US20220397289A1

US20220397289A1 - Cylindrical Air Conditioner and Conical Evaporator Coil

Info

Publication number: US20220397289A1
Application number: US17/346,264
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen G. Ehrman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-06-13
Filing date: 2021-06-13
Publication date: 2022-12-15

Abstract

An air-conditioning system including an air handler and unique thermodynamic coil suitable for residential and commercial applications providing excellent comfort and range of operation. The arrangement includes a unique conical cylindrical evaporator coil with an air bypass opening and a cylindrical air-handler containing a fan wall dividing plenums, and heating assembly. This entire assembly may sit on top of or affix an energy recovery component and also include comfort and energy savings controls.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Provisional Application Number: NA

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, MICROFICHE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is within the general field of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). More particularly, the invention pertains to a highly efficient, high performance cooling and heating apparatus for treating and conditioning air.

Description of the Related Art

Air conditioning heating, ventilation, cooling and dehumidification systems are well known in the prior art. More specifically, air conditioner assemblies containing similar components and functions are disclosed in known patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,667; 7,854,140; U.S. 201700051943A1; WO 2009/119524 and pending application Ser. No. 17/098,397.
While the current available devices and assemblies fulfill the basic respective particular objectives and requirements, there are inherent limits of efficiency, higher performance capability and humidity control. Further, the aforementioned patents and crowded industry componentry does not disclose nor provide systems of cylindrical air handlers, capable of supporting, nor including a conical evaporator coil. In these resects, the invention substantially departs from conventional concepts and designs, providing a highly efficient, high performance air condition system not obvious in the art.
Further, considering the credible recent research concerning the transmission of air-born virus, bacteria, and infectious diseases, all research suggests it desirable for HVAC systems to include increased air flow (CFM), better air filtration, and incorporate more outside air to ventilate and flush out contaminants. Attempting to use existing systems to accomplish these objectives stresses the limits of the components, uses more precious energy to do so, requires extensive field modifications, or is impossible.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned disadvantages inherent in known types of similar systems, the present invention provides for a cylindrical design making use of overall efficiency of airflow. It further accommodates the most efficient fans, provides a unique conical coil having the benefit of a large surface area, the shape thereof allowing a variable opening on top of the cone for air to bypass the thermodynamic cooling process, thus able to reheat the leaving air so it is not overly cold when the air is delivered to the space and occupants, however is still properly dehumidified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view from top and side of a component of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a view from top and side of a component of the present invention depicting airflows flow

FIG. 3 is an alternate operational top and side view of a component of the present invention

FIG. 4 is an alternate operational top and side view of a component of the present invention

FIG. 5 is a side view of the entire present invention as a functional system

FIG. 6 is an overall front view of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 shows the present invention depicting a conically shaped thermal heat exchanger assembly. The base includes a condensate drain pan 10 in a position around the bottom complete circumference and having a drain hole 11. The conical surface of the invention 12 is constructed of a thermally conductive material arranged in common fashion called finning. The top of the conical coil includes an opening 16 where modulating dampers 13 are mounted and are connected to an actuator 14. The bottom 15 has an opening of size that may be larger, smaller or similar to the top opening 16. The present invention includes connections 17 and 18 constructed of thermally conductive tubes or pipes whereby fluid and gasses enters and leaves thru these connections. A type of fluid control or expansion valve type device 19 is included on the inlet or outlet.
FIG. 2 shows the path of airflow thru the conical coil, whereby air enters 21 and proceeds thru the apparatus. Air exiting the apparatus is shown both by the air proceeding thru the thermal medium 22 and some air coincidentally bypassing the thermal medium and exiting 23. The amount of air forced to exit thru the air paths 22 and 23 are regulated by modulating the position of the dampers on top of the coil 24.
FIG. 3 is a similar operational view as FIG. 2 except depicting a different airflow and different position of the dampers 31. With these exit dampers 31 being in a closed position, all of the air entering the coil 21 proceeds to exit thru the side thermal medium of the coil 22, and none thru the bypass opening on top.
FIG. 4 similarly shows an operational view with dampers 41 in another possible position, depicting airflows with the dampers 41 in a fully open position. In this operation the air enters 21 and much of this air proceeds thru the top opening exiting the invention 44. A smaller amount of air will still exit thru the thermodynamic medium 42 than depicted in FIG. 3 .
FIG. 5 shows the present invention complete assembly of a high efficiency air-conditioning unit. This figure shows the general arrangement of an assembled unit and includes arrows showing airflows within the present invention. The entire assembly sits on top of an energy recovery ventilator exchanger (ERV) also being used as a base 51. The invention has an outer circular assembly 58 which houses a fan and motor 52, a heating assembly 53 and the conical coil component of the invention 54. Airflows are depicted as previously shown 21 as air entering the conical coil component assembly and can leave the component thru the variety of possible paths depicted in FIGS. 2,3 and 4 . The entering air 55 is a mix of return air and fresh air and is shown proceeding into the fan 52. The fresh air from outside 59 is shown entering the ERV base 51, the return air 56 from the space entering the energy recovery base, and the exhaust stale air proceeding to outdoors 57.
FIG. 6 shows many of the main components detailed in FIG. 5 however focuses on the components and the construction of the lower assembly. FIG. 6 does not include the conical coil component in this depiction, nor all of the airflow depictions in FIG. 5 . However, two previously referenced airflows are shown for clarity of reference, the air entering the entire assembly 55, and the air entering the conical coil 21. Here, in FIG. 6 , an ERV unit also serves as a base 51 for the entire assembly. A heating assembly 53 is positioned above the fan 62 uniquely mounted in this arrangement. Commonly referred to as plenum style, plug fan or backward inclined fan 62, it is arranged and mounted so that air enters the fan from the section 64 and the air is pressurized within section 65. The sections 64 and 65 are divided with metal or other material 61 including an opening in the center for the air to be drawn into the fan 62, with such divider referred to as a fan wall. The fan is driven by a motor connected to the fan 62 in a manner with a fan shaft 67. The top of the entire assembly may have a flanged perimeter 63 that supports the top conical coil previously described as a component of this invention.

Embodiments, Modes, Further Benefits and Unobvious Inclusions

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use the invention in the bestmode, those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the broad embodiment, method and examples also presented in the additional embodiments presented above. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above or below embodiments, designs, methods and examples, but should instead be interpreted to include and contemplate all the common variations that specific applications may require as modifications and additions as typical design applications to fit a particular purpose and use.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a conically shaped thermodynamic coil assembly is used to provide maximized efficiency surface area of heat transfer and provide a variable opening on top to allow untreated air to bypass and mix with treated air to provide excellent comfort and dehumidification. In other embodiments of the present invention the conical coil is mounted on top of a cylindrical air handling unit containing a fan mounted on a divider wall meant to separate the low pressure suction side of the fan from the discharge high side of the fan. Additionally, the entire assembly may incorporate an energy recovery unit or sit on top of a base type energy recovery unit, or eliminate the ERV base and provide connections on the side of the assembly for air to enter.
The present invention and this description contemplates and provides the basis for the unobvious application and design of mounting the unit horizontally instead of vertically as shown. In such case of horizontal mounting common accessories and modifications accounting for the effects of gravity on the selected component is incorporated. Further the dimensions depicted herein as approximate ratios of assembly being taller than the diameter may otherwise change so that the unit may be shorter and larger diameter where the unit needs to fit into a height restrictive space or may be constructed to be longer and smaller diameter in the case where the unit may fit in a narrow limiting application especially as a horizontal arrangement.
The Federal Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that 75% of homes have an air conditioning system currently. Operating these systems uses 6% of all energy created in the United States. Further, it is estimated 12-25% of the total energy consumption of a house is used to power residential air-conditioning systems. Additionally, the average size of homes continues to increase causing an increase in energy to heat and cool, at a time when there is much desire to instead use less energy. Thus, this segment of the market has gotten the attention of the DOE to update energy and building codes and standards, aimed at controlling and reducing energy consumption in this market.
Likewise, the aforementioned current pandemic research suggests a change in the way air conditioning systems are designed for offices and homes. Using currently available devices to meet these updated design suggestions, especially on expansive residences, and on commercial applications, while attempting to reduce energy is a dichotomy and cannot be accomplished. In general, attempting to save energy with existing equipment, causes indoor air quality (IAQ), comfort and humidity control to be unfortunately reduced, thereby causing even more problems such as mold growth in devices and transmission of airborne viruses. Most all similar air conditioning systems patented and available in the marketplace are of a square base and rectangular height assembly, having not changed in many years. Square or rectangular units suggests connecting square duct that is inherently inefficient, or require a transition to round duct, such transitions introducing energy wasting losses. This invention allows round duct connections immediately connected to the air handler system so that entire attached duct system may easily be round, thus reducing inefficient transition losses. The cylindrical design of this invention also lends itself to using the newer, most efficient fans in the market today, thereby increasing performance while saving operational energy.

Claims

I claim:

1. An air conditioning system circular and cylindrical in design comprising: a fan wall plenum divider and a conical thermodynamic assembly.

2. The fan wall plenum divider as in claim 1 whereas a solid divider section has an opening where the fan is mounted.

3. The conical thermodynamic assembly as in claim 1 whereas the construction includes tubing with affixed metallic finning facilitating thermodynamic transfer of energy passing inside the tubes to the air passing thru the finning outside of the tubes.

4. A conically shaped thermodynamic assembly that is separate from an entire air-conditioning system comprising: either a circular-cylindrical or a square-rectangular housing.

5. A conically shaped thermodynamic assembly that is either separate from or constructed within an air-conditioning air-handler comprising: an evaporator coil arranged to have a singular or plurality of tubular rows in a circular and conical arrangement; a plurality of plate like fins each connected approximately perpendicular to the tubular sections, and a circular top opening.

6. Said top opening as in claim 5 having either: a permeate baffle plate: adjustable baffle plates or adjustable air regulating dampers or neither and thus completely open as free area.