Energy Recovery System and Method

Abstract

A heat exchanger system has two heat exchangers, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, mounted within a single enclosure, a first air inlet for receiving air from a first air system, a first air outlet, one or more second air inlets for receiving air from a second air system, one or more second air outlets, a first air path defined as a sealed air path from the first air inlet through the first heat exchanger, to the first air outlet, and a second air path, a third air path and a fourth air path, wherein the first air path transfers heat/energy through the first heat exchanger in a counter-flow relation with the third air path, and the second air path transfer heat/energy through the second heat exchanger in a counterflow relation with the fourth air path.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A heat exchanger system comprising:
 a. two heat exchangers, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, mounted within a single enclosure;   b. a first air inlet for receiving air from a first air system;   c. a first air outlet for expelling air from the first air system;   d. one or more second air inlets for receiving air from a second air system;   e. one or more second air outlets for expelling air from the second air system;   f. a first air path defined as a sealed air path from the first air inlet through the first heat exchanger, to the first air outlet; and   g. a second air path defined as a sealed air path from the first air inlet through the second heat exchanger to the first air outlet,   h. a third air path defined as a sealed air path from the second air inlet through the first heat exchanger, to the second air outlet; and   i. a fourth air path defined as a sealed air path from the second air inlet through the second heat exchanger to the second air outlet,   wherein the air from the first air inlet is split into the first and second air paths, wherein air from the second air inlet is split into the third and fourth air paths, and wherein the first air path transfers energy through the first heat exchanger in a counterflow relation with the third air path, and the second air path transfers energy through the second heat exchanger in a counterflow relation with the fourth air path.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  further comprising an evaporator for cooling air, wherein the first air outlet is in fluid communication with the evaporator, and the one or more second air inlets is in fluid communication with the evaporator, and air from the first air outlet passes through the evaporator, wherein the air is cooled and enters the second air inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second heat exchangers are mounted opposite one another within the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second heat exchangers are positioned within and against the perimeter of the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchangers form part of the enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchangers form part of a fan suction housing. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchangers form part of a discharge housing. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  wherein any of the first, second, third or fourth air paths follows a L-shape air path, a Z-shape air path, or a U-shape air path through the heat exchangers 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  further comprising a bypass damper for controlling a quantity of air leaving an evaporator bypassing the return stream of the heat exchanger to become part of a total delivery air. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more condensers to dissipate heat in the outlet side of the unit. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 10  further comprising a refrigerant valve to select the flow of refrigerant to a preferred condenser 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  further comprising a bypass damper for controlling a quantity of inlet outdoor air flow bypassing the heat exchangers. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  further comprising: dampers mounted perpendicularly on a sectional entry of each heat exchangers complete with a damper motor and screw type rod, wherein the rod turns and actuates the damper across the heat exchanger entry to selectively block the heat exchanger entry for defrosting the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . A method of changing a temperature of air, comprising the steps of:
 a. receiving air through a first air inlet;   b. dividing the air into first and second air paths;   c. passing the air from the first air path through a first heat exchanger and to a first air outlet;   d. passing the air from the second air path through a second heat exchanger to the first air outlet;   e. receiving air through a second air inlet;   f. dividing the air into third and fourth air paths;   g. passing the air from the third air path through the first heat exchanger and to a second air outlet; and   h. passing the air from the fourth air path through the second heat exchanger to the second air outlet   wherein the first and third air paths transfers thermal heat or total heat energy within the first heat exchanger in a counterflow relation, and the second and fourth air paths transfers total heat energy within the second heat exchanger in a counterflow relation, and the first and second heat exchangers are within a single enclosure.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first air outlet is in fluid communication with an evaporator, and the second air inlet is in fluid communication with the evaporator,
 further comprising the steps of:
 a. passing air from the first air outlet through the evaporator, wherein the air is additionally cooled and dehumidified, and 
 b. passing the cooled and dehumidified air into the second air inlet. 
 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of bypassing a return stream of the heat exchanger for controlling the quantity of air leaving an evaporator to become delivery air. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of selectively damping a heat exchangers entry to control an amount of air flow through each heat exchanger for defrosting each heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of selectively controlling the outdoor air in bypassing the heat exchangers and become part of the delivery air. 
     
     
         19 . A method of improving the efficiency of a single heat exchanger having a cross-section having a depth and height, wherein the depth is longer then the height, comprising the step of:
 a. replacing the single heat exchanger with two heat exchangers, each of the two heat exchangers having half of the height of the single heat exchanger,   wherein a combined cross-sectional area of the two heat exchangers is the same as the cross-sectional area of the single heat exchanger, and wherein the heat exchangers are in a counter-flow arrangement.   
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more condensers to dissipate heat in an adjacent or exterior air stream.