The present invention discloses a novel packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) system that is compact, leakless, and power-efficient and integrates an evaporating element that heats and evaporates the meltwater collected within a drain pan disposed of in the outdoor portion. The proposed PTAC system includes an air sealing frame configurable within the sleeve of the PTAC system to completely seal off air infiltration from the sidewalls of the sleeve. The air sealing frame configurable within the sleeve further provides sufficient insulation and prevents any thermal bridge creation and also insulates the sound that usually gets transmitted from the outdoor portion to the indoor portion of the PTAC system or sound that’s experienced in the room. The proposed PTAC has a decreased protruding length of the indoor portion within the interior of the room due to the presence of the air sealing frame.

A packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) system includes a wall sleeve in which a chassis is mounted. The wall sleeve includes a bottom configured as a drain pan to collect condensate from the chilling components of the chassis. The floor of the drain pan includes a reservoir that extends downward from the floor. The floor slopes downward from the sides of the bottom to the reservoir so that water falling onto the floor flows toward and into the reservoir where it is retained until the height of the water in the reservoir exceed a rim around the drain opening. The rim further prevents treatment pellets from falling into the drain so that they can dissolve in the water captured by the reservoir until the water level of the reservoir flushes the treated water into the drain.

The invention relates to a modular building structure (10) comprising: a framework (12) including a plurality of rods (14) and connectors (16) to interconnect the plurality of rods (14) together, the framework (12) comprising empty spaces bordered by corresponding rods (14) of said plurality of rods; a plurality of panels (20), wherein one panel (20) is mounted inside each empty space and connected to the framework (12) in order to create an interior (40), an air chamber layer (44) inside which air may circulate, said air chamber layer (44) forming at least a portion of an outer surface of said interior (40), at least one upper valve system (46a) mounted in the upper portion of the structure (10), and at least one lower valve system (46b) mounted in the lower portion of the structure (10). The at least one upper and lower valve systems (46a, 46b) are selectively operable to regulate the thermal conditions inside the interior (40) as a function of the meteorological conditions outside the modular building structure (10) and a desired temperature inside the interior (40). The invention also relates to a method for operating the at least one upper and lower valve systems (46a, 46b) of the modular building structure (10).

A system passively cools, regulates humidity and/or rectifies diffusive transport of water vapor in an interior area within a structure. The system includes a membrane assembly covering a portion of the structure, wherein the membrane has an interior side facing the interior area and an exterior side. The membrane assembly defines a plurality of pores. When cooling, a supply of fluid is provided to the membrane assembly so that capillary action of the pores redistributes the fluid to create evaporation and, in turn, the desired heat flow. The membrane assembly can include an architectural membrane coated with a porous matrix coating to form the pores. A pump can provide the fluid to the interior side of the membrane assembly. Preferably, the architectural membrane is woven PTFE-coated fiberglass and the porous matrix coating is titanium dioxide, zeolites and/or silica gel.

A packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) system includes a wall sleeve in which a chassis is mounted. The wall sleeve includes a bottom configured as a drain pan to collect condensate from the chilling components of the chassis. The floor of the drain pan includes a reservoir that extends downward from the floor. The floor slopes downward from the sides of the bottom to the reservoir so that water falling onto the floor flows toward and into the reservoir where it is retained until the height of the water in the reservoir exceed a rim around the drain opening. The rim further prevents treatment pellets from falling into the drain so that they can dissolve in the water captured by the reservoir until the water level of the reservoir flushes the treated water into the drain.

A low-profile air purifier comprises a housing that includes a pair of plates opposing one another, an intake opening and an output opening; a toroidal fan rotatably mounted in the housing between the plates, an axis of the toroidal fan being essentially perpendicular to the plates; a motor disposed in a central opening of the toroidal fan for rotating the toroidal fan; and a filter mounted to the housing for filtering air flowing through the housing. The present patent application also discloses a modular wall section that comprises an internal frame; an air purifier mounted within the internal frame; and a panel mounted in the internal frame for movement between an open position for accessing the air purifier and a closed position concealing the air purifier. The air purifier of the modular wall section may have similar configuration as the above discussed low-profile air purifier.

A climate chamber apparatus for airtight, rotatable guiding a shaft through an opening of a climate chamber wall can include a roller bearing for receiving the shaft and a one-piece seal of an elastic material. The one-piece seal can include a roller-bearing receiving section, with which the roller bearing is connected, a wall receiving section, and a flexible connection section which gaplessly connects the roller-bearing receiving section with the wall receiving section. Further, a climate chamber with a heating chamber wall, a ventilator disposed on the wall, where the ventilator includes a motor, disposed external to the wall and which drives across a shaft, guided through the wall, a fan impeller, wherein the wall includes an opening which is sealed airtight such that the shaft is guided airtight through the wall.

A facade panel conditioning system for installation on a new or existing building is disclosed. The system includes modular panels, a structural anchor, hydronic piping, and ductwork. The panels attach to each other around the exterior of the building forming an insulated shell. The anchor attaches the panels to the building structure forming an air cavity between each individual panel and the exterior. The hydronic piping transfers heat to the air cavity and individual units of the building. The ductwork delivers ventilated air and exhaust air to the air cavity and individual units. The hydronic piping of a panel connects to the hydronic piping of an adjacent panel forming a hydronic piping system that distributes heat or cool throughout the shell. The air duct of a panel connects to the air duct of an adjacent panel forming an air duct ventilation system that distributes air throughout the shell.

An HVAC system for enhanced source-to-load matching without sacrificing airflow delivery in low load structures. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an HVAC system for enhanced source-to-load matching in a low load environment, i.e. dwellings with a BTU/hour capacity of less than 18,000. Prior art HVAC equipment is oversized for dwellings with a BTU/hour capacity of less than 18,000 that are insulated to minimum code requirements. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an HVAC system that separates the delivery of airflow (CFM) output from that of the BTU capacity output, thereby enabling a distributed delivery system for optimal source-to-load matching without sacrificing airflow delivery in low load environments. The source-to-load matching enabled by the present disclosure ensures optimal indoor air quality, enhanced comfort for occupants of the dwelling, and approximately a 60% reduction in heating and cooling costs when compared to prior art HVAC systems.

A system passively cools, regulates humidity and/or rectifies diffusive transport of water vapor in an interior area within a structure. The system includes a membrane assembly covering a portion of the structure, wherein the membrane has an interior side facing the interior area and an exterior side. The membrane assembly defines a plurality of pores. When cooling, a supply of fluid is provided to the membrane assembly so that capillary action of the pores redistributes the fluid to create evaporation and, in turn, the desired heat flow. The membrane assembly can include an architectural membrane coated with a porous matrix coating to form the pores. A pump can provide the fluid to the interior side of the membrane assembly. Preferably, the architectural membrane is woven PTFE-coated fiberglass and the porous matrix coating is titanium dioxide, zeolites and/or silica gel.