Air handling system and method for assembling the same

Abstract

An air handling system configured to channel an airflow includes a blower assembly including a blower inlet and a blower outlet and a primary heat exchanger positioned downstream of the blower outlet. The air handling system also includes a secondary heat exchanger positioned upstream of the blower inlet such that the airflow is channeled sequentially through the secondary heat exchanger, the blower assembly, and the primary heat exchanger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air handling system configured to channel an airflow therethrough, said air handling system comprising:
 a blower assembly comprising a blower inlet and a blower outlet;   a primary heat exchanger positioned downstream of said blower outlet; and   a secondary heat exchanger positioned upstream of said blower inlet such that the airflow is channeled sequentially through said secondary heat exchanger, said blower assembly, and said primary heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a cabinet and a casing coupled in flow communication with said cabinet such that said casing is positioned upstream from said cabinet. 
     
     
         3 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said blower assembly and said secondary heat exchanger are coupled within said cabinet, and wherein said primary heat exchanger is coupled within said casing. 
     
     
         4 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said cabinet comprises a cabinet inlet, and wherein said secondary heat exchanger is positioned between said cabinet inlet and said blower inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said cabinet inlet is defined in a first side of said cabinet, and wherein said cabinet comprises a cabinet outlet defined in a second side of said cabinet that is opposite said first side. 
     
     
         6 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising a second secondary heat exchanger positioned downstream of said blower assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said second secondary heat exchanger is coupled within said casing. 
     
     
         8 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said second secondary heat exchanger is positioned upstream from said primary heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a second secondary heat exchanger coupled downstream from said blower assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said second secondary heat exchanger is positioned upstream from said primary heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The air handling system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said second secondary heat exchanger is positioned between said blower outlet and said primary heat exchanger. 
     
     
         12 . A furnace assembly configured to channel an airflow therethrough, said furnace assembly comprising:
 a cabinet;   a casing coupled in flow communication with said cabinet;   a blower assembly coupled within said cabinet, wherein said blower assembly comprises a blower inlet and a blower outlet;   a first heat exchanger coupled within said casing downstream of said blower outlet; and   a second heat exchanger coupled within said cabinet upstream of said blower inlet.   
     
     
         13 . The furnace assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising a third heat exchanger coupled within said casing. 
     
     
         14 . The furnace assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said third heat exchanger is coupled within said casing upstream from said first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The furnace assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said cabinet comprises a cabinet inlet defined on a first side of said cabinet and a cabinet outlet defined on a second side of said cabinet opposite said first side. 
     
     
         16 . The furnace assembly in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said second heat exchanger is positioned proximate said cabinet inlet. 
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a furnace assembly, said method comprising:
 coupling a casing to a cabinet such that the casing is positioned downstream from the cabinet with respect to an airflow being channeled through the furnace assembly;   coupling a primary heat exchanger within the casing;   coupling a blower assembly within the cabinet, wherein the blower assembly includes a blower inlet and a blower outlet;   coupling a secondary heat exchanger within the cabinet upstream of the blower inlet.   
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein coupling the secondary heat exchanger within the cabinet comprises coupling the secondary heat exchanger between an inlet of the cabinet and an outlet of the cabinet. 
     
     
         19 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising coupling a second secondary heat exchanger within the casing. 
     
     
         20 . The method in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein coupling the second secondary heat exchanger within the casing comprises coupling the second secondary heat exchanger within the casing upstream of the primary heat exchanger.