Ventilation system with thermal energy recovery

Abstract

A high performance ventilation system with .[.means.]. .Iadd.provisions .Iaddend.for recovering a high percentage of sensible and latent thermal energy from the exhausted air for return via the supply air. Two matrices of thermally absorbent, expanded honeycomb material are respectively alternately interconnected with fan-driven supply and exhaust paths via a valve device to store energy in one matrix while retrieving energy from the other. Constant air flow direction is maintained in the ventilated area. The valve may be thermostat controlled. The matrices are preferably formed of a fibrous organic material such as paper, in an expandable honeycomb configuration, and resin impregnated for durability and strength. A degree of residual flexibility is desired whereby the matrices may be adjusted for fitting, air control and cleaning purposes.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A forced air, non-recirculating ventilation system for an enclosure in which a thermal energy gradient relative to outside ambient air temperature has been produced by the expenditure of energy, said system comprising: first means defining a distribution duct .[.from an outside air source to.]. .Iadd.having an inner end positioned within .Iaddend.said enclosure .Iadd.and an outer end.Iaddend.;   first air-flow-forcing means operatively associated with said .[.first.]. .Iadd.distribution .Iaddend.duct for producing a substantially continuous, unidirectional flow of substantially exclusively outside air to said enclosure .Iadd.through said distribution duct.Iaddend.;   second means defining an exhaust duct .[.from.]. .Iadd.having an inner end positioned in .Iaddend.said enclosure .[.to the outside air source.]. .Iadd.and an outer end.Iaddend.;   second air-flow-forcing means operatively associated with said .[.second.]. .Iadd.exhaust .Iaddend.duct for producing a substantially continuous, unidirectional flow of inside air from said enclosure substantially completely to the outside .Iadd.of said enclosure through said exhaust duct.Iaddend.;   first and second matrices of thermal energy absorbing material, each being characterized by a high surface area to volume ratio and low hydraulic resistance;   .[.housing means for said.]. .Iadd.first and second matrix housings respectively receiving said first and second .Iaddend.matrices .[.and arranged for air flow therethrough, to and from outside air .Iadd.and each defining an inlet opening and a discharge opening on opposite sides of the respective matrix positioned therewithin.Iaddend.;   and valve means connecting said .[.housing means.]. .Iadd.matrix housings .Iaddend.to said .[.first and second duct means.]. .Iadd.distribution and exhaust ducts .Iaddend.for alternately reversely hydraulically connecting the .[.duct means.]. .Iadd.ducts .Iaddend.to respective matrices thereby to draw outside air into said enclosure to ventilate same through one matrix while complementally exhausting inside air from said enclosure through the other matrix.Iadd.;   said valve means including:   a valve housing for said valve means positioned centrally between said matrix housings and said outer ends of said ducts with said inlet openings of said matrix housings and said outer ends of said ducts circumferentially arrayed about said valve housing, said valve housing having four ports arranged in opposite pairs, the ports of one opposite pair being connected to respective inlet openings of said matrix housings and the ports of the other opposite pair being respectively connected to the outer ends of said exhaust and distribution ducts; and   an air flow regulation means comprising a partition in the form of a rigid vane rotatably mounted within said valve housing, and means for driving said vane between two alternate positions for intermittently making said alternate reverse hydraulic connections.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each matrix comprises a resiliently expandable volume of fibrous organic material defining plural parallel channels. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the material is paper. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the paper is coated with a resinous material. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each matrix further comprises means for variably expanding said expandable volume thereby to regulate flow volume. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including burner means in said exhaust duct. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including control means for cyclically operating said valve means between first and second positions for accomplishing said alternate, reverse hydraulic connections at a rate related to the thermal energy absorption capability of said matrices. .[.8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a valve housing and a rotatable partition disposed within said valve housing..].