[0001] The invention is refering to AIR HANDLING UNITS, supplying, conditioned air to any
space requiring air-conditioning.
[0002] AIR HANDLING UNITS are the units' used to change the psychrometric properties of
atmospheric air (i.e. temperature and relative humidity) to the desired conditions,
performing also air filtration. The conditioned air is supplied, through ductwork
systems to any space requiring air-conditioning.
[0003] The temperature and humidity difference between internal space of the air handling
unit and the ambient, is a factor resulting in :
a. HEAT LOSSES through the frame profiles.
b. UNDESIRABLE CONDENSATION on the casing surface.
[0004] The wall panels of the air handling units, are traditionally constructed as DOUBLE
SKIN PANELS i.e. with two sheet metals plus insulating material between them, in order
to avoid the above mentioned (a) and (b) problems.
[0005] The SUPPORT STRUCTURE of an air handling unit (FRAME), on which all the panels will
be fixed, has also to be constructed in a way avoiding any THERMAL BRIDGE between
internal -external space of the unit, while it has also to eliminate any possibility
for air leakage through the joints between panels and frame.
[0006] Such frames, avoiding 100% or so thermal bridging, are already existing in the market
known as frames with THERMAL BARRIER PROFILES, but there is not any construction,
combining THERMAL BARRIER as well as AIR TIGHT PROFILES. All the manufacturers of
such units are using various materials for the air tightness of the units, but always
separately from thermal barrier material as it is shown in FIG (1).
[0007] The SPECIAL FRAME DESIGN of our invention as well as the SPECIAL INSERT DESIGN with
multi-wings, consisting of insulating material, combines:
a. Elimination of THERMAL BRIDGING in the unit frame and consequently of CONDENSATION
appearance, and
b.AIR TIGHTNESS of the units, prohibiting any air leakage through the gap between
panels and profiles.
[0008] Above mentioned combination, shown in FIG (2) is original and for the first time
presented in the Air Conditioning field. It could be constructed from a great variety
of metal frame and insulating insert shapes.
[0009] There are a lot of advantages as follows:
1. It combines the solution of two main problems, i.e. THERMAL BRIDGING and AIR TIGHTNESS,
through the special design of the frame as well as, the insert.
2. From the industrial point of view, can be produced easily with a large productivity
and minimum labor cost.
3. It can be constructed from cheap, flexible and easily assembling materials, like
GALV. STEEL SHEET( or ALUMINIUM or any similar metal), RUBBER and common SCREWS with
plastic gaskets.
4. THERMAL BRIDGING is prohibited 100% to the whole length of the frame.
5. AIR TIGHTNESS is secured in the most effective way either in POSITIVE or in NEGATIVE
air pressure in the internal space of an air handling unit, as it is proved in the
following description.
[0010] Frame consists of two simple, formed sheet metal parts. External part (A) and internal
part (B), shown in FIG (3), could be constructed from a great 30 variety of metal
and shapes. The two parts are joined together, avoiding any metal contact (Thermal
Bridge) by 30 means of a special shaped rubber insert (c), which is of unique (one
piece) construction with two perpendicular parts C1 and C2.
[0011] C1 is a multi-winged part with double wings in two different directions. C2 part
has an edge refolding, in order to be perfectly fitted on the metal part A of the
frame.
[0012] Rubber insert C is fitted on both ends of metal part (A), since metal part (B) is
kept in perfect contact on both sides of the profile, as it is shown in FIG (4). The
construction of the unit is completed with the fixation of the AIR HANDLING UNIT panels,
through screws, on the profiles, as it is shown in FIG (2). In the construction shown
in FIG (2), THERMAL BRIDGING as well as AIR TIGHTNESS of the unit, have been secured
as follows.
50 THERMAL BRIDGING
[0013] Conditioned air of the intemal part of the handling unit, is in contact with the
insulated panels as well as the surface of the internal part (B) which is also insulated
against the external metal part (A) through the rubber insert (C). There is not any
thermal bridging due to the screw, since it has been fixed on the external part (A)
only and there is an intermediate plastic gasket too.
AIR TIGHTNESS
[0014] In case the air pressure inside the air handling unit, is over the atmospheric (positive
pressure), there is a tension of the air to escape, through the joints outside.
[0015] In this case the air leakage is prohibited, due to the mechanical tightening between
panels and profiles through screws, as well as from the wings C1a of the rubber insert,
the inclination of which is serving as a trap for the escaping air.
[0016] On the contrary, when the air pressure inside the unit, is below atmospheric (negative
pressure), there is a tension of the air to inflow inside the unit. In this case now,
apart from mechanical tightening, there are the wings C1b, which are serving as a
trap for the incoming air.
[0017] Thus, the design of the frame works effectively against thermal bridging ensuring
also air tightness.
1. AIR TIGHT FRAME OF THE AIR HANDLING UNITS WITH THERMAL BARRIER PROFILES, which consist
of two metal parts with the interpolation of a UNIQUE (one piece) RUBBER INSERT, in
order to secure air handling unit's function, without any THERMAL BRIDGIN and AIR
LEAKAGE.
2. UNIQUE RUBBER INSERT of SPECIAL SHAPE, like claim (1), with one refolded edge and
the other with multi wings of different direction, adapted to the metal frame of an
AIR HANDLING UNIT, in order to secure unit's function without any thermal bridging
and air leakage.