Method and apparatus for delivering conditioned air using dual plenums

Abstract

Multiple methods of supplying conditioned air to a room and components therefor are provided. A dual plenum system has a supply plenum for delivering supply air to the room and a return plenum for returning room air to an air handling unit. Conduits are provided to permit passage of the return air through the supply plenum without breaching the integrity of the supply plenum. Modular units permit a user to customize the supply and return apparatuses. A terminal unit having a controllable damper blade can be applied to a diffuser to permit the unit to be convertible between a constant volume unit and a variable volume unit. A thermostat generates signals that open and close the damper blade at determined intervals.

1 . A method for delivering conditioned air to a room having a space located above a ceiling overlying the room and return air ductwork, the method comprising: 
 delivering conditioned air to the space;    discharging the conditioned air from the space into the room;    directing return air from the room into the return air ductwork; and    discharging the return air from the return air ductwork;    wherein the conditioned air is discharged from the space into the room through an air register, wherein in the air register includes a fan, and wherein the fan is selectively operable to discharge the conditioned air from the space into the room.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fan is operatively connected with a thermostat located within the room, wherein the thermostat senses a temperature in the room, wherein the thermostat has a user-adjustable desired temperature, wherein the thermostat compares the temperature in the room with the desired temperature, and wherein the thermostat selectively operates the fan to make the temperature in the room equal to the desired temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the conditioned air is delivered to the space via an air handling unit having a blower, wherein the blower maintains the space at a pressure of zero gauge, and wherein the fan is activated to force air from the space out into the room through the register when the thermostat calls for conditioned air into the room.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the space is at least partially defined by the ceiling.  
   
   
       5 . A method for delivering conditioned air to a room having a space located above a ceiling overlying the room, the method comprising: 
 separating the space into a supply plenum and a return plenum, the supply and return plenums together occupying a substantial portion of the volume of the space;    delivering conditioned air to the supply plenum;    discharging the conditioned air from the supply plenum into the room;    directing return air from the room into the return plenum; and    discharging the return air from the return plenum;    wherein the ceiling is suspended from an overlying structure and includes a plurality of horizontal tiles supported on a grid work of suspended T-bars.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the conditioned air is discharged from the supply plenum into the room through a supply air diffuser.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the supply air diffuser includes a damper operable to selectively permit or prevent the discharging of conditioned air from the supply plenum into the room.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the return air is directed from the room into the return plenum through a return air diffuser, wherein the return air diffuser creates a passage for the return air through the supply plenum to the return plenum, and wherein the passage prohibits the return air moving through the passage from mixing with the air in the supply plenum.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the supply air diffuser and the return air diffuser are formed as part of a combination supply/return fixture.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the passage for the return air is adjacent to an opening in the supply air diffuser through which the conditioned air in the supply plenum passes.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the space is separated into a supply plenum and a return plenum by a partition and wherein the partition is suspended from the overlying structure.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the partition includes a plurality of horizontal tiles supported on a grid work.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the grid work for the partition includes a plurality of structural crosses and wherein the ceiling is suspended from the partition.  
   
   
       14 . A method for delivering conditioned air to a room having a space located above a ceiling overlying the room, the method comprising: 
 separating the space into a supply plenum and a return plenum by a partition, the supply and return plenums together occupying a substantial portion of the volume of the space;    delivering conditioned air to the supply plenum;    discharging the conditioned air from the supply plenum into the room;    directing return air from the room into the return plenum; and    discharging the return air from the return plenum;    wherein the partition is suspended from an overlying structure and includes a plurality of horizontal tiles supported on a grid work and wherein the ceiling is suspended from the partition and includes a plurality of horizontal tiles supported on a grid work of suspended T-bars.    
   
   
       15 . A method for delivering conditioned air to a room having a space located above a ceiling overlying the room, the method comprising: 
 separating the space into a supply plenum and a return plenum, the supply and return plenums together occupying a substantial portion of the volume of the space;    delivering conditioned air to the supply plenum;    discharging the conditioned air from the supply plenum into the room;    directing return air from the room into the return plenum; and    discharging the return air from the return plenum;    wherein the return air is directed from the room into the return plenum through a return air diffuser, wherein the return air diffuser creates a passage for the return air through the supply plenum to the return plenum, wherein the passage prohibits the return air moving through the passage from mixing with the air in the supply plenum; and wherein the passage includes a heating element and a fan for directing return air through the heating element back into the room.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the passage is divided into a return air conduit and a heated air supply passage and wherein the heating element is positioned within the heated air supply passage.