Movable Air-Flow Guide Vane for Furnace Heating and Cooling Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Furnace systems with fixed baffles face inefficiencies in both heating and cooling modes due to increased pressure drop and power consumption, leading to a tradeoff between heating and cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating movable vanes in baffle systems that can be controlled to adapt airflow resistance based on operational modes, using actuators or variable-position mechanical connectors like springs to deploy or retract vanes during heating and cooling operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed baffles are used to direct airflow over heat exchangers, then heating efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases and cooling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidblower motor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the baffle vanes movable rather than fixed. The vanes are connected to actuators that can change their position between heating and cooling modes. During heating operation, the vanes are positioned to direct airflow over the heat exchangers for maximum heat transfer. During cooling operation, the vanes are repositioned to minimize resistance to airflow through the furnace cabinet, thereby reducing blower motor power consumption and improving cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If baffles are used to direct airflow over heat exchangers, then heat transfer is improved, but airflow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidairflow resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of baffle vanes to optimize airflow characteristics for different operating modes. The vanes are positioned to maximize heat transfer during heating by directing airflow over the heat exchanger surfaces. During cooling, the vanes are repositioned to create a more open airflow path, minimizing turbulence and resistance, thereby reducing the harmful effect of airflow resistance while maintaining effective heat transfer when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If fixed baffle systems are used, then heating performance is optimized, but adaptability to different operational modes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating performanceVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the adaptability issue by implementing movable vanes with actuator mechanisms that can dynamically reconfigure the airflow path based on operational mode. The system includes control logic that detects whether the furnace is in heating or cooling mode and automatically positions the vanes accordingly. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize heating performance when required while also maximizing cooling efficiency by minimizing airflow resistance during cooling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single baffle system that serves multiple functions - optimizing both heating and cooling operations. The movable vanes allow the same physical structure to adapt its configuration for different operational requirements, making the furnace system universally efficient for both heating and cooling modes rather than being specialized for only one function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 adaptation reduces blower motor power consumption by approximately 7% during cooling operations by minimizing airflow resistance when vanes are retracted, while maintaining heating efficiency by directing airflow effectively over heat exchangers.

Implementation Method 1

variable-position mechanical connectors, such as springs with stiffness selected such that in a heating airflow, the vanes are held in an deployed position by the springs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a cooling airflow moves the vanes into a retracted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11231207B2Movable air-flow guide vane for a furnace

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A furnace system features baffles, each set of baffles including one or more movable vanes, and systems for controlling the positioning of movable vanes during furnace operation. Actuators may be used to move vanes between deployed and retracted positions, the actuators controlled by units within the furnace or linked to the power sources for furnace elements which are specific to either heating or cooling operations. The movable vanes may alternately be positioned by using springs with stiffness selected to place vanes in a deployed position when under heating airflows and in a retracted position when under cooling airflows.