Induction-Displacement Unit Layout for Heating Along Exterior Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Induction-displacement units in HVAC systems face challenges in providing effective heating along exterior walls while maintaining displacement ventilation, as delivered air rises instead of pooling across the floor in heating mode, necessitating separate heating systems that cannot be placed in the same location as these units.
Innovation Solution
An induction displacement unit design featuring an induction plenum communicating with both a heating coil and a cooling coil, where the heating coil is positioned above the cooling coil, allowing for vertical and horizontal air discharge configurations to manage air flow and temperature distribution effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If induction-displacement units are used along exterior walls for displacement ventilation, then indoor air quality is improved and ventilation air is delivered to the occupied area, but heating cannot be provided at the same location because delivered air rises instead of pooling across the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The unit is divided into separate heating and cooling sections with independent air discharge paths. The heating section discharges air horizontally along the floor to provide heating at exterior walls, while the cooling section discharges air vertically to maintain displacement ventilation function. This segmentation allows both heating and cooling functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other's air flow patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the unit are designed with different discharge characteristics tailored to their specific function. The heating portion uses horizontal discharge nozzles positioned near the floor to create a warm air pool along the exterior wall, while the cooling portion uses vertical discharge to deliver cool air directly to the occupied zone. Each section has optimized local air flow properties suitable for its intended purpose.
2Temperature
If a separate heating system is provided in the space, then heating can be supplied to exterior walls, but the heating system cannot be placed in the same location as the induction-displacement units
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and cooling functions are merged into a single integrated unit housing. Both heating coils and cooling coils are installed within the same unit, with separate plenums and discharge mechanisms. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating systems and allows both functions to be located at the same exterior wall positions where displacement ventilation units are installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The induction-displacement unit is designed to perform multiple functions: displacement ventilation, heating, and cooling. By incorporating both heating and cooling coils with independent control, the unit becomes a universal air handling device that can provide all three functions from a single location, eliminating the need for additional separate heating equipment.
3Temperature
If the heating coil raises the return air temperature above room temperature, then heating is provided, but the unit can no longer function as a displacement terminal unit because the delivered air starts rising immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge system is segmented into separate heating and cooling discharge plenums. Heated air from the heating coil is discharged horizontally through dedicated heating nozzles positioned at the lower portion of the unit, while cooled air from the cooling coil is discharged vertically through separate cooling nozzles. This physical separation prevents heated air from rising immediately and maintains the displacement ventilation air flow pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating air discharge is oriented horizontally along the floor plane rather than vertically upward. By changing the discharge direction from vertical to horizontal, the heated air travels along the floor surface and provides heating without immediately rising, thus preserving the displacement ventilation air stratification and flow patterns in the vertical dimension.
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
Enables simultaneous heating and displacement ventilation along exterior walls without the need for separate heating systems, providing uniform temperature distribution and meeting noise standards, thus enhancing indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a coil is provided in the return air path of the induction-displacement unit to condition the return air... In the heating mode, the coil may be set to raise the temperature of the return air
Implementation Method 2
In the cooling mode, the coil will reduce the return air temperature to a few degrees below the space temperature
Implementation Method 3
By adding induction, room air from the space can be conditioned, filtered, and returned to the space in a mixture with the ventilation air
Implementation Method 4
Heat generated by the occupants and equipment in the space causes ventilation air to be naturally drawn up by convection which ensures fresh air is continually delivered to the breathing zone of the occupants
Data Source
AI summary
An induction displacement unit comprising an induction plenum comprising a plurality of first nozzles communicating with a first discharge plenum and a plurality of second nozzles communicating with a second discharge plenum, a return air plenum, a heating coil disposed between the return air plenum and the first discharge plenum, a cooling coil disposed between the return air plenum and the second discharge plenum, the induction plenum vertically disposed between the heating coil and the cooling coil, the heating coil disposed in an upper portion of the unit, the first discharge plenum disposed to induce a substantially vertical discharge, and the second discharge plenum disposed to induce a substantially horizontal discharge.