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AssigneeLennox Manufacturing Inc.
InventorMalcolm L. Alford
Estimating the term…
In accordance with the present invention, a space conditioning system having multi-stage cooling and dehumidification capability is provided. The system includes plural refrigeration circuits operable in a cooling mode to provide cooled air to an indoor space. At least one of the refrigeration circuits is also operable in a reheat mode, wherein air is dehumidified by cooling it and then reheating it before it is supplied to the space. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of the refrigeration circuits to satisfy both a demand for cooling and a demand for dehumidification. Depending upon the level of demand for cooling, the system is operated to satisfy the dehumidification demand and the cooling demand simultaneously. However, in response to a higher level of demand for cooling (e.g., a second stage demand, or in some cases, a higher demand), the demand for cooling takes priority over the dehumidification demand. When the system is equipped with an economizer option, the economizer is operated to provide free cooling when the ambient outdoor air conditions are suitable. However, when a demand for dehumidification is present, the economizer option is not used, even if the ambient outdoor air conditions are suitable and there is a demand for cooling in the space.
A space conditioning system for conditioning air within an enclosed space, comprising:
Control apparatus for a space conditioning system for conditioning air within an enclosed space, the system including an air mover for circulating conditioned air to the space and plural discrete refrigeration circuits, each of which is operable in a cooling mode, wherein air circulated to the space is cooled, at least one of said refrigeration circuits being further operable in a reheat mode, wherein air circulated to the space is cooled and then reheated, said control apparatus comprising:
A space conditioning system for conditioning air within an enclosed space, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
By humidification; by dehumidification: with subsequent heating, i.e. with the air, given the required humidity in the central station, passing a…
By humidification; by dehumidification: in which the humidity of the air is exclusively affected by contact with the evaporator of a…
By dehumidification only: by condensing
For ventilation: using low temperature external supply air to assist cooling
Term end not estimated
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to space conditioning systems for conditioning the temperature and humidity of air supplied to an enclosed space and in particular to a space conditioning system having multiple stages of cooling and dehumidification capability.
2. Background Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, in somewhat schematic form, of an air conditioning system having a single compressor and single refrigeration circuit, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a section view, also in somewhat schematic form, taken along the 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in somewhat schematic form, of an air conditioning system having four compressors and four discrete refrigeration circuits, in accordance with the present invention;
In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and in some instances certain features of the invention are shown in schematic or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The term “air conditioning” is used to refer to a system which conditions air to meet an air temperature and humidity requirements of an enclosed space and may include heating as well as cooling air supplied to the enclosed space.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an air or space conditioning system in accordance with the present invention and generally designated by numeral 10. The space conditioning system 10 is shown, by way of example, as a so-called “rooftop” system having a generally rectangular box-like enclosure or cabinet 12 adapted to be mounted on a generally horizontal surface or rooftop 14. As shown in FIG. 2, space conditioning system 10 is adapted to deliver conditioned air to an enclosed space 16 by way of an opening 18 and air within the enclosed space 16 is returned to system 10 by way of an opening 19 to cabinet 12 for conditioning by system 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 preferably includes a vapor compression refrigeration unit 20, including a compressor 22 for compressing a conventional refrigeration fluid for delivery to a conventional finned coil type heat exchanger comprising a condenser 24, by way of a conduit 26. A condenser fan 28 is suitably mounted on cabinet 12 for drawing air through condenser 24 in a conventional manner. Condenser fan 28 is preferably driven by a suitable electric motor 29. Condensed refrigerant fluid is conducted from condenser 24 by way of a conduit 30 to another conventional finned coil type heat exchanger comprising an evaporator 32, which is disposed within cabinet 12 and arranged in an air flowpath through cabinet 12, generally as shown in FIG. 2. Evaporator 32 is typically disposed downstream of a suitable impingement type filter 33 (FIG. 2) which is also disposed in the air flowpath between return opening 19 and supply opening 18 for space 16. Evaporator 32 extends substantially between an outer side wall 12a and an intermediate wall 12b of cabinet 12.