Condenser fan rotation restriction system
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HVAC systems, the deactivation of condenser fans during low ambient temperatures or part-load operations leads to backflow of air across inactive fans, causing reverse rotation and air vortices, which reduces efficiency and increases torque load on components, potentially causing wear and limiting the use of certain motor types.
Innovation Solution
A fan rotation restriction system, including an actuator and plunger, is used to selectively block the rotation of inactive condenser fans' shafts and a damper assembly to occlude backflow passages, preventing reverse rotation and reducing air recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If condenser fans are deactivated during low ambient temperatures or part-load operations, then energy consumption is reduced, but air backflow causes reverse rotation of inactive fans which reduces system efficiency and increases torque load on components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful backflow air from the system by blocking the air passage leading to inactive fans using a damper assembly. This prevents the backflow from reaching the inactive fans, eliminating the source of reverse rotation and vortex generation while maintaining the energy-saving benefit of having fans deactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a damper assembly and rotation restrictor as intermediary components between the air flow and the inactive fans. These intermediaries block and restrict the backflow air, preventing it from causing harmful effects on inactive fans while allowing the system to operate efficiently with reduced energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If condenser fans are deactivated during certain operational periods, then operational flexibility is improved, but reverse rotation of inactive fans generates air vortices that decrease effectiveness of operational fans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful air vortices from the system by blocking the backflow air before it can reach inactive fans. This extraction of the harmful element (backflow air) prevents vortex generation, maintaining the productivity and effectiveness of operational fans while preserving operational flexibility through selective fan deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper assembly and rotation restrictor serve as intermediary components that mediate between the air flow and inactive fans. They selectively block backflow air during fan deactivation, preventing harmful vortex generation while allowing the system to maintain operational flexibility by deactivating fans during part-load operations or low ambient temperatures.
3Device complexity
If inactive fans are allowed to rotate in reverse, then device complexity is reduced, but torque load on motor components increases causing wear and limiting motor type selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotation restrictor as an intermediary component that selectively engages with the shaft of inactive fans to prevent reverse rotation. This simple mechanical restriction device protects motor components from excessive torque loads and wear caused by reverse rotation, extending component life without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful reverse rotation motion from the system by using a rotation restrictor to block and prevent the shaft of inactive fans from rotating in reverse. This removal of the harmful motion protects motor components from excessive torque loads and wear, improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser fan assembly includes a first condenser fan and a first motor coupled to the first condenser fan via a first shaft, where the first motor is configured to drive rotation of the first condenser fan via the first shaft, and a second condenser fan and a second motor coupled to the second condenser fan via a second shaft, where the second motor is configured to drive rotation of the second condenser fan via the second shaft. The condenser fan assembly also includes a fan rotation restrictor configured to selectively block and enable rotation of the first shaft.