MXPA06007633A

MXPA06007633A - Climate conditioning apparatus.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06007633A
Application number: MXPA06007633A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Alejandro Cortina Cordero; Jose Pablo Cortina Ortega; Jose Pablo Cortina Cordero
Original assignee: Alejandro Cortina Cordero
Priority date: 2006-06-30
Filing date: 2006-06-30
Publication date: 2008-01-07
Also published as: US20080000617A1; WO2008004055A2; WO2008004055A3; EP2041497A2; WO2008004055B1

Abstract

An apparatus for conditioning of air has an air inlet and an air outlet. The apparatus includes: (a) a heat exchanger, having a major longitudinal axis and having a shell through which an airflow is forced to circulate, and an exchange coil, fitted within the shell, which contains a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchange is simultaneously, parallel and longitudinal to the air transport, along the major heat exchanger's longitudinal axis; (b) a fan, associated with a motor, produces the flow of air to be conditioned. The fan has an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the heat exchanger; and (c) at least one silencer is coupled to the entrance or to the exit of air.

Description

CLIMATE CONDITIONER APPLIANCE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention.

The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus and more particularly to a fan and coil type air conditioner (Fan 85 Coil).

The present invention relates to a climate conditioning system composed of an electric motor associated with a fan, which generates an air flow that passes through a heat exchange element, in a linear distribution, on a same axis, to which you can add modules for the handling of particles, or bacteria in the form of filters, and elements for moisture control, among others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The management or control of climate, air and humidity, with electric motors can be attributed to Mr. Willis H. Carrier in 1902, the basic principle of said system is to pass an air flow through heat exchangers to achieve the desired effect of temperature and humidity on the outgoing air flow. This principle has been the object of different variations, for example, some systems use gases that are harmful to the ozone layer as a heat exchange fluid, such as chlorine fluorocarbons, or freons (developed by the Dupont company), as well as other dangerous gases. or toxic In other systems of the type Fan 85 Coil, these gases have been replaced, by cold or hot water, as heat exchange fluids, for climate control.

Current equipment type "Fan &Coil" have several drawbacks among which are: (a) excess dimensions, (b) noise, (c) high requirements for installation and maintenance, and (c) the need for additional equipment or expensive accessories.

The equipment "Fan 85 CoiP conventional are usually large in size, such equipment needs to be placed horizontally in ceiling panels around 50 cm.In addition, the placement of such systems is restricted by the fixing systems, supply and water collection and require a system of ducts and grilles for the distribution of air and the correct functioning of the system.

The operation of the systems of the prior art requires passing an abundant flow of air through a narrow heat exchanger. For this purpose, several motors are used working simultaneously, which generate a considerable noise level. By virtue of the design of the prior art equipment, the use of silencers is not possible since said silencers would occupy very large dimensions and the air flow would be considerably reduced.

The equipment of the prior art necessarily requires a specialist in facilities to be used, after being acquired the equipment is not functional without the correct adjustment and manufacturing as well as special fasteners, in addition to adaptations to additional elements such as ducts and connections .

Finally, the systems "Fan 8e CoiP of the previous technique have restrictions to use, accessories for the purification of air and the treatment of particles or bacteria in particular by the design of the same equipment Some equipment with the aforementioned disadvantages include the following: U.S. Patent No. 3,403,725 describes an arrangement for a "Fan 8s Coil" unit. According to said patent, the air conditioning equipment comprises two chambers, a first chamber in which a series of fans is housed that share an arrow to project the air over reflecting screens and subsequently pass the air over the heat exchanger coil . Said equipment shares several of the drawbacks of the prior art. The two cameras make the equipment bulky, on the other hand the use of several fans driven by the same engine implies high power needs, which translates into a noisy system. The use of the screens implies the need for additional power to overcome the pressure drop due to deflection of the air in the screens. Said equipment also has the disadvantage that it is not possible to add accessories or units for purification or another type of air treatment.

International patent application No. WO 2004/061375 describes an efficient arrangement of an air conditioning system. Said patent describes the use of air conditioning equipment and ducts associated with all the disadvantages that it implies regarding space and high requirements for its installation and maintenance.

United States patent application US2006 / 0107684, property of LG Electronics Inc., describes an air conditioning system where a ceiling unit is provided to where the lines of the heat exchanger fluid are delivered. Even though it occupies a smaller space than other systems, it also shares other drawbacks of prior art apparatuses. The main drawback is that said apparatus provides low conditioning volumes. Which means longer times to condition a given space. In addition, such a device is noisy because the fan motor is exposed on the rooms where it is installed, predictably the noise will multiply to the extent that more than one unit is used in the case of large rooms. On the other hand, it is not possible to couple purification units and other accessories. It also shares the disadvantages posed by the high technical requirements for its installation and maintenance.

Summary of the invention It is then an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning apparatus with a reduced volume of equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner of the "Fan 85 Coil" type having reduced noise characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner with low installation and maintenance requirements.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner assembly of the "Fan 85 CoiP type with improved heat exchange efficiency characteristics.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a climate conditioning equipment with improved in-line conditioning features, by providing plug-in treatment modules.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified and low cost air conditioning apparatus.

The above features are achieved by providing an air conditioning apparatus having an inlet and an outlet for air comprising: (a) a heat exchanger having a major longitudinal axis, and having a shell, whereby it circulates a flow of air, and an exchanger coil, housed inside the shell, which contains a heat exchange fluid, in which the heat exchange is carried out simultaneously, parallel and longitudinally to the transport of the air flow, to along the major longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger; (b) a fan, associated with a motor that produces an air flow to be conditioned, said fan having an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the heat exchanger; and (c) at least one muffler, coupled to the air inlet or outlet. Further optionally the assembly includes (d) an air treatment module selected from one or more than one group consisting of a filter, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an ozonator, a purifier, a device for removing lead, carbon monoxide or Nitrogen monoxide from the air, a deodorizer, an ionizer and / or a perfumer. The climate conditioning apparatus of the present invention comprises a longitudinal axial heat exchanger formed preferably by a tubular element that houses inside an interchange coil with longitudinal fins, which makes its production in inputs, and labor more efficient. That is, the heat exchange apparatus of the present invention has heat exchange coefficients similar to the exchangers of the prior art but is manufactured at a much lower cost.

On the other hand, the configuration of the system in line, or in a same axis, or axial, favors the decomposition of the noise of the engine and that generated from the entrance and exit of air flow.

Description of the figures FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the air conditioning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG: 2 illustrates an embodiment of the air conditioning assembly of the present invention incorporating treatment modules.

FIG. 3 illustrates the arrangement of diffusers or fins and tubes of the exchanger coil disposed inside the heat exchanger, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of fins, sheet inserts, simple joints and tubes of the exchanger coil disposed inside the heat exchanger, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a sheet insert with swabs.

FIG. 6 shows a vertical arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention mounted on a panel, such as an access door.

FIG. 7 shows the direction of the air flow in the heat exchangers of the prior art.

FIG. 8 shows the direction of the air flow through the exchanger according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention The invention is described below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments of the invention which have an illustrative but not limiting character of the invention.

According to the present invention, the air is conditioned in line or coaxially, that is to say, along its route to the outlet. The foregoing differs from the exchangers of the prior art where the air is first conditioned and subsequently conducted to the discharge sites. According to the present invention, the heat transfer in the exchanger is carried out longitudinally, that is, the air maintains a longitudinal flow along the exchanger, which differs from the heat exchangers of the prior art wherein the flow of air with respect to the exchanger coil is transverse.

In accordance with the present invention, the climate conditioning apparatus 10 comprises an air inlet, from which air is sucked into a muffler 20 coupled with fan 30, which propels the air to a heat exchanger 40, coupled with the fan 30, wherein the air is brought into contact with an exchanger coil, arranged coaxially with the exchanger, and where the air acquires the required temperature conditions, the heat exchanger is coupled to an outlet where the air conditioning is finally released to a room.

The above configuration is not exclusive to the present invention, thus, more than one silencer can be provided and the fan can be placed at the entrance or exit of the heat exchanger. Furthermore, by virtue of its linear or axial configuration, the system of the present invention allows the simple addition of air treatment modules 60, which can be coupled to the inlet, outlet or any intermediate point of the apparatus.

In accordance with FIG. 1, a muffler 20 is placed between the air intake grille 13 and the fan 30. The muffler 20 is coupled to the fan 30 by means of a standardized Cl coupling.

Preferably, the diameter of the silencer must be suitable to connect to the fan. In addition, the diameter of the silencer must not be greater than the diameter of the heat exchanger.

The muffler 20 can be manufactured by any means well known in the art. A preferred muffler comprises a wire lined structure of plastic, for example PVC or low density polyethylene.

The silencer 20 provides a soft structure that decomposes the sound waves by attenuating them. In addition, the muffler thus constructed has a double function, because in addition to reducing the noise generated in the equipment by the air flow, it is also a connection element of the fan to the air intake grille.

Preferably, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the present invention comprises two silencers 20, one at the inlet and one at the air outlet of the system. However, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, more silencers may be arranged in intermediate portions of the apparatus.

With the use of such silencers the noise in the air conditioning apparatus of the invention is considerably reduced. In the apparatus of the prior art it is very complicated to introduce a silencer The use of the silencers 20 as flexible connecting hoses results in a simple installation. Thus, no special structures or high technical requirements are required for the installation of the air conditioning equipment of the invention.

According to FIG. 1, the fan is placed immediately to the silencer 20 and before the exchanger 40. However other modifications can be used. For example, the fan can be placed immediately after the heat exchanger, or it can be placed between two heat exchangers.

The fan 30 is a well-known element in the art, an example of the fan that can be employed includes a motor-fan of the brand Fantech FR Series Fan. On the other hand, the use of a fan of 5.66 - 16.99 m3 / min (200 - 600 ft3 / min) of displaced air volume or greater, such air flows result in reduced noise levels. A commercial axial fan of 110 V. with a connection diameter equal to the diameter of the heat exchanger is preferred, to ensure the adjustment of both components with the minimum of parts.

The specification of the fan model is directly related to the total capacity of the system. The equipment must be a part of a manufacturer duly certified in its products and parts, to ensure the warranty on spare parts and service.

Even when it is not preferred, a technician in the field will be able to install a centrifugal fan. However, the use of a centrifugal fan increases the volume of the apparatus of the present invention.

The fan 30 is connected to a heat exchanger 40. The connection of the fan 30 to the heat exchanger 40 is achieved by means of a coupling C2 placed in the discharge of the fan 30.

The heat exchanger 40 comprises a tubular body or shell 42 and a heat exchanger coil 43. The shell 42 has two open ends, connected at one end to the fan 30 and at the other end to an outlet duct 15. The air flows inside axially and along the tubular body 42 and is brought into contact with the surface of the coil 43 along the longitudinal dimension of the exchanger, a heat transfer occurring between the heat exchange fluid inside the coil and the air.

The tubular body fulfills the following main functions, (a) provide a chamber for heat transfer, (b) transport the air flow axially, (c) allow the simple connection of the fan and the airflow outlet duct, and (d) providing an air condensate trap.

According to the present invention the heat exchanger is axial having the same axis as the fan so that the air is conditioned as it advances in the exchanger, the air circulates longitudinally, ie parallel to the axis of the exchanger without undergoing substantial changes in the direction of air flow.

In FIGs. 7 shows a traditional arrangement of an exchanger of a Fan 85 Coil equipment of the prior art. As shown, an air flow represented by the arrow, produced by a fan 30 flows perpendicular to the heat exchanger 40, so that the air contacts perpendicularly to the tubes of the coil. The air flow is transverse to the largest length (c) of the exchanger. In FIG. 8 the configuration according to the present invention is shown. Unlike the traditional arrangements Fan 85 Coil, in the apparatus of the present invention, the air flows parallel to the tubes of the coil. So that the air flows parallel to the major longitudinal axis (a) of the heat exchanger. In this way, the heat exchange is carried out simultaneously, parallel and longitudinally to the transport of the air flow, along the major longitudinal axis (a) of the heat exchanger.

In coil 43 it consists of a bundle of tubes, substantially parallel to the shell, through which a heat exchange fluid flows, to generate a loss or gain of heat in the air.

According to FIG. 2, the coil 43 is connected by means of an input fitting 51 to a supply line 53 of heat exchange fluid, once heat transfer occurs, the fluid leaves the equipment through an output fitting 52 which is discharged into a return line 54 of heat transfer fluid. The inlet and outlet fittings 51 and 52 may consist of a combination of valves, hoses, tubes or any means for connecting the heat exchanger to the heat exchange fluid supply and return line.

Additionally, the tubular body 42 performs a trap function of air condensates, air condensates are sent to a discharge line (not shown). Such a feature is not considered in the "Fan 85 CoiP" equipment of the prior art.

According to the present invention, the tube bundle 44 of the coil 43 has a plurality of longitudinal diffusers or fins 45 to increase the possible contact area with air for the benefit of heat transfer. In FIGS. 3 and 4 show the diffusers 45 of the tubes 44 of a coil 43.

The tubes 44 and the diffusers 45 are preferably extruded figures in a single piece of a metal with a high coefficient of heat transfer, such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze or brass.

The design of the cross section of the tubes (and diffusers) allows their modular assembly with other tubes and diffusers to form a grid, which will be interconnected with each other with simple elements 46 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. So that the bundle of tubes 3 with longitudinal fins 43 forms a honeycomb structure. Additionally, provision is made for the installation of a plurality of longitudinal blade inserts 47 that extend along the heat exchanger in the spaces defined between the fins. As shown in FIG. 5, the blade inserts 47 can also be stamped with gill-shaped blanks 48 to increase the contact surface of the air and thereby improve heat exchange. Thus constructed, the heat exchanger of the present invention has a heat transfer surface of about 10 m2 / m (10 square meters of contact surface per linear meter).

The longitudinal design of the tubes and their transverse fins allows a continuous flow of water inside the tubes, with a common side of entry and exit, thereby simplifying the required facilities as well as the space of connections and additional pipe to the system, for water supply and drainage.

The diffusers increase the contact area, thereby decreasing the volume of air required but increasing the temperature differential of the inlet and outlet air, achieving a greater overall efficiency. However, the fins do not substantially deviate the direction of air, as in heat exchangers with transverse screens or fins. According to the present invention, the air runs parallel to the tubes of the interchanger coil.

Preferably, the heat exchange fluid consists of water previously cooled or heated. However, any thermal fluid can be used. In an embodiment of the invention, an electrical device is provided for heating the fluid, which may be different from water. For example, for heating systems, in an electrical mode a resistance can be provided inside the shell, inside the coil to generate in an exchange fluid, the temperature required for the heat exchange towards the air flow.

The heat exchanger, and in general the entire system, comprises a thermal insulation (not illustrated). The heat exchanger is coupled coaxially with the fan 30 and the possible treatment modules and / or an air outlet duct by means of the connectors C2 and C3.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a modular connection system with standardized connectors at its ends, by means of which additional elements, accessories or air treatment modules 60 can be added without the need for modifications to the basic system, thereby favoring the modular growth of the system for future applications or user needs.

The above is possible because the connectors Cl, C2 and C3 shown in FIG. 1, as well as the connectors Cl ', C2', C3 ', C4' and C5 'shown in FIG. 2, are standardized, so that the union of the different components of the device is achieved in a simple way.

Some air treatment modules 60 that may be incorporated in the apparatus of the invention include a filter of any type, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an ozonator, a purifier, a device for removing lead, carbon monoxide or nitrogen monoxide from the air. air, a deodorizer, an ionizer and / or a perfumer.

By virtue of the linear design of the apparatus of the present invention, the required air treatment modules 60 may be incorporated in a simple manner into the system. Thus, an air conditioning module 60 can be fixed at the final point of exit of the air flow, or at any other point of the apparatus. In addition, more than one module can be placed. It is preferred that the filters be placed in the entrance of the apparatus, while the humidifiers should be placed near the outlet.

Thus, for example, in the case of filters, a filter module can be provided before the fan to obtain a preliminary filtration of the air to be cooled or heated, and later an activated carbon deodorizing filter, HEPA, etc. can be added. .

The apparatus of the present invention is especially useful for hospital facilities, where air purification and elimination of bacteria is essential. The equipment of the prior art for hospital facilities is extremely expensive and complex. The installation of HEPA filters is particularly complex in these devices. It should be noted that there is no precedent for a "Fan 8d CoiP system with HEPA filters for hospital facilities.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the invention comprises a module 60 that includes a filter 62, connected by means of the connectors Cl 'and C2' to the silencer 210 and the fan 30, respectively. In addition, the apparatus includes a second module 60 that includes a dehumidifier 64 attached to the exchanger 40 and an output muffler by means of the connectors C4 'and C5'.

The modularity of the system for its growth in accessories allows the development of multiple extensions to achieve greater efficiencies in air handling and special conditions for specific requirements of use, either of the humidification or filtering type, in different levels from simply smell to hospital levels .

As illustrated in FIG: 1, the apparatus of the invention has a maximum width dimension similar to that of the fan it uses, so that its location in panels does not require a large space, or a difference and / or slope of subsequent equipment, because it is a linear design, even with additional elements or accessories the system will not modify the dimensions required for its installation.

The air to be conditioned can be taken from the inside of the room, in such a way that the air in the room is recirculated, or you can take fresh air from the outside, or a combination of both.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the supply air quantity of each source can be established by means of filar a relation between the diameters of the access pipes (silencers) of fresh and recirculated air.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a valve is provided so that the user can select the source of air supply, such a valve being associated with a controller that is operated by the user.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the air is taken from inside the room. As seen in the figure, the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 of air are each connected to a grid placed on a ceiling or wall of the room. The grid is intended to prevent the introduction of medium objects that can damage the fan as well as provide an aesthetic view to the air inlet and outlet.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention is shown in a horizontal position to be installed on the ceiling of a room. However, the apparatus can be installed vertically, which requires a more complex installation for the Fan 85 Coil systems of the prior art. According to the present invention, the apparent installation is possible in subsequent phases to the finishing of a work.

In FIG. 6 a vertical panel 90 is shown as a door attached to a hinged frame. In such a configuration, the apparatus 10 of the present invention is installed vertically as a discrete door for maintenance. When opening the door the device appears attached to the door for maintenance.

The apparatus of the present invention by virtue of the use of a silencer drastically reduces the noise generated in relation to other "Fan 85 Coil" apparatuses of the prior art which do not include silencers. Furthermore, by virtue of the increase in heat exchange compared to other apparatuses of the prior art, the apparatus of the invention requires a lower air flow compared with other apparatuses of the prior art.

On the other hand, even though in general terms the longitudinal dimensions of the heat exchanger 40 of the apparatus of the present invention are slightly greater than those of other heat exchangers of prior art equipment, they have a similar efficiency but a substantially lower cost.

On the other hand, the length of the heat exchanger favors the reduction of noise. In addition, the inclusion of the air treatment modules 60 also has a favorable effect on the decrease of noise by increasing the distance between the fan and the point of exit of air conditioning.

The equipment only requires for its operation electric current, and water, so it can be used without additional elements, and without a special installation. It does not require manufacturing parts or additional adjustments to the basic components that are included with the equipment. The installation can be carried out by a person without specific knowledge of air conditioning or heating systems.

The invention has been described with reference to the appended figures, however, a person skilled in the art will be able to make certain minor changes or incorporate elements such as insulation without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should then be considered in accordance with the following claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioning apparatus having an air inlet and outlet comprising: a heat exchanger having a major longitudinal axis, and having a shell, where an air flow is circulated, and a heat exchanger coil, housed inside the shell, which contains a heat exchange fluid, wherein the heat exchange is carried out simultaneously, parallel and longitudinally to the transport of the air flow, along the major longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger; and a fan, associated with an engine, which produces an air flow to be conditioned, said fan having an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the heat exchanger.

2. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes with longitudinal fins.

3. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger further comprises a plurality of longitudinal blade inserts positioned between the longitudinal fins of the tubes.

4. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil also houses an electrical resistance.

5. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan is an axial or centrifugal fan.

6. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is vertical and also comprises a hinged vertical panel as an access door where said apparatus is fixed.

7. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one air treatment module selected from one or more of a group consisting of: a filter, a HEPA filter, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an ozonator, a purifier, a device for removing lead, carbon monoxide or nitrogen monoxide from the air, a deodorizer, an ionizer and / or a perfumer.

8. An air conditioning apparatus having an inlet and an air outlet comprising: a heat exchanger having a shell, through which an air flow and an exchange coil is circulated, housed inside the shell, by where a heat exchange fluid is circulated; a fan, associated with a motor that produces a flow of air to be conditioned, said fan having an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the heat exchanger; and at least one silencer, coupled to the air inlet or outlet.

9. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a first muffler coupled in the air inlet and a second muffler coupled in the air outlet.

10. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 8, characterized in that the silencer consists of a flexible tube comprising a wire frame and a liner of a plastic selected from PCV and polyethylene.

11. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 8, characterized in that the fan is an axial or centrifugal fan.

12. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 8, characterized in that the apparatus is vertical and further comprises a hinged vertical panel as an access door where said apparatus is fixed.

13. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises an air treatment module selected from one or more of a group consisting of: a filter, a HEPA filter, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an ozonator , a purifier, a device for removing lead, carbon monoxide or nitrogen monoxide from the air, a deodorizer, an ionizer and / or a perfumer.

14. An air conditioning apparatus having an inlet and an outlet of air coupled to unitary fan components, heat exchanger and air treatment modules comprising: a plurality of standardized connectors attached to each unitary component to be coupled indiscriminately each unitary component in an axial linear orientation.

15. An apparatus for air conditioning according to claim 14, characterized in that it also comprises at least one air treatment module selected from one or more of a group consisting of: a filter, a HEPA filter, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an ozonator, a purifier, a device for removing lead, carbon monoxide or nitrogen monoxide from the air, a deodorizer, an ionizer and / or a perfumer.