U.S. patent application number 10/466125 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-01 for pentapost air handling unit casing.
Invention is credited to Arkun, Yildirim, Beser, Erkut, Uysal, Hamdi.
Application Number | 20040063398 10/466125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21619316 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040063398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beser, Erkut ; et
al. |
April 1, 2004 |
Pentapost air handling unit casing
Abstract
Pentapost type air handling unit casing comprising panels
arranged side by side and perpendicularly, and side profiles
embodied between the perpendicular panels and middle profiles
embodied between side by side panels whereby side profiles (2)
comprises at least two joined partitions having a predetermined
height and width difference with respect to cross-sections thereof
and the middle profiles (3) having the same thickness with the side
panels are provided with steps on two opposite directions around
circumference of the middle profiles (3) and self-drilling screws
located inside of plastic bushings (10) for connection of the
panels and side, middle profiles and gasket (19) means for air
leakage between casing and surroundings thereof.
Inventors: |
Beser, Erkut; (Izmir,
TR) ; Arkun, Yildirim; (Izmir, TR) ; Uysal,
Hamdi; (Izmir, TR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKERMAN SENTERFITT
P.O. BOX 3188
WEST PALM BEACH
FL
33402-3188
US
|
Family ID: |
21619316 |
Appl. No.: |
10/466125 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
January 11, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/TR01/00001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/254 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 3/0442 20130101;
F24F 2221/36 20130101; F24F 13/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/254 |
International
Class: |
F24F 007/00; F24F
013/00 |
Claims
1. Pentapost type air handling unit casing comprising panels
arranged side by side and perpendicularly, and side profiles
embodied between the perpendicular panels and middle profiles
embodied between side by side panels characterized in that said
side profiles (2) comprises at least two joined preferably diagonal
partitions having a predetermined height and width and said middle
profiles (3) having the same thickness with the side panels are
provided with steps on two opposite directions around circumference
of the said middle profiles (3).
2. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1,
characterized in that said steps of middle profile (3) comprise
lengthwise steps on which panels are fastened are formed on the
exterior side of the middle profile (3) and widthwise steps
providing side profile (2) connection are formed on interior middle
profile side.
3. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1,
characterized in that said two partitions of the side profiles (2)
are preferably embodied diagonally with respect to each other.
4. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1,
characterized in that at the corners of the said casing, corner
pieces (4) are located for connecting said side profiles (2).
5. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 4,
characterized in that said corner pieces (4) have preferably three
legs for housing associated side profile therein.
6. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1,
characterized in that self-drilling screws (9) are embodied for
providing connection between the side profiles (2) to panels, and
middle profiles (3) to panels.
7. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1 and
6, characterized in that said self-drilling screws (9) are located
inside plastic bushings (10) having a cylindrical embodiment and
providing connection between the panels and side, middle
profiles.
8. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 7,
characterized in that said bushing (10) is furnished with two
elastic nails (11) movable in the direction of the bushing
radius.
9. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 7,
characterized in that top surface of the bushing (10) appearing on
exterior panel surface is covered by a lid (21) for protecting
screw from corrosion and provide aesthetic view.
10. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1,
characterized in that said side profile (2) is preferably a steel
strip while the middle profile is preferably two steel skins, an
insulation material therebetween or steel strip having bottom and
top lids.
11. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1
and 10, characterized in that said side profiles (2) are sewn or
preferably welded from lengthwise edges to each other.
12. Pentapost type air handling unit casing according to claim 1,
characterized in that rubber gaskets (19) having two different lips
thereof for increasing air leakage resistance in case of positive
and negative pressure difference between the casing and surrounding
are located between the panels and side (2), middle profiles (3).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to an Air Handling Unit (AHU) Casing
housing various components for changing the air thermal conditions
therein. More particularly the present invention relates to casing
elements and structure providing smooth and flat interior surfaces,
eliminating the utilization of nuts inside the unit and thus
serving an embodiment for easy casing assembly and maintenance and
providing a decrease of heat transfer between inside and outside of
the air handling unit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Air handling units are widely used in both comfort and
industrial process air conditioning systems for the purposes of
changing the thermal conditions of air and removing the undesired
particles and odors from the air. Various components such as
cooling and heating coils, filters, blowers, humidifiers etc. are
installed inside the air handling unit casing to change the thermal
conditions of air and in order to circulate the air through the air
handling unit casing.
[0003] The function of the air handling unit casing is to
physically separate the conditioned and circulated air inside the
unit from the environment air outside and additionally to provide a
protective cover for the inner components.
[0004] Generally, air handling unit casings can be classified into
two groups which are called as frameless and pentapost casings. In
a frameless air handling unit casing, panels can be directly
connected to each others, however in a pentapost casing frames
provide panel connection.
[0005] Main elements of a pentapost AHU casing are side profiles,
middle profiles, corner pieces, panels and doors. A framework is
constructed from the side profiles and corner pieces. Joining of
the side profiles to each other is performed by corner pieces.
Middle profiles and panels are connected to the side profiles in
order to produce an enclosure. The perpendicular connection of the
panels is performed by side profiles however the side by side panel
connection is achieved by using middle profiles.
[0006] The panels are produced from two separate sheet plates and
an insulation material in between. Since the air handling units
come with different sizes depending on the required performance and
air conditioning capacity, a different number and combination of
modular standard panels are used to build each particular size of
the casing.
[0007] The doors provide access to the inside of the casing for
maintaining and repairing the components or for making amendments
or adjustments on the system in case of necessity. The door is also
made up of two separate sheet metal plates called inner and outer
skins and a filling insulation material in between. The door is
furnished with hinges along one side through which it is fixed to
the profiles and with door handles on the side across, for locking
the door.
[0008] With the present state of the art the construction outlines
of air handling unit casings as described above, the following
problems are generally faced in practice:
[0009] Generally side profiles hold edges on which panels are
joined. These edges reduce the beneficial height of the unit. The
height of the elements must be reduced in order to be inserted to
or withdrawn from the unit. This causes decrease of the unit
elements face area and consequently decrease of their
performance.
[0010] When two sub-unit of an air handling unit are joined to each
other in order to produce a longer unit, the profile edges on
sub-units connection parts obstruct the air flow near the interior
surface which collects dust and particles and also produce
difficulties for washing and cleaning of the inside of the
unit.
[0011] Dust and particles are also collected inside the unit due to
different thickness of middle profiles with panels and also due to
unsmooth interior surface of the middle profiles. The collection of
dust and particles inside the unit degrades hygiene of the
unit.
[0012] Panels are connected to profiles by means of bolts and nuts.
The existence of nuts inside the unit makes difficulties for
setting of the AHU elements since elements can not be placed on
nuts and they should be shifted to the positions where nuts do not
exist so increasing the air handling unit length.
[0013] The joining of the panels to the side or middle profile by
bolts and nuts also makes difficulties during the casing assembly
since it requires two persons, one to hold the nut inside while the
other one should turn the bolt outside the unit.
[0014] Condensation on the casing surface is another problem which
is frequently faced especially in the regions with high relative
humidity. Condensation on the casing causes the rusting and
corrosion of the skin. Although insulation in the panels decreases
heat transfer between inside and outside of the unit, condensation
generally occurs on the surface of middle profile since it is not
filled with insulation.
[0015] In recent years, works and developments on air handling unit
casings have been performed to eliminate problems described above,
however, a modular construction in which welding is not employed
has not been presented to remove or reduce the effect of the all
described problems.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The main elements of the casing of the present invention are
corner pieces, side profiles, middle profiles, panels and doors,
however, the present casing eliminates some problems mentioned
above and decreases the effect of the other ones.
[0017] Object of the present invention is to remove the side
profile edges and obtain an air handling unit in which the interior
height becomes equal to the serviceable height. Therefore,
eliminating the necessity of reduction of the unit elements
height.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
casing having smooth and flat interior surfaces and so eliminating
profile edges, nuts inside the unit and channels or projections
even in the case of the connection of two sub-unit sections.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to decrease the
condensation possibility on middle profile.
[0020] The casing of the air handling unit whose features are
described above is mainly composed of panels, side profiles, middle
profiles, corner pieces and doors.
[0021] Panels are made of an inner skin, an outer skin and an
insulation material in between. Panels can be fastened to each
others parallelly or perpendicularly by use of middle or side
profiles respectively. Sufficient number of plastic bushings, in
which the screws are located, are provided around the circumference
of the panels.
[0022] The side profiles provide the perpendicular connection of
two panels. They do not hold any edges. The panels and side
profiles are joined to each others by means of self-drilling
screws, instead of the bolts and nuts. The screws are placed inside
the plastic bushings and forced to drill the profiles in order to
join panel to the side or middle profiles. The nuts are not used
since the feature of the employed screw is to open grooves in sheet
while it drills.
[0023] The middle profile provides 180 degree panel connections. It
can be produced by formation of appropriate steel sheet strip or by
employing two skins like the structure of panels. The middle
profile and panels are fastened to each others by the same method
described for side profile and panel connection. The thickness of
the middle profile is the same with panels and it has flat and
smooth interior surface. The inside of the middle profile is filled
with insulation material which increases the profile thermal
resistance and reduces the condensation possibility on the middle
profile surfaces.
[0024] Both in perpendicular and parallel panel connection, a
specially embodied rubber gasket is used to decrease air leakage
due to pressure difference between inside and outside of the
casing. Two different lips on two different directions on the
gasket increase the air leakage resistance both in the case of
positive or negative pressure difference that may occur between the
unit and surroundings.
[0025] The corner pieces are employed to join side profiles on the
corners of the unit. They have three legs whose outer shapes and
dimensions are designed such that allow them to be inserted into
the side profiles.
[0026] The structure of the door is the same with panels, however
the joining of the door with middle or side profile is performed by
means of hinges and door handles. The door is fitted with hinges
along one side for being mounted on middle or side profile. A door
handle and a door lock on the reverse side help to open or close
thereof. The same rubber gasket is placed on middle or side profile
for air tightness when the door is closed.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] The advantage of the structure of the present invention and
its auxiliary elements will become better understood from the given
detailed figures.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the air handling unit
casing.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the details of the designed panel.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows the detail of the designed side profile.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the detail of the alternative sample of the
side profile.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows the detail of the designed middle profile.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows the detail of the alternative sample of middle
profile.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows the detail of the designed corner piece.
[0035] FIG. 8 shows the detail of side profile, middle profile,
panel and door connection.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows the detail of the designed gasket.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows the detail of the designed plastic
bushing.
REFERENCE NUMBERS OF ELEMENTS IN THE FIGURES
[0038]
1 1 Panel 2 Side profile 3 Middle profile 4 Corner piece 5 Door 6
Panel inner skin 7 Panel outer skin 8 Insulation material 9 Self
drilled screw 10 Plastic bushing 11 Middle profile inner skin 12
Middle profile outer skin 13 Extruded middle profile 14 Extruded
middle profile lids 15 Door inner skin 16 Door outer skin 17 Door
handle 18 Door hinges 19 Gasket 20 Plastic bushing nail 21 Plastic
bushing lid
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The elements of the air handling unit casing are shown in
FIG. 1. The main elements are panels (1) which can be joined side
by side or perpendicularly, side profile (2) which provides
perpendicular panel connection, middle profile (3) which is
employed to join panels side by side, corner pieces (4) which
facilitate joining of the side profiles (2) on the corner of the
unit and door (5) which is used to access to the air handling unit
elements e.g. in order to repair thereof.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows the detail of the designed panel (1) according
to the present invention. The panel (1) is formed by an inner skin
(6), outer skin (7) and insulation material (8) in between. The
insulation material may be formed from two separate insulation
sheets or the space between inner skin (6) and outer skin (7) may
be filled with insulation material. A step is provided around the
circumference of the interior side of the panel (1) by reduction of
the panel thickness. Predetermined number of plastic bushings (10),
in which the screws are located, are mounted in the thin part (1)
around the panel (1) circumference.
[0041] The side profiles (2) are employed for the perpendicular
panel (1) connections. It has not been furnished with edges. It can
be embodied by forming of a steel sheet strip. The fastening of the
sides of the strip may be performed by welding or sewing as shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively. The joining position of the edges of
the steel sheet strip depends on the producer. The side profile (2)
is embodied by two different partitions located diagonally with
respect to each other. The width and height of the side profile (2)
is same with panel (1) and middle profile (3), however, steps on
two sides of the profile are provided to mount panel (1) or middle
profile (3).
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the detail of the middle profile (3). It is
produced from an inner profile skin (11) and outer profile skin
(12) and insulation material (8) in between, like the structure of
panel (1), however alternative manufacturing methods are also
possible. As an example, it can also be embodied by forming of a
steel sheet strip. The top and bottom sides of the profile can be
covered by lids (14) as it is shown in FIG. 6. The middle profile
(3) thickness is the same with the panels (1). Steps on two
opposite directions around the circumference of the panel are
provided. Lengthwise steps on which panels are fastened are formed
on the exterior side of the middle profile (3), however widthwise
steps which provide side profile connection are made on interior
middle profile side. The steps are embodied by reducing profile
thickness. The middle profile (3) is filled with insulation
material (8). Plastic bushings (10) are mounted on the top and
bottom parts (3) in order to join middle profiles (3) to the side
profiles (2).
[0043] FIG. 7 shows the details of a corner piece (4). It has three
legs that exterior surface shapes are same with the interior shape
of the side profile (2). The legs are inserted into the side
profile (2) and perform joining of three side profiles (2) on the
corner of the unit. It may be produced from plastic or other
convenient materials.
[0044] The detailed view of the air handling unit door can be seen
from FIG. 8. The structure of the door (5) is similar to the panel
(1). The door (5) is also formed from an inner skin (15), an outer
skin (16) and an insulation (8) in between, however does not
contain any plastic bushing. Hinges (18) are employed to connect
the door (5) to middle or side profile (3). The door handle (17) is
assembled on the door to open or close it.
[0045] The door handle (17) is assembled on the door to open or
close it. Hinges (18) are employed to connect the door (5) to the
unit.
[0046] FIG. 9 shows the designed gasket (19) which is employed to
prevent air leakage between inside and outside of the unit. It
holds two lips on two different directions in order to be effective
on positive and negative pressure differences between inside and
outside. It is located on the contact surfaces between the side
profiles, middle profiles and panels as it can be seen from FIG.
8.
[0047] The plastic bushing (10) in the scope of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 10. It is furnished with two elastic
nails (11) which can move in the direction of the bushing radius.
The plastic bushing is inserted to the bushing hole which is made
before in the panels. The nails (10) are firstly pressed towards
the center during the insertion and then expanded when they are
fitted and fixed in the outer panel skin (7). The plastic bushing
(10) provides a strong connection between screw and panel and also
decreases the length of the screw since the screw head is inserted
up the end of bushing (10) as it is shown in FIG. 8. The top
surface of the bushing (10) which appears on the exterior panel
surface is covered by a lid (21) to protect screw from corrosion
and provide aesthetic external view.
[0048] The unit can be easily embodied by employing structural
elements described above. Firstly the frame of the unit is made by
using the side profiles (2) and corner pieces (4). Each leg of the
corner piece (4) is inserted to a side profiles (2). This provides
the joining of the three side profiles (2) on the corners of the
unit. A frame can be constructed by the eight corner pieces (4) and
twelve side profiles (2).
[0049] After the construction of the frame, the joining of the
panel (1) and middle profiles (3) with the side profiles (2) are
performed in order to obtain an enclosure. The connection of the
side profile (2) with panel (1) and middle profile (3) can easily
be imagined from FIG. 8. As it can be seen from this figure, the
perpendicular connection of the panels (1) is performed by side
profile (2). The step part of the panel (1) is located on the side
profile (2). A self-drilled screw (9) is inserted through the
plastic bushing of the panel (1). It is forced to drill the side
profile (2) until the head of screw touches the end of plastic
bushing and a strong junction is achieved. The screw open grooves
in profiles (2) when drilling. It's tip remains inside of the
profile (2). The employing of this type screw eliminates the use of
nuts in construction.
[0050] The side by side panel (1) joining is performed by middle
profile (2). This connection can also be seen from the FIG. 8. The
step of the panel (1) is placed on the step of the middle profile
(2). The method described for side profile (2) and panel (1)
joining is also employed to fasten panel (1) to the middle profile
(3). The screw (9) is inserted through the plastic bushing (10) of
the panel (1), then it is forced to drill middle profile (3) to
join panel (1) with middle profile (3).
[0051] The gasket (19) in the scope of the present invention is
located between the panels (1), middle profile (3) and side
profiles (2) to prevent air leakage between inside and outside of
unit. The location of the used gasket (19) can be seen from FIG.
10. The flat surface of the gasket (19) is located on steps of the
middle (3) or side profiles (2) and the gasket lips (19) are
pressed by panels (1).
* * * * *