentially spaced arms extending radially outwardly away from the bearing housing; a ventilator element mounted to terminal zones of the circumferentially spaced arms distal to the bearing housing; and a heat diffusion plate spaced apart from the bearing means and extending outwardly away from, and substantially orthogonal to, a longitudinal axis of the ventilator so as to shield the bearing means.

14. The ventilator according to Claim 13, further comprising a mounting means for operative mounting to a structure, the mounting means including: a duct to be received through, and in register with, an aperture extending through the structure; and a support means connecting the bottom end region of the shaft to the duct.

Description:
A VENTILATOR

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This invention relates to a ventilator, particularly this invention relates to a smoke ventilator. BACKGROUND Ventilators often form part of ventilation networks in industrial, commercial and/or residential buildings to ensure air circulation. Ventilators are typically wall or roof mounted, and may include a ventilator element to facilitate the draw of air there through to an external environment outside the building. Typically, such ventilator elements include turbine type elements or propeller type elements. Ventilation networks may be constructed to provide a dual purpose, providing air circulation and providing a smoke and heat exhaust system in the case of a fire emergency. However, ventilator elements are often damaged when exposed to high operating temperatures. Particularly, bearing means that facilitate rotational movement of, for example, the ventilator element around an axis of rotation are known to cease under high operating temperatures causing mechanical failure therein preventing proper smoke and/or heat displacement to the outside environment. The cessation of ventilator element rotation poses a significant safety risk.

There exists a need for a ventilator which will at least ameliorate one of the advantages described above and/or known in the art.

SUMMARY In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a ventilator comprising: a shaft having a bearing means supporting the shaft at a first end region thereof, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the bearing means; a ventilator element mounted to the shaft; and a heat diffusion plate spaced apart from the bearing means and extending outwardly away from, and substantially orthogonal to, a longitudinal axis of the ventilator so as to shield the bearing means. The heat diffusion plate may be near circular extending radially outwardly. It is to be understood that the heat diffusion plate may be of another shape that shields the bearing means when in use. The Applicant found that spacing the heat diffusion plate from the bearing means decreases heat transfer to the bearing means facilitating proper function when in use. The ventilator element may be mounted to the shaft at a second opposite end region thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the ventilator element may be mounted to the second opposite end region of the shaft via a connector means. The connector means may include a threaded bore depending downwardly into the shaft from a terminal end point of the shaft and a complementary threaded headed bolt. The Applicant envisages other connector means known in the art.

The ventilator element may be of turbine type or axial flow type.

The bearing means may include friction reducing bearing elements contained inside a bearing housing. Preferably, the bearing means includes a pair of spaced apart friction reducing bearing elements, typically in the form of roller bearings. The bearing housing may comprise two end parts, each end part having a radially outwardly projecting flange. The end parts may be connected. The end parts may be integrally formed. The axial length of the housing may be enlarged by insertion of at least one center portion between the end parts of the bearing housing.

The ventilator may further comprise a spacer element to space apart the heat diffusion plate from the bearing means. The spacer element may be connected to the housing.

The spacer element may include a threaded bolt extending axially away from the housing and a pair of nuts spaced apart by the heat diffusion plate. The spacer element may further include at least one washer.

The ventilator may further comprise a mounting means for operative mounting to a structure, for example a roof or wall, the mounting means including: a duct to be received through, and in register with, an aperture extending through the structure; and a support means connecting the bearing housing or the spacer or the heat diffusion plate to the duct.

In a preferred embodiment, the support means connects the bearing housing to the duct. The support means may include arms circumferentially spaced about the bearing housing and extending radially outwardly away therefrom such that a terminal zone of each arm joins to the duct. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each arm also connects two end parts of the bearing housing in the longitudinal direction. Typically, each arm connects the radially outwardly projecting flange of each end part in the longitudinal direction.

The ventilator may further comprise a stabilizer for operative connection between the shaft and the ventilator element, such that in use, the stabilizer stabilizes the ventilator element.

The stabilizer may include elongate members circumferentially spaced about the shaft and extending radially outwardly away therefrom, each elongate member defining a terminus which engages a portion of the ventilator element.

In accordance with a second aspect of this invention there is provided a ventilator comprising: a shaft having a bearing means supporting the shaft between top and bottom end regions thereof, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the bearing means, the bearing means may include friction reducing bearing elements contained inside a housing; circumferentially spaced arms extending radially outwardly away from the bearing housing; a ventilator element mounted to terminal zones of the circumferentially spaced arms distal to the bearing housing; and a heat diffusion plate spaced apart from the bearing means and extending outwardly away from, and substantially orthogonal to, a longitudinal axis of the ventilator so as to shield the bearing means. The ventilator may further comprise a mounting means for operative mounting to a structure, for example a roof or wall, the mounting means including: a duct to be received through, and in register with, an aperture extending through the structure; and a support means connecting the bottom end region of the shaft to the duct.

The support means may include elongate members circumferentially spaced about the bottom end region of the shaft and extending radially outwardly away therefrom to connect to the duct.

There is further provided for a ventilator substantially as herein described, illustrated and/or exemplified with reference to any one of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a side view of a ventilator in accordance with a first aspect of this invention wherein a ventilator element is of the turbine type;

FIGURE 2 shows a three dimensional view of certain components of the ventilator according to a first aspect of this invention; and FIGURE 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the ventilator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

The broad disclosures of the invention as described in the Summary are repeated hereunder by way of reference to avoid repetition, and preferred embodiments thereof described in detail with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

A first aspect of this invention is a ventilator generally shown as having reference numeral 10. The ventilator comprises a shaft 12 having a bearing means 14 supporting the shaft 12 at a first end region thereof. The shaft 12 is rotatable relative to the bearing means 14.

The ventilator 10 further includes a ventilator element 18 mounted to the shaft 12 at a second opposite end region thereof via a connector means 22. The connector means 22 is shown to include a threaded bore 22.1 depending downwardly into the shaft from a terminal end point of the shaft and a complementary threaded headed bolt 22.2. The threaded headed bolt 22.2 is visible in Figure 1, and the threaded bore 22.1 of the shaft 12 is visible in Figure 2.

The ventilator 10 further includes a heat diffusion plate 24 spaced apart from the bearing means 14 and extending outwardly away from, and substantially orthogonal to, a longitudinal axis of the ventilator 10 so as to shield the bearing means 14.

The heat diffusion plate 24 is illustrated as being a near circular, substantially flat plate extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. When in use the heat diffusion plate 24 protects the bearing means 14 from heat exposure and therein facilitates long term proper functioning of the bearing means 14 under elevated temperatures. It is envisaged that the ventilator 10 according to this invention may provide proper continued functioning for more than about 30 minutes at temperatures of more than about 300 °C.

The bearing means 14 typically provides friction reducing bearing elements 26 (illustrated as two spaced apart roller bearings 26.1 and 26.2) contained inside a bearing housing 28, as shown in Figure 3. Roller bearing 26.1 is shown as being press fitted into a recess 29 provided by a top of the housing 28. Roller bearing 26.2 is shown as being press fitted into a recess 31 provided by a base of the housing 28. It is to be understood that other bearing configurations are envisaged without departing from the scope of this invention.

The bearing housing 28 may comprise two end parts 30, 32. Each end part 30, 32 having a radially outwardly projecting flange 34, 36. The end parts 30, 32 may be connected and/or integrally formed. The axial length of the housing 28 may be enlarged by insertion of at least one center portion (not shown) between the end parts 30, 32 of the bearing housing 28.

The ventilator 10 is shown to further comprise a spacer element 38 to space apart the heat diffusion plate 24 from the bearing means 14. The spacer element 38 connects the heat diffusion plate 24 to the remaining components of the ventilator 10, specifically the spacer element 38 connects the heat diffusion plate 24 to the housing 28 of the bearing means 14, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 3 the spacer element 38 is provided as a threaded bolt 40 extending axially away from the housing 28 and a pair of nuts 42, 44 spaced apart by the heat diffusion plate 24. The threaded bolt 40 is integrally formed with the housing 28 and is preferably welded into position depending downwardly from a central region of a base of the housing 28. The invention is not limited to this particular configuration of the spacer element 38, and the skilled person may readily conceive of equivalents hereto.

The ventilator 10 further comprises a mounting means 50 for operative mounting to a structure, for example a roof or wall (not shown). The mounting means 50 includes a duct 52 (divided into an upper 52.1 and a lower 52.2 portion) to be in part received through, and in register with, an aperture extending through the structure and a support means 54 connecting the bearing housing 28 to the duct 52.

As shown in Figure 2, the support means 54 includes arms 56 circumferentially spaced about the bearing housing 28 and extending radially outwardly away therefrom such that a terminal zone 58 of each arm 56 joins to the duct 52. Typically, each terminal zone 58 provides an apertured face for connection to the duct via suitable securing means such as pop rivets. Typically, each arm 56 connects to the upper portion of the duct 52.1.

Further, as shown, each arm 56 also connects two end parts 30, 32 of the bearing housing 28 in the longitudinal direction. Typically, each arm 56 connects the radially outwardly projecting flange 34, 36 of each end part 30, 32, respectively, in the longitudinal direction.

The ventilator 10 is shown to further comprise a stabilizer 60 for operative connection between the shaft 12 and the ventilator element 18, such that in use, the stabilizer 60 stabilizes the ventilator element 18. The stabilizer is shown in Figure 2 to include elongate members 62 circumferentially spaced about the shaft 12 and extending radially outwardly away therefrom, each elongate member 62 defining a terminus 64 which engages a portion of the ventilator element 18 when the ventilator 10 is assembled.

The ventilator element 18 is shown to be of the turbine type and includes a circular top 66, an annular ring 68 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vanes or blades 70 which extend between the circular top 66 and the annular ring 68 and are generally fastened by means of suitable fasteners, for example pop rivets, shown in Figure 1 as reference number 72. Typically, each terminus 64 of the stabilizer 60 provides an apertured face for operative engagement to the annular ring 68 of the ventilator element 18 via suitable securing means such as pop rivets. The duct 52 is shown in Figure 1 and typically includes the upper and lower portion 52.1, 52.2. The abutting ends of the lower and upper portions 52.1, 52.2 extend obliquely relative to their axes, and are rotatable relative to each other. When in use, the lower portion 52.2 is matingly engaged to be in register with an aperture through a roof. By rotating the upper portion 52.1 relative to the lower portion 52.2, the upper portion 52.1 can be located such that its axis extends vertically irrespective of the pitch of the roof.

Further aspects shown in the figures include a seal 74 which acts to prevent ingress of dirt into the bearing housing 28 through an opening via which the shaft 12 enters the housing 28. When viewed in cross-section in Figure 3 the seal is seen to include first and second members 76, 78 defining a channel 80 so as to provide a labyrinth type seal. A person skilled in the art may readily conceive of other seals.

The elongate members 62 of the stabilizer 60 are shown to be secured between two generally circular discs 82, 84 both having the shaft extend there through with little clearance. The invention is not limited to this particular configuration as illustrated, and other configurations are readily conceivable to the skilled person.

The second aspect of the invention is not illustrated. In the second aspect of the invention the shaft does not, in use, rotate to, in turn, cause rotation of the ventilator element. Instead, the circumferentially spaced arms extending radially outwardly away from the bearing housing rotate and join to the ventilator element, to actuate rotation of the ventilator element when in use. The support means of the second aspect of the invention then extends away from a bottom end region of a stationary shaft and connects to the duct.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments and/or examples thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the claims and any equivalents thereto, which claims are appended hereto.