Compact air handler with multiple fans

• US 10,215,431 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2014
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Dempsey, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Campbell, Thor
• Application Number:
  US14/161,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20140260408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,860 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 2200/08 Electric heater
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 2200/12 Heat pump
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 5/02 operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 5/12 using heat pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/54 Heating and cooling, simultaneously or alternatively
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/0442 with volume control at a constant temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/0444 in which two airstreams are conducted from the central station via independent conduits to the space to be treated, of which one has a constant volume and a season-adapted temperature, while the other one is always cold and varies in volume
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0411 for domestic or space-heating systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/08 by tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/12 with additional heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/13 Hot air central heating systems using heat pumps

Abstract

An air handler configured with a plurality of air distribution modules, each including a fan, and at least one damper disposed within to provide and direct conditioned air or fresh air to respective multiple zones of a building.

Claims

1. An air handler comprising:

a first enclosure having a first interior volume;

a plurality of air distribution modules affixed to the first enclosure; and

a controller in operable communication with at least one of the plurality of air distribution modules;

wherein each of the plurality of air distribution modules comprises;

a second enclosure having a second interior volume, an upstream end, and a downstream end, the second enclosure configured to be coupled to a conduit, wherein the conduit is to be downstream of the downstream end of the second enclosure; and

a fan disposed within the second enclosure at the upstream end of the second enclosure, wherein the controller is operative to cause the fan to move air through the second enclosure, wherein the fan disposed within the second enclosure is positioned within the first interior volume of the first enclosure.

2. The air handler of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of air distribution modules comprises:

a damper disposed within the second enclosure;

wherein the second enclosure is adapted for communication of a distribution air stream from the first interior volume to the second interior volume; and

wherein the second enclosure is adapted for communication of a distribution air stream from the second interior volume to an environment exterior of the first and second enclosures.

3. The air handler of claim 2, wherein the controller is operative to cause the damper to move between an open and a closed position, and a number of positions therebetween.

4. The air handler of claim 2, wherein the each of the plurality of air distribution modules further comprises an electrical heating element disposed within the second enclosure.

5. The air handler of claim 4, wherein the controller is operative to cause the electrical heating element to provide auxiliary heat within the second enclosure.

6. The air handler of claim 1, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with each of the plurality of air distribution modules.

7. The air handler of claim 1, wherein the plurality of air distribution modules comprises two air distribution modules.

8. The air handler of claim 1, wherein the controller is operative to receive a request to condition an interior zone and selects at least one air distribution module to condition the interior zone.

9. The air handler of claim 1, further comprising a coil disposed within the first enclosure.

10. The air handler of claim 9, wherein the coil is configured to allow a liquid to flow therethrough.

11. The air handler of claim 1, wherein the upstream end of the second enclosure is disposed adjacent to the first enclosure.