Patent Application
20250189145
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as an admission of any kind.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial applications to control environmental properties, such as temperature and humidity, for occupants of respective environments. An HVAC system may control the environmental properties through control of properties of an air flow delivered to and ventilated from spaces serviced by the HVAC system. In some applications, an air handling unit of the HVAC system may receive a flow of outdoor air and/or a flow of return air from a building and may direct a flow of supply air into the building to provide conditioning, ventilation, and/or improved air quality within the building. To this end, the air handling unit may include a fan assembly or other flow generating device that facilitates air circulation through the air handling unit and throughout ductwork of the building. In certain cases, operation of the fan assembly and/or other components of the air handling unit may generate audible noise that propagates through the air handling unit. The audible noise may also propagate into the ductwork of the building and/or to an environment, such as an ambient environment, surrounding the air handling unit. Unfortunately, the audible noise generated by the air handling unit may be unpleasant to occupants within the building and/or persons located near the air handling unit.
The present disclosure relates to an air handling unit for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including a fan assembly having an inlet configured to receive an air flow and a mounting frame coupled to the fan assembly upstream of the inlet relative to a direction of the air flow through the air handling unit. The mounting frame includes a plurality of walls defining an air flow path configured to direct the air flow to the inlet of the fan assembly. The air handling unit also includes a noise suppression system disposed within the mounting frame. The noise suppression system includes sound absorbing material disposed along each wall of the plurality of walls and a plurality of cover panels. The plurality of cover panels is attached to the plurality of walls to capture the sound absorbing material between the plurality of walls and the plurality of cover panels.
The present disclosure also relates to an air handling unit for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including a fan array having a plurality of fan assemblies and a plurality of mounting frames, where each mounting frame of the plurality of mounting frames is attached to a respective fan assembly of plurality of fan assemblies at an inlet of the respective fan assembly. Each mounting frame of the plurality of mounting frames includes a noise suppression system disposed within the mounting frame, where the noise suppression system includes sound absorbing material disposed along walls of the mounting frame, and the sound absorbing material is disposed about an air flow path extending through the mounting frame.
The present disclosure further relates to an air handling unit for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a mounting frame configured to couple to a fan assembly upstream of an inlet of the fan assembly, relative to a direction of air flow through the air handling unit. The mounting frame includes a plurality of walls defining an air flow path configured to direct the air flow through the mounting frame to the inlet of the fan assembly. Each wall of the plurality of walls includes a first mounting flange configured to be attached to the fan assembly, and each wall of the plurality of walls includes a second mounting flange configured to be attached to a damper mounted to the mounting frame upstream of the mounting frame. The air handling unit also includes a noise suppression system disposed within the mounting frame. The noise suppression system includes sound absorbing material disposed along each wall of the plurality of walls and a plurality of cover panels. The plurality of cover panels is attached to the plurality of walls to encase the sound absorbing material between the plurality of walls and the plurality of cover panels.
Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially,” and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being “approximately” equal to (or, for example, “substantially similar” to) a given value, this is intended to mean that the property value may be within +/−5%, within +/−4%, within +/−3%, within +/−2%, within +/−1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being “substantially parallel” to another feature, “generally perpendicular” to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to mean that the given feature is within +/−5%, within +/−4%, within +/−3%, within +/−2%, within +/−1%, or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Further, it should be understood that mathematical terms, such as “planar,” “slope,” “perpendicular,” “parallel,” and so forth are intended to encompass features of surfaces or elements as understood to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and should not be rigidly interpreted as might be understood in the mathematical arts. For example, a “planar” surface is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be substantially flat or smooth (within related tolerances) using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art. Similarly, a surface having a “slope” is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be oriented at an angle (e.g., incline) with respect to a point of reference using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art.
As briefly discussed above, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system may be used to regulate certain climate and/or environmental parameters within a space of a building, home, or other suitable structure. For example, the HVAC system may include an air handling unit having a fan or other flow generating device that is positioned within an enclosure of the air handling unit. The enclosure may be in fluid communication with the building or other structure via an air distribution system, such as a system of ductwork, which extends between the enclosure and the building. The fan may operate to force an air flow along an interior of the enclosure and, thus, direct air into or out of the building. For example, the fan may enable the air handling unit to exhaust return air from the building while simultaneously directing supply air into the building. Accordingly, a supply of fresh air (e.g., conditioned air) may be circulated through an interior of the building to improve or maintain an air quality within the building.
In some embodiments, operation of the fan or other climate management components of the air handling unit may generate acoustic waves, such as sound waves, or audible noise, which may propagate within an enclosure of the air handling unit. In certain cases, the generated acoustic waves or sound waves may propagate along the enclosure and the ductwork of the HVAC system and thereby enter the building. In some instances, the acoustic waves or sound waves may propagate to an environment surrounding the enclosure of the air handling unit, such as an ambient environment. Such audible noise may be unpleasant to occupants within the building and/or persons in proximity to the exterior of the air handling unit. Accordingly, typical air handling units may include one or more conventional sound attenuators or silencers that are disposed within the enclosure of the air handling unit to attenuate propagation of such sound waves. Unfortunately, conventional sound attenuators are associated with various drawbacks. For example, conventional sound attenuators may be undesirably large and/or may occupy space within the air handling unit that results an increased overall size and/or footprint of the air handling unit. Conventional sound attenuators may also induce a pressure drop (e.g., pressure differential), which may increase a load on the fan and cause the fan to operate with increased energy consumption. Certain existing sound attenuators may also be limited for use at an outlet of a fan and/or downstream of a fan, and such sound attenuators may therefore be ineffective to adequately attenuate audible noise generated and/or propagated from an inlet of the fan. Some conventional sound attenuators may also suffer from other drawbacks, such as limited sound attenuation effectiveness, configuration limitations, substantial costs, and/or increased complexity.
It is now recognized that improved sound attenuators configured for incorporation in an air handling unit are desired. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure include a noise suppression system configured to be implemented at or near an inlet of a fan (e.g., upstream of the fan) to enable more effective attenuation of audible noise (e.g., acoustic waves, sound waves) at and/or from the inlet of the fan. Noise suppression systems in accordance with the present techniques may also be incorporated with an air handling unit without increasing an overall size or footprint of the air handling unit and may also enable attenuation or suppression of noise substantially without inducing an additional pressure drop in an air flow directed through the air handling unit via the fan. In this way, noise generated by the fan and/or other components within the air handling unit may be more effectively suppressed, and a load on the fan that drives air flow through the enclosure of the air handling unit may be reduced, which may reduce power consumption by the fan. These and other features will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Turning now to the drawings,
The HVAC system 100 (e.g., waterside system 120) may also include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and an air handling unit (AHU) 106. The AHU 106 may be positioned on a roof of the building 10 as shown, or the AHU 106 may be positioned in another location, such as within the building 10. The waterside system 120 may use the boiler 104 and the chiller 102 to heat or cool a conditioning fluid (e.g., water, glycol, etc.) and may circulate the conditioning fluid to the AHU 106. In various embodiments, HVAC devices of waterside system 120 may be located in or around building 10, as shown in
The AHU 106 may place the conditioning fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an air flow directed through the AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages of cooling coils and/or heating coils). The air flow can include, for example, outdoor air, return air received from the building 10, or a combination of both. The AHU 106 may transfer heat between the air flow and the conditioning fluid to provide heating or cooling for the air flow. For example, the AHU 106 may include one or more fans or blowers configured to direct the air flow across or through a heat exchanger containing the conditioning fluid. The conditioning fluid may then return to the chiller 102 or the boiler 104 via piping 110.
The airside system 130 may deliver the air flow conditioned and supplied by the AHU 106 (e.g., a supply air flow) to the building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and may direct a return air flow from the building 10 to the AHU 106 via air return ducts 114. In some embodiments, the airside system 130 includes multiple variable air volume (VAV) units 116. For example, the airside system 130 is shown to include separate VAV units 116 on each floor or zone of the building 10. The VAV units 116 may include dampers or other flow control elements that may be operated to control an amount of the supply air flow provided to individual zones of the building 10. In other embodiments, the airside system 130 is configured to deliver the supply air flow into one or more zones of the building 10 (e.g., via air supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. The AHU 106 may include various sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes or parameters of the supply air flow. The AHU 106 may receive data and/or feedback from sensors located within the AHU 106, within the air supply ducts 112, within the air return ducts 114, and/or within the building 10 (e.g., a building zone) and may adjust the flow rate, temperature, and/or other attributes of the supply air flow generated by the AHU 106 to achieve set point conditions of the building 10.
As mentioned above, one or more components within the AHU 106 may generate substantial amounts of noise (e.g., audible sound, acoustic waves) that may be propagated to locations external to the AHU 106 where the noise may be heard. For example, sound waves generated within the AHU 106 may be propagated into the building 10 via the air supply ducts 112, the air return ducts 114, or both. As a result, audible sound or noise may be heard by occupants within the building 10. Additionally or alternatively, the sound waves generated within the AHU 106 may be dispersed external to the AHU 106, such as into an ambient environment 140 surrounding the building 10. Thus, audible sound or noise may permeate the ambient environment 140 and be heard by persons within the ambient environment 140. The audible sound may be disruptive, distracting, or otherwise unpleasant for occupants within the building 10, persons near the building 10, or both. Accordingly, present embodiments include a noise suppression system 200 incorporated within the AHU 106. As described in further detail below, the noise suppression system 200 is configured to be implemented within the AHU 106 without (e.g., substantially without) increasing an overall size or footprint of the AHU 106. Additionally, the noise suppression system 200 is configured to be implemented at or near an inlet of a fan within the AHU 106, which may enable improved and/or more effective sound attenuation relative to existing systems. Details of the noise suppression system 200 are described further below.
With the foregoing in mind,
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the AHU 106 includes an enclosure 208 that forms an air flow path 210 through the AHU 106, which extends from an upstream end portion 212 of the AHU 106 to a downstream end portion 214 of the AHU 106. The enclosure 208 may be in fluid communication with a load 216 (e.g., thermal load, heating load, cooling load), such as the building 10, via an air distribution system 218, such as a system of ductwork. In particular, the air distribution system 218 includes a supply duct 220 that fluidly couples a supply air outlet 222 of the AHU 106 to the load 216 and a return duct 224 that is coupled to a return air inlet 226 of the AHU 106. Accordingly, the supply duct 220 and the return duct 224 may fluidly couple the air flow path 210 of the AHU 106 to the load 216.
In the illustrated embodiment, the AHU 106 includes an inlet plenum 228 (e.g., inlet section, mixing section) that is in fluid communication with the return air inlet 226 and an outside air inlet 230 (e.g., ambient air inlet). The return air inlet 226 and the outside air inlet 230 may each include respective dampers that are configured to regulate a flow rate of return air 232 and/or a flow rate of outside air 234 that may be drawn into the inlet plenum 228 via a fan system 236 (e.g., fan array, fan array system) of the AHU 106. As described further below, the fan system 236 is configured to draw the return air 232 and/or the outside air 234 into the inlet plenum 228 to form a flow of supply air 238 that is directed along the air flow path 210 in an air flow direction 240 (e.g., downstream direction, direction of air flow through the AHU 106), from the upstream end portion 212 to the downstream end portion 214 of the AHU 106, via operation of the fan system 236. As the supply air 238 is directed along the air flow path 210, the supply air 238 may be conditioned by one or more components disposed within the AHU 106 for supply to the load 216.
In some embodiments, the AHU 106 may include a filter system 242 configured to filter the supply air 238 before the fan system 236 draws the supply air 238 through and/or across other components within the AHU 106. Particularly, the filter system 242 may include one or more filtration elements 244 (e.g., filters) that are configured to remove airborne particulates, such as dust or pollen, from the flow of supply air 238. The fan system 236 may draw the filtered supply air 238 through a coil section 246 (e.g., coil plenum) within the enclosure 208 that is disposed downstream of the filter system 242, relative to the air flow direction 240. The coil section 246 of the AHU 106 may include a cooling coil 248 configured to cool the supply air 238, a heating coil 250 configured to heat the supply air 238, or both. For example, in a cooling mode of the AHU 106, chilled liquid, such as chilled water (e.g., supplied by the chiller 102), may be circulated through the cooling coil 248 while the heating coil 250 is non-operational. In this manner, the chilled liquid circulating through the cooling coil 248 may absorb thermal energy from the supply air 238 flowing across a heat exchange area of the cooling coil 248. Conversely, in a heating mode of the AHU 106, a heated liquid, such as heated water (e.g., supplied by the boiler 104), may be circulated through the heating coil 250, while the cooling coil 248 is non-operational. Accordingly, the heating coil 250 may transfer thermal energy to the flow of supply air 238 in the heating mode of the AHU 106. In any case, the fan system 236 may force the conditioned supply air 238 from the coil section 246, through a fan section 252 (e.g., fan plenum) of the AHU 106 having the fan system 236 disposed downstream of the coil section 246 relative to the air flow direction 240. From the fan section 252, the supply air 238 may flow into a discharge plenum 254 (e.g., discharge section) of the AHU 106 disposed downstream of the fan section 252 relative to the air flow direction 240, through the supply air outlet 222, and into the supply duct 220 to flow to the load 216. In accordance with these techniques, the air handling unit 18 may regulate one or more climate parameters and/or air quality parameters within the load 216.
In some embodiments, the fan system 236 may include a plurality of fans 256 (e.g., direct drive fans, variable speed fans, plug fans, direct plenum fans) that form a fan array 258 within the fan section 252. The fan system 236 (e.g., fan array 258) may include any suitable quantity of the fans 256, such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more fans 256. However, it should be appreciated that some embodiments of the AHU 106 may include one fan 256 in the fan system 236. In operation, each fan 256 may draw a portion of the supply air 238 through the fan section 252. Additionally, cach fan 256 may be associated with a respective damper 260 (e.g., backdraft damper, barometric backdraft damper) disposed upstream of the fan 256 relative to the air flow direction 240. The damper 260 may be coupled (e.g., secured, attached) to the corresponding fan 256 via a mounting frame 262 (e.g., mounting sleeve, mounting collar, collar) that is also disposed upstream of the fan 256 relative to the air flow direction 240. In some embodiments, each damper 260 may be configured to regulate a respective flow of the supply air 238 directed through the corresponding fan 256 in the air flow direction 240. Additionally or alternatively, the damper 260 may be configured to block backflow of the through the corresponding fan 256 in an upstream direction 264, opposite air flow direction 240.
In any case, cach damper 260 includes a plurality of blades 266 (e.g., fan blades, movable blades) configured to rotate relative to a frame of the damper 260 to enable, block, and/or otherwise adjust flow of air through the damper 260 and therefore the fan 256 associated with the damper 260. For example, in some instances, one or more of the fans 256 may be non-operational (e.g., due to a fault, based on a demand of the load 216), and the blades 266 of the damper 260 associated with the non-operational fan 256 may transition to a closed position to block backflow of air (e.g., supply air 238) in the upstream direction 264 (e.g., from the fan section 252 to the coil section 246). To this end, the dampers 260 may be backdraft dampers in which the blades 266 are configured actuate from an open position to a closed position via gravity (e.g., absent pressure or velocity of the supply air 238 acting on the blades 266 via operation of the fan 256 associated with the damper 260). In other embodiments, the dampers 260 may be configured to be actuated manually, via an actuator (e.g., a motor), via a pressure differential across the blades 266, another suitable manner, or any combination thereof.
As noted above, operation of certain components of the AHU 106, such as the fan system 236 (e.g., fans 256) and/or any other components of the AHU 106 positioned within or adjacent to the air flow path 210 may generate audible noise in the form of sound waves. The generated sound waves may propagate along the air flow path 210 and, in some cases, may enter the load 216 as audible noise. For example, the generated audible noise may enter the load 216 via the supply duct 220, the return duct 224, or both. Therefore, embodiments of the AHU 106 discussed herein may include the noise suppression system 200 (e.g., one or more embodiments of the noise suppression system 200), which is configured to block the propagation of sound waves along the air flow path 210 and into the load 216. The noise suppression system 200 may also block the propagation of sound waves from the air flow path 210 and external to the enclosure 208. As described in further detail below, the noise suppression system 200 may be incorporated or implemented within the mounting frame 262 that couples the damper 260 to the fan 256. For example, cach mounting frame 262 of the fan system 236 may include an embodiment of the noise suppression system 200 disposed therein. As the mounting frame 262 is disposed upstream of the fan 256 (e.g., at or adjacent to an inlet of the fan 256), relative to the air flow direction 240, the noise suppression system 200 is also disposed upstream of the fan 256. As a result, the noise suppression system 200 is configured to more effectively block the propagation of sound waves from the fan 256 and in the upstream direction 264, which may substantially reduce propagation of sound waves from the AHU 106 and into the return duct 224 (e.g., via the return air inlet 226), into the ambient environment 140 (e.g., via the outside air inlet 230), and/or into another environment surrounding the AHU 106.
It should be appreciated that other embodiments of the AHU 106 incorporating the present techniques (e.g., noise suppression system 200) may have other arrangements, configurations, and/or components. For example, the filter system 242, the coil section 246, the fan section 252, and/or the respective components therein may be arranged in another order along the longitudinal axis 202 (e.g., relative to the air flow direction 240. In some embodiments, the AHU 106 may have fewer components or additional components disposed within the enclosure 208. For example, the AHU 106 may include an electric heater, an additional filter system, an additional or different coil (e.g., heat exchanger coil), an energy recovery wheel, a humidifier, one or more air treatment devices (e.g., ultraviolet lamp, UVC germicidal lamp), and so forth. In some embodiments, the AHU 106 may include additional sound attenuating features, which may be disposed elsewhere within the enclosure 208, such as downstream (e.g., relative to the air flow direction 240) of the fan system 236.
As shown, the first fan assembly 300 is associated with a first damper 324 configured to control air flow through the first fan assembly 300, and the first damper 324 is coupled to the first fan assembly 300 (e.g., first fan housing 304) via a first mounting frame 326 (e.g., mounting collar). In accordance with the present techniques, a first noise suppression system 328 (e.g., noise suppression assembly) is disposed within the first mounting frame 326 and is configured to block propagation of sound waves through the AHU 106. In particular, the first noise suppression system 328 is implemented and configured to more effectively block propagation of sound waves (e.g., noise, generated via operation of the first fan assembly 300) from the first fan assembly 300 (e.g., first inlet 312 and in the upstream direction 264. Similarly, the second fan assembly 302 is associated with a second damper 330 configured to control air flow through the second fan assembly 302, and the second damper 330 is coupled to the second fan assembly 302 (e.g., second fan housing 314) via a second mounting frame 332 (e.g., mounting collar). A second noise suppression system 334 (e.g., noise suppression assembly) is disposed within the second mounting frame 332 and is configured to block propagation of sound waves through the AHU 106 (e.g., generated via the second fan assembly 302, in the upstream direction 264). In some instances, the first noise suppression system 328 and the second noise suppression system 334 may be collectively considered an embodiment of the noise suppression system 200. Alternatively, the first noise suppression system 328 and the second noise suppression system 334 may be considered separate embodiments of the noise suppression system 200.
In some embodiments, the first mounting frame 326 having the first noise suppression system 328 disposed therein may be directly coupled (e.g., mounted, attached) to the first inlet 312 of the first fan housing 304, and the second mounting frame 332 having the second noise suppression system 334 disposed therein may be directly coupled (e.g., mounted, attached) to the second inlet 322 of the second fan housing 314. In other embodiments, the first mounting frame 326 may arranged adjacent to the first inlet 312 and the second mounting frame 332 may be arranged adjacent to the second inlet 322 in another suitable manner. For example, the enclosure 208 of the AHU 106 may include a bulkhead wall 336 (e.g., partition) disposed therein to separate a positive pressure section 338 (e.g., positive pressure side) within the enclosure 208 from a negative pressure section 340 (e.g., negative pressure side) within the enclosure 208. The bulkhead wall 336 may include respective openings associated with the first fan assembly 300 and the second fan assembly 302. The first mounting frame 326 and the second mounting frame 332 may be mounted (e.g., attached, secured) to an upstream side 342 (e.g., upstream surface) of the bulkhead wall 336, and the first fan housing 304 and the second fan housing 314 may be mounted (e.g., attached, secured) to a downstream side 344 (e.g., downstream surface) of the bulkhead wall 336. The first mounting frame 326 and the first fan assembly 300 may be aligned with one another and with a first opening formed in the bulkhead wall 336 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 202), and the second mounting frame 332 and the second fan assembly 302 may be aligned with one another and with a second opening formed in the bulkhead wall 336 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 202) to enable respective flows of the supply air 238 from the negative pressure section 340 to the positive pressure section 338 via operation of the first fan assembly 300 and the second fan assembly 302. In any case, the first damper 324 may be attached (e.g., directly attached, mounted) to the first mounting frame 326 (e.g., opposite the first inlet 312), and the second damper 330 may be attached (e.g., directly attached, mounted) to the second mounting frame 332 (e.g., opposite the second inlet 322), as described further below. It should be appreciated that other embodiments of the fan array 258 may include additional numbers of fan assemblies associated with respective mounting frames, dampers, and noise suppression systems, in accordance with the present techniques. The fan assemblies of the fan array 258 may be arrayed along the vertical axis 204, the lateral axis 206, or both.
The mounting frame 262 includes a housing 360 (e.g., main body) defined by a plurality of walls (e.g., wall portions, panel portions, housing panels, panels, side portions) coupled to one another. The plurality of walls includes a top wall 362 (e.g., upper wall), a first side wall 364 (e.g., lateral side wall), a second side wall 366 (e.g., lateral side wall) opposite the first side wall 364, and a bottom wall 368 (e.g., lower wall, base wall) opposite the top wall 362. The first side wall 364 and the second side wall 366 each extend generally along the vertical axis 204 from the bottom wall 368 to the top wall 362. The housing 360 may be formed from sheet metal, galvanized steel, mill finished aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, another polymer, a composite material, another suitable material, or any combination thereof. The plurality of walls may be formed from a single piece of material (e.g., via bending, an integral and/or one piece construction) or may be a separate pieces of material secured to one another (e.g., via welding, adhesives, fasteners, etc.) to form the housing 360. Additionally, the plurality of walls may include continuous pieces (e.g., panels) of material that do not include perforations formed therein.
The housing 360 (e.g., plurality of walls) defines an air flow path 370 extending internally through the housing 360 from an upstream end 372 (e.g., upstream opening, inlet opening) defined by the housing 360 to a downstream end 374 (e.g., downstream opening, outlet opening) defined by the housing 360. In an installed configuration, an embodiment of the damper 260 may be secured (e.g., mounted, attached) to the upstream end 372 of the housing 360, and the downstream end 374 of the housing 360 may be secured (e.g., mounted, attached) to an inlet end (e.g., first inlet 312, second inlet 322) of an embodiment of the fan 256 (e.g., fan assembly, fan assembly frame). Thus, during operation of the fan 256, a flow of air (e.g., supply air 238) may flow through the damper 260, into and along the air flow path 370 from the upstream end 372 to the downstream end 374, and into the fan 256 (e.g., in the air flow direction 240). Additionally, the blades 266 of the damper 260 may operate to control air flow through the upstream end 372 of the housing 360. As described in further detail below, one or more walls of the plurality of walls (e.g., top wall 362, first side wall 364, second side wall 366, bottom wall 368) may include one or more flange portions 376 extending from a main panel of the wall. For example, one or more flange portions 376 may extend from one or more of the walls at the upstream end 372 of the housing 360, and/or one or more flange portions 376 may extend from one or more of the walls at the downstream end 374 of the housing 360. Flange portions 376 disposed at the upstream end 372 may enable securement of the damper 260 to the housing 360, and flange portions 376 disposed at the downstream end 374 may enable securement of the housing 360 to the fan 256 (e.g., fan inlet, first fan housing 304, second fan housing 314) and/or another suitable component (e.g., upstream side 342 of the bulkhead wall 336).
In accordance with the present techniques, the noise suppression system 200 is disposed within the housing 360. In other words, the housing 360 may extend about (e.g., circumscribe, encircle, surround, bound) the noise suppression system 200. The noise suppression system 200 includes cover panels 378 (e.g., covers, cover walls, protective covers, protective panels) coupled to interior surfaces of the plurality of walls (e.g., top wall 362, first side wall 364, second side wall 366, bottom wall 368) facing the air flow path 370. The noise suppression system 200 also includes sound absorbing material 380 (e.g., sound attenuating material, absorptive material) disposed between (e.g., captured between) the cover panels 378 and the plurality of walls. For example, each of the cover panels 378 and a corresponding one of the walls of the housing 360 may be coupled to one another to form a cavity 382 therebetween, and sound absorbing material 380 may be disposed and retained within the cavity 382. In some embodiments, each cover panel 378 may be coupled to the interior surface of a corresponding wall of the housing 360 with sound absorbing material 380 disposed therebetween. Therefore, the cover panels 378 may cooperatively define (e.g., bound, encircle, extend about) dimensions of the air flow path 370. Indeed, the cover panels 378 may be assembled with the housing 360 to provide desired dimensions (e.g., height along the vertical axis 204, width along lateral axis 206) of the air flow path 370. The cover panels 378 may be attached or secured to the walls (e.g., interior surfaces) of the housing 360 via mechanical fasteners (e.g., rivets, bolts, screws), an adhesive, brazing, welding, another coupling technique, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sound absorbing material 380 may be disposed along (e.g., attached to, secured to) the interior surfaces of the walls of the housing 360.
As will be appreciated, the sound absorbing material 380 is configured to absorb and/or attenuate acoustic waves (e.g., acoustic energy, sound waves, noise) that may be generated during operation of the fan 256, other components within the AHU 106, and/or the AHU 106 generally. The sound absorbing material 380 may include fiberglass, mineral wool, steel wool, foam (e.g., foam panels), natural cotton, micro-perforated metal, cork, open cell cotton, a fabric or textile, another suitable material, or any combination thereof. A type, size (e.g. dimension), configuration, material, and/or other characteristic of the sound absorbing material 380 may affect an absorptive performance of the sound absorbing material 380. For example, a piece and/or an amount of sound absorbing material 380 having a greater thickness (e.g., a dimension extending from the cover panel 378 to the inner surface of the corresponding wall of the housing 360) may provide better noise suppression as compared to sound absorbing material 380 that is thinner. Similarly, sound absorbing material 380 of greater length (e.g., a dimension extending along the longitudinal axis 202), of greater height (e.g., a dimension extending along the vertical axis 204), and/or of greater width (e.g., a dimension extending along the lateral axis 206) may provide better noise suppression as compared to sound absorbing material 380 having dimensions of lesser magnitude. In some embodiments, a depth or thickness (e.g., a dimension extending from the cover panel 378 to the inner surface of the corresponding wall of the housing 360) of the sound absorbing material 380 disposed within each cavity 382 may be between approximately two inches and four inches. The dimensions and/or type of the sound absorbing material 380 disposed within each cavity 382 may be selected based on a desired amount of noise attenuation, an expected level of sound waves and/or acoustic noise generated by the AHU 106 (e.g., fan 256) during operation, an expected frequency of the sound waves to be attenuated (e.g., a blade pass frequency of the fan 256), another suitable parameter, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the respective sound absorbing material 380 disposed within each cavity 382 may occupy (e.g., fill) a substantial entirety (e.g., 80 percent, 85 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent) of the value of the cavity 382.
To enable absorption and/or attenuation of sound waves via the sound absorbing material 380, each of the cover panels 378 may be permeable to sound waves to enable transmission and/or propagation of the sound waves (e.g., traveling within the air flow path 370) through the cover panels 378, into the cavities 382, and to the sound absorbing material 380. For example, the cover panels 378 may each include perforations 384 formed therethrough to enable sound wave propagation and/or transmission from the air flow path 370 into the cavities 382. For example, the cover panels 378 may be formed from sheet metal, plastic, or another suitable material (e.g., perforated material), with the perforations 384 formed therethrough. Additionally or alternatively, the cover panels 378 may be formed from a mesh (e.g., wire mesh) defining openings, apertures, and/or voids to enable transmission of sound waves therethrough.
Each cover panel 378 and corresponding wall of the housing 360 with which the cover panel 378 defines the cavity 382 accommodating sound absorbing material 380 may cooperatively enclose (e.g., surround, substantially enclose, encase) the sound absorbing material 380. In other words, at least one of the cover panel 378 and/or the wall of the housing 360 may overlap with (e.g., cover, protect, overlay) each peripheral side, surface, and/or dimension of the sound absorbing material 380 disposed within the cavity 382. In this way, the sound absorbing material 380 may be substantially (e.g., effectively) protected and/or shielded from sustained contact with an air flow (e.g., supply air 238) directed along the air flow path 370, which may reduce abrasion, erosion, wear, and/or degradation of the sound absorbing material 380 and increase an overall useful life of the sound absorbing material 380. In other embodiments, the sound absorbing material 380 may include a protective layer formed thereon (e.g., along peripheral surfaces, edges, dimensions) of the sound absorbing material 380. For example, the protective coating formed on the sound absorbing material 380 may be a coating, a film, or other sound permeable layer configured to withstand sustained contact with and/or impingement of air flow directed along the air flow path 370. The protective layer may be formed from polyethylene, polyester, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, another suitable material, or any combination thereof. In such embodiments, the sound absorbing material 380 may be secured to the interior surfaces of the walls of the housing 360 and, in some instances, the noise suppression system 200 may not include cover panels 378.
The downstream mounting flange 420 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256 (e.g., a fan frame, an inlet panel of the fan 256) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the downstream mounting flange 420 may abut a frame or other support structure of the fan 256, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the downstream mounting flange 420 and into the frame or other support structure of the fan 256 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256. The upstream mounting flange 424 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260 (e.g., a damper frame) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the upstream mounting flange 424 may abut a frame of the damper 260, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the upstream mounting flange 424 and into the frame of the damper 260 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260.
In the assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200, the first sound absorbing element 404 may be disposed (e.g., arranged) within a boundary (e.g., top cavity 402) formed by the first lateral side panel 408, the second lateral side panel 412, and the upstream side panel 416. A thickness 426 of the first sound absorbing element 404 (e.g., along the vertical axis 204) may be approximately equal to or slightly less than (e.g., 10 percent less, 5 percent less, 2 percent less) a height 428 (e.g., a common height, a uniform height, along the vertical axis 204) of the first lateral side panel 408, the second lateral side panel 412, and the upstream side panel 416. In some embodiments, the first sound absorbing element 404 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive) to an inner surface 430 of the main panel 406 (e.g., facing the first sound absorbing element 404). In other embodiments, the first sound absorbing element 404 may not be attached or fixed to the inner surface 430. The first sound absorbing element 404 may instead be physically retained within the top cavity 402 via the top wall 362 and the top cover panel 400 and/or via another technique.
In the assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200, the top cover panel 400 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive, mechanical fasteners, brazing) to the inner surface 430 of the main panel 406 to cooperatively define the top cavity 402 with the top wall 362 and with the first sound absorbing element 404 disposed therein. In this way, the first sound absorbing element 404 may be captured and retained within the top cavity 402. The top cover panel 400 may include a main cover panel 432 and side panels 434 extending from edges (e.g., peripheral edges) of the main cover panel 432. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the side panels 434 extend along the vertical axis 204 in a generally upward direction toward the main panel 406. The top cover panel 400 also includes mounting flanges 436 extending from one or more of the side panels 434. The mounting flanges 436 may extend along the longitudinal axis 202, the lateral axis 206, or both and may extend outward and/or away from the main cover panel 432. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the mounting flanges 436 may abut the inner surface 430 of the main panel 406 and may be thereby secured to the main panel 406 (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, brazing, welding, etc.). Thus, the first sound absorbing element 404 may be generally surrounding and/or encompassed by the main panel 406 of the top wall 362, the main cover panel 432 of the top cover panel 400, and the side panels 434.
A width 438 of the top cover panel 400 (e.g., main cover panel 432, extending along the lateral axis 206 between opposing side panels 434) may be less than an internal width 440 of the main panel 406 of the top wall 362 to enable accommodation of the top cover panel 400 within a boundary formed by the first lateral side panel 408, second lateral side panel 412, and upstream side panel 416 of the top wall 362. A height 442 of the top cover panel 400 (e.g., extending along vertical axis 204) may be substantially equal to the thickness 426 of the first sound absorbing element 404. In this way, the first sound absorbing element 404 may be securely retained within the top cavity 402. As similarly described above, the main cover panel 432 may be formed with perforations 444 or other suitable apertures and/or voids to enable transmission of sound waves from the air flow path 370 and into the top cavity 402 to enable attenuation and/or suppression of the sound waves via interaction with the first sound absorbing element 404. Perforations 444 may also be formed through one or more of the side panels 434. In some embodiments, the main cover panel 432 and/or the side panels 434 may abut and/or be attached to the first sound absorbing element 404 in an assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200.
As illustrated in
For example,
The bottom wall 368 includes a main panel 506 (e.g., planar member, sheet, main wall, bottom main panel, wall body), a first lateral side panel 508 extending from a first lateral edge 410 of the main panel 506 (e.g., in an upward direction, along the vertical axis 204, toward the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration), a second lateral side panel 512 extending from a second lateral edge 514 of the main panel 506 (e.g., in the upward direction, along the vertical axis 204, toward the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration), and an upstream side panel 516 (e.g., relative to the air flow direction 240) extending from an upstream edge 518 of the main panel 506 (e.g., in the upward direction, along the vertical axis 204, toward the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration). The bottom wall 368 also includes a downstream mounting flange 520 extending from a downstream edge 522 of the main panel 506 (e.g., in a downward direction, along the vertical axis 204, opposite the upward direction, away from the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration). The first lateral side panel 508, second lateral side panel 512, upstream side panel 516, and downstream mounting flange 520 may each extend from the main panel 506 at any suitable respective angle (e.g., approximately 90 degrees), which may be the same or different from one another. The bottom wall 368 also includes an upstream mounting flange 524 extending from the upstream side panel 516 (e.g., at an edge of the upstream side panel 516 opposite the main panel 506) in the upstream direction 264.
The downstream mounting flange 520 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256 (e.g., a fan frame, an inlet panel of the fan 256) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the downstream mounting flange 520 may abut a frame or other support structure of the fan 256, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the downstream mounting flange 520 and into the frame or other support structure of the fan 256 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256. The upstream mounting flange 524 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260 (e.g., a damper frame) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the upstream mounting flange 524 may abut a frame of the damper 260, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the upstream mounting flange 524 and into the frame of the damper 260 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260.
In the assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200, the second sound absorbing element 504 may be disposed (e.g., arranged) within a boundary (e.g., bottom cavity 502) formed by the first lateral side panel 508, the second lateral side panel 512, and the upstream side panel 516. As similarly described above, a thickness of the second sound absorbing element 504 (e.g., along the vertical axis 204) may be approximately equal to or slightly less than (e.g., 10 percent less, 5 percent less, 2 percent less) a height (e.g., a common height, a uniform height, along the vertical axis 204) of the first lateral side panel 508, the second lateral side panel 512, and the upstream side panel 516. In some embodiments, the second sound absorbing element 504 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive) to an inner surface 530 of the main panel 506 (e.g., facing the second sound absorbing element 504). In other embodiments, the second sound absorbing element 504 may not be attached or fixed to the inner surface 530. The second sound absorbing element 504 may instead be physically retained within the bottom cavity 502 via the bottom wall 368 and the bottom cover panel 500 and/or via another technique.
In the assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200, the bottom cover panel 500 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive, mechanical fasteners, brazing) to the inner surface 530 of the main panel 506 to cooperatively define the bottom cavity 502 with the bottom wall 368 and with the second sound absorbing element 504 disposed therein. In this way, the second sound absorbing element 504 may be captured and retained within the bottom cavity 502. The bottom cover panel 500 may include a main cover panel 532 and side panels 534 extending from edges (e.g., peripheral edges) of the main cover panel 532. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the side panels 534 extend along the vertical axis 204 in a generally downward direction toward the main panel 506. The bottom cover panel 500 also includes mounting flanges 536 extending from one or more of the side panels 534. The mounting flanges 536 may extend along the longitudinal axis 202, the lateral axis 206, or both and may extend outward and/or away from the main cover panel 532. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the mounting flanges 536 may abut the inner surface 530 of the main panel 506 and may be thereby secured to the main panel 506 (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, brazing, welding, etc.). Thus, the second sound absorbing element 504 may be generally surrounding and/or encompassed by the main panel 506 of the bottom wall 368, the main cover panel 532 of the bottom cover panel 500, and the side panels 534.
As similarly described above, a width of the bottom cover panel 500 (e.g., main cover panel 532, extending along the lateral axis 206 between opposing side panels 534) may be less than an internal width (e.g., extending along the lateral axis 206) of the main panel 506 of the bottom wall 368 to enable accommodation of the bottom cover panel 500 within a boundary formed by the first lateral side panel 508, second lateral side panel 512, and upstream side panel 516 of the bottom wall 368. A height of the bottom cover panel 500 (e.g., extending along vertical axis 204) may be substantially equal to the thickness of the second sound absorbing element 504. In this way, the second sound absorbing element 504 may be securely retained within the bottom cavity 502. As similarly described above, the main cover panel 532 may be formed with perforations 544 or other suitable apertures and/or voids to enable transmission of sound waves from the air flow path 370 and into the bottom cavity 502 to enable attenuation and/or suppression of the sound waves via interaction with the second sound absorbing element 504. Perforations 544 may also be formed through one or more of the side panels 534. In some embodiments, the main cover panel 532 and/or the side panels 534 may abut and/or be attached to the second sound absorbing element 504 in an assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200.
The first side wall 364 includes a main panel 606 (e.g., planar member, sheet, main wall, first side main panel, wall body), an upstream side panel 608 (e.g., relative to the air flow direction 240) extending from an upstream edge 610 of the main panel 606 (e.g., along the lateral axis 206, in an inward direction relative to the housing 360, toward the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration), and a downstream mounting flange 612 extending from a downstream edge 614 of the main panel 606 (e.g., in a laterally outward direction, along the lateral axis 206, away from the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration). The upstream side panel 608 and downstream mounting flange 612 may cach extend from the main panel 606 at any suitable respective angle (e.g., approximately 90 degrees), which may be the same or different from one another. The first side wall 364 also includes an upstream mounting flange 616 extending from the upstream side panel 608 (e.g., at an edge of the upstream side panel 608 opposite the main panel 606) in the upstream direction 264.
The upstream side panel 608 may extend along a portion (e.g., less than an entirety) of the upstream edge 610, such that the upstream side panel 608 does not extend along an entire height (e.g. along the vertical axis 204) of the main panel 606. Similarly, the downstream mounting flange 612 may extend along a portion (e.g., less than an entirety) of the downstream edge 614, such that the downstream mounting flange 612 does not extend along the entire height (e.g. along the vertical axis 204) of the main panel 606. In this way, the main panel 606 may include a first mounting portion 618 (e.g., upper mounting portion, mounting surface) and a second mounting portion 620 (e.g., lower mounting portion, mounting surface). The first mounting portion 618 may enable securement (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, brazing, etc.) of the first side wall 364 to the second lateral side panel 412 of the top wall 362, and the second mounting portion 620 may enable securement (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, brazing, etc.) of the first side wall 364 to the second lateral side panel 512 of the bottom wall 368.
The downstream mounting flange 612 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256 (e.g., a fan frame, an inlet panel of the fan 256) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the downstream mounting flange 612 may abut a frame or other support structure of the fan 256, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the downstream mounting flange 612 and into the frame or other support structure of the fan 256 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256. The upstream mounting flange 616 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260 (e.g., a damper frame) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the upstream mounting flange 616 may abut (e.g., overlap) a frame of the damper 260, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the upstream mounting flange 616 and into the frame of the damper 260 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260.
As similarly described above, a thickness 622 of the third sound absorbing element 604 (e.g., along the lateral axis 206) may be approximately equal to or slightly less than (e.g., 10 percent less, 5 percent less, 2 percent less) a width 624 (e.g., along the lateral axis 206) of the upstream side panel 608. In some embodiments, the third sound absorbing element 604 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive) to an inner surface 626 of the main panel 606 (e.g., facing the third sound absorbing element 604). In other embodiments, the third sound absorbing element 604 may not be attached or fixed to the inner surface 626. The third sound absorbing element 604 may instead be physically retained within the first side cavity 602 via the first side wall 364 and the first side cover panel 600 and/or via another technique.
In the assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200, the first side cover panel 600 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive, mechanical fasteners, brazing) to the inner surface 626 of the main panel 606 to cooperatively define the first side cavity 602 with the first side wall 364 and with the third sound absorbing element 604 disposed therein. In this way, the third sound absorbing element 604 may be captured and retained within the first side cavity 602. The first side cover panel 600 may include a main cover panel 628 and side panels 630 extending from edges (e.g., peripheral edges) of the main cover panel 628. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the side panels 630 extend along the lateral axis 206 in a generally lateral and/or outward direction toward the main panel 606. The first side cover panel 600 also includes at least one mounting flange 632 extending from one or more of the side panels 630. The one or more mounting flanges 632 may extend along the longitudinal axis 202, the vertical axis 204, or both and may extend in the air flow direction 240, the upstream direction 264, and/or away from the main cover panel 628. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the one or more mounting flanges 632 may abut the inner surface 626 of the main panel 606 and may be thereby secured to the main panel 606 (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, brazing, welding, etc.). Thus, the third sound absorbing element 604 may be generally surrounding and/or encompassed by the main panel 606 of the first side wall 364, the main cover panel 628 of the first side cover panel 600, and the side panels 630.
As similarly described above, the main cover panel 628 may be formed with perforations 634 or other suitable apertures and/or voids to enable transmission of sound waves from the air flow path 370 and into the first side cavity 602 to enable attenuation and/or suppression of the sound waves via interaction with the third sound absorbing element 604. Perforations 634 may also be formed through one or more of the side panels 630. In some embodiments, the main cover panel 628 and/or the side panels 630 may abut and/or be attached to the third sound absorbing element 604 in an assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200.
The second side wall 366 includes a main panel 706 (e.g., planar member, sheet, main wall, second side main panel, wall body), an upstream side panel 708 (e.g., relative to the air flow direction 240) extending from an upstream edge 710 of the main panel 706 (e.g., along the lateral axis 206, in an inward direction relative to the housing 360, toward the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration), and a downstream mounting flange 712 extending from a downstream edge 714 of the main panel 706 (e.g., in a laterally outward direction, along the lateral axis 206, away from the air flow path 370 in the assembled configuration). The upstream side panel 708 and downstream mounting flange 712 may each extend from the main panel 706 at any suitable respective angle (e.g., approximately 90 degrees), which may be the same or different from one another. The second side wall 366 also includes an upstream mounting flange 716 extending from the upstream side panel 708 (e.g., at an edge of the upstream side panel 708 opposite the main panel 706) in the upstream direction 264.
The upstream side panel 708 may extend along a portion (e.g., less than an entirety) of the upstream edge 710, such that the upstream side panel 708 does not extend along an entire height (e.g. along the vertical axis 204) of the main panel 706. Similarly, the downstream mounting flange 712 may extend along a portion (e.g., less than an entirety) of the downstream edge 714, such that the downstream mounting flange 712 does not extend along the entire height (e.g. along the vertical axis 204) of the main panel 706. In this way, the main panel 706 may include a first mounting portion 718 (e.g., upper mounting portion, mounting surface) and a lower mounting portion 720 (e.g., lower mounting portion, mounting surface). The first mounting portion 718 may enable securement (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, brazing, etc.) of the second side wall 366 to the first lateral side panel 408 of the top wall 362, and the second mounting portion 720 may enable securement (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, welding, brazing, etc.) of the second side wall 366 to the first lateral side panel 508 of the bottom wall 368.
The downstream mounting flange 712 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256 (e.g., a fan frame, an inlet panel of the fan 256) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the downstream mounting flange 712 may abut a frame or other support structure of the fan 256, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the downstream mounting flange 712 and into the frame or other support structure of the fan 256 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the fan 256. The upstream mounting flange 716 may be configured to enable securement of the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260 (e.g., a damper frame) in an installed configuration of the mounting frame 262. For example, the upstream mounting flange 716 may abut (e.g., overlap) a frame of the damper 260, and one or more mechanical fasteners may extend through the upstream mounting flange 716 and into the frame of the damper 260 to secure the mounting frame 262 to the damper 260.
As similarly described above, a thickness 722 of the fourth sound absorbing element 704 (e.g., along the lateral axis 206) may be approximately equal to or slightly less than (e.g., 10 percent less, 5 percent less, 2 percent less) a width 724 (e.g., along the lateral axis 206) of the upstream side panel 708. In some embodiments, the fourth sound absorbing element 704 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive) to an inner surface 726 of the main panel 706 (e.g., facing the fourth sound absorbing element 704). In other embodiments, the fourth sound absorbing element 704 may not be attached or fixed to the inner surface 726. The fourth sound absorbing element 704 may instead be physically retained within the second side cavity 702 via the second side wall 366 and the second side cover panel 700 and/or via another technique.
In the assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200, the second side cover panel 700 may be attached or secured (e.g., via an adhesive, mechanical fasteners, brazing) to the inner surface 726 of the main panel 706 to cooperatively define the second side cavity 702 with the second side wall 366 and with the fourth sound absorbing element 704 disposed therein. In this way, the fourth sound absorbing element 704 may be captured and retained within the second side cavity 702. The second side cover panel 700 may include a main cover panel 728 and side panels 730 extending from edges (e.g., peripheral edges) of the main cover panel 728. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the side panels 730 extend along the lateral axis 206 in a generally lateral and/or outward direction toward the main panel 706. The second side cover panel 700 also includes at least one mounting flange 732 extending from one or more of the side panels 730. The one or more mounting flanges 732 may extend along the longitudinal axis 202, the vertical axis 204, or both and may extend in the air flow direction 240, the upstream direction 264, and/or away from the main cover panel 728. In an assembled configuration and/or installed configuration, the one or more mounting flanges 732 may abut the inner surface 726 of the main panel 706 and may be thereby secured to the main panel 706 (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, brazing, welding, etc.). Thus, the fourth sound absorbing element 704 may be generally surrounding and/or encompassed by the main panel 706 of the second side wall 366, the main cover panel 728 of the second side cover panel 700, and the side panels 730.
As similarly described above, the main cover panel 728 may be formed with perforations 734 or other suitable apertures and/or voids to enable transmission of sound waves from the air flow path 370 and into the second side cavity 702 to enable attenuation and/or suppression of the sound waves via interaction with the fourth sound absorbing element 704. Perforations 734 may also be formed through one or more of the side panels 730. In some embodiments, the main cover panel 728 and/or the side panels 730 may abut and/or be attached to the fourth sound absorbing element 704 in an assembled configuration of the noise suppression system 200.
As described in detail above, embodiments of the present disclosure include a noise suppression system configured to be implemented at or near an inlet of a fan (e.g., upstream of the fan) to enable more effective attenuation of audible noise (e.g., acoustic waves, sound waves) at and/or from the inlet of the fan. Noise suppression systems in accordance with the present techniques may also be incorporated with an air handling unit without increasing an overall size or footprint of the air handling unit and may also enable attenuation or suppression of noise substantially without inducing an additional pressure drop in an air flow directed through the air handling unit via the fan. In this way, noise generated by the fan and/or other components within the air handling unit may be more effectively suppressed, and a load on the fan that drives air flow through the enclosure of the air handling unit may be reduced, which may reduce power consumption by the fan
While only certain features and embodiments have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, such as temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.
Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode, or those unrelated to enablement. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
This is application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/607,004, entitled “AIR HANDLING UNIT WITH NOISE SUPPRESSION,” filed Dec. 6, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63607004 | Dec 2023 | US |
