Axial fan for an air handling unit

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes an axial fan assembly for an air handling unit of a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The axial fan assembly can include an axial fan configured to direct air through the axial fan assembly, an inlet ring disposed in a flow path upstream of the axial fan and configured to direct air toward the axial fan, a stator disposed in the flow path downstream of the axial fan and configured to straighten a flow of the air, an outlet ring disposed in a flow path downstream of the axial fan and configured to direct air out of the axial fan assembly, and a fan deck configured to attach to the air handling unit and support at least the axial fan.

1 . An axial fan assembly for an air handling unit, the axial fan assembly comprising:
 an axial fan configured to direct air through the axial fan assembly;   an inlet ring disposed in a flow path upstream of the axial fan and configured to direct air toward the axial fan;   a stator disposed in the flow path downstream of the axial fan and configured to straighten a flow of the air;   an outlet ring disposed in the flow path downstream of the axial fan and configured to direct air out of the axial fan assembly; and   a fan deck configured to attach to the air handling unit and support at least the axial fan.   
     
     
         2 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the axial fan is a non-shrouded fan. 
     
     
         3 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the axial fan comprises an electrical motor configured to rotate the axial fan at greater than 1750 revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         4 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the axial fan is configured to operate at a static efficiency of greater than 65%. 
     
     
         5 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical motor is at least one of: a ⅓ horsepower motor, a ½ horsepower motor, or a ¾ horsepower motor. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet ring has an inlet having a first diameter and an outlet having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a casing disposed around at least a portion of the inlet ring. 
     
     
         10 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a casing flange configured to support the axial fan and the stator. 
     
     
         11 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet ring extends from an inlet of the axial fan assembly to the casing flange. 
     
     
         12 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the inlet ring is attached to the casing flange. 
     
     
         13 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the axial fan is attached to the stator and wherein the stator is configured to support the axial fan. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet ring has an inlet having a first diameter and an outlet having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The axial fan assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the axial fan, the inlet ring, the stator, the outlet ring, and the fan deck are connected to form the axial fan assembly. 
     
     
         17 . An air handling unit for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the air handling unit comprising:
 an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet;   a heat exchanger coil housed within the enclosure and configured to (i) receive a refrigerant circulated through the heat exchanger coil and (ii) facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant and air directed across the heat exchanger coil; and   an axial fan assembly housed within the enclosure and configured to direct the air across the heat exchanger coil, the axial fan assembly comprising:   an axial fan configured to direct the air through the air handling unit;   an inlet ring disposed in a flow path upstream of the axial fan and configured to direct the air toward the axial fan;   a stator disposed in the flow path downstream of the axial fan and configured to straighten a flow of the air;   an outlet ring disposed in the flow path downstream of the axial fan and configured to direct the air out of the axial fan assembly; and   a fan deck configured to support at least the axial fan in the air handling unit.   
     
     
         18 . The air handling unit of  claim 17 , wherein the inlet ring has an inlet having a first diameter and an outlet having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The air handling unit of  claim 17 , further comprising a casing disposed around at least a portion of the inlet ring. 
     
     
         26 . The air handling unit of  claim 25 , further comprising a casing flange configured to support the axial fan and the stator. 
     
     
         27 . The air handling unit of  claim 17 , wherein the inlet ring extends from an inlet of the axial fan assembly to the casing flange, and wherein the inlet ring is attached to the casing flange. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The air handling unit of  claim 17 , wherein the axial fan is attached to the stator, and wherein the stator is configured to support the axial fan. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The air handling unit of  claim 17 , wherein the outlet ring has an inlet having a first diameter and an outlet having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter. 
     
     
         32 - 38 . (Canceled)