IP Library Granted Patent US 7,331,376
Granted Patent B2
US 7,331,376 · App. 10/739,412 · Granted Feb 19, 2008

Stackable energy transfer core spacer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,331,376
App. No.
10/739,412
Granted
Feb 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stackable spacer element for use in a energy recovery core formed by stacking a plurality of relatively thin energy transfer media (e.g. sheets, panels, or plates (un-perforated exchanger sheets) so as to define a plurality of stacked energy transfer stages providing air passages for two separate air flows.

Claims (24)

1. A unitary stackable energy transfer core spacer comprising a peripheral frame member,

said peripheral frame member extending about and defining a framed core opening,

said peripheral frame member having a pair of opposed major sides,

said peripheral frame member comprising

a pair of side opening components and

a pair of side wall components,

each side opening component comprising a framed side opening in air communication with said framed core opening,

each side wall component respectively interconnecting said side opening components,

said spacer being configured such that said spacer may be oriented and stacked, major side to major side, on top of a second like spacer, with an intermediate air to air energy transfer sheet extending across the framed core openings and being sandwiched between the frame members of both spacers so that the spacers and the energy transfer sheet define a pair of transversely oriented air paths on opposite sides of the energy transfer sheet, each air path extending from one respective framed side opening through a respective framed core opening to the other respective framed side opening of a respective spacer and

wherein each side opening component comprises a first frame element and a second frame element, said first frame element and said second frame element being associated with a respective major side of the frame member, being spaced apart by a respective framed side opening and being offset with respect to each other such that one frame element does not overly the other frame element.

2. A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in claim 1 wherein peripheral frame member, said on each major side thereof, comprises an inter-registrable tongue/mortise interlock elements.

3. A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in claim 2 wherein said first frame element and said second frame element, of each side opening component, each define an inter-registrable tongue/mortise interlock element,

wherein each side wall component defines a pair of offset inter-registrable tongue/mortise interlock elements, and

wherein each interlock element of a side wall component is associated with a respective major side of the frame member and configured to be able to register with a predetermined tongue/mortise interlock element of a frame element of the frame member of said second like spacer so as to define a pair of interlocked elements.

4. A stackable heat transfer core spacer as defined in claim 1 having a hexagonal like configuration.

5. A stackable heat transfer core spacer as defined in claim 3 having a hexagonal like configuration and

wherein each side wall component comprises a first side wall element and a second side wall element, said side opening components and said first and second wall elements being configured and disposed so as to provide the frame member with an hexagonal like shape,

wherein a side opening component is connected to one side wall component by the first side wall element thereof and to the other side wall component by the second side wall component thereof,

wherein each first side wall element defines a pair of offset inter-registrable tongue/mortise interlocks elements of said side wall component, and

wherein each second side wall element defining a pair of aligned inter-registrable tongue/mortise interlock elements.

6. A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in claim 5 wherein the spacer comprises one or more rib air guide elements disposed in the framed core opening, said rib air guide elements being connected to the frame member.

7. A stackable energy transfer core spacer as defined in claim 6 wherein one or more of said rib air guide elements extend from one said framed side opening to the other framed side opening.

8. An air to air energy recovery core having a first air path and a separate second air path, each air path having a respective air inlet and a respective air outlet, said core comprising a stack of one or more successive heat transfer stages, each such stage comprising an energy transfer sheet having opposed major faces and a pair of spacers engaging opposite major faces of the sheet, each of said spacers being a spacer as defined in claim 1 , said spacers being oriented and disposed relative to each other so that the spacers and the energy transfer sheet define a pair of transversely oriented air paths on opposite sides of the energy transfer sheet, each air path extending from one respective framed side opening through a respective framed core opening to the other respective framed side opening of a respective spacer, the framed side openings of one frame member each respectively defining a respective element of the air inlet and air outlet of the first air path and the framed side openings of the other frame member each respectively defining a respective element of the air inlet and air outlet of the second air path.

9. An air to air energy recovery core having a first air path and a separate second air path, each air path having a respective air inlet and a respective air outlet, said core comprising a stack of one or more successive heat transfer stages, each such stage comprising an energy transfer sheet having opposed major faces and a pair of spacers engaging opposite major faces of the sheet, each of said spacers being a spacer as defined in claim 7 , said spacers being oriented and disposed relative to each other so that the spacers and the energy transfer sheet define a pair of transversely oriented air paths on opposite sides of the energy transfer sheet, each air path extending from one respective framed side opening through a respective framed core opening to the other respective framed side opening of a respective spacer, the framed side openings of one frame member each respectively defining a respective element of the air inlet and air outlet of the first air path and the framed side openings of the other frame member each respectively defining a respective element of the air inlet and air outlet of the second air path.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2021
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC LLC; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT; XANTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056614/0709 →
NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041326/0071 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 041327/0089 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 8, 2010
From: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023750/0040 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2008
From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE LP; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 021316/0764 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2008
From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021301/0927 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2003
From: JULIEN, MICHEL
To: VENMAR VENTILATION INC
Reel/Frame 014828/0435 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2003
From: GAGNON, MARTIN
To: VENMAR VENTILATION INC.
Reel/Frame 014828/0621 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2003
From: GAMELIN, MARTIN
To: VENMAR VENTILATION INC.
Reel/Frame 014828/0989 →