Energy recovery ventilator unit with offset and overlapping enthalpy wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy recovery ventilator units face challenges in providing a high fresh-air proportion without using a single large diameter energy exchange enthalpy wheel, leading to increased size, weight, and cost, which limits compatibility with smaller roof-top air handling units.
Innovation Solution
The design features a cabinet with multiple enthalpy wheels where major surfaces are substantially perpendicular and overlapping, allowing for efficient energy recovery in a smaller footprint, reducing airflow distribution negative effects, and providing redundancy and easier servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single large diameter enthalpy wheel is used to provide high fresh-air proportion, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but device size, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large enthalpy wheel into multiple smaller enthalpy wheels (typically two or more) that are arranged in parallel within the cabinet. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the same total heat exchange surface area and energy recovery efficiency as a single large wheel, while significantly reducing the cabinet footprint and allowing compatibility with smaller roof-top air handling units.
2Loss of energy
If a single large diameter enthalpy wheel is used, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the enthalpy wheel system into multiple smaller wheels, the patent reduces the weight of individual components and the overall unit weight. The smaller wheels can be manufactured with less material and are easier to handle, install, and service, while collectively providing the same energy recovery performance.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple enthalpy wheels are used to reduce footprint, then cabinet size is reduced, but airflow distribution may be negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning and spacing of the multiple enthalpy wheels within the cabinet, along with asymmetric airflow distribution channels, to optimize airflow patterns. This asymmetric design ensures that air flows evenly across all wheel surfaces, preventing dead zones or uneven distribution that could reduce productivity, while maintaining the reduced footprint advantage.
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 configuration achieves desirable energy recovery levels with minimal loss compared to single-wheel units, reduces costs, and allows for easier installation and maintenance, while maintaining airflow rates without excessive power expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
energy exchange enthalpy wheel
Implementation Method 2
enthalpy wheels... in the direction of primary forced-air intake
Data Source
AI summary
An energy recovery ventilator cabinet containing a plurality of enthalpy wheels. The enthalpy wheels are substantially perpendicular to a stream of forced air, allowing the air to pass through the wheels. The enthalpy wheels are also disposed such that portions overlap, allowing multiple enthalpy wheels to be disposed in a smaller space than if the enthalpy wheels were placed side by side. This arrangement has led to energy recovery effectiveness similar to that obtained by a larger, single enthalpy wheel, but has the advantage of using less space.