Fresh Air Ventilation Assembly With Independent Intake Blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning and heating units have insufficient fresh air ventilation capacity, often providing only 50-70 cubic feet per minute, which fails to meet current building codes and standards, and is influenced by other factors such as condenser fan operation.
Innovation Solution
A fresh air ventilation device with an independent fan and duct system that supplements the unit's blower, allowing for increased fresh air intake from outside, independent of the evaporator or condenser blower, and includes a filter and adjustable control for optimizing air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the evaporator blower wheel is used to draw in fresh air through openings in the main partition, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fresh air flow rate is substantially below current new building standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air handling function into separate components: the evaporator blower wheel continues to handle recirculating air, while a dedicated fresh air blower wheel is introduced specifically for drawing in fresh air. This segmentation allows each blower to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the fresh air system to achieve the required 150 CFM flow rate without compromising the existing recirculation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fresh air plenum as an intermediary component that receives fresh air from the fresh air blower wheel and distributes it to the evaporator. This plenum acts as a mediator between the fresh air intake system and the recirculation system, allowing fresh air to be introduced without interfering with the evaporator blower wheel's primary function of circulating conditioned air.
2Device complexity
If the evaporator blower wheel draws fresh air through the main partition, then no additional fan is needed, but the flow rate is substantially influenced by condenser fan or interior roomside static pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air moving functions by introducing a dedicated fresh air blower wheel that operates independently from the evaporator blower wheel. This fresh air blower is positioned to draw air directly from the outdoor environment through dedicated fresh air intakes, creating a separate airflow path that is not influenced by condenser fan operation or roomside static pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fresh air plenum serves as an intermediary that decouples the fresh air intake system from the recirculation system. By introducing fresh air through this intermediate chamber before it reaches the evaporator, the system ensures that fresh air flow rates remain stable and are not affected by pressure fluctuations in the recirculation path caused by condenser fan operation or room conditions.
3Temperature
If the condenser fan operates simultaneously with the vent door open, then the condenser cooling function is performed, but some fresh air that would otherwise be drawn through the main partition is drawn by the condenser fan and passed through the condenser to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate airflow paths for condenser cooling and fresh air intake. The condenser fan draws air through dedicated condenser intakes and exhausts it through condenser outlets, while the fresh air blower wheel draws fresh air through its own dedicated intakes and delivers it through the fresh air plenum to the evaporator. This segmentation ensures that condenser cooling operations do not interfere with fresh air delivery, eliminating the problem of fresh air being inadvertently drawn through the condenser.
Solution Approach 2:
The fresh air plenum acts as an intermediary that ensures fresh air reaches the evaporator through a controlled path independent of condenser fan operation. By introducing fresh air into this intermediate chamber, the system guarantees that fresh air flow is maintained even when the condenser fan is operating, preventing fresh air from being diverted through the condenser to the outside.
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
The solution effectively increases fresh air flow to meet building standards, providing up to 150 cubic feet per minute, improving indoor air quality and meeting regulatory requirements while being economical, simple, and compact in design.
Implementation Method 1
The device contains an independent fan for supplementing the blower(s) of the unit with fresh air
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator being on the room side (interior) of the partition... the room air is recirculated through the evaporator for cooling
Implementation Method 3
the condenser and compressor being on the outside
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to fresh air ventilation devices adapted for use with air conditioners (ACs) and/or heaters. In operation, the device supplements the recirculating air of the AC/heater with fresh air drawn from outside of the building.