Embedded heat exchanger for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems face challenges in efficient assembly and maintenance due to the need for on-site assembly of complex terminal units, which leads to increased construction time, costs, and difficulties in maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ), as well as susceptibility to damage during transport and installation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves pre-assembling and pre-testing HVAC components, such as coils and ancillary components, in a factory setting before shipment, using protective features like brackets and enclosures to prevent damage and allowing for self-balancing control systems that eliminate the need for balancing elements, enabling efficient installation and reducing energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If terminal units are assembled on-site, then installation flexibility is improved, but construction time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling terminal units in a factory setting before shipment to the construction site. This includes pre-attaching coils to piping structures, pre-installing ancillary components, and pre-testing the assembled units. The factory pre-assembly eliminates time-consuming on-site assembly operations while maintaining installation flexibility through standardized connection interfaces and modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If terminal units are pre-assembled in factory, then manufacturing precision and quality control are improved, but transport damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing protective features that are pre-integrated into the terminal unit structure before shipping. These include protective brackets that extend beyond the coil assembly to shield vulnerable components, reinforced piping structures, and protective enclosures for electrical components. The protective elements are positioned to absorb or deflect impact forces during transport, preventing damage to the pre-assembled components.
3Measurement precision
If balancing elements are included in terminal units, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing terminal units with self-balancing capabilities that eliminate the need for separate manual balancing elements. The system uses integrated flow control mechanisms, such as self-regulating valves or electronically controlled actuators that automatically adjust flow based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for manual balancing operations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flow control precision.
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 approach reduces labor costs, minimizes on-site assembly time, ensures higher quality control, and improves IAQ by allowing for pre-calibration and pre-programming of components, while also reducing energy consumption and potential for LEED certification.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger, an inlet piping assembly coupled with the heat exchanger for supplying fluid to the heat exchanger, and an outlet piping assembly coupled with the heat exchanger for receiving fluid from the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A zone-control unit for use in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the zone-control unit includes a heat exchanger, an inlet piping assembly coupled with the heat exchanger for supplying fluid to the heat exchanger, an outlet piping assembly coupled with the heat exchanger for receiving fluid from the heat exchanger, a bracket that maintains the inlet piping assembly and the outlet piping assembly in positional relationship, and an ancillary component coupled with the heat exchanger.