Air Handling Chamber Layout With Switchable Heat Recovery Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handling apparatuses in ventilating, heating, and cooling systems do not respond quickly or easily to changes in temperature or control system alterations, leading to inefficiencies in heat recovery and distribution.
Innovation Solution
The air handling apparatus features a damper that can rotate between two positions to form either a single loop or two distinct closed loops, allowing fluid to flow through different paths and connect heat exchangers and fans in various configurations, along with optional connections to solar panels, domestic hot water cylinders, and heat recovery units, enabling flexible operation and efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single large chamber is used in air handling apparatus, then all components can be housed in one unit, but the system responds slowly to temperature changes and control alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The air handling apparatus is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) instead of using a single large chamber. Each chamber houses specific components: the first heat exchanger in the first chamber, the second heat exchanger in the second chamber, and the fans in the third chamber. This segmentation allows for faster response to temperature changes and control alterations while maintaining organized component placement.
2Speed
If multiple separate chambers are used in air handling apparatus, then the system responds quickly to temperature changes, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
While the apparatus uses multiple separate chambers to improve response speed, the chambers are connected through a common plenum chamber that integrates the airflow paths. The first and second chambers both connect to the plenum, which distributes air through the system. This merging approach reduces the overall structural complexity compared to completely separate systems while maintaining the fast response benefits of multiple chambers.
3Device complexity
If the air handling apparatus is designed with fixed chamber connections, then the structure is simple, but the system lacks flexibility to adapt to different operational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The air handling apparatus incorporates variable speed fans that can adjust their operation based on different operational requirements. The system can operate with both fans running, with only the first fan running, or with only the second fan running, allowing dynamic adaptation to different heating or cooling demands. This dynamic operation provides versatility without requiring complex physical reconfiguration of the chamber connections.
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 allows the system to respond dynamically to temperature changes and external commands, enhancing the efficiency of heat recovery and distribution, and can operate with either liquid or air-based solar panels, improving overall system performance and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The air handling apparatus comprises a first heat exchanger (23) and a second heat exchanger (24)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An air handling apparatus comprising a first and a second chamber, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a first fan and a second fan wherein each chamber comprises at least one fluid inlet port connected to one of the heat exchangers and at least one fluid outlet port connected to one of the fans characterised in that the air handling apparatus further comprises a separation means intermediate the chambers movable between a first and second position whereby in the first position the first chamber contains the first heat exchanger and the first fan, and a second chamber contains the second heat exchanger and the second fan, and in the second position the first chamber contains the first heat exchanger and the second fan and the second chamber contains the second heat exchanger and the first fan.