# US 10,480,816 B2 · Method and system for reducing moisture carryover in air handlers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,816 B2 - Document ID: US10480816B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/673,698 - Filed: 2017-08-10 - Published: 2019-02-14 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-10 - Assignees: Trane International Inc. - Applicants: Trane International Inc. - Inventors: Abhijith Balakrishna; Brian John Newton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480816B2 ## CPC - F24F 13/08: Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates (F24F7/013, F24F13/06 take precedence) - F24F 13/22: Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate - F24F 13/222: {for evacuating condensate} - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) ## Abstract A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration system includes a diffuser comprising a plurality of diffuser elements located between a blower driving airflow through the system and a refrigeration coil used to cool the airflow prior to the distribution of the airflow to a building. Locating diffusers between the blower and the refrigeration coil reduces the extent to which the airflow carries moisture from condensate on the refrigeration coil, and can prevent circulation of air backwards through the refrigeration coil. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) system, comprising: an air handling unit comprising a blower driving an airflow, a refrigerant coil, located downstream of the blower with respect to the airflow, a plurality of diffuser elements disposed between the blower and the refrigerant coil with respect to the airflow, and one or more drain pans, downstream of the refrigerant coil with respect to the airflow, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged in at least two rows of diffuser elements, and, with respect to the refrigerant coil, each row of the at least two rows of diffuser elements is spaced apart from other rows of the at least two rows of diffuser elements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is generally planar in shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is an L-shaped bracket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is semi-circular in shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is perforated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged into a chevron pattern. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged in a grid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The HVACR system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged in at least three staggered rows of diffuser elements. ### Claim 10 A method for directing an airflow through an air handler of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system, comprising: driving the airflow using a blower, deflecting the airflow via a diffuser comprising a plurality of diffuser elements, cooling the airflow via a refrigerant coil after the airflow has been deflected by the diffuser, and capturing moisture in one or more drain pans downstream of the refrigerant coil with respect to the airflow, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged in at least two rows of diffuser elements, and, with respect to the refrigerant coil, each row of the at least two rows of diffuser elements is spaced apart from other rows of the at least two rows of diffuser elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising directing the airflow through a supply outlet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the airflow passes through the refrigerant coil in only one direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is generally planar in shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is an L-shaped bracket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is semi-circular in shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein at least one diffuser element in the plurality of diffuser elements is perforated. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged into a chevron pattern. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged in a grid. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of diffuser elements are arranged in at least three staggered rows of diffuser elements.