High mix air diffuser

Abstract

A diffuser assembly is disclosed in which a plurality of baffles having baffle walls with baffle ears extending from selected baffle walls are part of the diffuser core. Adjacent baffle walls define a gap therebetween through which air from an air distribution system is forced to flow and to impinge the baffle ears. The baffle walls, baffle ears, and gaps provide for effective mixing of the air from the air distribution system with ambient air.

1 . A diffuser assembly for venting fluid from a fluid distribution system to a compartment, comprising at least one baffle comprising a plurality of substantially parallel baffle walls disposed substantially perpendicular to flow of fluid to the compartment, each baffle wall adjacent to at least one other baffle wall and wherein adjacent baffle walls define a gap therebetween, such that there are a plurality of gaps through which fluid from the fluid distribution system can be provided to the compartment.  
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one baffle ear extending from selected baffle walls and disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the baffle wall.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one baffle ear is integral with the baffle wall from which it extends.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one baffle ear is arranged to be capable of deflecting at least some of the fluid passing through the gap.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein selected baffle ears comprise at least one opening therein to allow for the passage of fluid through the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a first set of baffle ears and a second set of baffle ears, wherein baffle ears in the first set of baffle ears are disposed at a different angle than baffle ears in the second set of baffle ears.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of baffles are configured such that the fluid from the fluid distribution system is provided to the compartment in a substantially circular fluid distribution pattern.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gaps are arranged such that passage of fluid through the gaps will create areas of low pressure near the gaps into which ambient fluid in the compartment will flow and become entrained by the fluid from the fluid distribution system flowing through the gaps, causing mixture of ambient fluid and fluid from the air distribution system.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the gaps is substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the gaps is non-rectangular.  
   
   
       11 . A baffle for use in a fluid distribution system, the baffle comprising: 
 a. a plurality of substantially parallel baffle walls, each baffle wall adjacent to at least one other baffle wall,    b. a plurality of gaps, each gap defined by adjacent baffle walls, and    c. at least one baffle ear formed integrally with selected baffle walls and disposed substantially co-planar with the baffle wall, the baffle ear capable of being bent to a predetermined non-zero angle relative to the baffle wall.    
   
   
       12 . The baffle of  claim 11 , further comprising a stackhead and a base plate disposed between and attached to the stackhead and the baffle walls.  
   
   
       13 . A baffle for use in a fluid distribution system, the baffle comprising: 
 a. a plurality of substantially parallel baffle walls, each baffle wall adjacent to at least one other baffle wall,    b. a plurality of gaps, each gap defined by adjacent baffle walls, and    c. at least one baffle ear formed integrally with selected baffle walls and disposed at a predetermined non-zero angle relative to the baffle wall.    
   
   
       14 . The baffle of  claim 13 , further comprising a stackhead and a base plate disposed between and attached to the stackhead and the baffle walls.  
   
   
       15 . The baffle of  claim 14 , wherein the base plate is disposed in a plane that is non-parallel to a plane in which the baffle walls are disposed.  
   
   
       16 . The baffle of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined non-zero angle is selected from the group consisting of 45, 60, 90, 120, and 135 degrees.  
   
   
       17 . An air diffuser assembly for venting air from an air distribution system to a compartment, comprising: 
 a. a diffuser frame;    b. a diffuser core cooperating with the diffuser frame; and    c. at least one baffle associated with the diffuser core, the baffle comprising 
 (1) a plurality of substantially parallel baffle walls, each baffle wall adjacent to at least one other baffle wall,  
 (2) at least one baffle ear extending from selected baffle walls, and  
 (3) a plurality of gaps capable of allowing the passage of air therethrough, each gap defined by adjacent baffle walls.  
   
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the gaps are arranged such that passage of air through the gap will create areas of low pressure relative to ambient air in the compartment, drawing the ambient air closer to the assembly and mixing the ambient air with the air from the air distribution system.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one baffle ear is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the baffle wall from which it extends.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the non-zero angle is 45, 60, 90, 120, or 135 degrees.