The present invention relates to a meeting space and in particular to a meeting space enclosure provided within a larger enclosed space of a building or like structure.

An office space typically requires the internal space thereof to be configured so as to meet several different user requirements. For example, a portion of the office space may be configured for hot desk open plan collaborative working, whilst another portion may be partitioned so as to provide individual office spaces.

There is further often a requirement within an office space to provide one or more meeting spaces that can accommodate two or more occupants. Such meeting spaces may comprise an enclosed space that affords the meeting space occupants a degree of privacy with respect to the wider office space within which the meeting space is located. The meeting space may preferably be provided with sound mitigation measures so as to prevent conversations held within the meeting space from being overheard in the wider office space.

An enclosed meeting space of the type described above may be constructed within an office space, such as floor of an office building, by floor to ceiling partition panels. The interior of the meeting space requires ventilation as well as provision of heating and cooling and the size and position of the meeting space within the office space may be governed or limited by the configuration of the building HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system. Such systems are typically located with the ceiling of the office space. The constraints imposed by the building HVAC system may result in a meeting space that does not meet the expectations of the user especially regarding size and location without costly reconfiguration of the building HVAC system.

According to the present invention there is provided meeting space enclosure for use within a larger enclosed space, the meeting space enclosure including a structure having at least one wall and a ceiling which therebetween define an interior space, and a closable access aperture to permit user access to and from the interior space, wherein the meeting space enclosure includes a self-contained HVAC arrangement mounted to the ceiling and operable to control the temperature, purity and humidity of the air within the interior space.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The term self-contained is used to indicate that the HVAC arrangement does not require connection to the HVAC infrastructure of the larger enclosed space, such as that provided to the floor of an office building, within which the meeting space enclosure is located. Instead, only an electrical power connection is required. The provision of a self-contained HVAC arrangement allows the meeting space enclosure to be positioned more freely within the larger enclosed space as its location is not governed by the configuration of the building HVAC infrastructure. The self-contained HVAC arrangement of the meeting space enclosure thus draws air from the larger enclosed space for introduction into the interior space of the meeting space enclosure, and vents air drawn from the interior space of the meeting space enclosure back into the larger enclosed space.

The wall of the meeting space enclosure may be modular and comprised of at least one panel. The wall may be comprised of a plurality of panels. At least one panel of the plurality of panels may be a glazed panel.

The self-contained HVAC arrangement may include a fan arrangement operable to move air into and out of the interior space, and an air heating and cooling unit operable to heat or cool the air moved into the interior space by the fan arrangement.

The fan arrangement may include a first fan operable to move air into the interior space through the heating and cooling unit, and a second fan operable to move air out of the interior space of the meeting space enclosure. In such an embodiment the first fan may moves air into the interior space from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space and the second fan may move air out of the interior space to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space.

The heating and cooling unit may include a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the first fan is operable to move air into the first inlet, though the heating and cooling unit and out of the first outlet, and the second fan is operable to move air into the second inlet, through the heating and cooling unit and out of the second outlet. The first outlet of the heating and cooling unit may be in fluid communication with an inlet aperture provided in the ceiling of the meeting space enclosure structure so as to enable heated or cooled air to be introduced into the interior space. In such an embodiment the heating and cooling unit may be in fluid communication with the ceiling inlet aperture through an enclosed duct. The first fan may be positioned adjacent the first inlet of the heating and cooling unit. The second inlet of the heating and cooling unit is in fluid communication with an outlet aperture provided in the ceiling of the meeting space enclosure structure. In such an embodiment the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit may be in fluid communication with the ceiling outlet aperture through an enclosed duct. The second fan is preferably positioned adjacent the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit.

The flow direction of the first fan may be the same as the flow direction of the second fan. In such an embodiment the flow directions of the first and second fans may be substantially parallel.

The heating and cooling unit may include a reversible heat pump. Alternatively, the heating and cooling unit may include a Peltier device.

The heating and cooling unit may include a condensate management system including at least one absorbent wick positioned across the path of air moved through the unit by the first fan and at least one absorbent wick positioned across the path of air moved through the unit by the second fan, wherein condensate absorbed by a wick can be evaporated by air passing over the wick. The heating and cooling unit may be provided with a plurality of absorbent wicks. The HVAC arrangement of the present invention may include an ionisation arrangement operable to ionise air passing through the HVAC arrangement. In such an embodiment the ionisation arrangement may be operable to ionise air before it is moved into the interior space of the meeting space enclosure by the first fan. Alternatively, or additionally the ionisation arrangement may be operable to ionise air extracted from the interior space by the second fan before the extracted air is moved to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a meeting space enclosure according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the HVAC arrangement;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the HVAC arrangement;

Figure 4 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the HVAC arrangement;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the HVAC arrangement of figure 4; and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the HVAC arrangement.

Referring firstly to figure 1, there is shown a meeting space enclosure generally designated 10. The enclosure 10 includes a structure having a ceiling 12 and a plurality of walls 14, 16, 18, 20 which define an interior space 22 of the enclosure 10. The ceiling 12 is shown separated from the walls 14, 16, 18, 20 for the purpose of describing the configuration of the enclosure 10. The structure is further provided with a closure such as a door 24 to allow users to enter and exit the interior space 22. The enclosure 10 is, in use, intended to be positioned within a larger enclosed space 26 such as, for example, a floor of an office building. A self-contained HVAC arrangement, generally designated 30, is provided on the exterior of the ceiling 12 and will be described in greater detail below.

The substantially cube shaped configuration of the enclosure 10 is shown by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. It will be understood that other configurations of the enclosure 10 are possible. For example, one or more walls of the enclosure 10 may be defined by one or more walls of the larger enclosed space 26 within which the enclosure 10 is located.

The walls 14, 16, 18, 20 are of a modular construction. Each wall may be comprised of a plurality of panels 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b which are located to a base rail (not shown) fitted to the floor of the larger enclosed space 26. Upstanding corner posts (not shown) are provided to define the corners of the enclosure 10. One or more of the panels 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b may be glazed panels. The glazed panels may single or double glazed. One or more of the panels 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b may be solid having the same or differing finishes on opposing sides. The solid panels include sound absorption media. The door 24 may be either glazed, partially glazed or solid. The ceiling 12 includes sound absorbing tiles or panels.

Referring now to figure 2 there is shown the self-contained HVAC arrangement 30 for the enclosure. The arrangement 30 includes a first and second fans 32, 34 and a heating and cooling unit 36. The heating and cooling unit 36 includes an exhaust outlet 38, a recirculation inlet 40, an ambient air inlet 42 and a conditioned air outlet 44. The first and second fans 32,34 are provided in a side-by-side arrangement adjacent the ambient air and recirculation inlets 42,40 of the heating and cooling unit. The flow axes of the fans 32,34 are arranged in a substantially parallel orientation, and the direction of flow of the first fan 32 is the same as that of the second fan 34. Between the fans 32, 34 there is provided a controller 35 which, in use, controls the operation of the fans 32, 34 and the hearing and cooling unit 36.

The first fan 32 is provided with an ambient air inlet 46 and an ambient air outlet 48. The ambient air outlet 48 of the first fan 32 is connected to the ambient air inlet 42 of the heating and cooling unit 36. The ambient air inlet 46 of the first fan 32 is provided with a particulate filter (not shown). It will be understood that the ambient air inlet 46 of the first fan 32 draws air from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space within which the enclosure 10 is located.

The second fan 34 is provided with a recirculation inlet 52 and a recirculation outlet 54. The recirculation inlet 52 of the second fan 34 is connected to a length of ducting 56 that extends to an inlet aperture 58 provided in the ceiling 12 of the enclosure 10. The recirculation outlet 54 of the second fan 34 is connected to the recirculation inlet 40 of the heating and cooling unit 36 by a short duct 60. A particulate filter (not shown) is provided at the recirculation inlet of the second fan 34.

The exhaust outlet 38 of heating and cooling unit 36 exhausts to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26 within which the enclosure 10 is located. The conditioned air outlet 44 of the heating and cooling unit 36 is connected via a duct 62 to an outlet aperture 64 provided in the ceiling 12 of the enclosure 10.

In use, the first fan 32 is operable to move air from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26 into the ambient air inlet 42 of the heating and cooling unit 36, through the heating and cooling unit 36 to the conditioned air outlet 44 and into the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10. The first fan 32 is thus operable to introduce conditioned air into the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10.

The second fan 34, in use, is operable to move air from the interior space 22 of the enclosure, through the duct 56 connected to the ceiling inlet aperture 58, through the heating and cooling unit 36 and out of the exhaust outlet 38. The second fan is thus operable to extract "stale" are from the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10.

The use of separate fans 32,34 to introduce and remove air from the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10 maintains air pressure balance within the interior space 22. Heating and cooling of the air introduced into the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10 is achieved by heating or cooling of the air that is moved through the heating and cooling unit 36 by the first fan 32. The heating and cooling unit 36 may thus comprise a reversible heat pump having a refrigerant, compressor, expansion valve and two condenser/evaporator arrangements. Alternatively, the heating and cooling unit 36 may comprise an electrical heating and cooling arrangement such as, for example, a Peltier device. In both instances the interior of the heating and cooling unit 36 is provided with a heat exchange arrangement for the heating or cooling of air which is passed through the unit 36 by the first fan 32.

In use, the heating and cooling unit 36 is operable to heat or cool the air introduced into the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10 above or below the temperature of the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26. The amount by which the unit 36 is able to heat or cool the air introduced into the interior space 22 may differ depending upon user requirements. By way of a non-limiting example, the unit 36 may be operable to heat or cool the air by up to four degrees Centigrade relative to the temperature of the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26.

The heating and cooling unit 36 further includes a recirculatory condensate management arrangement. Operation of the heating and cooling unit 36 may lead to the generation of condensate within the heating and cooling unit 36. When heated air is introduced into the interior space 22 by the first fan 32, condensate may be liberated from the air that is extracted from the interior space 22 by the second fan 34. This is due to elevated humidity levels within the inter space due to occupant respiration. When cooled air is introduced into the interior space by the first fan 32, then condensate may be liberated from the air that is drawn into the heating and cooling unit by the first fan 32. This may occur if there is an elevated humidity level in the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26.

So as to manage the generation of condensate in both instances, and to avoid the need for an external condensate drain, the heating and cooling unit 36 is provided with a condensate sump and a wicking arrangement. Condensate generated within the heating and cooling unit 36 is captured and retained in a sump or like storage system. Absorbent wicks are provided within the heating and cooling unit 36 which extend across the paths of the air that is directed through the unit 36 by the fans 32, 34. The condensate is absorbed by the wicks and s thereafter evaporated by the flow of air passing over the wicks. The wicking arrangement may be used to maintain a stable humidity level within the interior space 22 of the enclosure by recirculating moisture generated by the occupants of the interior space 22. It will however be understood that moisture is recirculated to the conditioned air that is introduced to the interior space 22 of the enclosure from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26.

The HVAC arrangement 30 may further include an ionisation arrangement and more specifically a bipolar ionisation arrangement. An ionisation arrangement may be associated with the first fan 32 such that air introduced into the interior space of the enclosure 10 is ionised. In an alternative configuration the ionisation arrangement may be positioned at the conditioned air outlet 44 such that air moved through the outlet 44 by the first fan 32 is ionised before entering the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10.

Alternatively, or additionally, an ionisation arrangement may be associated with the second fan 34 such that air extracted from the interior space 22 of the enclosure 10 is ionised before being vented to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26. In an alternative configuration the ionisation arrangement may be positioned at the exhaust outlet 38 such that air moved through the outlet 38 by the second fan 34 is ionised before being vented to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26 surrounding the enclosure 10.

It will be understood that ionisation of the conditioned air benefits occupants of the enclosure 10, while ionisation of the exhausted air benefits occupants of the larger enclosed space within which the enclosure 10 is located. It will be further understood that other forms of air treatment may be employed as an alternative, or in addition, to ionisation to combat airborne pathogens. For example, HEPA filters and/or UV light may be utilised to treat the air passing through the HVAC arrangement 30.

Referring now to figures 3 to 6 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the HVAC arrangement generally designated 130. Features common to the HVAC arrangement described with reference to the to figures 1 and 2 are identified with like reference numerals prefixed with '1'. The arrangement 130 differs from that previously described in that the controller 135 is no longer located between the fans 132, 134, but instead is located to one side of the heating and cooling unit 136. The controller 135 is thus more readily accessible.

In place of the controller 135, fan mounting brackets 166 are provided between the fans 132, 134. Each fan 132, 134 is carried by a separate bracket 166, which in turn is mounted to the ceiling 12 of the enclosure 10. As can be seen in figures 3 to 6 the ceiling 12 comprises a plurality of spaced structural beams 168 and a plurality of infill panels 170. The infill panels 170 are supported upon flanges 172 of the structural beams 168. The structural beams 168 are hollow profiles and may be formed, for example, by extrusion.

As can be seen from the figures, the fan mounting brackets 166 are connected to the structural beams 168 of the ceiling 12, for example by threaded fasteners. The structural beams 168 of the ceiling 12 further serve to support duct mounting brackets 174 of the duct work of the HVAC arrangement 130.

Further optional developments of the present invention include the following.

1. Integrated Temperature, Humidity and CO2 sensors as part of the control system that has the ability to manage, monitor & control the fan speeds to provide the optimum fresh air flow.

2. Differential Air pressure sensor as part of the HVAC arrangement and control system that has the ability to manage the incoming and outgoing fan speeds to regulate the internal load in compared to the external ambient environment.

3. Duct CO2 sensor in place of Temp/Humidity/CO2 sensor - an optional extra to help combat the amount of additional monitoring devices in the enclosure.

4. Anti vibration bushes integrated onto the framework of the enclosure to ensure the bracket and box that houses the HVAC arrangement is fully isolated I acoustically controlled.

5. Duct inlet I outlet revisions within the enclosure -including the incorporation both lighting & occupancy sensors into common units to reduce the number of penetrations in the enclosure ceiling.

It will be understood that the present invention provides both a modular structure and a modular HVAC system for such a structure.