Fresh air distribution system for packaged terminal air conditioner

Abstract

A fresh air distribution system designed for PTAC use, the system comprising a first upwardly directed air distribution duct configured to receive a stream of pressurized fresh air discharged from a fresh air blower apparatus and to redirect the stream into a transversely extending second air distribution duct communicating with the first air distribution duct, the second air distribution duct comprising a plurality of laterally spaced baffles angularly disposed inside the duct that divide and redirect the stream into an inside plenum of the PTAC to be combined with recirculated in-room air.

Claims

1. A fresh air distribution system for PTAC use, the system comprising a first upwardly directed air distribution duct disposed downstream of a fresh air blower apparatus and configured to receive a stream of pressurized fresh air discharged from the fresh air blower apparatus and to redirect the stream into a transversely extending second air distribution duct communicating with the first air distribution duct, the second air distribution duct comprising a plurality of laterally spaced fresh air deflectors angularly disposed inside the duct, wherein the plurality of fresh air deflectors are evenly spaced apart laterally across a width of the PTAC to divide and redirect the stream into an inside plenum of the PTAC to be combined with recirculated in room air.

2. The fresh air distribution system of claim 1 wherein each successive fresh air deflector is disposed at a slightly greater angular orientation relative to the flow direction to assist in balancing fresh air flow across the width of the PTAC.

3. A fresh air distribution system for PTAC use, the system comprising a first upwardly directed air distribution duct disposed downstream of a fresh air blower apparatus and configured to receive a stream of pressurized fresh air discharged from the fresh air blower apparatus and to redirect the stream into a transversely extending second air distribution duct communicating with the first air distribution duct, the second air distribution duct comprising a plurality of laterally spaced fresh air deflectors angularly disposed inside the duct that divide and redirect the stream into an inside plenum of the PTAC to be combined with recirculated in room air, wherein a damper is disposed between the fresh air intake section and the fresh air blower apparatus and is normally open during use of the PTAC.

4. The fresh air distribution system of claim 3 wherein a fresh air flow rate into the PTAC is controlled by a fresh air blower speed whenever the damper is open.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained in relation to the following drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a rear perspective of one embodiment of the fresh air intake, blower and fresh air distribution system of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is another rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a cover removed to make the internal baffles visible;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of one embodiment of fresh air distribution system 10 comprising inlet housing 1, blower housing 2, air lift housing 3, fresh air outlet duct 4, and end cover plate 5. FIG. 2, with the cover removed, diagrammatically illustrates a plurality of spaced-apart, air directional deflectors 6. FIG. 1 also has diagrammatic arrows 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 illustrating the air flow path through fresh air distribution system 10.

(7) Arrow 101 of FIG. 1 shows the principal flow direction of fresh (outside) air entering into the air distribution network. Arrow 102 shows the principal flow direction of air traveling through housing 1. Arrow 103 shows the principal flow direction of air traveling through the fresh air sensing and pretreating section upstream of the fresh air blower apparatus concealed by blower housing 2. Arrow 104 shows the principal flow direction of air being discharged from blower housing 2 into air lift housing 3. Arrows 105, downstream show the principal flow direction of fresh air passing through fresh air outlet duct 4. Arrows 106 show the principal flow direction of the stream of pressurized fresh air as it is distributed across the width of fresh air outlet duct 4 and then deflected by spaced-apart baffles 6 to flow downwardly and outwardly into the interior space of the inside plenum of a PTAC.

(8) In FIG. 2, arrows 201 depict schematically how fresh air exiting fresh air outlet duct 4 as shown by arrows 106 are combined with the counter-current flow of recirculated in-room air (as shown by arrows 201) entering the PTAC. It will be appreciated, of course, by those skilled in the art reading this disclosure that the arrows referred to above depict the principal air flow direction, whereas the actual air flow will also contain zones of turbulent flow and eddy currents (not shown in the simplified drawings) when the air stream contacts duct walls, covers, baffles and countercurrent air flows.

(9) Portions of the duct sections of fresh air distribution system 10 that are metallic will also function to transfer heat across any temperature gradient that exists between the fresh air stream and the duct surfaces, or between the fresh air stream and any recirculated air stream with which it comes into contact before being thoroughly intermixed by the overall air flow through the inside portion of the PTAC. Depending upon the mode of operation of the PTAC, this is sometimes referred to as “heat recovery.”

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, the outwardly facing surface of perpendicular bend Y of air distribution system 10 desirably has a tapered angle of 4-6 degrees as indicated by “X°” in FIG. 3 to assist in guiding air through to fresh air outlet duct 4 (FIG. 1). Also in relation to FIG. 3, the significantly larger radius of curvature “Y” reduces air turbulence as the fresh air stream flows into fresh air outlet duct 4.

(11) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, fresh air flow into fresh air blower housing 2 is improved where the value of B1 to B2 is a 10% increase.

(12) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, air deflectors 6 assist in establishing more even air distribution into the interior space and are desirably evenly spaced along fresh air outlet duct 4 (FIG. 1) as shown by the spacing “D1” in FIG. 4.

(13) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, air deflectors 6 are also desirably angled to allow air to be distributed downwardly and outwardly into the interior space in the inside plenum of the PTAC. As shown in FIG. 4, air deflectors 6 are preferably angled increasingly in sequence across fresh air outlet duct 4 starting from the one nearest fresh air blower apparatus to the one nearest end cover 5 at fixed angle A1 with each subsequent air deflector 6 positioned at an angle enlarged by 5 degrees, e.g. A1; A2=A1+5 degrees; A3=A2+5 degrees; and A4=A3+5 degrees.

(14) Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this specification in view of the accompanying drawings, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.