Bent coil for ducted unit

Abstract

A bent coil for use in a ducted heating and cooling unit improves the heat exchange. The bent coil increases the overall surface area of the coil for a given duct volume, improving the heat exchange characteristics of the coil. The bent coil discharges air both longitudinally and laterally, eliminating the need for any additional ducting downstream from the coil to divert air toward the sides.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to heating and cooling systems, and more particularly to a ducted unit in such a system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Heating and cooling systems may incorporate a ducted unit 100 having a fan 102 and a flat coil 104 disposed inside a duct 106 (FIG. 1). Depending on the desired unit characteristics, the fan may be disposed either downstream with respect to the coil (i.e., a “draw through” architecture) or upstream with respect to the coil (i.e., a “blow through” architecture). As is know in the art, the fan 102 directs air through the duct 106 through the coil 104 so that the air can be heated or cooled as it travels through the coil 104. The coil 104 is designed to have a large surface area exposed to the air to optimize heat exchange with the air. [0003] Normally, the coil 104 has a flat profile and is disposed either vertically or at an incline with respect to a vertical axis in the duct 106 (FIG. 1). Note that regardless...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new design for a ducted unit that allows air to be discharged in multiple directions without losing efficiency. This is achieved by using a bent coil that increases the surface area of the coil for a given duct volume, improving heat exchange. The bent coil allows air to be directed in multiple directions while keeping the overall dimensions of the ducted unit compact. A ducted unit incorporating the inventive bent coil has improved air output and reduced air pressure drop.

Problems solved by technology

While this coil structure is acceptable if air is discharged straight through the duct, it is less effective if the air is to be delivered at an angle (e.g., toward the sides).

However, the side ducts make installation of the system in, for example, a residence more complicated.

Further, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the side ducts 108 increase the overall system dimensions, making them impossible to install in small areas (e.g., corridors).

Also, because the flat coil 104 is designed to discharge air only in a forward direction, air that is directed laterally into the side ducts 108 will experience pressure losses, reducing the overall efficiency of the ducted unit 100.

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