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EP0626056B1 - A method of and an arrangement for providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space - Google Patents

A method of and an arrangement for providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0626056B1
EP0626056B1 EP93917403A EP93917403A EP0626056B1 EP 0626056 B1 EP0626056 B1 EP 0626056B1 EP 93917403 A EP93917403 A EP 93917403A EP 93917403 A EP93917403 A EP 93917403A EP 0626056 B1 EP0626056 B1 EP 0626056B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
treatment space
working area
flow
air flow
duct
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93917403A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0626056A1 (en
Inventor
Tytti Katariina JÄRVINEN
Seppo Juhani Leskinen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Flaekt Woods Oy
Original Assignee
ABB Flaekt Oy
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ABB Flaekt Oy filed Critical ABB Flaekt Oy
Publication of EP0626056A1 publication Critical patent/EP0626056A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0626056B1 publication Critical patent/EP0626056B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/16—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by purification, e.g. by filtering; by sterilisation; by ozonisation
    • F24F3/163—Clean air work stations, i.e. selected areas within a space which filtered air is passed

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space separated from the surroundings for a production line, a working area or the like, whereby inlet air is blown into the treatment space to form a circulating air flow in the treatment space, which flow provides an air curtain at an open access opening to the treatment space to prevent entrance of ambient air.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method by means of which flow losses caused by a workpiece in the treatment space are eliminated almost entirely and the working conditions are improved remarkably. This object is achieved by means of the method according to the invention as defined in claim 1.
  • the basic idea of the invention is that a part of the circulating air flow directed towards the workpiece in the treatment space is caused to flow past the workpiece outside the actual working area in such a way that the workpiece remains in the middle of the circulating flow or at least within the range of a low flow rate. In this manner it is possible to eliminate essentially the disturbing influence of the workpiece on the circulating flow, which improves the working conditions. At the same time, the rate of the air flow is reduced within the working area to a fraction of the respective rate in the known systems.
  • the invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method described above as defined in claim 4.
  • Figure 1 shows a treatment space 1 surrounded by a cabinet 2 having a roof, walls and a bottom 2a, above which there is a working level 3 for a workpiece 4 to be treated.
  • the front wall of the cabinet has a passage, i.e. an access opening 5.
  • the walls of the cabinet are shaped to be suitable fcr a convection flow.
  • nozzles 6 through which inlet air A is blown horizontally into the treatment space towards the back wall of the cabinet.
  • the inlet air flows along the back wall of the cabinet to the upper part of the treatment space and towards the front wall and further downwards along the front wall of the cabinet so that a vertical air curtain A'' is formed at the access opening.
  • the initial rate of the inlet air is so high that a circulating flow A' is preserved in the treatment space and no warmer ambient air can enter the cabinet as a convection air flow through the upper edge of the access opening.
  • the nozzles are positioned according to the invention below the working level 3 to blow inlet air into a passing duct 7 between the working level and the bottom 2a, so that air flows horinzontally below the working level and the workpiece supported by it.
  • An air jet from the nozzles sucks a part B of the air flow A'' circulating in the treatment space and induction air from the surroundings of the cabinet through an inlet 8 at the lower edge of the access opening 5 into the passing duct. This prevents the air from escaping through the lower edge of the access opening into the surroundings and draws the main part of that part of the circulating flow which otherwise flows horizontally along the working level towards the workpiece down into the passing duct.
  • At the rear end of the passing duct, at the back wall of the cabinet there is an outlet 9 at the height of the working level, through which outlet the circulating flow is directed upwards again.
  • the rate of the flow in the passing duct is not so high as to disturb the circulating flow. It is found that the peripheral part of the circulating flow can be caused to move away from the workpiece by means of the arrangement of the invention and to pass the workpiece from below without this disturbing the circulating flow in the treatment space. This reduces the disturbing influence of the workpiece on the circulating flow and lowers the rate of the remaining circulating flow towards the workpiece above the working level. On the other hand, this improves the working conditions on the working level.
  • Disturbances can be reduced further by extending the passing duct 7 and its upwards directed discharge outlet 9 above the working level 3, as is presented by broken lines in Figure 1. This is especially useful when two adjacent production lines are combined in one cabinet with access openings 5 and nozzles 6 on the opposite sides of the cabinet.
  • the part of the passing duct 7 directed upwards and situated in the middle of the cabinet then forms a common passing duct, by means of which the air can be directed upwards through the common discharge outlet 9.
  • Figure 1 shows a treatment space, in which the duct passing the circulating flow is formed between the bottom of the treatment space and the working level elevated from the bottom.
  • Figure 2 shows a situation in which the passing duct is formed outside the treatment space below the bottom thereof.
  • Figure 2 shows an airtight plate 10 mounted at a distance below the bottom 2a of the treatment space, which plate prevents the circulating flow from flowing into the whole lower space 11 below the bottom 2a.
  • the front part of the bottom is provided with an inlet 8 into a passing duct 12 between the bottom and the plate and the rear part with an outlet 9 from the passing duct, respectively.
  • this arrangement works in the same way as described in connection with Figure 1, so that the main part of the circulating flow is caused to move through the passing duct and only a small part of the flow passes via the workpiece.
  • plates 10 it is possible to form vertical or horizontal guide channels also elsewhere in the treatment space, as shown by broken lines in Figure 2.
  • nozzles 13 for inlet air A are positioned inside the passing duct itself.
  • the nozzles draw also in this case the same amount of induction air through the lower edge of the access opening of the cabinet into the passing duct as in the previous embodiment.
  • Such an arrangement sometimes facilitates the problems with the positioning of the equipments.
  • the inlet and outlet openings 8, 9 can be made smaller by providing them with guide plates 14, 15, Figure 2, when the plates are formed in such a way that they reduce the flow resistance of the openings. The outer dimensions of the treatment space will then become smaller. Guide plates can be placed also elsewhere.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ventilation (AREA)
  • Devices And Processes Conducted In The Presence Of Fluids And Solid Particles (AREA)
  • Threshing Machine Elements (AREA)
  • Prevention Of Fouling (AREA)
  • Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)

Abstract

A method of providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space for a working area, whereby inlet air (A) is blown into the treatment space (1) to form a circulating air flow (A') in the treatment space, which flow provides an air curtain (A'') at an access opening (5) to the treatment space. In order to eliminate the disturbing influence of a workpiece (4) within the working area (3) on the circulating flow and to improve the working conditions, at least a part (B) of the circulating air flow (A') is deflected from the working area in such a way that the working area remains essentially within the circulating air flow. An arrangement for carrying out the method comprises a duct (7) formed in the treatment space (1) and passing the working area (3) for at least a part (B) of the circulating air flow.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a method of providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space separated from the surroundings for a production line, a working area or the like, whereby inlet air is blown into the treatment space to form a circulating air flow in the treatment space, which flow provides an air curtain at an open access opening to the treatment space to prevent entrance of ambient air.
  • From European Patent Application 510 637 (considered as prior art under Article 54 (3) EPC) is previously known a method of obtaining an air change in a treatment space, in which the condition of the air is kept divergent from that of the ambient air by means of an air flow circulating in the treatment space, which air flow forms an air curtain at an access opening to the treatment space tc prevent entrance of ambient air. The circulating air flow is thereby created by means of an air jet to be blown into the treatment space. The method saves a considerable amount of energy and improves the working conditions.
  • However, some drawbacks are associated with the arrangement. Disturbances are easily caused in the circulating flow by workpieces positioned within the working area, on account of which a mixing with ambient air takes place and the conditions in the treatment space remain worse than in case of an undisturbed flow. A strong blow from the outer edge of the working area efficiently prevents the air from escaping from the lower part of the treatment space, but is unpleasant for the worker, and therefore, the improvement in the working conditions remains smaller than could be concluded on the basis of the mere temperature.
  • The object of the present invention is to provide a method by means of which flow losses caused by a workpiece in the treatment space are eliminated almost entirely and the working conditions are improved remarkably. This object is achieved by means of the method according to the invention as defined in claim 1.
  • The basic idea of the invention is that a part of the circulating air flow directed towards the workpiece in the treatment space is caused to flow past the workpiece outside the actual working area in such a way that the workpiece remains in the middle of the circulating flow or at least within the range of a low flow rate. In this manner it is possible to eliminate essentially the disturbing influence of the workpiece on the circulating flow, which improves the working conditions. At the same time, the rate of the air flow is reduced within the working area to a fraction of the respective rate in the known systems.
  • The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method described above as defined in claim 4.
  • All the advantages mentioned in connection with the method are achieved by means of an arrangement of this kind. Further preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
  • The invention will be described in the following in greater detail referring to the enclosed drawing, in which
    • Figure 1 shows schematically a sectional elevation of a treatment space, comprising a circulating air flow according to an embodiment of the method of the invention, and
    • Figure 2 shows in the same way a treatment space, in which the circulating air flow has been provided according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a treatment space 1 surrounded by a cabinet 2 having a roof, walls and a bottom 2a, above which there is a working level 3 for a workpiece 4 to be treated. The front wall of the cabinet has a passage, i.e. an access opening 5. The walls of the cabinet are shaped to be suitable fcr a convection flow.
  • At the lower edge of the access opening of the cabinet there are nozzles 6, through which inlet air A is blown horizontally into the treatment space towards the back wall of the cabinet. The inlet air flows along the back wall of the cabinet to the upper part of the treatment space and towards the front wall and further downwards along the front wall of the cabinet so that a vertical air curtain A'' is formed at the access opening. The initial rate of the inlet air is so high that a circulating flow A' is preserved in the treatment space and no warmer ambient air can enter the cabinet as a convection air flow through the upper edge of the access opening.
  • The nozzles are positioned according to the invention below the working level 3 to blow inlet air into a passing duct 7 between the working level and the bottom 2a, so that air flows horinzontally below the working level and the workpiece supported by it. An air jet from the nozzles sucks a part B of the air flow A'' circulating in the treatment space and induction air from the surroundings of the cabinet through an inlet 8 at the lower edge of the access opening 5 into the passing duct. This prevents the air from escaping through the lower edge of the access opening into the surroundings and draws the main part of that part of the circulating flow which otherwise flows horizontally along the working level towards the workpiece down into the passing duct. At the rear end of the passing duct, at the back wall of the cabinet, there is an outlet 9 at the height of the working level, through which outlet the circulating flow is directed upwards again.
  • If the distance between the working level and the bottom of the treatment cabinet is sufficient, the rate of the flow in the passing duct is not so high as to disturb the circulating flow. It is found that the peripheral part of the circulating flow can be caused to move away from the workpiece by means of the arrangement of the invention and to pass the workpiece from below without this disturbing the circulating flow in the treatment space. This reduces the disturbing influence of the workpiece on the circulating flow and lowers the rate of the remaining circulating flow towards the workpiece above the working level. On the other hand, this improves the working conditions on the working level.
  • Disturbances can be reduced further by extending the passing duct 7 and its upwards directed discharge outlet 9 above the working level 3, as is presented by broken lines in Figure 1. This is especially useful when two adjacent production lines are combined in one cabinet with access openings 5 and nozzles 6 on the opposite sides of the cabinet. The part of the passing duct 7 directed upwards and situated in the middle of the cabinet then forms a common passing duct, by means of which the air can be directed upwards through the common discharge outlet 9.
  • Figure 1 shows a treatment space, in which the duct passing the circulating flow is formed between the bottom of the treatment space and the working level elevated from the bottom. Figure 2 shows a situation in which the passing duct is formed outside the treatment space below the bottom thereof.
  • Figure 2 shows an airtight plate 10 mounted at a distance below the bottom 2a of the treatment space, which plate prevents the circulating flow from flowing into the whole lower space 11 below the bottom 2a. The front part of the bottom is provided with an inlet 8 into a passing duct 12 between the bottom and the plate and the rear part with an outlet 9 from the passing duct, respectively. With respect to the circulating flow, this arrangement works in the same way as described in connection with Figure 1, so that the main part of the circulating flow is caused to move through the passing duct and only a small part of the flow passes via the workpiece. By means of plates 10 it is possible to form vertical or horizontal guide channels also elsewhere in the treatment space, as shown by broken lines in Figure 2.
  • In the arrangement of Figure 2, nozzles 13 for inlet air A are positioned inside the passing duct itself. The nozzles draw also in this case the same amount of induction air through the lower edge of the access opening of the cabinet into the passing duct as in the previous embodiment. Such an arrangement sometimes facilitates the problems with the positioning of the equipments. In the above case, for instance, in which two production lines are positioned in the same cabinet with access openings 5 on both sides of the cabinet, it is possible to manage with one inlet air equipment and with nozzles 13, which are positioned between both working levels 3 in order to blow upwards, in which case they suck air below both working levels.
  • The inlet and outlet openings 8, 9 can be made smaller by providing them with guide plates 14, 15, Figure 2, when the plates are formed in such a way that they reduce the flow resistance of the openings. The outer dimensions of the treatment space will then become smaller. Guide plates can be placed also elsewhere.
  • The drawing and the specification attached thereto are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. As far as details are concerned, the method and the arrangement according to the invention may vary within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to mount at desired places in the treatment space small auxiliary nozzles, in the cases presented in Figure 1 and 2, for instance, at the upper edge of the access opening 5 nozzles blowing downwards to support the circulating flow. The lower bottom of the treatment space can naturally also be the floor level of a room.

Claims (10)

  1. A method of providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space separated from the surroundings by a cabinet comprising a permanently open access opening (5), whereby inlet air (A) is blown into the treatment space (1) with an initial rate so high as to form a circulating air flow (A') around a working area, production line or the like within the treatment space, which flow provides an air curtain at the open access opening (5) to the treatment space (1) to prevent entrance of ambient air, and whereby at least a part (B) of the circulating air flow (A') is deflected from the working area (3) on the access opening side of the treatment space, caused to flow outside the actual working area (3), production line or the like and returned on the opposite side with respect to the access opening in such a manner that the working area remains essentially within the circulating flow and the rate of airflow within the working area is reduced.
  2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflected part (B) of the circulating air flow (A') is returned to the working area at a bottom of the treatment space on a back wall side (9) of the treatment space.
  3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the part (B) of the circulating air flow (A') to be deflected is removed from the working area (3) by means of a suction effect of an inlet air jet (A) blown below the working area.
  4. An arrangement for providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space separated from the surroundings by a cabinet comprising a permanently open access opening (5) to the surroundings, the arrangement further comprising:
    - means (6; 13) for blowing inlet air (A) into the treatment space in such a way and with such an initial rate that the inlet air forms an air flow (A') circulating in the treatment space (1) around a working area, production line or the like, and which flow provides an air curtain (A") at the permanently open access opening to prevent entrance of ambient air, and
    - a duct (7; 12) formed in the treatment space (1) and bypassing the working area (3), production line or the like, for bypassing at least a part (B) of the circulating air flow (A') outside the working area, production line or the like such that the rate of airflow within the working area is reduced, wherein the duct (7; 12) comprises an inlet (8) positioned adjacent to the access opening (5) of the treatment space (1) and an outlet (9) positioned on the opposite side of the treatment space with respect to the access opening.
  5. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the passing duct is a flow duct (7) between a working level, forming the working area (3), and a bottom plate (2a) of the treatment space (1).
  6. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the passing duct is a flow duct (12) positioned below a bottom plate (2a) of the treatment space (1), whereby the duct comprises an outlet (9) positioned adjacent to a back wall of the treatment space.
  7. An arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the means (6) for blowing inlet air (A) into the treatment space (1) and for providing the circulating air flow (A') are positioned within the area of the passing duct (7; 12).
  8. An arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the passing duct (7; 12) is provided with guide plates (14, 15) or the like for directing the air flow.
  9. An arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the outlet (9) of the passing duct (7; 12) extends above the working level (3).
  10. An arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the treatment space (1) is provided with plates (10) to form a guide channel or guide channels within the walls of the treatment space.
EP93917403A 1992-02-18 1993-01-28 A method of and an arrangement for providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space Expired - Lifetime EP0626056B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI920697 1992-02-18
FI920697A FI96239C (en) 1992-02-18 1992-02-18 Method and apparatus for providing circulating air flow to the treatment space
PCT/FI1993/000026 WO1993016334A1 (en) 1992-02-18 1993-01-28 A method of and an arrangement for providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0626056A1 EP0626056A1 (en) 1994-11-30
EP0626056B1 true EP0626056B1 (en) 1997-10-08

Family

ID=8534705

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93917403A Expired - Lifetime EP0626056B1 (en) 1992-02-18 1993-01-28 A method of and an arrangement for providing a circulating air flow in a treatment space

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0626056B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE159093T1 (en)
AU (1) AU3454493A (en)
DE (1) DE69314472T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2107677T3 (en)
FI (1) FI96239C (en)
GR (1) GR3025675T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1993016334A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5428668A (en) * 1993-11-04 1995-06-27 Ericsson Ge Mobile Communications Inc. Radio personal communications system and method for allocating frequencies for communications between a cellular terminal and a base station
DE10145921A1 (en) 2001-09-18 2003-04-03 Volkswagen Ag Device for processing a workpiece
US9527183B1 (en) * 2015-08-11 2016-12-27 Thermwood Corporation System for confining particulate residue in a machining operation

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4936824A (en) * 1987-05-15 1990-06-26 The Boc Group, Inc. Infant incubator with air curtain
FI88541C (en) * 1991-04-23 1993-05-25 Ilmateollisuus Oy Method and apparatus for providing an air exchange for a treatment room

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI96239B (en) 1996-02-15
WO1993016334A1 (en) 1993-08-19
ATE159093T1 (en) 1997-10-15
FI96239C (en) 1996-05-27
EP0626056A1 (en) 1994-11-30
DE69314472T2 (en) 1998-02-26
AU3454493A (en) 1993-09-03
GR3025675T3 (en) 1998-03-31
FI920697A0 (en) 1992-02-18
ES2107677T3 (en) 1997-12-01
DE69314472D1 (en) 1997-11-13
FI920697A (en) 1993-08-19

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