VARIABLE AIR VOLUME ACTIVE CHILLED BEAM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of the United States Provisional Patent Application titled, “VARIABLE AIR VOLUME ACTIVE CHILLED BEAM,” filed on Dec. 3, 2024, and having Ser. No. 63/727,346. The subject matter of this related application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Various Embodiments

The various embodiments relate generally to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) technologies and, more specifically, to a variable air volume chilled beam.

Description of the Related Art

Active chilled beams are installed in ceilings or at the floor level of indoor environments to provide heated or cooled air to those environments. In many cases, water flowing through pipes is utilized to cool or heat a space in which a chilled beam is installed. Additionally, active chilled beams also receive air from an air-handling unit upstream from the active chilled beam, which induces air to mix with heated or cooled air that enters an interior environment. Variable air volume (VAV) systems are utilized in environments and can adjust the amount or temperature of air to meet the needs of the environment. VAV systems supply air at a variable temperature and airflow rate from upstream systems, such as an air handler. VAV systems often rely upon a VAV box, which is typically installed separately from the active chilled beam and includes a sensor suite that monitors airflow through a duct. The VAV box also includes a controller that actuates a damper in the VAV box to maintain a constant airflow regardless of air pressure at the inlet of the VAV box. In certain interior environments, use of a VAV box along with an active chilled beam has various drawbacks. In the case of a chilled beam that incorporates VAV technology, the ductwork installed between the VAV box and the chilled beam, and the use of a flow sensor increase the cost of the device. Additionally, in open ceiling architecture, the VAV box installed alongside or near the chilled beam affects the aesthetics of the environment.

As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art are more effective techniques for an active chilled beam implemented with a VAV system.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a VAV active chilled beam that provides VAV capabilities without the need for a separate VAV box. The VAV active chilled beam does not require ductwork between the VAV box and the chilled beam, or an expensive and potentially complex sensor suite, such as a crossflow sensor installed within an inlet or outlet of the chilled beam. According to various embodiments, the VAV active chilled beam includes: an inlet coupled to an upstream duct, a damper inside of the inlet, a plenum coupled to the inlet, a heat exchanger, and a controller. Air flows into the plenum from the inlet. The heat exchanger is adjacent to the plenum, and is separated from the plenum by a panel which includes one or more nozzles. The nozzles allow airflow from the plenum into a cavity in which the heat exchanger is installed. The controller determines the degree to which the damper allows airflow through the inlet and into the plenum based on a static pressure measured within the plenum, and a desired airflow exiting the VAV active chilled beam.

At least one technical advantage of the disclosed design relative to the prior art is that the disclosed design enables a VAV chilled beam to be installed without requiring that ductwork be installed between a VAV box and the chilled beam. The disclosed design also enables VAV technology to be utilized in the chilled beam without having to integrate a crossflow sensor into an inlet or outlet of the chilled beam. Additionally, the disclosed design allows VAV technology to be utilized in small spaces, such as private rooms or offices within an environment, without the need to install a separate VAV box in each of the spaces. These technical advantages provide one or more technological advancements over prior art approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the various embodiments can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the inventive concepts, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the inventive concepts and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope in any way, and that there are other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a VAV chilled beam according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a different view of the VAV chilled beam according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional cutaway view of the VAV chilled beam according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate VAV chilled beam according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a different view of the alternate VAV chilled beam according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an different view of the alternate VAV chilled beam according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the various embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the inventive concepts may be practiced without one or more of these specific details.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a VAV chilled beam 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The VAV chilled beam 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes, without limitation, a first side 102, a second side 104 with perforations 112, an inlet 106 in which a damper 114 is installed, a controller 116, a pressure tube 118, a damper actuator 120, and outlets 108 and 110.

As shown, the first side 102 of the VAV active chilled beam 100 is mounted facing the ceiling of an interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 100 is installed, and the second side 104 of the VAV active chilled beam 100 faces the floor of the interior environment. In some implementations, the VAV active chilled beam 100 can be installed on a wall or a floor and configured to face the interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 100 is installed. Air enters the VAV active chilled beam 100 via the inlet 106, which includes the damper 114. Although the inlet 106 is shown with a circular cross section, the inlet 106 of VAV active chilled beam 100 can be of any shape so long as a damper 114 is utilized to control airflow through the inlet 106. The inlet 106 can be installed on any side of the VAV active chilled beam 100. For example, in the case of a rectangular VAV active chilled beam 100, while FIG. 1 shows the inlet 106 installed on a length side of the VAV active chilled beam 100, the inlet 106 could alternatively be installed on a width side of the VAV active chilled beam 100, as will be further described in FIGS. 4-6.

Air also enters the VAV active chilled beam 100 from the interior environment via one or more perforations 112a and 112b on the second side 104. The perforations 112, in some embodiments, are installed on more of the second side 104 than is illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the perforations 112 can be installed the entire length and width of the second side 104 of the VAV active chilled beam 100. Additionally, rather than perforations 112, one or more slots or orifices of any shape can be utilized to allow for induced airflow to the heat exchanger. Air entering the VAV active chilled beam 100 via the inlet 106 is referred to as primary airflow, and air entering the VAV active chilled beam 100 via the second side 104 is referred to as induced airflow.

The inlet 106 receives air from an upstream air handler or other systems that are coupled to the VAV active chilled beam 100 via ducts that distribute air throughout a building. The inlet 106 feeds airflow to a plenum that is adjacent to a heat exchanger cavity to create a high-pressure zone in the plenum. The damper 114 adjusts to control the amount of airflow into the inlet 106 and thus into the plenum. High-pressure in the plenum forces air into the heat exchanger cavity through nozzles in a panel separating the plenum from the heat exchanger cavity. The Venturi effect causes the pressure of air in the vicinity of the exit side of the nozzles to drop, creating a low-pressure zone in the heat exchanger cavity. The low-pressure zone induces airflow from the interior environment into the VAV active chilled beam 100 via the perforations 112. The plenum, nozzles, and heat exchanger are shown in more detail in subsequent drawings.

The induced airflow is heated or chilled by the heat exchanger, is mixed with the primary air, and exits the VAV active chilled beam 100 into the interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 100 is installed. Air exits the VAV active chilled beam 100 via one or more outlets such as outlets 108 and 110 that are located on the second side 104 of the VAV active chilled beam 100.

The VAV active chilled beam 100 is also equipped with the controller 116, and the pressure tube 118. The pressure tube 118 is coupled to the plenum, and to a pressure sensor that measures the static pressure inside of the plenum and reports the static pressure to controller 116. The controller 116 can include one or more processors executing an application that controls the position of damper 114 using the damper actuator 120 in response to static pressure measurements of the plenum. The controller is configured with one or more output functions that relate a given static pressure within the plenum of the VAV active chilled beam 100, an angle of the damper 114, or a degree to which the damper 114 is open or closed, and a desired output airflow into the interior environment. The controller also controls a degree to which the heat exchanger of the VAV active chilled beam 100 heats or cools air provided to the heat exchanger, such as the induced airflow from the perforations 112.

The VAV active chilled beam 100 adjusts the amount and temperature of air delivered to the interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 100 is installed. The amount and temperature of the air delivered to the interior environment can be adjusted depending upon the desired temperature of an interior environment, the number of occupants detected or projected to be in the interior environment, or other considerations.

The VAV active chilled beam 100 includes a heat exchanger or other heat transfer device with which the device cools or heats the induced airflow. The heated or cooled air mixes with the primary air and exits the VAV active chilled beam 100 via outlets 108 and 110. The VAV active chilled beam 100 can be equipped with multiple outlets that possess various types of shapes or configurations. The shape of the outlets is dependent on the active chilled beam design, and the number and size of the outlets is determined by the heating and/or cooling capacity of the active chilled beam.

FIG. 2 is a different view of a VAV active chilled beam 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the VAV active chilled beam 100 from a side where the VAV active chilled beam 100 is mounted to a ceiling within a respective interior environment. In the example of FIG. 2, a portion of the enclosure surrounding the heat exchanger 202 has been removed for illustrative purposes. The VAV chilled beam 100 as shown in FIG. 2 includes, without limitation, the first side 102, the inlet 106, the controller 116, the pressure tube 118, the damper actuator 120, the outlets 108 and 110, a heat exchanger 202, and water circulation ports 204 and 206.

The heat exchanger 202 is a hydronic coil coupled to the water circulation ports 204 and 206. The heat exchanger 202 is used to circulate water through the heat exchanger 202 within the VAV active chilled beam 100 to facilitate heating or cooling of the induced airflow entering through the perforations 112. The VAV active chilled beam 100 can also be equipped with multiple water inlets and outlets based on configurations needed to meet building requirements and designs.

The temperature of air leaving the outlets 108 and 110 is dependent on the temperature of the primary airflow entering the unit through inlet 106, the rate of primary airflow into the unit through inlet 106, the temperature of the induced airflow entering the unit, the rate of induced airflow into the unit through the perforations 112, and the temperature of the water circulating through the heat exchanger 202. In some embodiments, the temperature of the air in an interior space is controlled by a thermostat in the interior space (not shown). The thermostat controls an upstream water valve (not shown), which acts to modulate the flow of chilled or heated water into and out of the heat exchanger 202 through the ports 204 and 206.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional cutaway view of the VAV chilled beam 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. VAV chilled beam 100 as shown in FIG. 3 includes, without limitation, a plenum 302 in which the plenum space outline is indicated by dotted lines 304, the heat exchanger 202, nozzles 306 installed on panels 308, the first side 102, the second side 104, the inlet 106, the outlets 108 and 110, and the actuator 120.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plenum 302 is comprised of a cavity, the outline of which is indicated by dotted lines 304. The plenum 302 is adjacent to a heat exchanger cavity. The heat exchanger 202 is disposed within the heat exchanger cavity that is adjacent to the plenum 302. It should be appreciated that the plenum 302 and the heat exchanger cavity are enclosed with end panels that are removed for the purposes of the illustration of FIG. 3. The inlet 106 feeds the plenum 302, creating a high-pressure zone in plenum 302. The high-pressure zone in plenum 302 forces air through one or more nozzles 306 that are located on a panel 308 separating the plenum 302 from the heat exchanger cavity. The Venturi effect causes the pressure of air in the vicinity of the exit side of nozzles 306 to drop, creating a low-pressure zone in the heat exchanger cavity. The low-pressure in the heat exchanger cavity creates a pressure differential with the interior environment and induces airflow from the interior environment into the VAV active chilled beam 100 via the perforations 112 (not shown in FIG. 3).

The heat exchanger 202 heats or cools the induced airflow entering the VAV active chilled beam 100 via the perforations 112 on the second side 104. The heated or cooled air is mixed with air entering the heat exchanger cavity via nozzles 306 on the panel 308. The mixed air exits the VAV active chilled beam 100 via outlet 108 and outlet 110 into the interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 100 is installed.

In examples of the disclosure, one or more pressure sensors that measure static pressure within the plenum 302 are utilized. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, pressure tube 118 delivers pressurized air from plenum 302 to controller 116, which can include a pressure sensor and one or more processors executing software or firmware that control the damper 114 through damper actuator 120.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate VAV chilled beam 400 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The VAV chilled beam 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes, without limitations, the first side 102, the second side 104 with perforations 112, the outlets 108 and 110, and an inlet 402.

VAV chilled beam 400 is similar to VAV chilled beam 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3, however, the inlet 402 of VAV chilled beam 400, which includes a damper (not shown in FIG. 4) is installed on the width side of VAV chilled beam 400. The inlet 402 receives air from an upstream air handler or other systems that are coupled to the VAV active chilled beam 400. The inlet 402 feeds air to a plenum that is adjacent to a heat exchanger cavity to create a high-pressure zone in the plenum. The damper (not shown in FIG. 4) adjusts to control the amount of primary airflow into the inlet 402 and thus into the plenum. Induced airflow is mixed with the primary airflow, is heated or chilled by the heat exchanger, and exits the VAV active chilled beam 400 into the interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 400 is installed. Air exits the VAV active chilled beam 400 via one or more outlets such as outlets 108 and 110 that are located on the second side 104 of the VAV active chilled beam 400.

FIG. 5 is a different view of the alternate VAV chilled beam 400 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 includes, without limitation, the water circulation ports 204 and 206, an inlet 402, a damper 502, a pressure sensor 504, and a plenum housing 506.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the VAV active chilled beam 400 from a side where the VAV active chilled beam 400 is mounted to a ceiling within a respective space. FIG. 5 illustrates the damper 502 within the inlet 402. The damper 502 adjusts the amount of airflow into the inlet 402 and thus into the plenum of the VAV active chilled beam 400. The damper 502 can be controlled by a controller (not shown in FIG. 5) that is integrated within the VAV active chilled beam 400.

FIG. 5 further illustrates the pressure sensor 504 which is in communication with the pressure inside of the plenum. Unlike the pressure sensor located in the controller 116 and connected to pressure tube 118 in VAV active chilled beam 100, pressure sensor 504 of VAV active chilled beam 400 is mounted through plenum housing 506 and is in direct communication with the pressure inside of the plenum. In examples of the disclosure, one or more pressure sensors that measure static pressure within the plenum are utilized. In one example, the pressure sensor 504 measures static pressure within the plenum and reports the static pressure to a controller, which can include one or more processors executing software or firmware that controls the damper 502.

FIG. 6 is a different view of the alternate VAV chilled beam 400 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. VAV chilled beam 400 includes without limitations, inlet 402, plenum housing 506, pressure sensor 504, and pressure sensor 602.

In FIG. 6, an example of a VAV active chilled beam 400 with more than one pressure sensor is shown. Pressure sensor 504 and pressure sensor 602 can measure the static pressure of the plenum 302, within the plenum housing 506. The static pressure of the plenum 302 is provided to a controller, (not shown in FIG. 6), which determines, based on the desired temperature or volume of air for the interior environment in which the VAV active chilled beam 100 is installed, how open or closed the damper 502 in the inlet 402 should be. Based on the determination by the controller, the controller instructs the damper 502 to open or close to meet the desired airflow or temperature needs of an interior environment. The damper position is controlled to provide the desired amount of airflow through the inlet 402 using unique, empirically determined equations that correlate primary airflow rates into the VAV active chilled beam 400 to the pressure in the plenum 302 of the VAV active chilled beam 400. This method provides the ability to maintain a primary airflow rate to the beam independent of changes to the upstream duct pressure to which the inlet 402 is connected.

In sum, the various embodiments shown and provided herein set forth a VAV active chilled beam that provides VAV heating and cooling capabilities. The VAV active chilled beam includes an inlet coupled to an upstream duct with an integrated damper. The inlet feeds airflow into a plenum coupled to the inlet. A heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to the plenum, with a panel separating the plenum and heat exchanger. Nozzles in the panel allow air to flow from the plenum into a cavity including the heat exchanger. A controller determines the degree to which the damper permits airflow through the inlet and into the plenum based upon a static pressure within the plenum and a desired airflow exiting the active chilled beam.

At least one technical advantage of the disclosed design relative to the prior art is that the disclosed design enables a VAV chilled beam to be installed without requiring that ductwork be installed between a VAV box and the chilled beam. The disclosed design also enables VAV technology to be utilized in the chilled beam without having to integrate a crossflow sensor into an inlet or outlet of the chilled beam. Additionally, the disclosed design allows VAV technology to be utilized in small spaces, such as private rooms or offices within an environment, without the need to install a separate VAV box in each of the spaces. These technical advantages provide one or more technological advancements over prior art approaches.

1. In some embodiments, an active chilled beam comprises an inlet coupled to an upstream duct, a damper disposed within the inlet, a plenum coupled to the inlet, a heat exchanger adjacent to the plenum, wherein the plenum and the heat exchanger are separated by a panel comprises one or more nozzles permitting airflow from the plenum to a cavity in which the heat exchanger is installed, and a controller that determines a degree to which the damper permits airflow through the inlet and into the plenum based upon a static pressure within the plenum and a desired airflow exiting the active chilled beam.

2. The active chilled beam of clause 1, further comprising at least one pressure sensor configured to determine a static pressure measurement within the plenum, wherein the at least one pressure sensor provides the static pressure measurement to the controller.

3. The active chilled beam of clauses 1 or 2, wherein at least one pressure sensor is mounted to the plenum.

4. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-3, further comprising an outlet configured to output airflow from the heat exchanger into a space in which the chilled beam is installed.

5. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the outlet comprises at least one slot or at least one orifice integrated into the plenum.

6. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the outlet faces the space in which the chilled beam is installed.

7. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the inlet is coupled to an air handler that is upstream from the chilled beam.

8. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the controller comprises at least one processor executing an application that determines a position of the damper.

9. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the position of the damper is based on the static pressure within the plenum.

10. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the position of the damper is further based on a desired temperature setting associated with an interior environment in which the chilled beam is installed.

11. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-10, wherein the position of the damper is based on a degree to which the damper permits airflow through the inlet.

12. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the controller causes the damper to open to permit more airflow through the inlet and causes the damper to close to permit less airflow through the inlet.

13. The active chilled beam of any of clauses 1-12, wherein water flows through the heat exchanger to cool or heat airflow passing through the active chilled beam.

14. The active chilled beam of clam 13, wherein the flow of water through the heat exchanger is modulated based on a desired temperature setting associated with the interior environment in which the chilled beam is installed.

Any and all combinations of any of the claim elements recited in any of the claims and/or any elements described in this application, in any fashion, fall within the contemplated scope of the present invention and protection.

The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.