DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems and more specifically, the present invention relates to ducting system for circulating air and/or conditioning air in a vehicle including but not limited to metropolitan commuter trains.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The metropolitan commuter train coaches in general comprise a dedicated air conditioning system. Particularly, metropolitan commuter train coaches adopt air conditioning facility by employing roof mounted HVAC units for providing conditioned air to passenger's occupying area (saloon or coach or cabin or cab) and driver's occupying area (saloon or coach or cabin or cab). Main air duct running through the length of the car, generally, in the ceiling of the vehicle roof, discharges the conditioned air into occupying areas of passengers and the driver. By virtue of the mounting location of the HVAC units, in general, the fresh air inlet and return air outlets are designed to be integral part of ceiling or side wall close to the ceiling in the passenger's and the driver's occupying area.
The existing state-of-art on vehicle with air conditioning systems generally adopt a duct design to provide the conditioned or fresh inlet air from the ceiling or top side walls. The return air that needed to be exhausted from the passenger's and the driver's occupying area are also to taken out from the ceiling or top side walls. This may result in the mixing of the fresh inlet and exhaust outlet air thereby reducing the availability of the fresh air in the cabin of the vehicle. Also, as the inlet and the outlet of the ducts are located in the ceiling or top side walls, there is high probability of the stale air getting accumulated at the lower heights and inaccessible (nook & corners, beneath the seats, drivers desk etc.) areas of the passenger's and driver's occupying area.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved ducting system for air conditioning of the vehicle that does not suffer from aforementioned deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
The objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawback associated with the existing state-of-art through improved ducting system so that the mixing of the fresh inlet air (conditioned) and outlet air (exhaust) is avoided, thereby implementing a solution to achieve an efficient convectional circulation circuit.
Another object of the present invention is to overcome the problem of reduction in efficiency and effectiveness of air conditioning by flushing out the stale air accumulated at the lower heights and inaccessible (nook & corners, beneath the seats, drivers desk etc.,) areas of the cabin of the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a ducting system for circulating air in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an overhead channel extending along a length of the vehicle. The overhead channel is sealed so as to avoid leakages and is also insulated in order to maintain efficacy of air conditioning without being affected from the surrounding. Further, the ducting system includes a plurality of ducting channels connected to the overhead channel and extending in a downward direction from the overhead channel. The ducting channels supply the stream of air from the overhead channel to a lower portion of a cabin of the vehicle. Furthermore, the ducting channel contains at least one exhaust channel disposed in a ceiling of the vehicle to expel the stream of air from the cabin to surrounding.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates front view of a ducting system for circulating air in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates side view of the ducting system for circulating air in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate circulation of stream of air in the vehicle comprising the ducting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a mounting arrangement of an overhead channel in the vehicle comprising the ducting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates the mounting arrangement of a plurality of ducting channels connected to the overhead channel and extending in a downward direction from the overhead channel in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a ducting system100 for circulating air in a vehicle 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the ducting system 100 may be embodied as a HVAC system in vehicles, including but not limited to metropolitan commuter trains.
In an embodiment, the ducting system100 for circulating air in a vehicle 1 may comprise at least one overhead channel 2, hereinafter referred to as overhead channel 2, extending along the length of the vehicle 1. The overhead channel 2 may be adapted to receive a first stream of air 5. The first stream of air 5 entering the vehicle 1 through overhead channel 2 may be fresh inlet air from the surroundings. In another embodiment, one or more air filters (not shown in figures) may be provided with the system 100, wherein such air filter may filter the air prior to entering the vehicle 1. In yet another embodiment, the first stream of air 5 entering the vehicle 1 through the overhead channel 2 may be conditioned air.
The overhead channel 2 may be made up of a material that can be suitably fabricated or moulded enclosure and that can carry conditioned air within the cabin of the vehicle 1. One of the embodiments of the present invention may include the overhead channel 2 made up of sheet metal. Another embodiment may include the overhead channel 2 made up of plastic. Yet another embodiment of the present invention may include the overhead channel 2 made up of fibre reinforced plastic.
The overhead channel 2 may be sealed in a manner to prevent leakage of the fresh air being received by the overhead channel 2. In an embodiment, the overhead channel 2 is insulated so as to maintain efficacy of air conditioning without being affected from the surroundings.
Further, the ducting system 100 may comprise a plurality of ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2. The plurality of ducting channels 3 may be extending in a downward direction from the overhead channel 2. The ducting channels 3 may be adapted to receive the first stream of air 5. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of the ducting channels 3 supplies the first stream of air 5 from the overhead channel 2 to a lower portion of a cabin of the vehicle 1. The lower portion of the cabin in the vehicle 1 is a portion below a ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the ducting system 100 may comprise at least one exhaust channel 4, hereinafter referred to as exhaust channel 4, disposed in the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. The exhaust channel 4 may be adapted to expel a second stream of air from the cabin of the vehicle 1 to the surrounding.
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the ducting system 100 for circulating air in the vehicle 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ducting system 100 may further comprise an overhead channel 2 running horizontally along the length of the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. The overhead channel 2 is positioned inside the vehicle 1 and below the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. A distance between the surface of the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1 at an inner side of the vehicle 1 and the overhead channel 2 may vary depending upon the design of the ceiling 6 or the design of the overhead channel 2, or the design of one or more fastening members fastening the overhead channel 2 to the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2 and extending in the downward direction from the overhead channel 2 is connected to the overhead channel 2 by using one or more fastening members. The number of ducting channels 3 to be formed in the ducting system 100 in the vehicle 1 may depend on one or more factors including size of the vehicle 1, capacity of the vehicle 1, and size of the overhead channel 2.
In one of the embodiments, the plurality of the ducting channels 3 may be positioned in a way that the distance D1 between the two adjacent ducting channels 3 is equal to the distance D2 between the other two adjacent ducting channels 3. Further, the Figure 2 illustrates that distance D1 between the first and second ducting channels 3 is equal to distance D2 between the second and the third ducting channels 3. Also, that the distance D1 and the distance D2 may be equal to the distance D3 between the second last and the last ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2. In another embodiment, the distance between the two adjacent ducting channels may be different from the distance between the other two adjacent ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2. In another embodiment of the present invention, the distance D1 between the first and the second ducting channels is different from the distance D2 between the second and the third ducting channels and the distances D1 and/or D2 may be different from the distance D3 between the last and the second last ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2.
Further, the ducting system 100 may comprise the exhaust channel 4 disposed in the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. The exhaust channel 4 may be positioned above the overhead channel 2 and the plurality of the ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2. The exhaust channel 4 in the ducting system 100 is adapted to expel the second stream of air from the cabin of the vehicle 1 to the surroundings.
Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate the circulation of stream of air in the vehicle 1 comprising the ducting system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3A illustrates a side view of the ducting system 100 according to one of the embodiments of the present invention. The first stream of air 5 may enter the vehicle 1 through the at least one overhead channel 2 running through the length of the vehicle 1. The first stream of air 5 entering the vehicle 1 through overhead channel 2 may be fresh inlet air from the surroundings. In yet another embodiment, the first stream of air 5 entering the vehicle 1 through the overhead channel 2 may be conditioned air. The sealing of the overhead channel 2 prevents leakage from the overhead channel 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In an embodiment, the first stream of air 5 entering the vehicle 1 through the overhead channel 2 may flow through the plurality of ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2. The temperature associated with the first stream of air 5 received by the overhead channel 2 may be less. The first stream of air 5 may be dense because the molecules of the first stream of air 5 are close to each other. The molecules of the first stream of air 5 may be closer to each other as the bonds between said molecules are absorbing less energy and therefore, the first stream of air 5 being heavy flows down from the overhead channel 2 to the cabin of the vehicle 1 through the plurality of ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2. The first stream of air 5 may flow down through the plurality of ducting channels 3 because of the forced circulation of conditioned air as well. The first stream of air 5 flowing down to the cabin of the vehicle 1 may reach floor and other inaccessible areas of the cabin of the vehicle 1 including but not limited to several nook and corners, beneath the seats, driver’s desk, etc. The first stream of air 5 that may reach the cabin of the vehicle 1 provides conditioned or filtered air to several areas inside the cabin of the vehicle 1.
Further, the conditioned air of the first stream of air 5 after reaching the cabin of the vehicle 1 may absorb energy from the cabin in the form of heat. The absorbed energy may make the molecules of the first stream of air 5 move and expand, and therefore decreasing the air density. The less dense air, i.e., the second stream of air rise above the more dense cold air, i.e., the first stream of air 5 on being expanded becomes less dense and rises above as second stream of air 5’. The second stream of air 5’ rises above the more dense first stream of air 5 and reaches at least one exhaust channel 4 disposed in the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. The second stream of air 5’ is expelled from the cabin to the surrounding through at least one exhaust channel 4. A temperature associated with the first stream of air 5 received by the overhead channel 2 is lower than a temperature associated with the second stream of air 5’ received by the at least one exhaust channel 4.
Figure 3B illustrates the top view of the ducting system 100 in the vehicle 1. As per the illustrated embodiment, the ducting channels 3 may be connected on both sides of the overhead channel 2 running through the length of the vehicle 1. The ducting channels 3 on both sides of the overhead channel 2 may be connected in a way that one of the ducting channels 3 connected on one side of the overhead channel 2 is positioned opposite to one of the ducting channels 3 connected on the other side of the overhead channel 2. As per the embodiment, the ducting channels 3 connected opposite to each other on the two sides of the overhead channel 2, extend in a downward direction from the overhead channel 2 parallel to the respective sidewalls 8 of the vehicle 1.
Figure 3C illustrates the front view of the ducting system 100 wherein the first stream of air 5 flows to the cabin of the vehicle 1. As per the embodiment disclosed in figure 3C, the overhead channel 2 may comprise a pair or plurality of ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2 and extending in the downward direction parallel to the sidewalls 8 of the vehicle 1.
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the mounting arrangement of the overhead channel 2 in the vehicle 1 comprising the ducting system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The overhead channel 2 is fastened to the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1 by a first fastening member 7. The ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1 may have one or more first fastening members 7, hereinafter referred to as the first fastening members 7, adapted to fasten the overhead channel 2. Further, the first fastening members 7 may individually be referred to as the first fastening member 7.
In an embodiment, the first fastening member 7 may have a first part 11, a second part 12, and a third part 13 formed between the first part 11 and the second part 12. In an embodiment, the third part 13 may form an inclination between the first part 11 and the second part 12 of the first fastening member 7. Therefore, the first part 11 and the second part 12 may be formed on different planes. The first part 11 of the first fastening member 7 may be connected to the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1, for example, through an end 7’, hereinafter referred to as the proximal end 7’ not shown here. In an embodiment, the proximal end 7’ may be permanently connected to the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1. The second part 12 may be connected to the overhead channel 2, for example, through an end 7”, hereinafter referred to as the distal end 7’’. Such a construction of the first fastening member 7 ensures that any vibration caused due to the movement of the vehicle 1, for example, during commute, is absorbed by the first fastening member 7. This would avoid any damage that could be caused to the first fastening member 7. The overhead channel 2 may be connected to the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1 by a combination of a permanent and modular joint. In an embodiment, the overhead channel 2 may be positioned below the ceiling 6 of the vehicle 1.
Figure 5 illustrates a front view of mounting arrangement of the plurality of ducting channels 3 connected to the overhead channel 2 and extending in a downward direction from the overhead channel 2 in the vehicle 1 comprising the ducting system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In an embodiment, one end of the plurality of ducting channels 3 is connected to the overhead channel 2 and the other end of the ducting channel 3 may extend in a downward direction from the overhead channel 2. The plurality of the ducting channels 3 may comprise an interior surface and an exterior surface 9. In an embodiment of the present invention, the internal surface, not shown here, of the plurality of ducting channels 3 may be towards the interior of the cabin of the vehicle 1. The exterior surface 9 of the plurality of ducting channels 3 may be towards the interior of the ceiling 6 and side wall 8 of the vehicle 1 and opposite to the interior surface of the plurality of ducting channels 3.
In an embodiment, at least one second fastening member 10, hereinafter referred to as second fastening member 10, is adapted to secure the plurality of ducting channels 3 to one of the side walls 8 of the vehicle 1. In an embodiment, the second fastening member 10 is provided between the exterior surface 9 of the plurality of ducting channels 3 and the interior surface of one of the sidewalls 8 of the vehicle 1. The second fastening member may comprise a first part 14, a second part 16, and a third part 15 formed between the first part 14 and the second part 16. In an embodiment, the third part 15 may be horizontally connected to the first part 14 and the second part 16 positioned vertically opposite to each other. The first part 14 of the second fastening member 10 may be connected to the exterior surface 9 of the plurality of ducting channels 3. The second part 16 of the second fastening member 10 may be connected to the interior surface of the sidewalls 8 of the vehicle 1. Such a construction of the second fastening member 10 ensures that any vibration caused due to the movement of the vehicle 1, for example, during commute, is absorbed by the second fastening member 10. This would avoid any damage that could be caused to the second fastening member 10 and plurality of ducting channels 3.
As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers a ducting system 100 for circulating air in a vehicle 1 avoiding the mixing of the fresh inlet air (conditioned) and outlet air (exhaust), and thereby achieving an efficient circulation circuit. Further, the present disclosure overcomes the problem of reduction in efficiency and effectiveness of air conditioning as it flushes out the stale air accumulated at the lower heights and inaccessible (nook & corners, beneath the seats, drivers desk etc.,) areas of the cabin of the vehicle. Further, the disclosed ducting system 100 offers uniform circulation of air in the cabin. In addition, the disclosed ducting system 100 is cost-effective, flexible in implementation, retro-fittable, easy to install, and requires less maintenance.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A ducting system (100) for circulating air in a vehicle (1), wherein the ducting system (100) comprises:
an overhead channel (2) extending along a length of the vehicle (1), wherein the overhead channel (2) is adapted to receive a stream of air;
a plurality of ducting channels (3) connected to the overhead channel (2) and extending in a downward direction from the overhead channel (2), wherein the each of the plurality of ducting channels (3) supplies the stream of air from the overhead channel (2) to a lower portion of a cabin of the vehicle (1); and
at least one exhaust channel (4) disposed in a ceiling (6) of the vehicle (1) to expel the stream of air from the cabin to surrounding.
2. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overhead channel (2) is sealed and insulated.

3. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each ducting channel (3) extends in the downward direction along one of a first side wall and a second side wall of the cabin.

4. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overhead channel (2) is connected to the ceiling (6) of the vehicle (1) by at least one first fastening member 7.

5. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first fastening member (7) comprising a first part (11), a second part (12), and a third part (13) formed between the first part (11) and the second part (12), and wherein the first part (11) is connected to the ceiling (6) of the vehicle (1) and the second part (12) is connected to the overhead channel (2).

6. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each ducting channel (3) is secured to one of the first side wall and the second side wall of the vehicle (1) by at least one second fastening member (10).

7. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second fastening member (10) comprises a first part (14), a second part (16), and a third part (15) formed between the first part (14) and the second part (16), and wherein the first part (14) is connected to the exterior surface (9) of the plurality of ducting channels (3) and the second part (16) is connected to the interior surface of one of the first side wall and the second side wall (8) of the vehicle (1).

8. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature associated with the stream of air received by the overhead channel (2) is lower than the temperature associated with the stream of air received by the at least one exhaust channel (4).

9. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the overhead channel (2) is positioned below the at least one exhaust channel (4) disposed in the ceiling (6).

10. The ducting system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the overhead channel (2) may be connected to the ceiling (6) of the vehicle (1) by a combination of permanent and modular joint.