System and method for conditioning air in an enclosed structure

Abstract

An energy exchange system includes a supply flow path including a central sub-path connected to a bypass sub-path that is, in turn, connected to a delivery sub-path that connects to the enclosed structure. A sensible heat exchanger configured to condition the supply air is disposed within the central sub-path. The bypass sub-path connects to the central sub-path upstream from the sensible heat exchanger within the central sub-path. A first coil configured to further condition the supply air is disposed within the central sub-path downstream from the sensible heat exchanger. A bypass damper is disposed within the bypass sub-path. The bypass damper is configured to be selectively opened and closed. The bypass damper allows at least a portion of the supply air to pass through the bypass sub-path into the delivery sub-path and bypass the sensible heat exchanger and the first coil when the bypass damper is open.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating an energy exchange system to provide supply air to an enclosed structure, wherein the energy exchange system includes a supply flow path having a central sub-path connected to a bypass sub-path that is, in turn, connected to a delivery sub-path that connects to the enclosed structure, the method comprising:
 selectively opening and closing a bypass damper within the bypass sub-path in order to open and close the bypass sub-path;   directing the supply air to the enclosed structure and bypassing a sensible heat exchanger and first coil within the central sub-path when the bypass damper is open; and   directing the supply air to the sensible heat exchanger and the first coil within the central sub-path when the bypass damper is closed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selectively opening and closing a re-direct damper within a re-direct sub-path connected to the central sub-path, wherein the re-direct sub-path is downstream from the central sub-path;   re-directing at least a portion of the supply air to the sensible heat exchanger when the re-direct damper is open; and   preventing the at least a portion of the supply air from being re-directed to the sensible heat exchanger when the re-direct damper is closed.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selectively opening and closing a pre-delivery damper within a pre-delivery sub-path connected to the central sub-path, wherein the pre-delivery sub-path is downstream from the central sub-path;   delivering at least a portion of the supply air to the delivery sub-path when the pre-delivery damper is open; and   preventing the at least a portion of the supply air from being delivered to the delivery sub-path when the pre-delivery damper is closed.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device disposed within the central sub-path upstream from the bypass sub-path. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further monitoring one or both of temperature or humidity within the supply flow path. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising controlling the selectively opening and closing the bypass damper with a control unit. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising re-heating or re-cooling the supply air within the delivery sub-path before the supply air passes into the enclosed structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising circulating one of cooling or heating fluid to the first coil. 
     
     
         9 . A method of providing conditioned air to an enclosed structure, the method comprising:
 receiving supply air at an energy recovery device;   pre-conditioning the supply air with the energy recovery device;   directing pre-conditioned supply air to a heat exchanger positioned downstream from the energy recovery device;   conditioning the pre-conditioned supply air with the heat exchanger;   re-directing conditioned supply air from the heat exchanger back to the heat exchanger;   further conditioning the conditioned supply air with the heat exchanger; and   discharging further conditioned supply air from the heat exchanger into the enclosed structure.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a fixed plate heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein one or both of the conditioning and further conditioning comprises adding heat to the pre-conditioned supply air and/or the further conditioned supply air during a winter mode of operation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising selectively operating a damper upstream from the heat exchanger.