Multi-zone air handler and method for using the same

Abstract

A multi-zone air handler and method are provided. The multi-zone air handler comprises a housing, at least one return port in the housing, a first outlet port, a second outlet port, a first blower, a second blower, and at least one air conditioning element. The first outlet port of the housing is for coupling to a first duct. The second outlet port of the housing is for coupling to a second duct. The first blower is positioned in the housing to draw a first airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into a first air passage within the housing, and out through the first outlet port. The second blower is positioned in the housing to draw a second airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into a second air passage within the housing, and out through the second outlet port. The at least one air conditioning element is disposed in the first air passage and the second air passage for conditioning the first airflow and the second airflow.

1 . A multi-zone air handler, comprising:
 a housing;   at least one return port in the housing;   a first outlet port of the housing for coupling to a first duct;   a second outlet port of the housing for coupling to a second duct;   a first blower positioned in the housing to draw a first airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into a first air passage within the housing, and out through the first outlet port;   a second blower positioned in the housing to draw a second airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into a second air passage within the housing, and out through the second outlet port; and   at least one air conditioning element disposed in the first air passage and the second air passage for conditioning the first airflow and the second airflow.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first septum disposed within the housing and separating the first air passage from the second air passage within the housing.   
     
     
         3 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 2 , wherein the position of the first septum within the housing is adjustable to adjust the sizes of the first air passage and the second air passage. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 2 , wherein the position of the first septum within the housing is adjustable to adjust the relative sizes of the first air passage and the second air passage. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 1 , wherein the first blower is separately controllable from the second blower. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 5 , wherein the first blower is controlled by a first thermostat and wherein the second blower is controlled by a second thermostat. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 1 , wherein the capacity of the first blower differs from the capacity of the second blower. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third outlet port of the housing for coupling to a third duct; and   a third blower positioned in the housing to draw a third airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into a third air passage within the housing, and out through the third outlet port;   and wherein the at least one air conditioning element is disposed in the first air passage, the second air passage, and the third air passage for conditioning the first airflow, the second airflow, and the third airflow.   
     
     
         9 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second septum disposed within the housing and separating the second air passage from the third air passage within the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 9 , wherein the position of the second septum within the housing is adjustable to adjust the size of the third air passage. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 passive backdraft dampers deployed in at least one of the first air passage and the second air passage.   
     
     
         12 . A multi-zone air handler, comprising:
 a housing;   at least one return port in the housing;   a first outlet port of the housing for coupling to a first duct;   a second outlet port of the housing for coupling to a second duct;   a first septum disposed within the housing and separating a first air passage terminating at the first outlet port and a second air passage terminating at the second outlet port; and   at least one air conditioning element disposed in the first air passage and the second air passage for conditioning a first airflow through the first air passage and the second airflow through the second air passage.   
     
     
         13 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 12 , wherein the position of the first septum within the housing is adjustable to adjust the sizes of the first air passage and the second air passage. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 12 , wherein the position of the first septum within the housing is adjustable to adjust the relative sizes of the first air passage and the second air passage. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a third outlet port of the housing for coupling to a third duct; and   a second septum disposed within the housing and separating the second air passage and a third air passage terminating at the third outlet port;   and wherein the at least one air conditioning element is disposed in the first air passage, the second air passage, and the third air passage.   
     
     
         16 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 15 , wherein the position of the second septum within the housing is adjustable to adjust the size of the third air passage. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-zone air handler of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 passive backdraft dampers deployed in at least one of the first air passage and the second air passage.   
     
     
         18 . A method of installing an air handler, comprising:
 installing an air handler, the air handler comprising:
 a housing; 
 at least one return port in the housing; 
 a first outlet port of the housing for coupling to a first duct; 
 a second outlet port of the housing for coupling to a second duct; 
 a septum disposed within the housing to and separating a first air passage terminating at the first outlet port and a second air passage terminating at the second outlet port; and 
 at least one air conditioning element disposed in the first air passage and the second air passage for conditioning a first airflow through the first air passage and the second airflow through the second air passage; 
   installing a first blower in the housing to draw a first airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into the first air passage within the housing, and out through the first outlet port; and   installing a second blower in the housing to draw a second airflow from at least one of the at least one return ports, into the second air passage within the housing, and out through the second outlet port.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 adjusting the position of the septum within the housing to adjust the sizes of the first air passage and the second air passage.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 adjusting the position of the septum within the housing to adjust the relative sizes of the first air passage and the second air passage.