Patent Application
20140202538
This application relates to the field of heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems, and more particularly to manifolds for use in HVAC systems.
Traditionally, manifolds have been used in HVAC systems in many different ways. One such way is for the placement of sensors, such as pressure sensors in an HVAC system. A problem exists with known manifolds that have inlets and outlets on opposite sides. The placement of the inlets and outlets on a traditional manifold limit the placement of the manifolds when deployed in an HVAC system. Traditional manifolds also require adequate space for the piping connecting to the inlet and outlet that are opposite one another. Another problem with traditional manifolds that are commonly found in HVAC systems, is the additional pipe required to make connections on two sides of a manifold. This additional piping results in additional cost.
While traditional manifold systems have been used in HVAC systems, a need exists for a manifold that overcomes the known problems.
In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an approach for a manifold that has input and output ports located on the same side of the manifold.
The above described approaches and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While it would be desirable to have a manifold that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned advantages.
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
With reference to
The sensor 104 may be a pressure sensor or other type of transducer that transmits data about the fluid flowing through the fluid manifold 102. An example of the sensor that may be used is SIEMENS QBE3100UD25, QBE3100UD50, and QBE3100UD100. The sensor may have two fluid connectors, such as 114, 116. Compression fittings, such as 118, may be used to connect the sensor 104 to copper pipes 120 and 122. In the current example, copper pipes 120 and 122 are used, but in other implementations the pipes 120 and 122 may be composed of different materials and may be dependent upon the type of fluid that passes through the pipes 120 and 122. The pipes on the side of the fluid manifold 104 may also have compression fittings 119 similar to 118. The compression fittings compress to seal around the pipes 120 and 122 and have threads to screw into the senor 104 and manifold 102.
The sensor 104 may attach to the bracket 106 with a pair of bolts and washers, such as bolt 124 and lock washer 126. Similarly, the fluid manifold 102 may be attached to the bracket 106 with a pair of bolts and washers, such as bolt 128 and washer 130. The bracket 106 may be affixed to a wall or other support prior to mounting the fluid manifold 102 and sensor 104. In other implementations, the bracket 106 may be mounted using tire-wraps, screws or other fasteners. In yet other implementations, the bracket may only secure the fluid manifold 102 or the sensor 104 rather than both as shown in
The shape of the knobs may have an elongated portion and ribs to assist in grasping and turning the knobs. The knobs may also have an indicator shape or marking that enables a person to identify the direction that the knob faces. To further aid in use of the fluid manifold, a graphic overlay 132 may be affixed to the fluid manifold 102. In other implementations, multiple graphics may be affixed or painted onto the fluid manifold 102. In yet other implementations, the graphics may be formed in the material that the fluid manifold is formed from (i.e. by etching or casting).
The advantage of the fluid manifold 102 may be seen in
Turning to
In
The foregoing detailed description of one or more embodiments of the fluid manifold has been presented herein by way of example only and not limitation. It will be recognized that there are advantages to certain individual features and functions described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other features and functions described herein. Moreover, it will be recognized that various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments, systems or applications. Presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
