Methods and apparatus for universal transition

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a universal transition according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a duct that is configured to be located between two heat exchanging devices and provide an improved airflow transition. The system may comprise one or more wall sections configured to provide an increasing or decreasing cross-sectional area in the direction of the airflow to facilitate a more gradual transition between an exhaust vent of one heat exchanging device and an intake vent of a second heat exchanging device. The system may also comprise a removable access panel that allows the intake and exhaust vents to be cleaned and/or serviced without having to physically decouple the heat exchanging devices from each other.

1 . A transition duct for coupling a first heat exchanger unit to a second heat exchanger unit, comprising:
 a first duct wall, comprising:
 an intake end and an exhaust end; 
 a pair of opposing parallel wall elements, wherein each opposing parallel wall element comprises:
 a square end portion; and 
 an angled end portion forming an angle between the intake end and the exhaust end; 
 
 a connecting wall element extending between the square end portions of the pair of opposing parallel wall elements; and 
   a second duct wall selectively connected to the angled end portions of the pair of opposing parallel wall elements.   
     
     
         2 . A transition duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting wall element extends perpendicularly between the square end portions of the pair of opposing parallel wall elements and the second duct wall to form a duct having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area that varies from the intake end to the exhaust end. 
     
     
         3 . A transition duct according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the opposing parallel wall elements further comprises:
 a first flange extending away from an interior surface of the parallel wall element, wherein the first flange is configured to be positioned proximate to an exhaust vent of the first heat exchanger unit to couple the intake end to the first heat exchanger unit; and   a second flange extending away from the interior surface of the parallel wall element, wherein the second flange is configured to be positioned proximate to an intake vent of the second heat exchanger unit to couple the exhaust end to the second heat exchanger unit.   
     
     
         4 . A transition duct according to  claim 1 , wherein the second duct wall comprises a substantially rectangular wall section. 
     
     
         5 . A transition duct according to  claim 4 , wherein the second duct wall further comprises a pair of opposing side tabs extending away from an interior surface of the second duct wall, wherein the pair of opposing side tabs are configured to slideably engage the angled end portions of the pair of opposing parallel wall elements. 
     
     
         6 . A transition duct according to  claim 5 , wherein each angled end portion of the pair of opposing parallel wall elements further comprises a receiving pocket configured to receive one of the opposing side tabs of the second duct wall. 
     
     
         7 . A transition duct according to  claim 5 , wherein the second duct wall further comprises:
 a first flange bent towards an exterior surface of the second duct wall; and   a second flange bent away from the exterior surface of the second duct wall.   
     
     
         8 . A transition duct according to  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of insulation affixed to an internal surface of: the first duct wall and the second duct wall. 
     
     
         9 . A transition duct according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insulation device substantially enclosing an external surface of: the first duct wall and the second duct wall. 
     
     
         10 . A transition duct having a intake end and an exhaust end for coupling a first heat exchanger unit to a second heat exchanger unit, comprising:
 a first wall section including a first end and a second end;   a pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections extending, perpendicularly away from the first and second ends of the first wall section, wherein each trapezoidal wall section comprises:
 a square can portion engaging the first wall section; and 
 an angled end portion positioned distal from the first wall section; 
 a top edge extending between the square end portion and the angled end portion; and 
 a bottom edge extending between the square end portion and the angled end portion, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge comprise different lengths; and 
   a second wall section coupled to the angled end portions of the pair of opposing wall sections to form a duct having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area that varies from the intake end to the exhaust end.   
     
     
         11 . A transition duct according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the top edge of the opposing trapezoidal wall sections comprises a flange configured to be positioned adjacent to an exhaust vent of the first heat exchanger unit; and   the bottom edge of the opposing trapezoidal wall sections comprises a flange configured to be positioned adjacent to an intake vent of the second heat exchanger unit.   
     
     
         12 . A transition duct according to  claim 10 , wherein the second wall section is configured to be selectively removable from the angled end portions of the pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections. 
     
     
         13 . A transition duct according to  claim 10 , wherein the second wall section comprises a substantially rectangular wall section. 
     
     
         14 . A transition duct according to  claim 13 , wherein the second wall section further comprises:
 a pair of opposing side tabs bent about ninety degrees away from an exterior surface of the second wall section, wherein the pair of opposing side tabs are configured to slideably engage the angled end portions of the pair of opposing trapezoidal all sections;   a top flange bent towards the exterior surface of the second wall section; and   a bottom flange bent away from the exterior surface of the second wall section.   
     
     
         15 . A transition duct according to  claim 14 , wherein the angled end portion of each opposing trapezoidal all section comprises a pocket configured to receive one of the opposing side tabs of the second wall section. 
     
     
         16 . A transition duct according to  claim 10 , further comprising, a layer of insulation affixed to an internal surface of: the first wail section, the pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections, and the second wall section. 
     
     
         17 . A transition duct according to  claim 10 , further comprising an insulation device substantially enclosing an external surface of: the first wall section, the pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections, and the second wall section. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a transition between a first and second heat exchanger unit, comprising:
 providing a first wall section including an intake end and an exhaust end, wherein the first wall section comprises:
 a pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections, wherein each trapezoidal wail section comprises:
 a square end portion engaging the first wall section and extending perpendicularly away therefrom; and 
 an angled end portion positioned distal from the first wall section; 
 a top edge extending between the square end portion and the angled end portion; and 
 a bottom edge extending between the square end portion and the angled end portion, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge comprise different lengths; and 
 
 a connecting wall section extending between the square end portions of the pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections; and 
   coupling a second wall section to the angled end portions of the pair of opposing wall sections to forma duct having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area that varies from the intake end to the exhaust end.   
     
     
         19 . A method of forming a transition between a first and second heat exchanger unit according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 forming a first flange along the top edge of the opposing trapezoidal wall sections;   forming a second flange along the bottom edge of the opposing trapezoidal wall sections;   securing the first flange to an area adjacent to an exhaust vent of the first heat exchanger unit; and   securing the second flange an area adjacent to an intake vent of the second heat exchanger unit.   
     
     
         20 . A method of forming a transition between a first and second heat exchanger unit according to  claim 18 , wherein coupling the second wall section to the angled end portions comprises slideably engaging a pair of opposing side tabs bent about ninety degrees away from an exterior surface of the second wall section with a receiving pocket disposed along the angled end portions of the pair of opposing trapezoidal wall sections.