Fan array fan section in air-handling systems

Abstract

A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fan array fan section in an air-handling system to supply air to a building, comprising:
 an air handling compartment having a discharge plenum configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of the building;   a fan array of fan units positioned in the air handling compartment, the fan units configured to be ON and OFF;   wherein the air handling compartment includes multiple chambers arranged in an array where at least a portion of the chambers are located proximate to one another in at least one row or column, wherein the fan units are positioned in corresponding chambers of the air handling compartment; and   an array controller configured to meet a first air demand by operating all of the fan units at a first fan speed and to meet the first air demand by operating a subset of the fan units at a second fan speed.