Energy Recovery Device and Air Conditioning System Support Base

Abstract

An energy recovery system used in an Air-Conditioning system (HVAC) that also serves as a supporting base structure. Commonly used with mass produced residential or light commercial manufactured air conditioning systems where air handling units are located indoors. The arrangement includes core or wheel type energy recovery media arranged and affixed within a support base in an orientation and method to maximize the amount of energy recovery surface area installed in a minimum area while still allowing good airflow practices. Other items included may be filter racks preceding where air enters the energy recovery cores, a singular or multiple fan(s) to move the air, a condensate drain pan, shut off and bypass dampers, defrost components and sensors. A direct digital controller may also be included to maximize efficiency and control.

Claims

1. An energy recovery device comprising an air housing plenum and supporting base used in an air conditioning apparatus.

2. An energy recovery device comprising: An airtight plenum assembly, energy recovery media, and a supporting base assembly.

3. The energy recovery device as in claim 2 with said base assembly designed to match and support a traditional air-conditioning apparatus and system ductwork.

4. The energy recovery device as in claim 2 with said air-tight plenum further comprising, energy recovery media, air path openings, and a dividing structure separating airflow paths.

5. The energy recovery device as in claim 2 with said air-tight plenum further compromising individual air moving fans, filters, dampers, and the like.

6. An energy recovery device comprising: a base assembly; an airtight plenum; an energy recovery section; an outside air intake section; and an exhaust air section.

7. An energy recovery device as in claim 6, where said base assembly supports and mates to a common air-conditioning or HVAC apparatus.

8. An energy recovery device as in claim 6, where said airtight plenum includes an air-tight dividing structure.

9. An energy recovery device as in claim 6 where said energy recovery section includes energy recovery media, mounting support and access for energy recovery media, and further comprising an opening in the airtight plenum for outside air to enter.

10. An energy recovery section as in claim 6, where said outside air intake and exhaust air sections includes air movement fans and ductwork connections and openings in the airtight plenum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention used in an application showing the main components of a system.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention looking down from the front side and top.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view of the present invention showing the main components.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective plan view of the present invention showing the main components in an alternate arrangement than that of preferred embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective plan view of the present invention showing the main components in a different shape than preferred embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical representation of the invention's preferred electronics control system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 shows the present invention 1 with preferred embodiments situated within typical components of a simple Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The typical components are depicted as the return ductwork 2, an interconnecting duct 3 sometimes also being a filter housing and 4, an air handler or furnace-fan coil or the like.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the present invention in more detail depicting a view of the exterior outer casing with vertically adjustable leg supports and level devices 20. The outer casing shown has access door(s) 21 to service the internal devices. The top of the enclosure has openings air paths 22 which can be interchangeable of either supply or return air depending on orientation and preference. The assembly cabinet shown include external duct connections 23 where outside air flows into, and additionally stale exhaust air flows out of, the invention. The casing may have an electrical disconnect switch 24 and may include an antenna 25 for wi-fi, Bluetooth or other RF wireless communication to a controller, detailed in later drawings.

[0015] FIG. 3 contains component details, showing the air openings 22, an energy recovery core 30 affixed to side of cabinet in location 31. The invention contains a controller 32. Airflows are separated with a divider 33. External airflow connections 34a & b stub out from side of unit. The invention may have internal fans 35 and 37 sized for separate operating parameters, and isolation air dampers 36a & b.

[0016] FIG. 4 is similarly a top-down view of the invention like FIG. 3, however showing some of the components optionally mounted external to the main cabinet. The same air openings shown in previous drawings 2 and 3 are depicted 22, an energy recovery core 30 affixed to side of cabinet in location 31. The invention also may have the controller 32 mounted separately outside of the main cabinet. Airflows are separated with a divider 33. External airflow connections 34a & b stub out from side of unit. The fans in this case are shown mounted external to the invention's cabinet 35 and 37 within duct or in-line which are connected to the 34a & b stub out. The airflow isolation shut-off dampers may also be mounted external to the main cabinet in attached ductwork 41 for one air path, and 42 in another airpath, containing the shutoff dampers 36b & 36a, respectively.

[0017] FIG. 5 depicts the invention showing many of same components introduced in FIG. 3, however assembled in a different shape housing, particularly the ends may be of a different circular shape 51 and 52. This top-down view shows the air openings 22 still on the top, and as previously shown, an energy recovery core 30 affixed to side of cabinet at location 31. The invention contains a controller 32. Airflows are separated with a divider 33. External fresh and exhaust airflow connections 34a & b stub out from side of unit. The invention may have the air movement fans 35 and 37 similarly mounted inside the invention as in FIGS. 3, and having ductwork connections 34a and 34b, and isolation air dampers 36a and 36b.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical representation of the components and details otherwise shown in a general controller. A central processing unit 60 having typical logic configuration and multiple analog and digital in and out signals is depicted as the center of all components and wired connections. The symbolic representation of the devices are as follows: 61 are a pair of airflow sensors, 62 are a pair of controller signals for controlling the fan speeds, 63 is a shutdown sensor measuring outside air temperature both dry bulb and wet bulb, 64 is the main power input disconnect, 65 are a pair of airflow temperature measurement devices, 66 is a pair of airflow variable pressure monitors and 67 are a pair of relays to engage each one of the fans. The controller has an antenna 68 to be Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled.

[0019] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use the invention in the best mode, 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 below. 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.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the energy cores are minimally included in the base assembly along with the dividing airpaths allowing the preferred mode of operation where energy is exchanged from the exhausting stale indoor air to the fresh entering outdoor air, and the enclosing assembly providing a level and stabile base to support and lift an air-conditioning apparatus off the ground to a more serviceable and accessible height.

[0021] Other embodiments of the present invention provide air movement devices such as fans, air cleaning filtration, condensate drain pan, and virus and bacterial controlling ultraviolet lights and bipolar ionization. Additionally, it may include a method of defrost control for entering air, air shut off dampers for energy saving when not in use, and an integral controller to modulate and control the various devices providing the best comfort and efficiency parameters.

[0022] Additionally, the invention may be supplied as a complete enclosure with none of the air-openings shown provided at time of manufacturer. Rather, an acceptable outline of area of field-cut openings may be provided, so the air openings can be made in the field during installation to better make a custom and exact mate up to typical HVAC equipment and the installing space and system.

[0023] The present invention contemplates and provides the basis for an otherwise unobvious application and design of further incorporating energy recovery into an integrated base of the HVAC air handler such that an air handler manufacturer may make this all one assembly base incorporated into a residential, or light commercial air handling system further easing the installation and additionally otherwise providing all the benefits associated with and disclosed for this invention.