U.S. patent application number 14/264188 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for hybrid air conditioning system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sylvia H. Carson, William S. Carson. Invention is credited to Sylvia H. Carson, William S. Carson.
Application Number | 20140231063 14/264188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44340418 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140231063 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carson; William S. ; et
al. |
August 21, 2014 |
HYBRID AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Abstract
A hybrid air system is provided for conditioning the air in a
building and includes first and second independent air conditioning
systems, one system having a larger capacity than the other and an
independent dehumidifier each work independently and together to
control the air on the inside of the building. The hybrid system
improves air comfort while increasing efficiency and reducing
operating costs and use of energy.
Inventors: |
Carson; William S.; (Lake
Wales, FL) ; Carson; Sylvia H.; (Lake Wales,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carson; William S.
Carson; Sylvia H. |
Lake Wales
Lake Wales |
FL
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44340418 |
Appl. No.: |
14/264188 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12929295 |
Jan 12, 2011 |
|
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14264188 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/287 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/30 20180101;
F24F 11/65 20180101; F24F 2203/02 20130101; G05D 22/02 20130101;
F24F 11/0008 20130101; F24F 3/14 20130101; F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 2110/20 20180101; F24F 2003/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/287 |
International
Class: |
F24F 3/14 20060101
F24F003/14 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for conditioning air in a building comprising: a
first air conditioning system of predetermined capacity; an intake
air duct operatively connected to said first air conditioning
system to direct return air thereinto; an outlet air duct
operatively connected to said first air conditioning system to
direct conditioned air from said first air conditioning system to
the inside of the building; a first air conditioner duct valve for
blocking the air flow through said first air conditioner when said
first air conditioner is not operative; a second air conditioning
system having a smaller capacity than said first air conditioning
system and having an auxiliary intake air duct connected from said
intake air duct into said second air conditioning system and an
auxiliary outlet air duct connected from said second air
conditioning system into said outlet air duct; a dehumidifier
having an auxiliary intake duct connected from said intake air duct
to said dehumidifier and an auxiliary outlet duct connected from
said dehumidifier to said outlet air duct; a building sensor for
sensing temperature and humidity within the building; and a process
controller for controlling the operation of said first and second
air conditioning systems and said dehumidifier, said process
controller being operatively connected to said building sensor;
whereby a hybrid air conditioning system controls the air
temperature and humidity in a structure with increased
efficiency.
2. The apparatus for conditioning air in a building in accordance
with claim 1 in which said second air conditioner has a duct valve
for blocking the air flow through said second air conditioner when
said second air conditioner is not operative.
3. The apparatus for conditioning air in a building in accordance
with claim 2 in which said dehumidifier has a duct valve for
blocking the air flow through said dehumidifier when said
dehumidifier is not operative.
4. The apparatus for conditioning air in a building in accordance
with claim 3 in which said first air conditioner duct valve is
positioned in said first air conditioner outlet air duct for
blocking the air flow through the first air conditioner when the
first air conditioner is not operative.
5. The apparatus for conditioning air in a building in accordance
with claim 4 in which said second air conditioner duct valve is
positioned in said second air conditioner intake air duct for
blocking the air flow through said second air conditioner when the
second air conditioner is not operative.
6. The apparatus for conditioning air in a building in accordance
with claim 5 in which said dehumidifier duct valve is positioned in
said dehumidifier intake air duct for blocking the air flow through
the dehumidifier when the dehumidifier is not operative.
7. A process for treating the inside air of a building comprising
the steps of: selecting an air treatment system for a building
having a first air conditioning system of predetermined capacity
having inlet and outlet air ducts and having a second air
conditioning system having a smaller capacity than said first air
conditioning system and having an auxiliary intake air duct
connected to said first air conditioning intake duct and an
auxiliary outlet air duct connected to said first air conditioning
system outlet duct and having a dehumidifier having an auxiliary
intake duct connected to said first air conditioner intake air duct
and an auxiliary outlet duct connected to said first air
conditioner outlet air duct, said selected air treatment system
having said first air conditioning system and said second air
conditioning system and said dehumidifier each having an air flow
valve located in their respective ducts; sensing the temperature
and humidity within the building; activating said selected air
treatment system first and second air conditioning units and said
dehumidifier selectively responsive to the sensed temperature and
humidity within the building whereby said first and second air
conditioning systems and said dehumidifier may be operated
separately or in any combination with each other; whereby the air
inside the building may be controlled with increased efficiency
over a conventional dedicated air conditioning system.
Description
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of my pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/929,295, filed Jan. 12, 2011 for a
Hybrid Air Conditioning System which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/336,090, filed Jan. 19, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the treatment of air for
the inside of a building and especially to a hybrid air
conditioning system for the regulation of the air temperature and
humidity utilizing independently operative air conditioning units
of differing capacity and an independently operative dehumidifier
to control indoor air quality.
[0003] The present invention is in the technical fields of
equipment and controls for performing inside air comfort and air
quality treatments of inside air. The conventional "central air
conditioning system", is generally a single unit of a fixed or
restricted capacity, sized as the largest machine required to cool
down a buildings interior air on the hottest of days with the
highest of heat loads, within a relatively short time period. This
high level of capacity and power use is typically only needed for
approximately one-third of the year, meaning that the equipment is
over-sized and using more energy than needed to condition interior
air for the remaining two-thirds of the year, resulting in problems
such as wasting energy by over cooling and "reheats" to control
humidity within a building structure. Inside air treatment needs to
shift during the "off-season" two-thirds period, from the priority
function of high heat control by the central air conditioner, to
that of a need for smaller cooling capacities or for alternate air
treatment needs such as control of humidity levels. In these
situations, smaller cooling capacity equipment (such as a window
unit) or a unit dedicated to a specific function such as humidity
control provides superior inside air treatment at significantly
lower energy use and costs to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a new "hybrid" central air
conditioning system that incorporates multiple air treatment
devices operated by a process controller reacting to sensors, that
matches specific air treatment machines to varying air treatment
needs--such as humidity control--to maximize air conditioning
performance while minimizing energy use.
[0005] A hybrid system is provided for conditioning the air in a
building and includes first and second independent air conditioning
systems, one system having an equal or larger capacity than the
other and an independent dehumidifier, each working independently
or together to control the air on the inside of a building.
[0006] The larger capacity air conditioner has a intake or return
air duct and an outlet or supply air duct for drawing air from the
inside of a building, through the air conditioner and back into the
building. The smaller capacity air conditioner has an intake or
return air duct leading from the larger capacity air conditioner
intake duct to the smaller capacity air conditioner and back into
the larger capacity air conditioner's out let air duct. The
dehumidifier has an intake air duct leading from the larger
capacity air conditioner intake duct to the dehumidifier and back
into the larger capacity air conditioner's outlet air duct. The
larger capacity air conditioner and the smaller capacity air
conditioner and the dehumidifier each have a gate or valve located
in their respective ducts which are opened only when the specific
unit operational and closed when the unit is not operational. A
building sensor senses the temperature and humidity within a
building and is connected to a controller which controls the
operation of the larger capacity air conditioner, smaller capacity
air conditioner and dehumidifier to control the air temperature and
humidity in the building. Each unit operates independently and can
run singly or in combination with each other to control the comfort
of the air in a building with increased efficiency over a single
larger capacity, dedicated air conditioner which is directed to air
cooling rather than moisture removal as with a dedicated
dehumidifier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hybrid air conditioning
system in accordance with the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a usage and energy table of a standard 3 ton air
conditioning system; and
[0009] FIG. 3 is a usage and energy table using the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1, a
schematic view of the present hybrid air conditioning system,
having a first or principal central air conditioner unit, 10, which
includes a typical air conditioner or heat pump heat exchanger coil
and air handler unit having a fan therein contained within said
unit. The air conditioner 10 is connected to a building intake air
duct 13 for drawing a building's inside air thereinto and having an
outlet air duct 14 for delivering the conditioned output air
therefrom. The duct 14 delivers conditioned air back into the
interior space of a building. The use of air conditioner herein
includes the use of a reverse cycle air conditioner or heat pump.
The first conventional central air conditioner unit 10, has an
operative open and close valve 19 (shown open) in the outlet air
duct 14.
[0011] A self-contained second or auxiliary air conditioner or heat
pump unit 11, has smaller capacity that the principal air
conditioner unit 10, and has an auxiliary intake air supply or
return air duct 17 connecting to the air conditioner 10 intake air
supply duct 13. The auxiliary duct 17 has an open and close gate or
valve 20 (shown closed), and also has an auxiliary outlet or supply
air duct 18 connecting to the air conditioner outlet air duct for
supply auxiliary conditioned air thereinto. The auxiliary air
conditioner or heat pump unit 11 with valve 20 in an open position
can be operated to draw building interior supply air from the air
conditioner duct 13, condition the air if needed, and supply the
conditioned air to the interior of a building through the air
conditioner outlet air duct 14, either singularly or in combination
with the air flow from air conditioner 10.
[0012] The hybrid system of the present invention has a
self-contained and independently operated dehumidifier unit 12,
which dehumidifier has an auxiliary intake or return air duct 16
connecting to the air conditioner unit return duct 13, with the
intake or supply air duct 13. An open and close valve 21 (shown
closed) is mounted therein. An auxiliary supply air outlet duct 15
is connected from the dehumidifier 12 to the air conditioner supply
air outlet duct 14. The dehumidifier unit 12 and valve 21, are
operated to draw building interior supply air from the air
conditioner duct 13, condition it in air conditioner 12 and supply
the conditioned dehumidifier air to the interior of a building
through the air conditioner outlet supply air duct 14. The added
dehumidifier unit 12, can be selectively operated as a stand alone
unit to supply dehumidified air to a building, or in combination
with the first air conditioner unit 10, or the second unit 11, or
with both.
[0013] In operation the principal air conditioner unit 10 along
with the open or close duct valve 19 is operated to open or close
the flow of air through the air conditioner 10 while the auxiliary
or second air conditioner unit 11 along with the open and close
valve 20 is operated to open or close the flow of air through the
auxiliary air conditioner 11. The dehumidifier 12 along with the
open and close valve 21 is operated to open or close the flow of
air to the dehumidifier 12. A process controller or CPU 22 receives
inside air condition from sensors 23, which includes sensors for
temperature and humidity, to compare with the temperature and
humidity comfort levels desired and set by building owner,
operators, or occupants, in order to selectively activate any of
the air conditioner units 10 and 11 and the dehumidifier 12 and
their respective duct valves 19, 20, and 21, to operate any of the
unit separately or in any combination of units as directed by the
controller depending upon the sensed temperature and humidity in
order to provide optimal comfort conditions inside the building
with the lowest energy input and costs plus enhanced comfort and
health benefits by matching the specific comfort conditioning air
treatment needed or desired by the selecting equipment with the
lowest power load.
[0014] A conventional central air conditioning system installation
is generally the largest machine needed to cool down a buildings
interior air, on the hottest of days with the highest of heat
loads, within the relatively short time period necessary to achieve
acceptable comfort. This high level of air conditioning power use,
however, is typically only needed for about one-third of the year,
meaning that the equipment is over-sized and uses more energy than
needed to obtain comfort conditioned interior air for the remaining
two-thirds of the year. In addition, the air comfort and air
quality treatment needs shift from the primary function of heat
control by the central air conditioner in summer months, to that of
controlling other factors such as humidity when air temperatures
are moderate or mild during fall and spring periods but humidity
levels can build up because the cooling function of the air
conditioner is not being activated for direct cooling (salient heat
removal) of the interior air so as to also indirectly remove water
vapor by condensation (latent heat removal) to lower the humidity.
The invention herein described detects the increase in humidity
level, and activates the dedicated dehumidifier unit 12, to
dehumidify the air without running the central air conditioner,
which would also lower the air temperature, often to a level where
a "reheat" function is needed to raise the air temperature back up
to the set comfort level, wasting energy.
[0015] FIGS. 2 and 3 are tabular illustrations of a use of the
invention to achieve energy savings. The table in FIG. 2 shows a
typical central air conditioning system, which is generally of a
maximum cooling capacity size for a building and in either in "on"
or "off" state for all inside air comfort conditioning demands FIG.
3 shows how the present hybrid air conditioning system with an
integrated equipment package and process control thereof,
selectively matches the inside air comfort needs to an optimum
energy-saving combination of dedicated equipment capacities and
treatment choice options needed to more efficiently achieve the
desired results. In FIG. 2 a building installation uses 100% of
4000 watt power for "on" conditioning use demands year around while
in FIG. 3 the power is reduced by approximately 80% down to 20%
(data cell lower right) by limiting use of the equipment 10 to just
the highest demand periods for which it was selected and installed,
and to instead use the invention to process-operate equipment 12,
which is now selectively available to use less energy. The
self-contained first air conditioner unit 10, and the second self
contained air conditioner unit 11, and the self contained
dehumidifier unit 12, can connect and combine together for greater
efficiency. Units 10, 11, and 12 have certain elements and common
functions of the individual units, such as electrical hookups and
water condensate drain outlets which elements can be combined in
the hybrid air conditioning system of the present invention using
shared connections. Additionally, the air conditioning units 10 and
11 and the dehumidifier 12 do not have to be combined together into
one modular unit, but can be located separately as long as the air
flow ducts as shown are connected. The invention system and process
controller can also be expanded and programmed for other air
conditioning needs such as humidification in heating climates, or
air cleaning devices, or for ventilation. The processing control
can also control other energy consuming devices such as for timing
a water heater cycle, if desired. The process control, sensors, and
equipment can be wired or wireless and can incorporate the standard
thermostat control into one user interface, and the process
controller can be accessed, programmed, and controlled remotely via
internet, phone line, power lines, or wireless connections, without
limitation.
[0016] The present invention saves air conditioning operational
energy and costs and delivers increased comfort and air quality, by
the selective matching of the specific air conditioning treatments
needed or desired, to the expanded range of invention equipment now
available and offers varying power requirements and air treatment
capabilities, that are now automatically available as alternatives
to the sole use of a conventional size air conditioning unit.
[0017] The present invention also provides utility power suppliers
with an interface to reduce air conditioning energy consumption
during peak periods and offers customers reduced rates for off-peak
use. It also provides users with air conditioning backup in case of
a failure of a single unit, such as failure of air conditioners 10
or 11, and provides longer life with fewer repairs on equipment by
spreading the operational uses to the best alternative equipment
choices at the time.
[0018] In the broad embodiment, the present invention is a new type
of air conditioning system for automatically achieving higher
efficiency and comfort, using the new process control for selective
use of the dedicated air conditioning equipment of varying size and
treatment capabilities, based on sensor derived air conditions
compared to specified user comfort setting needs that can save
energy and costs by selectively specifying the optimum mix of
equipment needed to meet a specific building and user with the
least use of energy.
[0019] While the foregoing written description of the invention
enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered
presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will
understand and appreciate the existence of variations,
combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method,
and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited
by the above described embodiment, method, and examples which are
to be considered illustrative rather restrictive.
* * * * *