HVAC SYSTEM AND ZONE CONTROL UNIT

• US 20110155354A1
• Filed: 11/30/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Douglas Edward Stuck, John Chris Karamanos
• Original Assignee: John Chris Karamanos
• Inventors: Karamanos, John Chris, Stuck, Douglas Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,459,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/121
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/04 Arrangements for portability
• 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 13/32 Supports for air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation units
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/052 Multiple duct systems, e.g. systems in which hot and cold air are supplied by separate circuits from the central station to mixing chambers in the spaces to be conditioned
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/05383 with multiple rows of conduits or with multi-channel conduits F28D1/05391 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/126 consisting of zig-zag shaped fins F28F1/105 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 having microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

HVAC systems, zone control units, and control systems are provided. An HVAC system employs distributed zone control units that provides for localized air recirculation. A zone control unit can include a return air section that receives return air from serviced building zones and can mix the return air with a supply of outside air. The mixed air can be heated and/or cooled by the zone control unit and discharged to serviced building zones in a controlled manner. An exhaust air system can be used to extract air from serviced building zones. An HVAC zone control unit can include a local control unit with an Internet protocol address. The local control unit can include a memory and a processor for storing and executing a control program for the zone control unit. The control program can control of the zone control unit in response to commands received via the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of installing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit in an HVAC system, the method comprising:

securing an inlet piping assembly of the HVAC unit to a bracket;

securing an outlet piping assembly of the HVAC unit to the bracket;

coupling a thermal transfer mechanism of the HVAC unit with the inlet piping assembly and the outlet piping assembly;

fluidly coupling a water pump with at least one of the thermal transfer mechanism, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly;

placing at least a portion of the thermal transfer mechanism along an air flow path within a casing of the HVAC unit, such that at least a portion of the inlet piping assembly and at least a portion of the outlet piping assembly are disposed exterior to the casing;

positioning a fan along the airflow path within the casing;

mounting the HVAC unit by mounting the bracket to the HVAC system; and

maintaining alignment of the HVAC unit thermal transfer mechanism, the HVAC unit inlet piping assembly, and the HVAC unit outlet piping assembly while mounting the HVAC unit in the HVAC system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump having an electronically commutated motor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump operable between about 0 and about 15 gallons per minute.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the water pump is controlled by pulse width modulation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the water pump is controlled by a signal of between about 0 volts and about 10 volts.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the fan comprises a variable rate fan.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fan comprises a variable rate fan having an electronically commutated motor.

9. A method of preparing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit for delivery to a construction site for installation in an HVAC system, the method comprising:

coupling a thermal transfer mechanism with an inlet piping assembly and an outlet piping assembly, the inlet piping assembly configured to supply fluid to the thermal transfer mechanism and the outlet piping assembly configured to receive fluid from the thermal transfer mechanism;

fluidly coupling a water pump with at least one of the thermal transfer mechanism, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly;

placing at least a portion of the thermal transfer mechanism along an air flow path within a casing, such that at least a portion of the inlet piping assembly and at least a portion of the outlet piping assembly are disposed exterior to the casing;

positioning a fan along the airflow path within the casing; and

coupling a bracket with the casing, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly, so as to maintain the casing, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly in positional relationship.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump having an electronically commutated motor.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump operable between about 0 and about 15 gallons per minute.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the water pump is controlled by pulse width modulation.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the water pump is controlled by a signal of between about 0 volts and about 10 volts.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the fan comprises a variable rate fan.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the fan comprises a variable rate fan having an electronically commutated motor.

17. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit for transporting fluid in an (HVAC) system, the HVAC unit comprising:

a thermal transfer mechanism;

an inlet piping assembly coupled with the thermal transfer mechanism for supplying fluid to the thermal transfer mechanism;

an outlet piping assembly coupled with the thermal transfer mechanism for receiving fluid from the thermal transfer mechanism;

a water pump in fluid communication with at least one of the thermal transfer mechanism, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly;

a bracket that maintains the thermal transfer mechanism, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly in positional relationship;

a casing defining an airflow path; and

a fan disposed along the airflow path within the casing;

wherein at least a portion of the thermal transfer mechanism is disposed along the air flow path within the casing, at least a portion of the inlet piping assembly and at least a portion of the outlet piping assembly are disposed exterior to the casing, and at least a portion of the bracket is disposed exterior to the casing.

18. The HVAC unit of claim 17, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump having an electronically commutated motor.

19. The HVAC unit of claim 17, wherein the water pump comprises a variable rate water pump operable between about 0 and about 15 gallons per minute.

20. The HVAC unit of claim 17, wherein the fan comprises a variable rate fan having an electronically commutated motor.