Reduced noise air conditioning and heating systems

Abstract

A column air handling system includes a coil unit having a set of coils for changing a temperature of an air stream flowing therethrough and a fan unit for driving the air stream through the coil unit. The fan unit includes a plenum fan directly driven by a motor.

1 . A column air handling system:
 a coil unit including a set of coils for changing a temperature of an air stream flowing therethrough; and   a fan unit for pulling the air stream through the coil unit, the fan unit including a plenum fan directly driven by a motor.   
   
   
       2 . The column air handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the fan unit comprises a fan unit frame and the plenum fan and motor form a portion of an assembly adapted to roll within the fan unit frame. 
   
   
       3 . The column air handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil unit includes a set of coils for receiving a flow of fluid for cooling the air stream flowing through the coil unit. 
   
   
       4 . The column air handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil unit includes a set of coils for receiving a flow of fluid for heating the air stream flowing through the coil unit. 
   
   
       5 . The column air handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil unit further comprises a bypass damper for passing untreated air flow into the coil unit for mixing with treated air. 
   
   
       6 . The column air handling system of  claim 1 , further comprising an independent base unit for supporting the fan and coil units, the independent base unit including a diffuser for directing the air stream away from the column air handling system. 
   
   
       7 . The column air handling system of  claim 1 , wherein the coil unit further comprises electric heating devices for heating air flowing therethrough. 
   
   
       8 . An air handling system comprising:
 a coil and filter unit for treating air; and   a fan unit for moving air through the coil and filter unit and including a plenum fan directly driven by a motor.   
   
   
       9 . The air handling system of  claim 8 , wherein the coil and filter unit and the fan unit form portions of a column structure. 
   
   
       10 . The air handling system of  claim 9 , wherein the coil and filter unit includes a bypass damper for receiving untreated return air. 
   
   
       11 . The air handling system of  claim 9 , wherein the coil and filter unit includes a port for receiving pre-treated air. 
   
   
       12 . The air handling system of  claim 9 , wherein the fan unit includes a fan assembly including the plenum fan and the motor and the fan assembly is extendable from a side of the fan unit. 
   
   
       13 . The air handling system of  claim 12 , wherein the fan assembly includes rollers for extending the fan assembly from the fan unit. 
   
   
       14 . The air handling system of  claim 12 , further comprising a quick release connector for connecting the fan unit and the fan assembly, the quick release connector comprising a strip of flexible material containing at least one strip of spring steel and at least one connecting mechanism for connecting opposing ends of the strip of flexible material during use. 
   
   
       15 . The air handling system of  claim 9 , wherein the coil and filter unit includes coils selected from the group of chilled water, steam, synthetic coolant, and heated water coils. 
   
   
       16 . The air handling system of  claim 9 , further comprising an independent base unit for supporting the coil and filter unit and the fan unit, a height of the base unit selected for discharging air flow moving through the coil and filter unit to a space under a raised floor. 
   
   
       17 . A column air handling system comprising:
 a base unit adapted to direct discharge air to a space under a raised floor;   a fan unit adapted for seating on the base unit and including a fan assembly having a plenum fan and a motor for directly driving the plenum fan, wherein the fan assembly is extendable from a side of the fan unit; and   a coil and filter unit adapted for seating above the fan unit.   
   
   
       18 . The column air handling system of  claim 17 , further comprise a variable frequency drive unit for controlling the speed of the motor and adapted for seating between the fan unit and the coil and filter unit. 
   
   
       19 . The column air handling system of  claim 17 , wherein the coil and filter unit is selectively adapted to cool and heat air moving therethrough as driven by the fan unit. 
   
   
       20 . The column air handling system of  claim 17 , further comprising a quick release connector for connecting the fan unit and the fan assembly, the quick release connector comprising a strip of flexible material containing at least one strip of spring steel and at least one connecting mechanism for connecting opposing ends of the strip of flexible material during use.