Paul Lawrence Sulsky

US Patent:

46868909, Aug 18, 1987

Filed:

Sep 14, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/650468

Inventors:

Ronald D. Stouffer - Silver Spring MD
Paul L. Sulsky - Columbia MD

Assignee:

Bowles Fluidics Corporation - Columbia MD

International Classification:

B60H 134
F24F 1308

US Classification:

98 2

Abstract:

An air distribution system, particularly for automobiles, in which the depth of the unit is relatively short and in which control over the direction of air flow can be achieved by movement of an element in a plane orthogonal to the direction of air flow. A main air flow outlet is formed in a wall member and a parallel flow path is formed adjacent the outlet and has diverging walls which are relatively short so that there is no wall attachment or coanda effects per se. Flow of fluid through the adjacent parallel flow path exits through an opening that directs the air in a direction generally parallel to the short wall direction of the adjacent flow path. By controlling the entry of air into the parallel flow path, the main air flow vector is deflected and the direction of flow is thereby controlled. The deflection is greater when an obstacle slightly intrudes the side of the outlet opposite the parallel flow path. With a rectangular outlet opening, four adjacent parallel paths with short, straight or curved walls and adjacent parallel passages and obstacle intruders, the flow can be controlled in four directions or can be caused to diffuse generally in a forward direction.