Blower assembly for use in an air handling system and method for assembling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handling systems experience significant pressure drops and decreased aerodynamics efficiency due to multiple heat exchangers in series, leading to higher blower speeds and increased noise levels.
Innovation Solution
A compact mixed flow blower assembly with a housing design that includes a central cavity for the motor and a ring-shaped flow passage, positioned with a heat exchanger upstream to preheat airflow, reducing pressure drop and allowing the fan to operate at slower speeds, thus minimizing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple heat exchangers are positioned in series downstream of the blower assembly, then the airflow can be heated at different temperatures, but the pressure drop increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the blower assembly downstream of the heat exchangers instead of upstream. This reversal allows the blower to operate at lower speeds since it only needs to overcome the pressure drop of a single heat exchanger rather than multiple series heat exchangers, thereby reducing noise while still achieving the desired airflow heating through the heat exchangers.
2Stress or pressure
If the blower assembly operates at higher rotating speeds to maintain desired pressure and velocity, then the airflow pressure and velocity are maintained, but the aerodynamics efficiency decreases and noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the system arrangement and placing the blower downstream of the heat exchangers, the blower operates at lower rotating speeds to maintain the same airflow pressure and velocity. This speed reduction directly decreases the noise level generated by the blower assembly while preserving the required airflow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the blower assembly by reducing its rotating speed. This parameter change is made possible by the inverted system arrangement, and it results in reduced noise generation while maintaining the necessary airflow pressure and velocity through the heat exchangers.
3Productivity
If an externally mounted motor is used in the mixed flow fan, then the fan can channel air through the system, but the space occupied within the air handling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by integrating the motor within the blower assembly housing rather than using an externally mounted motor. The motor is positioned in a cavity formed by the housing, with the flow passage extending circumferentially around it. This nested arrangement allows the motor to be contained within the existing structure, significantly reducing the space occupied while maintaining the fan's air channeling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A blower assembly includes a housing including an inner shell and an outer shell that define a flow passage therebetween. The inner shell also at least partially defines a cavity. The blower assembly also includes a fan coupled within the housing such that the fan also at least partially defines the cavity. The blower assembly further includes a motor configured to rotate about an axis. The motor is coupled to the inner shell and is positioned within the cavity radially inward of the flow passage.