Cylindrical Air Conditioner and Conical Evaporator Coil
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.
U.S. Provisional Application Number: NA
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNone
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, MICROFICHE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNone
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the InventionThe 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 ArtAir 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 INVENTIONIn 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.
Referring now to the invention in more detail,
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
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 13, 2021
Publication Date: Dec 15, 2022
Inventor: Stephen G. Ehrman (Indianapolis, IN)
Application Number: 17/346,264