Fan filter unit with integrated heater

Abstract

A fan filter unit with an integrated heater system includes a housing comprising an air intake and an air outlet; a blower motor mounted within the housing and downstream of the air intake; a heater mounted within the housing and downstream of the blower motor; and an air filter mounted within the housing. In some cases, the system further includes an inner housing mounted to a top of an inside portion of the housing, the inner housing having an inner housing air outlet, where both the blower motor is mounted within the inner housing and the heater is mounted within the inner housing. In some of such cases, the air intake and the air outlet are positioned to direct an air flow vertically and the inner housing air outlet is positioned to direct an air flow horizontally.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a housing comprising an air intake and an air outlet;   a blower motor mounted within the housing and downstream of the air intake;   a heater mounted within the housing and downstream of the blower motor; and   an air filter mounted within the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when the blower motor is in operation, the blower motor generates an air flow from the air intake to the air outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner housing mounted to a top of an inside portion of the housing, the inner housing having an inner housing air outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the blower motor is mounted within the inner housing. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the heater is mounted within the inner housing. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the air intake and the air outlet are positioned to direct an air flow vertically and the inner housing air outlet is positioned to direct an air flow horizontally. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein when the blower motor is in operation, the blower motor generates an air flow from the air intake, through the inner housing air outlet, and out of the air outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blower motor comprises a backward curved centrifugal fan. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heater is positioned below the blower motor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a vertical height of the housing is less than or equal to sixteen inches. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system is configured to receive dehumidified air from an air conditioning system that is upstream of the system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is further configured to be mounted within a roof of a mobile or modular building. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air filter is downstream of the heater. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor and a fan filter unit (FFU) controller configured to control an ambient temperature inside a space based on temperature readings from the temperature sensor and input of a desired temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a humidity sensor and a fan filter unit (FFU) controller configured to control a relative humidity inside a space based on humidity readings from the humidity sensor and input of a desired humidity. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 an outer housing comprising an outer housing air intake and an outer housing air outlet;   an inner housing mounted to a top of an inside portion of the outer housing, the inner housing having an inner housing air outlet;   a blower motor mounted within the inner housing and proximal to the outer housing air intake, wherein when the blower motor is in operation, the blower motor generates an air flow from the outer housing air intake, through the inner housing air outlet, and out the outer housing air outlet;   a heater mounted within the inner housing and distal to the outer housing air intake; and   an air filter mounted within the outer housing.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the outer housing air intake and the outer housing air outlet are positioned to direct the air flow vertically and the inner housing air outlet is positioned to direct the air flow horizontally. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein a vertical height of the outer housing is less than or equal to sixteen inches. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the air filter is mounted proximal to the outer housing air outlet. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 a housing comprising an air intake and an air outlet, wherein a vertical height of the housing is less than or equal to sixteen inches;   a blower motor mounted within the housing and downstream of the air intake;   a heater mounted within the housing and downstream of the blower motor; and   an air filter mounted within the housing.