Rotatable Heating Coil Positioning to Reduce HVAC Pressure Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional HVAC systems face inefficiencies due to the hydronic heating coil being present in the airflow path even when inactive, leading to increased pressure drop and power consumption during cooling mode operations.

Innovation Solution

An actuation mechanism that rotates the hydronic heating coil between a position within the airflow path in heating mode and a position substantially removed from the airflow path in cooling mode, using an actuator and controller to adjust its orientation based on operational parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hydronic heating coil is disposed within the airflow path, then heating function is enabled, but pressure drop increases and power consumption increases during cooling mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating coil is made rotatable about a longitudinal axis, transitioning between a first position where it is disposed within the airflow path for heating mode operation, and a second position where it is disposed outside the airflow path for cooling mode operation. This dynamic repositioning eliminates the heating coil from the airflow path during cooling mode, reducing pressure drop and power consumption while maintaining heating functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the hydronic heating coil is disposed within the airflow path, then heating function is enabled, but airflow is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidairflow

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating coil is made rotatable about a longitudinal axis, transitioning between a first position where it is disposed within the airflow path for heating mode operation, and a second position where it is disposed outside the airflow path for cooling mode operation. This dynamic repositioning eliminates the heating coil from the airflow path during cooling mode, removing the obstruction to airflow while preserving heating capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the heating coil is rotatable between positions, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidactuation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating coil is made rotatable about a longitudinal axis through a rotatable coupling mechanism that allows the coil to transition between positions. This dynamic repositioning improves operational efficiency by eliminating the heating coil from the airflow path during cooling mode, reducing pressure drop and power consumption while maintaining a relatively simple actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10921015B2Systems and methods for adjustment of heat exchanger position

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 JOHNSON CONTROLS LIGHT COMMERCIAL IP GMBH

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system including a heating coil and an actuation system configured to couple to the heating coil. The actuation system is configured to rotatably position the heating coil in a first orientation crosswise to an airflow path in a heating mode, and rotatably position the heating coil in a second orientation substantially removed from the airflow path in a cooling mode.