U.S. patent application number 11/284873 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for air handler heat kit installation and mounting.
This patent application is currently assigned to YORK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Cosimo Caronna, Gregory Ralph Harrod, Bennie Dale Hoyt, Elmer Wayne Romero.
Application Number | 20070116442 11/284873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38053647 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070116442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harrod; Gregory Ralph ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Air handler heat kit installation and mounting
Abstract
A heating arrangement is provided for use in an air handling
unit. The heating arrangement includes at least one heating device
to be disposed in the airflow of an air handling unit. A base is
configured to support the at least one heating device and a first
guide member to be mounted on a structural component inside the air
handling unit. A second guide member is mounted on the base, the
second guide member being configured to slidably engage the first
guide member. Sliding engagement of the first guide member and the
second guide member positions the at least one heating device to an
installed position inside the air handling unit.
Inventors: |
Harrod; Gregory Ralph;
(Wichita, KS) ; Hoyt; Bennie Dale; (Benton,
KS) ; Caronna; Cosimo; (Wichita, KS) ; Romero;
Elmer Wayne; (Wichita, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCNEES WALLACE & NURICK, LLC
100 PINE ST.
P.O. BOX 1166
HARRISBURG
PA
17108-1166
US
|
Assignee: |
YORK INTERNATIONAL
CORPORATION
York
PA
|
Family ID: |
38053647 |
Appl. No.: |
11/284873 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24H 3/0405
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/349 |
International
Class: |
F24D 5/00 20060101
F24D005/00; F24H 3/00 20060101 F24H003/00 |
Claims
1. A heating arrangement for use in an air handling unit
comprising: at least one heating device to be disposed in the
airflow of an air handling unit; a base configured to support the
at least one heating device; a first guide member to be mounted on
a structural component inside the air handling unit; a second guide
member mounted on the base, the second guide member being
configured to engage the first guide member; and wherein engagement
of the first guide member and the second guide member positions the
at least one heating device to an installed position inside the air
handling unit.
2. The heating arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first guide
member has at least one channel.
3. The heating arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first guide
member has at least one projection.
4. The heating arrangement of claim 3 wherein the first guide
member has at least one channel, the at least one channel being
adjacent to the at least one projection.
5. The heating arrangement of claim 4 wherein the at least one
projection has a pair of substantially parallel projections.
6. The heating arrangement of claim 4 wherein the at least one
projection has a pair of projections disposed in a V-shape.
7. The heating arrangement of claim 2 wherein the second guide
member has at least one flange for engaging the at least one
channel.
8. The heating arrangement of claim 2 wherein the second guide
member has at least one rod member for engaging the at least one
channel.
9. The heating arrangement of claim 7 wherein the at least one
flange is unitary with the base.
10. The heating arrangement of claim 7 wherein the at least one
flange has a chamfered edge for engaging the at least one
channel.
11. The heating arrangement of claim 7 wherein the at least one
flange includes a pair of inwardly directed flanges.
12. The heating arrangement of claim 7 wherein the at least one
flange includes a pair of outwardly directed flanges.
13. The heating arrangement of claim 1 wherein the second guide
member has at least one projection.
14. The heating arrangement of claim 1 wherein engagement of the
first and second guide member is sliding engagement.
15. A method of installing a heating arrangement in an air handling
unit, the steps comprising: providing at least one heating device
to heat an airflow of an air handling unit; providing a base
configured to support the at least one heating device, the base
including a first guide member; mounting a second guide member on a
structural component inside the air handling unit; aligning the
first guide member with the second guide member to engage the
second guide member; and directing the first guide member into
engagement with the second guide member to position the at least
one heating device in an installed position inside the air handling
unit.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second guide member includes
at least one channel.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second guide member includes
at least one projection.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the second guide member has at
least one channel, and the step of aligning the first guide member
with the second guide member includes placing the at least one
channel adjacent the at least one projection.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one projection has
a pair of substantially parallel projections.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one projection has
a pair of projections disposed in a V-shape.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein the first guide member includes
at least one flange for engaging the at least one channel.
22. The method of claim 16 wherein the first guide member includes
at least one rod member for engaging the at least one channel.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one flange is
unitary with the base.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one flange has a
pair of inwardly directed flanges.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the at least one flange has a
pair of outwardly directed flanges.
26. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of directing includes
directing the first guide member into engagement with the second
guide member exterior of the air handling unit.
27. The method of claim 15 wherein the first guide member includes
at least one channel.
28. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of directing includes
directing the first guide member into sliding engagement with the
second guide member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a heat kit
installation, and more particularly, is directed to a heat kit
installation mounting device for use with an air handling unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Air handling units (AHUs) are one of several components in
cooling and heating systems. They are an important component as the
AHU houses a number of components used in the system to provide
forced air for climate control in a particular structure. AHU
components typically include motors, heating/cooling coils, and
blowers as well as the required interface connections to effect
such climate control.
[0003] As discussed above, an AHU compartment or blower compartment
includes adjacent walls partially surrounding a blower with support
structure extending transversely to the blower. Transverse members
extending between support structures structurally secure the blower
against an aperture formed in the wall so that during operation of
the blower, air is propelled from the blower compartment for
circulation of the air to the structure. Some AHUs are provided
with what is commonly referred to as an electric heat kit or heat
kit. A heat kit typically includes electric resistance heating
elements and associated components required for operation. The
electric resistance heating elements and associated components are
typically secured to a single support structure within the AHU.
[0004] The heat kit is typically installed into the AHU so that the
electric resistance heating elements are disposed adjacent to a
blower. The electric resistance heating elements heat the air that
is circulated through a structure by the blower. To install a heat
kit inside the AHU, the heat kit is typically directed inside a
compartment containing the blower. The portion of the heat kit
containing the electric resistance heating elements is then
inserted through an opening in a wall separating the compartment
containing the blower from an adjacent compartment downstream from
the blower compartment. The clearance between the opening and the
electric resistance heating elements is minimal, since it is
desirable to maximize the surface area of the electric resistance
heating elements with respect to the cross sectional surface area
of the adjacent compartment to maximize the effectiveness of the
electric resistance heating elements. However, the minimal
clearance between the compartmental wall opening and the electric
resistance heating elements results in a difficult installation of
the heat kit, which is further complicated due to the
susceptibility to damage to the electric resistance heating
elements. The installation is yet further complicated when
performed as a retrofit to an operational AHU, in which the blower
can be positioned in non-ergonomic orientations that are poorly
lit.
[0005] Some heat kits include an aperture in a distal portion of a
blower compartment of an AHU that engages a rod secured to the heat
kit when the heat kit is properly installed to secure the heat kit
in position. However, this construction does nothing to simplify
the installation of the heat kit, as the electric heating elements
must still be painstakingly guided through the opening in the
compartmental wall of the AHU.
[0006] What is needed is a heat kit mounting device that greatly
simplifies the installation of a heat kit inside an AHU, while
providing a reduction in both installation time and significantly
reducing the opportunity to damage the electric resistance heating
elements during installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a heating arrangement for
use in an air handling unit including at least one heating device
to be disposed in the airflow of an air handling unit. A base is
configured to support the at least one heating device and a first
guide member is to be mounted on a structural component inside the
air handling unit. A second guide member is mounted on the base,
the second guide member being configured to engage the first guide
member. Engagement of the first guide member and the second guide
member positions the at least one heating device to an installed
position inside the air handling unit.
[0008] The present invention further relates to a method of
installing a heating arrangement in an air handling unit. The steps
include providing at least one heating device to heat an airflow of
an air handling unit and providing a base configured to support the
at least one heating device, the base including a first guide
member. The method further includes mounting a second guide member
on a structural component inside the air handling unit, and
aligning the first guide member with the second guide member to
engage the second guide member. The method further includes
directing the first guide member into engagement with the second
guide member to position the at least one heating device in an
installed position inside the air handling unit.
[0009] An advantage of the present invention is that it is
inexpensive to manufacture.
[0010] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
requires few parts.
[0011] A still further advantage of the present invention is that
it reduces the time required to install a heat kit inside an
AHU.
[0012] An additional advantage of the present invention is that it
simplifies installation of a heat kit inside an AHU.
[0013] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
reduces the opportunity to damage the electric resistance heating
elements during installation of a heat kit inside an AHU.
[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following more detailed description of the
preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of a AHU
blower compartment including a guide of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 2 and 3 are opposed perspective views of a heat kit of
the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of embodiments of a heat kit
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of a
partially installed heat kit of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of
embodiments of a fully installed heat kit of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial end view of an alternate embodiment of a
heat kit bracket engaged with a guide of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a partial end view of a further alternate
embodiment of a heat kit bracket engaged with a guide of the
present invention.
[0022] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Skilled
artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of
the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements
that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment
are typically not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed
view of these various embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a guide 30 in an AHU
compartment 10. As discussed above, the AHU compartment or blower
compartment 10 includes adjacent walls 15, 16, 18 partially
surrounding a blower 12 with support structures 20, 22 extending
transversely to the blower 12. Transverse members 24, 26 extending
between support structures 20, 22 structurally secure the blower 12
within the blower compartment 10 so that during operation of the
blower 12, air is propelled from the blower compartment 10 for
circulation of the air to the structure. Guide 30 facilitates easy
installation of a heat kit 52 (FIG. 2) inside the blower
compartment 10, wherein a heater 62 of the heat kit 52 is directed
through a narrow opening 28 in the blower compartment without
damaging the heater 62 of the heat kit 52.
[0024] Further referring to FIG. 1, guide 30 is supported by
support members 20, 22, such as angle rail members, and may
additionally include a tab 46 extending from an end 42 of the guide
30 that is received in a slot 45 formed in a panel 14 of the AHU
compartment that is secured to support member 20. Guide 30 includes
a base 32 having opposed sides 34, 36, with retainers 35, 37
extending from the respective sides 34, 36. Collectively, retainer
35 and retainer 37 each define a channel 38 with the base 32 to
receive a portion of a heat kit 52, such as a bracket 78 (see FIGS.
2, 3) for guiding the heat kit 52 into an installed position (see
FIG. 8) without damaging the heat kit 52. Moreover, a projection 44
is preferably disposed adjacent to both the end 40 and the channel
38 of guide 30, as will be further discussed in detail below.
Preferably, tab 46 extends from end 42 of the guide 30 for
insertion into slot 45 in the panel 14 to secure the guide 30 to
the support structure inside the AHU blower compartment. It is also
preferable that a tab 48 extends from end 40 at an angle with
respect to the base 32 to abut the support structure 20 upon
installation of the guide 30 inside the AHU blower compartment 10.
A fastener 50, such as a screw or bolt, is actuated to secure the
guide 30 to the support structure 20.
[0025] It is appreciated that in FIG. 1 the guide 30 is shown
having a unitary construction including a pair of channels for
receiving corresponding structure of the heat kit 52. However, the
guide 30 can be constructed of two or more pieces, and can be any
suitable construction that slidably engages the heat kit 52 so that
the heat kit 52 is not damaged during installation inside the AHU
blower compartment 10, irrespective the orientation of the heat kit
52.
[0026] Both the opening 28 and slot 45 formed in the panel 14 of
the AHU blower compartment 10, as well as the aperture for securing
tab 48 of guide 30 to the support member 22 if desired, can be
formed during manufacture of the AHU blower compartment 10. A plate
(not shown) can then be installed over opening 28 if the AHU as
manufactured is not to include the heat kit. Alternately, a
template (not shown) provided with each heat kit can be used to
locate and subsequently form the opening 28 and slot 45 in panel 14
of the AHU blower compartment 10.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, heat kit 52 includes a base 54
having adjacent base portions 56, 58 preferably maintained
perpendicular to each other for securing respective components 70,
68 thereto. An end of base portion 56 includes a retainer 60 for
abutting the support structure 20 when the heat kit 52 is in an
installed position (see FIG. 8). The retainer 60 includes a gap 61
so that retainer 60 does not interfere with the tab 48 of the guide
30. Components 70, 68 can include any combination of limit
switches, control devices, such as relays or sequencers, circuit
breakers, or the like required for operation of the heat kit 52.
Components 70, 68 are electrically connected by an electrical
connection 72, as required. Further, one of the components 70, 68
include a wiring harness 74 and connector 76 to connect with an
electrical power source (not shown). Preferably, heater 62 extends
substantially perpendicular from base portion 58 so that when the
heater 62 is installed in the AHU compartment 10, heater 62 extends
through the opening 28 of the AHU compartment and is in fluid
communication with the air provided by the blower 12 for providing
heated air to the structure. Heater 62 typically includes a
plurality of supports 66 secured to the base portion 58, the
supports 66 supporting electric resistance coils 64 that become
heated when electrical current is applied to the coils 64.
[0028] To secure the heat kit 52 to the guide 30, a bracket 78 is
secured to the bottom surface of the base portion 56 adjacent to
the juncture of base portions 56, 58. Bracket 78 includes a base 80
having opposed legs 82 extending substantially perpendicular to the
juncture of base portions 56, 58. Each leg 82 has a leg portion 84
extending away from the base 80, such as perpendicular from the
base 80, and a flange 86 extending from leg portion 84 away from
the base 80. Flanges 86 preferably are substantially parallel with
the base portion 56. The ends of the flanges 86 adjacent to the
juncture between the base portions 56, 58 each include a chamfer 88
to more easily facilitate the engagement of the flange 86 with the
guide 30. To install the heat kit 52, the chamfered end 88 of the
flanges 86 are directed toward and between the oversized
projections 44, which greatly assists in aligning the flanges 86
with the channels 38 of the guide 30. The projections 44 may be
parallel to each other or non-parallel to each other, such as
defining a V-shape, to provide a "funnel effect" to further assist
in bringing the flanges 86 into alignment with the channels 38.
Once the flanges 86 are disposed between the projections 44 with
each chamfered end 88 of a flange 86 adjacent to a corresponding
channel 38, the orientation of the base portion 56 must only be
slightly pivoted about an axis 89 defined by the chamfered ends 88
to sufficiently align the flange 86 with the corresponding channels
38 to permit insertion of the flanges 86 inside the channels 38.
Once the flange 86 insertion begins to occur, the heat kit 52 is
properly aligned so that the heater 62 can be directed through the
opening 28 until base portion 58 of the heat kit 52 abuts the panel
14 of the AHU compartment, the base portion 58 completely covering
and overlapping the opening 28 as shown in FIG. 8.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows the heat kit 52 being partially installed after
the flanges 86 and the channels 38 have been partially engaged,
while FIG. 8 shows the heat kit 52 in a fully installed position.
To secure the heat kit 52 in its installed position, fasteners (not
shown) can be installed through either or both of the base portions
56, 58 of the base 54 of the heat kit 52 and supporting structure
20, 22 or panel 14 of the AHU compartment wall.
[0030] In an alternate construction to bracket 78, referring to
FIG. 4, a U-shaped rod 90 having opposed legs 92 separated by a web
94 is secured at a predetermined spacing from the bottom of base
portion 56 for engaging guide 30. Each end of the legs 92 extends
through an aperture 98 formed in retainer 60. Preferably, a
standoff 100, or two or more of standoffs 100, is interposed
between the web 94 and the base portion 56 to secure the web 94. To
install the heat kit 52 in the AHU compartment 10, the junctures of
the legs 92 and web 94 are directed toward and between the
oversized projections 44, which greatly assists in aligning the
legs 92 with the channels 38 of the guide 30. Once the junctures of
the legs 92 and web 94 are disposed between the projections 44 with
each juncture of the legs 92 and web 94 adjacent to a corresponding
channel 38, the orientation of the base portion 56 must only be
slightly pivoted about the web 90 to sufficiently align the legs 92
with the corresponding channels 38 to permit insertion of the legs
92 inside the channels 38. Once the leg 92 insertions begin to
occur, the heat kit 52 is properly aligned so that the heater 62
can be directed through the opening 28 until base portion 58 of the
heat kit 52 abuts the panel 14 of the AHU compartment 10.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, a pair of rod members 102 is used to
guide heat kit 52 inside the AHU compartment 10. Each rod member
102 includes a substantially straight section 110 that extends to a
transition portion 106 having an end 104 that is inserted into an
aperture 98 formed in the retainer 60. Opposite the transition
portion 106, the substantially straight section 110 extends to a
transition portion 108 that is secured to the base portion 56 by
methods known in the art, including adhesives, welding, or
insertion into a recess formed in the base portion 56. To install
the heat kit 52 in the AHU compartment, the junctures of the
transition portions 108 and rod members 102 are directed toward and
between the oversized projections 44, which greatly assists in
aligning the straight portions 110 with the channels 38 of the
guide 30. Once the junctures of the transition portions 108 and
straight portions 110 are disposed between the projections 44 with
each juncture of the transition portions 108 and straight portions
110 adjacent to a corresponding channel 38, the orientation of the
base portion 56 must only be slightly pivoted about an axis 111.
Pivoting about axis 111, which is defined by the juncture of the
transition portions 108 and straight portions 110, sufficiently
aligns the straight portions 110 with the corresponding channels 38
to permit insertion of the straight portions 110 inside the
channels 38. Once the straight portion 110 insertions begins to
occur, the heat kit 52 is properly aligned so that the heater 62
can be directed through the opening 28 until base portion 58 of the
heat kit 52 abuts the panel 14 of the AHU compartment, the base
portion 58 completely covering and overlapping the opening 28 as
shown in FIG. 8.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the heat kit 52
includes a pair of opposed legs 112 extending from the bottom of
base portion 56. Each leg 112 includes a leg portion 114 that
extends away from the base portion 56, and flange 116 that extends
from the leg portion 114 away from base portion 56. The legs 112
provide a unitary base 54 construction. Each flange 116 is
configured to engage a corresponding channel 38 to secure the heat
kit 52 to the guide 30, the flanges 116 preferably including a
chamfer 118 adjacent the juncture of base portions 56, 58 to
further facilitate engagement with the channel 38 in a manner
previously discussed.
[0033] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that although the
guide 30 is shown as a component that is installed in the AHU
compartment, the guide can be incorporated into the existing
support structure 20, 22 or transverse members 24, 26, if desired.
Further, although the guide 30 as shown requires the heat kit to be
inserted inside the AHU compartment, the guide can be extended
outside the AHU compartment to permit the heat kit to engage the
guide exterior of the AHU compartment, the guide being usable to
guide the heat kit to its installed position. The extended portion
of the guide could be removable if desired.
[0034] It is to be understood that base 54 and base portion 56 can
have unequal widths. Further, while retainers 35, 37 are shown to
define channels 38 on guide 30 that face each other (i.e., FIG. 1),
as shown in FIG. 9, the channel arrangement can also face away from
each other. For example, guide 130 includes a base 132 having
opposed legs 134. Each leg 134 has a leg portion 136 extending away
from the base 132, such as perpendicular to the base 132 and a
flange 138 extending from leg portion 136 away from base 132.
Flanges 138 preferably are substantially parallel with the base
132. Bracket 178, which is otherwise similar to bracket 78,
includes flanges 186 that differ from flanges 86 in that flanges
186 extend toward each other. Collectively, each flange 186, leg
portion 84 and base 80 defines a channel 188. Each flange 138 of
the bracket 130 slidably engages a corresponding channel 188 to
secure the base portion 56 of the heat kit 52 to the guide 130.
[0035] In a further alternate guide construction as shown in FIG.
10, guide 230 includes a base 232 having a leg 234 extending away
from the base 232. Leg 234 terminates at a cap 236 having flange
portions 238 extending away from leg 234. Each flange portion 238
slidably engages a corresponding channel 188 to secure the base
portion 56 of the heat kit 52 to the guide 230.
[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *