HVAC Selective Flowpath Design to Reduce Unused Component Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems often consume additional power and have lower efficiency ratings due to directing air through unused components, which increases flowpath resistance and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The HVAC system includes selectively removable and adjustable components within the airflow path, allowing for the prevention of air passage through unused components and optimizing the orientation of these components based on the system's mode of operation and air temperature, thereby reducing flowpath resistance and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If air is directed through multiple components in the HVAC system, then all components can potentially be utilized for heating or cooling functions, but flowpath resistance increases and energy consumption increases when components are not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically adjustable components including dampers that can open or close flowpaths, and variable speed fans that adjust airflow based on operational mode. The controller dynamically reconfigures the airflow path to direct air only through actively used components, eliminating unnecessary flow resistance and energy consumption when certain components are not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC system is segmented into distinct functional modules (furnace with heat exchanger, indoor HVAC unit with refrigerant heat exchanger, and associated flowpaths) that can be independently activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to isolate and utilize only the necessary components for the current heating or cooling operation, preventing air from being forced through inactive components
2Adaptability or versatility
If air is directed through multiple components in the HVAC system, then all components can potentially be utilized for heating or cooling functions, but flowpath resistance increases and efficiency ratings decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures airflow paths using controllable dampers and variable speed fans to minimize flowpath resistance. During heating operation, the damper closes the refrigerant heat exchanger flowpath, and during cooling operation, the damper closes the furnace heat exchanger flowpath, ensuring air flows only through actively used components and maximizing system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes inactive components from the active airflow path using dampers to close off unnecessary flowpaths. This extraction prevents energy loss by ensuring air does not need to overcome the flow resistance of components that are not currently contributing to heating or cooling
3Device complexity
If components are fixed in the airflow path, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot optimize efficiency for different operating modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamically controllable elements including electrically actuated dampers and variable speed fans that can be controlled via a controller to reconfigure airflow paths based on operational mode (heating or cooling), providing adaptability without substantially complicating the overall system structure
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC system is designed with multi-functional components that can serve different purposes based on operational mode. The same physical infrastructure (ducts, fans, heat exchangers) supports both heating and cooling operations, with controllable dampers enabling a single system to adapt its configuration for different functions
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes: a furnace having a furnace heat exchanger; and an indoor HVAC unit having a refrigerant heat exchanger. At least one of a component of the furnace and a component of the indoor HVAC unit are selectively removable from an airflow path of the HVAC system.