Segmented AC Coil Layout for Low-Load Airflow and Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small capacity indoor air-conditioning units face challenges with overheating, short cycling, and inadequate humidity control due to limitations in reducing capacity while maintaining sufficient airflow and moisture removal in low-load, high-volume zones.
Innovation Solution
The air-conditioning unit incorporates an active and inactive portion of the air-conditioning coil, where the active portion conditions a portion of the return air, and the inactive portion passes unconditioned air, allowing for a higher total airflow and maintaining latent capacity, enabling effective moisture removal and airflow distribution in large zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the capacity of the DX coil is reduced to match small zone loads, then the unit can serve low-load zones, but the airflow must be reduced proportionally which limits air circulation in large zones
Solution Approach 1:
The DX coil is segmented into active and inactive portions, allowing independent control of cooling capacity while maintaining full airflow capacity. The active portion provides proportional cooling for small zones while the inactive portion remains available for air circulation, resolving the contradiction between reduced capacity and maintained airflow productivity.
2Power
If the DX coil capacity is reduced by raising average coil temperature, then the unit can serve small loads, but humidity removal efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the DX coil have different operational states - the active portion operates at optimal temperatures for both cooling and dehumidification, while the inactive portion is bypassed. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain humidity control reliability while providing reduced overall capacity for small zones.
3Power
If the indoor unit capacity is reduced, then it can serve small zones, but overheating and short cycling occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the proportion of airflow through active versus inactive coil portions based on instantaneous load conditions. This dynamic adjustment prevents overheating and short cycling by maintaining optimal operating conditions even when serving small zones with reduced capacity 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
This configuration allows for efficient moisture removal and adequate airflow in low-load, high-volume zones, addressing the limitations of traditional units by maintaining a high latent capacity and airflow, while reducing the effective capacity to match zone loads.
Implementation Method 1
an active portion including one or more operational air-conditioning coils configured to receive a first portion of the return air from the intermediate vent, to circulate a coolant, to condition the first portion of the return air by heat exchange with the coolant to create conditioned air
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning unit is provided, comprising: an input vent for receiving return air; an intermediate vent; an output vent; a blower fan proximate to the input vent for moving the return air from the input vent to the intermediate vent; and an air-conditioner coil between the intermediate vent and the output vent including an active portion including one or more operational air-conditioning coils that receive a first portion of the return air from the intermediate vent, for circulating a coolant, condition the first portion of the return air by heat exchange with the coolant to create conditioned air, and pass the conditioned air to the output vent, and an inactive portion that does not circulate coolant and passes a second portion of the return air as unconditioned air to the output vent, wherein the conditioned air and the unconditioned air pass through the output vent as supply air.