IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,137,775

Granted Patent B2

US 7,137,775 · App. 10/806,775 · Granted Nov 21, 2006

Fan array fan section in air-handling systems

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,137,775
App. No.: 10/806,775
Granted: Nov 21, 2006
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.

Claims (59)

1. A fan array fan section in an air-handling system comprising:

(a) at least six fan units;

(b) said at least six fan units arranged in a fan array;

(d) an array controller for controlling said at least six fan units to run at substantially peak efficiency by strategically turning selective ones of said at least six fan units on and off, wherein each fan unit has a peak efficiency operating range outside of which it operates at a reduced efficiency, and wherein said array controller is programmed to operate said at least six fan units at substantially peak efficiency by strategically turning off at least one fan unit operating at reduced efficiency and running the remaining fan units within said peak efficiency operating range.

2. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein said at least six fan units are plenum fans.

3. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of 1 , wherein said air-handling compartment has an airway path, said airway path being less than 72 inches.

4. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein said at least six fan units are a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array configuration selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a true array configuration;

(b) a spaced pattern array configuration;

(d) rows slightly offset array configuration;

(e) columns slightly offset array configuration; and

(f) a staggered array configuration.

5. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein said at least six fan units include at least two vertically arranged fan units.

6. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said at least six fan units is positioned within a fan unit chamber.

7. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said at least six fan units is suspended within a respective said fan unit chamber such that there is an air relief passage there below.

8. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said at least six fan units is positioned within a fan unit chamber having at least one acoustically absorptive insulation surface.

9. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said at least six fan units are mounted in a grid system.

10. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said at least six fan units has a fan wheel diameter, wherein spacing between said at least six fan units is less than 60% of said fan wheel diameter.

11. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , further comprising an array of backdraft dampeners, each backdraft dampener in line with a respective fan unit.

12. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , said array controller is programmed to operate said at least six fan units at peak efficiency for a performance level based on a criteria selected from the following group of criteria:

(a) air volume;

(b) level of air flow;

(d) number of fan units to operate.

13. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , said array controller is programmed to operate said at least six fan units to produce a stable operating point and eliminate the surge effects.

14. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , said array controller is programmed to selectively control the speed of each of said at least six fan units to run at substantially peak efficiency.

15. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , said air-handling compartment positionable within a structure such that said air-handling system conditions the air of said structure.

16. A fan array fan section in an air-handling system comprising:

(a) a plurality of independently controllable fan units, each fan unit comprising an inlet cone, a fan, and a motor;

(b) said plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array;

(d) an array controller for controlling said plurality of fan units to run at substantially peak efficiency by strategically turning selective ones of said plurality of fan units on and off; wherein

(e) each of said plurality of fan units has a fan wheel diameter, wherein spacing between said pluality of fan units is less than 60% of said fan wheel diameter.

17. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of fan units are plenum fans.

18. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein said air-handling compartment has an airway path, said airway path being less than 72 inches.

19. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of fan units are a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array configuration selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a true array configuration;

(b) a spaced pattern array configuration;

(d) rows slightly offset array configuration;

(e) columns slightly offset array configuration; and

(f) a staggered array configuration.

20. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of fan units include at least two vertically arranged fan units.

21. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of fan units is positioned within a fan unit chamber.

22. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of fan units is suspended within a respective said fan unit chamber such that there is an air relief passage therebelow.

23. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of fan units is positioned within a fan unit chamber having at least one acoustically absorptive insulation surface.

24. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of fan units is mounted in a grid system.

25. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , further comprising an array of backdraft dampeners, each backdraft dampener in line with a respective fan unit.

26. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , wherein each fan unit has a peak efficiency operating range outside of which it operates at a reduced efficiency, wherein said array controller is programmed to operate said plurality of fan units at substantially peak efficiency by strategically turning off at least one fan unit operating at reduced efficiency and running the remaining fan units within said peak efficiency operating range.

27. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , said array controller is programmed to operate said plurality of fan units at peak efficiency for a performance level based on a criteria selected from the following group of criteria:

(a) air volume;

(b) level of air flow;

(d) number of fan units to operate.

28. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , said array controller is programmed to operate said plurality of fan units to produce a stable operating point and eliminate the surge effects.

29. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , said array controller is programmed to selectively control the speed of each of said plurality of fan units to run at substantially peak efficiency.

30. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 16 , said air-handling compartment positionable within a structure such that said air-handling system conditions the air of said structure.

Assignments (18)

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2021

From: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC, LLC; THERMA-STOR LLC; ADDISON HVAC LLC; NOVELAIRE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.; ROBERTS-GORDON LLC; STERIL-AIRE LLC; UNITED COOLAIR LLC; AIRXCHANGE, INC.

To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 056647/0868 →

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2021

To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 056650/0303 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 13, 2015

From: CES GROUP, LLC

To: NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC

Reel/Frame 035201/0568 →

CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING PARTY NAME FROM HUNLAIR, INC. TO HUNTAIR, INC. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 003321 FRAME 0629. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE HUNLAIR, INC.. Recorded Jul 29, 2014

From: HUNTAIR, INC.

To: CES GROUP, LLC

Reel/Frame 033431/0960 →

NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 026276, FRAME 0073 Recorded Jun 3, 2014

From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; ERGOTRON, INC.; GTO ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC (F/K/A GATES THAT OPEN, LLC); CES GROUP, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO HUNTAIR, INC.); LINEAR LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NORDYNE LLC; ERGOTRON, INC. (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; CORE BRANDS, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC); CORE BRANDS, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO THE AVC GROUP, LLC); CORE BRANDS, LLC (F/K/A PANAMAX LLC); LINEAR LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SECURE WIRELESS, INC.)

Reel/Frame 033083/0001 →

MERGER Recorded Feb 14, 2014

From: HUNLAIR INC.

To: CES GROUP, LLC

Reel/Frame 033211/0629 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 3, 2011

From: BROAN-NUTONE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; ERGOTRON, INC., A MINNESOTA CORPORATION; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC, A FLORIDA LLC; HUNTAIR, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; LINEAR LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD., A CONNECTICUT CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC., A ARIZONA CORPORATION; PANAMAX, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; SECURE WIRELESS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; AVC GROUP, LLC, THE, A DELAWARE LLC

To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 026276/0073 →

PATENT RELEASE Recorded May 3, 2011

From: U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC, A FLORIDA LLC; HUNTAIR, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; LINEAR LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD., A CONNECTICUT CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC., A ARIZONA CORPORATION; PANAMAX LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; SECURE WIRELESS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; AVC GROUP, LLC, THE, A DELAWARE LLC; VENMAR CES, INC., A CANADIAN CORPORATION; VENMAR VENTILATION INC., CANADIAN CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 026275/0964 →

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 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 19, 2008

From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS U.S. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

To: CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; NORTEK, INC.; NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC.

Reel/Frame 021118/0986 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2006

From: HUNTAIR INC. (AN OREGON CORPORATION)

To: HUNTAIR, INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

Reel/Frame 018221/0001 →

SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 8, 2006

From: CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.

To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Reel/Frame 017586/0137 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2004

From: HOPKINS, LAWRENCE G.

To: HUNTAIR INC.

Reel/Frame 015136/0541 →