HVAC VENTILATOR WITH MIXED FLOW FAN WHEEL
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202421008997, filed on February 9, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to ventilators in HVAC systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system provides proper ventilation and maintains air quality in a confined space, for example, a commercial or household building. The HVAC system may include a vapor compression system that circulates a refrigerant through a closed circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Refrigerant in the evaporator is utilized to cool an airflow via thermal exchange to condition the confined space. The HVAC system primarily controls temperature and humidity of airflow. The HVAC system may include a ductwork for supplying conditioned airflow to various spaces. Typically, ducts extend from a conditioned airflow supply unit, such as an air handling unit, to desired spaces.
[0004] HVAC systems include a ventilator having a fan that facilitates air circulation between an air conditioned space and outside. The ventilator is positioned such that the ventilator is in fluid communication with the air conditioned space. The fan extracts air from within the air conditioned space and directs air to outside environment.
SUMMARY
[0005] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be noted that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a ventilator for an HVAC system. The ventilator includes a housing and a mixed flow fan wheel. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. The mixed flow fan wheel is positioned in the housing to facilitate an air flow from the inlet towards the outlet. The fan wheel has a hub and a plurality of blades in eldless attachment with the hub.
[0007] In some embodiments, the ventilator includes a diffuser positioned above the mixed flow fan wheel to assist in directing the air flow towards the outlet of the housing. The diffuser has a shape of an inverted frustrum of a cone.
[0008] In some embodiments, the ventilator includes a motor and a motor enclosure arranged to support the motor powering the mixed flow fan wheel. The mixed flow fan wheel is suspended by an output shaft of the motor.
[0009] In some embodiments, the housing includes a base plate and one or more support members extending vertically from the base plate to support the motor enclosure. The support member has internal threading at a top and a bottom portion of the support member to receive fasteners for engagement w ith the motor enclosure and the base plate.
[0010] In some embodiments, the support member has a square shaped cross-section.
[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator for an HVAC system, including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; and a mixed flow7 fan wheel positioned in the housing to facilitate an air flow from the inlet towards the outlet, the mixed flow fan wheel having a hub and a plurality of blades; a diffuser that is positioned above the mixed flow fan wheel and assists in directing the air flow7 towards the outlet of the housing, and a motor to pow er the mixed flow7 fan wheel, wherein the mixed flow fan wheel is suspended by an output shaft of the motor.
[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the diffuser has a shape of an inverted frustrum of a cone.
[0013] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, further including a motor enclosure arranged to support the motor, and wherein the diffuser is coupled to the motor enclosure.
[0014] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the housing includes a base plate and one or more support members extending vertically from the base plate to support the motor enclosure, and each of the one or more support members has internal threading at a top and a bottom portion to receive fasteners for engagement with the motor enclosure and the base plate.
[0015] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein each of the one or more support members has a square shaped cross- section.
[0016] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator for an HVAC system, including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a fan wheel positioned in the housing to facilitate an air flow from the inlet towards the outlet; a motor for powering the fan wheel; and a diffuser positioned above the fan wheel, the diffuser having an outer surface to direct the air flow towards the outlet of the housing, and an internal space to at least partially receive the motor.
[0017] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the fan wheel has a hub and a plurality of blades in weldless attachment with the hub.
[0018] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the plurality of blades are attached to the hub via fasteners.
[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, further including a motor enclosure to support the motor and cover a portion of the motor extending above the diffuser.
[0020] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the diffuser is secured to a bottom portion of the motor enclosure.
[0021] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the motor has an output shaft extending downwards from the diffuser, and is coupled to the fan wheel.
[0022] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator for an HVAC system, including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a fan wheel positioned in the housing to facilitate an air flow from the inlet towards the outlet; a diffuser adjacent to the fan wheel; and a motor at least partially positioned between the diffuser and the outlet, the motor having an output shaft extending through the diffuser and coupled to the fan wheel for driving the fan wheel; wherein the diffuser is configured to direct the air flow along an outer surface of the diffuser between the motor and the housing towards the outlet of the housing.
[0023] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, further including a motor enclosure to support the motor and at least partially positioned within the housing. [0024] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the diffuser includes a first end positioned adjacent to the fan wheel and a second end that is secured to the motor enclosure, the first end having a first dimension and the second end has a second dimension that is greater than the first end.
[0025] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the air flow is directed between the motor enclosure and the housing towards the outlet of the housing.
[0026] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, further including a base plate forming the inlet and one or more support members extending vertically from the base plate to support the motor enclosure.
[0027] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the housing includes a first apron, a second apron, and a third apron, wherein the first apron extends from the base plate and partially surrounds the fan wheel, wherein the second apron extends from the first apron and partially surrounds the diffuser, wherein the third apron extends from the second apron and partially surrounds the motor enclosure, and wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the third apron is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the first apron.
[0028] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, wherein the fan wheel is suspended by the output shaft of the motor.
[0029] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, the fan wheel has a hub and a plurality of blades in weldless attachment with the hub.
[0030] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a ventilator, further including a venturi positioned between the inlet and the fan wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building including a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) system, according to some embodiments. [0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a ventilator, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the ventilator, according to some embodiments.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a front view of the ventilator depicting internal components, according to some embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an engagement betw een a support member and a motor enclosure of the ventilator, according to some embodiments.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the support member, according to some embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a sectional isometric view of the ventilator depicting internal components, according to some embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates airflow in the ventilator, according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below; These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary' from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0041] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
Building HVAC System
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a building 10 is shown. Building 10 is served by a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) system 100. HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, air conditioning, ventilation, and/or other services for building 10. For example. HVAC system 100 is shown to include a waterside system 120 and an airside system 130. Waterside system 120 mayprovide a heated or chilled fluid to an air handling unit of airside system 130. Airside system 130 may use the heated or chilled fluid to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10.
[0043] HVAC system 100 is shown to include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and a rooftop air handling unit (AHU) 106. Waterside system 120 may use boiler 104 and chiller 102 to heat or cool a working fluid (e.g., w ater, glycol, etc.) and may circulate the w orking fluid to AHU 106. In various embodiments, the HVAC devices of waterside system 120 can be located in or around building 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) or at an offsite location such as a central plant (e.g., a chiller plant, a steam plant, a heat plant, etc.) that serves one or more buildings including building 10. The working fluid can be heated in boiler 104 or cooled in chiller 102, depending on whether heating or cooling is required in building 10. Boiler 104 may add heat to the circulated fluid, for example, by burning a combustible material (e.g.. natural gas) or using an electric heating element. Chiller 102 may place the circulated fluid in a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) to absorb heat from the circulated fluid. The w orking fluid from chiller 102 and/or boiler 104 can be transported to AHU 106 via piping 108.
[0044] AHU 106 may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an airflow^ passing through AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages of cooling coils and/or heating coils). The airflow can be, for example, outside air, return air from within building 10, or a combination of both. AHU 106 may transfer heat between the airflow and the working fluid to provide heating or cooling for the airflow. For example, AHU 106 can include one or more fans or blowers configured to pass the airflow over or through a heat exchanger containing the working fluid. The working fluid may then return to chiller 102 or boiler 104 via piping 110.
[0045] Airside system 130 may deliver the airflow- supplied by AHU 106 (i.e., the supply airflow) to building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and may provide return air from building 10 to AHU 106 via air return ducts 114. In some embodiments, airside system 130 includes multiple variable air volume (VAV) units 116. For example, airside system 130 is shown to include a separate VAV unit 116 on each floor or zone of building 10. VAV units 116 can include dampers or other flow control elements that can be operated to control an amount of the supply airflow provided to individual zones of building 10. In other embodiments, airside system 130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10 (e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. AHU 106 can include various sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 may receive input from sensors located within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and may adjust the flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflow through AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.
VENTILATOR
[0046] A typical HVAC system may include a ventilator to facilitate air circulation between air conditioned space and outside. For example, the ventilator may be employed to extract air from the air conditioned space and deliver extracted air to outside environment. Alternatively, or additionally, the ventilator may pull fresh air from the outside environment and deliver it to the air conditioned space. Typically, such ventilators are placed on a roof of a building or in an attic space of the building. The ventilator has vents to facilitate airflow between the air conditioned space and the outside environment. For example, the ventilator may have an inlet in fluid communication with the air conditioned space and an outlet in fluid communication with outside environment, to facilitate airflow from the air conditioned space to the outside environment.
[0047] Ventilators are typically either passive ventilators or active ventilators. Passive ventilators circulate air to or from air conditioned space without utilizing external power sources. On the other hand, active ventilators create ventilation effect by utilizing an externally powered fan that creates suction to facilitate airflow to or from air conditioned space. Typically, such fan includes a fan wheel and a motor coupled to the fan wheel for rotating the fan wheel. Rotation of fan wheel creates suction effect to create the airflow. Conventionally, a centrifugal fan or an axial fan is employed in the ventilator to create the suction effect.
[0048] Conventional centrifugal fans are generally designed to intake air along a rotational axis of an impeller of the centrifugal fan and to accelerate the air radially outward from the rotational axis. On the other hand, conventional axial fans are generally designed to intake air along a rotational axis of a fan wheel of the axial fan and to accelerate the air axially along the rotational axis.
[0049] The present disclosure relates to a ventilator for an HVAC system that provides an alternative to conventional centrifugal or axial fan based ventilators. The ventilator of the present disclosure utilizes a mixed flow fan wheel to create suction effect for generating airflow to or from an air conditioned space. The fan wheel has a plurality of blades and a hub. The blades are attached to the hub without using welding. In some embodiments, the blades may be attached to the hub using fasteners.
[0050] In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the ventilator includes a housing and a fan wheel positioned within the housing to direct airflow from an inlet of the housing to an outlet of the housing. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the fan wheel is a mixed flow fan wheel having a plurality of blades in weldless attachment with a hub of the fan wheel. In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the ventilator includes a diffuser positioned above the fan wheel to assist in directing the airflow from the inlet to the outlet of the housing. The diffuser has an external surface to direct the airflow, and an internal space that at least partially houses a motor powering the fan wheel.
[0051] The ventilator of the present disclosure is now described in detail with reference to accompanying FIGS. 2-7.
[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view7 of a ventilator 200, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the ventilator 200. according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the ventilator 200 is shown to include a housing 205 having a base plate 210 forming a base of the ventilator 200. The base plate 210 may have a suitable configuration to facilitate mounting of the ventilator 200. In some examples, the ventilator 200 may be mounted on a roof or in an attic of a building. The base plate 210 may have provisions for securing the ventilator 200 to the roof or in the attic. In some embodiments, the base plate 210 may have holes to receive fasteners therein to facilitate mounting of the ventilator 200. Although the present disclosure is described with reference to the ventilator 200 being mounted on the roof or in the attic, the ventilator 200 can be mounted suitably at any other location of the building or any other facility’. [0054] The base plate 210 may have an opening forming an inlet 220 of the ventilator 200. The ventilator 200 is mounted such that the inlet 220 is aligned with an opening provided on the roof or in the attic to facilitate fluid communication between an air conditioned space and the ventilator 200.
[0055] The housing 205 further includes a first apron 230 mounted on the base plate 210 and surrounds the inlet 220. The first apron 230 extends vertically upwards, and may have uniform cross-section with a uniform cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter). The first apron 230 may have a circular cross-section. However, shape and size of the first apron 230 may alter in other embodiments based on application requirements.
[0056] The housing 205 further includes a second apron 240 connected to the first apron 230 using suitable connecting means, for example, fasteners. In some embodiments, the second apron 240 may be welded to the first apron 230. The second apron 240 may have a cross-section with a cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) that increases from a first end 242 attached to the first apron 230 to an opposite second end 244.
[0057] The housing 205 further includes a third apron 250 connected to the second end 244 of the second apron 240 using suitable fastening means, for example, fasteners. In some embodiments, the third apron 250 may be welded to the second apron 240. The third apron 250 has an open top end 252 defining as an outlet 260 of the ventilator 200. Typically, the first apron 230, the second apron 240, and the third apron 250 form peripheral boundaries of the ventilator 200. The third apron 250 extends vertically upward, and may have cross-section with a uniform dimension (e g., diameter). In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional dimension of the third apron 250 is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the first apron 230.
[0058] In some embodiments, the housing 205 may have a unibody structure, wherein the first apron 230, the second apron 240, and the third apron 250 are formed integrally without physical separation therebetween.
[0059] The ventilator 200 further includes a motor enclosure 270 provided in a space enclosed (e.g., surrounded) by the third apron 250. In some embodiments, the motor enclosure 270 may extend beyond the third apron 250 in a vertically u w ard direction. Further, the motor enclosure 270 is positioned in a spaced apart configuration such that a gap 280 is maintained between an outer periphery of the motor enclosure 270 and an inner periphery of the third apron 250. The gap 280 defines total area of the outlet 260 of the ventilator. [0060] As shown in FIG. 2. the outlet 260 of the housing 205 is at a higher level than the inlet 220 of the housing. Such arrangement is preferably employed when the ventilator 200 is positioned at the roof or in the attic of the building. It is to be noted that the level difference between the outlet 260 and the inlet 220 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 2, and the inlet 220 and the outlet 260 can be positioned at any other suitable level in other embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the inlet 220 and the outlet 260 can be at the same level. In some other embodiments, the inlet 220 may be at a higher level than the outlet 260. Further, locations of the inlet 220 and the outlet 260 may vary in other embodiments.
[0061] In some embodiments, the central longitudinal axis 290 may pass through the inlet 220. The outlet 260 may be spaced apart from the inlet 220 in a radial direction. The outlet 260 may extend circumferentially surrounding the central longitudinal axis 290 similar to the inlet 220.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the ventilator 200 may include a ventun 300 positioned above the inlet 220. The ventilator 200 further includes a fan wheel 310 arranged above the venturi 300. The fan wheel 310 can be a mixed flow fan wheel having a plurality of blades and a hub. In some embodiments, the plurality of blades are attached in a w eldless attachment to the hub. The term 'weldless attachment’ used in the present disclosure refers to any attachment between blades and the hub excluding permanent attachment, such as welding. In some examples, the blades may be attached to the hub using fasteners, such as, but not limited to, rivets. One such fan wheel is described in US patent application 17/688,642 titled ‘FAN WHEEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS’ filed on March 7, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. However, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the fan wheel described in the US patent application 17/688,642.
[0063] As discussed earlier, the fan wheel 310 may be a mixed flow fan wheel provided in the housing 205 to create an airflow from the inlet 220 to the outlet 260 of the housing 205. The venturi 300 helps in directing the airflow- onto the blades of the fan wheel 310. The fan wheel 310 creates a suction effect at the inlet 220 which is in communication with an air conditioned space, for example, an interior space of a building. Due to the suction effect, air in the air conditioned space gets forcefully pulled into the ventilator 200 via the inlet 220. Profile of the blades of the fan wheel 310 is configured such that air pulled in the housing 205 through the inlet 220 is directed towards the outlet 260 of the housing 205, thus, creating the airflow^ betw een the inlet 220 and the outlet 260. [0064] As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the fan wheel 310 is positioned in a substantial lower portion of the housing 205. Preferably, the fan wheel 310 may be positioned proximal to a joint between the first apron 230 and the second apron 240. Thus, the first apron 230 of the housing 205 at least partially surrounds the fan wheel 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the first apron 230 also surrounds the venturi 300.
[0065] The ventilator 200 may include a drain 320 to collect w ater droplets entering into the ventilator 200 via the outlet 260. The drain 320 may be provided proximal to the base plate 210 such that water entering through the outlet 260 can be drained out via the drain 320. The drain 320 and the venturi 300 prevent ingress of water or any other undesired particles (for example, dust) into the air conditioned space through the ventilator 200. Specifically, the venturi 300 creates an obstruction for the foreign particles to restrict ingress of the foreign particles into the air conditioned space via the inlet 220 of the ventilator 200.
[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates internal components of the ventilator 200. Referring to FIG. 4, the ventilator 200 includes one or more support members 330 extending upwardly from the base plate 210 to support the motor enclosure 270. In some embodiments, the motor enclosure 270 has a dome shaped configuration with closed top end 272 and a bottom plate 274. The support members 330 are coupled to the bottom plate 274 to support the motor enclosure 270. Referring to FIG. 5, connection between the support members 330 and the motor enclosure 270 is shown. Preferably, the support members 330 are attached to the bottom plate 274 at or near the periphery of the bottom plate 274.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, the support member 330 is shown, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The support member 330 may have a square shaped configuration. However, the present disclosure is not limited to square shaped support members, and the support member 330 can have any other suitable configuration in other embodiments. The support member 330 has internal threading at a top and a bottom portion to receive fasteners for engagement with the motor enclosure 270 and the base plate 210. A top surface 340 of the support member 330 may have a hole 350 to receive a fastener. In some embodiments, the hole 350 may be internally threaded to receive a screw therein. Preferably, the screw is initially- passed through the bottom plate 274 (shown in FIG. 4) of the motor enclosure 270, and further received in the hole 350 on the support member 330 to facilitate secure engagement between the motor enclosure 270 and the support member 330. Similar threaded hole can be provided at the bottom of the support member 330 to facilitate secure connection between the support member 330 and the base plate 210 (shown in FIG. 4). Further, the support member 330 may include one or more holes 360 provided on one or more sides of the support member 330. The holes 360 may be internally threaded to receive fasteners to facilitate engagement of the support member 330 with adjacent components of the ventilator 200. For example, the support member 330 may be coupled to an inner surface of the first apron 230 via fasteners. Additionally, or alternatively, the support member 330 may be coupled to an inner surface of the second apron 240 via fasteners.
[0068] The support member 330 can be configured using any suitable manufacturing technique. In some embodiments, the support member 330 may include four side members connected to each other to form sides of the support member 330, a top member attached to an upper end of connected side members, and a bottom member attached to a bottom end of the connected side members. The side members, the top member, and the bottom member may be attached to each other using welding to form a weldment of the support member 330.
[0069] In some embodiments, one or more support angles 335 (shown in FIG. 3) may be connected between the support members 330 and the third apron 250 to provide additional support to the motor enclosure 270 and the support members 330. Specifically, the support angles 335 help in preventing buckling of the support members 330. The support angles 335 may be secured to the support members 330 and the third apron 250 using any suitable connecting means, such as, but not limited to, fasteners including rivets, screws, nut andbolts, etc. The support members 330 may have any suitable configuration that facilitates connection between the support member 330 and the third apron 250, and simultaneously creating minimum hinderance to the airflow through the outlet 260.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, the ventilator 200 includes a motor 370 provided to power the fan wheel 310. The motor 370 is supported by a bracket arrangement 380 attached to the bottom plate 274 of the motor enclosure 270. The bottom plate 274 has an opening 276 to provide a passage to the motor 370. The motor 370 may be positioned such that an output shaft 385 of the motor 370 extends downw ards. Preferably, the motor 370 is mounted above the fan wheel 310, and the output shaft 385 of the motor 370 is coupled to the fan wheel 310 for driving (e.g., rotating) the fan wheel 310. As shown in FIG. 7, the fan wheel 310 is suspended by the output shaft 385.
[0071] The ventilator 200 further includes a diffuser 390 positioned betw een the fan wheel 310 and the motor enclosure 270. The diffuser 390 is positioned above the fan wheel 310 to assist in directing the air flow towards the outlet 260 of the housing 205. The second apron 240 at least partially surrounds the diffuser 390. In the illustrated embodiment, the diffuser 390 is partially surrounded by the second apron 240 and the third apron 250. The diffuser 390 may have a hollow configuration, wherein an outer surface 400 of the diffuser 390 is configured to direct the airflow towards the outlet 260. The outer surface 400 may have a suitable configuration for directing the airflow towards the outlet 260. In some embodiments, the outer surface 400 may have a sectional area increasing from a proximal end 392 to a distal end 394 of the diffuser 390. Here, the term ‘proximal end’ is referred to an end of the diffuser 390 close to the fan wheel 310, and the term ‘distal end’ is referred to another end of the diffuser 390 away from the fan wheel 310. In some embodiments, the diffuser 390 has a shape of an inverted frustum of a cone.
[0072] The diffuser 390 has an internal space 410 that at least partially receives the motor 370. In some embodiments, a portion of the motor 370 is received in the internal space 410, whereas the motor enclosure 270 covers remaining portion of the motor 370 extending beyond the diffuser 390 in upward direction.
[0073] In some other embodiments, entire motor 370 is received in the internal space 410 of the diffuser 390. The bracket arrangement 380 may be attached to the bottom plate 274 and extends through the opening 276 into the diffuser 390 to support the motor 370.
[0074] In some embodiments, the entire motor 370 is received and supported in the internal space 410 of the diffuser 390, wherein the motor enclosure 270 may cover a top portion of the motor 370. In some cases, instead of the motor enclosure 270, a top cover may be provided on the diffuser 390, wherein the top cover acts as the motor enclosure.
[0075] In some other embodiments, the motor 370 may be supported in the diffuser 390 instead of the motor enclosure 270. In some other embodiments, the motor 370 can be supported by both the diffuser 390 and the motor enclosure 270.
[0076] Reception of the motor 370 in the diffuser 390 may result in reducing overall height of the motor enclosure 270. Also, bigger sized motor can be employed in the ventilator 200 as some portion of the motor can be received in the diffuser 390.
[0077] The diffuser 390 may have an aperture to provide a passage to the output shaft 385 of the motor 370. Preferably, the aperture may be provided at the proximal end 392 of the diffuser 390.
[0078] The diffuser 390 may be secured to the motor enclosure 270. Preferably, the diffuser
390 can be secured to the bottom plate 274 of the motor enclosure 270 via suitable connecting means, for example, fasteners. Alternatively, or additionally, the diffuser 390 may be secured to the support members 330.
[0079] In some embodiments, the diffuser 390 and the motor enclosure 270 may be formed integrally, wherein the bottom plate 274 acts as a partition between the diffuser 390 and the motor enclosure.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 8, the fan wheel 310 creates a suction effect at the inlet 220 of the ventilator 200 to draw air within the ventilator 200. Further, the fan wheel 310 directs drawn air towards the outlet 260 to create an airflow 420 from the inlet 220 towards the outlet 260. Typically, the fan wheel 310 and the diffuser 390 assist in directing the airflow 420 towards the outlet 260.
[0081] The ventilator 200 can be suitably positioned in a building space. Preferably, the ventilator 200 is placed on the roof or in an attic of a building, for example, the building 10. Although the building 10 is shown as a multistory building, the building 10 can be a single story in other embodiments. The ventilator 200 may be positioned such that the inlet 220 of the ventilator 200 is in communication with an opening on the roof or attic of the building. The opening facilitates fluid communication between the ventilator and an interior of the building 10. The ventilator 200 can be directly placed on the opening such that the inlet 220 and the opening are aligned with each other.
[0082] Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments
[0083] The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as show n in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary’ embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [0084] Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.