Air handler power distribution system
AssigneeAmerican Standard Inc.
InventorsRobert W. Helt, Stephen A. Guy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power distribution system for an air handler is reconfigureable by way of selectively connectable plug-in connectors. The air handler includes a blower associated with a first plug-in connector that is selectively connectable to a second plug-in connector of a heater and a third plug-in connector of an electric air cleaner. If the air handler includes a heater but not the electric air cleaner, then the blower connector plugs into the heater connector. If the air handler includes an electric air cleaner but not a heater, then the blower plugs into the connector of the air cleaner. And if the air handler includes both a heater and an electric air cleaner, then a three-way electrical connector couples the blower to both the heater and the air cleaner.
Claims15
An air handler, comprising:
- an electric heater;
- an electric air cleaner;
- a blower;
- a first plug-in connector electrically coupled to said electric heater;
- a second plug-in connector electrically coupled to said electric air cleaner;
- a third plug-in connector electrically coupled to said blower, said third plug-in connector being selectively coupleable to said first plug-in connector and said second plug-in connector, thereby rendering said air handler selectively reconfigureable;
- and
- a three-way connector that includes a fourth plug-in connector, a fifth plug-in connector and a sixth plug-in connector, wherein said fourth plug-in connector is coupleable to said first plug-in connector, said fifth plug-in connector is coupleable to said second plug-in connector, and said third plug-in connector is selectively coupleable to said first plug-in connector, said second plug-in connector and said sixth plug-in connector.
An air handler, comprising:
- an electric heater;
- an electric air cleaner;
- a blower;
- a first plug-in connector electrically coupled to said electric heater;
- a second plug-in connector electrically coupled to said electric air cleaner;
- a third plug-in connector electrically coupled to said blower;
- and
- a three-way connector that includes a fourth plug-in connector, a fifth plug-in connector and a sixth plug-in connector, wherein said fourth plug-in connector is coupleable to said first plug-in connector, said fifth plug-in connector is coupleable to said second plug-in connector, and said third plug-in connector is selectively coupleable to said first plug-in connector, said second plug-in connector and said sixth plug-in connector, thereby rendering said air handler selectively reconfigureable.
An air handler for conditioning an airflow, comprising:
- a first electric heater of a first wattage;
- a first pair of current interrupters;
- a first plurality of wires of a first gage connecting said first electric heater electrically in series with said first pair of current interrupters;
- a second electric heater;
- a second pair of current interrupters connected electrically in series with said second electric heater;
- said second electric heater and said second pair of current interrupters being connected electrically in parallel with said first electric heater and said first pair of current interrupters;
- an electric air cleaner that with respect to said airflow is disposed upstream of said first electric heater and said second electric heater, said electric air cleaner being of a second wattage that is less than said first wattage;
- and
- a second plurality of wires of a second gage connecting said electric air cleaner electrically in parallel with said first electric heater and electrically in series with said first pair of current interrupters, said second gage being greater than said first gage, whereby said second plurality of wires has a lower current carrying capacity than that of said first plurality of wires, yet both said first plurality of wires and said second plurality of wires are protected by said first pair of current interrupters.
A method of reconfiguring an air handler that includes a blower plug-in connector and at least one of a heater plug-in connector and an accessory plug-in connector, comprising:
- attaching said blower plug-in connector directly to said accessory plug-in connector if said heater plug-in connector is absent;
- and attaching said blower plug-in connector directly to said heater plug-in connector if said accessory plug-in connector is absent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.