Parallel fan powered terminal unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parallel fan powered terminal units face issues with heating coil placement, which either impede air flow or cause damage to the fan, and are difficult to access for maintenance due to their location within the unit.
Innovation Solution
A parallel fan unit design with a heating coil placed in the induced air chamber, where it heats secondary air without obstructing primary air flow and is removable without disassembling the chamber, along with a controller that adjusts airflow and heating coil operation based on thermostat feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heating coil is placed in front of the primary and secondary air flow, then the heating coil can heat the air, but the heating coil impedes the air flow and increases the load of the air handling unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air handling system into separate primary air flow path and secondary air flow path. The heating coil is placed only in the secondary air path, while the primary air path remains unobstructed. This segmentation allows heating functionality to be added without impeding the main primary air flow, thus resolving the contradiction between heating capability and air flow efficiency.
2Temperature
If the heating coil is placed behind the secondary air flow to heat the secondary air, then the heating coil can heat the secondary air, but the heat generated by the heating coil may cause damage to the fan that draws the secondary air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating coil from the fan housing or motor area and places it in a separate location within the secondary air path, such as in the return air duct or in a dedicated heating section before the fan intake. This extraction ensures that the heating coil can perform its heating function while being physically separated from the fan, preventing heat damage and improving fan reliability.
3Temperature
If the heating coil is placed in the duct in front of the fan, then the heating coil can heat the air, but it is difficult to access and service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the heating coil placement to have different local qualities in different areas: in the secondary air path where accessibility is needed, the heating coil is positioned in easily accessible locations such as the return air duct or in sections with service access panels. This allows maintenance personnel to access and service the heating coil without disassembling major components, while still maintaining effective heating 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 design enhances airflow efficiency by avoiding increased load on the air handling unit and allows for easier maintenance of the heating coil, while effectively controlling temperature in regions by adjusting airflow and heating coil activation.
Implementation Method 1
the heating coil heats the secondary air
Implementation Method 2
a fan disposed in the induced air chamber, wherein the fan is configured to blow the secondary air received via the induced air chamber toward the heating coil
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include a primary air chamber configured to receive primary air, an induced air chamber configured to receive secondary air, a heating coil disposed in the induced air chamber, wherein the heating coil is removable from the induced air chamber without disassembling at least a portion of the induced air chamber, and the heating coil does not receive the primary air, a fan disposed in the induced air chamber, wherein the fan is configured to blow the secondary air received via the induced air chamber toward the heating coil and the heating coil heats the secondary air.