Flush mounted ceiling air cleaner

• US 4,955,997 A
• Filed: 05/10/1989
• Issued: 09/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elmer W. Robertson III
• Original Assignee: Elmer W. Robertson III
• Inventors: Robertson, Elmer W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Jay H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mackey, James P.
• Application Number:
  US07/349,811
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 55/316, 55/467, 55/473, 55/385.2, 55/DIG. 29, 98/34.5, 98/33.1, 98/31.5, 98/40.1, 98/40.05
• US Class Current: 96/138
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/10 by separation, e.g. by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/158 using active carbon

Abstract

An air cleaner device with the return grill and supply grill separated by a length of flexible insulated hose. The length of separation is sufficient to achieve maximum air circulation within the room. Multiple supply grills may be used to achieve more extensive air circulation requirements. The main filter compartment consists of a sheet metal cabinet housing containing motor, blower, filters, and hinged filter access door that also serves as a return grill for air to enter unit for filtration. The flexible insulated hose is connected to the main filter compartment by the use of a hose collar and secured by the use of hose clamps to achieve an air tight connection. The flexible insulated hose is connected to one or more supply grills in the same manner as it is connected to the main filter compartment.

Claims

1. An air cleaner adapted for flush mounting in a suspended ceiling system comprising:

(a) a cabinet enclosing a blower, a blower motor and a plurality of filters, the cabinet having an attachment flange for securing the cabinet to a ceiling support structure, the cabinet including a return air grill located at an outermost end of an inlet side thereof upstream of said plurality of filters, and corresponding in size substantially to a first standard ceiling grid;

(b) at least one plenum chamber having a supply air grill at an outermost end of said plenum chamber and corresponding to in size, and adapted to be supported on, a second standard ceiling grid; and

(c) a flexible conduit connecting said cabinet and said supply air grill, said conduit connected to an outlet side of said cabinet downstream of said plurality of filters, and having a length sufficient to permit said cabinet and supply air grill to be located remote from each other.

2. The air cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of filters includes an activated charcoal filter, a particulate filter and a prefilter, located, respectively, one above the other.

3. The air cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said return air grill comprises a hinged filter access door openable from a room below said ceiling.

4. The air cleaner according to claim 2 wherein said cabinet includes a sealing flange, and wherein spring means are employed to hold said charcoal filter and said particulate filter in position against said sealing flange.

5. The air cleaner according to claim 4 wherein said prefilter is held in place by a retainer bar enabling said prefilter to be removed separately from said particulate filter and said charcoal filter.

6. The air cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said blower includes a blower wheel and said motor is mounted to directly drive said blower wheel.

7. The air cleaner according to claim 1 and including vibration isolators disposed between said blower and said cabinet.

8. The air cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said return air grill and said supply grill each have substantially 2 ft.×

2 ft. external dimensions and are adapted to fit within 2 ft.×

2 ft. ceiling grids.

9. The air cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said flexible conduit is at least 12 ft. in length.

10. A ceiling mounted air cleaner system comprising:

a suspended ceiling structure including at least first and second standard grids;

air cleaner means including a housing enclosing a blower, a blower motor and a plurality of air filters, and a return air grill located at an inlet side of said housing, said housing positioned, within said first standard ceiling grid, in flush relationship relative to adjacent grids;

at least one plenum chamber having a room supply air grill mounted within said second standard ceiling grid remote from said first standard ceiling grid, also in flush relationship with adjacent grids; and

air conduit means extending between an outlet side of said housing and said room supply air grill for carrying clean air from said air cleaner means to said plenum chamber and said room supply air grill.

11. The air cleaner system according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of filters includes a prefilter adjacent said return air grill, a particulate filter and a charcoal filter, said particulate filter and said charcoal filter being substantially vertically aligned with said prefilter.

12. The air cleaner system according to claim 10 wherein said standard ceiling grids measure substantially 2 ft.×

2 ft.

13. The air cleaner system according to claim 10 wherein said return air grill is hinged for swinging movement to allow access to said plurality of air filters from a room below the ceiling.

14. The air cleaner system according to claim 10 wherein said air conduit means includes a flexible, insulated hose having a length of about 12 ft.

15. The air cleaner system according to claim 11 wherein said housing includes a sealing flange, and wherein spring means are employed to hold said charcoal filter and said particulate filter in position against said sealing flange.

16. The air cleaner system according to claim 10 and including vibration isolators disposed between said blower and said housing.

17. The air cleaner system according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of filters includes a prefilter adjacent said return air grill, a particulate filter and a charcoal filter, said particulate filter and said charcoal filter being substantially vertically aligned with said prefilter;

wherein said standard ceiling grids measure substantially 2 ft.×

2 ft.; and

wherein said air conduit means includes a flexible, insulated hose having a length of about 12 ft.