PLIABLE-WALL AIR DUCTS WITH INTERNAL EXPANDING STRUCTURES

摘要

Abstract Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension. - 26 - ... - 1 - /I 4 . ... - I II i I I 4 4 - A Attorney Docket No.: 20092/Si 0-019B-PCT Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman 44 26 34 28 34 24 26 16 134 2-2 46 42 6 30 46--l46 V 8-/1 5040 36 56 18 38 32 20 36 40 1 48 50 10 I,, - - - - - - - - - -- - - --------------- ----------[-IL ---------------------------... 16i 1q32 30 Lh7' --------------- --- eeK-- ----------- : 18 20 12 52 FIG. 4 88 30 20 28 88 46 > -: ., -- -------- - t - - - - ----- e' 2 -- -- -- i