Slant Coil and Filter Layout for Low-Resistance Air Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handling systems face challenges in achieving higher efficiency due to the limitations of conventional rectangular coils and filters, which restrict airflow and require increased energy consumption, as they cannot efficiently utilize spatial constraints to enhance heat transfer and filtration capacity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a slant design for air filters and coils, which reside at an angle in air handling units, allowing for a more efficient heat transfer and particulate entrapment by increasing the coil and filter surface area, reducing air friction, and minimizing airflow restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional rectangular coils and filters are used in air handling units, then the spatial arrangement is simple, but the heat transfer area and filtration area are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies oblique prismatic geometry to coils and filters, transitioning from conventional rectangular (2D footprint) to three-dimensional angled configurations. This dimensional change allows the components to extend into the air handling unit volume at an angle, maximizing the use of available space and increasing heat transfer and filtration surface areas without proportionally increasing the unit's footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of coils and filters from rectangular to oblique prismatic shapes with specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees). This parameter change optimizes the surface area-to-volume ratio and allows better spatial utilization within the air handling unit, thereby increasing heat transfer and filtration capacity.
2Productivity
If multiple conventional rectangular coils and filters are used to increase efficiency, then the heat transfer and filtration capacity increase, but the air flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By configuring coils and filters at oblique angles rather than stacking them in conventional rectangular arrangements, the patent creates more open pathways for air flow. The angled configuration distributes air flow more evenly and reduces turbulence and restriction, while still maximizing heat transfer and filtration surface areas.
3Area of stationary object
If the coil and filter surface area is increased to improve efficiency, then the heat transfer and filtration capacity increase, but the air friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique prismatic configuration allows filter media and coil surfaces to be arranged at angles that reduce air friction. The angled surfaces guide air flow more smoothly compared to perpendicular rectangular arrangements, reducing turbulence and friction even as the total surface area increases.
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 results in a 41% increase in coil heat transfer and particulate entrapment area, leading to reduced air resistance and energy consumption, while maintaining efficient spatial utilization, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of air handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
the plane of the tube rows being parallel to the flow of air through the air handling unit... efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
coil heat transfer area
Implementation Method 3
particulate entrapment area... the plane of the tube rows being parallel to the flow of air through the air handling unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved air conditioning filter and cooling/heating coil that can easily be applied to new and existing air handling systems. The slant design of these components allows a more efficient heat transfer and particle entrapment than their conventional counterparts. By residing at an angle in their air handling enclosures, and by virtue of their oblique prismatic construction, more filter media can be used and more heat transfer surface area can be incorporated without offering any substantial additional impediments to the flow of air. At angles of 45 degrees air friction of the coil and filter are reduced by 40 to 55 percent.