This disclosure is directed to packaged piping for connecting a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system to a variable air volume (VAV) distribution system.
Piping for VAV HVACR systems typically is not provided in the factory unit, and instead is installed at a location by the installer. The factory units do not include support for the piping. Additionally, valves for this piping are not terminated on a unit controller at the factory. Further, field installed piping packages often are misplaced or installed on the incorrect unit. VAV piping further is orientation dependent for proper installation.
This disclosure is directed to packaged piping for connecting a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system to a variable air volume (VAV) distribution system.
By providing the piping for connecting a VAV system in a flip-able piping package including support and an enclosure, VAV installation at locations can be simplified and VAV piping can be provided as part of the factory unit. The flip-able piping package can be pre-assembled and in some cases be included in the main unit of the HVACR system. By being pre-assembled, the unit can reduce the need for complex assembly at installation. By being flip-able, the piping package can be adaptable to various installation conditions based on the site where the HVACR system is being installed, for example being able to be installed on either a left side or a right side of the main unit of the HVACR system. Additionally, the enclosure of the package can support and protect the piping contained within during transit to an installation site. Further, the use of such packages can allow a control valve actuator to be directly terminated on the controller of the HVACR system from the factory or facilitate such connection by the interface of the piping package with the main unit, thus also simplifying the electrical aspects of the installation for the HVACR system, reducing costs and the chance of error.
In an embodiment, a piping package for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a supply pipe including a first blow-down valve and a first air vent, a return pipe including a second blow down valve and a second air vent, and an enclosure configured to surround the supply pipe and the return pipe. The enclosure includes a first access opening configured to allow access to the first blow-down valve and a second access opening configured to allow access to the second blow-down valve.
In an embodiment, the piping package further includes a heat exchanger, wherein the supply pipe and the return pipe are each connected to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the enclosure has a removable side panel.
In an embodiment, the return pipe includes a control valve including an actuator.
In an embodiment, the piping package further includes a bypass line extending from the supply pipe to the control valve.
In an embodiment, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a piping package. The piping package includes a supply pipe including a first blow-down valve and a first air vent, a return pipe including a second blow down valve and a second air vent, and an enclosure configured to surround the supply pipe and the return pipe. The enclosure includes a first access opening configured to allow access to the first blow-down valve and a second access opening configured to allow access to the second blow-down valve.
In an embodiment, the HVACR system further includes a heat exchanger, wherein the supply pipe and the return pipe are each connected to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the enclosure has a removable side panel.
In an embodiment, the return pipe includes a control valve including an actuator.
In an embodiment, the actuator is terminated on a unit controller of the HVACR system.
In an embodiment, the HVACR system further includes a bypass line extending from the supply line to the control valve.
In an embodiment, the HVACR system further includes a main unit and a control box, wherein the VAV piping package is on a same side of the main unit as the control box.
In an embodiment, the HVACR system further includes a main unit and a control box, wherein the VAV piping package is on an opposite side of the main unit from the control box.
In an embodiment, a method of installing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system at a location includes installing a main unit of the HVACR system and installing a pre-assembled piping package. The pre-assembled piping package includes a supply pipe including a first blow-down valve and a first air vent, a return pipe including a second blow down valve and a second air vent, and an enclosure configured to surround the supply pipe and the return pipe. The enclosure includes a first access opening configured to allow access to the first blow-down valve and a second access opening configured to allow access to the second blow-down valve. The method further includes connecting the supply pipe and the return pipe to a building variable air volume (VAV) system.
In an embodiment, the pre-assembled piping package is installed in a right-side orientation relative to the main unit of the HVACR system.
In an embodiment, the pre-assembled piping package is installed in a left-side orientation relative to the main unit of the HVACR system.
In an embodiment, the pre-assembled piping package includes a heat exchanger, wherein the supply pipe and the return pipe are connected to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger.
In an embodiment, the method further includes installing a heat exchanger and connecting each of the supply pipe and the return pipe to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger.
In an embodiment, the HVACR system includes a control box, and the pre-assembled piping package is installed on a same side of the main unit of the HVACR system as the control box.
In an embodiment, the HVACR system includes a control box, and the pre-assembled piping package is installed on an opposite side of the main unit of the HVACR system from the control box.
This disclosure is directed to packaged piping for connecting a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system to a variable air volume (VAV) distribution system.
Main unit 102 includes at least some components of the HVACR system 100, such as a compressor (not shown), an expander (not shown), an ambient environment heat exchanger (not shown), and/or any other suitable component for an HVACR system. Examples of components of the HVACR system 100 included in main unit 102 can be seen in
VAV piping package 104 is a piping package configured to allow a process fluid to be circulated between the HVACR system 100 and a building VAV system (not shown) including a plurality of VAV terminals (not shown). When installed, VAV piping package 104 is positioned on a side of the main unit 102. The VAV piping package 104 includes piping enclosure 106. Piping enclosure 106 surrounds other components of the VAV piping package 104, such as, for example, supply pipe 116, return pipe 118, first blow-down valve 120, second blow-down valve 122, first air vent 124, second air vent 126, bypass line 128, and control valve 130 as shown in
Heat exchanger 112 can be contained in enclosure 114. Heat exchanger 112 can be connected to the main unit of the HVACR system 100 that is contained within main unit 102, and to VAV piping package 104. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 112 is a water coil of a HVACR system. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 112 is configured to allow the addition and/or removal of heat from a process fluid circulated through VAV piping package 104 and a building VAV system (not shown). In an embodiment, heat exchanger 112 is a heat exchanger allowing a working fluid of the HVACR system to exchange heat with a process fluid that is circulated to a building VAV system by way of the VAV piping package 104. The heat exchanger 112 can be, for example, a heat exchange coil. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 112 and/or enclosure 114 are included in the main unit 102. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 112 and/or enclosure 114 are included in the VAV piping package 104.
Supply pipe 116 is a pipe configured to convey a process fluid that is circulated through VAV piping package 104 from heat exchanger 112 to the building VAV system. Supply pipe 116 is configured such that supply pipe 116 is suitable for use as either an outlet line directing process fluid from heat exchanger 112 to the building VAV system or as an inlet line directing process fluid from the building VAV system to the heat exchanger 112. Supply pipe 116 includes a first blow-down valve 120 and a first air vent 124.
Return pipe 118 is a pipe configured to convey a process fluid that is circulated through VAV piping package 104 from the building VAV system to heat exchanger 112. Return pipe 118 is configured such that return pipe 118 is suitable for use as an outlet line directing process fluid from the heat exchanger 112 to the VAV system. Return pipe 118 includes a second blow-down valve 122 and a second air vent 126.
The embodiment shown in
Working fluid circuit 202 is configured to circulate a working fluid. Working fluid circuit 202 can be the main unit of the HVACR system 200. The working fluid can be, for example, any suitable refrigerant. Working fluid circuit 202 can include a compressor 208, configured to compress the working fluid. The compressor 208 can be any suitable compressor for compressing the working fluid. The working fluid from compressor 208 passes to a first heat exchanger 210. First heat exchanger 210 can serve as a condenser, where the compressed working fluid rejects heat, for example to an ambient environment. The working fluid from the first heat exchanger 210 can then pass to expander 212. Expander 212 can be, for example, an expansion valve, an expansion plate, an expansion vessel, one or more expansion orifices, or any other known suitable structure for expanding the working fluid. In an embodiment, the expander 212 is an electronic expansion valve. Working fluid that has been expanded at the expander 212 can then pass to second heat exchanger 214. Second heat exchanger 214 is a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the working fluid and a process fluid that is circulated through the process fluid piping connection 204 and building VAV system 206. In an embodiment, second heat exchanger 214 can be included with the rest of working fluid circuit 202 in a pre-assembled unit for installation. In an embodiment, second heat exchanger 214 is included in an assembly with process fluid piping connection 204 that is assembled to the other components of working fluid circuit 202 when the HVACR system 200 is installed. A unit controller 226 can further be included in HVACR system 200, for example on or in a main unit that also includes the working fluid circuit 202.
Process fluid piping connection 204 includes inlet line 216, which is configured to receive process fluid from the building VAV system 206 and direct the received process fluid to a process fluid inlet of the second heat exchanger 214. The process fluid can then exchange heat with the working fluid of working fluid circuit 202. The process fluid can then leave the second heat exchanger 214 and enter outlet line 218. Outlet line 218 is a fluid line configured to convey the process fluid from second heat exchanger 214 to an inlet of the building VAV system 206. Optionally, a bypass line 220 can be provided, connecting the inlet line 216 to the outlet line 218, bypassing the second heat exchanger 214. Flow through bypass line 220 can be regulated by the control valve 222. In an embodiment including bypass line 220, control valve 222 can be positioned at a junction of bypass line 220 with outlet line 218. In an embodiment, bypass line 220 can be omitted. In an embodiment where bypass line 220 is omitted, the control valve 222 can control the flow rate and/or temperature of the process fluid through the outlet line 218 to be controlled.
Building VAV system 206 includes VAV terminal 224. VAV terminal 224 is a terminal including one or more heat exchangers where the process fluid can exchange heat with air that is in or directed into a conditioned space. VAV terminal 224 can further include ducting, fans, louvers, or the like to control an amount of airflow over the heat exchanger(s) included therein. The building VAV system 206 can further include any suitable piping to convey the process fluid from outlet line 218 to the VAV terminal 224 and to return process fluid from the VAV terminal 224 to inlet line 216.
A main unit of the HVACR system is installed at 302. The main unit can include, for example, some or all of the working fluid circuit, such as working fluid circuit 202 described above and shown in
A pre-assembled piping package is installed at 304. Installing the pre-assembled piping package at 304 can include positioning the pre-assembled piping package relative to the main unit of the HVACR system at 302. The pre-assembled piping package can be delivered to the location of the installation at 304 already assembled other than connections to the main unit of the HVACR system. The pre-assembled piping package can be, for example, VAV piping package 104 as described above and shown in
Optionally, a heat exchanger can be installed at 306. The heat exchanger is a heat exchanger allowing heat exchange between the working fluid of the main unit of the HVACR system installed at 302 and the process fluid conveyed in part by the pre-assembled piping package installed at 304. Installing the heat exchanger at 306 can include positioning the heat exchanger in a suitable location relative to the main unit of the HVACR system and the pre-assembled piping package. Installing the heat exchanger at 306 can include making suitable connections among fluid lines of the main unit of the HVACR system and/or the pre-assembled piping package. Alternatively, the heat exchanger allowing heat exchange between the working fluid of the main unit of the HVACR system and the process fluid can be included in either the main unit of the HVACR system installed at 302 or the pre-assembled piping package installed at 304. In such embodiments, installing the pre-assembled piping package at 304 can include connecting the heat exchanger to the working fluid circuit of the main unit and/or connecting the pipes of the pre-assembled piping package to the heat exchanger.
The pre-assembled piping package can be connected to a building VAV system at 308. The building VAV system can be, for example, building VAV system 206 described above and shown in
A control valve actuator included in the pre-assembled piping package can be connected to a controller included in the main unit of the HVACR system at 310. The connection can be a direct wired connection of the control valve actuator to the controller. The connection can allow the controller to direct operation of a control valve of the pre-assembled piping package.
Main unit 402 is an enclosure containing at least some components of the HVACR system 400, such as a compressor (not shown), an expander (not shown), an ambient environment heat exchanger (not shown), and/or any other suitable component for an HVACR system. Examples of components of the HVACR system 400 included in main unit 402 can be seen in
VAV piping package 404 is a piping package configured to allow a process fluid to be circulated between the HVACR system 400 and a building VAV system (not shown) including a plurality of VAV terminals (not shown). When installed, VAV piping package 404 is positioned on a side of the main unit 402. The VAV piping package 404 includes piping enclosure 406. Piping enclosure 406 surrounds other components of the VAV piping package 404, such as, for example, supply pipe 416, return pipe 418, first blow-down valve 420, second blow-down valve 422, first air vent 424, second air vent 426, control valve actuator 428 as shown in
Heat exchanger 412 can be contained in enclosure 414. Heat exchanger 412 can be connected to the main unit of the HVACR system 400 that is contained within main unit 402, and to VAV piping package 404. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 412 is a water coil of a HVACR system. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 412 is configured to allow the addition and/or removal of heat from a process fluid circulated through VAV piping package 404 and a building VAV system (not shown). In an embodiment, heat exchanger 412 is a heat exchanger allowing a working fluid of the HVACR system to exchange heat with a process fluid that is circulated to a building VAV system by way of the VAV piping package 404. The heat exchanger 412 can be, for example, a heat exchange coil. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 412 and/or enclosure 414 are included in the main unit 402. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 412 and/or enclosure 414 are included in the VAV piping package 404. In an embodiment, heat exchanger 412 and/or enclosure 414 are provided separately from main unit 402 and VAV piping package 404.
Supply pipe 416 is a pipe configured to convey a process fluid that is circulated through VAV piping package 404 from heat exchanger 412 to the building VAV system. Supply pipe 416 is configured such that supply pipe 416 is suitable for use as either an outlet line directing process fluid from heat exchanger 412 to the building VAV system or as an inlet line directing process fluid from the building VAV system to the heat exchanger 412. Supply pipe 416 includes a first blow-down valve 420 and a first air vent 424.
Return pipe 418 is a pipe configured to convey a process fluid that is circulated through VAV piping package 404 from the building VAV system to heat exchanger 412. Return pipe 418 includes a second blow-down valve 422 and a second air vent 426.
The embodiment shown in
It is understood that any of aspects 1-5 can be combined with any of aspects 6-13 or any of aspects 14-20. It is understood that any of aspects 6-13 can be combined with any of aspects 14-20.
Aspect 1. A piping package for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system, comprising:
Aspect 2. The piping package according to aspect 1, further comprising a heat exchanger, wherein the supply pipe and the return pipe are each connected to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger.
Aspect 3. The piping package according to any of aspects 1-2, wherein the enclosure has a removable side panel.
Aspect 4. The piping package according to any of aspects 1-3, wherein the return pipe includes a control valve including an actuator.
Aspect 5. The piping package according to aspect 4, further comprising a bypass line extending from the supply pipe to the control valve.
Aspect 6. A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system, comprising a piping package, the piping package comprising:
Aspect 7. The HVACR system according to aspect 6, further comprising a heat exchanger, wherein the supply pipe and the return pipe are each connected to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger.
Aspect 8. The HVACR system according to any of aspects 6-7, wherein the enclosure has a removable side panel.
Aspect 9. The HVACR system according to any of aspects 6-8, wherein the return pipe includes a control valve including an actuator.
Aspect 10. The HVACR system according to aspect 9, wherein the actuator is terminated on a unit controller of the HVACR system.
Aspect 11. The HVACR system according to any of aspects 9-10, further comprising a bypass line extending from the supply line to the control valve
Aspect 12. The HVACR system according to any of aspects 6-11, further comprising a main unit and a control box, wherein the VAV piping package is on a same side of the main unit as the control box.
Aspect 13. The HVACR system according to any of aspects 6-11, further comprising a main unit and a control box, wherein the VAV piping package is on an opposite side of the main unit from the control box.
Aspect 14. A method of installing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system at a location, comprising:
Aspect 15. The method according to aspect 14, wherein the pre-assembled piping package is installed in a right-side orientation relative to the main unit of the HVACR system.
Aspect 16. The method according to any of aspects 14-15, wherein the pre-assembled piping package is installed in a left-side orientation relative to the main unit of the HVACR system.
Aspect 17. The method according to any of aspects 14-16, wherein the pre-assembled piping package includes a heat exchanger, wherein the supply pipe and the return pipe are connected to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger.
Aspect 18. The method according to any of aspects 14-17, further comprising installing a heat exchanger and connecting each of the supply pipe and the return pipe to a process fluid side of the heat exchanger.
Aspect 19. The method according to any of aspects 14-18, wherein the HVACR system includes a control box, and the pre-assembled piping package is installed on a same side of the main unit of the HVACR system as the control box.
Aspect 20. The method according to any of aspects 14-18, wherein the HVACR system includes a control box, and the pre-assembled piping package is installed on an opposite side of the main unit of the HVACR system from the control box.
The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.