Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Modular Ventilation System
The invention relates to a modular ventilation system for ventilating and/or
adjusting the temperature (i.e. heating or cooling) of rooms of a building.
In the known fagade aeration devices, external air is drawn through a corres-
ponding opening in the fagade and into the device in the building and is blown
out again through a convector or a similar heat exchanger. The external air is
thermally conditioned in this manner. In order to limit the proportion of the
exter-
nal air to the hygienically necessary amount and to increase the thermal per-
formance by having more air being blown through the convector, indoor air,
that
is to say circulating air, is mixed with the external air.
This occurs either in that this indoor air or circulating air is
simultaneously drawn
into the room with the external air through the same fan by means of a corres-
ponding opening in the device and is blown out together with the external air
through the convector. Alternatively, a second fan can also be employed for
the
drawing in and blowing out of the indoor air.
Document DE 195 48 599 C2 discloses such a ventilation system for rooms of
buildings, in which system the ventilation aggregate is arranged beneath a win-
dow and has an inlet on the external side of the building for fresh air as
well as
an outlet for outgoing air. On the interior of the room, an inlet for indoor
air and
an outlet for fresh air and/or circulating air are provided. This known a
ventilation
system ends flush with the floor and is received in a recess of the floor or
of the
building intermediate ceiling. In order to equalise the temperature of the air
current delivered from the outlet, this ventilation system is provided with a
heat
exchanger in the direction of flow downstream from the ventilation aggregate.
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Document DE 102 52 264 B4 also discloses an air-technology device for heating
or cooling a room in which external air and internal air are mixed together
and
conducted through a heat exchanger, a fan being arranged in such a manner
that it draws in external air and conducts this together with the indoor air
through
the heat exchanger. In these known ventilation systems, the amount of mixed
external air is primarily controlled through flaps or the like.
In this known manner of proceeding, it is regarded as disadvantageous that the
external air fan must overcome relatively high internal air resistance since
said
fan must draw in both the external air as well as the circulating air through
dif-
ferent openings or flaps and must furthermore blow them out again through the
convector in such a manner that the external air must be blown through the
convector by means of induction nozzles.
The problem addressed by the present invention is, in this regard, to provide
a
modular ventilation system of the type previously mentioned, the components of
which are easier to exchange and that furthermore has improved conduction of
air in comparison to the known systems.
This problem is substantially solved according to the invention with a modular
ventilation system in that said ventilation system comprises a first module
that is
to be arranged within a room and/or its walls or ceiling in proximity to a
fagade,
in which first module an indoor-air or circulating-air fan is provided for
supplying
a temperature-regulated air current into the room, and furthermore comprises a
second module in which a heat exchanger is provided that is flowed through by
the air current to be temperature-regulated as well as by a heating or cooling
medium. According to the invention, the heat exchanger is arranged between an
indoor-air opening, which is provided in the second module, for drawing in air
from the room and a fresh-air opening, which is provided in the first module,
for
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delivering the air current into the room, the indoor-air or circulating-air
fan being
arranged relative to the heat exchanger in such a manner that the air current
from an intake plenum, which is provided inside the second module by means of
the heat exchanger, is drawn in by the heat exchanger and subsequently is
conducted through the indoor-air or circulating-air fan to be delivered
finally by
means of a blow-out plenum and/or fresh-air opening provided in the first mod-
ule.
In that the indoor-air or circulating-air fan in the modular ventilation
system
according to the invention draws in both indoor air as well as, optionally,
exter-
nal air by means of the heat exchanger (convector), the air current can be
blown
out directed through the fresh-air opening. This makes it possible to create
different device variants, for example for wall or floor assembly, solely in
that the
fresh-air opening is arranged horizontally or vertically for blowing out the
air
current. The modular construction style of the ventilation system according to
the invention makes it easier for differently configured ventilation systems
to be
manufactured with components that are at least substantially identical to one
another. The exchangeability of the individual modules furthermore leads to a
particularly high degree of ease of reparation and maintenance.
To make not only an operation for circulating air possible but also for
supplying
fresh air, that is to say external air, a third module is additionally
provided in the
ventilation system in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention,
the
third module being arranged laterally beside the first and the second modules.
An external-air fan for drawing in external air through the fagade of the
building
is provided in the third module. It is thereby possible in both a horizontal
ar-
rangement of the ventilation system according to the invention in the floor as
well as in a vertical arrangement of the ventilation system in the fagade or
para-
pet of a building for the external-air fan to be reached or, if necessary, ex-
changed through the indoor-air opening and/or the fresh-air opening. In the
third
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module beside In addition to both of the first modules, the external-air fan
and,
optionally, the components necessary for using the external-air fan such as,
for
example, external-air flaps, external-air filters, an external-air volume flow
sen-
sor, an external-air temperature sensor, a filter-monitoring sensor or the
like are
individually arranged combined into a compact module in the third module.
This third module, in addition to both of the first modules, can simply be
inserted
in a cartridge-like manner in the region of the indoor-air opening. By means
of a
sealing insert, the openings, which are located in the installation area of
this
third module, for drawing in external air as well as directing external air
into a
sound-absorption unit are initially tightly sealed. This sealing insert can be
re-
moved prior to introducing the third module (external-air module) or can be
inserted again after completion of the module. It is thus preferred if the
third
module is divided into a plurality of cartridges, in particular separate
cartridges
for external-air fan and external-air flap with external-air filter.
In developing this inventive concept, a fourth module can additionally be pro-
vided in the modular ventilation system, which fourth module is configured as
an
external-air sound-absorption unit. This fourth module is arranged on the side
of
the second module that is opposite the first module, that is to say in the
direction
of the interior of the building. In this embodiment of the modular ventilation
system according to the invention, the external air is initially drawn in
through
the external-air fan into the third module laterally beside the heat exchanger
(convector) and beneath the indoor-air opening, subsequent to which it is con-
ducted to the sound-absorption unit within the fourth module. The external air
can flow from the sound-absorption unit into the intake plenum.
The fourth module can, according to a preferred embodiment, be configured in
such a manner that the sound absorption occurs in that the air is conducted
through air canals, which are arranged beside one another in a concertina-like
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arrangement and are furthermore provided with baffle-type sound dampers,
through the fourth module. In this case, access to each of these air canals,
which are arranged beside one another in a concertina-like manner, is config-
ured open toward the installation space of the external-air fan and thus can
be
reached by brushes, vacuum cleaner hoses with attachment nozzles or high-
pressure air hoses with attachment nozzles for the purpose of cleaning. In the
instance in which the external-air fan cartridge or the third module is used,
the
air canals that are arranged beside one another in a concertina-like arrange-
ment are either sealed thereby or by a separate sealing insert sealed with the
exception of the air canal entrance into which the external air is initially
intended
to be blown in from the external-air fan.
Preferably, a slit is provided between the fourth module and the second
module,
the length of said slit corresponding substantially to the ribbed length of
the heat
exchanger in such a manner that, regardless of the geometry of the air conduc-
tance of the external air through the external-air sound-absorbing unit, a sub-
stantially constant rate of blowing out of the external air results over the
entire
ribbed length of the heat exchanger.
Preferably, the opening of the intake plenum, which opening is on the
longitudi-
nal side of device, is arranged substantially higher than the device floor in
such
manner that the sound-absorption unit can be configured with a substantially
reduced construction height or construction depth. This has then particular
advantages if the device installation space can be partially designed with
only a
construction depth that corresponds to the maximum construction depth of the
device in the region of the inside-air opening. The sound-absorption unit thus
can be well integrated into the floor of a room.
Preferably the external-air fan is connected to the sound-absorption unit in
such
a manner that external air from the external-air fan is drawn into the
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sound-absorption unit, the sound-absorption unit being in flow communication
with the intake plenum designed above the heat exchanger in such a manner
that the external air is drawn in by the indoor-air or circulating-air fan
into the
intake plenum and from there it is drawn in by the heat exchanger. In
particular,
the external air is conducted, on the one hand, with minimal pressure from the
external-air fan into the intake plenum and, at the same time, it is drawn in
from
there by means of the indoor-air or circulating-air fan together with the
circulat-
ing air through the heat exchanger. The external air subsequently joins the
indoor air or circulating air in the intake plenum.
In order to conduct the circulating-air volume flow through the heat exchanger
throughout the entire length and also as uniformly as possible, the indoor-air
or
circulating-air fan is configured according to a preferred embodiment as a
cross-
current flow fan. This means that the cross-current flow-fan unit and the heat
exchanger have approximately the same construction length. Accordingly, the
first and second modules are also configured with the same width, these mod-
ules or the cross-current flow fan and the heat exchanger being able to be in-
stalled or removed separately from one another through the indoor-air opening
and/or the fresh-air opening.
If the heat exchanger in the second module is arranged inclined with respect
to
the level in such a manner that the side of the heat exchanger facing toward
the
first module is lifted relative to its side facing away from the first module,
not
only is a particularly space-saving manner of construction possible, but also
very
favourable air conductance within the ventilation system. Thus it is preferred
if
the indoor-air opening can be configured as tightly or narrowly as possible
for
reasons of saving space, which is achieved by means of the inclination and the
partially covered arrangement of the heat exchanger. An intake plenum that is
nearly triangular in cross-section arises between the indoor-air opening and
the
convector surface of the heat exchanger owing to the independent inclination
of
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the heat exchanger of the fagade ventilation device in the direction of the
exter-
nal-air supply according to the invention as well as according to the
previously
described features.
Independently from the above-mentioned features, the configuration of an
intake
plenum in a fagade ventilation system is a substantial aspect of the
invention. By
means of this intake plenum, a covering or masking of the convector surface is
prevented by the covering or the grille barrier of the indoor-air opening or
by a
reduction of the indoor-air opening effected with respect to the convector sur-
face. Corresponding reductions in capacity or performance can thus be ex-
cluded. The inclination of the heat exchanger in the direction of the external-
air
supply furthermore makes it possible for the external-air fan to blow out the
external air that was drawn in and is in the intake plenum without it being
neces-
sary to achieve this by increasing the construction height or construction
depth
of the device.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the external-air or circulating-
air
fan and the fresh-air opening in the first module are arranged in such a
manner
that the temperature-adjusted air current is delivered substantially
horizontally
from the first module. In other words, no deflection of the air current occurs
in
the cross-current flow fan. Alternative hereto is a possible deflection of 90
in
the cross-current flow fan, thereby leading to the delivery of the temperature-
adjusted air current from the first module in a substantially vertical manner.
In a modular ventilation system according to the invention, it is particularly
pre-
ferred if the external-air or circulating-air fan and/or the external-air fan
is asso-
ciated with at least one control or regulation device in such a manner that
the
amount of the external air contained in the temperature-adjusted air current
is at
least substantially adjustable in a defined manner by a change in the
rotational
speed of the external-air or circulating-air fan and/or of the external-air
fan. A
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complicated control, which is also associated with flow losses, by means of
flaps
can be avoided in this manner. The ventilation system according to the
invention
thus also functions in a particularly quiet manner.
In order for the components of the ventilation system to be reached for mainte-
nance work, according to the invention the size of the fresh-air opening or of
the
indoor-air opening and the size of the indoor-air or circulating-air fan or of
the
heat exchanger are coordinated to one another in such a manner that it is pos-
sible to remove from the respective modules the indoor-air or circulating-air
fan
through the fresh-air opening and the heat exchanger through the indoor-air
opening.
The modular design of the ventilation system according to the invention makes
it
suitable both for initial installation in rooms of the building as well as for
retrofit-
ting in existing buildings. In this manner, a different number of ventilation
sys-
tems can be provided in different rooms.
In order to increase the thermal performance, a plurality of the modular
ventila-
tion systems according to the invention can be provided in a room in a
building,
at least one of these modular ventilation systems being provided with a third
module having an external-air fan, while at least one of the other modular
venti-
lation systems being not provided with such a third module having an exter-
nal-air fan. It is preferred if the first module having the indoor-air or
circulating-
air fan and the second module having the heat exchanger are provided in two
different widths and thus two different performance variants. Both of the
smaller
modules are then always integrated into the ventilation system if, in addition
thereto, a third module having an external-air fan is provided, while the
modules
with the indoor-air or circulating-air fan and the heat exchanger can
substantially
extend over the entire width of the device if no external-air fan is provided.
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The invention is explained in greater detail in the following with the help of
ex-
emplified embodiments and by reference to the drawing. All described and/or
graphically represented features constitute per se or in any combination what-
soever the object of the invention independent of their summing up in the
claims
or their references.
It is shown in
Fig. 1 a top view of a ventilation system according to a first embodiment
of the invention,
Fig. 2a a top view of a ventilation system according to a second embodi-
ment of the invention,
Fig. 2b a top view of a ventilation system according to a third embodiment
of the invention,
Fig. 3 a sectional view of a ventilation system according to the invention,
Fig. 4 a sectional view of a ventilation system according to an additional
embodiment of the invention.
The modularly constructed ventilation system 1 shown in figure 1 comprises a
first module 2 in which a cross-current flow fan 3 is provided that serves as
an
indoor-air or circulating-air fan. In a second module 4, which is arranged
beside
the first module 2, a convector (heat exchanger) 5 is provided. As can be seen
in figures 3 and 4, the convector 5 is arranged inclined with regard to the
level in
the second module 4 in such a manner that the side facing the first module 2
is
arranged at a greater height than the side of the convector 5 that faces away
from the first module 2.
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The convector 5 is configured as a heat exchanger through which a heating or
cooling medium is conducted for adjusting the temperature of an air current
that
is likewise conducted through the convector 5. In the top view according to
figures 1 and 2, a convector connection chamber 6 is provided on the right-
hand
side beside the first and the second modules 2, 4, said convector connection
chamber receiving the connections on the convector 5 for the heating or
cooling
medium.
The embodiments according to figures 1 and 2a or 2b differ in that in the em-
bodiments according to figures 2a and 2b, the first module 2 and the second
module 4, with the exception of the convector connection chamber 6, extend
substantially over the entire width of the ventilation system 1. In contrast,
the
first module 2 and the second module 4, and accordingly also the components
provided therein, namely the cross-current flow fan 3 and the convector 5, are
configured as shortened in the embodiment according to figure 1. Thus, in
figure
1, on the left-hand side beside the first module 2 and the second module 4, a
third module 7 is arranged in which an external-air fan 8, which is no longer
shown, is provided for drawing in external air.
The ventilation system 1 can be provided integrated in the proximity of an
exter-
nal wall or in the fagade of a building, the cross-flow fan 3 in the first
module 2
being directed toward the external side of the building. By means of an
opening,
which is more closely shown, in the farade, external air can be drawn in by
the
external-air fan 8.
A fourth module 9 is provided adjacent to the second module 4 and, optionally,
adjacent the third module 7 on the side of the ventilation system 1 that is
facing
away from the external side of the building. The fourth module 9 forms an
exter-
nal-air sound-absorption unit and has, as can be seen from the views in
figures
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3 and 4, a reduced construction height with respect to the other modules. In
this
manner, it is possible to provide the fourth module 9 under the floor of a
room.
The external air drawn in by means of the external-air fan 8 is laterally
blown by
the convector 5 in the external-air sound-absorption unit of the fourth module
9.
This can take place with a very minimal overpressure. As is shown in figures 3
and 4, a relatively wide slit 10 is provided between the fourth module 9 and
the
second module 4, the length of said slit corresponding to the ribbed length of
the
convector 5. The external-air volume flow can thus flow from the external-air
sound-absorption unit nearly pressurelessly into the chamber above the convec-
tor 5 in the second module 4.
The slit 10 is dimensioned so widely that a blow-out speed over the entire
ribbed
length of the convector 5 results that is approximately commensurate with that
of the external air and namely independent of the geometry of the air conduc-
tance of the external air through the external-air sound-absorption unit to
the
blowing-out slit. In this manner, the resistance, which is in the region of
the
external-air conductance, to be overcome by the external-air fan 8 is
considera-
bly reduced. This leads to a reduction of both sound emissions as well as of
power consumption.
The side of the second module 4, which side is the vertical upper one in the
installation position, comprises an indoor-air opening 11 for drawing in air
from
the room. An intake plenum 12 is configured between the indoor-air opening and
the inclined convector surface, in which intake plenum 12 flow both the indoor
air that has been drawn in as well as the external air. The air resistance of
the
indoor-air opening 11 that is covered by a covering or a grille barrier or
that is
reduced in size with respect to the converter surface, is determined
practically
exclusively in accordance with the ratio of the indoor-air opening surface to
the
convector inflow surface and is correspondingly small. A capacity or perform-
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ance reduction is prevented by means of the intake plenum 12 owing to a cover-
ing or a grille barrier being placed on the indoor-air opening or owing to a
dimin-
ishing in size of the indoor-air opening with respect to the convector
surface.
In the embodiment according to figure 2b, the sound absorption in the fourth
module 9 is effected in that the air is conducted in a concertina-like manner
through the fourth module 9 through air canals that are arranged side-by-side
and are provided with baffle-like sound dampers 15.
In the embodiment according to figure 3, the air current, which is drawn in
from
the intake plenum 12 through the convector 5 by the cross-current flow fan 3,
is
introduced into the room through a fresh-air (delivery-air) opening 13 in a
verti-
cally upward direction in the installation position. A blow-out plenum 14 is
pro-
vided above the cross-current flow fan 3. The blow-out plenum 14 prevents
turbulence through the air resistance of the fresh-air opening 13 that has a
covering or a grille barrier. The air resistance of the blow-out plenum 14,
which
is larger than the blow-out opening of the cross-current flow fan 3, as well
as of
the blow-out opening 13 is determined according to the ratio of the fresh-air
opening surface of the blow-out plenum to the surface of the blow-out opening
of the module 2. The air resistance is correspondingly small.
In contrast to the embodiment according to figure 3 in which the air current
is
deflected upward by 90 in the cross-current flow fan 3, an embodiment is
shown in figure 4 in which the air current is substantially not deflected in
the
cross-current flow fan 3. The blow-out plenum 14 and the fresh-air opening 13
are therefore located in a lateral surface of the first module 2.
If the directed blowing out of the air current, as in the embodiment according
to
figure 3, results in the direction from which the room air is also drawn in,
the
indoor-air opening 11 and the fresh-air opening 13 can be combined into a
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compact opening that is either covered or has a grille barrier. A
recirculation of
the fresh-air current into the indoor-air intake is correspondingly largely
pre-
vented by either an aerodynamically optimized separation between the blow-out
plenum 14 and the intake plenum 12 and/or by a separating web between the
fresh-air opening 13 and the indoor-air opening 11.
The indoor-air opening 11 and the fresh-air opening 13 are dimensioned in such
a manner that the cross-current flow fan 3 and the convector 5 as well as the
external-air fan 8 can be easily reached or exchanged through these openings
for maintenance purposes. The modular construction of the ventilation system 1
makes it also possible to replace a first module 2 and a second module 4 ac-
cording to figure 1, with a first module 2 and a second module 4 according to
figure 2, while retaining the remaining components, if a third module having
an
external-air fan 8 is not required, or the converse.
This leads to an enhanced heating or cooling performance or makes possible a
reduction of the circulating-air volume flow, which results in energy
conservation
and improved comfort if, for reasons of hygiene, no or little external air
must be
supplied, rendering the third module 7 unnecessary.
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Reference numeral list:
1 Modular ventilation system
2 First module
3 Indoor-air or circulating-air fan (cross-current flow fan)
4 Second module
5 Convector (heat exchanger)
6 Convector connection chamber
7 Third module
8 External-air fan
9 Fourth module (external-air sound-absorption unit)
10 Slit
11 Indoor-air opening
12 Intake plenum
13 Fresh-air opening (Delivery-air opening)
14 Blow-out plenum
15 Baffle-type sound damper in concertina-like arrangement
