System and Method for Reducing Static Pressure in Air Handlers

Abstract

A system and method for improving the efficiency of air handling units by reducing the static air pressure within units. The system and method utilizes rotary union mounts to fluidly connect the heating and cooling coils within the system. The rotary union mounts allow the heating and/or cooling coils to be rotated flush within the housing of the air handling unit when the coil(s) are not in use and thereby out of the air flow path. Rotating the coils out of the air flow path reduces the static air pressure within the air handling unit and significantly improves the efficiency of the system by reducing the horsepower requirement and power consumption of the system fan. The rotary union mounts allow the coil(s) to be selectably rotated out of the air flow path based on system demand requirements.

1 . A system comprising:
 a housing;   a cooling coil disposed within said housing;   at least a first rotary union in fluid communication with said cooling element and mounted to the inside of said housing;   a heating coil disposed within said housing;   at least a second rotary union in fluid communication with said heating element and mounted to the inside of said housing; and   a fan disposed within said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cooling coil is rotatably connected to said first rotary union mount. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said cooling coil is capable of rotating about said first rotary union mount to a position substantially flush with said housing. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating coil is rotatably connected to said second rotary union mount. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein said heating coil is capable of rotating about said second rotary union mount to a position substantially flush with said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cooling coil is capable of rotating about said first rotary union mount to a position substantially flush with said housing and said heating coil is capable of rotating about said second rotary union mount to a position substantially flush with said housing. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cooling coil includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating coil includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cooling coil is placed upstream from said heating coil. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating coil is placed upstream from said cooling coil. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a filter disposed within said housing. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first ductwork attached to an inlet side of said housing, and   a second ductwork attached to an outlet side of said housing.   
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a housing;   a cooling element disposed across substantially the entire interior cross-section of said housing;   at least a first rotary union mount attached to said cooling element and said housing;   a heating element disposed across substantially the entire interior cross-section of said housing; and   at least a second rotary union mount attached to said heating element.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a fan disposed within said housing. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said cooling element is rotatably connected to said first rotary union mount and is capable of rotating about said first rotary union mount to a position substantially flush with said housing. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said heating element is rotatably connected to said second rotary union mount and is capable of rotating about said second rotary union mount to a position substantially flush with said housing. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 providing a housing;   disposing a cooling coil within said housing;   providing at least a first rotary union mount in fluid communication with said cooling element;   disposing a heating coil within said housing;   providing at least a second rotary union mount in fluid communication with said heating element; and   disposing a fan within said housing.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 rotating said cooling coil about to a position substantially flush with said housing.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 rotating said heating coil about to a position substantially flush with said housing.   
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 attaching a first ductwork to an inlet side of said housing, and   attaching a second ductwork to an outlet side of said housing.