Induced air cooling and heating system

Claim 2

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling, the heat transfer tubes being comprised of an elongated supply conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins and having couplings at both ends for connection to identical supply conduits in adjacent enclosures, and elongated return conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins, the return conduit having couplings on both ends for connection to identical return conduits in adjacent enclosures, and a tubular coil having one end coupled to the supply conduit, another end coupled to the return conduit, and an intermediate portion extending through the series of heat transfer fins for circulating a cooling fluid supplied from the supply conduit; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes, the tempered air plenum having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air forced through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 3

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling; the heat transfer tubes being comprised of one or more elongated supply conduits extending through the series of heat transfer fins, at least one of the supply conduits having a separate coupling at each end fOr connection to identical supply conduits in adjacent enclosures, and one or more return conduits extending through the fins above the supply conduits, one or more of the return conduits providing separate couplings at opposite ends of the heat transfer fins for connection with identical return conduits in adjacent enclosures; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes, the tempered air plenum having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air forced through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 4

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling; the heat transfer tubes being comprised of one or more elongated supply conduits extending through the series of heat transfer fins, at least one of the supply conduits having a separate coupling at each end fOr connection to identical supply conduits in adjacent enclosures, and one or more return conduits extending through the fins above the supply conduits, one or more of the return conduits providing separate couplings at opposite ends of the heat transfer fins for connection with identical return conduits in adjacent enclosures; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes, the tempered air plenum having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air forced through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 5

An induced air system for conditioning air through several enclosures in series in which each enclosure has a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a separate heat transfer unit in each enclosure, each unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a separate supporting framework in each enclosure for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling; a separate elongated tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework in each enclosure and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes; duct means coupling at least some of the heat transfer tubes in one enclosure with at least some of the heat transfer tubes in an adjoining enclosure; and duct means interconnecting the tempered air plenums of said adjacent enclosures; the heat transfer tubes in a pair of adjacent enclosures being comprised of a separate elongated main fluid supply conduit extending through a series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, a separate main fluid return conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, means joining the supply conduit in one enclosure with a corresponding supply conduit in an adjacent enclosure, means joining the return conduit in one enclosure with a corresponding return conduit in the adjacent enclosure, and a separate tubular coil for each enclosure, each coil having one end coupled to its corresponding supply conduit, another end coupled to its corresponding return conduit, and an intermediate portion extending through the series of heat transfer fins for circulating a cooling fluid forced through the supply conduit; the tempered air plenum in each enclosure having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air flowing through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 6

An induced air system for conditioning air through several enclosures in series in which each enclosure has a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a separate heat transfer unit in each enclosure, each unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a separate supporting framework in each enclosure for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling; a separate elongated tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework in each enclosure and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes; duct means coupling at least some of the heat transfer tubes in one enclosure with at least some of the heat transfer tubes in an adjoining enclosure; and duct means interconnecting the tempered air plenums of said adjacent enclosures; the heat transfer tubes in a pair of adjacent enclosures being comprised of a separate elongated main fluid supply conduit extending through a series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, a separate main fluid return conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, means joining the supply conduit in one enclosure with a corresponding supply conduit in an adjacent enclosure, means joining the return conduit in one enclosure with a corresponding return conduit in the adjacent enclosure, and a separate tubular coil for each enclosure, each coil having one end coupled to its corresponding supply conduit, another end coupled to its corresponding return conduit, and an intermediate portion extending through the series of heat transfer fins for circulating a cooling fluid forced through the supply conduit; the tempered air plenum in each enclosure having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air flowing through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 7

The system according to claim 3 including a separate thermostatically controlled valve in each enclosure coupled with one of the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 8

An induced air system for conditioning air through several enclosures in series, each enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a separate heat transfer unit in each enclosure, each unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a separate supporting framework in each enclosure for holding the heat transfer tubes in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling, a separate elongated, tubular tempered air plenum in each enclosure mounted to the supporting framework therein and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heaT transfer tubes; pipe means coupling at least some of the heat transfer tubes in one enclosure with at least some of the heat transfer tubes in an adjoining enclosure; and duct means interconnecting the tempered air plenums of said adjoining enclosures; the heat transfer tubes in adjoining enclosures comprising a separate elongated supply conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, a separate fluid return conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, means joining the supply conduit in one enclosure with a corresponding supply conduit in an adjacent enclosure, means joining the return conduit in one enclosure with the corresponding return conduit in the adjacent enclosure, and means joining the supply conduit in one enclosure with the return conduit in the same enclosure; the tempered air plenum having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air forced through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 9

An induced air system for conditioning air through several enclosures in series, each enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a separate heat transfer unit in each enclosure, each unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a separate supporting framework in each enclosure for holding the heat transfer tubes in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling, a separate elongated, tubular tempered air plenum in each enclosure mounted to the supporting framework therein and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so the plenum extends in the same general direction as the heaT transfer tubes; pipe means coupling at least some of the heat transfer tubes in one enclosure with at least some of the heat transfer tubes in an adjoining enclosure; and duct means interconnecting the tempered air plenums of said adjoining enclosures; the heat transfer tubes in adjoining enclosures comprising a separate elongated supply conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, a separate fluid return conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins in each enclosure, means joining the supply conduit in one enclosure with a corresponding supply conduit in an adjacent enclosure, means joining the return conduit in one enclosure with the corresponding return conduit in the adjacent enclosure, and means joining the supply conduit in one enclosure with the return conduit in the same enclosure; the tempered air plenum having at least one opening extending along its length adjacent the heat transfer tubes so that tempered air forced through the plenum can be induced to flow out through the opening to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the heat transfer tubes.

Claim 10

The system according to claim 5 including one thermostatically controlled valve coupled to only one of said supply conduits.

Claim 11

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so it extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes; the supporting framework including an upwardly opening, U-shaped structure including a bottom wall and a pair of laterally spaced apart front and rear walls extending in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes, the fins extending between the front and rear walls of the framework and being held in place by the heat transfer tubes on which they are mounted; the tempered air plenum including a top wall spaced above the bottom wall of the framework structure and disposed below the series of heat transfer fins so as to extend in the same general direction as the fins, the plenum top wall being attached at its ends to the front and rear walls of the framework structure to provide an elongated, tubular conduit, the plenum having one or more slotted openings formed in its top wall along one edge thereof so that air passing through the plenum is induced to flow out through the openings and through the space between the heat transfer fins and the top wall of the plenum so as to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the transfer tubes.

Claim 12

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart, flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls and adjacent the ceiling; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framework and held closely spaced from the heat transfer tubes so it extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes; the supporting framework including an upwardly opening, U-shaped structure including a bottom wall and a pair of laterally spaced apart front and rear walls extending in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes, the fins extending between the front and rear walls of the framework and being held in place by the heat transfer tubes on which they are mounted; the tempered air plenum including a top wall spaced above the bottom wall of the framework structure and disposed below the series of heat transfer fins so as to extend in the same general direction as the fins, the plenum top wall being attached at its ends to the front and rear walls of the framework structure to provide an elongated, tubular conduit, the plenum having one or more slotted openings formed in its top wall along one edge thereof so that air passing through the plenum is induced to flow out through the openings and through the space between the heat transfer fins and the top wall of the plenum so as to stimulate the natural convective flow of room air passing through the transfer tubes.

Claim 13

The system according to claim 7 in which the heat transfer tubes comprise an elongated supply conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins, and having couplings at both ends for connection to identical supply conduits in adjacent enclosures, an elongated return conduit extending through the series of heat transfer fins, the return conduit having couplings on both ends for connection to identical return conduits in adjacent enclosures, and a tubular coil having one end coupled to the supply conduit, another end coupled to the return conduit, and an intermediate portion extending through the series of heat transfer fins for circulation of cooling fluid supplied from the supply conduit.

Claim 14

The system according to claim 7 including one or more elongated supply conduits extending through the series of heat transfer fins, at least one of the supply conduits having a separate coupling at each end for connection to identical supply conduits in adjacent enclosures, and one or more return conduits extending through the fins above the supply conduits, one or more of the return conduits providing separate couplings at opposite ends of the heat transfer fins for connection with identical return conduits in adjacent enclosures.

Claim 15

The system according to claim 7 including an elongated diverter plate secured to the framework and adapted to extend between the heat transfer tubes and the ceiling to direct the flow of room air down over the heat transfer tubes so the air can pass through the space between the tubes and the tempered air plenum.

Claim 16

The system according to claim 7 in which the heat transfer tubes include a supply conduit extending through the heat transfer fins, and a separate return conduit extending through the fins, the supply and return conduits each having opposed ends adapted for connection to identical supply and return conduits in adjacent enclosures.

Claim 17

The system according to claim 11 including a plurality of spaced apart heat transfer fluid circulation tubes extending through the heat transfer fins adjacent the supply and return conduits.

Claim 18

The system according to claim 12 including means connecting one end of the heat transfer fluid circulation tubes with one end of the supply conduit.

Claim 19

The system according to claim 12 including means connecting one end of the heat transfer fluid circulation tubes with one end of the return conduit.

Claim 20

The system according to claim 7 in which the framework structure has an open top to be spaced below the ceiling, the front wall of the framework structure providing a continuous barrier against air flow for facing a major portion of the room so that room air flowing adjacent the ceiling and toward the front wall will flow through the open top of the framework structure; and in which the rear wall of the framework structure is to be located remote from a major portion of the room, the heat transfer tubes being disposed behind the front wall of the framework structure so that the room air flowing through the open top of the framework will flow downwardly past the tubes; the slotted openings extending through the top wall of the plenum along the length thereof behind the air barrier provided by the front wall of the framework structure; the rear wall of the supporting framework having an opening in it below the heat transfer unit and above the plenum top wall so that air flowing through the plenum will pass through the slotted openings under a major portion of the heat transfer unit and toward the opening in the rear wall of the framework structure.

Claim 21

The system according to claim 15 in which the openings in the top wall of the plenum face the rear wall of the framework structure and are provided with air flow deflecting means positioned above the openings for directing air passing through the openings to flow toward the opening in the rear wall of the framework so that the natural convective flow of room air passing through the open top of the supporting framework and down past the heat transfer tubes will be stimulated to flow toward the opening in the rear wall of the framework by the flow of air passing from the openings in the plenum.

Claim 22

The system according to claim 16 in which the slotted openings are located in a portion of the plenum top wall which is inclined so as to face toward the opening in the rear wall of the framework structure.

Claim 23

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls of the enclosure and adjacent the ceiling thereof; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framewOrk and held closely spaced below the heat transfer tubes so it extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes; the supporting framework comprising an upwardly opening, U-shaped structure which includes a bottom wall and a pair of laterally spaced apart front and rear walls extending in the same general direction as the series of heat transfer tubes, the fins extending between the front and rear walls of the framework and being held in place by the heat transfer tubes on which they are mounted; the supporting framework having an open top spaced below the ceiling, the front wall of the supporting framework providing a continuous air barrier for facing a major portion of the room so that room air flowing adjacent the ceiling and toward the front wall of the framework will flow through the open top of the supporting framework; the heat transfer unit being mounted below the open top of the supporting framework and behind the front wall thereof so that room air flowing through the open top of the supporting structure will flow downwardly past the heat transfer tubes; the tempered air plenum including a top wall spaced above the bottom wall of the supporting framework and disposed below the series of heat transfer fins so as to extend in the same general direction as the fins, the plenum top wall being attached at its ends to the front and rear walls of the framework structure to provide an elongated, tubular conduit located behind the air barrier provided by the front wall of the framework structure; the plenum having one or more slotted openings formed in its top wall along one edge thereof so that tempered air flowing through the plenum will pass through the openings, the openings being positioned to face toward the rear wall of the framework structure and being provided with air flow deflecting means positioned above the openings for directing air passing through the openings to flow under a major portion of the heat transfer unit and toward the rear wall of the support structure; the rear wall of the support structure having an opening in it below the heat transfer unit and above the plenum and toward which the flow of air from the plenum openings is directed by the air flow deflecting means so that the natural convective flow of room air passing through the open top of the framework structure and down past the heat transfer tubes will be stimulated to flow toward the opening in the rear wall of the framework structure by the flow of tempered air passing from the openings in the plenum.

Claim 24

An induced air system for conditioning air in an enclosure having a ceiling and a pair of spaced apart walls, the system comprising a heat transfer unit including a plurality of spaced apart, elongated heat transfer tubes for circulating a cooling fluid, and a series of longitudinally spaced apart flat heat transfer fins mounted on the heat transfer tubes; a supporting framework for holding the heat transfer unit in a fixed position between the walls of the enclosure and adjacent the ceiling thereof; and an elongated, tubular tempered air plenum mounted to the supporting framewOrk and held closely spaced below the heat transfer tubes so it extends in the same general direction as the heat transfer tubes; the supporting framework comprising an upwardly opening, U-shaped structure which includes a bottom wall and a pair of laterally spaced apart front and rear walls extending in the same general direction as the series of heat transfer tubes, the fins extending between the front and rear walls of the framework and being held in place by the heat transfer tubes on which they are mounted; the supporting framework having an open top spaced below the ceiling, the front wall of the supporting framework providing a continuous air barrier for facing a major portion of the room so that room air flowing adjacent the ceiling and toward the front wall of the framework will flow through the open top of the supporting framework; the heat transfer unit being mounted below the open top of the supporting framework and behind the front wall thereof so that room air flowing through the open top of the supporting structure will flow downwardly past the heat transfer tubes; the tempered air plenum including a top wall spaced above the bottom wall of the supporting framework and disposed below the series of heat transfer fins so as to extend in the same general direction as the fins, the plenum top wall being attached at its ends to the front and rear walls of the framework structure to provide an elongated, tubular conduit located behind the air barrier provided by the front wall of the framework structure; the plenum having one or more slotted openings formed in its top wall along one edge thereof so that tempered air flowing through the plenum will pass through the openings, the openings being positioned to face toward the rear wall of the framework structure and being provided with air flow deflecting means positioned above the openings for directing air passing through the openings to flow under a major portion of the heat transfer unit and toward the rear wall of the support structure; the rear wall of the support structure having an opening in it below the heat transfer unit and above the plenum and toward which the flow of air from the plenum openings is directed by the air flow deflecting means so that the natural convective flow of room air passing through the open top of the framework structure and down past the heat transfer tubes will be stimulated to flow toward the opening in the rear wall of the framework structure by the flow of tempered air passing from the openings in the plenum.