Adaptable modular HVAC assembly
The present invention provides an adaptable modular assembly for use in adapting the intake and exhaust of air from a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit containing motors, wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated. These apertures are pre-cut in a modular frame member so as to establish the location of the intake and exhaust, and any apertures not to be used, are covered with detachable plate members, as required. Channel members can be used in an interior of the frame member, whereby, through manipulation of the placement of the channel members, in conjunction with manipulation of the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit, the modular HVAC assembly of the present invention can be adapted to facilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different types of buildings.
Latest Imperial Sheet Metal Ltd. Patents:
The present invention pertains to the field of modular assemblies and more specifically to modular assemblies for use with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units.
BACKGROUNDThe use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units are increasing as certain breakthroughs have enabled manufacturers to design and produce such units more efficiently, thereby potentially reducing the cost to consumers, for example. A common drawback to the use of HVAC units is the noise and vibrations generated by the motors, which may subsequently be transmitted throughout the unit. Such noise and vibrations are typically unappealing to consumers and attempts have been made to reduce such problems.
Furthermore, given the modular design of present HVAC units, certain applications cannot properly utilize or install the modular unit given the location of the intake and/or exhaust. General, conventional modular designs in the HVAC industry have the intake and exhaust apertures for fresh air and stale air opposite to one another.
Therefore, there is a need for an adaptable modular HVAC assembly, wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be modified to facilitate the installation and proper operation thereof in various buildings or dwellings. In other words, there is a need for an HVAC unit wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated, as necessary, to facilitate the installation of the HVAC unit, and thus accommodate nuances and variations between various buildings.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide an adaptable modular HVAC assembly for use in adapting the intake and exhaust of air from a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit containing motors.
According to another object of the present invention, there is provided an improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated, as necessary, to facilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different types of buildings. Of course, such manipulation of the intake and exhaust apertures increases the adaptability of the present modular assembly to accommodate installation of the HVAC unit in buildings having varying floor plans and structures.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly wherein the interchangeability of the air flow through the adaptable modular HVAC assembly is achieved through modifications of the intake and exhaust apertures and air flow channels, the apertures and channels being modified through the use of channel or plate members.
A still further object of the present invention provides for an improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly which provides quick access and maintenance of the motors or filtration assembly of the HVAC assembly.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising a) a modular frame having at least one or more apertures located on the outer surface of the modular frame; b) at least one or more plate members positioned on one or more of the apertures; c) at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame; d) at least one or more motors positioned within the modular frame wherein the motors enable air to enter and exit the apertures located on the outer surfaces of the modular frame; and e) a restrictor plate which isolates the motors within the modular frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising (a) a modular frame; (b) at least one fresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture located on an outer surface of the modular frame; (c) at least one stale air intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture located on the outer surface of the modular frame; (d) at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame; (e) at least one or more motors positioned within the modular frame wherein the motors enable fresh air to enter at least one fresh air intake aperture and exit the at least one fresh air outlet aperture, and wherein the at least one or more motors also enable stale air to enter the at least one stale air intake aperture and exit the at least one stale air outlet aperture; and (f) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or more motors within the modular frame.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides for an adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising (a) a modular frame; (b) at least one fresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture located on an outer surface of the modular frame; (c) at least one stale air intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture located on the outer surface of the modular frame; (d) at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame, the at least one or more channel members defining a fresh air transfer channel for transferring fresh air from an outside source to an interior building or dwelling and a stale air transfer channel for transferring stale air from the interior building or dwelling to the outside source, the fresh air channel and the stale air channel being separate from one another; (e) at least one or more motors positioned within the modular frame, the at least one or more motors having at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening; (f) at least one heat recovery module, the at least one heat recovery module having at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening; and (g) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or more motors within the modular frame, whereby the at least one intake opening cooperatively transfers fresh air received from the at least one fresh air intake aperture on the modular frame through the at least one intake opening of the at least one or more motors, and along and through the fresh air transfer channel, the fresh air then being transferred from the fresh air transfer channel through the at least one intake opening in the at least one heat recovery module, and then through the at least one outlet opening in the at least one heat recovery module, where the fresh air is then directed through the at least one fresh air outlet aperture on the modular frame to the interior building or dwelling, and whereby stale air from the interior building or dwelling is drawn through the at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame and into the intake opening of the at least one heat recovery module, whereby the at least one intake opening of the at least one heat recovery module cooperatively transfers stale air received from the at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame along and through the stale air transfer channel, the stale air then being transferred from the stale air transfer channel through the at least one outlet opening in the at least one or more motors, and then through the at least one stale air outlet aperture on the modular frame to the outside source.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an adaptable modular HVAC assembly for use in adapting the intake and exhaust of air from a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit containing motors.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly wherein the intake and exhaust apertures of the HVAC unit can be manipulated, as necessary, to facilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different types of buildings.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved adaptable modular HVAC assembly which provides quick access and maintenance of the motors or filtration assembly of the HVAC assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The present invention provides a modular frame assembly for facilitating the installation and increasing applications which use HVAC units. The modular frame of the present invention provides the ability to modify the air channels commonly utilized in an HVAC unit, and, through the modification of these air channels which encompasses intake and exhaust apertures, HVAC units can be installed in cramped spaces. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to
As noted above, the modular frame member 10 has numerous apertures (for either intake or exhaust) located on the outer surface thereof. These apertures, in a preferred embodiment, are pre-cut in the modular frame member so as to establish the location of the intake and exhaust apertures. Furthermore, the present invention provides that the intake and exhaust apertures on the modular frame member 10 of the HVAC unit can be manipulated, as necessary, to facilitate the proper installation of the HVAC unit in different types of buildings. Of course, such manipulation of the intake and exhaust apertures increases the adaptability of the present modular assembly to accommodate installation of the HVAC unit in buildings having varying floor plans and structures.
To manipulate the layout of the intake and exhaust apertures, it should be noted that any of the pre-cut intake or exhaust apertures that are not to be used are to be covered with plate members 55, as can be seen with reference to
In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to
In one embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to
In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to
As noted above, and with reference to
With reference to
As can be seen with reference to
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising:
- a) a modular frame having at least one or more apertures located on an outer surface of the modular frame;
- b) at least one or more plate members positioned on one or more of the apertures;
- c) at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame;
- d) at least one or more motors positioned within the modular frame wherein the motors enable air to enter and exit the apertures located on the outer surfaces of the modular frame; and
- e) a restrictor plate which isolates the motors within the modular frame.
2. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one or more apertures on the modular frame further comprises at least one fresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture.
3. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one or more apertures on the modular frame further comprises at least one stale air intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture.
4. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one or more plate members positioned on one or more of the apertures are detachably removable.
5. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame further comprises a fresh air transfer channel for transferring fresh air from an outside source to an interior building or dwelling.
6. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame further comprises a stale air transfer channel for transferring stale air from the interior building or dwelling to the outside source.
7. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 6, wherein the modular frame further comprises at least one heat recovery module therein.
8. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one or more motors further comprises at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening, whereby the at least one intake opening cooperatively transfers fresh air received from the at least one fresh air intake aperture on the modular frame along and through the fresh air transfer channel, the fresh air then being transferred from the fresh air transfer channel through the at least one outlet opening in the at least one or more motors, and then through the at least one fresh air outlet aperture on the modular frame to the interior building or dwelling.
9. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening of the at least one or more motors are positioned on an outer surface of the at least one or more motors.
10. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 9, wherein stale air from the interior building or dwelling is drawn through the at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame and into the at least one intake opening of the at least one or more motors, whereby the at least one intake opening cooperatively transfers stale air received from the at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame along and through the stale air transfer channel, the stale air then being transferred from the stale air transfer channel through the at least one outlet opening in the at least one or more motors, and then through the at least one stale air outlet aperture on the modular frame to the outside source.
11. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one or more motors are rotatably repositionable within the modular frame.
12. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 11, wherein the stale air transfer channel and the fresh air transfer channel are in perpendicular relation to one another within the modular frame.
13. An adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising:
- a) a modular frame;
- b) at least one fresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture located on an outer surface of the modular frame;
- c) at least one stale air intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture located on the outer surface of the modular frame;
- d) at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame;
- e) at least one or more motors positioned within the modular frame wherein the motors enable fresh air to enter at least one fresh air intake aperture and exit the at least one fresh air outlet aperture, and wherein the at least one or more motors also enable stale air to enter the at least one stale air intake aperture and exit the at least one stale air outlet aperture; and
- f) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or more motors within the modular frame.
14. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 13, wherein the modular frame further comprises at least one heat recovery module therein.
15. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one or more plate members positioned on one or more of the apertures are detachably removable.
16. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one or more plate members are placed to restrict air flow through each of only one fresh air intake aperture and one fresh air outlet, and through each of only one stale air intake aperture and one stale air outlet aperture.
17. An adaptable modular assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising:
- a) a modular frame;
- b) at least one fresh air intake aperture and at least one fresh air outlet aperture located on an outer surface of the modular frame;
- c) at least one stale air intake aperture and at least one stale air outlet aperture located on the outer surface of the modular frame;
- d) at least one or more channel members positioned in the modular frame, the at least one or more channel members defining a fresh air transfer channel for transferring fresh air from an outside source to an interior building or dwelling and a stale air transfer channel for transferring stale air from the interior building or dwelling to the outside source, the fresh air channel and the stale air channel being separate from one another;
- e) at least one or more motors positioned within the modular frame, the at least one or more motors having at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening;
- f) at least one heat recovery module, the at least one heat recovery module having at least one intake opening and at least one outlet opening; and
- g) a restrictor plate which isolates the one or more motors within the modular frame,
- whereby the at least one intake opening cooperatively transfers fresh air received from the at least one fresh air intake aperture on the modular frame through the at least one intake opening of the at least one or more motors, and along and through the fresh air transfer channel, the fresh air then being transferred from the fresh air transfer channel through the at least one intake opening in the at least one heat recovery module, and then through the at least one outlet opening in the at least one heat recovery module, where the fresh air is then directed through the at least one fresh air outlet aperture on the modular frame to the interior building or dwelling, and whereby stale air from the interior building or dwelling is drawn through the at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame and into the intake opening of the at least one heat recovery module, whereby the at least one intake opening of the at least one heat recovery module cooperatively transfers stale air received from the at least one stale air intake aperture on the modular frame along and through the stale air transfer channel, the stale air then being transferred from the stale air transfer channel through the at least one outlet opening in the at least one or more motors, and then through the at least one stale air outlet aperture on the modular frame to the outside source.
18. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 17, wherein the modular frame further comprises a plurality of apertures.
19. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 18, wherein, when any of the plurality of apertures are not to be used, the apertures not to be used are covered with at least one or more plate members which are positioned thereon.
20. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one or more plate members positioned on the apertures not to be used are detachably removable.
21. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one or more motors are rotatably repositionable within the modular frame.
22. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one or more motors is positioned on a rail mechanism which allows it to slide from within the HVAC unit, the rail mechanism being secured to an interior surface of the HVAC unit.
23. The adaptable modular assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one heat recovery module is positioned on a rail mechanism which allows it to slide from within the HVAC unit, the rail mechanism being secured to an interior surface of the HVAC unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 27, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 9, 2006
Applicant: Imperial Sheet Metal Ltd. (Dieppe)
Inventor: Bertrand Poirier (Notre Dame)
Application Number: 11/116,128
International Classification: F24F 7/06 (20060101); F24F 7/007 (20060101);