IP Library Granted Patent US 12,359,826
Granted Patent B2
US 12,359,826 · App. 18/312,290 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Air handler

Inventor: Kevin Mercer (Danville, IN)
Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
F24F1/0029F24F1/0063F24F13/20F24F2013/205
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,359,826
App. No.
18/312,290
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides an air handler including a body and an axial fan housing disposed within the body. The axial fan housing defines an aperture in fluid communication with an axial fan disposed therein and at least one enclosure located at a corner thereof, such that the at least one enclosure is isolated from a continuous airflow passageway through the aperture of the axial fan housing. The enclosure is configured to house electronic controls therein.

Claims (45)

1. An air handler comprising:

a body; and

an axial fan housing disposed within the body, wherein the axial fan housing defines:

an aperture in fluid communication with an axial fan disposed therein;

at least one enclosure located at a corner thereof, the at least one enclosure configured to house electronic controls, wherein the at least one enclosure is isolated from a continuous airflow passageway through the aperture of the axial fan housing.

2. The air handler of claim 1 further comprising an electric heating coil disposed within the axial fan housing and proximate the axial fan, the electric heating coil configured to generate heat.

3. The air handler of claim 1 further comprising a fan safety switch configured to actuate the axial fan.

4. An air handler comprising:

a body;

a V-shaped evaporator coil disposed within the body; and

an axial fan housing disposed within the body and located downstream of the V-shaped evaporator coil, wherein the axial fan housing defines:

an aperture in fluid communication with an axial fan disposed therein;

a first enclosure located at a first corner thereof, the first enclosure configured to house a first set of electronic controls; and

wherein the first enclosure is isolated from a continuous airflow passageway through the aperture of the axial fan housing.

5. The air handler of claim 4 , wherein the axial fan housing is disposed vertically above the V-shaped evaporator coil.

6. The air handler of claim 4 , wherein the axial fan housing further defines a second enclosure located at a second corner thereof, the second enclosure configured to house a second set of electronic controls, and wherein the second enclosure is isolated from the continuous airflow passageway.

7. The air handler of claim 6 further comprising:

one of a first door or a first panel configured to conceal the first enclosure; and

one of a second door or a second panel configured to conceal the second enclosure.

8. The air handler of claim 7 , wherein each of the first door and the second door comprises a latch.

9. The air handler of claim 7 , wherein each of the first panel and the second panel is fastened to the body.

10. The air handler of claim 4 further comprising a fan safety switch configured to actuate the axial fan.

11. The air handler of claim 6 , wherein:

the first enclosure extends between a periphery of the aperture and a periphery of the axial fan housing at the first corner, and

the second enclosure extends between the periphery of the aperture and the periphery of the axial fan housing at the second corner.

12. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:

an air handler comprising:

a body;

a V-shaped evaporator coil disposed within the body;

an axial fan housing disposed within the body and above the V-shaped evaporator coil, the axial fan housing located downstream of the V-shaped evaporator coil, wherein the axial fan housing defines:

an aperture in fluid communication with an axial fan disposed therein;

a first enclosure located at a first corner thereof, the first enclosure configured to house a first set of electronic controls; and

a second enclosure located at a second corner thereof, the second enclosure configured to house a second set of electronic controls,

wherein each of the first enclosure and second enclosure is isolated from a continuous airflow passageway through the aperture of the axial fan housing; and

an electric heating coil disposed within the axial fan housing and proximate the axial fan, the electric heating coil configured to generate heat.

13. The HVAC system of claim 12 , wherein the axial fan housing is disposed vertically above the V-shaped evaporator coil.

14. The HVAC system of claim 12 , wherein the air handler further comprises:

one of a first door or a first panel configured to conceal the first enclosure; and

one of a second door or a second panel configured to conceal the second enclosure.

15. The HVAC system of claim 14 , wherein each of the first door and the second door comprises a latch.

16. The HVAC system of claim 14 , wherein each of the first panel and the second panel is fastened to the body.

17. The HVAC system of claim 12 , further comprising a fan safety switch configured to actuate the axial fan.

18. The HVAC system of claim 14 , wherein:

the first enclosure extends between a periphery of the aperture and a periphery of the axial fan housing at the first corner, and

the second enclosure extends between the periphery of the aperture and the periphery of the axial fan housing at the second corner.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2023
From: MERCER, KEVIN
To: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 063810/0124 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63364146 · May 4, 2022
Related Publication 20230358418A1 · Nov 9, 2023
References Cited (2)
US 20070059167A1 · Hancock · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20090025418A1 · De La Cruz · 2009 [cited by examiner]