GB2311849A

GB2311849A - A combined lighting and air-conditioning unit

Info

Publication number: GB2311849A
Application number: GB9607202A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin William Green; Geoffrey Terence Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-04-04
Filing date: 1996-04-04
Publication date: 1997-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-04
Also published as: GB2311849B; GB9607202D0

Abstract

A combined lighting and air-conditioning unit comprises a casing (2) for a light fitting (4) positioned with an air plenum chamber (11). The casing is provided with thermal insulation (12). A curved reflector plate (5) and a diffuser (6) is held in position by spring clips (7). A starter for the light fitting is disposed in space (8).

Description

CHILLED BEAM LUMINAIRE This invention relates to a luminaire integrated within a redesigned proprietary room cooling unit known as a "chilled beam" or "radiating and convective element".

Chilled beams are a well known type of room cooling device used in comfort cooling systems, noted for improved energy efficiency compared to other types of cooling devices.

The chilled beam concept has the disadvantage that a relatively large plan area of ceiling space is required and when spaced out with conventional ceiling mounted luminaires, displays a congested visual effect. Installation erection times for these two individual devices is relatively expensive.

According to this invention the luminaire arrangement is integrated into a chilled beam and the overall ceiling plan area required for separate units is reduced to that required for one combined unit.

Figures 1 (Cross Section) and 2 (Longitudinal Section) illustrate in dotted line the outline of a chilled beam, the basic body design 1 being covered by a European Patent Application 88850133.5 by Farex A/S, for a "radiating and convection element".

Referring to the drawings cross section Fig 1 and longitudinal section Fig 2.

A luminaire casing 2 is positioned within the air plenum chamber 11, the casing being fixed as an integral part of the chilled beam and plenum chamber 11.

Thermal insulation 12 is attached to the back of casing 2 to limit heat gain from the luminaire to air plenum chamber 11.

The luminaire 3 is mounted within the casing 2, held in position by spring clips 4 for renewal and replacement.

A curved reflector plate 5 and diffuser 6 is held in position by spring clips 7.

A space is allocated for the luminaire electrical starter gear attached in position shown by the chain dotted line 8.

A wiring conduit tube 9 passes through air way 10 and plenum chamber 11 for routing electrical cables to the luminaire.

Claims

CLANS

1. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element.

2. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claim 1 where the invention may be embodied or combined within a chilled beam or similar device manufactured by an alternative company or organisation totthe stated Farex A/S.

3. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claims 1 or 2 which incorporates in addition, a heating device to raise room temperature.

4. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 3 inclusive which embodies as an alternative to the shown diffuser 6 fig. 1, a luminaire diffuser, perforated with square, circular or any multi-sided apertures.

5. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 4 inclusive which as an alternative to the rectangular form illustrated in figure 1 and figure 2, may be reconfigured in square, circular or any multi-sided geometry.

6. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 5 inclusive which are attached to a building structure, as an alternative to the main body 1 being concealed within a ceiling void.

7. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 6 inclusive which provides an alternative position for luminaire starter gear 8 Fig. 1.

8. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 7 inclusive which provides luminaires starter gear using high or low frequency electricity.

9. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element, as claimed in claims 1 to 8 inclusive which incorporates multiple luminaires which is shown as a single luminaire 3 Fig 1.

lO.A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element, as claimed in claims 1 to 9 inclusive which provides for varying luminaire diffuser deflector angles to meet anti-glare requirements upon surfaces receiving light.

11.A chilled beam luminaire substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 1/2 Fig 1 and 2/2 Fig 2.

11.A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element, as claimed in claims 1 to 10 inclusive, which provides for varied overall dimensions, to comply with the thermal output measured in Watts and the lighting output measured in lumens, for the requirements of the building.

12.A chilled beam luminaire substantially as described herein with reference to drawings 1/2 Fig 1 and 2/2 Fig 2.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

A "Chilled Beam" is described as a device for controlling the temperature within a building's working environment to provide comfort cooling to offset heat gains from solar, electrical equipment and personnel. The chilled beam is connected to the building's central fresh or primary air and cooling water systems and is located at ceiling level or within a suspended ceiling void. The chilled beam is configured as shown in Fig 1 and Fig 2, the overall dimensions and quantity of chilled beams is determined by the cooling power required calculated in Watts.

The chilled beam comprises of two finned tube heat exchangers mounted at the (op of the assembly over airway 10. Cooling water from the building's central system passes through the finned tubes. Air from the temperature controlled space passes via ceiling level or suspended ceiling void, through the heat exchanger fins, is cooled and passes to airway 10. From the building's central cooled fresh or primary air supply system, air is passed into the longitudinal plenum chamber 11 and discharges through orifices to the lower level of airway 10. The venturi effect from the fresh or primary air orifice induces air downwards from airway 10, the cooled mixed fresh or primary air and air from airway 10 is discharged into the temperature controlled space. It should be noted that prior to the venturi taking effect, the warmer air above the finned tube heat exchanger will sink by gravity through the cooling fins.

The temperature level of the cooling water circulating through the finned tube heat exchanger, is set so that no condensation is formed on the fins, this concept is conventionally known as dry cooling.

A "Luminaire" is described as a device for illuminating a space in a working environment, conventionally known as a light fitting. The light source of the luminaire is controlled from either low or high frequency electricity. The luminaire lighting performance is rated in lumens.

The light diffuser 6 is multipurpose configured to provide various light deflector angles.

This invention pertains to integrating the luminaire into the chilled beam described. Casing 2 Fig 1 is set into the airway 11, thermal insulation 12 surrounding casing 2 limits heat gain from the luminaire to the cooled air passing through airway 11. A unique feature is conduit 9 which passes through airway 10, this allows access for electrical supplies to the light source whilst maintaining the heat producing light source starting switchgear at position 8 away from the plenum chamber 11.

A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claims 1 or 2 which incorporates in addition, a heating device to raise room temperature.

3. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 3 inclusive which embodies as an alternative to the shown diffuser 6 fig. 1, a luminaire diffuser, perforated with square, circular or any multi-sided apertures.

4. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 4 inclusive which as an alternative to the rectangular form illustrated in figure 1 and figure 2, may be reconfigured in square, circular or any multi-sided geometry.

5. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 5 inclusive which are attached to a building structure, as an alternative to the main body 1 being concealed within a ceiling void.

6. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 6 inclusive which provides an alternative position for luminaire starter gear 8 Fig. 1.

7. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element as claimed in claims 1 to 7 inclusive which provides luminaires starter gear using high or low frequency electricity.

8. A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element, as claimed in claims 1 to 8 inclusive which incorporates multiple luminaires which is shown as a single luminaire 3 Fig 1.

9. A lurninaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element, as claimed in claims 1 to 9 inclusive which provides for varying luminaire diffuser deflector angles to meet anti-glare requirements upon surfaces receiving light.

10.A luminaire combined with a chilled beam or radiating and convective element, as claimed in claims 1 to 10 inclusive, which provides for varied overall dimensions, to comply with the thermal output measured in Watts and the lighting output measured in lumens, for the requirements of the building.