HVAC Evase and Intake Design to Reduce Reverse Flow and Noise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern HVAC systems face inefficiencies due to outdated designs, leading to increased operating costs, noise, and reduced fan efficiency, primarily caused by poor fluid flow characteristics and reverse flow issues at duct transitions.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an evase device with rounded corners and an intermediate baffle to mitigate reverse flow, combined with an intake device featuring a sloped inner funnel and a fan intake device with a varying cross-sectional flow channel to accelerate fluid flow, reduces noise and enhances aerodynamic efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional HVAC system designs are used, then device simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but fluid flow characteristics deteriorate causing reverse flow and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies rounded corners at the duct transition instead of sharp angles. This curvature modification eliminates flow separation and reverse flow by creating smooth flow paths, directly improving fluid flow efficiency while adding minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the duct transition into multiple sections with gradual area changes rather than a single abrupt transition. This segmentation creates intermediate steps that guide fluid flow smoothly, preventing reverse flow and improving overall flow efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If outdated HVAC designs are used, then manufacturing costs remain low, but operating costs increase due to reduced fan efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan horsepower consumptionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies geometric parameters of the duct transition, specifically the corner radius and transition angle, to optimize fluid flow characteristics. These parameter changes reduce turbulence and improve flow efficiency, leading to lower fan horsepower consumption while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If sharp corners are used at duct transitions, then device complexity is minimized, but harmful reverse flow is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse flowVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sharp corners with rounded corners at the duct transition. This curvature eliminates flow separation and reverse flow by ensuring smooth flow paths, directly addressing the harmful reverse flow effect while adding minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

These designs result in reduced fan horsepower consumption, quieter operation, longer motor life, and improved fluid flow, leading to lower operating costs and increased efficiency in HVAC systems.

Implementation Method 1

the housing can have a rounded corner determined to mitigate a reverse flow of the fluid at corners of the duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

The outer surface can be sloped, causing the flow of the fluid entering the intake duct in the radial direction to change to the direction along the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow direction change:

Implementation Method 3

a cross-sectional area of the flow channel can vary between the inlet opening and the discharge opening in a manner that is determined to cause the flow of the fluid through the flow channel to continuously accelerate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBernoulli principle: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11346564B2HVAC devices with improved design and functionality

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 BEST TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Architectures and techniques are presented that can facilitate improved design and function of certain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) devices. Architectures directed to an improved evase device can be designed with rounded corners that can facilitate, e.g., mitigation of reverse flow that traditionally grows back from corners of a transition from an axial fan to a rectangular duct. Architectures directed to an improved intake device can be designed to limit intake from certain flow directions and to smoothly change flow direction, which can facilitate, e.g., reduction in noise. Architectures directed to an improved fan intake device can be designed to reduce noise without significantly reducing total pressure. Architectures directed to an improved air handler device can be designed to concurrently heat and cool air and to reduce dimensions (e.g., size, weight) that can reduce costs and mitigate shipping and installation difficulties.