System and method for forming an energy exchange assembly
View Patent ↗A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.
1. A method of forming an energy exchange assembly, the method comprising:
forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern;
positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet;
folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer;
sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer; and
positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, wherein the positioning the second spacer operation stacks the second spacer over the first spacer.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising folding the membrane sheet over a top of the second spacer so that a third forming area is positioned over the second spacer.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a fourth forming area is positioned over the third forming area.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising unfolding the fourth forming area away from the third forming area.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising sealing a second portion of the third forming area to a second outer lateral wall of the second spacer.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the positioning, folding, and sealing operations with respect to additional spacers and additional forming areas.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing operation occurs only at the first outer lateral wall of the first spacer.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane sheet is devoid of a seam on or within an energy transfer surface.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane sheet is devoid of a sealing agent on or within an energy transfer surface.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane sheet is devoid of a seam above or below each of the first and second spacers.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane sheet is devoid of a sealing agent above or below each of the first and second spacers.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane sheet is a single roll of material.
13. An energy exchange assembly, comprising:
a membrane sheet including a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits;
a first spacer positioned on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, wherein the membrane sheet is folded over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, wherein a first portion of the first forming area is sealed to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer; and
a second spacer positioned on top of the second forming area, wherein the second spacer is stacked over the first spacer.
14. The energy exchange assembly of claim 13 , wherein the membrane sheet is folded so that a third forming area is positioned over a top of the second spacer.
15. The energy exchange assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a fourth forming area positioned over the third forming area.
16. The energy exchange assembly of claim 13 wherein the membrane sheet is devoid of both a seam and a sealing agent on or within an energy transfer surface.
17. The energy exchange assembly of claim 13 , wherein the membrane sheet is devoid of both a seam and a sealing agent above or below each of the first and second spacers.
18. The energy exchange assembly of claim 13 , wherein the membrane sheet is a single roll of material.
19. An energy exchange system, comprising:
a supply air flow path configured to channel supply air to an enclosed structure;
a regeneration air flow path configured to channel regeneration air from the enclosed structure to an outside environment; and
an energy exchange assembly disposed within the supply air flow path and the regeneration air flow path, wherein the energy exchange assembly comprises:
a membrane sheet including a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits;
a first spacer positioned on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, wherein the membrane sheet is folded over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, wherein a first portion of the first forming area is sealed to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer; and
a second spacer positioned on top of the second forming area, wherein the second spacer is stacked over the first spacer.
20. The energy exchanger system of claim 19 , wherein the membrane sheet is a single roll of material.