IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,179,046
Granted Patent B2
US 7,179,046 · App. 11/154,894 · Granted Feb 20, 2007

Fan array fan section in air-handling systems

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,179,046
App. No.
11/154,894
Granted
Feb 20, 2007
Kind
B2
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 (51)

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

(a) an air-handling compartment;

(b) a plurality of fan units;

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

(d) said fan array positioned within said air-handling compartment;

(e) said air-handling compartment associated with a structure such that said air-handling system conditions the air of said structure; and

(f) a control system for operating said plurality of fan units at substantially peak efficiency by strategically turning on and off selective ones of said plurality of fan units.

2. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises a programmable array controller.

3. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 2 , 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.

4. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 2 , where said array controller is programmed to operate said plurality of fan units at peak efficiency for a performance level based on a criterion selected from the following group of criteria:

(a) air volume;

(b) level of air flow;

(c) pattern of air flow; and

(d) number of fan units to operate.

5. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 2 , wherein said array controller is programmed to operate said plurality of fan units to produce a stable operating point and eliminate the surge effects.

6. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fan units are plenum fans.

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

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

(a) a true array configuration;

(b) a spaced pattern array configuration;

(c) a checker board array configuration;

(d) rows slightly offset array configuration;

(e) columns slightly offset array configuration; and

(f) a staggered array configuration.

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

10. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , 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.

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

12. The fan array fan section in an air-handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of fan units is mounted in a grid system.

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

14. 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.

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

(a) an air-handling compartment;

(b) a plurality of fan units;

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

(d) said fan array positioned within said air-handling compartment;

(e) said air-handling compartment association with a structure such that the said air-handling system conditions the air of said structure; and

(f) a control system for controlling said plurality of fan units, said control system allowing control of the speed of the fan units in said plurality of fan units such that they run at substantially peak efficiency.

16. The fan array section in an air-bundling system of claim 15 wherein said control system comprises a programmable array controller.

17. 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.

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

(a) air volume;

(b) level of air flow;

(c) pattern of air flow; and

(d) number of fan units to operate.

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

(a) an air-handling compartment;

(b) a plurality of independently controllable fan units;

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

(d) said fan array positioned within said air-handling compartment;

(e) said air-handling compartment associated with a structure such that the said air-handling system conditions the air of said structure; and

(f) a control system for controlling the speed of the fan units in said plurality of fan units such that they run at substantially peak efficiency.

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
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: 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 Jun 15, 2005
From: HOPKINS, LAWRENCE G.
To: HUNTAIR INC.
Reel/Frame 016702/0901 →