EP3054234A1

EP3054234A1 - Air treatment plant, method for treating air and use of said plant

Info

Publication number: EP3054234A1
Application number: EP16154771.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Zambolin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-09
Filing date: 2016-02-09
Publication date: 2016-08-10

Abstract

Air treatment plant (1) comprising a channeling (2) and a ventilation system (100) configured for selectively generating inside the channeling itself an overpressure and/or a negative pressure, the channeling (2) having: a predetermined number of transfer conduits (3) and a predetermined number of supply conduits (4) fluidically communicating with the transfer conduits (3) and configured for admitting treated air in an environment through a plurality of diffusing openings (5), such as diffusing vents or holes. The channeling (2) comprises a plurality of suction hatches (6), each having an access (7), the suction hatch (6) is provided with a closing element (8) engaged at the access (7) and movable between at least one first operative position, wherein the closing element (8) is placed at the access (7) for closing it, and at least one second operative position, wherein the closing element (8) is spaced from the access (7), with respect to the first operative condition, for enabling the air passage through the access (7) itself. The closing element (8) is configured for switching from the first to the second operative condition following the passage to the negative pressure condition inside the channeling (2) for enabling to suction air from the environment (200) of the building through the access (7)

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an air treatment plant, preferably, but not exclusively, environment conditioning plants (for example by admitting cooled air, warm air and/or filtered/humidified air) - and for removing smoke (for example for suctioning smoke generated by a fire).
Particularly, the invention is useable for making plants for both the civil field and the industrial field, for ventilating, heating, conditioning air and also for suctioning smoke.

STATE OF THE ART

Air treatment systems, such as heating, ventilation and conditioning plants, consisting of conduits through which a suitable quantity of air is transferred, from a ventilation system (for example a fan) and a conditioning (heating, cooling, humidifying, ...) system, which is then admitted in an environment of a building, for example a room, an office, a workshop, a warehouse or similar, are vastly known. Such air treatment systems are usually formed by plural channeling modules made of metal sheet comprising air diffusing perforated channels having the task of uniformly diffusing air in the environment of a building. In case of high induction plants, the diffusing channels are provided with a plurality of holes suitable designed during a planning stage and arranged along a lateral wall of the conduit itself for admitting high speed air in the environment to be treated by putting in motion a great environment air mass without forming troublesome currents over the ground.
The design requirements of an air distribution plant are generally followed by exploiting channelings of reduced dimensions, also for better managing the size inside the system during the transporting and installation steps and for curbing the costs of the raw materials.
It is also useful to specify that, besides the above described distribution plants, are nowadays used (and are often enforced by law with reference to some types of buildings) fire safety systems, particularly known as "smoke extraction systems" enabling to suction smoke formed by a fire by removing it from an internal environment of a building for trying to prevent highly dangerous conditions for the persons, such as a visibility reduction, anoxia, and smoke toxic action. De facto, with reference to this matter, there are a variety of regulations, also in the Italian law, requiring, both in a working field and - more generally - in the civil field, to install fire and smoke prevention systems adapted to reduce possible dangerous situations.
Smoke prevention plants, generally consisting of bulky channelings placed in correspondence of the ceiling of an environment and having a predetermined number of suction vents adapted to enable to suction great amounts of air and smoke from an environment are particularly interesting with reference to the present discussion. As it is understandable, the smoke prevention plants, in comparison with the distribution plants, must enable to suction great air flow rates in order to provide a fast and efficient removal of the smoke from the involved environment. For this reason, the smoke prevention system channelings have dimensions - particularly the air passage cross-section - much greater than the dimensions of channelings forming the standard air distribution plants (for example the conditioning systems). According to the channeling dimensions of the smoke prevention plants, these latter are provided with through suction openings having a large passage cross-section adapted to enable to suction high smoke quantities without a substantial flow resistance during the operation. The smoke prevention plant channelings are generally connected to one or more fans capable of generating a suitable negative pressure in the channels for enabling to remove a possible presence of smoke from the environment. By keeping in mind the different types and substantial structural and operative differences, respectively of the smoke prevention plants and air distribution plants, these latter plants are nowadays installed as systems distinct and totally independent from each other; the smoke prevention system channelings are placed in the building environment in order to comply with the safety regulations typically before starting installing distinct air treatment/conditioning systems.
The Applicant has discovered that, although each of the above mentioned plants - each considered alone - enables to respectively effectively distribute air (air distribution plants) and remove possible smoke from environments (smoke prevention plants), however, these are not devoid of some disadvantages, and therefore are improvable under several aspects. De facto, it is noted that, in view of the importance of the smoke prevention plants, these latter should be accurately designed and installed in an environment by keeping in mind only the configuration of the environment, so that they can comply with the safety requirements provided by the regulations in force. Designing such smoke prevention safety plants is therefore done without considering the air distribution plants which, viceversa, are usually compelled to be adapted to the configuration of the smoke prevention plant. Therefore, often the air distribution plants are compelled to follow sub-optimal configurations, for example are constrained to define unnecessarily longer and/or more convoluted paths enabling such plants to avoid the main smoke prevention plant and suitably covering the area in which it is required the air treatment. The substantial extension and complexity of the distribution plants obviously affect the costs of these latter. Moreover, sub-optimal paths which necessarily must be followed, cause further flow resistances in the air distribution circuit that further make necessary to provide to oversize the supplying devices (fans) by consequently increasing the plant costs. Further limitations of the present above described plants are defined by the presence of at least two plants - the smoke prevention plant and air distribution plant - separated and independent from each other which require to do distinct assemblies, controls and assistance.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention consists of substantially solving at least one of the disadvantages and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.
A first aim of the invention consists of providing an air treatment plant flexible to use which can be effectively applied both as an air distribution plant, and as a smoke prevention plant. Particularly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an air treatment plant which can be easily and readily switched from an air diffusion condition to a suctioning condition, and viceversa. A further main object of the invention consists of providing an air treatment plant enabling a greater design freedom by allowing optimal adjustments of the same also when it is installed. Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide an air treatment plant enabling, under an operative condition, to treat all the environment air in order to enable an optimal conditioning while, in a further operative condition, to readily and effectively remove smoke from an environment. Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air treatment plant which can be easily installed and adjusted. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, compact and economical air treatment plant in comparison to the two distinct systems solution. One or more of the above described objects, which will better appear during the following description, are substantially met by an air treatment plant according to one or more of the attached claims.

SUMMARY

The aspects of the invention are described in the following.
In a 1st aspect, it is provided an air treatment plant (1) comprising at least one channeling (2) associable to a ventilation system (100) configured for defining inside the channeling itself, an overpressure or a negative pressure for transferring an air mass, said channeling (2) comprising:

□ at least one transfer conduit (3) associable to the ventilation system (100),
□ at least one treated air supply conduit (4) fluidically communicating, particularly directly, with the transfer conduit (3) and configured for fluidically communicating with at least one environment (200) of a building, said supply conduit (4) having a plurality of diffusing openings (5) positioned on an outer wall for admitting air in the building environment (200),

In a 2nd aspect according to the aspect 1, the closing element (8) is configured for remaining in the first operative position under the overpressure condition in the channeling (2), the closing element (8), in the first operative position, being substantially configured for closing the access (7),
the closing element (8) being configured for switching from the first operative position to the second operative position following the passage from the overpressure condition to the negative pressure condition in the channeling (2) for enabling this latter to suction air from the building environment (200).
In a 3rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the access (7) of the suction hatch (6) has a free edge (7a) delimiting a through opening (9), the closing element (8) comprising a closing door adapted to abut on the access (7) and cooperate with the free edge (7a), the closing element (8), in the first operative position, is configured for substantially closing the through opening (9) of the access (7) in order to substantially prevent an air flow to pass between the free edge (7a) of the through opening (9) and an outer perimetral edge (10) of the closing body delimiting the closing element (8).
In a 4th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the diffusing openings (5) are placed on a lateral wall of the supply conduit (4) and/or on the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6).
In a 5th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the closing element (8), in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), abuts on the free edge (7a) of the through opening (9) so that air can exit the channeling (2) only through the diffusing openings, the closing element (8), in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), is spaced from the through opening (9) and enables air to pass from this latter, in the negative pressure condition, the air flow entering the channeling (2) from the building environment (200) through a predetermined number of through openings (9) of the suction hatches (6) and through the diffusing openings (5).
In a 6th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the closing element (8) is movable, with respect to the access (7), between a plurality of operative positions comprised between the first and second operative positions, the closing element (8), in the different operative positions, determining, in cooperation with the access (7), a predetermined opening extension of the access (7), the opening extent of the access (7) being defined by the ratio of the air passage section of an aperture present between the closing element (8) and through opening (9), to the passage section of the through opening (9).
In a 7th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the closing element (8) is configured for being manually taken back from the second operative position to the first operative position.
In an 8th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the closing element (8) is hinged to the channeling (2) and is configured for rotating with respect to the through opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) between the first and second operative positions.
In a 9th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the closing element (8) substantially comprises a plate which, in the first operative position of the closing element (8) itself, is adapted to cover and completely close the through opening (9) of the access (7).
In a 10th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the closing element (8) is placed inside the channeling, a constrain between the closing element (8) and channeling being placed downstream the through opening (9) according to an air suction direction in the negative pressure condition in the channeling.
In an 11th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the closing element (8) has at least one abutment terminal portion (11) configured for abutting, in the first operative position of the closing element (8), on at least a portion of the channeling (2) adjacent the free edge (7a) of the access (7), for enabling to stop the closing element (8) inside the channeling (2).
In a 12th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the channeling (2) further comprises, in correspondence of the free edge (7a) of the access (7), at least one hooking portion (12) adapted to stably maintain the closing element (8), at least in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2) and/or in a plant downtime condition wherein there is not a substantial passage of air inside the channeling (2), in the first operative position, said hooking portion (12) being further configured for enabling the closing element (8) to pass from the first to the second operative position following the passage to the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2).
In a 13th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the diffusing openings (5) are diffusing holes, particularly in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), the diffusing holes are adapted to generate an inductive effect drawing the air adjacent the channeling (2) itself.
In a 14th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the channeling (2), in the negative pressure condition, is configured for enabling to emit air only through the diffusing openings (5), the diffusing openings being defined by diffusing holes and/or diffusing vents.
In a 15th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the diffusing openings (5) are placed at least on the supply conduit (4), and possibly also on the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6) and/or on the transfer conduit (3).
In a 16th aspect according to the aspect 13, the through opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) defines a predetermined passage section greater than the section of each single diffusing hole (5), optionally the ratio of the passage section of the through opening (9) to the passage section of a diffusing hole (5) is greater than 5, particularly is comprised between 7 and 30, still more particularly is comprised between 10 and 20.
In a 17th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the passage section of the through opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) is greater than 100 cm², particularly is comprised between 200 and 1500 cm².
In an 18th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the passage section of each single diffusing hole (5) is less than 50 cm², particularly is comprised between 0.5 and 40 cm².
In a 19th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the supply conduit (4) and/or transfer conduit (3) are configured for enabling to suction smoke from the building environment (200) in the presence of fires, particularly by complying with the European standards EN 1366, such as standards EN 1366 8-9.
In a 20th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the suction hatch (6), according to an operative condition, is placed laterally or below the channeling (2).
In a 21st aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the plant comprises at least one joining hollow element (21) for joining to each other the transfer conduit (3) and the supply conduit (4), said suction hatch (6) being placed on an outer wall of said joining element (21).
In a 22nd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the diffusing openings (5) are diffusing holes and, in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), emit high speed air flows adapted to generate an inductive effect drawing the air adjacent the channeling (2) itself.
In a 23rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the plant comprises at least one ventilation system (100), particularly one or more fans, connected to the channeling (2), optionally to the transfer conduit (3), and configured for generating an air flow entering the channeling (2) or exiting the channeling (2) and defining respectively an overpressure or negative pressure condition in this latter.
In a 24th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the plant comprises at least one control unit (15) and at least one sensor (16) connected to said control unit (15), the sensor being configured for monitoring at least one environment (200) of a building and supplying a control signal to the unit (15), the control unit (15) being configured for:

□ receiving the control signal from the sensor (16),
□ processing the control signal (15) for determining at least one safety condition and one danger condition.

In a 25th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (15) is connected to the ventilation system (100) and is configured for commanding this latter to admit or suction an air flow from the channeling (2), the control unit (15) being configured for:

□ commanding the ventilation system (100) to admit the air flow entering the channeling (2) in the safety condition, the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6), in the safety condition and then in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), being placed in the first operative position so that an air flow is only emitted through the diffusing openings (5),
□ commanding the ventilation system (100) to suction the air from the channeling (2) in the danger condition, the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6), in the danger condition and then in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), being placed in the second operative position so that an air flow can be suctioned through the access (7) of the hatch (6).

In a 26th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the sensor (16) comprises at least one selected in the group of the following components: a heat detector, a smoke detector, a flame detector;
and the control unit (15), upon receiving and processing the control signal, is configured for determining, for the danger condition, at least one fire condition and/or a condition of too much smoke.
In a 27th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the plant comprises one or more shutters (17), each of them being engaged with the channeling (2) at an environment control area (18), the shutter (17) being configured for intercepting the air flow crossing the channeling (2) and being movable with respect to this latter at least between the following positions:

□ a passage position wherein the shutter (17) is configured for enabling the air flow to pass from and towards the control area (18) of the channeling (2),
□ a closing position wherein the shutter (17) is configured for substantially preventing the air flow from passing from the control area (18) of the channeling (2).

In a 28th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (15) is connected to the shutter (17) and is configured for moving this latter between a closing to a passage position and viceversa, in order to enable to choke the air flow crossing the channeling (2), particularly the control unit (15) is configured for defining the closing position of one or more of said shutters (17) after determining the danger condition for choking the air flow passing from the channeling (2) and increasing therefore the suction action at one or more desired used areas.
In a 29th aspect according to the aspect 27 or 28, the shutter (17) is configured for being placed on the channeling (2) substantially between two use areas, the shutter (17), in the passage condition, being configured for enabling to transfer the air flow to both the use areas, the shutter (17), in the closing condition, being configured for choking the air flow in the channeling (2) for enabling to transfer the flow itself from only one specific environment of a building.
In a 30th aspect, it is provided a process of treating air by at least one plant (1) according to anyone of the preceding aspects.
In a 31st aspect according to the preceding aspect, the process comprises at least the following steps:

□ providing at least one channeling (2) having at least one transfer conduit (3) and at least one supply conduit (4) fluidically communicating, particularly directly, with the transfer conduit (3) and which is configured for delivering an air flow, towards an environment (200) of a building, said supply conduit (4) having a plurality of diffusing openings (5) placed on an outer wall for admitting air in the building environment, further the channeling (2) comprising a plurality of suction hatches (6), each having an access (7) and a closing element (8) engaged at the access (7) and movable between at least one first operative position wherein the closing element (8) is placed at the access (7) for substantially closing it, and at least one second operative position wherein the closing element (8) is spaced from the access (7), with respect to the first operative condition, for enabling the air to pass through the access (7) itself,

□ a step of delivering a flow in the channeling (2) for defining an overpressure condition inside this latter, and emitting, through the diffusing openings (5), respective air flows, the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6), in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), being in the first operative position,
□ a step of extracting an air flow from the channeling (2) by defining a negative pressure condition inside this latter, the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6), in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), being in the second operative condition,
□ a step of moving the closing element (8) from the first to the second operative condition after the channeling (2) has passed to the negative pressure condition for enabling to suction air from the building environment (200) through the access (7).

In a 32nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the closing element (8) during the step of delivering air in the channeling (2), is placed in the first operative position and substantially closes the access (7).
In a 33rd aspect according to the aspect 31 or 32, the access (7) of the suction hatch (6) has a free edge (7a) delimiting a through opening (9), the closing element (8) substantially defining a closing body adapted to abut on the access (7) and cooperate with the free edge (7a),
the closing element (8), during the step of delivering the air flow in the channeling (2) and therefore in the overpressure condition of this latter, is placed in the first operative position and substantially closes the through opening (9) of the access (7) for substantially preventing an air flow from passing between the free edge (7a) of the through opening (9) and an outer perimetral edge (10) of the closing body delimiting the closing element (8).
In a 34th aspect according to the aspects from 30 to 33, the diffusing openings (5) are placed on a lateral wall of the supply conduit (4) and/or on the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6).
In a 35th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 31 to 34, the closing element (8), during the step of delivering the air flow and therefore in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), abuts on the free edge (7a) of the through opening (9) so that air can exit the channeling (2) only through the diffusing opening (5),
the closing element (8), during the extraction step and therefore in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), is distant from the through opening (9) of the access (7) and enables the air to pass from this latter, in the negative pressure condition the air flow is suctioned from the building environment through the opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) and through the diffusing openings (5).
In a 36th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 35, the closing element (8) is movable, with respect to the access (7), between a plurality of operative positions comprised between the first and second operative positions, the closing element (8), in the different operative positions, determining, cooperatively with the access (7), a predetermined opening extent of the access (7), the opening extent of the access (7) being defined by the ratio of the air passage section in an aperture, present between the closing element (8) and through opening (9), to the passage section of the through opening (9).
In a 37th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 36, the closing element (8) is hinged to the channeling (2) and is configured for rotating with respect to the through opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) at least between the first and second operative positions, particularly between the first and second operative positions, and viceversa.
In a 38th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 37, the closing element (8) substantially comprises a plate which, in the first operative position of the closing element (8) itself, is adapted to cover and completely close the through opening (9) of the access (7).
In a 39th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 38, the closing element (8) is placed inside the channeling, a constrain of the closing element (8) to the channeling being arranged downstream the access opening (9) in the air suction direction in the channeling (2) through said through opening (9).
In a 40th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the closing element (8) has at least one abutment terminal portion (11) configured for abutting, in the first operative position of the closing element (8), at least partially in the channeling (2) adjacent the free edge (7a) of the access (7), for enabling to stop the closing element (8) inside the channeling (2).
In a 41st aspect according to the preceding aspect, further the channeling (2) comprises, in correspondence of the free edge (7a) of the access (7), at least one hooking portion (12) adapted to stably hold the closing element (8), at least in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2) and/or in a downtime plant condition wherein the air does not flow inside the channeling (2), in the first operative position, said hooking portion (12) being further configured for enabling the closing element (8) to move from the first to the second operative condition following the switching from the overpressure to the negative pressure condition in the channeling (2).
In a 42nd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 41, the diffusing openings (5) are diffusing holes and, in the overpressure condition in the channeling (2), emit high speed air flows adapted to generate an inductive effect drawing the air adjacent the channeling (2) itself.
In a 43rd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 42, the channeling (2), in the overpressure condition, emits air only through the diffusing opening (5).
In a 44th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 43, the diffusing openings (5) are placed at least on the supply conduit (4), particularly also on the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6) and/or on the transfer conduit (3).
In a 45th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 30 to 44, the through opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) defines a predetermined passage section greater than the section of each single diffusing hole (5), optionally the ratio of the passage section of the through opening (9) to the passage section of a diffusing hole (5) is greater than 5, particularly is comprised between 7 and 30, still more particularly is comprised between 10 and 20.
In a 46th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the passage section of the through opening (9) of the suction hatch (6) is greater than 100 cm², particularly is comprised between 200 and 1500 cm².
In a 47th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 40 to 46, the passage section of each single diffusing hole is smaller than 50 cm², particularly is comprised between 0.5 and 40 cm².
In a 48th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 40 to 47, the plant (1) comprises a plurality of suction hatches (6) placed on the supply conduit (4) and/or on the transfer conduit (3).
In a 49th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 40 to 48, the suction hatch (6), in an operative condition of the plant, is placed laterally to or below the channeling (2).
In a 50th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 40 to 49, the plant (1) comprises at least one joining hollow element (13) for joining to each other the transfer conduit (3) and the supply conduit (4), said suction hatch (6) being placed on an outer wall of said joining element (13).
In a 51st aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the process comprises at least one step of transferring an air flow by means of at least one ventilation system (100), particularly one or more fans, connected to the channeling (2), the step of transferring the air flow providing to admit an air mass entering the channeling (2) or suctioning an air mass from the channeling (2) and defining respectively an overpressure or negative pressure condition of this latter.
In a 52nd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the process comprises at least one step of providing a control unit (15) and at least one sensor (16) connected to said control unit (15), the sensor (16) being configured for monitoring the environment of a building and delivering a control signal to the control unit (15), the process comprising at least the following steps:

□ receiving, from the control unit (15), the control signal generated by the sensor (16),
□ processing, by the control unit (15), the control signal for determining at least one safety condition and one danger condition.

In a 53rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (15) is connected to the ventilation system (100), and is configured for commanding this latter to admit or suction an air flow from the channeling (2), the process further comprising at least the following steps:

□ commanding, by the control unit (15) and in the occurrence of the safety condition, the ventilation system (100) for admitting an air flow entering the channeling (2), the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6), in the safety condition and therefore in the overpressure condition in the channeling (2), being placed in the first operative position in order to emit an air flow only through the diffusing openings (5),
□ commanding, by the control unit (15) and in the occurrence of the danger condition, the ventilation system (100) to suction an air flow through the channeling (2), the closing element (8) of the suction hatch (6), in the danger condition and therefore in the negative pressure condition in the channeling (2), being placed in the second operative condition so that an air flow can be suctioned from the access (7) of the suction hatch (6).

In a 54th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the sensor (16) comprises at least one selected in the group of the following components: a heat detector, a smoke detector, a flame detector;
the control unit (15), upon receiving and processing the control signal, determining, for the danger condition, at least one fire condition and/or the presence of too much smoke.
In a 55th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the process comprises a step of providing one or more shutters (17) each of them is engaged with the channeling (2) at an air flow control area (18) of this latter, the shutter (17) being configured for intercepting the air flow crossing the channeling (2) and being movable with respect to this latter, at least between the following positions:

□ a passage position wherein the shutter (17) is configured for enabling the air flow to move from the control area (18) of the channeling (2),
□ a closing position wherein the shutter (17) is configured for substantially stopping the passage of the air flow from the control area (18) of the channeling (2).

In a 56th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (17) is connected to the shutter (17) and is configured for moving this latter between the closing and the passage positions, and viceversa, in order to enable to choke the air flow moving through the channeling (2), particularly the control unit (15) is configured for defining the closing position of one or more of said shutters (17) after determining the danger condition, for choking the air flow passing from the channeling (2), and for therefore increasing the suctioning action at one or more desired use areas.
In a 57th aspect according to the aspect 55 or 56, the shutter (17) is configured for being placed on the channeling (2) substantially between two use areas, the shutter (17), in the passage condition, being configured for enabling to transfer the air flow to both the use areas, the shutter (17), in the closing condition, being configured for choking the air flow in the channeling (2) for enabling to transfer the flow itself to only one building environment.
In a 58th aspect, it is provided a tubular element for air treatment plants (1), particularly according to anyone of the aspects from 1 to 29, having a channel structure for conveying an air flow, the channel structure being provided with an outer wall defining a lateral wall of the channel structure on which a plurality of diffusing holes (5) configured for enabling to emit high speed air flows are present, and at least one suction hatch (6) comprises an access (7) made on said outer wall for enabling to possibly suction from the environment, an air flow, the access (7) having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the diffusing holes (5),
the suction hatch (6) comprising a closing element (8) engaged at the access (7) and moveable between at least one first operative position wherein the closing element (8) is placed at the access (7) for closing it, and at least one second operative position wherein the closing element (8) is spaced from the access (7), with respect to the first operative condition, for enabling the air to flow through the access (7) itself, the closing element (8) being configured for passing from the first to the second operative condition after switching from an overpressure condition to a negative pressure condition of the tubular element itself for enabling to suction an air flow from the building environment through the access (7).
In a 59th aspect it is provided an use of the air treatment plant (1), according to anyone of the aspects from 1 to 29, for distributing air in one or more use areas through the diffusing openings (5) and for suctioning smoke from one or more use areas through one or more suction hatches (6).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and aspects of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the attached drawings, given only in an indicative and therefore non limiting way, wherein:

□ Figure 1 is an outline of a plant for treating air according to the present invention;
□ Figures 2 and 3 are respective detail perspective views of a plant for treating air according to the present invention;
□ Figure 4 is a cross-section view, along the line VI-VI, of the air treating plant outlined in Figure 3;
□ Figures from 5 to 7 illustrate respective outlines of a suction hatch of the air treatment plant according to the present invention;
□ Figure 8 is a plan schematic view of an air treatment plant according to the present invention;
□ Figure 9 is a plan schematic view of an air distribution plant and a respective plant for suctioning smoke of the state of the art and used for treating air in one or more use areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Air treatment plant

1 generally indicates an air treatment plant, particularly useable for implementing channelings (2) for ventilating, heating, conditioning and suctioning air, exploitable both in the civil field and industrial field. Preferably, but not exclusively, the plant 1 obejct of the present invention can be used for defining plants for distributing air, for example, cooled air for the conditioning, and for removing smoke, for example generated by a fire developed inside the building.
As it is visible in the attached Figures, the plant 1 comprises a channeling 2 through which an air mass is transferred. Specifically, the air flow flowing through the channeling 2 is generated by one or more ventilation devices 100 (see Figure 1, for example) configured for generating inside said channels, alternatively, an overpressure or a negative pressure; the ventilation system 100 can comprise one or more fans, for example of the centrifugal and/or axial type.
The pressure increase (overpressure) generated by the ventilation system 100, is adapted to admit an air flow into the channeling 2 for delivering air towards the environment to be conditioned. Viceversa, a pressure decrease (negative pressure) generated by the ventilation system 100 (by suctioning) is adapted to withdraw an air flow from the building environment through the channeling 2. As schematically illustrated in Figure 8, the channeling 2 is configured for communicating with one or more use areas 200 which are, with reference to the present invention, substantially the environment in which the air flow is transferred to - in the air flow diffusing condition - and/or from which the air flow is suctioned - in the suctioning condition. Examples of use areas 200 are the areas of a warehouse, office, shop, shed and similar. The attached Figures illustrate a particular configuration of the plant 1 for which there is, a in a non limiting way, a single ventilation system 100 configured for generating both the overpressure condition and the negative pressure in the channeling 2. However, it is not excluded the possibility of using at least one ventilation system 100 dedicated for generating an overpressure in the channeling 2, and therefore admitting air inside this latter, and at least one further ventilation system 100 completely independent and separated, designed for generating a negative pressure in the channeling 2 and therefore for withdrawing air from this latter.
The channeling 2 comprises at least one transfer conduit 3 directly fluidically communicating with the above cited ventilation system 100 and at least one supply conduit 4 fluidically communicating with the transfer conduit 3. As schematically shown in Figures 1 and 8 for example, the transfer conduit/s 3 are generally formed by channel lengths 19, having a polygonal or circular cross-section, and by hollow joining sections 20 between the channel lengths 19; the hollow sections 20 have the function of joining to each other the channel lengths 19 having transversal dimensions different also from each other. The transfer conduit 3 are preferably made from a metal material (sheet) and, generally but not in a limiting way, are devoid of air vent openings in order to only transfer the air flow rate towards actual operative conduits 4.
The operative conduits 4 are configured for defining the elements used for diffusing (and suctioning) air. The operative conduits 4 emerge from the transfer conduit 3, as illustrated in Figure 1 for example, in order to extend to positions adapted to distribute and suction air; for example, a predetermined number of operative conduits 4 can extend from a same transfer conduit 3, crossing one or more use areas 200: in this way, the plant 1 is capable of reaching and treating different use areas 200 even separated and distant from each other. Figure 1 illustrates, in a non limiting way, a portion of the plant 1 wherein only one transfer conduit 3 supplies a delivery conduit 4. On the contrary, Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the plant 1 providing one or more transfer conduits 3, each of them supplies a plurality of operative conduits 4. For example, Figure 8 illustrates a configuration of the plant wherein each transfer conduit 3, in a non limiting way fluidically communicates directly with four operative conduits 4. De facto, referring in a non limiting way to the configuration in Figure 8, each transfer conduit 3 is adapted to deliver air to four operative conduits 4 - in the overpressure condition generatable by the ventilation system 100 - and withdraw air from four operative conduits 4 during the negative pressure condition generatable by the ventilation system 100.
The operative conduits 4 are configured, in the condition of overpressure in the channeling 2, for receiving an air flow from the transfer conduits 3 and diffusing it in the environment through suitable openings communicating with the environment. In this condition, the operative conduits act as diffusers; the diffusers can be of a linear type so that there are a plurality of diffusing perforated conduits or channels 4 serially connected to each other (as illustrated in Figure 1) or a single conduit.
Viceversa, when there is a negative pressure in the channeling 2, the operative conduits 4 are configured for suctioning a determined air flow rate from the environment or an environment of the building 200 and transferring such flow rate to the transfer conduit 3: the air will be then ejected towards the outer environment.
More particularly, the operative conduits 4 are preferably hollow and tubular with a circular, semicircular, polygonal or another kind of cross-section, and are fluidically communicating with the transfer conduit 3 by joining portions 21 (Figures from 1 to 3): such joining portions 21 are for example fittings for bleeding air - in an overpressure condition in the channeling 2 - from the transfer conduits 3.
As it is visible in the attached Figures, the operative conduits 4 are provided with a plurality of diffusing openings 5 placed on at least one outer wall 25 of the conduit 4 itself (see Figure 1, for example).
Generally, such openings could be diffusing vents or, in different types of channels, air diffusing holes.
In the overpressure condition in the channeling 2, the air exits the diffusing openings 5 and enters the building environment 200. The diffusing systems can be "standard", so that the transfer conduits 3 are considered a transport element and the way how the air is diffused is assigned to the terminal element defined by the supply conduit 4. In other words, the transfer conduits 3 distribute the air flow rate from the device 100 as a function of the distribution of the loads in a room, and the conduit 4 ejects the delivery air towards the ground in order to distribute the delivery air in the area which was assigned to it. The standard techniques are defined as diffusing techniques for distributing the delivery air. Viceversa, in the high induction perforated conduits or channels, the same conduits are the element moving the whole mass of the environment air. The delivery air exiting the diffusing holes 5 at high speed, generates strong micro-swirls causing a substantial negative pressure near the perforated area, suctioning area by induction in a quantity about 30 times greater than the blown air quantity. In the high induction (or pulsion) conduits 4, the air exiting the diffusing openings (defined by the cited diffusing holes) generates an inductive effect on the adjacent air, causing the air to be mixed and uniformly diffused inside the environment of a building, the flow speed dropping just at few centimeters from the holes outlet.
The diffusing openings 5 are preferably defined by holes arranged by rows and preferably they are distributed on all or almost the longitudinal development of each supply conduit 4. It is noted that the diffusing holes 5 can have dimensions different from each other as a function of the design requirements and between an operative conduit 4 and the following serially connected one which can be, for example, interposed to a transfer conduit. The selection of the channeling 2 geometrical configuration, in other words the selection of serially, parallelly connecting a plurality of operative conduits 4, of interposing transfer conduits 3 between two operative conduits 4, depends on the position of the ventilation system 100, on the position of the building environment and on the configuration of the same. The attached Figures represent a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention in which the diffusing holes 5 have a circular shape. From the geometrical point of view, each diffusing hole 5 defines a passage section less than 50 cm², particularly comprised between 0.5 and 40 cm². Advantageously, the small passage section of the diffusing openings 5 is capable of providing, under the channeling 2 overpressure condition, the generation of high speed air flows capable of generating an inductive effect adapted to move the air along the channeling 2.
Possibly, the channeling 2 can comprise at least one discharge hatch 22 defined by an access 23 and a closing door 24 engaged at the access 23: the closing door 24 is adapted to cooperate with the access 23 for expelling the air from the channeling 2. The access 23 has a size greater than the size of each diffusing hole 5 (of each single diffusing hole 5) and is made on an outer wall 25 of the channeling 2; preferably, the access 23 has a size at least twenty-five times (or more) greater than the size of each of the diffusing openings 5, in other words has an area for expelling the air at least ten times greater than the area of a diffusing hole 5. Anyway, the size of the access 23 are such to prevent the generations of hisses or sound vibrations when the air exits under an operative condition of the plant. Preferably, the accesses 23 (which can be in any number as a function of the design requirements) are arranged in a portion of the channeling 2, substantially facing the ceiling of the building environment 200. In this way, the air flow exiting the accesses 23 is not directly guided towards the users occupying the building environment 200, and in any case, when the access 23 is in proximity of the diffusing openings 5, the inductive effect created by these latter draws the air exiting from the opening, by introducing it back in the building environment 200 in order to avoid any power waste. As it will be better described in the following, also the conduits 4 can be provided with a plurality of the cited discharge hatches 22 in order to enable to admit in the environment the desired air quantity in areas which are considered more suitable, reducing at the same time the outflow speed from the holes 5. The air, discharged in the environment, is, as hereinbefore explained, recovered by the inductive effect and blended with the flow in order to avoid a power waste.
From the geometrical point of view, the access 23 can for example have, according to a plant view normal to the access itself, a substantially rectangular shape. The closing door 24 associated to the access 23 is movable among a plurality of stable operative positions defining several air discharging conditions in the environment. In other words, the closing door 24 (or guillotine type) is movable among a plurality of positions that, once reached, are stably maintained. Advantageously, the closing door 24 is movable with respect to the access 23 along a movement path or direction. The attached Figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a configuration of the closing door 24 substantially countershaped to the access 23, in other words having a rectangular shape. Alternatively, doors 24 having a different shape, for example a square, elliptical or even circular shape, are provided. The attached Figures illustrate a configuration of the hatch 22, wherein the closing door 24 is, in a non limiting way, slidingly movable with respect to the access 23 along a predetermined movement direction; preferably, the closing door 24 slides along the prevalent development direction of the access and, particularly, along the prevalent development direction of the closing element itself. However, it is not excluded the possibility of implementing movable doors 24 rotating or roto-translating with respect to the access 23.
As it is visible in the attached Figures, further the closing door 24 can have a predetermined number of through openings or diffusing openings 26 (Figure 4) configured for delivering air to the access 23 in any operative position of the closing door 24 itself. The predetermined number of through openings 26 can comprise a through groove extending along a predetermined path and/or a plurality of through holes; each hole and/or groove define an air passage adapted to generate a flow having an inductive effect drawing the air adjacent the discharge hatch. De facto, also the delivery air exiting the through opening at a high speed generates powerful micro-swirls causing in turn substantial negative pressures near the discharge hatch suctioning air, by induction, in a quantity about 30 times greater than the blown air quantity. The high induction (or pulsion) air also exiting the through opening, generates an inductive effect on the adjacent air causing the air to be mixed and evenly diffused inside the building environment with a flow speed drop at a distance of few centimeters from the discharge hatch exit. It is useful to note that, all conditions being equal, the greater the quantity of air released in an environment through the discharge hatch 22 is, the less the speed of air exiting the diffusing openings 5 will be and therefore the less the residual speed will be over the ground. In this way, the plant 1 is capable of correctly diffusing air in the building environment 200, in other words so that the speed of the air exiting the diffusing openings 5 is just less than the "critical" speed (in other words when an user is hit by an air flow at a residual speed, varying according to a situation, over the ground which is considered annoying). This effect is further provided also after delivery, position, size changes, and, generally, under all those circumstances which are not predictable and which can change over time and which could, in the past, have required modifications in the plant 1 diffuser perforation. De facto, when the speed of the air exiting the diffusing openings 5, is greater than the optimal one considered in the design stage due to the above mentioned causes, particularly generating annoying residual speeds over the ground, by acting on the closing door 24 of the access 23, particularly by sliding the closing door 24 with respect to the access 23, in order to define different and several operative conditions, it is generated a flow rate loss of the air flowing in the channeling 2 which in turn enables to reduce the speed of the air exiting the diffusing openings 5. Opening the access 23 by an extent such to have again a residual speed over the ground which is acceptable to the users, makes optimal the air admittance in the building environment 200. In other terms, a determined air quantity adjustable in the step of controlling the plant 1 operation, exiting from the access 23, reduces the air flow rate towards the diffusing openings 5, optimizing the inductive effect as a function of the requirements. The discharge hatch 22 operates in order to adjust the residual speed of the air in an environment by reducing or eliminating (according to the needs) the possibly present air currents.
As it is visible in the attached Figures, the channeling 2 further comprises a plurality of suction hatches 6, each having an access 7 having a size greater than the size of the diffusing holes 5, particularly greater than the size of each diffusing hole 5. The suction hatch 6 comprises also at least one closing element 8 engaged at the access 7 and movable between at least one first operative position wherein the closing element 8 is placed at the access 7 for closing it, and at least one second operative position wherein the closing element 8 is spaced from the access 7, with respect to the first operative condition, for enabling the air to pass through the access 7 itself. More specifically, as it will be better described in the following, the closing element 8 is configured for switching from the first to the second operative condition after switching from the overpressure to the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, for enabling to suction air from the building environment 200 through the access 7. Actually the closing element 8 is configured for remaining in the first operative position - wherein the closing element itself substantially closes the access 7 - in the overpressure condition in the channeling 2; the closing element 8 is configured for switching from the first operative position (the access 7 is substantially closed) to the second operative position - wherein the closing element 8 is spaced from the access 7 for enabling the air to move from this latter - after switching to a negative pressure condition in the channeling 2 for enabling, through this latter, to suction air from the building environment 200.
The access 7 of the suction hatch 6 has a free edge 7a (Figure 4) delimiting a through opening 9 on the channeling 2. The attached Figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, an access 7 having a rectangular shape. It is not excluded the possibility of defining accesses 7 of any shape and size, for example having a circular, elliptical, or square shape. As hereinbefore briefly discussed, the passage section of the access 7 is greater than the passage section of each single diffusing hole 5. More specifically, the ratio of the passage section of the through opening 9 of the suction hatch 6 to the passage section of a diffusing hole 5 is, for example, greater than 5, particularly is comprised between 7 and 30, still more particularly is comprised between 10 and 20. Quantitatively, the passage section of the through opening 9 of the suction hatch 6 is greater than 400 cm², particularly is comprised between 625 and 10,000 cm², still more particularly between 900 and 6,400 cm².
On the contrary, with reference to the closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6, this latter substantially comprises a closing body or door adapted to abut on the access 7 for at least partially closing and/or opening it. De facto, the closing element 8, in the first operative position, is configured for substantially closing the through opening 9 of the access 7 in order to substantially prevent an air flow to move between the free edge 7a of the through opening 9 and an outer perimetral edge 10 of the closing body delimiting the closing element 8 (Figure 6). The attached Figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a closing element 8 countershaped to the access 7, and, particularly, defining a rectangular shape. De facto, in order to substantially close the access 7, it is sufficient that the closing element 8 had substantially a shape and size enabling this latter to abut on the free edge 7a of the access 7; in this way, in the first operative position of the closing element 8, this latter can cooperate with the free edge 7a of the access 7 for closing it. However, it is not excluded a possibility of defining a closing element 8 having a size greater than the access 7 so that at least a portion of the outer perimetral edge 10 of the closing element 8 projects from the free edge 7a of the access 7: in the first operative position of the closing element 8, it completely covers the through opening 9 of the suction hatch 6. Moreover, the closing element 8 can have any size, for example different from the shape of the access 7. For example, the closing element 8 can have a square, circular or elliptical shape (these configurations are not illustrated in the attached Figures). Independently from the shape of the closing element 8, it is an object of the invention that this latter, in the overpressure condition of the channeling 2, could substantially abut on the free edge 7a of the through opening 9 in order to close it and enable the air to exit the channeling 2 only through the diffusing opening 5. In other words, the closing element 8, in the first operative position, is configured for perimetrally closing the access 7 and substantially preventing the air, entering the channeling 2 , from moving between the outer perimetral edge 10 of the closing element 8 and the free edge 7a of the access 7 and then exit the through opening 9. For making easier to close the access by the closing element 8, the suction hatch can be provided with at least one seal 13 substantially interposed between the closing element 8 and access 7; the seal is configured for cooperating, in the first operative position of the closing element 8, with this latter and the access for defining a substantially tight closure of the through opening 9. The seal 13 substantially helps the closing element 8 close the through opening 9 for enabling, in the overpressure condition of the channeling 2, the air to exit only through the diffusing openings 5. Advantageously, the seal 13 defines a closed outline around the access 7 and can be stably directly supported by the closing element 8 and/or directly by the channeling 2 (directly engaged on the conduit around the access 7).
As hereinbefore described, the closing element 8, in the negative pressure condition of the channeling 2, is further configured for being spaced from the access 7 for enabling the air to move from the through opening 9 of this latter: in the negative pressure condition, the air flow enters the channeling 2 from the inner building environment through several openings 9 of the suction hatch 6. In the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, the closing element 8 is configured for defining, cooperatively with the access 7, a passage aperture through which the air flow can enter, from the building environment 200. More particularly, such passage aperture is defined by the cooperation of the outer perimetral edge 10 of the closing element 8 and the free edge 7a of the access 7.
The closing element 8 is movable, with respect to the access 7, between a plurality of operative positions comprised between the first and second operative positions; the closing element 8, in the several operative positions, determines, cooperatively with the access 7, a predetermined opening extent of the access 7. The opening extent of the access 7 is substantially defined by the ratio of the air passage section of the aperture, present between the closing element 8 and through opening 9, to the passage section of the through opening 9. However, preferably, the closing element 8 is configured for enabling, in the second operative position, to completely open the access 7: in such condition, the opening extent of the access 7 would be 1. Alternatively, the closing element 8 could define a partial opening of the access 7: in such condition, the opening extent of the access would be less than 1.
As it is visible in Figures from 3 to 7, for example, the channeling 2, particularly the supply conduit 4, comprises an engagement portion 14 supporting the closing element 8. The attached Figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a configuration of the plant 1, wherein the engagement portion 14 of the channeling and the closing element define a hinge-type constrain: the closing element 8 is configured for rotating with respect to the through opening 9 of the suction hatch 6 between the first and second operative positions (Figure 6), particularly between the first and second operative positions, and viceversa. However, it is not excluded the possibility of implementing an engagement portion 14 adapted to cooperate with the closing element for forming a different constrain, for example, a slide or carriage so that the closing element 8 is movable by translating or roto-translating with respect to the channeling 2 between said operative positions, or also for defining the closing element by two or more half-portions which, cooperating with each other, configure the closing condition of the access and which rotate with respect to different hinges independently from each other when the channeling is under a negative pressure condition for opening the access and suctioning the smoke.
Advantageously, in the illustrated embodiment, the closing element 8 comprises a plate, particularly of a metal material, having a determined surface development enabling this latter to move with respect to the access in the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2. More specifically, the plate structure of the closing element 8 enables this latter to define a large exposed surface which, under the action of the pressure between the outside and interior of the channeling 2, is substantially stressed and therefore moved by the pressure differential itself; a plate structure of a small thickness, besides defining a large exposed section, enables to reduce the weight of the closing element 8 which therefore will be more easily and readily movable with respect to the access 7.
The closing element 8 can be freely engaged on the channeling 2 inside or outside the same. However, the attached Figures illustrate a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention, wherein the closing element 8 is placed inside the channeling 2 immediately behind the lateral wall 25 of this latter (see Figures from 2 to 7, for example); in this configuration, the closing element 8 (a plate for example), is placed inside the channeling 2, downstream the through opening 9, along an air suctioning direction in the channeling 2, in other words under the negative pressure condition. In this configuration, advantageously the closing element 8 could be provided with at least one abutment portion 11 configured for abutting, in the first operative position of the closing element 8, on at least a portion of the channeling 2 adjacent the free edge 7a of the access 7, for enabling to stop the closing element 8 inside the channeling 2. Actually, the abutment portion 11 enables the closing element 8 to substantially stay in contact with the channeling 2 at the access 7 during the overpressure condition of this latter. In the overpressure condition, the air flow thrusts the plate in a direction exiting the channeling 2: the abutment portion 11 prevents the closing element 8 from exiting the access 7. The presence of the abutment portion 11 prevents, in the overpressure condition in the channeling 2, the plate from exiting the channeling 2 itself: under such condition, the plate prevents the air from passing through the access 7. Therefore, the channeling 2 is arranged so that, in the overpressure condition, the air can exit the channeling 2 itself only through the diffusing openings 5 (if the discharge hatch 22 is present, possibly the air can exit also this latter).
Moreover, as illustrated in Figures from 5 to 7, the channeling 2 can further comprise, at the free edge 7a of the access 7, at least one hooking portion 12 adapted to stably hold the closing element 8, at least in the overpressure condition in the channeling 2 and/or in a plant 1 downtime condition wherein there is no passage of air inside the channeling 2, in the first operative position. However, the hooking portion 12 is configured for enabling the closing element 8 to move from the first to the second operative condition after switching from the overpressure to the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2.
Actually, the hooking portion 12 defines a sealing element capable of holding the plate of the closing element 8 in the first operative position wherein this latter abuts on the access 7 for closing it as long as there is a determined negative pressure capable of moving the plate from the first to the second operative position, in the channeling 2. For example, the hooking portion 12 can comprise a projection adapted to abut on the abutment portion 11 of the closing element 8 for holding it in the closing position as long as on this latter there will act a determined thrust enabling to overcome the lock defined by the hooking portion 12 (Figures from 5 to 7). Alternatively, the hooking portion 12 can comprise, in a non limiting way, a magnetic system directly supported on the closing element 8 and attractively acting with respect to the channeling 2, when the closing element 8 is in proximity of this latter. In a negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, the magnetic system is no more capable of holding the closing element 8 in the first operative position and the magnet force is overcome, enabling to open the hatch. Obviously, it is possible to use similar hooking systems 12, also of an electronic type, capable of monitoring the presence of a negative pressure in the channeling 2 and therefore capable of enabling (for example commanding) to open the closing element 8.
Obviously, the hooking portion 12 is not required in those circumstances wherein the closing element 8 is held abutted on the channeling 2 due to the weight of the same closing element (by gravity). For example, Figure 4 illustrates a suction hatch 6 positioned, in an operative condition of the plant 1, in an area below the channeling 2 (in the lower portion of the channel): in such configuration, the closing element 8 is capable of staying abutted on the channeling 2 (Figure 6 illustrates, in a non limiting way, a supply conduit) by gravity without requiring hooking portions 12 adapted to hold the closing element 8 in the first operative position. A similar condition is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, wherein the suction hatch 6 is placed, according to an operative condition of the plant 1, beside the channeling 2 (on a lateral wall of the channeling as illustrated in Figure 2, for example), and the closing element 8 is configured for being opened by an upward rotative movement. Under such circumstance, the closing element 8 is thrusted by gravity downwards and is normally hold in the first operative position.
As hereinbefore described, the diffusing openings 5 can be placed on the transfer conduit 3 and on the operative conduit 4 (preferably, but not in a limiting way, only on the operative conduit 4); it is useful to specify that such diffusing holes 5 can be made also on the closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6. In the overpressure condition of the channeling 2, the diffusing openings 5 present on the hatch 6, enable to emit high speed air flows also from the access 7 of the hatch 6. However, it is noted that the diffusing holes 5 present on the closing element 8, must be restrained because the capability of the closing element 8 of being opened following the occurrence of a negative pressure in the channeling 2 must not be compromised. A high number of diffusing openings 5 on the plate of the closing element 8 would reduce the exposed surface of this latter, capable of receiving the pressure differential causing the movement. Therefore, it is necessary to suitably size the closing element 8 in order to possibly define a correct number of holes enabling the plate to move and open the access 7 under the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2. However, the configuration of the suction hatch 6 wherein the closing element 8 has no the holes 5, is preferred. Further, it is noted that, in the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, a portion of the air flow is suctioned also through the holes 5. However, as hereinbefore described, the suction hatch 6 has a size much greater than the size of each single diffusing hole; so that the suctioned air quantity - in the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2 - is certainly less and very low with respect to the air suctionable through the several suction hatches 6.
As it is visible in the attached Figures, advantageously the channeling 2 comprises a plurality of suction hatches 6 on the operative conduits 4 and/or on the transfer conduits 3. However, the attached Figures illustrate only a preferred but non limiting configuration of the plant 1 having a plurality of suction hatches 6 only on the operative conduit 4 crossing the use areas 200.
The suction hatches 6 are configured for suctioning air from the building environment 200; for this reason, the hatches 6 can be advantageously placed on a lateral wall 25 of the channeling 2 (for example in the supply conduit 4) and, in an operative condition of the plant 1, in a lower or lateral position. Actually, the suction hatch 6 is placed on the channeling so that does not substantially face the ceiling of the building environment 200. The suction hatch 6 is actually useful for suctioning smoke generated by a possible fire; the hot smoke tends to ascend upward: the lateral and/or lower position of the suction hatches 6 is certainly advantageous because helps, in the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, extract smoke for removing it from the building environment 200.
By considering only the structural arrangement and the materials of the operative channels 4, it is possible to identify at least one embodiment of the invention (illustrated in Figure 1), wherein the channels 4 are made from a metal material and, for example, have a substantially cylindrical hollow shape. In this embodiment, the access/accesses 7 and 23 (as hereinbefore described the access 23 is optional and is provided only when it is desired to implement an adjustable-flows plant) are preferably made on one or more perforated conduits 4. In this way, under the overpressure condition in the channeling 2, the air exiting the accesses 23 which, as hereinbefore discussed, can be for example warm or cool conditioned air, is again introduced in the building environment 200 by means of the cited inductive effect.
It is to be noted that when the discharge hatches 22 are also provided, the size and structure of the suction hatches 6 must take into account such openings. Actually, the discharge hatches 22 can decrease the negative pressure generatable by the ventilation system 100, and therefore compromise the opening of the closing element when required.
Moreover, the plant 1 can comprise at least one control unit 15 connected to the ventilation system 100 and configured for commanding this latter to admit or suction an air flow from the channeling 2. Actually, the control unit 15 by activating the ventilation system 100, is capable to command the air to enter the channeling (overpressure) or the air to be suctioned from the channeling (negative pressure) enabling to suction air and smoke from the building environment 200 through the hatches 6.
Further, the plant 1 could comprise at least one sensor 16 connected to said control unit 15 and configured for monitoring at least one building environment 200 and outputting a control signal to the unit 15. Therefore, the control unit 15 can be configured for:

□ receiving the control signal from the sensor 16,
□ processing the control signal 15 for determining at least one safety condition and one danger condition.

The sensor 16 could comprise at least one selected in the group of the following components: a heat detector, smoke detector, and flame detector. The control unit 15, after receiving and processing the control signal, is configured for determining, for the danger condition, at least one fire condition and/or an excessive smoke condition. The control unit 15, after receiving the control signal from the sensor 16 and after determining the safety or danger condition, is configured for commanding the following conditions.
Once the safety condition has been set, for example defined by a normal operation condition wherein fire or smoke presence has not been monitored, the control unit 15 is configured for commanding the ventilation system 100 to admit the air flow in the channeling 2 and consequently in the building environment 200; in such configuration, the closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6 (an overpressure condition in the channeling 2) is placed in the first operative position so that an air flow can be emitted only through the diffusing openings 5.
Viceversa, once the danger condition has been set, for example defined by a fire and/or excessive smoke conditions in one or more use areas 200, the control unit 15 is configured for commanding the ventilation system 100 to suction the air flow from the channeling 2. The closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6, in the danger condition and therefore in the negative pressure condition of the channeling 2, is placed in the second operative position so that an air flow can be drawn from the access 7 of the hatch 6. The negative pressure commanded by the control unit 15 by means of the device 100 enables to move the closing element 8 of the hatch 6 for opening the access 7 and therefore to suction air. The size of the through opening 9 (much greater than a diffusing hole 5) enable each hatch 6 to suction great air flow rates; in case of failure and/or excessive smoke in one or more use areas 200, each hatch 6 is capable of ensuring to suction greater quantities of air and consequently smoke.
However it is possible that a hypothetical fire can involve only one or specific use areas 200. For such reason, further the plant 1 can provide one or more shutters 17 each of them is engaged with the channeling 2 at an air flow control area 18 of this latter (Figures 4 and 8); the shutter 17 is configured for intercepting the air flow crossing the channeling 2. Specifically, each shutter 17 is movable with respect to this latter at least between the following positions:

□ a passage position wherein the shutter 17 is configured for enabling the air flow to move from the control area 18 of the channeling 2;
□ a closing position wherein the shutter 17 is configured for substantially preventing the air flow from moving from the control area 18 of the channeling 2.

Actually, the shutter 17 is placed in the channeling 2 at two adjacent use areas 200; the arrangement of the shutter 17 in the closing position enable to choke the air flow (delivered and/or suctioned according to the requirements) and to concentrate it in a second portion of the channeling 2. For example, the shutter 17 can be used for separating the channeling 2 placed between a first and second building environments; when a fire should blaze only in the first building environment 200, in order to exploit the greater negative pressure in the channeling 2, it is possible to close the shutter 17 so that only the channeling portion 2 dedicated to the first environment can exploit the negative pressure effect and therefore suction a greater quantity of smoke.
The shutter 17 can be connected and commanded by the control unit 15. Particularly, the control unit 15 can be configured for automatically moving the shutter 17 between the closing and passage positions, and viceversa, in order to enable to choke the air flow flowing in the channeling 2. Optionally, the control unit 15 can be configured for defining the closing position of one or more of said shutters 17 after determining the danger condition for choking the air flow flowing through the channeling 2 and increasing therefore the suction action at one or more desired use areas 200.
Moreover, the plant 1 can provide further control sensors 16 and an activation device respectively capable of moving and detecting the position of the suction hatch 6, and possibly, if present, of the discharge hatch 22. The control unit 15 can be connected to such devices and sensors for managing and commanding the hatches 6 and 22 and the ventilation system 100, in order to advantageously enable to completely automatize the plant 1.

Process of treating air

Moreover, the invention refers to a process of treating air by means of the plant 1 according to the attached claims and according to the above given detailed description.
The process provides at least one step of delivering an air flow in the channeling 2, for example by the device 100, for defining an overpressure condition inside this latter, and emitting, through the diffusing holes 5, respective high speed air flows. The step of delivering air in the channeling 2 by the ventilation system 100, enables to introduce air in one or more use areas 200 substantially only through the diffusing openings 5 for conditioning the environment. The closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6, in the overpressure condition in the channeling 2, is placed in the first operative position: air does not substantially exit from the through opening 9. Specifically, the closing element 8, during the step of delivering the air flow in the channeling 2 and therefore in the overpressure condition of this latter, is placed in the first operative position and substantially closes the through opening 9 of the access 7 for preventing an air flow from passing between the free edge 7a of the through opening 9 and the outer perimetral edge 10 of the closing body delimiting the closing element 8.
More particularly, the closing element 8, during the step of delivering the air flow and therefore under the overpressure condition in the channeling 2, abuts on the free edge 7a of the through opening 9 so that air can exit the channeling 2 only through the diffusing openings 5. As hereinbefore described, the diffusing openings 5, in the overpressure condition of the channeling 2, emit high speed air flows adapted to generate an inductive effect drawing the air adjacent the channeling 2 itself. In this way it is possible, during such delivering step, to treat a great amount of environment air and therefore optimize the treating process, for example the conditioning one. Generally, the step of admitting air in the channel for conditioning environments is performed in the above specified safety condition.
Moreover, the process can comprise at least one step of extracting an air flow from the channeling 2 by creating a negative pressure condition inside this latter. Under such condition (negative pressure in the channeling 2), the closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6 moves to the second operative condition. Actually, the closing element 8, during the extraction step and therefore under the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, is in the second operative position and therefore distant from the through opening 9 for enabling the air passage from this latter. Under the negative pressure condition, the air flow is (mostly) suctioned through the openings 9 of the respective suction hatches 6 (advantageously, of the plurality of suction hatches 6 associated to the involved area of the fire) and at least partially through the diffusing openings 5.
The process comprises at least one step of switching the closing element 8 from the first to the second operative condition after switching from an overpressure condition or from a downtime plant condition (the environment pressure inside the channeling) to a negative pressure condition in the channeling 2 for enabling to suction air from the environment through the access 7. Moreover, the process can comprise a step of reverting the closing element 8 wherein this latter switches from the second operative position to the first operative position (for example by manually moving the closing element by a manual "resetting" procedure).
The switching step is performed by moving the closing element 8 with respect to the channeling 2 as hereinbefore described.
Moreover, the process can comprise the steps of controlling the building environment 200 for then defining the steps of delivering or extracting air from the environment. Specifically, the process can comprise at least one step of receiving, from the control unit 15, at least one control signal generated by the sensor 16 and a following step of processing, by the control unit 15, the control signal for determining the safety condition or danger condition.
After determining the safety condition, the process can provide to command, by the control unit 15, the ventilation system 100 for admitting an air flow in the channeling 2. As hereinbefore described, in such step and therefore in the channeling 2 overpressure condition, the closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6 is placed in the first operative position so that an air flow is emitted only from the diffusing openings 5.
After determining the danger condition - for example by detecting an excessive heat, by detecting flames and/or smoke - the process provides to command, by the control unit 15, the ventilation system 100 to suction an air flow from the channeling 2. The closing element 8 of the suction hatch 6, in the danger condition and therefore in the negative pressure condition in the channeling 2, is placed in the second operative position so that an air flow - particularly a large air flow - can be suctioned from the access 7 of the suction hatch 6. As hereinbefore described, the danger and safety conditions can be detected by the sensor 16 and control unit 15.
Moreover, the process can in addition comprise, at least during the danger conditions, a step of choking the flow in the channeling 2 by means of one or more shutters 17. More particularly, the process can command, by the control unit 15, to move the shutter 17 between the closing and passage positions, and viceversa, in order to enable to choke the air flow passing through the channeling 2. Particularly, the control unit 15 is configured for defining the closing position of one or more of said shutters 17 after determining the danger condition, for choking the air flow moving through the channeling 2 and for therefore increasing the suction effect at one or more desired use areas 200.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention entails relevant advantages with respect to the prior art solutions. Specifically, providing a single channeling 2 capable of both having an efficient function in diffusing the air through the diffusing openings 5 and a suctioning function in extracting the smoke, is very advantageous. De facto, by means of a single plant it is possible to obtain both the air distribution, for example for conditioning, and ensure the presence of safety systems for suctioning air: in this way, the overall plant is compact and can be easily optimized, with reference both to the distribution and extraction perspectives.
The state of the art does not provide an efficient combination of the two (suction and distribution) plants and for this reason the same plants in the different distribution areas are bulk, complex and scarcely efficient: see Figure 11 illustrating an example of an air distribution plant and an air suction plant for treating several use areas. Figure 11 clearly shows the complexity of the suction plant (bulk and large channels) and the consequent complexity of the distribution plant consisting of small size conduits constrained to follow serpentine paths for avoiding to cross suction conduits.
Providing suction hatches 6 adapted to operate only in a negative pressure condition in the channelings 2, enables to implement a safety plant for suctioning air capable of effectively diffusing air in an environment. Actually, the hatch 6 closing element 8 opens only in case of a negative pressure in the channeling 2, while in case of an overpressure, is adapted to close the access for enabling to emit air only through the holes 5. In this way, high speed air flows having a substantial inductive effect capable of involving great air masses for effectively treating the use areas 200 can be emitted from the holes 5.
Moreover, the mechanics of the closing element 8 enables this latter to readily and automatically open without jams or errors after simply generating a negative pressure, enabling consequently to suction large air masses. In this way, the plant 1, object of the present invention, is capable of providing an efficient distribution system which can readily become a safety plant capable of suctioning large masses of air and smoke generated by a fire.

Claims

Air treatment plant (1) comprising at least one channeling (2) associable to a ventilation system (100) which is configured for defining inside the channeling itself an overpressure or a negative pressure for transferring an air mass, said channeling (2) having:
- at least one transfer conduit (3) associable to the ventilation system (100),

- at least one supply conduit (4) for treated air (4) in fluid communication, particularly directly, with the transfer conduit (3) and configured for fluidically communicating with at least one environment (200) of a building, said supply conduit (4) having a plurality of diffusing openings (5) positioned on an outer wall for introducing air in the building environment (200), characterized in that the channeling (2) comprises a plurality of suction hatches (6), each having a respective access (7), each suction hatches (6) comprising a closing element (8) engaged at the access (7) and movable between at least one first operative position wherein closing element (8) is positioned at the access (7) for substantially closing it and at least one second operative position wherein the closing element (8) is spaced from access (7), with respect to the first operative condition, for enabling the air to pass through access (7) itself, the closing element (8) being configured for passing from first to second operative conditions after switching from a overpressure condition inside the channeling (2) to a negative pressure condition inside the same channeling, in the second operative condition the suction hatch enabling to suction air from the building environment (200) through the access (7).
Plant according to the preceding claim, wherein the closing element (8) is configured for being kept in the first operative position under the overpressure condition of channeling (2), the closing element (8), under the first operative position, being substantially configured for closing the access (7),
closing element (8) being configured for passing from first operative position to second operative position after channeling (2) has passed from overpressure condition to negative pressure condition for enabling this latter to suction air from the building environment (200), and wherein the access (7) of the suction hatch (6) has a free edge (7a) delimiting a through opening (9), closing element (8) comprising a closing door suitable for abutting on the access (7) and cooperating with free edge (7a), the closing element (8), in first operative position, is configured for substantially closing the through opening (9) of the access (7) in order to substantially prevent an air flow from passing between the free edge (7a) of through opening (9) and a perimetral outer edge (10) of the closing body delimiting the closing element (8).
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein diffusing openings (5) are positioned on a lateral wall of supply conduit (4) and/or on the closing element (8) of suction hatch (6), closing element (8), in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), abuts on the free edge (7a) of the through opening (9) so that air can exit the channeling (2) only from the diffusing openings (5), closing element (8), in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), is spaced from through opening (9) and enables air to pass from this latter, in the negative pressure condition, air flow entering channeling (2) from building environment (200) through a predetermined number of through openings (9) of the suction hatches (6) and from the diffusing openings (5).
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (8) is movable, with respect to access (7), between a plurality of operative positions comprised between the first and second operative positions, closing element (8), in different operative positions, determining in cooperation with access (7) a predetermined opening extent of access (7), the access (7) opening extent being defined by the ratio of the air section of an aperture, present between the closing element (8) and through opening (9), to the passage section of the through opening (9), particularly closing element (8) is configured for being manually taken back from second operative position to first operative position.
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein closing element (8) is hinged to channeling (2) and is configured for rotating with respect to through opening (9) of suction hatch (6) between the first and second operative positions, particularly the closing element (8) substantially comprises a plate which, in first operative position of closing element (8) itself, is suitable for covering and completely closing the through opening (9) of the access (7).
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein closing element (8) is positioned inside channeling, a constrain between closing element (8) and channeling being positioned downstream the through opening (9) according to an air suction direction in the channeling negative pressure condition.
Plant according to the preceding claim, wherein closing element (8) has at least one terminal abutment portion (11) configured for abutting, in first operative position of closing element (8), on at least a portion of channeling (2) adjacent the free edge (7a) of access (7) for enabling to stop the closing element (8) inside the channeling (2) and wherein channeling (2) further comprises, at the free edge (7a) of the access (7), at least one hooking portion (12) suitable for stably keeping the closing element (8), at least in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2) and/or in a plant downtime condition wherein there is not a substantial passage of air inside the channeling (2), in the first operative position, said hooking portion (12) being further configured for enabling the closing element (8) to pass from the first to second operative conditions following the passage to a channeling (2) negative pressure condition.
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein diffusing openings (5) are diffusing holes, particularly in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), the diffusing holes are suitable for generating an inductive effect drawing the air adjacent the channeling (2) itself, channeling (2), in the overpressure condition, is configured for enabling to emit air only through diffusing openings (5), the diffusing openings being defined by diffusing holes and/or diffusing vents.
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein through opening (9) of suction hatch (6) defines a predetermined passage section greater than the section of each single diffusing hole (5), optionally the ratio of the passage section of the through opening (9) to passage section of a diffusing hole (5) is greater than 5, particularly is comprised between 10 and 20, and wherein the passage section of through opening (9) of suction hatch (6) is greater than 100 cm², particularly comprised between 200 and 1500 cm².
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising at least one control unit (15) and at least one sensor (16) connected to said control unit (15), sensor being configured for monitoring at least one environment (200) of a building and sending a control signal to unit (15), control unit (15) being configured for:
- receiving the control signal from sensor (16),

- processing the control signal (15) for determining at least one safety condition and danger condition,
wherein control unit (15) is connected to ventilation system (100) and is configured for commanding this latter to admit or suction an air flow from channeling (2), control unit (15) being configured for:
- commanding ventilation system (100) to admit the air flow entering channeling (2) under the safety condition, closing element (8) of suction hatch (6), in the safety condition and therefore under the overpressure condition of channeling (2), being positioned in first operative position so that an air flow is exclusively emitted from diffusing openings (5),

- commanding ventilation system (100) to suction air from channeling (2) under danger condition, closing element (8) of suction hatch (6), in danger condition and therefore in channeling (2) negative pressure condition, being positioned in second operative position so that an air flow can be suctioned from the access (7) of the hatch (6).
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein sensor (16) comprises at least one selected in the group of the following components: a heat detector, a smoke detector, a fire detector;
and wherein control unit (15), after having received and processed the control signal, is configured for determining, for the danger condition, at least one fire condition and/or excess smoke condition.
Plant according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising one or more shutters (17) each being engaged with the channeling (2) at a control environment area (18), shutter (17) being configured for intercepting the air flow passing through the channeling (2) and being movable with respect to this latter at least between the following positions:
- a passage position wherein shutter (17) is configured for enabling the air flow to pass from and towards the control area (18) of the channeling (2),

- a closing position wherein shutter (17) is configured for substantially preventing the air flow from passing from control area (18) of channeling (2), control unit (15) is connected to shutter (17) and is configured for moving this latter between the closing and passage positions, and viceversa, in order to enable to choke the air flow passing through channeling (2), particularly control unit (15) is configured for defining the closing position of one or more of said shutters (17) after a danger condition has been determined for choking the air flow passing from channeling (2) and therefore increasing the suction action at one or more desired use areas.
Process comprising at least the following steps:
- providing a plant according to anyone of the preceding claims;

- providing at least one channeling (2) having at least one transfer conduit (3) and at least one supply conduit (4) fluidically communicating, particularly directly, with the transfer conduit (3) and which is configured for supplying an air flow, towards a building environment (200), said supply conduit (4) having a plurality of diffusing openings (5) positioned on an outer wall for admitting air in the building environment,
channeling (2) further comprising a plurality of suction hatches (6), each having an access (7) and a closing element (8) engaged at access (7) and movable between a first operative position wherein the closing element (8) is positioned at access (7) for substantially closing it and at least one second operative position wherein closing element (8) is spaced from access (7), with respect to first operative condition, for enabling air to pass through access (7) itself,
and wherein the process comprises at least the following steps:
- a step of delivering a flow in channeling (2) for defining a overpressure condition inside this latter and emitting, through diffusing openings (5), respective air flows, suction hatch (6) closing element (8), in the overpressure condition of the channeling (2), being in first operative position,

- a step of extracting an air flow from channeling (2) by defining a negative pressure condition inside this latter, suction hatch (6) closing element (8), in the negative pressure condition of the channeling (2), being in the second operative condition,
a step of moving the closing element (8) from first to second operative conditions after the channeling (2) has passed to the negative pressure condition for enabling to suction air from building environment (200) through access (7), closing element (8), during the step of supplying air in channeling (2), is positioned in first operative position and substantially closes access (7), and wherein diffusing openings (5) are positioned on a lateral wall of supply conduit (4) and/or on the closing element (8) of suction hatch (6).
Process according to claim 14, wherein closing element (8) is hinged to the channeling (2) and is configured for rotating with respect to through opening (9) of suction hatch (6) at least between the first and second operative positions, particularly between the first and second operative positions, and viceversa, closing element (8) substantially comprises a plate which, in first operative position of closing element (8) itself, is suitable for covering and completely closing through opening (9) of access (7).
Tubular element for air processing plants (1), particularly according to anyone of claims from 1 to 13, having a channel structure for conveying an air flow, channel structure being provided with an outer wall defining a lateral wall of channel structure on which a plurality of diffusing holes (5) configured for enabling to emit high speed air flows are present, and at least one suction hatch (6) comprising an access (7) made on said outer wall for possibly enabling to suction an air flow from the environment, access (7) having a size greater than the one of diffusing holes (5),
suction hatch (6) comprising one closing element (8) engaged at the access (7) and moveable between at least one first operative position wherein the closing element (8) is positioned at access (7) for closing it and at least one second operative position wherein closing element (8) is spaced from the access (7), with respect to the first operative condition, for enabling the air to pass through access (7) itself, closing element (8) being configured for moving from first to second operative conditions after the tubular element itself has passed from a overpressure condition to a negative pressure condition for enabling to suction an air flow from building environment through access (7).