WO2007055671A1

WO2007055671A1 - Bypass air volume control method and unit

Info

Publication number: WO2007055671A1
Application number: PCT/TR2005/000046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yildirim Halil Kocabalkanli; Atilla Memduh Altinok; Cihan Cangarli
Original assignee: Eneko Havalandirma Ve Isi Ekonomisi Sistem Teknolojileri Makine Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2005-09-29
Filing date: 2005-09-29
Publication date: 2007-05-18
Also published as: TR200709273T1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bypass air-volume control unit (8) and method that allows the adjustment of temperature of each separate zone (14) of a central air-conditioning system (11 ) without causing to pressure imbalances in the main air-transferring conduits (12, 13), wherein air, which is to be controlled by an outer frame means (1 ) that is connected to the central (1 ) by means of a blowing inlet conduit (5.1), a return air outlet conduit (5.2), and to such zone (14) by means of a blowing air outlet conduit (5.3) and a return air inlet conduit (5.4), is taken to a closed zone; and such air taken in through said inlet conduits (5.1 , 5.4) is directed to said outlet conduits (5.2, 5.3) by means of a flap (4) in desired rates.

Description

BYPASS AIR VOLUME CONTROL METHOD AND UNIT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a low-cost air-flow control unit designed with the purpose of controlling the temperature of separate zones within a central air- blowing air-conditioning system without impairing the pressure balance in air conduits.

Background of Invention

Fixed or adjustable air-volume boxes or methods are being employed in order to control the temperatures of a number of zones under a central air-blowing air- conditioning system. In Patent N⁰ US 3,522,841 , as one of such embodiments, an air source conditioning unit is disclosed for a fixed volume air-heating or air- cooling types. This unit keeps the air flow in a constant value and efficiently divides the available air without causing to unwanted turbulences. In this patent, an equal volume of air-flow is being provided to each zone such that the temperature of all such zones are kept the same. In Patent N⁰ US 5,044,402, a disclosure is made on an adjustable air-volume terminal unit. In this embodiment, a certain volume of air is directed to a bypass field by means of a directing element or an air flap positioned in the relevant air channel in order to condition a zone with a desired value. The applicability of such method to only blowing or intake central air-conditioning systems and the necessity to employ a separate unit for each channel makes this embodiment quite hard to implement.

Such adjustable air-volume boxes control the volume of air that passes there through generally by unclosing or closing an air flap positioned in such boxes according to the ambient temperature or according to other parameters. In such cases, the air left behind the flap impairs the air pressure balance. Since the pressure balance here is provided by means of complex electronic circuits and systems that control the revolution numbers of air-blower or air-intake main fans, such embodiments highly enhance the system costs.

As a result, the necessity towards a unit and method to control the bypass air volume by allowing the controlling of temperature of separate zones individually without impairing the pressure balance in air channels and without leading to high costs and the inadequacy of present solutions for this case made it necessary to bring a development in the relevant technical field.

Brief Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a bypass air control unit and a method thereof that meet the aforesaid necessities, eliminate all drawbacks, and provides some further advantages.

An objective of the present invention is to produce an air-volume control unit that allows the individual conditioning of separate zones under a central air conditioning system.

A further objective of the present invention is to produce an air-volume control unit that does not bring about pressure imbalances in main air channels while each such separate zones are conditioned.

Another objective of the present invention is to produce a control element that does necessitate complex electronic embodiments in order to balance the pressure while each such separate zones are conditioned.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to produce an air-volume control unit that has a simple structure and thus reduces the breakdown risk to a minimum.

Still another objective of the present invention is to produce an embodiment that determines the position of its flap according to a proportional signal received from a zone thermostat and thus controls such air-flow volumes accordingly.

Yet a further objective of the present invention is to produce a bypass air volume control method, which allows the individual adjustment of each zone temperature in central blowing and intake air conditioning systems, which is capable to realize a bypass operation by directing the blowing and intake channels according to a proportional signal received from a thermostat in such zone; and which does not necessitate any complex systems once it is embodied.

In order to realize all advantages, as mentioned above and as shall be disclosed hereunder in more details, the present invention provides a bypass air-volume control unit that allows the adjustment of temperature of each separate zone of a central air-conditioning system without causing to pressure imbalances in the main air-transferring channels, said unit being characterized in comprising an outer frame that provides the transfer of air to be controlled to a closed zone; blower and intake connection means to position said outer frame between the center and such zone; a flap that provides the channeling of blown and in-taken air taken into said outer frame; and a driving means providing the drive of said flap.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said unit further comprises a blower inlet conduit and a return air outlet conduit in order to connect said outer frame from the main air transferring channels to the center; and a blowing air outlet conduit and a return air inlet conduit in order to connect said frame to such zone.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said unit further comprises an inner frame that provides the directing of said flap to channel the air to desired outlet vents.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said inner frame has a cylindrical formation in order to provide said flap with rotational movement.

Yet in a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said inner frame comprises inner frame walls in order to prevent the air from becoming turbid in said conduits, and inner frame channels that provide the passage of air to the flap zone.

Still in a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said driving means is an electric motor and is preferably positioned on said flap and in the center of said inner frame. Still in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said driving means comprises a sensor that is connected to the zone and senses the zone temperature in order to determine the rotation volume of said flap.

The present invention further provides a bypass air-volume control method, wherein air, which is to be controlled by said outer frame means that is connected to the central by means of a contained blowing inlet conduit, a return air outlet conduit, and to such zones by means of a blowing air outlet conduit and a return air inlet conduit, is taken to a closed zone; and such air taken in through said inlet conduits is directed to said outlet conduits by means of a flap in desired rates.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flap movement is controlled by means of a driving means, and the driving means is controlled according to the temperature data taken from such zone by means of a sensor.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flap is rotationally driven a certain volume by means of said driving means when a desired temperature value is approached according to a temperature data received by means of said sensor such that some volume of the air received from said blowing inlet conduits is directed to said return air outlet conduit and transferred to the center, namely bypassed, without being delivered to such zones.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said flap is positioned so that it increases the air volume subjected to said bypass operation according to the signal received from said sensor when a desired temperature value is reached.

The structural and characteristic features all advantages of the present invention shall be made clear with the annexed figures, which are described hereunder, and with a detailed disclosure of the present invention, wherein such figures are referred to. Therefore the present invention is to be considered by taking into account such figures and the detailed description. Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 gives a top view illustrating the working principle of the subject bypass air volume control unit.

Figure 2 gives a perspective view giving the details of elements comprised in the subject unit.

Figure 3 gives an illustration showing the connection to such zones and air conduits of the subject bypass unit that is dedicated for separate temperature adjustment of each zone in a central air conditioning system in order to make clear the present invention.

Reference Numbers in Figures

1. Outer frame 7. Conductor

2. Inner frame 8. Bypass air volume control unit

2.1. Inner frame wall 9. Blowing vents

2.2. Inner frame air passage 10 Intake vents channel

3. Driving means 11 Central air conditioning system

4. Air directing flap 12 Blowing main conduit

5. Connection means 13 Intake main conduit

5.1. Blowing air inlet conduit 14 Zone to be conditioned

5.2. Return air outlet conduit 14 .1. Zone N⁰ 1

5.3. Blowing air outlet conduit 14 .2. Zone N^c 2

5.4. Return air inlet conduit 14 .3. Zone N⁰ 3

6. Sensor 14 .4. Zone N⁰ 4

Detailed Description of Invention

In this detailed description, preferred embodiments of the subject bypass air volume control unit are disclosed for only making clear the present invention without imposing any restrictions thereto.

In central air conditioning systems (11 ), the operation is based on blowing the air from the center (11 ) to a number of zones (14) connected to said center at a certain temperature by means of a blowing conduit (12), then returning the air in such zones (14) to said center (11 ) by means of a return or intake conduit (13) such that the circulation is provided by a single center. Since the air is delivered to said zones (14) from a single center (11 ) by means of a main blowing conduit (12), it becomes necessary to deliver it to all zones by the same temperature. The individual temperatures of each zone (14) is adjusted by controlling the volume of air delivered to or taken from such zones. The separate or individual control of air volumes for separate zones impairs the pressure balance in the main air conduits (12, 13). Therefore the temperature values in such zones (14) cannot be maintained as desired. In order to avoid this unwanted circumstance, it becomes necessary to continuously alter the rotation number of blowing and intake fans of the central air conditioner (11) in order to balance the pressure, said process requiring a complex control unit.

Thanks to the subject bypass unit (8) positioned separately in each zone (14), some volume of the air received from the blowing conduit (12) is directed to the return conduit outlet vent in line with the ambient temperature, namely a bypass operation is performed. Since in this method, any unnecessary air is channeled to the return conduit (13) without entering into the zone, no pressure imbalances occur in said main air conduits (12, 13). Thus the necessity towards a complex system to control the revolution number of the central air conditioner (11) fans is eradicated.

Figure 1 shows the basic elements making up the subject bypass air volume control unit. An outer frame (1 ), preferably in a rectangular or square prism form, is connected between the main air conduits (12, 13) and a zone (14) and provides the enclosure of the blown and in-taken air in order to control the volume of air to be circulated in the zone. Blown and in-taken air is taken into said outer frame by means of connection openings (5) formed on said outer frame (1). A cylindrical inner frame (2) allows the transferring of in-taken air to mutual channels (5.1 , 5.3 and 5.2, 5.4) and the bypass operation to be carried out.

Preferably passage channels (2.2) and walls (2.1) can be embodied on the inner frame (2) in order to regulate the air passage volume. The air taken into said inner frame (2) is directed by means of a flap (4) embodied preferably with a size equal to the diameter of said inner frame (2) and with a rectangular or square plate form. A pivot (4.1 ) is positioned on the flap (4) from the center of the cylinder making up the inner frame (2) and so from the perpendicular center of said flap (4). Said flap (4) is easily be rotated in said inner frame (2) by means of said pivot (4.1). A driving means (3) is preferably placed into said flap pivot (4.1 ) in order to rotate the flap (4) a desired volume according to the signal received from the exterior. Said driving means (3) is preferably a damper motor (3) and it provides the rotational motion of said flap (4) according to an electrical signal applied externally to the tips thereof. Such motor (3) receiving the proper control signals preferably by means of a cable (7) from a sensor (6) positioned on a proper point in such zone makes said flap direct the air in said inner frame (2). Said sensor (6) is preferably a room thermostat (6), sending preferably a proper proportional control signal to the unit (8) motor (3) according to the temperature of air in the relevant zone.

In the subject method and unit (8), there is preferably no necessity to a separate bypass conduit. In the bypass process, the air from inlet openings (5.1 , 5.4) of the unit's (8) blowing and intake conduits is channeled respectively to the blowing and intake outlet openings (5.2, 5.3). Since no air is directed to any separate bypass conduits, no pressure imbalances are encountered with in method.

In the perspective view elaborating the invention In Figure 2, the positioning of said motor (3) on said flap (4) and a preferred embodiment of the inner frame (2) are shown. Blown and in-taken air taken into the unit (8) by means of outer frame connection means (5) is directed to the flap (4) by the inner frame wall (2.1 ) and channels (2.2). Figure 3 depicts the connection manner of the subject unit (8) to main air conduits (12, 13) and zone vents (9, 10) under a central air conditioning system (11) in order to individually control preferably four separate zones (14.1 , 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) and the connection of a thermostat (6) placed into such zones to said unit by means of a cable (7).

One exemplary embodiment is given hereunder in order to make clear the subject unit without imposing any restrictions thereon. Let's assume that the desired temperatures as adjusted by means of said thermostat (6) in said zones (14) are 29°C for Zone N⁰ 1 (14.1 ), 26⁰C for Zone N⁰ 2 (14.2), and 24°C for Zone N⁰ 3 (14.3). And let's further assume that the temperature of air blown from the central air conditioning system (11 ) to main blowing conduits (12) is 15°C. Considering that each such zone is controlled by means of one apiece bypass air volume control units (8) as shown in Figure 3, the circumstances in each unit (8) and main conduits (12, 13) can be explained as following. If the zones cannot be reached to desired temperatures, namely cooled down, initially, the air blowing and intake passages (2.2) in the unit (8) are entirely opened by means of the normal position of the flap (4). As long as the zones are cooled down, first the Zone N⁰ 1 (1.41) shall reach the desired temperature, the positions of flaps (4) in said units (8) shall be altered according to the signals they receive from the thermostats (6). First, once the thermostat (6) connected to Zone N⁰ 1 (14.1) will sense that the desired temperature is approached, it will apply a proper electrical signal to the motor (3) of the attached unit (8) such that the flap (4) is moved a certain volume. While this action causes some volume of the blown air from the blowing air inlet vent (5.1) of the relevant unit (8) to arrive at the outlet vent (5.3), as seen in figures 1 and 2, it directs the remaining volume to the return air outlet vent (5.2), namely bypass that remaining portion. Thus a portion of air from the center (11 ) is directed back to the center (11) without being delivered to Zone N₀ 1 (14.1 ). Thanks to this feature, no pressure difference is created in main air conduits and zones, and no necessity is left to alter the revolution numbers of the fans at the center (11 ). When the desired temperature is approached, the angle of the flap (4) relative to the normal position shall be increased some volume such that the air transfer of mutual conduits (5.1 , 5.3 and 5.2, 5.4) shall be reduced and the air volume to be bypassed shall be enhanced. The units employed in Zone N⁰ 2 (14.2) and Zone N⁰ 3 (14.3) will cause the bypass line to direct more air to outlet vents (5.2, 5.3) according to the signals they receive from their dedicated thermostats (6) for desired temperatures. Thus it becomes possible to adjust the temperature of each zone to different temperatures without creating any pressure imbalances.

Here preferably a proportional control is carried out, whereby the electric signal received from the thermostat determines the rotation volume of said motor. The rotation volume of said motor, however, can also be altered by means of more complex control mechanisms based on several parameters. Other variables such as ambient humidity or smoke can further be used, or integral and derivative (PID) controls can be added to such proportional control for a more sensitive solution.

The same method and unit (8) can also be employed to heat such zones and make such zones reach different temperature values and maintain such temperatures, in addition to cooling purposes. When such zones (14) are to be heated, the central system (11) delivers high-temperature air, 40°C e.g., from main blowing conduits (12) to such zones (8). The desired temperatures of such zones may preferably be 18⁰C, 20°C or 22°C. In this case, the operation principle of the unit (8) and contained elements shall be as disclosed above. That means, once the thermostats (6) approach the preset temperatures, the air volume to be bypassed from blowing and intake inlet conduits (5.1 , 5.4) to outlet conduits (5.2, 5.3) shall be controlled by means of the position of such flap.

The protection scope of this application is set forth in the claims section, and is not to be restricted with the foregoing exemplary disclosure in no way. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can produce the novelty under the present invention by making use of similar embodiments and/or can benefit from this embodiment in other fields in the relevant technique with similar purposes. Therefore, it must be clear that such embodiments shall be lacking from novelty and particularly from the criterion of going beyond the background art.

Claims

1. A bypass air-volume control unit (8) that allows the adjustment of temperature of each separate zone (14) of a central air-conditioning system (11 ) without causing to pressure imbalances in the main air-transferring conduits (12, 13), said unit being characterized in comprising et least one outer frame (1) that provides the transfer of air to be controlled to a closed zone; blower and intake connection means (5) to position said outer frame

(1 ) between said center (11) and such zone (14); at least one flap (4) that provides the channeling of blown and in-taken air taken into said outer frame (1); and at least one driving means (3) providing the drive of said flap

(4).

2. A bypass air-volume control unit (8) according to Claim 1 , said unit being characterized in further comprising at least one blower inlet conduit (5.1) and at least one return air outlet conduit (5.2) in order to connect said outer frame (1) from the main air transferring channels to said center (11); and at least one blowing air outlet conduit (5.3) and at least one return air inlet conduit (5.4) in order to connect said frame (1 ) to such zone (14).

3. A bypass air-volume control unit (8) according to Claim 1 , said unit being characterized in further comprising at least one inner frame (2) that provides the directing of said flap (4) to channel the air to said outlet vents (5.2, 5.3).

4. An inner frame (2) according to Claim 3, characterized in said inner frame

(2) has a cylindrical formation in order to provide said flap (4) with rotational movement.

5. An inner frame (2) according to Claim 3, characterized in further comprising inner frame walls (2.1 ) in order to prevent the air from becoming turbid in said conduits (5.1 , 5.2, 5.3, 5.4), and inner frame passage channels (2.2) that provide the passage of air to the flap (4) zone.

6. A bypass air-volume control unit (8) according to any of the previous claims, said unit being characterized in that said driving means (3) is an electric motor (3), which is preferably positioned on said flap (4) and in the center of said inner frame (2).

7. A bypass air-volume control unit (8) according to any of the previous claims, said unit being characterized in that said driving means (3) comprises at least one sensor (6) that is connected to such zone (14) and senses the zone temperature in order to determine the rotation volume of said flap (4).

8. A bypass air-volume control method that allows the adjustment of temperature of each separate zone (14) in a central air-conditioning system (11 ) without causing to pressure imbalances in the main air-transferring conduits (12, 13) characterized that wherein air, which is to be controlled by said outer frame means (1 ) that is connected to the central (1 ) by means of at least one blowing inlet conduit (5.1 ), at least one return air outlet conduit (5.2), and to such zone (14) by means of at least one blowing air outlet conduit (5.3) and at least one return air inlet conduit (5.4), is taken to a closed zone; and such air taken in through said inlet conduits (5.1 , 5.4) is directed to said outlet conduits (5.2, 5.3) by means of at least one flap (4) in desired rates.

9. A bypass air-volume control method according to Claim 8, characterized that wherein the flap (4) movement is controlled by means of at least one driving means (3), and the driving means (3) is controlled according to the temperature data taken from such zone by means of a sensor (6).

10. A bypass air-volume control method according to claim 8 and 9, characterized that wherein said flap (4) is rotationally driven a certain volume by means of said driving means (3) when a desired temperature value is approached according to a temperature data received by means of said sensor (6) such that some volume of the air received from said blowing inlet conduit (5.1) is directed to said return air outlet conduit (5.2) and transferred to the center, namely bypassed, without being delivered to such zones (14).

11. A bypass air-volume control method according to Claim 10, characterized that wherein air circulation is kept in balance by positioning said flap (4) so that it increases the air volume subjected to said bypass operation according to the signal received from said sensor (6) when a desired temperature value is reached.