Method and an apparatus for creating an outdoor still-air environment, or an environment with controlled wind

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating a downwind space in a predetermined location with respect to the direction of the wind, including a step of arranging a generation means, for generating an air curtain, in particular at least two air curtains, a step of detecting the direction of the wind, as well as a step of orienting the air curtain(s) against the wind, according to an emission angle (α) set between 40° and 90°, defined between the direction of the wind and the emission direction of the air curtains.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for creating comfort spaces in outside and inside areas, by blowing air streams.[0002]In other words, the invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for shielding outside and inside areas from the wind or, more in general, from air streams, or for removing causes of discomfort that arise in these areas, like in case of production of unpleasant or harmful inhalable materials.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The need is felt of creating comfort conditions in places intended for people to stay. By the expression “comfort”, a condition of equilibrium is is generally meant between a human being and the environment. In particular, the comfort conditions can comprise a still air condition, i.e. a condition in which the air speed is lower than a predetermined value which is unpleasant in case of permanence of a subject, or if a determined activity is performed by the subject. The comfort conditi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method for shielding or protecting from air streams, particularly from wind and unpleasant or noxious substances. This can be useful in outdoor spaces, such as on a watercraft or in a leisure space, to provide comfort and protection. It also can be used in workplaces or rear portions of watercrafts where there is a chimney to prevent the diffuse of harmful substances.

Problems solved by technology

A large number of working activities cannot be carried out in outside spaces since the presence of wind is not compatible with using work tools or leisure items such as books, documents, newspapers, paper sheets in general, and the like.

Moreover, on a large number of watercrafts the problem arises of some watercraft areas, in particular poop areas, which can be smoked by the exhaust gas coming from the ship funnels, in particular in specific weather and watercraft motion conditions.

Furthermore, a large number of manufacturing process are known in to which badly smelling, irritating or harmful products are used, or which produce fine particulate matter that is harmful.

In order to limit the exposition of the operators to such harmful substances, local suction devices are used, which have, however, some drawbacks.

Firstly, they are not suitable for totally preventing the is inhalation of the above substances.

Moreover, accidental or systematic air streams, due to opening / closing doors, rolling shutters / any apertures of the room, disturb the correct operation of these suction devices.

However, this is a costly solution, and reduces the spaces and hamper the operation within the rooms.

This structural cell is not suitable for removing the effects of the wind itself, in particular if the wind direction changes.

DE 199 32 153 C1 describes a device that is suitable for creating an air barrier at an entry / exit of a building, but that is not suitable for controlling the air speed in an area intended for the permanence of people, and it cannot be adjusted as the wind direction changes.

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