Airflow economizer and method for operating the same

Abstract

An economizer, and a method for operating the same, is provided having a housing with external airflow section and an internal airflow section. The external airflow section includes one or more external flow blades mounted in an external airflow path. The external flow blades are selectively rotatable between an open position and a substantially closed position. The internal airflow section includes one or more internal flow blades mounted in an internal airflow path. The internal flow blades are selectively rotatable between an open position and a substantially closed position. Each internal flow blade includes a leading portion. The leading portion of each internal flow blade is substantially parallel to the internal airflow path when the internal flow blades are disposed in the open position. The external flow blades and the internal flow blades are linked together such that when the internal flow blades are in the open position, the external flow blades are in the substantially closed position, and when the internal flow blades are in the substantially closed position, the external flow blades are in the open position.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 61 / 167,384 filed Apr. 7, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present disclosure relates generally to airflow heating and cooling systems and, more particularly, to such systems that use an economizer operable to mix recycled air with external air.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Many modern buildings utilize heating and cooling systems to regulate internal ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity and oxygen content. The ambient conditions may be regulated by circulating a mixture of outdoor / exterior air and indoor / interior air. For example, outdoor air may be used to cool an interior space of a building where the outdoor air is cooler than air circulating within the building. This may save energy costs associated with air conditioning the warmer indoor air.[0006]Typically, heating and cooling systems incorporate economizers to reg...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to an aspect of the present invention, an economizer is provided having a housing with external airflow section and an internal airflow section. The external airflow section includes one or more external flow blades mounted in an external airflow path. The external flow blades are selectively rotatable between an open position and a substantially closed position. The internal airflow section includes one or more internal flow blades mounted in an internal airflow path. The internal flow blades are selectively rotatable between an open position and a substantially closed position. Each internal flow blade includes a leading portion. The leading portion of each internal flow blade is substantially parallel to the internal airflow path when the internal flow blades are disposed in the open position. The external flow blades and the internal flow blades are linked together such that when the internal flow blades are in the open position, the external flow blades are in the substantially closed position, and when the internal flow blades are in the substantially closed position, the external flow blades are in the open position.

[0009]According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for operating an economizer is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a housing having an external airflow section with one or more external flow

Problems solved by technology

This may save energy costs associated with air conditioning the warmer indoor air.

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