JP3923940B2 - Insulating wall for air handling unit (AHU) cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

A panel (12) for use in air conditioning duct for carrying air along an enclosed path of travel. The panel includes a rectangular shaped frame (25) made of a material having a relatively high R value. The frame (25) is closed by a top cover (40) and a bottom cover (41) so that a cavity is established within the panel. The cavity is filled with a curable material that sets inside the panel to bond the walls of the frame together and to bond the covers to the frame. A bulb seal (50, 98) having high insulation characteristics extending along the length of one edge of adjoining panels so that energy transmission is further inhibited.

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a panel used in an air handling unit, which constitutes a heat insulating wall that restricts the flow of energy through the panel.

  Many air handling units in the prior art are simply constituted by sheet metal ducts connected in the field to form a closed flow path for guiding air. Since the sheet metal wall of the duct conducts heat easily, it hardly plays a role as a heat insulating wall, and energy easily flows into or out of the duct. When the air handling unit is carrying relatively cool conditioned air, the flow of energy flowing in or out of the duct can increase costs and add an undesirable load to the air conditioning equipment.

In addition, when the air handling unit is installed in a non-air-conditioned space and carries low-temperature air, water vapor condenses due to contact between the relatively high-temperature outside air and the case, and "condensation""Occurs. The moisture generated in this way flows down from the unit onto the equipment included in the floor or non-air-conditioned space. Such a run-off creates a safety risk for those working in the area and can damage the equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,868 discloses an outer panel for an air conditioner. The panel disclosed in this patent includes an outer peripheral frame made up of four channels connected by four corner blocks, each of which is formed from an insulating material. A top cover and a bottom cover are attached to the outer wall to define a cavity, which is filled with an insulating material. The top and bottom covers have flanges that are received in channels provided in the outer wall during assembly.

  An object of the present invention is to improve a duct for guiding air along a desired flow path.

  Another object of the present invention is to limit energy loss through the walls of the duct carrying conditioned air.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved panel for an air handling unit.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a structural panel for an air handling unit having a relatively high R value.

  Another object of the present invention is to prevent condensation from forming in the duct of the air handling unit when carrying conditioned air.

The above and other objects of the present invention are obtained by a panel suitable for use in an air handling duct that carries air along a closed travel path. The panel includes a peripheral wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a top cover and a bottom cover. The peripheral wall includes an upper channel that opens toward the top end of the wall and a lower channel that opens toward the bottom end of the wall, each channel extending substantially the entire length of the wall. ing. The top cover and the bottom cover have an associated skirt that extends across the periphery. The skirt portion of the top cover is received in the upper channel of the wall and the skirt portion of the bottom cover is received in the lower channel of the wall so as to form a closed cavity in the panel. The peripheral wall further includes an upper groove that opens toward the top end of the wall and a lower groove that opens toward the bottom end of the wall. A first leg portion of the substantially L-shaped bar is received in one of the groove in the wall, and the second leg portion of the L-shaped bar is inside or outside the internal cavity. In order to substantially prevent air from flowing and to prevent energy transfer, it has a deformable spherical portion provided in intimate contact with other portions of the air handling duct in a compressed state. . The cavity is advantageously filled with a curable material, which solidifies inside the panel to bond the frames together and the cover to the frame.

  The following disclosure of the preferred embodiment is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Certain details have been set forth in order to provide a better understanding of the preferred embodiment of the invention, but other examples may be used so as not to obscure or cause confusion with unnecessary details. Other elements, features, and techniques are omitted. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be practiced with other embodiments that depart from the following disclosure, and differ from the embodiments specifically disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. May be. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be construed in a limiting sense.

  The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts are assigned the same reference numerals. Referring first to FIG. 1, a portion of an air handling unit (AHU) 10 is shown that uses a wall panel 12 that embodies the teachings of the present application. This air handling unit is composed of a continuous rectangular module, and these rectangular modules are connected at a corner by a pair of horizontally arranged upper beams 15 and a pair of horizontally arranged lower beams 16. Each has a regular lattice structure including a pair of rectangular and planar end frames 13 and 14. Each end frame includes a pair of opposing side rails 17, 18, an upper rail 20 and a lower rail 21. In the assembled state, the rail and beam are slidably held on the corner piece 23. Thus, the rail and beam form an open frame with a rectangular opening when assembled.

  As will be described in more detail below, a wall panel embodying the teachings of the present invention can be placed in the opening of the framework to close the AHU portion. Each panel is configured to have a very high thermal insulation, which significantly impedes heat flow into and out of the unit and prevents condensation of the unit.

  With further reference to FIGS. 2-5, each panel 12 includes a rectangular frame 25 having a pair of opposing side walls 27, 28 and a pair of opposing end walls 29, 30. Each wall has a joint end so as to form a right-angled corner in contact. Each wall is formed of a plastic material having high heat insulation and low thermal conductivity. As best shown in FIG. 4, each wall includes partition walls 31 arranged vertically, each of which is formed with a central recess 32 extending along the length of the partition wall. ing. The recess 32 is provided inward with respect to the outer surface of the partition wall 31. An upper tab 33 and a lower tab 34 are integrally formed inside the partition wall 31 on either side of the recess 32. The tabs 33 and 34 extend over the length of the wall, similar to the recess 32. The tabs 33 and 34 extend parallel to the partition wall 31 and form narrow channels 35 and 36 together with the partition wall 31. The upper channel 35 opens towards the top of the wall and the lower channel 36 opens towards the bottom of the wall. A flange 38 integral with the partition wall 31 extends along the top end of the partition wall 31. The flange 38 extends outward from the partition wall 31 and forms an angle slightly smaller than 90 ° with the partition wall 31. Therefore, the flange 38 extends downward at a slight angle from the top end of the partition wall.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a top cover 40 and a bottom cover 41 are used to close the frame and form a cavity in the panel. Each cover 40, 41 includes an inwardly oriented skirt 45 that hangs downward from the cover and extends the entire length of the periphery of the cover. During assembly, these skirt portions 45 are inserted into upper and lower channels surrounding the panel frame. A curable foam 43 is injected into the cavity to fill the entire cavity with foam. When the foam is cured, the cover is bonded to the frame while being bonded to each other with the frame walls in contact. The curable foam is preferably a polyurethane material having high thermal insulation properties as well as the panel frame walls.

  Each panel is dimensioned so that a panel frame can be fitted to the opening of the unit portion. A tight sliding fit is provided between the panel frame wall and the side rails and upper and lower beams that define the receiving opening. When the panel is fully received in the opening, the flange 38 surrounding the panel frame is pressed against the rail and beam outer surface forming the opening.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is preferable to attach a compressible hollow seal 50 around the opening that accommodates the panel. When the panel is closed, as shown in FIG. 7, the seal is compressed by the lower cover 41 of the panel, and air in the unit is prevented from leaking from the periphery of the panel.

  The panel is held in the closed position by a series of latch mechanisms 60 attached to the interior of the rail and beam surrounding each opening. The rail and beam are preferably square metal tubes slidably held in the corner pieces. Each latch mechanism includes a cylindrical tumbler 62 detachably contained within the tube 63. The tumbler includes an outer flange 64 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), which has a six-sided slot 65 that passes through the flange inwardly. An Allen wrench 67 can be inserted into the slot and is used to rotate the tumbler between an open position and a fixed position. An extension arm 70 is fixed to the tumbler, and this extension arm projects upward from the slot-like hole 69 of the receiving tube when the tumbler rotates from the open position shown in FIG. 8 to the fixed position shown in FIG. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the arm 70 is provided to press the panel so that the panel enters the recess 32 surrounding the panel frame and the panel and the seal 50 surrounding the opening accommodating the panel are in close contact with each other. ing. Preferably, at least one latch mechanism is used to engage each wall constituting the panel frame 25, respectively.

  FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of two panels arranged in parallel along the skeleton. Each panel is substantially the same as the panel described above, and the peripheral wall of each panel facing the peripheral wall of the adjacent panel is a substantially U-shaped groove provided in association with the channel. 90. As best shown in FIG. 10, each groove 90 extends substantially parallel to the channel of the associated wall and is located on the outer periphery of the associated channel. Also, the depth of each groove 90 is substantially less than the depth of the associated channel, and is about one-quarter to one-half the depth of the associated channel. Each groove 90 is preferably formed by integrally forming the groove 90 with the wall.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, at least one panel includes a substantially L-shaped bar 92 that is adjacent to an associated channel and within an associated groove 90. A first leg portion 94 is provided so as to extend. The first leg portion 94 includes a leg or boss 95 provided to contact the upper end of the associated groove 90 and function as a stop. The L-shaped bar 92 further includes a second leg portion 96 that is compressed with the cover of the adjacent panel, as best shown in FIGS. It is preferable to have an elastically deformable spherical portion 98 provided so as to be in intimate contact. The spherical portion 98 is preferably formed as a tube shape having a hollow core. The second leg portion 96 may have an elastically deformable shape other than a spherical shape. Further, the remaining part other than the spherical part 98 of the L-shaped bar 92 is preferably hard, and the entire L-shaped bar 92 is preferably formed as a dual durometer spherical seal. The L-shaped bar 92 preferably extends along the entire length of the interface between two opposing walls of adjacent panels.

  As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the spherical portion 98 substantially prevents air from flowing between the interior and exterior of the duct, that is, the opposing walls of adjacent panels. Air is prevented from flowing through the area between.

  The spherical portion 98 preferably has a substantially elliptical cross section when best in an undeformed state, as best shown in FIGS. The spherical portion 98 is preferably tubular and has a hollow core and an open end, but in the present invention the spherical portion may be tubular and have a closed end and be filled with fluid. The core of the spherical portion 98 can also be filled with a deformable solid such as foam rubber or other elastomer. Further, the spherical portion 98 can be formed from an integral material such as foam rubber or other elastomer without the core portion. In addition, the spherical portion 98 can be formed of a material that is different from the material from which the remaining portion of the L-shaped bar 92 is formed, and the spherical portion 98 is bonded to the remaining portion of the L-shaped bar 92, for example. Or it can be fixed in other ways.

  The L-shaped bar 92 can be removably secured to the associated panel by screws 100 as best shown in FIG. 10, which is the first leg of the L-shaped bar 92. It extends through the section 94, the associated channel, and the skirt of the cover into the foam insulation. The L-shaped bar 92 is attached to the wall of the associated panel by insertion of the first leg 94 into the associated groove 90 and the screw 100, but forming the L-shaped leg 92 integrally with the wall; It is within the scope of the present invention to effectively use other designs such as bonding the L-shaped leg 92 to the wall and clipping the L-shaped bar 92 to the wall. Also, when using the L-shaped bar 92, the first leg portion 94 may extend substantially parallel to the second leg portion 96, and is attached to the cover 41 of the associated panel. A second leg portion can also be attached. The L-shaped bar 92 is preferably selectively and removably attached to the associated panel, but securing the bar 92 to the panel is also within the scope of the present invention.

  Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a hinged wall panel 114 can be used instead of the wall panel 12 when it is necessary to easily access the interior of the AHU 10. The hinged wall panel 114 is held closed by a latch that interacts with the side pieces 18 or other latches on the opposing wall. The hinged wall panel 114 includes a rotating hinge 122, which includes a mounting flange 124 for attaching the panel 114 to the side piece 18, a hinge portion 126 that bends without breaking, a rotating hinge 122 and the panel. And an end protrusion 128 that connects the peripheral portion of the first protrusion 128. A preferably hollow and compressible seal 50 is fixed to the side piece 18. When the wall panel 114 is closed, the panel 114 compresses the seal 50 to form a tight fit with the side piece 18.

  Although the invention has been disclosed and described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that details thereof may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Various changes can be made to the.

It is a fragmentary perspective view of the ductwork which guides air along a desired flow path which shows the state where one panel was removed from the support frame of the ductwork. It is an expansion perspective view of the panel used in order to enclose the support frame of the ductwork of FIG. It is decomposition | disassembly explanatory drawing which shows a panel frame and a cover. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the panel frame taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the panel assembly taken along line 5-5 of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale of the corner | angular part of the framework of a ductwork which show the state which removed the one panel from the ductwork. It is the elements on larger scale similar to FIG. 6, which shows the panel fixed to the framework of the ductwork. It is an enlarged view which shows the storing position of the latch mechanism which fixes a panel to the framework of a ductwork. It is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 8 which shows the fixing position of a latch mechanism. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the panel assembly taken along line 10-10 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the top of a panel assembly having panels arranged in parallel along the duct work frame in the leftmost region of the duct work shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 11 in which one of the panels is hinged to the frame and extends in an open position relative to the frame. It is a schematic explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 11 which shows the state which removed the panel which is not hinged from the flame | frame.

Claims (26)

A panel for an air handling duct that substantially defines an interior space for guiding air along a closed flow path and an exterior;
An upper channel having a top end and a bottom end and opening toward the top end; and a lower channel opening toward the bottom end, the channels being substantially of the peripheral wall A peripheral wall that extends over the entire length and includes an upper groove that opens toward the top end and a lower groove that opens toward the bottom end;
The skirt portion of the top cover is received in the upper channel of the wall so as to each have a peripheral portion and an associated skirt portion extending over the peripheral portion and to form a closed cavity in the panel. A top cover and a bottom cover in which the skirt portion of the bottom cover is received in the lower channel of the wall;
Adjacent panels to substantially prevent air from flowing between the first leg housed in the lower groove of the wall and the interior space in the air handling duct and the exterior of the air handling duct And a second leg portion having a deformable spherical portion that is provided in intimate contact with the bottom cover in a compressed state, and a substantially L-shaped bar. Panel for air handling duct.   2. The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 1, wherein each cover is made of metal, and an associated skirt portion is provided integrally with each cover.   The cavity is substantially completely filled with a curable foam material, the foam material being injected into the cavity and bonding the wall and the cover together when cured. The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 1.   The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 1, further comprising a flat flange extending outwardly from the top end of each wall and in contact with the top end of the frame.   The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 1, further comprising a screw passing through one of the first leg portion, the wall, and the skirt portion.   2. The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 1, wherein the bar is made of a substantially plastic material, and the first leg portion is substantially hard.   2. The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 1, wherein the spherical portion has a tubular shape having a hollow core.   The panel for an air handling duct according to claim 7, wherein the spherical portion has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape in an undeformed state.   2. The upper groove is provided substantially parallel to the upper channel, and the lower groove is provided substantially parallel to the lower channel. Panel for air handling ducts.   10. The upper groove is substantially provided at an outer peripheral portion of the upper channel, and the lower groove is substantially provided at an outer peripheral portion of the lower channel. Panel for air handling ducts.   An air handling duct that harmonizes air along a closed flow path, the duct being arranged substantially parallel to the skeleton and at least two substantially identical mounted along the skeleton Each panel having a substantially flat inner surface, a substantially flat outer surface, and a peripheral wall extending substantially between these surfaces, At least one of the panels includes an associated substantially L-shaped bar, the first leg of the L-shaped bar being attached proximate the wall, the L-shaped bar The second leg portion has a deformable spherical portion provided in intimate contact with at least the other inner surface of the substantially identical panel in a compressed state; Between these panels when placed like Air handling duct, characterized in that the air flow is substantially prevented.   12. The air handling duct according to claim 11, wherein the at least one panel further includes means for detachably fixing the first leg portion to the wall.   13. The air handling duct according to claim 12, wherein the means for removably fixing includes a groove that is integrally formed with the wall and is provided to receive the first leg portion.   13. The air handling duct of claim 12, wherein the means for removably securing includes a screw that passes through the first leg and the wall.   The air handling duct according to claim 11, wherein the bar is formed of a substantially plastic material, and the first leg portion is substantially hard.   The air handling duct according to claim 11, wherein the spherical portion has a tubular shape having a hollow core.   The air handling duct according to claim 16, wherein the spherical portion has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape in an undeformed state.   The air handling duct of claim 11, wherein at least one of the panels is hinged to the skeleton.   An air handling duct that harmonizes air along a closed flow path, the duct being arranged substantially parallel to the skeleton and at least two substantially identical mounted along the skeleton Each panel having a substantially flat inner surface, a substantially flat outer surface, and a peripheral wall extending substantially between these surfaces, At least one of the panels includes an associated bar having at least two legs, a first leg being attached proximate to the wall, and a second leg being at least the other of the substantially A deformable spherical portion provided in intimate contact with the inner surface of the same panel in a compressed state, and when the panels are arranged as described above, Air is flowing in There air handling duct, characterized in that it is substantially prevented.   20. The air handling duct according to claim 19, wherein the at least one panel further includes means for detachably fixing the first leg portion to the wall.   21. An air handling duct according to claim 20, wherein said means for removably fixing includes a groove formed integrally with said wall and provided to receive said first leg portion.   21. The air handling duct of claim 20, wherein the means for removably securing includes a screw that passes through the first leg portion and the wall.   20. The air handling duct according to claim 19, wherein the bar is made of a substantially plastic material, and the first leg portion is substantially hard.   The air handling duct of claim 19, wherein at least one of the panels is hinged to the skeleton.   The at least another substantially identical panel extends outwardly from the top end of each wall and includes a flat flange that abuts the at least one panel and the top end of the skeleton. Item 12. The air handling duct according to Item 11.   The at least another substantially identical panel extends outwardly from the top end of each wall and includes a flat flange that abuts the at least one panel and the top end of the skeleton. Item 20. The air handling duct according to Item 19.

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