AIR DEFLECTOR PLATES FOR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/707,960, filed Oct. 16, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to heating and cooling systems and, more particularly, to air and thermal distribution within a heating and cooling system.

[0003]Heating and cooling systems are configured to provide warm or cool air to a ducting system for distribution to one or more remote locations. The heating and cooling systems may include a furnace, a heat exchanger, and a plenum for receiving air from the heat exchanger. Air passing through the heat exchanger may be heated or cooled via thermal interaction with a set of coils or the like prior to entering the plenum. The air within the plenum may then enter ducting to be distributed to remote locations (e.g., rooms or other spaces within a building). The thermal composition of the air entering the plenum may be uneven, resulting in different temperature air entering one ducting path as compared to another ducting path. Improved heating and cooling systems may provide for more efficient thermal distribution in such heating and cooling systems.

SUMMARY

[0004]According to some embodiments, heating and cooling systems are provided. The heating and cooling systems include a heat exchanger assembly having a cooling element arranged within a heat exchanger housing, the heat exchanger housing defining a flow path from an inlet of the housing to an opening at an outlet of the heat exchanger housing. A deflector plate is arranged at the outlet of the heat exchanger housing, the deflector plate configured to cause a backpressure within the heat exchanger housing of the heat exchanger assembly.

[0005]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include a distribution assembly comprising a distribution housing defining a plenum therein, the distribution housing arranged at the outlet of the heat exchanger housing of the heat exchanger assembly and configured to receive treated air from the heat exchanger assembly.

[0006]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the distribution assembly comprises one or more ducts arranged to direct a portion of air from the plenum of the distribution housing to one or more remote locations.

[0007]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate comprises at least one blocking portion that obstructs a portion of the opening at the outlet of the heat exchanger housing.

[0008]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the at least one blocking portion is configured to block between 5% and 60% of the area of the opening at the outlet of the heat exchanger housing.

[0009]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the at least one blocking portion comprises at least one mounting tab.

[0010]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the heat exchanger housing comprises a frame at a top thereof, and wherein the at least one mounting tab is configured to engage with the frame.

[0011]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the at least one blocking portion comprises at least one securing tab configured to secure the deflector plate to the heat exchanger housing.

[0012]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the at least one securing tab is configured to be secured to the heat exchanger housing by one or more fasteners.

[0013]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate comprises three blocking portions arranged in a U-Shape configuration and defining a reduced opening at the outlet of the heat exchanger housing to thereby restrict flow therethrough.

[0014]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include a support portion extending across one side of the deflector plate.

[0015]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the support portion extends across the open end of the U-Shape configuration.

[0016]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate comprises a plurality of openings.

[0017]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate is arranged with a plurality of slots.

[0018]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate is arranged with a plurality of perforations.

[0019]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate is arranged with a plurality of angled louvres.

[0020]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the plurality of angled louvres are arranged at different orientations on the deflector plate.

[0021]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate is arranged with a plurality of blades arranged to turn a flow of air passing through the deflector plate.

[0022]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate comprises one or more reinforcing ribs.

[0023]In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the heating and cooling systems may include that the deflector plate comprises a crease that is arranged to cause a bend or deflection in a material of the deflector plate.

[0024]The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a heating and cooling system that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027]FIG. 2 schematic illustration of another configuration of a heating and cooling system that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028]FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a portion of a heating and cooling system illustrating a deflector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029]FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a partial installation of the deflector plate to the heating and cooling system shown in FIG. 3A;

[0030]FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of the deflector plate of FIG. 3A;

[0031]FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of another configuration of a deflector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032]FIG. 4B is a view of a part of an installation process of installing the deflector plate of FIG. 4A into a part of a heating and cooling system;

[0033]FIG. 4C is a top down view of the heating and cooling system of FIG. 4B is the deflector plate installed thereto;

[0034]FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of an alternative configuration of a deflector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure having a gridded louvre configuration;

[0035]FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of an alternative configuration of a deflector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure having a perforated or honeycomb configuration;

[0036]FIG. 5C is a schematic illustration of an alternative configuration of a deflector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure having a slotted or bladed configuration;

[0037]FIG. 5D is a schematic illustration of an alternative configuration of a deflector plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure having an alternative gridded louvre configuration;

[0038]FIG. 6A is a schematic illustration of a portion of heating and cooling system during a first step of an installation operation for installing a deflector plate thereto;

[0039]FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration of the deflector plate to be installed to the heating and cooling system of FIG. 6A;

[0040]FIG. 6C is a schematic illustration of a second step of installation;

[0041]FIG. 6D is a schematic illustration of a third step of installation;

[0042]FIG. 6E is an enlarged illustration of a portion of the third step of installation;

[0043]FIG. 6F is an enlarged illustration of another portion of the third step of installation; and

[0044]FIG. 6G is a schematic illustration of a fourth step of installation of the deflector plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045]Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of a heating and cooling system 100 (e.g., a gas-fired condensing furnace) that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The heating and cooling system 100, in this illustrative configuration, includes a cabinet 102 housing therein a burner assembly 104, a thermal exchange assembly 106, and a blower assembly 108. The burner assembly 104 includes one or more burners for heating air and/or otherwise conditioning air as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The heating and cooling system 100 may be operated for both heating and cooling operations. The heating mechanism is described, for example and without limitation, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,541, entitled “Method and system for controlling an inducer in a modulating furnace,” granted Jan. 6, 2015, which is commonly owned and the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

[0046]The heating and cooling system 100 may be operated in a cooling mode for generating and distributing cool air to remote locations (e.g., rooms in a house or the like). The cooling mode is implemented using a heat exchanger assembly 110 that includes a cooling element 112 located in a heat exchanger housing 114 that is arranged on a top of the cabinet 102. The cooling element 112 has an inlet 116, where subcooled refrigerant enters, and an outlet 118, where heated refrigerant exits the cooling element 112. The heat exchanger assembly 110 may be configured as a closed-loop refrigerant system. As such, a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) may be directed into the cooling element 112 at the inlet 116. As the working fluid passes through the cooling element, the working fluid will pick up heat from air directed from the blower assembly 108 to the cool air passing through the heat exchanger housing 114. That is, for example, in response to an input from a system thermostat 120, the blower assembly 108 is operated to urge or otherwise direct an air flow upwardly through the cooling element 112 where heat exchange takes place. As a result of this heat exchange, cool air 122 may be delivered through an outlet 124 of the heat exchanger housing 114 of the heat exchanger assembly 110 and into a plenum and/or otherwise directed to conditioned space(s). The heated refrigerant may be returned to a condensing section (e.g., outdoor condenser, not illustrated) via the outlet 118. In the condensing section, the refrigerant is cooled and cycled back into the cooling element 112 at the inlet 116.

[0047]Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic illustration of a heating and cooling system 200 that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The heating and cooling system 200 may be substantially similar to that shown and described above. The heating and cooling system 200 includes a blower assembly 202, a thermal exchange assembly 204, and a heat exchanger assembly 206. A burner assembly of the heating and cooling system 200 is not illustrated for simplicity. Above the heat exchanger assembly 206 is a distribution assembly 208 which includes a plenum 210 defined within a distribution housing 212. The distribution housing 212 is fluidly connected to a number of ducts 214 that are arranged to direct or carry conditioned air to remote locations, such as rooms within a house or other building. The heat exchanger assembly 206 includes a cooling element 216. The heat exchanger assembly 206 may be arranged as a looped system for cycling a working fluid (e.g., refrigerant) through the cooling element 216 (e.g., channeled element, coiled element, tubed element, etc.). In some configurations, the cooling element 216 may be arranged as a channeled heat exchanger, with the channels being micro-channels, mini-channels, or other type of channeled or tubed configuration, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. In still other configurations, in accordance with the present disclosure, tubular, plate fin, gridded, honeycomb, A-coil, N-coil, M-coil, W-coil, round tube plate fin coil, and/or other geometries of heat exchanger elements may be employed, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. That is, the specific arrangement of the heat exchanger illustrated and described herein is not intended to be limiting but rather is for explanatory and illustrative purposes only. The disclosed and described embodiments may be used within any system or with any heat exchanger, particularly those that have air-side temperature maldistribution.

[0048]In such cooling element configurations, the cooling element 216 may be arranged in a substantially V-shaped arrangement, as illustrated. It will be appreciated that other configurations of heat exchangers may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, rather than a V-shaped arrangement, the cooling element(s) of systems in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may be arranged horizontally, vertically, or in other configurations in which air may pass over or across the elements/structure of the cooling element to provide cooling to the air. The structure of the cooling element(s) may be tubes, fins, plate-fin, coils, or the like, in which a working fluid may be passed, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

[0049]As the air is passed through the heat exchanger assembly 206, the air is cooled by heat pickup within the working fluid within the cooling element 216. As the air passes through the heat exchanger assembly 206, uneven working fluid flow through the cooling element 216 can result in uneven cooling of the air. For example, in a cycle, the air that interacts with the cooling element 216 proximate the inlet of the working fluid into the cooling element 216 may be cooled to a greater extent than air that passes over/through the cooling element 216 at a downstream location along the cooling element 216. As a result, a relatively large temperature gradient in the air temperature entering the plenum 210 may be present, in turn resulting in different temperature air entering the different ducts. The distribution of different temperatures of air may result in temperatures in conditioned rooms that are connected by different ducts 214 to be at different temperatures. In accordance with some aspects, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing substantially uniformly conditioned air to enter the plenum 210 to be distributed into the ducts 214 and provide a substantially uniform cooling air into the rooms or spaces connected to the ducts 214.

[0050]To provide improved and/or more uniformly treated cooling air into the plenum 210 for distribution through the ducts 214, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to creating a backpressure or pressure drop between the heat exchanger assembly 206 and the distribution housing 212. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure a blockage is arranged between the distribution housing 212 and the heat exchanger assembly 206 to obstruct airflow that is passing over/through the cooling element 216 and into the plenum 210 of the distribution housing 212. The blockage, in accordance with some embodiments, may be a deflector plate. The deflector plates may be arranged about a perimeter of the exiting side of the heat exchanger assembly 206 such that the airflow between the two sections of the heating and cooling system 200 is constricted or otherwise reduced as compared to a system without such deflector plates. The deflector plates may be sized and positioned to balance a delta temperature with pressure drop.

[0051]Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, schematic illustrations of a portion of a heating and cooling system 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. The heating and cooling system 300 may be similar to that shown and described above. FIG. 3A illustrates a heat exchanger assembly 302 having a cooling element 304 arranged within a heat exchanger housing 306. Air 308 is supplied from other components of the heating and cooling system 300 (e.g., blower assembly) through a housing inlet 310 and passed over, between, and/or through the cooling element 304 such that the air 308 is cooled as it passes through the heat exchanger housing 306. Conditioned air 312 is generated as heat is picked up by a working fluid within the cooling element 304 and the air is cooled. The conditioned air 312 exits the heat exchanger housing 306 through a housing outlet 314 and into a plenum defined within a distribution housing (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2).

[0052]In this configuration, the heating and cooling system 300 is provided with a deflector plate 316 that is arranged at the housing outlet 314. The deflector plate 316 is arranged and positioned to block or otherwise obstruct a portion of the housing outlet 314 and cause a backpressure of air within the heat exchanger housing 306 of the heat exchanger assembly 302. The backpressure achieved by embodiments of the present disclosure may be defined as an added pressure drop of 0.01 to 1.0 in.w.c (inches of water column), resulting in an increased pressure at the housing outlet 314 relative to a plenum defined within a distribution housing, such as shown and described above, or as measured on opposite sides of the deflector plate 316. The conditioned air 312 that exits the heat exchanger housing 306 may thus be mixed and thermally blended resulting in a more uniform temperature air exiting the housing outlet 314 and entering a plenum of a distribution housing. As a result, the air that may be distributed from the heating and cooling system 300 may be of a substantially uniform temperature distribution with minimal or reduced thermal gradient of air within the plenum of the distribution housing.

[0053]FIG. 3B illustrates the deflector plate 316 during an installation at the top of the heat exchanger housing 306 and partially obstructing the housing outlet 314. FIG. 3C illustrates the deflector plate 316 of the heating and cooling system 300. As shown in FIG. 3B, the housing outlet 314 defines an opening at the top of the heat exchanger housing 306. The deflector plate 316 may be installed over the opening of the housing outlet 314 to reduce the cross-sectional area of the opening, thereby restricting air flow exiting the heat exchanger assembly 302. The deflector plate 316, in this configuration, is a structure that can be installed and removed from the heat exchanger housing 306. The deflector plate 316 may be formed from sheet materials, such as metals or the like. In some embodiments, the deflector plate 316 is a formed or machined aluminum sheet.

[0054]As shown in FIG. 3B, the deflector plate 316 may be slid into place at the housing outlet 314 along a frame 318 of the heat exchanger housing 306. The deflector plate 316, as shown in FIG. 3C, includes mounting tabs 320 that may slide over and/or otherwise engage with the frame 318 of the heat exchanger housing 306 to hold the deflector plate 316 in place at the housing outlet 314. The deflector plate 316 includes one or more blocking portions 322 (illustrated with three blocking portions 322). The deflector plate 316 of this illustrative embodiment also includes an optional support portion 324. The three blocking portions 322 and the support portion 324 are arranged as a square frame or panel with a reduced opening 326 defined by the blocking portions 322 and the support portion 324. Also shown, one side or one blocking portion 322 of the deflector plate 316, such as at the “front” of the deflector plate 316, may include securing tabs 328 for securing the deflector plate 316 to the heat exchanger housing 306 by one or more fasteners or the like, such as screws, bolts, c-clips, etc. (not shown).

[0055]In some implementations, such as with a deflector plate 316 formed from thin aluminum sheeting, the airflow through the heating and cooling system 300 may cause vibrations of the deflector plate 316. Stability and structural rigidity may be provided to the deflector plate 316 by the support portion 324. The support portion 324 may provide some additional blockage of airflow through the system but is provided for structural purposes. In other configurations, the support portion 324 may be replaced by a fourth blocking portion 322. In still other embodiments, the support portion 324 may be omitted. In some embodiments, optional reinforcing ribs 330 may be provided to increase the structural rigidity of the deflector plate 316. The reinforcing ribs 330 may extend along a length of one or more of the blocking portions 322.

[0056]The configuration and arrangement of the deflector plate 316, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, is such that a portion of the air flowing through the heat exchanger housing 306 of the heat exchanger assembly 302 is blocked and the air is urged into mixing (directed into the central flow) with the rest of the air passing through the heat exchanger housing 306. As a result, the edges of the throughflow of air may not be thermally uniform, but rather such air is directed inward due to the obstruction provided by the blocking portions 322. In accordance with some non-limiting embodiments and examples, the amount of blockage provided by the deflector plate 316 may be between 5% and 60% of the total opening of the heat exchanger housing 306. The blockage provided by the deflector plate 316 may be quantified as a pressure drop or backpressure. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure on a first side of the deflector plate 316 (e.g., within the heat exchanger housing 306) may be 0.01 to 1.0 in.w.c (inches of water column) greater than the pressure on a second side (e.g., above the deflector plate 316 and the reduced opening 326 defined therein).

[0057]Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, schematic illustrations of a portion of a heating and cooling system 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. FIG. 4A illustrates an alternative configuration of a deflector plate 402 prior to installation. FIG. 4B illustrates the deflector plate 400 during installation. FIG. 4C is a top down view of an arrangement of the deflector plate 400 as installed in the heating and cooling system 400.

[0058]As shown in FIG. 4A, the deflector plate 402 of this configuration is a single sheet that does not define a central opening (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C). The deflector plate 402 of this embodiment may be used with smaller opening or smaller size heating and cooling systems, and/or may be used to provide a reduced amount of blockage of flow, as necessary to achieve an appropriate amount of pressure differential and resulting in improved thermal distribution. The deflector plate 402, of this embodiment, is a substantially single sheet of material with a crease 404 along a length thereof. The crease 404 causes a bend or deflection in the sheet material of the deflector plate 402. As such, during installation, the bend or deflector of the deflector plate 402 may ensure that the deflector plate 402 is retained with stiffness and stability. The deflector plate 402 is also shown with reinforcing ribs 406. The reinforcing ribs 406 may be arranged transverse or normal to the crease 404 and provide additional structural support and stability to the deflector plate 402. The deflector plate 402, of this illustrative embodiment, includes securing tabs 408 for securing the deflector plate 402 to a heat exchanger housing 410 of a heat exchanger assembly 412 by one or more fasteners or the like.

[0059]As shown in FIG. 4B, the deflector plate 402 may be installed at a top of the heat exchanger housing 410 of the heat exchanger assembly 412. A cooling element 414 is arranged within the heat exchanger housing 410 of the heat exchanger assembly 412, and may be, for example and without limitation, a mini-channel heat exchanger coil or a micro-channel heat exchanger coil. The deflector plate 402 may be attached or otherwise mounted or supported on a frame 416 of the heat exchanger housing 410 to hold the deflector plate 402 in place at a housing outlet. As shown in FIG. 4C, the deflector plate 402 may cover a portion of an opening at a top of the heat exchanger housing 410 of the heat exchanger assembly 412. The deflector plate 402 has a width substantially equal to a width dimension of the opening at the top of the heat exchanger housing 410 and may have a depth 418 that is less than a total depth 420 of the opening at the top of the heat exchanger housing 410. As such, the heat exchanger assembly 412 has an opening with a reduced depth 422 dimension. Accordingly, the flow of conditioned air that is thermally treated as it interacts with the cooling element 414 is restricted and a backpressure may be generated to increase a mixing of the air and thus a more thermally uniform flow of air may be distributed from the heating and cooling system 400. Although the deflector plate 402 is arranged only at one edge or side of the opening of the heat exchanger housing 410 of the heat exchanger assembly 412, the size and shape of the deflector plate 402 may be configured to block 5% to 60% of the total cross-sectional area to achieve a desired backpressure and achieve a thermally mixed flow of air that can be distributed from the heating and cooling system 400.

[0060]Although shown and described above with a large central opening and the obstruction provided by the deflector plate being along the periphery of the opening of the housing, such configuration is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments and configurations, a full sheet configuration with opening, apertures, slits, or the like may be provided, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, with references to FIGS. 5A-5D, schematic illustrations of alternative configurations of deflector plates are shown. FIG. 5A illustrates a deflector plate 500 formed of a set of angled louvres. The angled louvres may provide a combined opening surface area similar to the above illustrated configurations, but with structural elements to direct the air flow as it exits the heat exchanger assembly and enters a plenum of a distribution assembly. FIG. 5B illustrates a deflector plate 502 formed of a set of openings or perforations. The openings or perforations may have any geometry, such as circular, honeycomb, or the like. The deflector plate 502 of FIG. 5B does not include angling elements or structure, but rather relies solely upon the blockage characteristics to generate a backpressure and ensure mixing of the air as it passes through the deflector plate 502. FIG. 5C illustrates a deflector plate 504 having a mixer arrangement with blades or panels cut and angled to cause a swirl or turning of flow of air as it exits from the heat exchanger assembly. It will be appreciated that other geometries may be possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 5D illustrates a deflector plate 506 having a variety of different sized and orientated louvre configurations, which may be arranged to achieve a desired backpressure and thermal mixing of flow, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

[0061]In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, the deflector plates may be installed and removable from a heating and cooling system as needed. That is, in some configurations, the deflector plates may be separate components that can be installed to existing heating and cooling systems. In other configurations, the deflector plates may be pre-installed or formed and/or manufactured with the deflector plates as an integral or installed component.

[0062]Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6G, schematic illustrations of an installation process for a heating and cooling system 600 having a deflector plate 602 are shown. FIG. 6A illustrates a first step of the installation process. The heating and cooling system 600 includes, in part, a heat exchanger assembly 604 arranged beneath or below a distribution assembly 606. The heat exchanger assembly 604 includes a heat exchanger housing 608 with a cooling element 610 therein. The distribution assembly 606 includes a distribution housing 612 that defines a plenum therein which is fluidly connected to one or more ducts for directing treated air to a remote location. The plenum within the distribution housing 612 is fluidly connected to and a continuation of a volume of space within the heat exchanger housing 608 that is arranged to direct air through the heat exchanger assembly 604 and then into the distribution housing 610 for distribution through the ducts.

[0063]As a first step, as shown in FIG. 6A, various elements such as fasteners 614 may be removed. The fasteners 614 may be used to secure an access door 616 to a front of the heating and cooling system 600. Some of the fasteners 614 may be used to secure a bracket 618 that is part of a frame 620 of the heat exchanger assembly 604 and defines a part of the interface between the heat exchanger assembly 604 and the distribution housing 612 of the distribution assembly 606. The bracket 618 may be pivotably or hingedly connected to the heat exchanger housing 608 of the heat exchanger assembly 604. With the bracket 618 unsecured, the bracket 618 may be lifted or rotated to expose an opening to slide the deflector plate 602 (FIG. 6B) therethrough.

[0064]As shown in FIG. 6C, the access door 616 is removed and the bracket 618 is rotated outward, exposing the internal portion of the heat exchanger assembly 604. With the opening exposed, and as shown in FIG. 6D, the deflector plate 602 may be inserted along the frame 620 of the heat exchanger assembly 604. The frame 620 may be captured between a portion of the deflector plate 602 and raised mounting tabs 622, as illustratively shown in FIG. 6E. With the deflector plate 602 fully inserted along the frame 620, additional securing tabs 624 may be positioned (e.g., bent or folded) to enable the use of a fastener to secure the deflector plate 602 to the heat exchanger housing 608 of the heat exchanger assembly 604, as shown in FIG. 6F. FIG. 6G illustrates the heating and cooling system 600 with the deflector plate 602 installed between the heat exchanger housing 608 of the heat exchanger assembly 604 and the distribution housing 612 of the distribution assembly 604. The bracket 618 and the access door 616 may be reinstalled using the fasteners 614.

[0065]Advantageously, embodiments described herein provide for improved heating and cooling systems. Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for improved mixing of treated air to achieve a more uniform temperature of air that is supplied and distributed from the heating and cooling systems. Advantageously, substantially uniform air may be achieved after treatment by providing deflector plates that generate a backpressure and result in a more even and uniform distribution of thermal energy in the air. Accordingly, a more accurate and efficient heating and cooling system is provided that can achieve a desired air temperature without adding any substantial complexity to the system.

[0066]The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, and similar references in the context of description (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted by context. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. It should be appreciated that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to normal operational attitude and should not be considered otherwise limiting.

[0067]While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.