System and method for delivering air through a boom assembly

Abstract

A boom assembly is configured to movably secure equipment to a ceiling or plenum extending from the ceiling. The assembly may include an arm sub-assembly secured to the ceiling, equipment secured to an end of the arm sub-assembly, and an air delivery member extending through the arm sub-assembly. The air delivery member may include a first end in communication with an air delivery chamber within the ceiling or plenum, and a second end in communication with air passages formed through the equipment. Airflow is directed from the air delivery chamber out through the air passages formed through the equipment towards a target location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boom assembly configured to movably secure equipment to a ceiling or plenum extending from the ceiling, the boom assembly comprising:
 an arm sub-assembly configured to be secured to the ceiling; and   an air delivery member extending through and/or on the arm sub-assembly, wherein the air delivery member comprises a first end configured to be in communication with an air delivery chamber within the ceiling or plenum, and a second end configured to be in communication with air passages formed through the equipment, and wherein airflow is configured to be directed from the air delivery chamber out through the air passages formed through the equipment towards a target location.   
     
     
         2 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the arm sub-assembly comprises a plurality of rotatable arms configured to move the equipment through various directions. 
     
     
         3 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air delivery member is separate and distinct from the arm sub-assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air delivery member is integrally formed through the boom assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air delivery member is formed of a fluid-tight material defining an air delivery channel. 
     
     
         6 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air delivery member comprises multiple openings formed over a length of the air delivery member. 
     
     
         7 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the arm-subassembly is further configured to securely retain one or more of electrical power and control wiring, medical gas piping, vacuum channels, or data wiring. 
     
     
         8 . The boom assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one air-directing member configured to be in fluid communication with at least one of the air passages. 
     
     
         9 . The boom assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one air-directing member comprises an air nozzle operatively connected to a valve. 
     
     
         10 . The boom assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one air-directing member comprises at least one flow-directing fin configured to be selectively moved between open and closed positions. 
     
     
         11 . A system configured to provide airflow to a target location, the system comprising:
 equipment configured to be positioned proximate the target location, wherein air passages are formed through at least a portion of the equipment; and   a boom assembly configured to movably secure the equipment to a ceiling or plenum extending from the ceiling, the boom assembly comprising:
 an arm sub-assembly configured to be secured to the ceiling; and 
 an air delivery member extending through and/or on the arm sub-assembly, wherein the air delivery member comprises a first end configured to be in communication with an air delivery chamber within the ceiling or plenum, and a second end in communication with the air passages formed through at least a portion of the equipment, and wherein airflow is configured to be directed from the air delivery chamber out through the air passages towards the target location. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the arm sub-assembly comprises a plurality of rotatable arm configured to move the equipment through various directions. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air delivery member is separate and distinct from the arm sub-assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air delivery member is integrally formed through the boom assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air delivery member is formed of a fluid-tight material defining an air delivery channel. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air delivery member comprises multiple openings formed over a length of the air delivery member. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the equipment comprises a light assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the equipment comprises one or both of a monitor or control panel. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air passages comprise concentric rings extending through a bottom surface of the equipment. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air passages comprise multiple openings formed through a bottom surface of the equipment. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 11 , farther comprising at least one air-directing member in fluid communication with at least one of the air passages. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one air-directing member comprises an air nozzle operatively connected to a valve. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one air-directing member comprises at least one flow-directing fin configured to be selectively moved between open and closed positions. 
     
     
         24 . A method of providing airflow to a target location, the method comprising:
 passing airflow from a plenum into an air delivery member within and/or on an arm sub-assembly connected to equipment;   channeling the airflow from the plenum to the air delivery member and into air passages formed through the equipment;   directing the airflow out of the air passages formed through the equipment and toward a target location proximate the equipment.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising further directing a portion of the airflow out of openings formed through the air delivery member. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the equipment comprises one or more of a light assembly, monitor, control panel, surgical instrument, or medical imaging device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising selectively moving air-directing members that are in fluid communication with the air passages between open and closed positions.