Air flow equalizing plate for air treatment device, heat exchanger device and air treatment unit

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an air flow equalizing plate (1, 2) for an air treatment device (100), the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2) being a perforated plate comprising a plurality of through holes (3) arranged on at least one surface (4, 5) of the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2), the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2) is configured to be arranged downstream of an air inlet (7) of the air treatment device (100) and to be arranged at an angle (alpha) to an incoming airflow from the air inlet (7) such that the incoming airflow passes through the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2) and is distributed downstream of the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2). The present disclosure also relates to a heat exchanger arrangement (10) and an air treatment unit (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air flow equalizing plate for an air handling device, a heat exchanger device, and an air handling unit. Background Art

[0002] In an air handling unit, the flow of air through the unit is an important aspect to control in order to maintain a properly functioning air handling system. Furthermore, optimizing the airflow in or through certain units within an air handling unit can result in several benefits, such as energy savings.

[0003] For example, a heat exchanger assembly can form part of an air handling unit. In some heat exchanger assemblies, heat exchange occurs when air flows through the heat exchanger in both directions. Typically, the airflow is the same in both directions. However, the moist, heated airflow typically transports a smaller volume of air per unit time than the cooling airflow. Consequently, the moist air passes directly through the heat exchanger, resulting in inadequate heat transfer.

[0004] An air handling device may also include an air treatment unit, such as a dehumidification unit with an adsorption rotor. This rotor, also known as a wheel, may have several sectors, such as a treatment sector, a regeneration sector, and a purge sector. When air enters the purge sector of the wheel, the airflow tends to be directed directly through the wheel in the direction of the connecting pipe through which the air flows. This results in an uneven distribution of air velocity through the wheel, leading to uneven cooling of the wheel and significantly reduced efficiency of the purge performed in the purge sector. Furthermore, in this case, the rotor performance does not match the rotor calculations. Furthermore, due to the uneven distribution of air, it is difficult to achieve the predetermined dry air set point of the air handling device.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to achieve uniform air flow in the air handling device. Utility Model Content

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and to at least solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] According to a first aspect, an air flow equalizer plate for an air handling device is provided. The air flow equalizer plate is a perforated plate comprising a plurality of through-holes arranged on at least one surface of the air flow equalizer plate. The air flow equalizer plate is configured to be arranged downstream of an air inlet of the air handling device and arranged at an angle to the incoming airflow from the air inlet, such that the incoming airflow passes through the air flow equalizer plate and is distributed downstream of the air flow equalizer plate. The air flow equalizer plate can be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic. The air flow equalizer plate may also be referred to as a diverter plate.

[0008] Thereby, a uniform distribution of the air is produced, which brings benefits such as increased efficiency of the air handling device, energy savings and increased precision in controlling the air handling device.

[0009] The plurality of through-holes in the air flow equalizing plate can have various shapes selected to suit the target operating conditions. The plurality of through-holes can have a generally square cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of through-holes can have a generally circular cross-section. All through-holes in the plurality of through-holes need not have the same cross-section, but can vary to suit the target operating conditions.

[0010] According to some examples, the air equalizer plate is flat and rectangular and includes a top surface and a bottom surface, such that the through holes pass through the air equalizer plate from the top surface to the bottom surface. Furthermore, the air equalizer plate can be flat and rectangular and include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of through holes passing through the air equalizer plate from the top surface to the bottom surface. In such an example, the air equalizer plate can be configured to be arranged at an angle to the incoming airflow from the air inlet such that substantially all of the airflow from the air inlet passes through the air equalizer plate and is distributed downstream of the air equalizer plate.

[0011] Such an air flow plate is advantageously used at the moist air inlet of a heat exchanger in order to optimize the function of the heat exchanger device, i.e., condensing the moist air. When used in such a heat exchanger device or in an equivalent product, the air flow plate distributes the moist air evenly over the entire portion of the heat exchanger's intake air.

[0012] According to some examples, the air flow equalizer includes a plurality of fastening members configured to attach the air flow equalizer to the air handling device at an angle to an incoming air flow from an air inlet such that the incoming air flow passes through the air flow equalizer and is distributed downstream of the air flow equalizer.

[0013] This air flow equalizer is advantageously used in air handling devices that include an adsorption rotor with a purge sector. By placing this air flow equalizer downstream of the air inlet to the rotor, the airflow velocity and rotor temperature within the rotor sector become more uniform. This allows for more accurate simulation of the rotor's performance, leading to improved precision in controlling this air handling device. The angles at which the through-holes and the air flow equalizer are arranged can be varied to optimize air distribution while reducing the pressure drop as the air enters the rotor sector. In particular, the performance of the rotor's purge sector can be significantly improved due to the uniform airflow through the purge sector caused by the air flow equalizer.

[0014] According to some examples, the air inlet is arranged upstream of the purge sector of the adsorption wheel, and each of the plurality of fastening members is configured to attach an air flow equalizing plate to the air inlet on a downstream side of the air inlet, such that the air flow equalizing plate is attached at an angle to an incoming air flow from the air inlet, whereby the air flow from the air inlet passes through the air flow equalizing plate and is distributed over an upstream surface of the purge sector of the adsorption wheel.

[0015] According to a second aspect, a heat exchanger device is provided, which includes an air inlet, a heat exchanger unit and an air flow equalizing plate according to some examples disclosed herein, wherein the air flow equalizing plate is arranged downstream of the air inlet, at a certain angle to the incoming air flow from the air inlet, and is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger unit, so that the incoming air flow passes through the air flow equalizing plate and is evenly distributed to the heat exchanger unit.

[0016] An air flow equalizer is advantageously arranged at the moist air inlet of the heat exchanger device, so that the moist air is evenly distributed over the entire portion of the intake air of the heat exchanger.

[0017] According to a third aspect, an air handling unit is provided, which includes an air flow equalizing plate according to the disclosure herein, wherein the air flow equalizing plate is arranged downstream of the air inlet of the air handling unit and is arranged at a certain angle to the incoming air flow from the air inlet, so that the incoming air flow at least partially passes through the air flow equalizing plate and is evenly distributed into the air handling unit downstream of the air flow equalizing plate.

[0018] The air handling unit can be any suitable type of air handling unit, such as one that includes an adsorption rotor. In such an air handling unit, an air flow equalizer is advantageously positioned downstream of the air inlet that draws air into the purge sector of the adsorption rotor. The air flow equalizer is positioned at an angle relative to the incoming airflow from the air inlet, distributing the airflow across the upstream surface of the purge sector of the adsorption rotor. This results in more uniform air velocity and rotor temperature across the rotor sector.

[0019] The effects and features of the second and third aspects are largely similar to those described above in conjunction with the first aspect. The examples mentioned with respect to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second and third aspects.

[0020] The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the present disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosure disclosed herein is not limited to the specific component parts of the described device or the steps of the described method, because such devices and methods can change. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be restrictive. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the articles "one", "a", "the" and "said" are intended to represent one or more elements in the element. Therefore, for example, the "unit" or "the unit" mentioned can include several devices, etc. In addition, the words "comprise", "comprises", "contains" and similar words do not exclude other elements or steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by referring to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 A top view of an air flow equalizing plate according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 A perspective view of an air flow equalizing plate according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 3A A perspective view of an air flow equalizing plate in an air handling device according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of an air flow equalizing plate in an air handling device according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 4A A perspective view of an air flow equalizing plate in an air handling device according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 4B A cross-sectional view of an air flow equalizing plate in an air handling device according to an example of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Figure 1 An example of an air treatment device 100 ( Figure 1FIG1 is a top view of an air flow equalizer plate 1 (not shown). The air flow equalizer plate 1 is a perforated plate comprising a plurality of through holes 3 arranged on at least one surface 4, 5 of the air flow equalizer plate 1. The air flow equalizer plate 1 is configured to be arranged downstream of the air inlet 7 of the air handling device 100 and to form an angle α with the incoming air flow from the air inlet 7 (see FIG1 ). Figure 3A and Figure 3B ), so that the incoming air flow passes through the air flow plate 1 and is distributed downstream of the air flow plate 1. Figure 1 In the example shown, the air flow equalizing plate 1 is flat and rectangular and includes a top surface 4 and a bottom surface 5. Through holes 3 pass through the air flow equalizing plate 1 from the top surface 4 to the bottom surface 5. The through holes 3 are evenly spaced in rows on the surfaces 4 and 5. The position of the through holes 3 can be adjusted to optimize air distribution.

[0031] Figure 2 An example of an air treatment device 100 ( Figure 2 The air flow equalizing plate 2 is a perforated plate having a plurality of through holes 3 arranged on at least one surface 4, 5 of the air flow equalizing plate 2. The air flow equalizing plate 2 is configured to be arranged downstream of the air inlet 7 of the air treatment device 100 (see FIG. Figure 4A and Figure 4B ) and is arranged at an angle α to the incoming air flow from the air inlet 7 (see Figure 4B ), so that the incoming air flow passes through the air flow plate 2 and is distributed downstream of the air flow plate 2. Figure 2 In the example shown, the air flow balancing plate 2 includes a first surface 4 and an opposite second surface 5. The through holes 3 pass through the air flow balancing plate 2 from the first surface 4 to the second surface 5. The air flow balancing plate 2 also includes a plurality of fastening members 8 configured to fasten the air flow balancing plate 2 at an angle α (see FIG. 1 ) to the incoming air flow from the air inlet 7. Figure 4B ) is attached to the air handling device 100 in a manner such that the incoming air flow at least partially passes through the air flow balancing plate 2 and is distributed downstream of the air flow balancing plate 2.

[0032] In another example embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the air flow equalizing plate may include a central section and two opposing angled side walls. The two opposing angled side walls may be arranged at a first edge and a second edge of the central section, respectively. Each of the central section and the two opposing angled side walls may include a plurality of through holes. In such an example, the air flow equalizing plate includes three surfaces located on each side of the air flow equalizing plate, and the through holes are evenly arranged on the three surfaces. In such an example, the central section may be shaped as a trapezoid in which the base is narrower than the top, and the two opposing angled side walls may be shaped as a trapezoid in which the base is wider than the top. Each of the two opposing angled side walls may include a flange arranged at a certain angle to the corresponding side wall.

[0033] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the through hole 3 has a circular cross section. However, the cross section of the through hole 3 may have other shapes, such as a substantially square shape.

[0034] Figure 3A FIG1 shows a perspective view of the air flow equalizing plate 1 in the air handling device 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 3A In the example shown, the air handling device 100 comprises a heat exchanger device 10 comprising an air inlet 7, a heat exchanger unit 6 and a perforated air flow plate 1 with through holes 3 as disclosed herein. Figure 3A In the embodiment, the air flow equalizing plate 1 is arranged downstream of the air inlet 7 and upstream of the heat exchanger unit 6 .

[0035] Figure 3B FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the air flow equalizing plate 1 in the air handling device 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 3B In the example shown, the heat exchanger device 10 comprises an air inlet 7, a heat exchanger unit 6 and an air flow plate 1 as disclosed herein. Figure 3B In FIG. 1 , the air flow equalizer plate 1 is positioned downstream of the air inlet 7 and upstream of the heat exchanger unit 6, forming an angle α with the incoming airflow AI from the air inlet 7. Thus, the incoming airflow AI enters through the air inlet 7, passes through the air flow equalizer plate 1, and is evenly distributed into the heat exchanger unit 6. The incoming airflow AI from the air inlet 7, which can advantageously be the wet air inlet of the heat exchanger device 10, is thus controlled to match the heat exchange airflow AX, with which heat exchange is performed. After having passed through the heat exchanger unit 6, the outgoing airflow AO continues to flow within the heat exchanger device 10 in any suitable manner.

[0036] Figure 4A FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the air flow equalizing plate 2 in the air handling device 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 4A In the example shown, the air handling device 100 includes an air handling unit 11, such as a dehumidification unit, which in turn includes an adsorption wheel 12. The air handling unit 11 includes an air flow equalizer 2 as disclosed herein, which is arranged downstream of the air inlet 7 of the air handling unit 11 and upstream of the medium of the adsorption wheel 12. The incoming air flow AI at least partially passes through the air flow equalizer 2 and is then evenly distributed within the air handling unit 11 downstream of the air flow equalizer 2. Figure 4A In the example shown, the air inlet 7 draws air into the purge sector P of the adsorption wheel 12. The inlet airflow AI is evenly distributed over the upstream surface of the purge sector P of the adsorption wheel 12, after which the airflow passes through the wheel and exits as the outflow airflow AO through the outlet 9. The outflow airflow AO can be used in any suitable manner for the air treatment device 100.

[0037] Figure 4B FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the air flow equalizing plate 2 in the air handling device 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 4B In the example shown, the air treatment device 100 includes an air treatment unit 11. The air treatment unit 11 may include Figure 4A The air handling unit 11 includes an air flow equalizer 2 as disclosed herein, which is arranged downstream of the air inlet 7 and upstream of the medium of the adsorption wheel 12. The air flow equalizer 2 is arranged at an angle α to the incoming air flow from the air inlet 7. The incoming air flow AI at least partially passes through the air flow equalizer 2 and is then evenly distributed within the air handling unit 11 downstream of the air flow equalizer 2. Figure 4B As shown, a portion of the incoming air can flow downward from the air inlet 7 without passing through the perforated air flow plate 2. Figure 4B In the example shown, the air inlet 7 draws air into the purge sector P of the adsorption wheel 12. Therefore, the air flow equalizer 2 is arranged at an angle α to the incoming airflow from the air inlet 7, so that the incoming airflow AI is evenly distributed over the upstream surface of the purge sector P of the adsorption wheel 12. The airflow passes through the adsorption wheel 12 and then exits as the outflow airflow AO through the outlet 9. The outflow airflow AO can be used in any suitable manner for the air treatment device.

[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure through a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air flow equalizing plate (1, 2) for an air handling device (100), wherein the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2) is a perforated plate, and the perforated plate comprises a plurality of through holes (3) arranged on at least one surface (4, 5) of the air flow equalizing plate (1, 2), characterized in that: The air flow equalizing plates (1, 2) are configured to be arranged downstream of an air inlet (7) of an air treatment device (100) and to form an angle (α) with an incoming air flow from the air inlet (7), so that the incoming air flow at least partially passes through the air flow equalizing plates (1, 2) and is distributed downstream of the air flow equalizing plates (1, 2).

2. The air flow equalizing plate (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through hole (3) has a substantially square cross section.

3. The air flow equalizing plate (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air flow balancing plate (1) is flat and rectangular and comprises a top surface (4) and a bottom surface (5), so that the through hole (3) perforates the air flow balancing plate (1, 2) from the top surface (4) to the bottom surface (5).

4. The air flow equalizing plate (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air flow balancing plate (2) further comprises a plurality of fastening members (8), wherein the plurality of fastening members (8) are configured to attach the air flow balancing plate (2) to the air handling device (100) at an angle (α) to the incoming air flow from the air inlet (7), so that the incoming air flow at least partially passes through the air flow balancing plate (2) and is distributed downstream of the air flow balancing plate (2).

5. The air flow equalizing plate (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air inlet (7) is arranged upstream of the purge sector (P) of the adsorption rotor (12), and each of the plurality of fastening members (8) is configured to attach the air flow equalizing plate (2) to the air inlet (7) on the downstream side of the air inlet (7), so that the air flow equalizing plate (2) is attached in a manner that forms an angle (α) with the incoming air flow from the air inlet (7), whereby the air flow from the air inlet (7) at least partially passes through the air flow equalizing plate (2) and is distributed on the upstream surface of the purge sector (P) of the adsorption rotor (12).

6. The air flow equalizing plate (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air flow balancing plate (1) is flat and rectangular, and comprises a top surface (4), a bottom surface (5), and a plurality of through holes (3), wherein the plurality of through holes (3) perforate the air flow balancing plate (1) from the top surface (4) to the bottom surface (5).

7. The air flow equalizing plate (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The air flow equalizing plate (2) is configured to be arranged at an angle (α) to the incoming air flow from the air inlet (7) so that substantially all of the air flow from the air inlet (7) passes through the air flow equalizing plate (2) and is distributed downstream of the air flow equalizing plate (2).

8. A heat exchanger device (10), comprising an air inlet (7), a heat exchanger unit (6), and an air flow equalizing plate (1) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6 or 7, characterized in that: The air flow equalizing plates (1, 2) are arranged downstream of the air inlet (7), forming an angle (α) with the incoming air flow from the air inlet (7), and are arranged upstream of the heat exchanger unit (6), so that the incoming air flow passes through the air flow equalizing plates (1, 2) and is distributed within the heat exchanger unit (6).

9. An air handling unit (11), comprising the air flow equalizing plate (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The air flow equalizing plate (2) is arranged downstream of the air inlet (7) of the air handling unit (11) and is arranged to form an angle (α) with the incoming air flow from the air inlet (7), so that the incoming air flow passes through the air flow equalizing plate (2) and is distributed within the air handling unit (11) downstream of the air flow equalizing plate (2).

10. The air handling unit (11) according to claim 9, characterized in that The air handling unit (11) comprises an adsorption rotor (12), wherein the air flow equalizing plate (2) is arranged downstream of an air inlet (7) for sucking air into a purge sector (P) of the adsorption rotor (12), and the air flow equalizing plate (2) is arranged to form an angle (α) with the incoming air flow from the air inlet (7), so that the air flow is distributed on the upstream surface of the purge sector (P) of the adsorption rotor (12).

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