Economizer having source-specific damper blade assemblies and heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit employing the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional economizers face a trade-off between pressure drop and volume control for return and outdoor air, with either low pressure drop or precise volume control being compromised, affecting HVAC system efficiency and compliance with ventilation codes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of source-specific damper blade assemblies, where damper blades for return air move in parallel and those for outdoor air move in opposition, allowing for optimized enthalpy blending and damper settings to achieve both low pressure drop and precise volume control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If damper blades move in parallel, then pressure drop is reduced, but volume control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is segmented into multiple blade assemblies (first plurality and second plurality), where each assembly can move independently in different patterns. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for pressure drop in some blade assemblies while maintaining volume control precision in others, resolving the contradiction between these two competing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different blade assemblies are assigned different movement characteristics - some blades move in parallel to minimize pressure drop, while others move in opposition to maximize volume control precision. This local differentiation of quality allows each blade assembly to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other requirement.
2Measurement precision
If damper blades move in opposition, then volume control precision is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is divided into multiple blade assemblies that can operate independently. The second plurality of blades is configured to move in opposition for precise volume control, while the first plurality moves in parallel to minimize pressure drop. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both contradictory goals in different parts of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different movement patterns to different blade assemblies based on their specific functional requirements. The opposition movement is applied locally to blade assemblies where volume control precision is critical, while parallel movement is applied to blade assemblies where pressure drop reduction is the priority.
Data Source
AI summary
An economizer having a first air inlet, a second air inlet and an air outlet, a method of operating an economizer and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system employing the economizer. In one embodiment, the economizer includes: (1) a first damper blade assembly in fluid communication with the first air inlet and the air outlet and having a first plurality of damper blades configured to move in parallel and (2) a second damper blade assembly in fluid communication with the second air inlet and the air outlet and having a second plurality of damper blades configured to move in opposition.