CA3146589A1 - Energy recovery wheel array - Google Patents

Energy recovery wheel array Download PDF

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Publication number
CA3146589A1
CA3146589A1 CA3146589A CA3146589A CA3146589A1 CA 3146589 A1 CA3146589 A1 CA 3146589A1 CA 3146589 A CA3146589 A CA 3146589A CA 3146589 A CA3146589 A CA 3146589A CA 3146589 A1 CA3146589 A1 CA 3146589A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
intake
energy recovery
exhaust
flow
inlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CA3146589A
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French (fr)
Inventor
Charles-Antoine Caron
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Broan Nutone LLC
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Broan Nutone LLC
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Broan Nutone LLC filed Critical Broan Nutone LLC
Publication of CA3146589A1 publication Critical patent/CA3146589A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F3/1411—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification by absorbing or adsorbing water, e.g. using an hygroscopic desiccant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F2003/1458—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification using regenerators
    • F24F2003/1464—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification using regenerators using rotating regenerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2203/00—Devices or apparatus used for air treatment
    • F24F2203/10—Rotary wheel
    • F24F2203/1032—Desiccant wheel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2203/00—Devices or apparatus used for air treatment
    • F24F2203/10—Rotary wheel
    • F24F2203/104—Heat exchanger wheel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2203/00—Devices or apparatus used for air treatment
    • F24F2203/10—Rotary wheel
    • F24F2203/1072—Rotary wheel comprising two rotors

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

An energy recovery assembly for exchanging energy between fluid flows. The energy recovery assembly includes an intake manifold having one or more intake flow openings and one or more outlet flow openings. The energy recovery assembly further includes an exhaust manifold having one or more exhaust flow openings and one or more inlet flow openings. The energy recovery assembly further includes a wheel wall comprising a plurality of energy recovery wheels arranged between the intake and exhaust manifolds.

Description

ENERGY RECOVERY WHEEL ARRAY
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 63/152,914, filed February 24, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein. This application incorporates by reference the subject matter of a copending application by the Applicant on January 24, 2022 and entitled "Energy Recovery Wheel Assembly."
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to energy recovery. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for energy recovery for gases and fluids (collectively "fluids").
SUMMARY
[0003] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an energy recovery system for exchanging heat energy between fluid flows may include an intake manifold having one or more intake flow openings and one or more outlet flow openings; an exhaust manifold having one or more exhaust flow openings and one or more inlet flow openings; and a wheel wall arranged between the intake and exhaust manifolds. The wheel wall may include a number of energy recovery wheels. Each energy recovery wheel may include a rotating wheel and a seal system dividing the rotating wheel into an intake side and an exhaust side. At least one of the inlet flow openings of each of the intake and exhaust manifolds may be arranged in communication with each other through the intake side of the rotating wheel of at least two energy recovery wheels of the wheel wall. At least one of the outlet flow openings of each of the intake and exhaust manifolds Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 may be arranged in communication with each other through the exhaust side of the rotating wheel of at least two energy recovery wheels of the wheel wall.
[0004] In some embodiments, the intake manifold may define one or more intake plenums each defining one of the intake flow openings for receiving intake flow. Each intake plenum may form a flow transition between the corresponding intake flow opening and the intake side of at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall.
[0005] In some embodiments, the intake manifold may define one or more exhaust plenums each defining one of the outlet flow openings for exhausting exhaust flow. Each exhaust plenum may form a flow transition between the corresponding exhaust flow opening and the exhaust side of at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall.
[0006] In some embodiments, the exhaust manifold may define one or more exhaust plenums defining one of the exhaust flow openings for receiving exhaust flow.
Each exhaust plenum may form a flow transition between the corresponding exhaust flow opening and the exhaust side of at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall.
[0007] In some embodiments, the exhaust manifold may define one or more intake plenums each defining one of the inlet flow openings for exhausting intake flow. Each intake plenum may form a flow transition between the corresponding intake flow opening and the intake side of at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall. In some embodiments, the energy recovery wheels may be arranged in a stacked formation. The stacked formation may include at least two energy recovery wheels high.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an energy recovery assembly includes an intake manifold having a first intake flow opening, a second intake flow opening, and an outlet flow opening. The assembly further includes an exhaust manifold having a first inlet flow Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 opening, a second inlet flow opening, and an exhaust flow opening. The assembly further includes a wheel wall arranged between the intake and exhaust manifolds, the wheel wall comprising a plurality of energy recovery wheels.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first intake flow opening and the first inlet flow opening are formed in a first side portion of the assembly, the second intake flow opening and the second inlet flow opening are formed in a second side portion of the assembly, and the outlet flow opening and the exhaust flow opening are formed in a middle portion of the assembly between the first and second side portions.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first and second intake flow openings are offset from the first and second inlet flow openings. In some embodiments, the outlet flow opening is offset from the exhaust flow opening. In some embodiments, the first and second intake flow openings are offset from the first and second inlet flow openings.
[0011] In some embodiments, the first and second intake flow openings and the first and second inlet flow openings each have a first area, and the outlet flow opening and the exhaust flow opening each have a second area, and wherein the first area is less than the second area. In some embodiments, each of the first areas combined have a first cumulative area and each of the second areas combined have a second cumulative area, and wherein the first and second cumulative areas are about the same.
[0012] In some embodiments, intake manifold defines a first intake plenum, a second intake plenum separate from the first intake plenum, and an outlet plenum separate from the first and second intake plenums, and wherein the exhaust manifold defines a first inlet plenum, a second inlet plenum separate from the first inlet plenum, and an exhaust plenum separate from the first and second inlet plenums.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24
[0013] In some embodiments, the first and second intake plenums each have a first volume and the first and second inlet plenums each have a second volume that is about equal to the first volume. In some embodiments, the outlet plenum has a third volume greater than the first and second volumes and the exhaust plenum has a fourth volume greater than the first and second volumes, and wherein the third volume is about equal to the fourth volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the appended drawings, where like reference numerals denote like elements throughout and in where:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a partly exploded perspective view of an energy recovery assembly, in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment thereof;
[0016] FIG. 2 is another partly exploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the energy recovery wheel wall of the energy recovery assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0018] FIG. 4 is rear plan view of the energy recovery wheel wall of the energy recovery assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an unexploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIGS.
1-4; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a partly exploded perspective view of an energy recovery assembly, in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment thereof;
[0021] FIG. 7 is another partly exploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIG. 6;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24
[0022] FIG. 8 is another partly exploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross section taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross section taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a cross section taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a plane view of an intake side of the energy recovery assembly;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a plane view of an exhaust side of the energy recovery assembly;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a partly exploded perspective view of an energy recovery assembly, in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment thereof;
[0029] FIG. 15 is another partly exploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIG. 14;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a partly exploded perspective view of an energy recovery assembly, in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment thereof;
[0031] FIG. 17 is another partly exploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIG. 16; and
[0032] FIG. 18 is another partly exploded perspective view of the energy recovery assembly of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] To better understand the present specification, the following definitions are provided.
[0034] The expression "energy recovery wheel" as used herein includes, without limitation, a rotary wheel, a thermal wheel, a sensible wheel, a heat wheel, a desiccant wheel, a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 dehumidification wheel, a heat and/or moisture recovery wheel, a total energy recovery wheel, a enthalpy wheel, a regeneratable rotary dehumidification wheel, a rotary enthalpy wheel, a rotating wheel exchanger and the like.
[0035] Energy recovery wheels may be applied to increase efficiency in fluid transfer, for example, in fresh air exchange in HVAC systems for controlled import of fresh outdoor air into an indoor space. In applying energy recovery wheels to transfer energy from between fluid flows, a wheel medium can be divided by a seal along its circular face, for example, into semi-circle sections each in communication with a different fluid flow. The wheel medium can allow passage of fluid in thermal communication with the wheel medium. By rotating the energy recovery wheel, the wheel medium can move from engagement with one fluid flow to engagement with the other fluid flow, thereby transferring the energy gained from the one fluid flow to the other fluid flow.
[0036] In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, an energy recovery assembly 12 is shown including a number of energy recovery wheels 14A-D arranged together to define a wheel wall 10.
Each energy recovery wheel 14A-D of the energy recovery wheel wall 10 is arranged to rotate about their respective central axis 15A-D to transfer energy between fresh and exhaust fluid flows.
The energy recovery assembly 12 comprises intake manifold 16 and exhaust manifold 18 guiding fluid flow through each of the energy recovery wheels 14 of the wheel wall 10.
[0037] The intake manifold 16 illustratively includes inlet flow openings 20 arranged to receive inlet flow to the intake manifold 16, as indicated by arrows 22. Each inlet flow opening 20 communicates inlet flow to a pair of energy recovery wheels 14 for energy exchange, which then passes on to the exhaust manifold 18 to pass inlet flow, for example, to inside of an HVAC
system of a building. The intake manifold 16 illustratively includes an outlet flow opening 24 arranged to pass outlet flow 36, for example, to outside of an HVAC system of a building.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24
[0038] The intake manifold 16 illustratively includes an intake plenum 26 defining each of the intake openings 20. The intake plenum 26 defines a flow passage between the intake flow opening 20 and the designated energy recovery wheels 14A-D. For example, in FIG. 1, the right-hand intake plenum 26 of the intake manifold 16 communicates inlet flow between the intake flow opening 20 and the energy recovery wheels 14B and 14C, while the left-hand intake plenum 26 of the intake manifold 16 communicates inlet flow between the intake flow opening 20 and the energy recovery wheels 14A and 14D. More specifically, each intake plenum 26 communicates flow between the intake opening 20 and the intake side of the respective energy recovery wheels 14A&D, 14B&C, as discussed in additional detail herein.
[0039] Each intake plenum 26 defines an intake-flow transition 28 between the respective intake opening 20 and the associated energy recovery wheels (e.g., the two wheels 14 in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1). Each intake-flow transition 28 may include a sloped section which transitions between a smaller cross-sectional area of the intake opening 20 and a larger cross-sectional area for communication with each of the associated energy recovery wheels 14A&D, 14B&C. The larger cross-sectional area increases interaction time of the air entering the intake plenum(s) 26 with the energy recovery wheels thereby increasing energy transfer efficiencies. In some embodiments, each intake-flow transition 28 may be straight such that the respective intake opening 20 is as large as the associated energy recovery wheels as shown in FIGS. 6-13.
[0040] The intake manifold 16 illustratively includes an outlet plenum 30 defining the outlet opening 24. The outlet plenum 30 defines a flow passage between the outlet flow opening 24 and the associated energy recovery wheels 14A-D, as indicated by arrow 36.
More specifically, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 the outlet plenum 30 communicates the outlet flow opening 24 with an exhaust side of the energy recovery wheels 14A-D, as discussed in additional detail herein.
[0041] The outlet plenum 30 defines an outlet-flow transition 32 between the respective outlet opening 24 and the energy recovery wheels 14A-D. The transition 32 includes a sloped section which transitions between a smaller cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 24 and a larger cross-sectional area for communication with the exhaust side of each of the respective energy recovery wheels 14A-D, as discussed in additional detail herein. The larger cross-sectional area increases interaction time of the air entering the outlet plenum 30 with the energy recovery wheels thereby increasing energy transfer efficiencies. In some embodiments, the transition 32 may be straight such that the respective outlet opening 24 is as large as the associated energy recovery wheels as shown in FIGS. 6-13. Each intake-flow transition 28 is offset from each outlet-flow transition 32 in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, the exhaust manifold 18 illustratively includes an exhaust flow opening 34 arranged to receive air flow into the exhaust manifold 18, as indicated by arrow 36. The exhaust flow opening 34 communicates air flow to the energy recovery wheels 14A-D
for energy exchange, which then passes to the intake manifold 16 to pass outlet flow, for example, to outside of an HVAC system of a building. The exhaust manifold 18 illustratively includes inlet flow openings 38 arranged to pass inlet flow (as indicated by arrows 22), for example, to inside of an HVAC system of a building. Each exhaust flow opening 34 may be offset from each intake flow opening 20. Each exhaust flow opening 34 may be offset from each outlet flow opening 24.
Each inlet flow opening 38 may be offset from each intake flow opening 20.
Each inlet flow opening may be offset from each exhaust flow opening 34.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24
[0043] The exhaust manifold 18 illustratively includes an exhaust plenum 40 defining the exhaust opening 34. The exhaust plenum 40 defines a flow passage between the exhaust flow opening 34 and the energy recovery wheels 14A-D. More specifically, the exhaust plenum 40 communicates flow (as indicated by arrow 36) between the exhaust opening 34 and the exhaust side of the respective energy recovery wheels 14A-D, as discussed in additional detail herein.
[0044] The exhaust plenum 40 defines an exhaust-flow transition 42 between the exhaust opening 34 and the energy recovery wheels 14. The transition 42 includes a sloped section which transitions between a smaller cross-sectional area of the exhaust opening 34 and a larger cross-sectional area for communication with the exhaust side of each of the respective energy recovery wheels 14A-D. The larger cross-sectional area increases interaction time of the air entering the exhaust plenum 40 with the energy recovery wheels thereby increasing energy transfer efficiencies. Each intake-flow transition 28 is offset from each exhaust-flow transition 42.
[0045] The exhaust manifold 18 illustratively includes a pair of inlet plenums 44 defining the inlet openings 38. Each inlet plenum 44 defines a flow passage between the intake side of each energy recovery wheel 14A&D, 14B&C and the inlet flow opening 38. For example, in FIG. 2, the left-hand inlet plenum 44 of the exhaust manifold 18 communicates inlet flow (as indicated by arrow 22) between the energy recovery wheels 14B, 14C and the inlet flow opening 38, while the right-hand inlet plenum 44 of the exhaust manifold 18 communicates inlet flow between the energy recovery wheels 14A, 14D and the intake flow opening 38.
[0046] Each inlet plenum 44 defines a inlet-flow transition 46 between the associated energy recovery wheels 14 and the inlet opening 38. Each transition 46 includes a sloped section which transitions between the larger cross-sectional area for communication with the respective energy recovery wheels 14 and the smaller cross-sectional area of the inlet opening 38. The larger Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 cross-sectional area increases interaction time of the air entering the inlet plenum(s) 44 with the energy recovery wheels thereby increasing energy transfer efficiencies. Each inlet-flow transition 46 is offset from each exhaust-flow transition 42 in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 3, viewing through the inlet manifold 16 towards the exhaust manifold 18, portions of the energy recovery wheels 14 can be seen. For example, through the intake opening 20 on the right-hand side of FIG. 3, the intake side of the energy recovery wheel 14C can be seen. Through the intake opening 20 on the left-hand side of FIG.
3, the intake side of the energy recovery wheel 14D can be seen. Through the outlet opening 24 of the intake manifold 16, the exhaust side of each of the energy recovery wheels 14A and 14B can be seen.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 4, viewing through the exhaust manifold 18 towards the intake manifold 16, portions of the energy recovery wheels 14 can be seen. For example, through the exhaust opening 34, the exhaust side of each of the energy recovery wheels 14C and 14D can be seen. Through the inlet opening 38 on the left-hand side of FIG. 4, the intake side of the energy recovery wheel 14B can be seen. Through the inlet opening 38 on the right-hand side of FIG. 4, the intake side of the energy recovery wheel 14A can be seen.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 5, the energy recovery assembly 10 is shown in an assembled state such that the energy recovery wheel wall 12 is configured between the intake manifold 16 and exhaust manifold 18. It can be appreciated that seals can be applied to fluidly divide the intake and exhaust sides of each energy recovery wheel 14. A frame 48 structurally support the energy recovery wheels 14 for individual rotation in the wheel wall 12.
[0050] In one example, the intake manifold 16 includes a first intake flow opening 20, a second intake flow opening 20, and an outlet flow opening 24. The exhaust manifold 18 has a first Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 inlet flow opening 38, a second inlet flow opening 38, and an exhaust flow opening 34. The first intake flow opening 20 and the first inlet flow opening 38 are formed in a first side portion of the assembly 10. The second intake flow opening 20 and the second inlet flow opening 38 are formed in a second side portion of the assembly 10 that is spaced apart from the first side portion. The outlet flow opening 24 and the exhaust flow opening 34 are formed in a middle portion of the assembly 10 between the first and second side portions.
[0051] In the example described above, the first and second intake flow openings 20 and the first and second inlet flow openings 38 each have a first area. The outlet flow opening 24 and the exhaust flow opening 34 each have a second area. The first area is less than the second area.
Each of the first areas combined have a first cumulative area and each of the second areas combined have a second cumulative area. The first and second cumulative areas are about the same.
[0052] In the example described above, the intake manifold 16 defines a first intake plenum 26, a second intake plenum 26 separate from the first intake plenum 26, and an outlet plenum 30 separate from the first and second intake plenums 26. The exhaust manifold 18 defines a first inlet plenum 44, a second inlet plenum 44 separate from the first inlet plenum 44, and an exhaust plenum 40 separate from the first and second inlet plenums 44. The first and second intake plenums 26 each have a first volume and the first and second inlet plenums 44 each have a second volume that is about equal to the first volume. The outlet plenum 30 has a third volume greater than the first and second volumes and the exhaust plenum 40 has a fourth volume greater than the first and second volumes. The third volume is about equal to the fourth volume in some embodiments. As used herein, the term about is use to indicate values that are within 5% of each other.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24
[0053] The intake manifold 16 and the exhaust manifold 18 may further include respective divider panels 50, 52 as shown in FIG. 8. The divider panels 50, 52 are arranged to lie between intake flow openings 20 and outlet flow opening 24 and between exhaust flow opening 34 and inlet flow openings 38, respectively. The divider panels 50, 52 are configured to provide a barrier between these openings to block air being discharged from outlet flow opening 24 and inlet flow openings 38 from flowing back into intake flow openings 20 and exhaust flow opening 34, respectively.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the stacked arrangement of the energy recovery wheels 14 in the energy recovery wheel wall 12 can provide improvements to energy recovery. For example, the energy recovery wheels 14 can be pre-mounted onto the frame 48 or portions of the frame 48 at the factory allowing modular installation which can reduce field install time, cost, and complexity, such as, compare with custom fit designs. Moreover, factory installation can enhance quality control and reduce freight costs.
[0055] The use of multiple energy recovery wheels 14 (e.g. four energy recovery wheels 14 in the depicted embodiment) can provide particular advantageous over single wheel arrangements. For example, multiple smaller energy recovery wheels can reduce the weight of each individual wheel, thereby reducing deflection issues for elongated parts, such as the rotational shaft, which can reduce cross-leakage between flow paths, such as, by offering tighter wheel media-to-seal tolerances, lower manufacturing tolerances, and/or reducing the cost, complexity, and/or expense in individual parts replacement. Such advantages can lower the operational costs of the energy recover assembly 10. Additionally, the manifold space can serve as the access area required for all wheel designs.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24
[0056]
Moreover, replacing a single large energy recovery wheel with the energy recovery assembly 10 provides more versatile control of the energy exchange media, which can reduce or eliminate the need for turn down requirements. In particular, when fresh air requirements are lowered a single energy recovery wheel assembly will typically be slowed down and later sped up when higher fresh air requirements return. This leads to inefficiencies in the energy required to turn the single energy recovery wheel. Dispersing the energy recovery requirements of a single energy recovery wheel to multiple energy recovery wheels 14, may allow for operation of less than all of the multiple energy recovery wheels 14 in order to meet lower fresh air requirements, while turning some number of the energy recovery wheels 14 at speeds providing optimum efficiency.
For example, the energy recovery assembly 10 can be operated with one, two, three or four of the energy recovery wheels 14A-D turning and some or all of those turning wheels can be turning at a speed to achieve optimum efficiency. In one particular example, a single energy recovery wheel 14 can be operated at optimal turning speed when the fresh air requirements are 25% of the total fresh air capabilities of the energy recover assembly 10. Similarly, two of the energy recovery wheels 14 can be operated at optimal turning speed when the fresh air requirements are 50 % of the total fresh air capabilities of the energy recover assembly 10. Likewise, three of the energy recovery wheels 14 can be operated at optimal turning speed when the fresh air requirements are 75 % of the total fresh air capabilities of the energy recover assembly 10.
For fresh air requirements not at 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%, only one energy recovery wheel need be turned at less than optimal turning speed while the remainder of the turning energy recovery wheels can be turned at optimal turning speed. Dampers (not depicted) may optionally be provided in one or both of the intake plenums 26 of the intake manifold 16 and/or the inlet plenums of the exhaust Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24 manifold 18 to selectively reduce or prohibit flow to one or more of the energy recovery wheels 14A-D when experiencing reduced turning or no turning.
[0057] In some embodiments, the energy recovery assembly 10 may be rotated 90 degrees, for example, from the orientation in FIGS. 3 and 4, such that energy recovery wheels 14B, 14C
are on top of energy recovery wheels 14A, 14D, and intake side portions of energy recovery wheels 14B &C and 14A&D, are arranged side-by-side as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In some embodiments, the flows through the respective manifolds may be reversed such that the inlet flows become outlet flows, and outlet flows become inlet flows. In some embodiments, the transitions 28, 32, 42, 46 may be omitted such that each of the openings 20, 24, 34, 28 have an equal height (or width if oriented 90 degrees from the position shown in Figs. 16-18) as shown in Figs. 16-18.
[0058] It should be noted that the various components and features described above can be combined in a variety of ways, so as to provide other non-illustrated embodiments within the scope of the disclosure. As such, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Although the present disclosure has been described in the foregoing description by way of illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments can be modified at will, without departing from the spirit, scope, and nature of the subject disclosed.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-24

Claims (20)

-15-We claim:
1. An energy recovery assembly for exchanging energy between fluid flows, the system comprising:
an intake manifold (16) having one or more intake flow openings (20) and one or more outlet flow openings (24);
an exhaust manifold (18) having one or more exhaust flow openings (34) and one or more inlet flow openings (38); and a wheel wall arranged between the intake and exhaust manifolds, the wheel wall comprising a plurality of energy recovery wheels, each energy recovery wheel comprising a rotating wheel and a seal system dividing the rotating wheel into an intake side and an exhaust side, wherein at least one of the inlet flow openings of each of the intake and exhaust manifolds are arranged in communication with each other through the intake side of the rotating wheel of at least two energy recovery wheels of the wheel wall, wherein at least one of the outlet flow openings of each of the intake and exhaust manifolds are arranged in communication with each other through the exhaust side of the rotating wheel of at least two energy recovery wheels of the wheel wall.
2. The energy recovery system of claim 1, wherein the intake manifold includes one or more intake plenums each defining one of the intake flow openings for receiving intake flow, each intake plenum forming an intake-flow transition between the corresponding intake flow opening and at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall.
3. The energy recovery system of claim 2, wherein the intake manifold includes one or more outlet plenums each defining one of the outlet flow openings for exhausting exhaust flow, each outlet plenum forming an outlet-flow transition between the corresponding outlet flow opening and at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall, the intake-flow transition is offset from the outlet-flow transition.
4. The energy recovery system of claim 3, wherein the intake manifold includes a first intake plenum having a first intake flow opening and a second intake plenum having a second intake flow inlet, the first and second intake plenums spaced apart from one another by at least one outlet plenum.
5. The energy recovery system of claim 4, wherein each intake flow opening is offset vertically and horizontally from each outlet flow opening.
6. The energy recovery system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust manifold includes one or more exhaust plenums defining one of the exhaust flow openings for receiving exhaust flow, each exhaust plenum forming an exhaust-flow transition between the corresponding exhaust flow opening and at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall.
7. The energy recovery system of claim 6, wherein the exhaust manifold includes one or more inlet plenums each defining one of the inlet flow openings for exhausting intake flow, each inlet plenum forming an inlet-flow transition between the corresponding inlet flow opening and at least two energy recovery wheels of the energy recovery wall, the exhaust-flow transition is offset from the inlet-flow transition.
8. The energy recovery system of claim 7, wherein the exhaust manifold includes a first exhaust plenum having a first exhaust flow opening and a second exhaust plenum having a second exhaust flow inlet, the first and second exhaust plenums spaced apart from one another by at least one intake plenum.
9. The energy recovery system of claim 8, wherein each exhaust flow opening is offset vertically and horizontally from each inlet flow opening.
10. The energy recovery system of claim 1, wherein the energy recovery wheels are arranged in a stacked formation that is at least two energy recovery wheels high.
11. The energy recovery system of claim 1, wherein the wheel wall comprises four energy recovery wheels arranged in two vertical columns and two horizontal rows.
12. An energy recovery assembly for exchanging energy between fluid flows, the system comprising:
an intake manifold having a first intake flow opening, a second intake flow opening, and an outlet flow opening;
an exhaust manifold having a first inlet flow opening, a second inlet flow opening, and an exhaust flow opening; and a wheel wall arranged between the intake and exhaust manifolds, the wheel wall comprising a plurality of energy recovery wheels, wherein the first intake flow opening and the first inlet flow opening are formed in a first side portion of the assembly, the second intake flow opening and the second inlet flow opening are formed in a second side portion of the assembly, and the outlet flow opening and the exhaust flow opening are formed in a middle portion of the assembly between the first and second side portions.
13. The energy recovery assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second intake flow openings are offset from the first and second inlet flow openings.
14. The energy recovery assembly of claim 12, wherein the outlet flow opening is offset from the exhaust flow opening.
15. The energy recovery assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second intake flow openings are offset from the first and second inlet flow openings.
16. An energy recovery assembly for exchanging energy between fluid flows, the system comprising:
an intake manifold having a first intake flow opening, a second intake flow opening, and an outlet flow opening;
an exhaust manifold having a first inlet flow opening, a second inlet flow opening, and an exhaust flow opening; and a wheel wall arranged between the intake and exhaust manifolds, the wheel wall comprising a plurality of energy recovery wheels, wherein the first and second intake flow openings and the first and second inlet flow openings each have a first area, and the outlet flow opening and the exhaust flow opening each have a second area, and wherein the first area is less than the second area.
17. The energy recovery assembly of claim 16, wherein each of the first areas combined have a first cumulative area and each of the second areas combined have a second cumulative area, and wherein the first and second cumulative areas are about the same.
18. The energy recovery assembly of claim 16, wherein intake manifold defines a first intake plenum, a second intake plenum separate from the first intake plenum, and an outlet plenum separate from the first and second intake plenums, and wherein the exhaust manifold defines a first inlet plenum, a second inlet plenum separate from the first inlet plenum, and an exhaust plenum separate from the first and second inlet plenums.
19. The energy recovery assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second intake plenums each have a first volume and the first and second inlet plenums each have a second volume that is about equal to the first volume.
20. The energy recovery assembly of claim 19, wherein the outlet plenum has a third volume greater than the first and second volumes and the exhaust plenum has a fourth volume greater than the first and second volumes, and wherein the third volume is about equal to the fourth volume.
CA3146589A 2021-02-24 2022-01-24 Energy recovery wheel array Pending CA3146589A1 (en)

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US63/152,914 2021-02-24
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US17/582,215 2022-01-24

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