Abstract: A propeller fan assembly that generates lower sound pressure during operation and minimizes blade deflection without sacrificing performance. The blades of the propeller fan comprise silencer seeds located on the suction side of the blades, closer to the leading edge and the tip of the blades. The silencer seeds are sized in increasing face area and form an array with areas increasing with each row. The propeller fan assembly also comprises a dual hub comprising more than one circumferential layer concentric with the axial fan's hub. Multiple circumferential layers provide significant additional support to the blades during operation. This minimizes blade deflection and preserves the performance of the blade as intended. The overall fan and orifice assembly uses a unique assembly method that allows for wide flexibility and permits use of motors of different types and sizes seamlessly with this propeller fan assembly.

Abstract: A low cost air damper that provides a good seal with low torque requirements. Blade seals of square cross sectional configuration are provided on each damper blade so that the blade seals engage adjacent blades before the blades are fully closed. L-shaped side seals and multiple discs that receive the ends of the blades serve collectively to seal between sides of the damper frame and the blades when the blades are closed even when the blades are not cut precisely. One edge of the L-shaped side seals engages and seals against the discs and the other edge of the side seals laps over and seals against a flat side of the blades and against the square blade seals. A low friction coating is applied to the side seals to further reduce friction.

Abstract: Plenum fan banding that effectively changes the width of the fan blades in a plenum fan for a HVAC unit. A removable and replaceable band attaches to the back of a fan wheel of the plenum fan so that the band is located within the circle of the fan blades and extends outward perpendicular to the back of the wheel. The band is provided with tabs that insert through slots provided in the back of the fan wheel, and the tabs can be bent over as a means of removably securing the band to the fan wheel. The band effective reduces the functional width of the fan blades in proportion to the width of the band.

Abstract: A system for installing suspended ceilings in large commercial buildings employing t-shaped main and intersecting branch ceiling joists. The main joists are suspended from the purlins of the building by upper brackets that secure to the purlins and by lower brackets that secure to the joists. Rods that are adjustable in length attach the upper brackets to the lower brackets to thereby suspend the joists below the purlins. To install the joists, the rods are adjusted in length so that all the joists are level and are suspended at the desired height within the building. The main joists are spaced approximately 8 feet apart from each other, and the branch joists are spaced approximately 4 feet apart from each and attach to the main joists at right angles so as to form a plurality of frames for supporting 4×8 foot sheets of insulated ceiling board.

Abstract: A door handle system for a door employing a plurality of door handles that operate in unison. Each door handle comprised of a lever with a perpendicular shaft, and the shaft extending through sequentially and securing together the following additional elements of the door handle to insure that the latch mechanism rotates together with the lever: a sealing washer, snap bushing, handle opening through the door, second bushing, collar and latch mechanism. An arm provided on each latch mechanism that attaches to a common bus bar. An outwardly extending tongue provided on each latch mechanism for engaging either a door facing or a tongue receiving bracket attached to the door facing to latch the door in a closed position. A lock bracket on the door with a lock opening to align with a lock opening provided the lever for padlocking the lever closed.

Abstract: A control system for a HVAC unit for controlling the humidity and temperature of interior building space at desired levels regardless of the outside temperature and humidity conditions. This system is more efficiently so that it operates with less energy consumption than current HVAC systems. The control system employs a combination of modulated return air bypass, modulated capacity compressor, and modulating hot gas reheat to maintain proper interior space humidity, and temperature while maintaining adequate ventilation within the interior building space. The system employs feed forward control to prevent overheating the interior building space with reheat and also, once humidity requirements are met, resets low pressure limit settings at the exit of the evaporator to minimize use of reheat in the operation of the unit.

Abstract: A system for installing suspended ceilings in large commercial buildings employing t-shaped main and intersecting branch ceiling joists. The main joists are suspended from the purlins of the building by upper brackets that secure to the purlins and by lower brackets that secure to the joists. Rods that are adjustable in length attach the upper brackets to the lower brackets to thereby suspend the joists below the purlins. To install the joists, the rods are adjusted in length so that all the joists are level and are suspended at the desired height within the building. The main joists are spaced approximately 8 feet apart from each other, and the branch joists are spaced approximately 4 feet apart from each and attach to the main joists at right angles so as to form a plurality of frames for supporting 4×8 foot sheets of insulated ceiling board.

Abstract: An evaporative condensing air conditioning system employing a de-superheater and mist eliminator located between the air fan on an evaporative cooler and a spray tree that delivers water 20 as a coolant on the exterior surfaces of a condenser coil. The de-superheater receives superheated coolant gas from the compressor of the air conditioning system where air traveling on the outside of the de-superheater coil removes heat from the coolant gas located within the de-superheater coil to the point where the coolant is still a gas but is no longer superheated. The coolant gas then exits the de-superheater and flows into the evaporatively cooled condenser coil where the coolant is further cooled and condenses into a liquid before finishing the air conditioning circuit by consecutively moving through an optional coolant receiving chamber, a thermal expansion valve, an evaporator, and returning to the compressor.

Abstract: A heat dissipating collar 10 for a motor 12 that consists of two identical halves 14A and 14B removably secured together at their two sets of mating ends, set 16J and 18S and set 16S and 18J. Each half 14A and 14B has a base portion 20A and 20B, respectively, with an arcuate internal surface, 22A and 22B, respectively, that rests against and receives heat from an exterior surface 24 of the motor 12. Each of the halves 14A and 14B is provided with a plurality of spaced apart, tapered fins 30 radiating outwardly from the base portions 20A and 20B so that heat received from the motor 12 by the base portions 20A and 20B is transferred from the base portions 20A and 20B to the fins 30 and dissipates to the surrounding air from the fins 30. Each fin 30 is secured to the base portion 20A or 20B of its respective half 14A or 14B and extends outward from the base portion 20A or 20B aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal axis 32 of the collar 10.

Abstract: A wall curb 10 for attachment to the exterior wall 32 of a building to removably secure a wall mounted HVAC unit 38 to the exterior surface 44 of the wall 32. The wall curb 10 serves to attach the supply air duct 34 from within the building to the supply air opening of HVAC unit 38 and to attach the return air duct 36 from within the building to a return air opening of the HVAC 38. An alternate embodiment of the invention 10A includes an outside air opening 60 with a controllable damper 62 for regulating the ratio of outside air verses return air from the building that enters the HVAC unit 38.

Abstract: An S-shaped heat exchange tube with improved heat exchange efficiency. The tube is provided with a quartet of entry dimples in a first segment of the tube adjacent an inlet end of the tube, a first series of dimple pairs in a second segment of the tube and a second series of dimple pairs in a third segment of the tube.The quartet of entry dimples lie in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first segment. At least the first three dimple pairs of the first series are graduated in depth, with the first dimple pair in the first series being provided adjacent to the first segment and having a depth less than a depth of the second dimple pair in the first series. The third dimple pair in the first series and all dimple pairs following the third dimple pair in the first series have depths which are equal. Depths of all dimple pairs in the second series are equal to the depth of the final dimple pair of the first series.

Abstract: A method and device for concurrently transferring sensible heat from the warmer of either an incoming outside airstream or an outgoing exhaust airstream to the other stream and transferring latent heat from the wetter of either the incoming outside airstream or the outgoing exhaust airstream to the other stream prior to the incoming airstream entering a standard heating and air conditioning unit. The method and apparatus both employ a rotating heat wheel impregnated with a dry desiccant such as silica gel in order to accomplish the simultaneous transfer of both sensible and latent heat between the two airstreams.

Abstract: An energy efficient housing assembly employing a single inlet backwardly inclined blower fan for use in commercial HVAC units. The housing assembly is provided with a slanted wall to which a fan supply motor is slidably mounted. The slanted wall, in conjunction with an opposite non-parallel side wall, two other walls and a top plate form an enclosed area in which the fan is rotatably mounted. Air enters the fan in a straight path through a single front inlet opening provided in the assembly and exits the assembly via a large bottom discharge opening. Air flowing out the bottom discharge opening is evenly distributed over heating elements provided in the unit adjacent to the assembly. The assembly is slidably mounted in the unit for ease in removing it from the unit.