Transition module for an energy recovery ventilator unit

• US 10,337,759 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2016
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: McKie, Justin, Perez, Eric, Curtis, Geoffrey, Smith, Bryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bochna, David
• Application Number:
  US15/260,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20160377315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 285 64, 285424, 2851243, 2851244, 165 54, 165 56, 165 53, 165 57
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 12/001 with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 12/006 using an air-to-air heat exchanger F24F12/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/02 Ducting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/0245 Manufacturing or assembly of air ducts; Methods therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/0272 Modules for easy installation or transport
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/044 Systems in which all treatment is given in the central station, i.e. all-air systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/56 Heat recovery units
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4935 Heat exchanger or boiler making

Abstract

A transition module for an energy recovery ventilator unit. The module comprises a frame having two opposing major surfaces with two separate through-hole openings therein. The module also comprises a self-sealing surface on one of the major surfaces and surrounding the two through-hole openings. One of the through-hole openings is configured to separately overlap with return air openings or supply air openings located in a first target side of one an energy recovery ventilator unit or an air handling unit and in a second target side of the other one of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the air handling unit. The other of the through-hole openings is configured to separately overlap with the other of the return air openings or the supply air openings located in the first and second sides.

Claims

1. A transition module for an energy recovery ventilator unit, comprising:

a first frame having;

two opposing major surfaces with first and second separated through-hole openings therein; and

a self-sealing surface on one of the major surfaces surrounding the two through-hole openings, wherein

the first through-hole opening is configured to overlap with return air openings located in a side of an energy recovery ventilator unit and in a side of an air handling unit, and

the second through-hole opening is configured to overlap with the supply air openings located in the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit and the side of the air handling unit,

wherein the self-sealing surface is part of two separated air-tight and moisture-tight sealed passageways of the return air flowing through the first through-hole opening of the frame between the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit and the side of the air handling unit, and, of the supply air flowing through the second through-hole opening of the frame between the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit and the side of the air handling unit;

further wherein the major surface that the self-sealing surface is not on, is configured as a mounting surface to attach to the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the side of the air handling unit and the mounting surface includes an adhesive to facilitate attachment to the target side;

and a second frame comprising;

two opposing major surfaces with two separate second first and second through-hole openings therein, wherein one of the major surfaces of the second frame is configured to be contacted by the self-sealing surface such that the first and second through-hole openings and the second first and second through-hole openings are contiguous with each other and form part of the two separated air-tight and moisture-tight sealed passageways, and wherein the second frame overlaps the first frame.

2. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the second frame comprises the side of the air handling unit such that the first and second through-hole openings each form part of the air-tight and moisture-tight seals of the supply air flow and the return air flow.

3. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the second frame comprises the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit such that the first and second through-hole openings each form part of the air-tight and moisture-tight sealed passageways.

4. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the self-sealing surface include one or more gaskets configured to individually surround the return air opening and the supply air opening of the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the side of the air handling unit that the self-sealing surface is configured to contact.

5. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the major surfaces are configured to have contours that substantially match the respective contour of the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit and the side of the air handling unit that the major surfaces are configured to contact, respectively.

6. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the other major surface of the second frame is attached to the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the side of the air handling unit to which the first frame is not attached.

7. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the second frame further includes a second self-sealing surface on the one major surface of the second frame that is configured to contact the self-sealing surface of the first frame.

8. The transition module of claim 1, wherein the major surface of the second frame that is configured to be contacted by the self-sealing surface is surrounded by a shielding flange that is configured to surround the self-sealing surface when the self-sealing surface contacts the major surface of the second frame.

9. A method of manufacturing a transition module for an energy recovery ventilator unit, comprising:

forming a first frame having;

two opposing major surfaces with first and second separated through-hole openings therein; and

forming a self-sealing surface on one of the major surfaces and surrounding the first and second through-hole openings, wherein

the first through-hole opening overlaps with supply air openings located in a side of an energy recovery ventilator unit and in a side of an air handling unit, and

the second through-hole opening overlaps with return air openings located in the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit and in the side of the air handling unit,

wherein the self-sealing surface is part of two separated air tight and moisture tight sealed passageways of the return air flowing through the first through-hole opening of the frame between the side of the energy ventilator recovery unit and the side of the air handling unit, and, of the supply air flowing through the second through-hole opening of the frame between the side of the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit and the side of the air handling unit;

further wherein the major surface that the self-sealing surface is not on, is configured as a mounting surface to attach to the side of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the side of the air handling unit and the mounting surface includes an adhesive to facilitate attachment to the target side; and

forming a second frame having;

two opposing major surfaces with second first and second separated through-hole openings therein, wherein one of the major surfaces of the second frame are configured to be contacted by the self-sealing surface of the frame such that the first and second through-hole openings and the second first and second through-hole openings are contiguous with each other and form part of the two separated air tight and moisture tight sealed passageways, and wherein the second frame overlaps the first frame.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the self-sealing surface includes coupling a gasket to the one major surface.

11. The method of claim 9, providing a shielding flange that surrounds the self-sealing surface when the second frame comprises the target side of the energy recovery ventilator unit or the air handling unit.

12. The method of claim 9, further including forming a second self-sealing surface on one of the major surfaces of the second frame and surrounding the two through-hole openings in the second frame, wherein the second self-sealing surface forms part of the two separated air tight and moisture tight sealed passageways.