US 7,389,646 B2
HVAC desiccant wheel system and method
Ronnie R. Moffitt, Harrodsburg, Ky. (US)
Assigned to Trane International Inc., New York, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/639,573.
Application 11/639573 is a division of application No. 11/332652, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, granted, now 7,178,355.
Application 11/332652 is a division of application No. 10/855912, filed on May 27, 2004, granted, now 6,973,795.
Prior Publication US 2007/0113573 A1, May 24, 2007
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25D 17/06 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 62—92  [62/271; 165/8; 165/222] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerant system for conditioning air for a comfort zone, the refrigerant system comprising:
an enclosure defining an outside air inlet, an intermediate air chamber, an upstream air passageway, an intermediate air passageway, and a downstream air passageway, wherein the air moves downstream sequentially through the outside air inlet, the intermediate air chamber, the upstream air passageway, the intermediate air passageway, and the downstream air passageway;
a heat recovery system in fluid communication with the outside air inlet, wherein the heat recovery system transfers heat from a first current of air to a second current of air, wherein the first current of air travels from the outside air inlet to the intermediate air chamber, and the second current of air travels from the intermediate air chamber to the upstream air passageway;
a desiccant wheel able to absorb moisture from the air passing from the intermediate air passageway to the downstream air passageway and simultaneously release moisture to the air passing from the upstream air passageway to the intermediate air passageway;
a blower in a position to force the air from the downstream air passageway to the comfort zone;
a first cooling coil disposed within the intermediate air passageway to help cool and remove moisture from the air; and
a second cooling coil disposed in the first current of air.