OF AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a fluid discharge conduit assembly. In particular, the invention is an air discharge conduit assembly of an air conditioning unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reverse flow of fluid is prone to happen within a conduit having an outlet at its end that is placed downstream of a blower. When fluid flows within such conduit, there is a pressure difference between the upper and lower parts inside the conduit. A concentrated fluid flow region with high pressure is formed at upper part of the conduit, whereas a non-concentrated fluid flow region with low pressure is formed at lower part of the conduit. Due to the pressure difference, ingress of ambient air into the conduit through the outlet occurs at the non-concentrated fluid flow region, causing at least a partial of the fluid at the non-concentrated fluid flow region to flow in a direction towards the blower as indicated as‘402’ in Figure 1, instead of towards the outlet to exit the conduit as indicated by the direction denoted as‘401’. Based on Figure 1, the blower creates a low-pressure recirculation referred to as‘403’ that when the fluid is exposed to the ambient air flowing in the direction indicated as‘402’ that opposes the fluid flow direction denoted as‘401’, the pressure difference and the low-pressure recirculation cause the ambient air to flow into the blower, thus affecting performance of the blower and the flow of the fluid traveling out of the conduit.

However, should the conduit be constructed to have a length long enough for not exposing the non-concentrated fluid flow region with low pressure to the ambient air, the risk of reverse flow to happen can be prevented as shown in Figure 2. In particular, if the conduit is constructed to have an angled portion that is close to the outlet such that fluid flowing out of the conduit is exposed to the ambient air shortly after experiencing change of direction at the angled portion, reverse flow is prone to happen.

Typically, bent conduits are modelled or incorporated into devices in certain ways to serve different purposes. For example, JP4677219B2 discloses a bent air discharge conduit having a first portion, and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion. A bypass passageway that joins the first portion and second portion is constructed for providing an additional route to the air flow before being discharged out of the conduit. The first portion, second portion and bypass passageway form a right-angled triangle, whereby the bypass passageway serves as the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle. The purpose of the bypass passageway is to provide even distribution of air discharged from the conduit. Further, the bypass passageway enhances structure integrity of the bent conduit.

US5531484A discloses an elbow that is a bent conduit with a relatively small radius ratio. Guide vanes are provided within the bent conduit to decrease separation loss near the inner side wall of the bent conduit. Separation loss decreases as the radius ratio increases. Therefore, the guide vanes are used for dividing the bent conduit into a plurality of sub-channels whose breadths are small and radius ratios are large.

The features of the conduits described in JP4677219B2 and US5531484A are not modelled for addressing reverse flow issues within the conduits. The conduits in these two patent documents are structured in a way that fluid flowing therewithin towards outlet of the conduits are not exposed to the ambient air. Instead, these conduits are connected to another conduits. Hence, there are no risks for reverse flows to happen within these conduits. Besides that, these two patent documents do not provide any solutions to solve turbulence induced by the right-angled edge of the bent conduits. Other than reverse flows occurring at lower regions of the conduit, turbulences are also induced at the top right-angled edge within the fluid discharge conduit. Further, turbulences are generated at the center of the conduit between the concentrated fluid flow region and non-concentrated fluid flow region. These turbulences including the reverse flows create noise that cause the system to be noisy during its operation. In addition, distribution and flow of discharged air are affected by turbulences within the conduit. It is therefore crucial to provide solutions to these issues.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a fluid discharge conduit assembly of a device is provided. The fluid discharge conduit assembly comprises a conduit being shaped in a way such that a fluid flow within the conduit is caused to change direction before the fluid is discharged from the conduit; and a primary baffle within the conduit which is positioned so as to induce a redistribution of the fluid flow. The primary baffle diverts a proportion of the fluid flow in the direction of egress of fluid from the conduit to mitigate the ingress of fluid into the conduit caused by reverse flow phenomena. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit is defined by a first portion, and a second portion that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion and having a discharge outlet at its end.

Preferably, the first portion is disposed with an air outlet of a blower.

It is preferred that the fluid flow transits from an upward direction from the blower to a forward direction towards the discharge outlet of the second portion of the conduit.

According to the preferred embodiment, the primary baffle is in the shape of an aerofoil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge. Particularly, the trailing edge of the primary baffle is at least partially located within a reverse flow region inside the conduit.

In addition, it is preferred that the primary baffle is rotatable for adjusting its angle with respect to the width of the fluid discharge conduit assembly.

Besides that, the primary baffle is movable horizontally and/or vertically for adjusting its position within the fluid discharge conduit assembly.

Based on the preferred embodiment, the fluid discharge conduit assembly further comprises a secondary baffle to enhance the transition of fluid flow as the flow changes direction during its passage through the conduit.

Preferably, the secondary baffle is an inclinedly positioned panel that forms a top chamfered edge of the conduit.

The device is preferred to be an air conditioning unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioning unit incorporated with the above-described fluid discharge conduit assembly is provided.

It is preferred that the air conditioning unit is a floor-standing air conditioning unit.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the air conditioning unit has a draw- through configuration.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fluid discharge conduit assembly where fluid passes therethrough before exiting from the device. The fluid discharge conduit assembly offers solutions to issues commonly encountered by conduits with discharge outlets that are shaped in a way such that fluid changes flow direction therewithin before being discharged. These issues include the happening of reverse flow within the conduit as well as turbulence at the right-angled top edge inside the conduit and at the center of the conduit between the concentrated fluid flow region and non-concentrated fluid flow region. Turbulence including reverse flows affect efficiency and distribution of air flow. Further, devices with turbulence occurring therewithin causes noise. The present invention incorporates components with features that mitigate reverse flow phenomena for conduits that are prone to reverse flow, induce laminar flow at the top surface of the conduit where pressure is highest within the conduit, and reduces turbulences within center of the conduit. Additionally, the baffles of the present invention serve as fluid guide for facilitating the transition of fluid flow as the flow changes direction. Also, the primary baffle introduced herein solve issues of reverse flow caused by the structure of the conduit that has a discharge outlet located very close to the blower. The present invention is suitable for use in air conditioning units, especially floor-standing units with draw-through configuration. By mitigating reverse flow, dew formation issue at the discharge area of the air conditioning unit can be solved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a conduit experiencing reverse flow caused by ambient air entering into it.

Figure 2 shows a conduit not experiencing reverse flow since the non-concentrated fluid flow region with low pressure is not exposed to the ambient air

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an air conditioning unit that is incorporated with the fluid discharge conduit assembly. Figure 4 is a side inner view of the air conditioning unit without showing the fluid discharge conduit assembly. Figure 5 shows a side inner view of the air conditioning unit that is incorporated with the fluid discharge conduit assembly.

Figure 6 shows the fluid flow situation within the fluid discharge conduit assembly without the primary baffle and secondary baffle.

Figure 7 shows the fluid flow situation within the fluid discharge conduit assembly that has the primary baffle and secondary baffle.

Figure 8 shows the fluid flow situation within the fluid discharge conduit assembly having the primary baffle and a conduit with a length sufficient for preventing reverse flow.

Figure 9 shows a front view of two fluid discharge conduit assemblies that are adjoined together.

Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of two fluid discharge conduit assemblies that are adjoined together where a combination of the first baffle and the bottom section of the conduit is detached from the top section of the conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail. Disclosed herein is a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) used in a device (200) where fluid generated or operating within the device is discharged. The device (200) is any device (200) that allows discharge of fluid. Such devices (200) include units of air treating systems, air conditioning systems, refrigeration systems, water heating systems and the like. Therefore, the term“fluid” used herein can be liquid or gas. To facilitate understanding of the present invention, an air conditioning unit is employed as an example of the device (200) in this disclosure that will be described in more detail to explain function of the present invention. The present invention is catered for aiding the transition of direction change in fluid flow within the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) before the fluid is expelled out of the device (200). The fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) has a conduit being shaped in a way such that the fluid flow within the conduit is caused to change direction before the fluid is discharged from the conduit. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit is a bent conduit. In particular, the conduit is a right-angled conduit defined by a first portion, and a second portion that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion. The second portion has a discharge outlet (104) at its end. Such structure of the conduit allows fluid to travel in a first direction along the first portion and subsequently divert at a bent portion to a second direction along the second portion.

As shown in Figure 3, the present invention is particularly suitable to be applied in a floor-standing air conditioning unit where air is discharged upwardly along the first portion of the conduit from the bottom of the unit where at least a portion of a blower (201), preferably an air outlet of the blower (201) is located, and horizontally along the second portion towards the discharge outlet (104) of the conduit. The second portion of the conduit is positioned downstream of the blower (201). A floor-standing air conditioning unit is usually contained with components involved in the refrigeration cycle including a heat exchanger (202) and blower (201) at lower part of the air conditioning unit as shown in Figure 4. The air conditioning unit has a draw-through configuration where the blower (201) is located downstream of a cooling coil. Conditioned air is expelled from the upper part of the air conditioning unit and hence, the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) is positioned at the upper part of the unit. According to Figure 4, the blower (201) is positioned above of the heat exchanger (202). However, the air outlet of the blower (201) is positioned within the first portion of the conduit as shown in Figure 5 for directing conditioned air generated from the refrigeration cycle into the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) for discharging the conditioned air out of the air conditioning unit. Outlet louvers (103) shown in Figure 6 and 7 can be mounted at the discharge outlet (104) of the conduit for controlling the opening, closing or direction of air flow. Also, inlet louvers (203) can also be incorporated at the inlet of the air conditioning unit for controlling entry of ambient air into the air conditioning unit for undergoing the refrigeration cycle.

Commonly, reverse flow (302) is prone to occur within a conduit positioned downstream of a blower (201) and having a discharge outlet (104). The conduit is shaped to induce change of fluid flow direction. Referring to Figure 6 that illustrates air flow situation within conduit of the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) during operation of the device (200), the conduit is formed with a concentrated fluid flow region spanning from the first portion of the conduit where fluid source is provided, towards upper part of the conduit. The non-dotted arrow lines in Figure 6 indicates the concentrated fluid flow region, whereas the dotted arrow lines in Figure 6 represents the non-concentrated fluid flow region. In the example of an air conditioning unit the fluid source is air directed from the blower (201). A non-concentrated fluid flow region is formed at remaining lower part of the conduit. The concentrated fluid flow region has a higher pressure than the non-concentrated fluid flow region. The pressure difference between the two fluid flow regions causes reverse flow (302) to happen at the non-concentrated air flow region, resulting in the occurrence of large turbulences (301) at the center between the concentrated fluid flow region and non-concentrated fluid flow region. Further, during reverse flow phenomena, there is potential risk for fluid at the non-concentrated fluid flow to flow in reverse direction back into the blower (201), thus disrupting operation of the device (200). The undesired effects caused by reverse flow phenomena can be solved by having a primary baffle (101) within the conduit which is positioned in a particular location to induce a redistribution of the fluid flow, in which the primary baffle (101) diverts a proportion of the fluid flow in the direction of egress of fluid from the conduit to mitigate the ingress of fluid into the conduit caused by the reverse flow phenomena, thus preventing the happening of turbulences (301 ) at the center of the conduit and fluid from flowing back into the blower (201). Preferably in the shape of an aerofoil, the primary baffle (101) is disposed at a location covering the concentrated fluid flow region and non-concentrated fluid flow region as depicted in Figure 7. The aerofoil shaped primary baffle (101) has a leading edge and a trailing edge for guiding fluid to flow in a laminar manner towards the discharge outlet (104) of the conduit. The trailing edge is at least partially located within the non-concentrated fluid flow region, in particular the reverse flow region inside the conduit. More specifically, the primary baffle (101) is positioned at a height where the reverse flow (302) starts to occur.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, position and angle of the primary baffle (101) are adjustable to control fluid flow situation within the conduit. These adjustable features include making the primary baffle (101) movable horizontally and/or vertically for adjusting its position within the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100). Additionally, the primary baffle (101) is made rotatable for adjusting its angle with respect to the width of the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100).

In a situation where the discharge outlet (104) of the conduit is located near to the blower (201), reverse flow is prone to happen due to the low-pressure recirculation (403) caused by the blower (201) and the conduit not having a sufficient length for preventing exposure of the non-concentrated fluid flow region with low pressure to the ambient air. Such issue can be solved by incorporating the primary baffle (101) into the conduit as shown in Figure 8. For conduits having a perpendicular shape like the preferred embodiment of the invention as presented in Figure 6, turbulence (301 ) is prone to occur at the right-angled top edge where fluid flow changes direction. With the incorporation a secondary baffle (102) at the right-angled top edge of the conduit, the transition of fluid flow as the flow changes direction during its passage through the conduit can be enhanced. Based on Figure 5 and 7, the secondary baffle (102) is an inclinedly positioned panel that forms a top chamfered edge of the conduit. The sharp edge that defines the 90-degree angle of the conduit is thus replaced by a chamfered edge that guides fluid flow to turn from the first position to the second position. High fluid flow rate is achievable through the secondary baffle (102).

Figure 9 and 10 show two side-by-side adjoined fluid discharge conduit assemblies

(100) suitable for use in a floor-standing air conditioning unit. Both the primary baffle

(101) and secondary baffle (102) extend horizontally from one side wall (104a) to another side wall (104b) of the conduit. With reference to Figure 6, the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) can be separated into two sections, in which the lower part of the conduit and the first baffle (101) form the bottom section, whereas the upper part of the conduct including the secondary baffle (102) form the top section. Both sections are detachably connected together.

Although the description above contains many specifications, it is understood that the embodiments of the preferred form are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention and it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.