Dual plenum for air distribution

Abstract

The dual plenum for air distribution comprises a first chamber (1) and a second chamber (2) sharing at least one common wall (14), an air inlet (3) only in the first chamber communicated to an air supply source (8) by a pressurized air supply conduit (9), an air passage regulating device (7) in the common wall (14) selectively communicating the second chamber to the first chamber in response to an air pressure level in the first chamber, a first air outlet (10) in the first chamber and a second air outlet (11) in the second chamber through which pressurized air is evacuated from the first and second chambers, respectively, to an enclosure. The first and second air outlets have respective first and second diffusers (12, 13) which provide respective horizontal first and second air passage areas (S1, S2) and which direct air within an enclosure in general of a building.

1 . A dual plenum for air distribution comprising:
 a first chamber ( 1 ) and a second chamber ( 2 ) sharing at least one common wall ( 14 ) and further sharing an air outlet ( 10 ,  11 ) having diffusers ( 12 ,  13 ) in an air passage area (S 1 , S 2 ) configured to direct air within an enclosure in general of a building.   an air-feed device configured to selectively introduce, through an air supply conduit ( 9 ), pressurized air from an air supply source ( 8 ) to the first chamber ( 1 ) or to both the first chamber and the second chamber ( 2 ) in response to a supplied pressurized air flow rate;   wherein said first chamber ( 1 ) is connected to one first air passage area (S 1 ) of said air outlet ( 10 ), and said second chamber ( 2 ) is connected to a second air passage area (S 2 ) of said air outlet ( 11 ),   characterized in that the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) is connected only to the first chamber ( 1 );   the common wall ( 14 ), includes an air passage regulating device ( 7 ) configured to selectively communicate the second chamber ( 2 ) to the first chamber ( 1 ) in response to an air pressure level in the first chamber ( 1 ) caused by the supplied pressurized air flow rate.   
     
     
         2 . The dual plenum according to  claim 1 , wherein the common wall including the air passage regulating device ( 7 ) is adjacent to a region of the first chamber ( 1 ) directly connected to the first surface area (S 1 ) without interposed constrictions. 
     
     
         3 . The dual plenum according to  claim 1 , wherein the air passage regulating device ( 7 ) comprises one or more communication openings in the common wall ( 14 ), the one or more communication openings providing a third air passage area (S 3 ). The ratio of the third air passage area (S 3 ) to the first air passage area (S 1 ) being selected to allow a given flow rate of pressurized air to be shunt from the first chamber ( 1 ) to the second chamber ( 2 ) in response to the air pressure level in the first chamber ( 1 ). 
     
     
         4 . The dual plenum according to  claim 1 , wherein the air passage regulating device ( 7 ) comprises a one-way valve device ( 4 ) associated to a communication opening in the common wall ( 14 ), the one-way valve device ( 4 ) being configured to open in response to a pressure value inside the first chamber ( 1 ) above a specific threshold value thereby allowing a given flow rate of pressurized air to be shunt from the first chamber ( 1 ) to the second chamber ( 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . The dual plenum according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a vertical cylindrical or prismatic wall surrounded by a cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15 ) and the second chamber ( 2 ) is surrounded by the first chamber ( 1 );   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), the side outer wall ( 15 ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a second top wall ( 17 ), and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the side outer wall ( 15 ) or in the first top wall ( 16 ).   
     
     
         6 . The dual plenum according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a vertical cylindrical or prismatic wall surrounded by a cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15 ) and the second chamber ( 2 ) is surrounded by the first chamber ( 1 );   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), the side outer wall ( 15 ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a second top wall ( 17 ), and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the side outer wall ( 15 ) or in the first top wall ( 16 ).   
     
     
         7 . The dual plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a vertical cylindrical or prismatic wall surrounded by a cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15 ) and the second chamber ( 2 ) is surrounded by the first chamber ( 1 );   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), the side outer wall ( 15 ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a second top wall ( 17 ), and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the side outer wall ( 15 ) or in the first top wall ( 16 ).   
     
     
         8 . The dual plenum according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a vertical cylindrical or prismatic wall surrounded by a cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15 ) and the first chamber ( 1 ) is surrounded by the second chamber ( 2 );   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), the side outer wall ( 15 ), a second top wall ( 17 ), and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the common wall ( 14 ) and the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) communicates with the air inlet ( 3 ) of the first chamber ( 1 ) going through the second chamber ( 2 ); or   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first top wall ( 16 ).   
     
     
         9 . The dual plenum according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a vertical cylindrical or prismatic wall surrounded by a cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15 ) and the first chamber ( 1 ) is surrounded by the second chamber ( 2 );   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), the side outer wall ( 15 ), a second top wall ( 17 ), and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the common wall ( 14 ) and the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) communicates with the air inlet ( 3 ) of the first chamber ( 1 ) going through the second chamber ( 2 ); or   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first top wall ( 16 ).   
     
     
         10 . The dual plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a vertical cylindrical or prismatic wall surrounded by a cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15 ) and the first chamber ( 1 ) is surrounded by the second chamber ( 2 );   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), the side outer wall ( 15 ), a second top wall ( 17 ), and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the common wall ( 14 ) and the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) communicates with the air inlet ( 3 ) of the first chamber ( 1 ) going through the second chamber ( 2 ); or   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first top wall ( 16 ).   
     
     
         11 . The dual plenum according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first top wall ( 16 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the side outer wall ( 15 ) and an inner edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), and the second top wall ( 17 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), or   the first top wall ( 16 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), and the second top wall ( 17 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the side outer wall ( 15 ) and an inner edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ).   
     
     
         12 . The dual plenum according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first top wall ( 16 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the side outer wall ( 15 ) and an inner edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), and the second top wall ( 17 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), or   the first top wall ( 16 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), and the second top wall ( 17 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the side outer wall ( 15 ) and an inner edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ).   
     
     
         13 . The dual plenum according to  claim 5 , wherein the first top wall ( 16 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the side outer wall ( 15 ), the second top wall ( 17 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), and a section of the first chamber ( 1 ) extends between the first top wall ( 16 ) and the second top wall ( 17 ). 
     
     
         14 . The dual plenum according to  claim 8 , wherein the first top wall ( 16 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the common wall ( 14 ), the second top wall ( 17 ) has a perimetral edge connected to the side outer wall ( 15 ), and a section of the second chamber ( 2 ) extends between the first top wall ( 16 ) and the second top wall ( 17 ). 
     
     
         15 . The dual plenum according to  claim 5 , wherein the one or more communication openings of the air passage regulating device ( 7 ) are formed in a region of the common wall ( 14 ) facing a portion of the side outer wall ( 15 ) opposite the air inlet ( 3 ). 
     
     
         16 . The dual plenum according to  claim 8 , wherein the one or more communication openings of the air passage regulating device ( 7 ) are formed in a region of the common wall ( 14 ) opposite the air inlet ( 3 ). 
     
     
         17 . The dual plenum according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a partition wall which is connected inside of a vertical cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15   a,    15   b ) and the first and second chambers ( 1 ,  2 ) are arranged adjacent side by side;   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a first portion of the side outer wall ( 15   a ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a second portion of the side outer wall ( 15   b ), a second top wall ( 17 ) and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first portion of the side outer wall ( 15   a ); or the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first top wall ( 16 ); or   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the common wall ( 14 ) and the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) communicates with the air inlet ( 3 ) of the first chamber ( 1 ) going through the second chamber ( 2 ).   
     
     
         18 . The dual plenum according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a partition wall which is connected inside of a vertical cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15   a,    15   b ) and the first and second chambers ( 1 ,  2 ) are arranged adjacent side by side;   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a first portion of the side outer wall ( 15   a ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a second portion of the side outer wall ( 15   b ), a second top wall ( 17 ) and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first portion of the side outer wall ( 15   a ); or the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first top wall ( 16 ); or   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the common wall ( 14 ) and the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) communicates with the air inlet ( 3 ) of the first chamber ( 1 ) going through the second chamber ( 2 ).   
     
     
         19 . The dual plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the common wall ( 14 ) is a partition wall which is connected inside of a vertical cylindrical or prismatic side outer wall ( 15   a,    15   b ) and the first and second chambers ( 1 ,  2 ) are arranged adjacent side by side;   the first chamber ( 1 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a first portion of the side outer wall ( 15   a ), a first top wall ( 16 ), and a first bottom wall in which the first air outlet ( 10 ) and the first diffusers ( 12 ) are located;   the second chamber ( 2 ) is delimited by the common wall ( 14 ), a second portion of the side outer wall ( 15   b ), a second top wall ( 17 ) and a second bottom wall in which the second air outlet ( 11 ) and the second diffusers ( 13 ) are located; and   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first portion of the side outer wall ( 15   a ); or the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the first top wall ( 16 ); or   the air inlet ( 3 ) is located in the common wall ( 14 ) and the pressurized air supply conduit ( 9 ) communicates with the air inlet ( 3 ) of the first chamber ( 1 ) going through the second chamber ( 2 ).   
     
     
         20 . The mixed plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein the communication opening is located in a vertical flat section of the common wall ( 14 ), and the one-way valve device ( 4 ) comprises a sheet secured by an attachment or hinge ( 19 ) at an upper or side edge thereof to the common wall ( 14 ) over the communication opening with the capacity to block the communication opening by gravity and to bend to open the communication opening to a greater or lesser degree in response to a pressure exerted on the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         21 . The mixed plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein the communication opening is located in any wall common to the first and second chambers ( 1 ,  2 ), and the one-way valve device ( 4 ) comprises a sheet connected by a hinge ( 19 ) at an edge thereof to the common wall ( 14 ) adjacent to the communication opening, the sheet being biased to a closed position blocking the communication opening by the action of an elastic element ( 20 ), the sheet having the capacity to pivot to open the communication opening to a greater or lesser degree in response to a pressure exerted on the sheet. 
     
     
         22 . The mixed plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein the communication opening is located in a vertical section of the common wall ( 14 ), and the one-way valve device ( 4 ) comprises a sheet connected by a hinge ( 19 ) at an upper edge thereof to the common wall ( 14 ) over the communication opening, the sheet being biased to a closed position blocking the communication opening by the action of its own weight, the sheet having the capacity to pivot to open the communication opening to a greater or lesser degree in response to a pressure exerted on the sheet. 
     
     
         23 . The mixed plenum according to  claim 4 , wherein the communication opening is located in any wall common to the first and second chambers ( 1 ,  2 ), and the one-way valve device ( 4 ) is an automatically actuated mechanical valve device ( 21 ) having a movable part which partially opens, closes, or obstructs one or more orifices or conduits associated to the communication opening in cooperation with at least pressure sensor ( 22 ) and an electronic control device ( 23 ).