Compact Air Handler Design for Efficient HVAC Systems
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Summary
Problems
Conventional HVAC air handling units (AHUs) are undesirably large, inefficient, and prone to premature component failure due to suboptimal airflow and component placement, which complicates installation and maintenance, and increases energy consumption.
Innovation solutions
The AHU design is modified to place the heat exchanger and heating elements downstream of the blower, with fins oriented parallel to the airflow to stabilize it, reducing the unit's size and improving airflow stability and heat transfer efficiency, and allowing for side-mounted return air openings for increased installation flexibility.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If conventional AHU components are positioned to promote air handling capability, then air handling performance is improved, but the volumetric size of the cabinet becomes much larger than necessary
Why choose this principle:
The patent combines the blower and heat exchanger into a compact integrated assembly where the heat exchanger is positioned directly in the blower's discharge airflow path. This merging eliminates the need for separate large cabinet spaces for each component, achieving high air handling capability in a reduced volumetric footprint.
Principle concept:
If conventional AHU components are positioned to promote air handling capability, then air handling performance is improved, but the volumetric size of the cabinet becomes much larger than necessary
Why choose this principle:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial optimization by arranging components in layered configurations and utilizing vertical space within the cabinet. The heat exchanger sections are positioned at different heights and depths to maximize space utilization while maintaining efficient airflow paths, reducing the overall cabinet volume required.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
The AHU design is modified to place the heat exchanger and heating elements downstream of the blower, with fins oriented parallel to the airflow to stabilize it, reducing the unit's size and improving airflow stability and heat transfer efficiency, and allowing for side-mounted return air openings for increased installation flexibility.
Abstract
An air handling unit has an enclosure, a heat exchanger disposed within the enclosure, and a heating element substantially co-located with the heat exchanger within the enclosure. An air handling unit has a cabinet with a first air opening and a second air opening. A blower is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to the first air opening and a heat exchanger is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to an air outlet of the blower unit and also adjacent to the second air opening. At least one heating element is located adjacent the heat exchanger. A method of constructing an air handling unit includes forming an air handling enclosure, mounting a blower in the air handling enclosure, mounting a heat exchanger in the air handling enclosure downstream of the blower, and mounting at least one heating element in the air handing enclosure downstream of the blower.