MINIATURE AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

An air management system comprising a housing assembly. The housing assembly comprises a coil and filter section, blower section and a control section. These sections are physically attached to each other in a configuration so that the height of the housing assembly, defined as the distance between a top and a bottom of the housing assembly, is less than 12 inches. The height of the housing assembly is preferably approximately 10.5 inches. The air coil chamber is oriented to have a slight slope on a bottom surface thereof to collect condensate water. In a preferred embodiment, the air management system further comprises a support bracket assembly for supporting the housing assembly horizontal to the ground as defined by a level, the level defining a horizontal axis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/054,652, filed Jul. 21, 2020, entitled MINIATURE AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

The entire content of 63/054,652 is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems, and more particularly to a miniature air management system for a sector requiring an HVAC solution generally under 1200 sq. ft.

2. Description of the Related Art

The HVAC Industry is immersed in a tide of change attempting to improve overall system efficiencies to reduce emissions and to increase overall efficiencies of the systems required in the home, commercial and industrial sectors.

Within the HVAC industry significant progress has been demonstrated in overall equipment performance and efficiency. In parallel to those improvements, there have been building enclosure upgrades which have reduced the required capacities for the equipment. The HVAC industry focuses on capacities and performance of the equipment. The resulting sizes and the equipment capabilities make it a challenge to size properly and install in limited spaces, areas such as small homes, condominiums, which tend to have lower load requirements than in the past. The result of current practices is that readily available air handling units are used within spaces, that they are oversized for. This diminishes equipment performance and efficiency resulting in equipment short cycling. This results in equipment still too large in physical height for convenient installation. Modern equipment is more efficient, but not sufficiently small in size and capacities to match the constantly reducing loads created by improved building envelope performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, the present invention is an air management system comprising a housing assembly. The housing assembly comprises a coil and filter section, a blower section and a control section. The coil and filter section comprises an air inlet, an air filter, an air coil chamber and an air stabilization chamber. The air inlet receives ambient air. The air filter receives the ambient air from the air inlet and filters the ambient air to provide filtered air. The air coil chamber includes at least one air coil assembly for receiving the filtered air from the air filter to condition the filtered air in accordance with selected parameters to provide conditioned air. The air stabilization chamber is configured to receive the conditioned air and stabilize the air to provide a stabilized air output from the coil and filter assembly and filter section. The coil and filter section, the blower section, and the control section are physically attached to each other in a configuration so that the height of the housing assembly, defined as the distance between a top and a bottom of the housing assembly, is less than 12 inches.

The height of the housing assembly is preferably approximately 10.5 inches. The air coil chamber is oriented to have a slight slope on a bottom surface thereof to collect condensate water. The present invention is particularly advantageous for installation in limited space areas as it can be ceiling mounted, and its vertical space, i.e. about 10.5″ is much less than equipment presently used. Furthermore, the present invention does not take up valuable and limited floor space as a small furnace does.

In a preferred embodiment, the air management system further comprises a support bracket assembly for supporting the housing assembly horizontal to the ground as defined by a level, the level defining a horizontal axis. The coil and filter section, the blower section and the control section are all oriented to have respective top surfaces substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. The control section and the blower section are oriented to have bottom surfaces thereof parallel to the horizontal axis.

The present invention allows for the ability to provide a system that targets specific site requirements, such as small electronic rooms where high control of temperature and humidity is required. An important aspect of the invention is that if the site conditions change after the initial installation, it can be site changed to accommodate the site changes without replacing the total unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the air management system of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 1D is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 1E is a section taken along line 1E-1E of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the air management system of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 2C is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 2D is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 2E is a section taken along line 2E-2E of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the air management system of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 3D is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 3E is a section taken along line 3E-3E of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the air management system of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 4C is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 4D is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 4E is a section taken along line 3E-3E of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A is a coil function diagram illustrating a cooling mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil.

FIG. 5B is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil.

FIG. 5C is a coil function diagram illustrating a cooling mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or cooling option.

FIG. 5D is a coil function diagram illustrating a cooling mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or two coil cooling option.

FIG. 5E is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or cooling option.

FIG. 5F is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or two coil cooling option.

FIG. 5G is a coil function diagram illustrating a dehumidification mode routine for a Mini or Micro Mini Pearl embodiment, with a single coil heating and two coil cooling option.

FIG. 5H is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating boost mode routine for a Mini or Micro Mini Pearl embodiment, with a single coil heating and two coil cooling option.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of blower adjustment routine for the air management system.

The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate an embodiment of the air management system of the present invention, designated generally as 10. The air management system 10 includes a housing assembly, designated generally as 12. The housing assembly 12 includes a coil and filter section 14, a blower section 16, and a control section 18.

As can best be seen in FIG. 1E, the coil and filter section 14 includes an air inlet 20 for receiving ambient air 22. An air filter 23 receives the ambient air 22 from the air inlet 20 and filters the ambient air 22 to provide filtered air 24. An air coil chamber 26 includes, in this example, three air coil assemblies 28 for receiving the filtered air 24 from that air filter 23 to condition the filtered air 24 in accordance with selected parameters to provide conditioned air 30. An air stabilization chamber 32 is configured to receive the conditioned air 30 and stabilize the air to provide a stabilized air output 34 from the air coil chamber 26.

The blower section 16 includes at least one blower 36 configured to receive the stabilized air output 34. One blower 36 is utilized in the system of FIG. 1. The air management system 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be marketed by present applicant as a SAM-Micro Pearl Air Handler and operating with a single in-line centrifugal fan 38. The present invention allows for the system designer, for a particular space, to be able to focus on exactly what the space requires relative to the combination of air flow (cfm), heat, cooling, and dehumidification loads. The area load requirement is the focus of the system designer, and with the present invention, the individual is able to simply customize which unit will fill the actual site requirements. This is not the case presently within the HVAC industry and is a game changer for the industry, as the system designers do not have to force a equipment fit, which ultimately create inefficiencies.

Each of the blowers is preferably configured to operate in a range of between about 32 and 325 CFM (cubic feet per minute). The blower section 16 includes a blower section output for ducting site connection. The blower section is preferably configured to operate in a range of between 275 and 325 CFM per blower.

The control section 18 is operatively connected to the coil and filter section 14 and to the blower section 16 and is configured to selectively control the coil and filter section 14 and the blower section 16 in accordance with user selected settings. The control section 18 includes various relay components and or terminal block connections to allow for output control signals. These output control signals activate control components, such as a water control valve or fan speed adjustment. Thus, the control section 18 can be configured and equipped to manage the many different operational options of the present invention.

The coil and filter section 14, the blower section 16, and the control section 18 are physically attached to each other in a configuration so that the height of the housing assembly 12, defined as the distance between a top 40 and a bottom 42 of the housing assembly 10, is less than 12 inches. In a preferred embodiment the height is approximately 10.5 inches.

The air coil chamber 26 is oriented to have a “slight slope” on a bottom surface 44 thereof to collect condensate water. As can be seen in FIG. 1E, the air stabilization chamber 32 includes a hole 45 on the bottom of one of its sides to provide drainage.

As can be seen by reference to FIG. 1A, the air management system 10 includes a support bracket assembly 46 for supporting the housing assembly 12 horizontal to the ground as defined by a level. The level defines a horizontal axis 48. The coil and filter section 14, the blower section 16, and the control section 18, are all oriented to have respective top surfaces 50 substantially parallel to the horizontal axis 48. The control section 18 and the blower section 16 are oriented to have bottom surfaces 52, 54 thereof parallel to the horizontal axis. The term “slight slope” as used herein refers to an angle relative to the horizontal axis generally in a range of between about 3 and 8 degrees, preferably about 5 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2E a second embodiment of the air management system of the present invention is illustrated, designated generally as 56. This embodiment will be marketed by present applicant as a SAM-Mini Pearl Air Handler and operating with two parallel centrifugal fans 58, 60. This provides the ability to operate in a range double that of the FIG. 1 embodiment with the same size blowers. The height of the system 56 is the same as the FIG. 1 embodiment. This embodiment provides heating, cooling and dehumidification.

Thus, the use of these two horizontally spaced blowers along a line parallel to the horizontal axis effects a change in the width of the housing assembly, but not the height. It also provides effectively longer coil length doubling the CFM from a single blower system.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E a third embodiment of the air management system of the present invention is illustrated, designated generally as 62. This embodiment will be marketed by present applicant as a SAM-Mini Air Handler and, as in the FIG. 2 embodiments operates with two parallel centrifugal fans 64, 66. However, instead of the three air coil assemblies utilized in the FIG. 2 embodiment there is only a single air coil assembly 68, as most clearly shown in FIG. 3E. This embodiment provides heating and cooling, but does not provide dehumidification.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E a fourth embodiment of the air management system of the present invention is illustrated, designated generally as 70. This embodiment will be marketed by present applicant as a SAM-Micro Mini Air Handler and, operates with a single centrifugal fan 72 and a single air coil assembly 74, as most clearly shown in FIG. 4E. This embodiment provides heating and cooling but does not provide dehumidification. This can be used when a lesser heating/cooling capacity is required than the FIG. 3 embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5F, various heating and cooling mode routines are illustrated. FIG. 5A is a coil function diagram illustrating a cooling mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil. This cooling mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is greater than the selected cooling target air temperature;
  • b) activating a cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected cooling target air temperature after the delay time;
  • c) deactivating the cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected cooling target air temperature after the delay time;
  • e) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the cold pump;
  • f) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling low target then decreasing the cooling valve position incrementally after a delay time;
  • h) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is less than the selected minimum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position;
  • j) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling high target then increasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is greater than the selected maximum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected maximum cooling valve position;
  • m) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive;
  • n) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and deactivating the cold pump;
  • o) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then setting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position; and,
  • p) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5B is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil. This heating mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating target air temperature;
  • b) activating a heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating target air temperature after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected heating target air temperature after the delay time;
  • d) determining whether the heating mode routine is active;
  • e) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the hot pump;
  • f) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • h) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the heating valve position is less than the selected minimum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • j) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the heating mode routine mode is active and the heating valve position is greater than the selected maximum heating valve position and limiting the heating source position to the selected maximum heating valve position;
  • m) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive;
  • n) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and then setting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • o) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the hot pump; and,
  • p) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5C is a coil function diagram illustrating a cooling mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or cooling option. This cooling mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is greater than a selected cooling target air temperature;
  • b) activating a cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected cooling target air temperature after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected cooling target air temperature after the delay time;
  • d) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active;
  • e) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the cold pump;
  • f) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling low target then decreasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • h) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is less than the selected minimum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position;
  • j) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling high target then increasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is greater than the selected maximum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected maximum cooling valve position;
  • m) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive;
  • n) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and deactivating the cold pump;
  • o) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then setting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position; and,
  • p) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5D is a coil function diagram illustrating a cooling mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or two coil cooling option. This cooling mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is greater than a selected cooling target air temperature;
  • b) activating a cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected cooling target air temperature after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected cooling target air temperature after the delay time;
  • d) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active;
  • e) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the cold pump;
  • f) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling low target then decreasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • h) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is less than the selected minimum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position;
  • j) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling high target then increasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is greater than the selected maximum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected maximum cooling valve position;
  • m) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive;
  • n) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and deactivating the cold pump;
  • o) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then setting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position; and,
  • p) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5E is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or cooling option. This heating mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is less than a selected heating target air temperature;
  • b) activating a heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating target air temperature after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected heating target air temperature after the delay time;
  • d) determining whether the heating mode routine is active;
  • e) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the hot pump;
  • f) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • h) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the heating valve position is less than the selected minimum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • j) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the heating mode routine mode is active and the heating valve position is greater than the selected maximum heating valve position and limiting the heating source position to the selected maximum heating valve position;
  • m) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive;
  • n) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and then setting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • o) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the hot pump; and,
  • p) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5F is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating mode routine for a Mini or Micro embodiment, with a single coil heating or two coil cooling option. This heating mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is less than a selected heating target air temperature;
  • b) activating a heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating target air temperature after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected heating target air temperature after the delay time;
  • d) determining whether the heating mode routine is active;
  • e) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the hot pump;
  • f) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • h) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the heating valve position is less than the selected minimum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • j) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the heating mode routine mode is active and the heating valve position is greater than the selected maximum heating valve position and limiting the heating source position to the selected maximum heating valve position;
  • m) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive;
  • n) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and then setting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • o) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the hot pump; and,
  • p) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5G illustrates dehumidification mode routine. FIG. 5G is a coil function diagram illustrating a dehumidification mode routine for a Mini or Micro Pearl embodiment, with a single coil heating and two coil cooling option. This dehumidification mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air relative humidity percentage is greater than a selected dehumidification target relative humidity percentage;
  • b) activating a dehumidification mode routine if the ambient air relative humidity percentage is greater than the selected dehumidification target relative humidity percentage after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the dehumidification mode routine if the ambient air relative humidity percentage is less than the selected dehumidification target relative humidity percentage after the delay time; and,
  • d) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active;
  • e) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then setting the cold valve to the maximum cooling valve position;
  • f) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • g) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then activating the cold pump;
  • h) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then activating the hot pump;
  • i) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating source position incrementally after the delay time;
  • j) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the heating source position is greater than the selected minimum heating source position and limiting the heating source position to the selected minimum heating source position;
  • k) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating source position after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating source position incrementally after the delay time;
  • m) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the heating source position is greater than the selected maximum heating source position and limiting the heating source position to the selected maximum heating source position;
  • n) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating source position after the delay time;
  • o) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive;
  • p) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the cold pump;
  • q) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the hot pump;
  • r) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then setting the cold valve to the selected cooling valve minimum position;
  • s) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then setting the heating valve position to the selected heating valve minimum position; and,
  • t) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 5H illustrates heating boost mode routine. FIG. 5H is a coil function diagram illustrating a heating boost mode routine for a Mini or Micro Pearl embodiment, with a single coil heating and two coil cooling option. This heating boost mode routine operates by the steps of:

• • a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is less than a selected heating boost target air temperature;
  • b) activating a heating boost mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating boost target air temperature after a delay time;
  • c) deactivating the heating boost mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected heating boost target air temperature after the delay time;
  • d) determining whether the heating boost mode is active;
  • e) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and then setting the cold coil flow to heating position;
  • f) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and then setting the cold valve to fully closed;
  • g) determining whether the heating boost mode routine is active and then activating the blower adjustment routine;
  • h) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • i) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the heating valve position is less than the selected minimum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;
  • j) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • k) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;
  • l) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the heating valve position is greater than the selected maximum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected maximum heating valve position;
  • m) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;
  • n) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive;
  • o) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then deactivating the hot pump;
  • p) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then setting the cold coil flow to cooling position;
  • q) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then setting the cold valve to the selected minimum cooling valve position;
  • r) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then setting the heating source position to the selected heating valve minimum position; and,
  • s) determining whether the heating boost mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

FIG. 6 illustrates blower adjustment routine. FIG. 6 is a blower function diagram illustrating a blower adjustment routine for a Mini or Micro Pearl embodiment. This blower adjustment routine operates by steps of:

• • a) determining whether a blower adjustment routine is required by the activation of cooling mode routine, heating mode routine, heating boost mode routine or dehumidification mode routine;
  • b) determining whether the blower adjustment routine is not required by the deactivation of cooling mode routine, heating mode routine, heating boost mode and dehumidification mode routine;
  • c) determining the absolute differential between supply air temperature in the duct versus the return air temperature in the duct with a sub-process calculation and during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • d) determining whether the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute differential target and during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • e) determining whether the absolute differential is less than a selected absolute differential target and during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • f) determining whether the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute low target and less than a selected absolute high target and during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • g) increasing the blower position by an incremental value if the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute differential high target after a delay time and during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • i) determining the blower position is greater than a selected maximum blower position value and limiting said blower position to the selected maximum blower position value during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • i) decreasing the blower position by an incremental value if the absolute differential is less than a selected absolute differential low target after the delay time and during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • ii) determining the blower position is less than a selected minimum blower position value and limiting said blower position to the selected minimum blower position value during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • iii) neither increasing nor decreasing the blower position if the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute differential low target and less than a selected absolute differential high target after the delay time during the active blower adjustment routine;
  • iv) decreasing the blower position to minimum position after a delay time during the inactive blower adjustment routine;
  • v) determining the blower position is less than a selected minimum blower position value and limiting said blower position to the selected minimum blower position value during the inactive blower adjustment routine; and,
  • vi) determining whether the blower adjustment routine is not required by the deactivation of the cooling mode routine, heating mode routine, heating boost mode routine and dehumidification mode routine and decreasing blower position to the selected minimum blower position value.

Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air management system, comprising:

a housing assembly, comprising: a) a coil and filter section, comprising: i. an air inlet for receiving ambient air; ii. an air filter for receiving the ambient air from said air inlet and for filtering said ambient air to provide filtered air; iii. an air coil chamber including at least one air coil assembly for receiving the filtered air from the air filter to condition the filtered air in accordance with selected parameters to provide conditioned air; iv. an air stabilization chamber configured to receive the conditioned air and stabilize the air to provide a stabilized air output from the coil and filter assembly and filter section; b) a blower section comprising at least one blower configured to receive said stabilized air output, each of said at least one blowers being configured to operate in a range of between about 32 and 325 CFM (cubic feet per minute), said blower section includes a blower section output for ducting site connection; and, c) a control section operatively connected to said coil and filter section and to said blower section configured to selectively control said coil and filter section and said blower in accordance with user selected settings,

wherein said coil and filter section, said blower section, and said control section are physically attached to each other in a configuration so that the height of the housing assembly, defined as the distance between a top and a bottom of the housing assembly, is less than 12 inches.

2. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said height of the housing assembly is approximately 10.5 inches.

3. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said air coil chamber is oriented to have a slight slope on a bottom surface thereof to collect condensate water.

4. The air management system of claim 1, further comprising a support bracket assembly for supporting said housing assembly horizontal to the ground as defined by a level, the level defining a horizontal axis, wherein,

a) said coil and filter section, said blower section and said control section are all oriented to have respective top surfaces substantially parallel to said horizontal axis; and, wherein

b) said control section and said blower section are oriented to have bottom surfaces thereof parallel to said horizontal axis.

5. The air management system of claim 4, wherein said at least one blower comprises two blowers horizontally spaced along a line parallel to said horizontal axis.

6. The air management system of claim 4, wherein said at least one blower comprises two blowers horizontally spaced along a line parallel to said horizontal axis providing a combined CFM capability of said blower section in a range of 64 to 650 CFM.

7. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said at least one blower comprises at least one in-line centrifugal fan.

8. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said blower section is configured to operate in a range of between 275 and 325 CFM.

9. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said control section is configured to operate a cooling mode routine by the steps of:

a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is greater than a selected cooling target air temperature;

b) activating a cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected cooling target air temperature after a delay time;

c) deactivating the cooling mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected cooling target air temperature after the delay time;

d) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active;

e) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the cold pump;

f) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;

g) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling low target then decreasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;

h) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;

i) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is less than the selected minimum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position;

j) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air cooling high target then increasing the cooling valve position incrementally after the delay time;

k) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air cooling high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the cooling valve position after the delay time;

l) determining whether the cooling mode routine is active and the cooling valve position is greater than the selected maximum cooling valve position and limiting the cooling valve position to the selected maximum cooling valve position;

m) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive;

n) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and deactivating the cold pump;

o) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then setting the cooling valve position to the selected minimum cooling valve position; and,

p) determining whether the cooling mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

10. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said control section is configured to operate a heating mode routine by the steps of:

a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is less than a selected heating target air temperature;

b) activating a heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating target air temperature after a delay time;

c) deactivating the heating mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected heating target air temperature after the delay time;

d) determining whether the heating mode routine is active;

e) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the hot pump;

f) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and activating the blower adjustment routine;

g) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;

h) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;

i) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the heating valve position is less than the selected minimum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;

j) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;

k) determining whether the heating mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;

l) determining whether the heating mode routine mode is active and the heating valve position is greater than the selected maximum heating valve position and limiting the heating source position to the selected maximum heating valve position;

m) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive;

n) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and then setting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;

o) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the hot pump; and,

p) determining whether the heating mode routine is inactive and deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

11. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said control section is configured to operate a dehumidification mode routine by the steps of:

a) determining whether an ambient air relative humidity percentage is greater than a selected dehumidification target relative humidity percentage;

b) activating a dehumidification mode routine if the ambient air relative humidity percentage is greater than the selected dehumidification target relative humidity percentage after a delay time;

c) deactivating the dehumidification mode routine if the ambient air relative humidity percentage is less than the selected dehumidification target relative humidity percentage after the delay time;

d) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active;

e) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then setting the cold valve to the maximum cooling valve position;

f) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then activating the blower adjustment routine;

g) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then activating the cold pump;

h) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and then activating the hot pump;

i) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating source position incrementally after the delay time;

j) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the heating source position is greater than the selected minimum heating source position and limiting the heating source position to the selected minimum heating source position;

k) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating source position after the delay time;

l) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating source position incrementally after the delay time;

m) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the heating source position is greater than the selected maximum heating source position and limiting the heating source position to the selected maximum heating source position;

n) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating source position after the delay time;

o) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive;

p) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the cold pump;

q) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the hot pump;

r) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then setting the cold valve to the selected cooling valve minimum position;

s) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then setting the heating valve position to the selected heating valve minimum position; and,

t) determining whether the dehumidification mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

12. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said control section is configured to operate a heating boost mode routine by the steps of:

a) determining whether an ambient air temperature is less than a selected heating boost target air temperature;

b) activating a heating boost mode routine if the ambient air temperature is less than the selected heating boost target air temperature after a delay time;

c) deactivating the heating boost mode routine if the ambient air temperature is greater than the selected heating boost target air temperature after the delay time;

d) determining whether the heating boost mode is active;

e) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and then setting the cold coil flow to heating position;

f) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and then setting the cold valve to fully closed;

g) determining whether the heating boost mode routine is active and then activating the blower adjustment routine;

h) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating high target then decreasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;

i) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the heating valve position is less than the selected minimum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected minimum heating valve position;

j) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating high target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;

k) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is less than the supply air heating low target then increasing the heating valve position incrementally after the delay time;

l) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the heating valve position is greater than the selected maximum heating valve position and limiting the heating valve position to the selected maximum heating valve position;

m) determining whether the heating boost mode is active and the supply air temperature in the duct is greater than the supply air heating low target then neither increasing nor decreasing the heating valve position after the delay time;

n) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive;

o) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then deactivating the hot pump;

p) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then setting the cold coil flow to cooling position;

q) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then setting the cold valve to the selected minimum cooling valve position;

r) determining whether the heating boost mode is inactive and then setting the heating source position to the selected heating valve minimum position; and,

s) determining whether the heating boost mode routine is inactive and then deactivating the blower adjustment routine.

13. The air management system of claim 1, wherein said control section is configured to operate a blower adjustment routine by the steps of:

a) determining whether a blower adjustment routine is required by the activation of cooling mode routine, heating mode routine, heating boost mode routine or dehumidification mode routine;

b) determining whether the blower adjustment routine is not required by the deactivation of cooling mode routine, heating mode routine, heating boost mode and dehumidification mode routine;

c) determining the absolute differential between supply air temperature in the duct versus the return air temperature in the duct with a sub-process calculation and during the active blower adjustment routine;

d) determining whether the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute differential target and during the active blower adjustment routine;

e) determining whether the absolute differential is less than the selected absolute differential target and during the active blower adjustment routine;

f) determining whether the absolute differential is greater than the selected absolute low target and less than the selected absolute high target and during the active blower adjustment routine;

g) increasing the blower position by an incremental value if the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute differential high target after a delay time and during the active blower adjustment routine;

h) determining the blower position is greater than a selected maximum blower position value and limiting said blower position to the selected maximum blower position value during the active blower adjustment routine;

i) decreasing the blower position by an incremental value if the absolute differential is less than a selected absolute differential low target after a delay time and during the active blower adjustment routine;

j) determining the blower position is less than a selected minimum blower position value and limiting said blower position to the selected minimum blower position value during the active blower adjustment routine;

k) neither increasing nor decreasing the blower position if the absolute differential is greater than a selected absolute differential low target and less than a selected absolute differential high target after the delay time during the active blower adjustment routine;

l) decreasing the blower position to minimum position after the delay time during an inactive blower adjustment routine;

m) determining the blower position is less than a selected minimum blower position value and limiting said blower position to the selected minimum blower position value during an inactive blower adjustment routine; and,

n) determining whether the blower adjustment routine is not required by the deactivation of the cooling mode routine, heating mode routine, heating boost mode routine and dehumidification mode routine and decreasing blower position to the selected minimum blower position value.