Ventilation systems and components therefor

Abstract

A flexible connection ( 32 ) is described for forming a connecting passageway with coupling flange ( 20 ) or duct in a ventilation system. The flexible connection comprises a flexible sleeve ( 22 ) having an end for fitting over the coupling flange or duct. In one embodiment, a worm-drive clip ( 24 ) extends around the end of the sleeve to secure the end of the sleeve to the coupling flange or duct. The clip extends through a tunnel ( 38 ) formed partly around the end of the sleeve to hold the clip in position around the sleeve before the end of the sleeve is secured to the coupling flange or duct. In another embodiment, the flexible sleeve is permanently bonded to the coupling flange. A component ( 94 ) is also described for use with a ventilation unit having an airway and an array of securing means around the airway. The component has an aperture for alignment with the airway, and an array ( 78 ) of holes ( 76 ) around the aperture for alignment with the securing means so that the component can be secured to the ventilation unit. The component also has at least one anti-vibration mount ( 30 ) for securing the component to a support structure. Additionally or alternatively, the component is alternatively for use with a second ventilation unit having an airway and a different array of securing means around the airway. In this case, the component has a second array ( 80 ) of holes for alignment with the securing means of the second ventilation unit so that the component can alternatively be secured to the second ventilation unit.

1 . A component ( 94 ; 96 ) for use with a ventilation unit ( 10 ; 12 ) having an airway and an array of securing means around the airway, the component having an aperture for alignment with the airway, an array ( 78 ) of holes ( 76 ) around the aperture for alignment with the securing means so that the component can be secured to the ventilation unit, and at least one anti-vibration mount ( 30 ) for securing the component to a support structure:  
   
   
       2 . A component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the component is alternatively for use with a second ventilation unit having an airway and a different array of securing means around the airway, the component having a second array ( 80 ) of holes ( 76 ) for alignment with the securing means of the second ventilation unit so that the component can alternatively be secured to the second ventilation unit.  
   
   
       3 . A component ( 12 ; 20 ; 28 ; 94 ; 96 ) for use with a ventilation unit ( 10 ) having an airway and an array of securing means around the airway, the component having an array ( 58 ; 68 ; 78 ; 90 ) of holes ( 56 ; 66 ; 76 ; 88 ) for alignment with the securing means so that the component can be secured to the ventilation unit, characterised in that the component is alternatively for use with a second ventilation unit having an airway and a different array of securing means around the airway, the component having a second array ( 60 ; 70 ; 80 ; 92 ) of holes ( 56 ; 66 ; 76 ; 88 ) for alignment with the securing means of the second ventilation unit so that the component can alternatively be secured to the second ventilation unit.  
   
   
       4 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the holes of the first-mentioned array have a different diameter to the holes of the second array.  
   
   
       5 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the holes of the first array lie on a pitch circle ( 58 ; 68 ; 78 ; 90 ) having a different diameter to a pitch circle ( 60 ; 70 ; 80 ; 92 ) on which the holes of the second array lie.  
   
   
       6 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second arrays have different numbers of holes.  
   
   
       7 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each array is regular.  
   
   
       8 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the component is an acoustic attenuator ( 12 ).  
   
   
       9 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the component is one of: a mounting foot ( 28 ; 94 ; 96 ); a fan guard ( 18 ; 96 ); and a coupling flange ( 20 ; 94 ).  
   
   
       10 . A component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the component is one of: a fan guard ( 96 ); and a coupling flange ( 94 ).  
   
   
       11 . A component as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the component is a coupling flange ( 94 ) having a flexible sleeve ( 22 ) permanently bonded (at  46 ) to the coupling flange.  
   
   
       12 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the component is a coupling flange ( 20 ; 94 ) having a flexible sleeve ( 22 ) permanently bonded (at  46 ) to the coupling flange.  
   
   
       13 . A coupling assembly for forming a connecting passageway with a ventilation unit ( 10 ; 12 ), the coupling assembly comprising a coupling flange ( 20 ) arranged to be secured to the ventilation unit, and a flexible sleeve ( 22 ) permanently bonded (at  46 ) to the coupling flange.  
   
   
       14 . A flexible connection ( 32 ) for forming a connecting passageway with a coupling flange ( 20 ; 94 ) or duct ( 14 ) in a ventilation system, the flexible connection comprising a flexible sleeve ( 22 ) having an end for fitting over the coupling flange or duct, and a worm-drive clip ( 24 ) for extending around the end of the sleeve to secure the end of the sleeve to the coupling flange or duct, characterised in that the clip extends through a tunnel ( 38 ) formed partly around the end of the sleeve to hold the clip in position around the sleeve before the end of the sleeve is secured to the coupling flange or duct.  
   
   
       15 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the tunnel is formed by a turned-back hem at the end of the sleeve.  
   
   
       16 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the tunnel extends completely around the end of the sleeve, except in the region of the worm screw of the clip.  
   
   
       17 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the sleeve is formed from a panel of material that is seamed lengthwise of the sleeve with an overlapping seam ( 36 ), the worm screw ( 42 ) of the clip being disposed in the region of the overlapping seam.  
   
   
       18 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the other end of the sleeve is arranged to fit over a further coupling flange ( 20 ; 94 ) or duct ( 14 ) in the ventilation system, said other end of the sleeve also having such a worm-drive clip ( 24 ) extending through such a tunnel ( 38 ) at said other end of the sleeve.  
   
   
       19 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , in combination with a coupling flange ( 94 ) for use with a ventilation unit ( 10 ; 12 ) having an airway and an array of securing means around the airway, the coupling flange having an aperture for alignment with the airway, an array ( 78 ) of holes ( 76 ) around the aperture for alignment with the securing means so that the coupling flange can be secured to the ventilation unit, and at least one anti-vibration mount ( 30 ) for securing the coupling flange to a support structure.  
   
   
       20 . A component as claimed in  claim 1 , in combination with at least one such ventilation unit.  
   
   
       21 . A component as claimed in  claim 3 , in combination with at least one such ventilation unit.  
   
   
       22 . A coupling assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , in combination with at least one such ventilation unit.  
   
   
       23 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , in combination with at least one such ventilation unit.  
   
   
       24 . A flexible connection as claimed in  claim 14 , in combination with a coupling flange ( 20 ; 94 ) for use with a ventilation unit ( 10 ) having an airway and an array of securing means around the airway, the coupling flange having an array ( 58 ; 68 ; 78 ; 90 ) of holes ( 56 ; 66 ; 76 ; 88 ) for alignment with the securing means so that the coupling flange can be secured to the ventilation unit, wherein the coupling flange is alternatively for use with a second ventilation unit having an airway and a different array of securing means around the airway, the coupling flange having a second array ( 60 ; 70 ; 80 ; 92 ) of holes ( 56 ; 66 ; 76 ; 88 ) for alignment with the securing means of the second ventilation unit so that the coupling flange can alternatively be secured to the second ventilation unit.