Chilled beam devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A chilled beam system may incorporate a terminal unit to provide additional heating and cooling capacity including latent cooling. In a system, terminal units may be distributed and connected to cooperate with a primary air stream from a central air handling unit. The chilled beam and/or terminal units may employ features for enhancing heating mode operation. Control embodiments take advantage of the additional capabilities described.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of conditioning the air of an occupied space, comprising:
 providing a terminal unit with a heat exchanger, the terminal unit being connected to a conditioned space to receive return air therefrom, to condition the return air using the heat exchanger, and combine conditioned return air with a primary air stream, which includes fresh air;   generating a heating mode signal;   configuring one of the terminal unit and a chilled beam in response to the heating mode signal, the configuring including changing an aspect ratio of a discharge into the occupied space or switching the flow into the occupied space from a first aspect ratio discharge to a second aspect ratio discharge, wherein the first and second aspect ratios differ in magnitude.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising configuring the one of the terminal unit and a chilled beam in response to a cooling mode signal, the configuring including changing an aspect ratio of a discharge into the occupied space or switching the flow into the occupied space from the second aspect ratio discharge to the first aspect ratio discharge, wherein the first and second aspect ratios differ in magnitude. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus for conditioning the air of an occupied space, comprising:
 a terminal unit with a heat exchanger, the terminal unit being connected to a conditioned space to receive return air therefrom, to condition the return air using the heat exchanger, and combine conditioned return air with a primary air stream, which includes fresh air,   a chilled beam;   a controller configured to generate a heating mode signal;   at least one actuator adapted to reconfigure one of the terminal unit, a chilled beam, or a further device in response to the heating mode signal, the configuring including changing an aspect ratio of a discharge into the occupied space or switching the flow into the occupied space from a first aspect ratio discharge to a second aspect ratio discharge, wherein the first and second aspect ratios differ in magnitude.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the terminal unit includes a damper configured to vary a mix of return air from the occupied space and air from the primary air stream. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the terminal unit includes an air mover. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the terminal unit is connected to multiple chilled beams. 
     
     
         22 . A configurable chilled beam, comprising:
 a longitudinal primary air plenum, a longitudinal mixing chamber adjacent the primary air plenum;   the primary air plenum having jet outlets opening to the longitudinal mixing chamber, at least some of the jet outlets formed at least in part by at least one movable member;   the movable member being configured such that when moved, a larger opening in communication with the primary air plenum is defined, the larger opening being larger in at least one dimension.   
     
     
         23 . The chilled beam of  claim 22 , further comprising a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         24 . The chilled beam of  claim 22  wherein the at least one movable member includes a fluted damper blade. 
     
     
         25 . The chilled beam of  claim 22 , wherein the larger opening faces the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         26 . The chilled beam of  claim 22 , further comprising a an actuator configured to move the at least one movable member and a controller configured control the actuator to move the movable member in response to a signal to change between a heating mode and a cooling mode. 
     
     
         27 . A configurable chilled beam, comprising:
 a longitudinal primary air plenum, a longitudinal mixing chamber adjacent the primary air plenum;   the primary air plenum having jet outlets opening to the longitudinal mixing chamber;   at least one movable member configured such that when moved, a larger opening or at least one additional opening in communication with the primary air plenum is defined.   
     
     
         28 . The chilled beam of  claim 22 , further comprising a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         29 . The chilled beam of  claim 22  wherein the at least one movable member includes damper blade and the at least one additional opening includes a mixing register.