Air handler devices with improved design and functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern air handler devices rely on outdated structural designs, leading to inefficiencies in temperature control, increased operating and manufacturing costs, and noise issues due to reverse fluid flow and aerodynamic losses.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an evase device with rounded corners to mitigate reverse flow, an intake device with a sloped inner funnel to reduce noise and aerodynamic losses, and an aero-acoustical fan intake device with a varying cross-sectional flow channel to accelerate fluid flow, along with an air handler device featuring multiple thermal transfer units for simultaneous heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional sharp-cornered housing is used at the second side, then manufacturing is simpler, but reverse flow of fluid occurs at corners of the duct causing aerodynamic losses and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The housing at the second side is designed with rounded corners instead of sharp corners. This curvature modification eliminates flow separation and reverse flow at the corners, reducing aerodynamic losses and noise while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard rounding processes.
2Loss of energy
If conventional straight flow channels are used, then device complexity is reduced, but aerodynamic losses increase due to flow separation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel incorporates curved transitions and rounded corners throughout its length. These curved geometries guide fluid flow smoothly from the fan discharge to the duct interface, preventing flow separation and reducing aerodynamic losses without excessive complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional rectangular duct interfaces are used, then manufacturing is easier, but noise levels increase due to reverse flow
Solution Approach 1:
The duct interface is designed with rounded corners that match the curved flow channel. This curvature continuity prevents flow separation and reverse flow at the interface, significantly reducing noise generation while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional egress devices are used, then device complexity is lower, but fan horsepower consumption increases due to reverse flow
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates rounded corners and curved transitions that eliminate flow separation and reverse flow. This geometric optimization improves fan efficiency by reducing the horsepower required to move the same volume of air, while the curvature can be achieved through standard manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These solutions reduce fan horsepower consumption, noise levels, and operating costs, while improving airflow efficiency and allowing for compact designs that meet height constraints, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective HVAC system.
Implementation Method 1
At the second side, the housing can have a rounded corner determined to mitigate a reverse flow of the fluid at corners of the duct
Implementation Method 2
The inner funnel can comprise an outer surface that spans the upper portion and the lower portion. The outer surface can be sloped, causing the flow of the fluid entering the intake duct in the radial direction to change to the direction along the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 3
a cross-sectional area of the flow channel can vary between the inlet opening and the discharge opening in a manner that is determined to cause the flow of the fluid through the flow channel to continuously accelerate from a first location of the channel to the discharge opening
Data Source
AI summary
Architectures and techniques are presented that can facilitate improved design and function of certain air handler devices. Architectures directed to an improved air handler device can be designed to improve temperature control demands such as, e.g., concurrently heat and cool air and reducing device dimensions (e.g., size, weight) that can reduce costs and mitigate shipping and installation difficulties.