IP Library Granted Patent US 11,255,336
Granted Patent B2
US 11,255,336 · App. 16/868,042 · Granted Feb 22, 2022

Ceiling tile with built-in air flow mechanism

Inventors: Darrin Niemiec (Schaumburg, IL); William Carlson (Schaumburg, IL)
Assignee: WLC Enterprises, Inc.
F04D25/088F04D29/545F21K9/278F21S8/026F21S8/061F21S10/06F21V9/08F21V29/508F21V29/677F21V33/0092F04D29/005F21V29/83F21Y2113/00F21Y2113/10F21Y2115/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,255,336
App. No.
16/868,042
Granted
Feb 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to a combination axial fan and LED lighting system configured to fit into the footprint of a standard ceiling tile. Disclosed embodiments further include ceiling tiles with a built-in fan and/or LED lighting. The disclosed systems may include a housing container and an axial fan. The fan has a fan cavity including air diversion mechanism to direct air from the fan cavity toward the lighting and fan components. The inventions include an airflow surface to direct air existing the fan cavity along an LED light fixture. Moreover, disclosed embodiments include one or more UV light sources which irradiate contaminants as air flows through the ceiling tile.

Claims (37)

1. An air circulation device, comprising:

a housing configured to be joined to a structure of a building;

a first fan mounted to the housing;

a first vent in the housing;

a baffle, mounted to the housing, and defining at least a first airway between the fan and the first vent;

a UV kill chamber mounted in the first airway; and

the UV kill chamber includes a UV light source and a UV-shield adapted to block UV light generated by the UV light source from exiting the first airway.

2. The air circulation device of claim 1 , wherein the first UV light sources emit UV-C light waves having a wavelength between 200 to 280 nanometers.

3. The air circulation device of claim 1 further comprising a LED light source mounted in the first airway.

4. The air circulation device of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting cable affixed to the housing wherein the mounting cable may be secured to a ceiling.

5. The air circulation device of claim 4 , wherein the first vent includes a mesh screen.

6. The air circulation device of claim 4 , further comprising an air diversion mechanism configured to divert air from the first fan to the first airway and a second airway formed in the housing.

7. The air circulation device of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting device affixed to the housing for mounting the housing to a ceiling.

8. The air circulation device of claim 7 , wherein the mounting device comprises a cable.

9. The air circulation device of claim 8 , wherein the housing is configured to fit into a ceiling tile.

10. An air circulation device, comprising:

a housing configured to fit into a structure of a building;

a fan mounted in the housing;

an air chamber positioned within the housing adjacent the fan;

an air inlet in the housing wherein air from the fan enters the air chamber and proceeds through a vent;

a UV light source capable of emitting UV light rays positioned in the air chamber; and

a UV light screen positioned in the air chamber shielding the UV rays emitted from the UV light source from exiting the air chamber.

11. The air circulation device of claim 10 , wherein the air chamber is lined with a UV-reflective material.

12. The air circulation device of claim 11 , wherein the UV-reflective material is stainless steel.

13. The air circulation device of claim 10 , wherein the UV light sources emit the UV-C light rays having a wavelength between 200 to 280 nanometers.

14. An air circulation device, comprising:

a housing comprising at least a first vent and at least a first fan;

a baffle defining at least a first airway between the first fan and the first vent;

a reflective material lining a portion of the first airway to create a kill chamber inside the first airway;

a UV light source configured to irradiate organic matter residing in air as air flows through the first airway; and

a UV light shield attached to the first airway to block UV light from exiting the airway.

15. The air purifying device of claim 14 , wherein the UV light source is a UV-C light source having a wavelength between 200 to 280 nanometers.

16. The air purifying device of claim 15 , wherein the UN-reflective material creates a kill zone which decontaminates air flowing through the first airway to kill bacterial species.

17. The air circulation device of claim 15 , wherein the housing is mounted to a ceiling by a mounting device.

18. The air circulation device of claim 17 , wherein the mounting device comprises a mounting cable.

19. The air circulation device of claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a domed-shaped shell.

20. The air circulation device of claim 19 , wherein the domed-shaped shell is constructed of a non-translucent material.

Assignments (2)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Feb 7, 2022
From: WLC ENTERPRISES, INC.
To: GO FAN YOURSELF, LLC
Reel/Frame 058963/0133 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2021
From: NIEMIEC, DARRIN; CARLSON, WILLIAM J.
To: WLC ENTERPRISES, INC. D/B/A GO FAN YOURSELF, INC.
Reel/Frame 058596/0776 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16288614 · Feb 28, 2019
Continuation 16040189 · Jul 19, 2018
Continuation In Part 15589367 · May 8, 2017
Continuation In Part 15471762 · Mar 28, 2017
Provisional Application 62439719 · Dec 28, 2016
Related Publication 20200271119A1 · Aug 27, 2020