Dampers placed on the half face of the inlet and the outlet of side-by-side airflow energy recovery sections used as recirculation path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handlers with recirculation dampers face challenges in optimizing airflow paths and pressure drop properties due to the space requirements of the dampers, which can lead to inefficiencies in energy recirculation and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The air handler incorporates recirculation dampers placed on the faceplate of the housing instead of the unit wall, allowing for more compact airflow paths and improved pressure drop properties by separating the recirculation paths with a septum and utilizing independently operable damper sections to manage airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recirculation dampers are placed on the unit wall shared by inlet and return tunnels, then the dampers can control airflow effectively, but the recirculation path length increases and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampers are relocated from the unit wall (one dimension) to the faceplate (another dimension), changing the spatial arrangement. This dimensional shift allows the dampers to be positioned at the inlet and return openings directly, shortening the recirculation path while maintaining airflow control effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampers are extracted from the shared unit wall structure and repositioned to the faceplate. This extraction removes the constraint of the unit wall location, enabling optimization of the recirculation path length without compromising the dampers' airflow control function.
2Device complexity
If recirculation dampers are placed on the unit wall, then the structure is simplified, but the recirculation path becomes less compact and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By moving dampers to the faceplate dimension rather than the unit wall dimension, the recirculation path becomes more compact. This reduces the volume of air that needs to be moved and minimizes energy losses in the recirculation process, while the faceplate integration maintains structural simplicity.
3Length of stationary object
If recirculation dampers are placed on the faceplate, then the recirculation path is shortened and pressure drop is reduced, but the dampers occupy space on the faceplate area
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate is segmented into distinct functional areas: damper locations at the inlet and return openings, and separate openings for fresh air intake. This segmentation allows efficient use of faceplate space, with dampers positioned to minimize recirculation path length while openings positioned to maintain adequate airflow areas.
4Loss of energy
If the recirculation path is made compact by moving dampers to the faceplate, then pressure drop properties improve, but the tunnel design must accommodate disjointed connection areas
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate connection areas are segmented into disjointed first and second areas, with the first area connecting to the inlet tunnel and the second area connecting to the return tunnel. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each connection, achieving compact recirculation paths with improved pressure drop properties while managing tunnel connection complexity through clear spatial separation.
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
This configuration enhances airflow recirculation efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and achieves space savings by minimizing the distance required for recirculation functions, resulting in more uniform downstream airflow and reduced pressure drops.
Implementation Method 1
The vented indoor air and the fresh air exchange energy in the core and recapture a portion of the energy from the vented indoor air
Implementation Method 2
A first damper is disposed in the first area of the faceplate and configured to obstruct the first recirculation path. A second damper is disposed in the second area of the faceplate and configured to obstruct the second recirculation path
Data Source
AI summary
An air handler includes a housing with a heat exchanger core. The housing includes a faceplate, a roof panel, a base panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A first tunnel and a second tunnel are connected to the housing at the faceplate. A septum protrudes from the faceplate and connects the core at a front edge. The air handler further includes a first recirculation path and a second recirculation path inside the housing. The first and second recirculation paths are defined by the septum, the housing, and the core. The first and second recirculation paths are configured to direct a portion of airflow from the first tunnel to the second tunnel. The air handler further includes a first damper and a second damper disposed on the faceplate and configured to obstruct the first recirculation path and the second recirculation path respectively.