Two-position cover for air handling equipment enclosure

• US 4,759,196 A
• Filed: 05/26/1987
• Issued: 07/26/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Standard International Inc (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: American Standard Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Davis, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, Harold
• Application Number:
  US07/054,467
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 55/467, 55/471, 62/326, 62/427, 62/DIG. 16, 98/33.1, 98/34.5, 98/34.6, 98/35, 98/39.1, 98/64, 98/94.2
• US Class Current: 62/326
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0035 characterised by introduction of outside air to the room
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0073 characterised by the mounting or arrangement of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/0087 with humidification means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/20 Casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 62/16 Roof and ceiling located coolers

Abstract

An outdoor enclosure for air handling equipment is adaptable to accept add-on air handling equipment by virtue of a two-position cover panel. The cover panel has a generally rectangular shape and is attached to a side panel of the enclosure. The cover panel is selectively mountable in either a vertical position to cover a fresh air opening through the side panel or in an open position to uncover the opening. The cover is opened by pivoting it about its upper horizontal edge which is located just above the opening and swinging its lower edge outwardly away from the side panel. An add-on mist elimination filter is installed in a generally horizontal position betweeen the cover panel'"'"'s lower edge and the lower edge of the side panel'"'"'s opening. In the open position, the cover panel serves as a rain sheltering hood over the filter while the opening allows fresh outside air to be drawn into the suction side of a fan located inside the enclosure. The two-position cover panel facilitates the conversion of the enclosure while minimizing the need for special, single-purpose panels.

Claims

1. An air handling enclosure comprising a fan disposed inside said enclosure and a cover panel selectively mountable in at least two positions, where in one position, a top edge of said cover panel is held against a generally vertical side wall of said enclosure, and a lower edge of said cover panel extends outwardly away from said enclosure to engage and add-on air handling device and uncover an enclosure opening that is in fluid communication with an inlet of said fan by way of a fresh air pasaage, and in an other position, said panel is in a generally vertical position with its top and lower edges held against said side wall to cover said opening with said add-on air handling device being separate from both said enclosure and said cover panel.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a flow regulating damper disposed in said passage for regulating airflow through said opening.

4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said add-on air handling device comprises a demisting filter that removes moisture from air passing therethrough.

5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said add-on air handling device comprises a generally triangular support panel.

6. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein said cover panel in said one position engages two generally triangular support panels and also extends over and engages a demisting filter.

7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein said cover panel in said one position includes a rain gutter that directs water away from said demisting filter.

3. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the inlet of said fan is also in fluid communication with a return air passage having a return air damper disposed therein.

8. An air handling equipment enclosure comprising:

(a) a fan disposed inside said enclosure and having a fan inlet in fluid communication with a return air duct and connected to discharge air through a supply air duct;

(b) an air filter disposed inside said enclosure in series flow relationship with said fan;

(c) a heat exchanger disposed inside said enclosure in series flow relationship with said fan and said filters;

(d) a generally vertical side wall having an opering therethrough in fluid communication with said fan inlet; and

(e) a generally rectangular cover panel that is selectively mountable in at least two positions, where in one position said cover panel uncovers said opening and engages a demisting filter and two generally triangular support panels such that an upper edge of said cover panel is held against said side wall and a lower edge of said cover panel extends outwardly away from said side wall to extend over and engage said filter with two other edges of said cover panel engaging said support panels, and in an other position said cover panel covers said opening and is in a generally vertical position with said edges of said cover panel held against said side wall with said filter and said support panels being separate from both said side wall and said cover panel.

9. The enclosure of claim 8, further comprising a damper connected to said enclosure in fluid communication with said opening and said inlet of said fan when said cover panel is in said one position, and in said other position, said damper is disconnected from said enclosure.

10. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein said inlet of said fan is also in fluid communication with a return air passage having a return air damper disposed therein.

11. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein said cover panel in said one position includes a rain gutter that directs water away from said demisting filter.