Mixing box and control therefor

• US 3,883,071 A
• Filed: 12/18/1972
• Issued: 05/13/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Camp Dresser & Mckee Incorporated, Gershon Meckler, John C. Purdue
• Original Assignee: Gershon Meckler
• Inventors: Meckler, Gershon
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/316,379
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 236/13,49 98/38
• US Class Current: 236/49.4
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/04 Air-mixing units F24F13/06 takes precedence

Abstract

Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can be a mixing box of the induction type, or a combined fluidic valve and induction box. In either case, the apparatus receives primary conditioned air, and delivers that air as required, for air conditioning. A signal is established which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone served by the apparatus, and the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone is varied between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies beween a maximum and an intermediate load. The apparatus also includes means for inducing a flow of air from outside, for mixing with primary conditioned air, so that such mixture is delivered to the zone. Preferably, the apparatus is effective to deliver to the zone such a mixture of primary, conditioned air and induced air under all conditions of air conditioning load on the zone. One fluidic valve induction box combination delivers such mixture only under conditions of comparatively low load on the zone.

Claims

1. A mixing box defining a substantially closed passage for the flow of air from an inlet end to an outlet end thereof, nozzle means intermediate the inlet and outlet ends of the mixing box, there being three openings through which air can flow from the exteriOr of the mixing box into the closed passage, the openings being so positioned that air flowing through said nozzle means induces a flow of air from the exterior of the mixing box through the openings and into the closed passage, a damper for each of the openings, each of said dampers being movable between an open position in which it is ineffective, and a closed position in which it is effective, to prevent flow of air through the openings, means defining a by-pass passage through which air can flow from the inlet end to the outlet end of the mixing box without passing through said nozzle means, a by-pass damper movable between an open position in which it is ineffective, and a closed position in which it is effective, to prevent flow of air through the by-pass passage, at least one actuator for said dampers and for said by-pass damper, said by-pass damper and the actuator therefor being effective, in response to a control signal indicating an air conditioning load between a minimum and an intermediate magnitude, to close said by-pass damper and, in response to a control signal indicating an air conditioning load between the intermediate and a maximum magnitude, to move said by-pass damper toward an open position, said dampers and the actuator for each being effective, in response to a control signal indicating an air conditioning load above the intermediate magnitude to open a first one and to close the others of said dampers, and, in response to a signal indicating an air conditioning load between the minimum and the intermediate magnitude to move the first two of said dampers toward an open position and the third of said dampers toward a closed position.

2. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, and means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in two separate streams for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, damper means movable between an open ineffective position and a closed effective position to prevent the flow of air in each of the two separate streams, at least one damper actuator responsive to the signal and effective to position said damper in the open position for a first one of the streams and in the closed position for the second in response to a signal indicating an air conditioning load from the maximum to the intermediate, to position said damper in the open position for the second stream and in the closed position for the first stream in response to a signal indicating a minimum air conditioning load, and to position said damper at positions intermediate between open and closed for the second stream in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads.

3. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in first and second separate streams for mixing sucH induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, damper means movable between an open ineffective position and a closed effective position to prevent the flow of air in each of the two separate streams, and at least one damper actuator responsive to the signal and effective to position and damper in the open position for the second stream and in the closed position for the first stream in response to a signal indicating a minimum air conditioning load, and to position said damper at positions intermediate between open and closed for the second stream in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads, and to position said damper in the closed position for the second stream in response to a signal indicating an air conditioning load from the maximum to the intermediate.

4. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, and to control the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone to the predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between the intermediate load and a minimum load, means for inducing a flow of air form outside said apparatus in first and second separate streams, for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, damper means movable between an open ineffective position and a closed effective position to prevent the flow of air in each of the two separate streams, and at least one damper actuator responsive to the signal and effective to position said damper in the open position for the second stream and in the closed position for the first stream in response to a signal indicating the minimum air conditioning load, to position said damper at positions intermediate between open and closed for the second stream in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads, and to position said damper in the closed position for the second stream in response to a signal indicating an air conditioning load from the maximum to the intermediate.

5. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in first and second separate streams, for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, and means responsive to the signal and operable to control the rate of flow of induced air in the first and second streams up to a predetermined maximum, said last-named means being effective to prevent the flow of induced air in the first stream and to enable the maximum flow of induced air in the second stream in response to a signal indicating a minimum air conditioning load, and to vary the flow of induced air in the second stream at rates between the maximum and zero in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loadS, and to prevent the flow of induced air in the second stream in response to signals indicating a load between the intermediate and the maximum loads.

6. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, and to control the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone to the predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between the intermediate load and a minimum load, means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in first and second separate streams, for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, and means responsive to the signal and operable to control the rate of flow of induced air in the first and second streams up to a predetermined maximum, said lastnamed means being effective to prevent the flow of induced air in the first stream and to enable the maximum flow of induced air in the second stream in response to a signal indicating the minimum air conditioning load, and to vary the flow of induced air in the second stream at rates between the maximum and zero in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads, and to prevent the flow of induced air in the second stream in response to signals indicating a load between the intermediate and the maximum loads.

7. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, and to control the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone to the predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between the intermediate load and a minimum load, means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in first and second separate streams, for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, damper means movable between an open ineffective position and a closed effective position to prevent the flow of air in each of the two separate streams, at least one damper actuator responsive to the signal and effective to position said damper in the open position for the second stream and in the closed position for the first stream in response to a signal indicating a minimum air conditioning load, to position said damper at positions intermediate between open and closed for the second stream and at positions intermediate between closed and open for the first stream, in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads, and to position said damper in the closed position for the second stream in response to a signal indicating an air conditioning load from the maximum to the intermediate.

8. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and eFfective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, and to control the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone to the predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between the intermediate load and a minimum load, means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in first and second separate streams, for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, and means responsive to the signal and operable to control the rate of flow of induced air in the first and second streams up to a predetermined maximum, said lastnamed means being effective to prevent the flow of induced air in the first stream and to enable the maximum flow of induced air in the second stream in response to a signal indicating the minimum air conditioning load, to vary the flow of induced air in the second stream at rates between the maximum and zero in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads, to vary the flow of induced air in the first stream at rates between the maximum and zero in response to signals indicating a load between the intermediate and the minimum loads, and to prevent the flow of induced air in the second stream in response to signals indicating a load between the intermediate and the maximum loads.

9. Apparatus for delivering air for air conditioning a zone of a building, said apparatus comprising in combination, means for receiving primary, conditioned air, and for delivering that air to the zone, means responsive to the temperature of the zone, and effective to generate a signal which varies as a function of the air conditioning load on the zone, means responsive to the signal and effective to vary the rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load, means for inducing a flow of air from outside said apparatus in two separate streams, for mixing such induced air with primary, conditioned air, and for delivering such mixture to the zone, and means responsive to the signal and operable to control the rate of flow of induced air in the first and second streams up to a predetermined maximum, said last-named means being effective to prevent the flow of induced air in the second stream and to enable the maximum flow of induced air in the first stream in response to a signal indicating an air conditioning load from the maximum to the intermediate, to prevent the flow of induced air in the first stream and to enable the maximum flow of induced air in the second stream in response to a signal indicating the minimum air conditioning load, and to vary the flow of induced air in the second stream at rates between the maximum and zero in response to signals indicating a load between the minimum and the intermediate loads.