IP Library Granted Patent US 11,034,368
Granted Patent B2
US 11,034,368 · App. 15/966,402 · Granted Jun 15, 2021

Conditioned air distribution ceiling plenum

Inventors: Brian L. Davis (Saint Charles, MO); Mark Horne (Desoto, MO)
Assignee: UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
B61D27/009B60H1/00564B60H1/245F24F13/0245F24F13/0254
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,034,368
App. No.
15/966,402
Granted
Jun 15, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure can relate to a ceiling mounted air distribution system for a railcar. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum may include: a diffuser configured to transmit air to at least one first air channel, the at least one first air channel having a first end configured to couple to the diffuser, a second end distal from the first end; at least one second air channel disposed proximate to and longitudinally with the at least one first air channel, the at least one second air channel having a first end configured to couple to the diffuser, a second end distal from the first end, and at least one air distribution hole, and at least one channel divider disposed to separate the at least one first air channel and the at least one second air channel.

Claims (24)

1. A ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum, comprising:

at least one first air channel;

a diffuser configured to transmit air to the at least one first air channel;

the at least one first air channel having a first end coupled to the diffuser, a second end distal from the first end;

at least one second air channel disposed proximate to and longitudinally with the at least one first air channel, the at least one second air channel having a first end coupled to the diffuser, a second end distal from the first end, and at least one air distribution hole disposed longitudinally along the at least one second air channel; and

at least one channel divider disposed to separate the at least one first air channel and the at least one second air channel.

2. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , further comprising an interface duct configured to transmit air from an air conditioning unit to the diffuser.

3. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second air channel includes two second air channels, and wherein the at least one first air channel is disposed between the two second air channels.

4. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first air channel comprises at least one air distribution hole disposed longitudinally along the at least one first air channel.

5. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first air channel comprises greater number of air distribution holes disposed in a section proximate to the first end than in a section proximate to the second end.

6. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second air channel comprises greater number of air distribution holes disposed in a section proximate to the second end than in a section proximate to the first end.

7. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second air channel includes at least one damper, wherein the at least one damper comprises: a stationary damper or an adjustable damper.

8. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the at least one first air channel comprises: an open configuration or a throttled configuration.

9. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the at least one first air channel is connected to an additional ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum.

10. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel divider is coupled to a railcar ceiling.

11. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first air channel includes a plurality of air distribution holes disposed longitudinally along the at least one first air channel, and wherein a density of the plurality of air distribution holes along the at least one first air channel is greater proximate to the first end than proximate to the second end.

12. The ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum of claim 11 , wherein the at least one second air channel includes a plurality of air distribution holes disposed longitudinally along the at least one second air channel, and wherein a density of the plurality of air distribution holes along the at least one second channel is greater proximate to the second end than proximate to the first end.

13. A railcar system, comprising:

a railcar;

a diffuser configured to transmit air to at least one first air channel; and

a ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum assembly coupled to the railcar, the ceiling-mounted air distribution plenum assembly comprising:

the least one first air channel having a first end coupled to the diffuser, a second end distal from the first end, wherein the at least one first air channel extends substantially a length of the railcar;

at least one second air channel disposed proximate to and longitudinally with the at least one first air channel, the at least one second air channel having a first end coupled to the diffuser, a second end distal from the first end, and at least one air distribution hole disposed longitudinally along the at least one second air channel; and

at least one channel divider disposed to separate the at least one first air channel and the at least one second air channel, wherein the at least one channel divider is coupled to a ceiling of the railcar.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2018
From: DAVIS, BRIAN L.; HORNE, MARK
To: UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
Reel/Frame 045669/0069 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190329797A1 · Oct 31, 2019