Modular fan units with sound attenuation layers for an air handling system

A modular fan system configured for use in an air-handling system configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building, the fan system comprising:

• a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array for use in an air-handling system configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building, the modular units each including a chamber having a front end and a back end;
• motors and fans positioned in the chambers of the modular units, the fans located to take in air from the front ends of the corresponding chambers and to discharge air from the back ends of the corresponding chambers, wherein the motors have a corresponding first speed when driven at a first frequency, the fans being configured to deliver an air flow amount based on a speed of the corresponding motor;
• sound attenuation layers that extend along at least a portion of the corresponding chambers such that the sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the fans when the modular units are stacked adjacent to one another in the array;
• and
• an array controller for controlling said motors, the array controller to operate at least one of the motors at a speed that is greater than the first speed to deliver an associated air flow amount from the corresponding one of the fans.

A method for providing a modular fan system configured for use in an air-handling system that is configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array for use in an air-handling system configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building, the modular units each including a chamber having a front end and a back end;
• positioning motors and fans in the chambers of the modular units, the fans located to take in air from the front ends of the corresponding chambers and to discharge air from the back ends of the corresponding chambers;
• and
• including, in at least a portion of the chambers, sound attenuation layers along at least a portion of the corresponding chambers such that the sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the fans when the modular units are stacked adjacent to one another in the array, such that, when the modular units are stacked, the chambers open at the back ends into a common discharge plenum where the air mixes to provide substantially uniform airflow for the air-handling system.

A method for providing a modular fan system configured for use in an air-handling system that is configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array for use in an air-handling system configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building, the modular units each including a chamber having a front end and a back end;
• positioning motors and fans in the chambers of the modular units, the fans located to take in air from the front ends of the corresponding chambers and to discharge air from the back ends of the corresponding chambers, wherein the motors have a corresponding first speed when driven at a first frequency, the fans being configured to deliver an air flow amount based on a speed of the corresponding motor;
• and
• including, in at least a portion of the chambers, sound attenuation layers along at least a portion of the corresponding chambers such that the sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the fans when the modular units are stacked adjacent to one another in the array;
• and
• configuring an array controller to operate at least one of the motors at a speed that is greater than the first speed to deliver an associated air flow amount from the corresponding one of the fans.