Dual-Transfer Supply Air Unit for Low-Draught Room Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supply air units face challenges in achieving efficient heat transfer while minimizing air draught and improving acoustic characteristics in air-conditioned rooms, as they rely primarily on convection-based heat transfer, which can lead to discomfort and inefficiency in heating and cooling.
Innovation Solution
The supply air unit incorporates a dual heat transfer system, combining a heat exchanger for convective heat transfer and a radiating element with a perforated surface for radiative heat transfer, allowing for adjustable flow characteristics in tubing to optimize heat transfer efficiency and reduce air movement, while also improving sound absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If convection-based heat transfer is used in supply air units, then heat transfer efficiency can be achieved, but air draught is caused leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer function is segmented into two independent pathways: a convective heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer and a radiating element for comfortable heat distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without the drawbacks of the other, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and air draught prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges convective and radiative heat transfer systems into a single supply air unit. The heat exchanger and radiating element are integrated to work simultaneously, combining the advantages of both heat transfer methods while eliminating their individual disadvantages through coordinated operation.
2Productivity
If high velocity airflow is used for convective heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but draught is caused leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating element acts as an intermediary that transfers heat directly to surfaces and occupants without requiring high-velocity air movement. This intermediary pathway allows heat transfer to occur efficiently while avoiding the draught problem associated with forced convection.
3Loss of energy
If traditional heat exchangers are used, then convective heat transfer is achieved, but acoustic characteristics are not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating element is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides radiative heat transfer to improve thermal comfort and simultaneously acts as a sound-absorbing structure to improve acoustic characteristics. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding acoustic performance without requiring separate acoustic treatment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiating element employs a porous or perforated structure that enables both radiative heat transfer and sound absorption. The porous geometry allows acoustic waves to penetrate and be absorbed while maintaining the radiative heat transfer capability, thus improving acoustic characteristics without compromising heat transfer function.
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 dual approach enhances thermal comfort by providing cooling through both convection and radiation, minimizing air movement and improving acoustic characteristics, thus achieving better thermal comfort and efficiency in heating and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat transfer unit, which is formed by at least one heat exchanger, through which a circulated airflow is conducted from the air-conditioned room space into said at least one mixing chamber, and in which the circulated airflow is cooled or heated
Implementation Method 2
a second heat transfer unit, which is located in its lower part and which is formed by at least one radiating element, from which heat is transferred into the air-conditioned room space for heating or to which heat is transferred from the air-conditioned room space for cooling
Implementation Method 3
The radiating surface also comprises a perforation, which makes it sound-absorbing. The perforation reduces the reflection of sound taking place in the radiating surface, whereby the acoustic characteristics of the room space are improved.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The supply air unit (100) comprises a supply air chamber (10), at least one mixing chamber (20a, 20b), which opens into the air-conditioned room space, nozzles (60a, 60b), through which a fresh airflow (L1) is conducted from the supply air chamber (10) into the mixing chamber, a first heat-transfer unit (A), which comprises at least one heat exchanger (30a, 30b), through which a circulated airflow (L2) is conducted from the room space into the mixing chamber. The supply air unit also comprises a second heat-transfer unit (B), which is formed by at least one radiating element (50), which has a radiating surface (51), to which heat is transferred from the air-conditioned room space for cooling or from which heat is transferred into the air-conditioned room space for heating, and which radiating surface also comprises openings, whereby the radiating surface becomes sound-absorbing.