ANTI-VIBRATION BRACKETS FOR BLOWER ASSEMBLY OF HVAC SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]The present application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 20/241,1058130, filed on Jul. 31, 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly, to an arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of HVAC system.

[0003]The basic components of an HVAC device, such as a furnace, a burner, a heat exchanger, an air distribution system, and a vent pipe, among other. In the burner, gas (natural or propane) or oil is delivered and burned to generate heat. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the burning gas to the air distribution system. The air distribution system, which includes a blower and ductwork, delivers the heated air throughout the home and returns cooler air to the furnace to be heated. Finally, the vent pipe or flue exhausts byproducts of combustion (such as water vapor and carbon dioxide) outside of the home. In addition, the furnace may also include a cooling element, such as an A-coil, that operates in conjunction with an air conditioning unit (typically located outside of the home) to provide cooled air to the home instead of heated air.

[0004]The blower assembly is generally mounted on a fixture of the HVAC unit with the help of bolts. Such arrangement fails to keep the structural integrity of the blower assembly intact during transportation of the HVAC units as unevenness of road conditions induces vibrations that act on the HVAC units, thereby causing high stresses around blower assembly area. Such high stresses lead to damage or cause a failure in operation of blower assemblies, eventually impacting the performance of the overall HVAC unit and imposing repair cost.

[0005]Therefore, there is a need of an arrangement for mounting the blower assembly of HVAC unit that alleviates aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY

[0006]The present disclosure discloses, in one aspect, an arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit. The arrangement comprises a fixture, and one or more support brackets coupled to the fixture and the blower assembly. The one or more support brackets are designed so as to absorb vibrations caused due to operation of the blower assembly or during transportation.

[0007]In some embodiments, the blower assembly is coupled to the fixture via the one or more support brackets.

[0008]In some embodiments, at least one surface of the blower assembly abuts the one or more support brackets.

[0009]In some embodiments, the support bracket comprises at least two Z-shaped panels attached to each other.

[0010]In some embodiments, the at least two Z-shaped panels are attached to form a closed rectangular profile with a flange extending from both ends in opposite directions.

[0011]In some embodiments, the support bracket is a unibody structure having a substantial rectangular profile.

[0012]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets are coupled to a horizontal surface of the fixture.

[0013]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets are coupled to a vertical surface of the fixture.

[0014]The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, an arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit including a fixture having a horizontal surface and a vertical surface forming an L-shaped platform supporting the blower assembly; and one or more support brackets coupled to the vertical surface of fixture, the one or more support brackets configured to absorb vibrations caused during to operation of the blower assembly or during transportation.

[0015]The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, An arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit including a fixture having a horizontal surface and a vertical surface forming an L-shaped platform supporting the blower assembly, and one or more support brackets coupled to the fixture and the blower assembly along a portion of the blower assembly that meets with the fixture, the one or more support brackets configured to absorb vibrations caused during to operation of the blower assembly or during transportation, wherein the one or more support bracket is substantially hollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building including a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) system, according to some embodiments.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an airside system including an air handling unit (AHU) which can be used in the HVAC system of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an AHU controller which can be used to monitor and control the AHU of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows an arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit, according to some embodiments.

[0021]FIG. 5 shows another arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit, according to some embodiments.

[0022]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a support bracket for mounting the blower assembly of the HVAC unit, according to some embodiments.

[0023]FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the support bracket of FIG. 6A.

[0024]FIGS. 7-12 show stress analysis of various models of HVAC units, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025]One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0026]When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

Building HVAC System

[0027]Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a building 10 is shown. Building 10 is served by a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) system 100. HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, air conditioning, ventilation, and/or other services for building 10. For example, HVAC system 100 is shown to include a waterside system 120 and an airside system 130. Waterside system 120 may provide a heated or chilled fluid to an air handling unit of airside system 130. Airside system 130 may use the heated or chilled fluid to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10.

[0028]HVAC system 100 is shown to include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and a rooftop air handling unit (AHU) 106. Waterside system 120 may use boiler 104 and chiller 102 to heat or cool a working fluid (e.g., water, glycol, etc.) and may circulate the working fluid to AHU 106. In various embodiments, the HVAC devices of waterside system 120 can be located in or around building 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) or at an offsite location such as a central plant (e.g., a chiller plant, a steam plant, a heat plant, etc.) that serves one or more buildings including building 10. The working fluid can be heated in boiler 104 or cooled in chiller 102, depending on whether heating or cooling is required in building 10. Boiler 104 may add heat to the circulated fluid, for example, by burning a combustible material (e.g., natural gas) or using an electric heating element. Chiller 102 may place the circulated fluid in a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) to absorb heat from the circulated fluid. The working fluid from chiller 102 and/or boiler 104 can be transported to AHU 106 via piping 108.

[0029]AHU 106 may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an airflow passing through AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages of cooling coils and/or heating coils). The airflow can be, for example, outside air, return air from within building 10, or a combination of both. AHU 106 may transfer heat between the airflow and the working fluid to provide heating or cooling for the airflow. For example, AHU 106 can include one or more fans or blowers configured to pass the airflow over or through a heat exchanger containing the working fluid. The working fluid may then return to chiller 102 or boiler 104 via piping 110.

[0030]Airside system 130 may deliver the airflow supplied by AHU 106 (i.e., the supply airflow) to building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and may provide return air from building 10 to AHU 106 via air return ducts 114. In some embodiments, airside system 130 includes multiple variable air volume (VAV) units 116. For example, airside system 130 is shown to include a separate VAV unit 116 on each floor or zone of building 10. VAV units 116 can include dampers or other flow control elements that can be operated to control an amount of the supply airflow provided to individual zones of building 10. In other embodiments, airside system 130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10 (e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. AHU 106 can include various sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 may receive input from sensors located within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and may adjust the flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflow through AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.

Airside System

[0031]Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an airside system 200 is shown, according to some embodiments. In various embodiments, airside system 200 may supplement or replace airside system 130 in HVAC system 100 or can be implemented separate from HVAC system 100. When implemented in HVAC system 100, airside system 200 can include a subset of the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., AHU 106, VAV units 116, ducts 112-114, fans, dampers, etc.) and can be located in or around building 10. Airside system 200 may operate to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10 using a heated or chilled fluid provided by waterside system 120.

[0032]In FIG. 2, airside system 200 is shown to include an economizer-type air handling unit (AHU) 202. Economizer-type AHUs vary the amount of outside air and return air used by the air handling unit for heating or cooling. For example, AHU 202 may receive return air 204 from building zone 206 via return air duct 208 and may deliver supply air 210 to building zone 206 via supply air duct 212. In some embodiments, AHU 202 is a rooftop unit located on the roof of building 10 (e.g., AHU 106 as shown in FIG. 1) or otherwise positioned to receive both return air 204 and outside air 214. AHU 202 can be configured to operate exhaust air damper 216, mixing damper 218, and outside air damper 220 to control an amount of outside air 214 and return air 204 that combine to form supply air 210. Any return air 204 that does not pass through mixing damper 218 can be exhausted from AHU 202 through exhaust damper 216 as exhaust air 222.

[0033]Each of dampers 216-220 can be operated by an actuator. For example, exhaust air damper 216 can be operated by actuator 224, mixing damper 218 can be operated by actuator 226, and outside air damper 220 can be operated by actuator 228. Actuators 224-228 may communicate with an AHU controller 230 via a communications link 232. Actuators 224-228 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to AHU controller 230. Feedback signals can include, for example, an indication of a current actuator or damper position, an amount of torque or force exerted by the actuator, diagnostic information (e.g., results of diagnostic tests performed by actuators 224-228), status information, commissioning information, configuration settings, calibration data, and/or other types of information or data that can be collected, stored, or used by actuators 224-228. AHU controller 230 can be an economizer controller configured to use one or more control algorithms (e.g., state-based algorithms, extremum seeking control (ESC) algorithms, proportional-integral (PI) control algorithms, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms, model predictive control (MPC) algorithms, feedback control algorithms, etc.) to control actuators 224-228.

[0034]Still referring to FIG. 2, AHU 202 is shown to include a cooling coil 234, a heating coil 236, and a fan 238 positioned within supply air duct 212. Fan 238 can be configured to force supply air 210 through cooling coil 234 and/or heating coil 236 and provide supply air 210 to building zone 206. AHU controller 230 may communicate with fan 238 via communications link 240 to control a flow rate of supply air 210. In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 controls an amount of heating or cooling applied to supply air 210 by modulating a speed of fan 238.

[0035]Cooling coil 234 may receive a chilled fluid from waterside system 120 (via piping 242 and may return the chilled fluid to waterside system 120 via piping 244. Valve 246 can be positioned along piping 242 or piping 244 to control a flow rate of the chilled fluid through cooling coil 234. In some embodiments, cooling coil 234 includes multiple stages of cooling coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 230, by supervisory controller 266, etc.) to modulate an amount of cooling applied to supply air 210.

[0036]Heating coil 236 may receive a heated fluid from waterside system 120 via piping 248 and may return the heated fluid to waterside system 120 via piping 250. Valve 252 can be positioned along piping 248 or piping 250 to control a flow rate of the heated fluid through heating coil 236. In some embodiments, heating coil 236 includes multiple stages of heating coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 230, by supervisory controller 266, etc.) to modulate an amount of heating applied to supply air 210.

[0037]Each of valves 246 and 252 can be controlled by an actuator. For example, valve 246 can be controlled by actuator 254 and valve 252 can be controlled by actuator 256. Actuators 254-256 may communicate with AHU controller 230 via communications links 258-260. Actuators 254-256 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to controller 230. In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 receives a measurement of the supply air temperature from a temperature sensor 262 positioned in supply air duct 212 (e.g., downstream of cooling coil 234 and/or heating coil 236). AHU controller 230 may also receive a measurement of the temperature of building zone 206 from a temperature sensor 264 located in building zone 206.

[0038]In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 operates valves 246 and 252 via actuators 254-256 to modulate an amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 210 (e.g., to achieve a setpoint temperature for supply air 210 or to maintain the temperature of supply air 210 within a setpoint temperature range). The positions of valves 246 and 252 affect the amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 210 by cooling coil 234 or heating coil 236 and may correlate with the amount of energy consumed to achieve a desired supply air temperature. AHU controller 230 may control the temperature of supply air 210 and/or building zone 206 by activating or deactivating coils 234-236, adjusting a speed of fan 238, or a combination of both.

[0039]Still referring to FIG. 2, airside system 200 is shown to include a supervisory controller 266 and a client device 268. Supervisory controller 266 can include one or more computer systems (e.g., servers, supervisory controllers, subsystem controllers, etc.) that serve as system level controllers, application or data servers, head nodes, or master controllers for airside system 200, waterside system 120, HVAC system 100, and/or other controllable systems that serve building 10. Supervisory controller 266 may communicate with multiple downstream building systems or subsystems (e.g., HVAC system 100, a security system, a lighting system, waterside system 120, etc.) via a communications link 270 according to like or disparate protocols (e.g., LON, BACnet, etc.). In various embodiments, AHU controller 230 and supervisory controller 266 can be separate (as shown in FIG. 2) or integrated. In an integrated implementation, AHU controller 230 can be a software module configured for execution by a processor of supervisory controller 266.

[0040]In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 receives information from supervisory controller 266 (e.g., commands, setpoints, operating boundaries, etc.) and provides information to supervisory controller 266 (e.g., temperature measurements, valve or actuator positions, operating statuses, diagnostics, etc.). For example, AHU controller 230 may provide supervisory controller 266 with temperature measurements from temperature sensors 262-264, equipment on/off states, equipment operating capacities, and/or any other information that can be used by supervisory controller 266 to monitor or control a variable state or condition within building zone 206.

[0041]Client device 268 can include one or more human-machine interfaces or client interfaces (e.g., graphical user interfaces, reporting interfaces, text-based computer interfaces, client-facing web services, web servers that provide pages to web clients, etc.) for controlling, viewing, or otherwise interacting with HVAC system 100, its subsystems, and/or devices. Client device 268 can be a computer workstation, a client terminal, a remote or local interface, or any other type of user interface device. Client device 268 can be a stationary terminal or a mobile device. For example, client device 268 can be a desktop computer, a computer server with a user interface, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, a PDA, or any other type of mobile or non-mobile device. Client device 268 may communicate with supervisory controller 266 and/or AHU controller 230 via communications link 272.

AHU Controller

[0042]Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating AHU controller 230 in greater detail is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. AHU controller 230 may be configured to monitor and control various components of AHU 202 using any of a variety of control techniques (e.g., state-based control, on/off control, proportional control, proportional-integral (PI) control, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, extremum seeking control (ESC), model predictive control (MPC), etc.). AHU controller 230 may receive setpoints from supervisory controller 266 and measurements from sensors 318 and may provide control signals to actuators 320 and fan 238.

[0043]Sensors 318 may include any of the sensors shown in FIG. 2 or any other sensor configured to monitor any of a variety of variables used by AHU controller 230. Variables monitored by sensors 318 may include, for example, zone air temperature, zone air humidity, zone occupancy, zone CO2 levels, zone particulate matter (PM) levels, outdoor air temperature, outdoor air humidity, outdoor air CO2 levels, outdoor air PM levels, damper positions, valve positions, fan status, supply air temperature, supply air flowrate, or any other variable of interest to AHU controller 230.

[0044]Actuators 320 may include any of the actuators shown in FIG. 2 or any other actuator controllable by AHU controller 230. For example, actuators 320 may include actuator 224 configured to operate exhaust air damper 216, actuator 226 configured to operate mixing damper 218, actuator 228 configured to outside air damper 220, actuator 254 configured to operate valve 246, and actuator 256 configured to operate valve 252. Actuators 320 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to AHU controller 230.

[0045]AHU controller 230 may control AHU 202 by controllably changing and outputting a control signal provided to actuators 320 and fan 238. In some embodiments, the control signals include commands for actuators 320 to set dampers 216-220 and/or valves 246 and 252 to specific positions to achieve a target value for a variable of interest (e.g., supply air temperature, supply air humidity, flow rate, etc.). In some embodiments, the control signals include commands for fan 238 to operate a specific operating speed or to achieve a specific airflow rate. The control signals may be provided to actuators 320 and fan 238 via communications interface 302. AHU 202 may use the control signals an input to adjust the positions of dampers 216-220 control the relative proportions of outside air 214 and return air 204 provided to building zone 206.

[0046]AHU controller 230 may receive various inputs via communications interface 302. Inputs received by AHU controller 230 may include setpoints from supervisory controller 266, measurements from sensors 318, a measured or observed position of dampers 216-220 or valves 246 and 252, a measured or calculated amount of power consumption, an observed fan speed, temperature, humidity, air quality, or any other variable that can be measured or calculated in or around building 10.

[0047]AHU controller 230 includes logic that adjusts the control signals to achieve a target outcome. In some operating modes, the control logic implemented by AHU controller 230 utilizes feedback of an output variable. The logic implemented by AHU controller 230 may also or alternatively vary a manipulated variable based on a received input signal (e.g., a setpoint). Such a setpoint may be received from a user control (e.g., a thermostat), a supervisory controller (e.g., supervisory controller 266), or another upstream device via a communications network (e.g., a BACnet network, a LonWorks network, a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.).

[0048]Still referring to FIG. 3, AHU controller 230 is shown to include a communications interface 302. Communications interface 302 can be or include wired or wireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications with various components of AHU 202 or other external systems or devices. In various embodiments, communications via communications interface 302 can be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via a communications network (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network, etc.). For example, communications interface 302 can include an Ethernet card and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications link or network. In another example, communications interface 302 can include a Wi-Fi transceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network. In another example, communications interface 302 can include a cellular or mobile phone transceiver, a power line communications interface, an Ethernet interface, or any other type of communications interface.

[0049]Still referring to FIG. 3, AHU controller 230 is shown to include a processing circuit 304 having a processor 306 and memory 308. Processor 306 may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 306 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 308 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.).

[0050]Memory 308 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 308 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory 308 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 308 may be communicably connected to processor 306 via processing circuit 304 and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 306) one or more processes described herein.

[0051]Memory 308 can include any of a variety of functional components (e.g., stored instructions or programs) that provide AHU controller 230 with the ability to monitor and control AHU 202. For example, memory 308 is shown to include a data collector 310 which operates to collect the data received via communications interface 302 (e.g., setpoints, measurements, feedback from actuators 320 and fan 238, etc.). Data collector 310 may provide the collected data to actuator controller 312 and fan controller 314 which use the collected data to generate control signals for actuators 320 and fan 238, respectively. The particular type of control methodology used by actuator controller 312 and fan controller 314 (e.g., state-based control, PI control, PID control, ESC, MPC, etc.) may vary depending on the configuration of AHU controller and can be adapted for various implementations.

Anti-Vibration Bracket for Blower Assembly of HVAC System

[0052]Referring now to FIG. 4, an arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053]The arrangement shows an HVAC unit 400 (such as HVAC system 100 referred above in FIGS. 1-3) having a fixture 402. The fixture 402 may serve as a platform for supporting various components of the HVAC unit 400 such as a blower assembly 408. In some embodiments, the fixture 402 includes a vertical surface 404 and a horizontal surface 406 forming an L-shaped platform for supporting the blower assembly 408. The blower assembly 408 may be coupled to the fixture 402 via one or more support brackets 410. The one or more support brackets 410 function as anti-vibration brackets that are designed to absorb vibrations caused due to operation of the blower assembly 408 or during transportation of the HVAC unit 400. In an embodiment, the blower assembly 408 may be attached to the fixture 402 using a plurality of fasteners. The one or more support bracket 410 may extend along various portions of the blower assembly 408 that meet with the fixture 402. For example, the one more support bracket 410 may extend along either side of the blower assembly 408, the rear surface or bottom surface of the blower assembly 408, or along a top of bottom edge of the blower assembly 408.

[0054]The one or more support brackets 410 may be provided on the fixture 402 such that at least a portion of the support bracket 410 abuts the blower assembly 408 to absorb vibrations.

[0055]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may be coupled to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408. In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may be coupled to the vertical surface 404 of the fixture 402 on either side of the blower assembly 408 to provide a vertical support. In some other embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may be coupled to the horizontal surface 406 of the fixture 402 on either side of the blower assembly 408 to provide a horizontal support. It is to be noted that mounting position of the one or more support brackets 410 on either the vertical surface 404 or the horizontal surface 406 of the fixture 402 does not affect the capability of the support bracket 410 to reduce the stresses induced on the blower assembly 408 due to operation or during transportation of the HVAC unit 400. In some embodiments, multiple support brackets 410 are coupled to the fixture 402. For example, a first support bracket 410 may be positioned on a first side of the blower assembly 408 and a second support bracket 410 may be positioned on a second side of the blower assembly 408 in order to reduce vibrations on each side of the blower assembly 408.

[0056]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 comprise of a unibody structure having a substantial rectangular profile. As such, a first surface (e.g., a rear surface) of the support bracket 410 may be configured to mate with the vertical surface 404 of the fixture and a second surface (e.g., a side surface) of the support bracket 410 may be configured to mate with the side of the blower assembly 408. In other embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may have any other type of profile per the design requirement of the blower assembly 408 or the HVAC unit 400.

[0057]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may be detachably coupled to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408. For example, the support brackets 410 may be coupled to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408 by means of one or more fasteners. For example, the support brackets 410 may have one or more mounting holes for securing the one or more fasteners to enable attachment of the support brackets 410 to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408. In another embodiment, the one or more support brackets 410 may be attached to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408 by means of an adhesive, heat, pressure, or any other type of attachment technique.

[0058]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may have a substantial hollow profile (for example, a substantial hollow rectangular profile) to further aid in reducing the stresses induced in the blower assembly 408 and to increase stability.

[0059]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 may be coupled to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408 keeping a space in between the one or more support brackets 410 and the fixture 402 to further aid in reducing the stresses induced in the blower assembly 408 and to increase stability. In this embodiment, the one or more support brackets 410 may be coupled with the fixture 402 by suitable connecting means.

[0060]The one or more support brackets 410 of the present disclosure help reduce stresses and vibrations induced on the blower assembly 408 thereby overcoming the drawbacks faced by conventional arrangements and ensuring that the blower assembly 408 is not damaged and repair cost is avoided by keeping the structural integrity of the blower assembly 408 intact during transportation of the HVAC unit 400.

[0061]Referring now to FIG. 5, another arrangement for mounting a blower assembly of an HVAC unit is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a support bracket 12 is sandwiched between the blower assembly 408 and the fixture 402. The support bracket 12 extends along a rear side of the blower assembly 408 and along the vertical surface of the fixture 402. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the support bracket 12 couples the blower assembly 408 to the fixture 402.

[0062]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an exemplary support bracket 412 which may be used within the arrangement of FIG. 5 for mounting the blower assembly of the HVAC unit to the fixture. It should be understood that the support bracket 412 shown in FIG. 6 may also be used in arrangements other than that shown in FIG. 5.

[0063]The arrangement of FIG. 5 shows the HVAC unit 400 having the fixture 402 with the vertical surface 404 and the horizontal surface 406. The blower assembly 408 is coupled to the fixture 402 via one or more support brackets 412 (further elaborated in FIG. 6). The one or more support brackets 412 are designed to absorb vibrations caused due to operation of the blower assembly 408 or during transportation of the HVAC unit 400. In an embodiment, the blower assembly 408 may be attached to the fixture 402 using a plurality of fasteners. The one or more support brackets 412 may be provided on the fixture 402 such that at least a portion of the support bracket 412 abuts the blower assembly 408 to absorb vibrations.

[0064]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may be coupled to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408. In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may be coupled to the vertical surface 404 of the fixture 402 on either side of the blower assembly 408 to provide a vertical support. In some other embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may be coupled to the horizontal surface 406 of the fixture 402 on either side of the blower assembly 408 to provide a horizontal support. Similar to the support brackets 410 referred above in FIG. 4, the one or more support brackets 412 may be mounted on either the vertical surface 404 or the horizontal surface 406 of the fixture 402 without affecting the stress reduction capability of the support brackets 412 during operation of the blower assembly 408 or during transportation of the HVAC unit 400.

[0065]In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the one or more support brackets 412 may comprise at least two Z-shaped panels (412A, 412B) attached to each other. Further, the at least two Z-shaped panels (412A, 412B) may be coupled together to form a closed rectangular profile with a flange 414 extending from both ends in opposite directions. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6B, the rectangular profile of the support bracket 412 forms a hollow interior. In other embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may have any other types of profile formed from any number of brackets per the design requirement of the blower assembly 408 or the HVAC unit 400. In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may be coupled with the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408 via fasteners, adhesive, heat, pressure, or any other type of attachment technique.

[0066]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may have a profile (for example, a substantial rectangular profile) defining a space in between two Z-shaped panels (412A, 412B) to further aid in reducing the stresses induced in the blower assembly 408 and to increase stability.

[0067]In some embodiments, the one or more support brackets 412 may be coupled to the fixture 402 and the blower assembly 408 keeping a space in between the one or more support brackets 412 and the fixture 402 to further aid in reducing the stresses induced in the blower assembly 408 and to increase stability. In this embodiment, the one or more support brackets 412 may be coupled to the fixture 402 by suitable connecting means.

[0068]Further, it is to be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the one or more support brackets 410 with a unibody structure having a rectangular profile or the one or more support brackets 412 with two Z-shaped panels attached to each other to form a closed rectangular profile, and any other type of anti-vibration support brackets may be provided to couple the blower assembly 408 on the fixture 402 of the HVAC unit 400 per the design requirement of the blower assembly 408 or the HVAC unit 400.

[0069]In other embodiments, the one or more support brackets 410 and 412 may be utilized for mounting any other component of the HVAC unit, but not limited to, the blower assembly 408.

[0070]Referring now to FIGS. 7-12, stress analysis of various models of HVAC units are shown according to some embodiments. The FIGS. 7-12 show stress analysis of various models 700-1200 respectively of HVAC units that can accommodate the arrangement referred above in FIGS. 4 and 5 for mounting the blower assembly 408.

[0071]The below Table 1 shows % change or stress reduction on a blower assembly 408 mounted on various models of HVAC units 400 through the arrangements disclosed in the present disclosure as compared to conventional arrangements. Each of these models are depicted in FIGS. 7-12.

[0072]The Table 1 shows that the present arrangement provides an effective solution to address stresses and vibrations induced in the blower assembly 408 during operation or transportation of HVAC units 400.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

[0073]The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.