Fan array fan section in air-handling systems

• US 20050180846A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Huntair Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Hopkins, Lawrence G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/119
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/06 the pump being electrically driven
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/12 Combinations of two or more pumps combinations with priming pumps or booster pumps to counteract vapour-lock F04D9/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0066 by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/166 using fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/664 by means of sound absorbing material
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/511 augmenting, i.e. with intercepting fluid flow cross sectional area greater than the rest of the machine behind the inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/96 Preventing, counteracting or reducing vibration or noise
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/24 Means for preventing or suppressing noise
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2013/242 Sound-absorbing material
• 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: F24F 7/06 with forced air circulation, e.g. by fan positioning of a ventilator in or against a conduit
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/065 fan combined with single duct; mounting arrangements of a fan in a duct
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49245 Vane type or other rotary, e.g., fan
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array. Each fan unit is positioned within a fan unit chamber/cell. Each fan unit chamber/cell has at least one acoustically absorptive insulation surface. The insulation surfaces of the fan unit chambers/cells together form a coplanar silencer. Sound waves from the fan units passing through the insulation surface at least partially dissipate as they pass therethrough. In one preferred embodiments the fan unit chamber/cell is a cell having a frame that supports the insulation surfaces.

Claims

1. A fan array fan section in an air-handling system comprising:

(a) at least three fan units;

(b) each of said at least three fan units positioned within a fan unit chamber/cell;

(c) each fan unit chamber/cell having at least one insulation surface;

(d) said at least three fan units arranged in a fan array; and

(e) an air-handling compartment within which said fan array of fan units is positioned.

2. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, said insulation surfaces of said fan unit chambers/cells together form a coplanar silencer.

3. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, each said fan unit chamber/cell is a cell having a frame that supports said insulation surfaces.

4. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, wherein each said insulation surface is an acoustically absorptive material.

5. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, wherein sound waves from said fan units passing through said insulation surface at least partially dissipate as they pass therethrough.

6. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, wherein each of said at least three fan units is suspended within a fan unit chamber/cell such that there is an air relief passage therebelow.

7. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, wherein said at least three fan units are a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array configuration selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a true array configuration;

(b) a spaced pattern array configuration;

(c) a checker board array configuration;

(d) rows slightly offset array configuration;

(e) columns slightly offset array configuration; and

(f) a staggered array configuration.

8. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, wherein said at least three fan units are plenum fans include at least two vertically arranged fan units.

9. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, wherein each of said at least three fan units are mounted in a grid system.

10. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1, said fan unit chamber/cells being modular units for use in a modular unit system.

11. A fan array fan section in an air-handling compartment which is part of an air handling system for conditioning the air of a structure, said fan array fan section comprising:

(a) a plurality of fan units;

(b) said plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array;

(c) each of said plurality of fan units positioned within a fan unit chamber/cell;

(d) each fan unit chamber/cell having at least one acoustically absorptive insulation surface; and

(e) said insulation surfaces of said fan unit chambers/cells together form a coplanar silencer.

12. The fan array fan section of claim 11, wherein each said fan unit chamber/cell is a cell having a frame that supports said insulation surfaces.

13. The fan array fan section of claim 11, wherein sound waves from said fan units passing through said insulation surface at least partially dissipate as they pass therethrough.

14. The fan array fan section of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of fan units is suspended within a fan unit chamber/cell such that there is an air relief passage therebelow.

15. The fan array fan section of claim 11, wherein said plurality of fan units are arranged in a fan array configuration selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a true array configuration;

(b) a spaced pattern array configuration;

(c) a checker board array configuration;

(d) rows slightly offset array configuration;

(e) columns slightly offset, array configuration; and

(f) a staggered array configuration.

16. A fan array fan section in an air-handling compartment which is part of an air handling system for conditioning the air of a structure, said fan array fan section comprising:

(a) a plurality of fan units;

(b) said plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array;

(c) each of said plurality of fan units positioned within a fan unit cell;

(d) each fan unit cell having a frame; and

(e) each fan unit cell having at least one insulation surface forming at least one side of said fan unit cell, said at least one insulation surface supported by said frame.

17. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16, said insulation surfaces of said fan unit cells together form a coplanar silencer.

18. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16, wherein each said insulation surface is an acoustically absorptive material.

19. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16, wherein sound waves from said fan units passing through said insulation surface at least partially dissipate as they pass therethrough.

20. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16, wherein said plurality of fan units are arranged in a fan array configuration selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a true array configuration;

(b) a spaced pattern array configuration;

(c) a checker board array configuration;

(d) rows slightly offset array configuration;

(e) columns slightly offset array configuration; and

(f) a staggered array configuration.