Multi-modes air handling system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air handling units (AHUs) are inefficient in reversing airflow direction, leading to high energy consumption due to aerodynamic properties optimized for one rotational direction, and require significant space and resources for redirection, necessitating a more energy and space-efficient system for controlling airflows in multiple zones.
Innovation Solution
A multi-modes air handling unit (AHU) with pivoting fans and a heat-exchanging block, allowing for seamless fluid communication between warm and cold airflows, and a controller for remote operation, enabling various modes of airflow control and integration with a network for zone regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fan rotational direction is reversed to change airflow direction, then airflow direction can be changed, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fan assembly is made dynamically adjustable by allowing the fan housing to pivot between different angular positions. This dynamic repositioning enables the fan to direct airflow in multiple directions without reversing rotation, thereby avoiding high energy consumption while maintaining versatility in airflow control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the rotational direction parameter of the fan motor, the system changes the spatial orientation parameter of the fan assembly by pivoting the housing. This parameter substitution allows airflow direction control while keeping the motor operating in its efficient rotational direction range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional components are used for airflow redirection, then airflow can be redirected, but system volume and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan housing is merged with the airflow redirection function by integrating the pivotable structure directly into the housing. This eliminates the need for separate redirection components such as dampers or traps, reducing overall system volume while maintaining airflow redirection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan housing serves multiple functions: it protects the fan blades, structures the airflow path, and acts as the pivoting mechanism for direction control. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing system volume and space requirements.
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 provides efficient energy use and space optimization by allowing multiple modes of operation for airflow control, reducing energy consumption and enhancing flexibility in managing air characteristics across zones.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-exchanging unit in seamless fluid communication with a warm airflow and a cold airflow
Implementation Method 2
The heat-exchanging unit may be a heat-exchanging block... Each airflow enters through a first surface and leaves on respective opposite surfaces
Implementation Method 3
The fan is mounted inside a conduit on a pivoting bracket allowing at least a rotation of 90 degrees... The aerodynamic properties of fan blades are generally designed to be optimized to produce an efficient airflow in one rotational direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-modes heat exchanger and air ventilation system and method. The system's different modes are possible with the rotation of fan assemblies allowing airflow into specific ducts, thus acting both as fans and as valves. Each air handing unit is connected to a centralized network which allows the control of multiple units simultaneously in response to interior or exterior air characteristics.