Air handler blower and method of oerating the same

Abstract

An air handler blower is provided, comprising: a blower wheel having a center plate with one or more openings, a first cylindrical blade assembly extending from a first side of the center plate, the first cylindrical blade assembly containing a plurality of first blades extending from the first side of the center plate and arranged in a circle to define a first cavity, and a second cylindrical blade assembly extending from a second side of the center plate opposite the first side, the second cylindrical blade assembly containing a plurality of second blades extending from the second side of the center plate and arranged in a circle to define a second cavity; a motor located proximate to the first cylindrical blade assembly and configured to rotate the blower wheel; and an axle connecting the motor and the center plate.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An air handler blower, comprising:
 a blower wheel having
 a center plate having one or more center openings, 
 a first cylindrical blade assembly extending from a first side of the center plate, the first cylindrical blade assembly containing a plurality of first blades extending from the first side of the center plate and arranged in a circle to define a first cavity, the plurality of first blades each attached by a first end to the first side of the center plate, and 
 a second cylindrical blade assembly extending from a second side of the center plate opposite the first side, the second cylindrical blade assembly containing a plurality of second blades extending from the second side of the center plate and arranged in a circle to define a second cavity, the plurality of second blades each attached by a first end to the second side of the center plate; 
   a motor located proximate to the first cylindrical blade assembly and configured to rotate the blower wheel; and   an axle connecting the motor and the center plate.   
     
     
         2 . The air handler blower of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first blade cylinder has a first width extending from the first side of the center plate,   the second blade cylinder has a second width extending from the second side of the center plate, and   the first width is substantially equal to the second width.   
     
     
         3 . The air handler blower of  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of first blades are arranged such that the first cylindrical blade assembly will draw first intake air into the first cavity and generate first exhaust air at an outer circumference of the first cylindrical blade assembly when the blower wheel is rotated, and   the plurality of second blades are arranged such that the second cylindrical blade assembly will draw second intake air into the second cavity and generate second exhaust air at an outer circumference of the second cylindrical blade assembly when the blower wheel is rotated.   
     
     
         4 . The air handler blower of  claim 1 , wherein
 the motor partly obscures the first blower opening.   
     
     
         5 . The air handler blower of  claim 4 , wherein
 the center plate further includes one or more air movers configured to draw air from the second cavity into the first cavity.   
     
     
         6 . The air handler blower of  claim 5 , wherein
 the air movers include one of an air scoop, a louver, a fixed blade, or an adjustable blade.   
     
     
         7 . The air handler blower of  claim 5 , wherein
 the air movers protrude into the second cavity.   
     
     
         8 . The air handler blower of  claim 4 , wherein
 the center plate further includes one or more third blades configured to draw air from the second cavity into the first cavity, each of the one or more third blades being associated with a corresponding one of the center openings, and   the one or more third blades are noncoplanar with respect to the center plate.   
     
     
         9 . The air handler blower of  claim 8 , wherein
 each of the center openings has a corresponding inner circumference,   each of the one or more third blades has a substantially same shape as a corresponding one of the center openings, and   each of the one or more third blades is connected to a portion of the circumference of a corresponding one of the center openings.   
     
     
         10 . The air handler blower of  claim 1 , wherein
 the center plate further includes
 an outer plate having an inner opening with a first circumference, 
 an inner plate having a second circumference formed in the inner opening, and 
 a plurality of spokes connecting the outer plate to the inner plate, 
   wherein   the second circumference is smaller than the first circumference, and   the one or more openings include a main opening between the first circumference and the second circumference.   
     
     
         11 . The air handler blower of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an outer casing surrounding the blower wheel and containing an exhaust opening, the outer casing being configured to combine the first and second exhaust air into combined exhaust air and to expel the combined exhaust air through the exhaust opening.   
     
     
         12 . A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning device comprising:
 the air handler blower of  claim 1 , and   an air-conditioner configured to condition the combined exhaust air.   
     
     
         13 . An air handler blower, comprising:
 a blower wheel having
 a center plate having
 one or more center openings, and 
 one or more air movement mechanisms configured to draw air from the second cavity into the first cavity, 
 
 a first cylindrical blade assembly extending from a first side of the center plate, the first cylindrical blade assembly containing a plurality of first blades extending from the first side of the center plate and arranged in a circle to define a first cavity, the plurality of first blades each attached by a first end to the first side of the center plate, and 
 a second cylindrical blade assembly extending from a second side of the center plate opposite the first side, the second cylindrical blade assembly containing a plurality of second blades extending from the second side of the center plate and arranged in a circle to define a second cavity, the plurality of second blades each attached by a first end to the second side of the center plate; 
   a motor located proximate to the first cylindrical blade assembly and configured to rotate the blower wheel; and   an axle connecting the motor and the center plate.   
     
     
         14 . The air handler blower of  claim 13 , wherein
 the air movement mechanisms include one of an air scoop, a louver, a fixed blade, or an adjustable blade.   
     
     
         15 . The air handler blower of  claim 13 , wherein
 the air movement mechanisms protrude into the second cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The air handler blower of  claim 13 , wherein
 the air movement mechanisms include one or more third blades configured to draw air from the second cavity into the first cavity, each of the one or more third blades being associated with a corresponding one of the center openings,   the one or more third blades are noncoplanar with respect to the center plate.   
     
     
         17 . A method of operating an air handler blower having a blower wheel with a center plate a first cylindrical blade assembly attached to a first side of the center plate, and a second cylindrical blade assembly attached to a first side of the center plate, comprising:
 rotating the blower wheel;   drawing first intake air into a first cavity defined by the first cylindrical blade assembly at a first air pressure;   drawing second intake air into a second cavity defined by the second cylindrical blade assembly at a second air pressure greater than the first air pressure;   passing a portion of the second intake air from the second cavity to the first cavity through openings in the center plate to create second reduced intake air in the second cavity and first increased intake air in the first cavity;   moving the first increased intake air from the first cavity to an outer circumference of the first cylindrical blade assembly as first exhaust air;   moving the second decreased intake air from the second cavity to an outer circumference of the second cylindrical blade assembly as second exhaust air; and   combining the first exhaust air and the second exhaust air to form combined exhaust air.   
     
     
         18 . The method of operating the air handler blower of  claim 17 , wherein
 the passing of the portion of the second intake air from the first cavity to the second cavity through openings in the center plate is performed at least in part by equalizing the first pressure and the second pressure.   
     
     
         19 . The method of operating the air handler blower of  claim 17 , wherein
 the passing of the portion of the second intake air from the first cavity to the second cavity through openings in the center plate is performed at least in part by forcing a portion of the second intake air from the second cavity into the first cavity using one or more air movers attached to the center plate.   
     
     
         20 . The method of operating the air handler blower of  claim 19 , wherein
 the air movers include one of an air scoop, a louver, a fixed blade, or an adjustable blade.