Abstract:
An air handling unit has a blower assembly, a first interior zone, and a second interior zone and the blower assembly physically separates the first interior zone from the second interior zone. A method includes providing a cabinet configured to receive a blower assembly, inserting a blower assembly into the air duct, and closing a cabinet door of the cabinet, wherein upon closing the cabinet door, the primary air flow path from a location within the cabinet downstream of the blower assembly to a location within the cabinet upstream of the blower assembly is through a blower housing of the blower assembly. A blower assembly has a blower housing comprising at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet and a blower deck extending from the outlet, wherein the blower deck comprises at least one substantially flat component having a substantially orthogonal wall extending from the flat component.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC systems) sometimes comprise air handling units comprising blower assemblies that attach to zone separation decks of the air handling units. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    In some embodiments, an air handling unit is provided that comprises a blower assembly, a first interior zone, and a second interior zone, wherein the blower assembly physically separates the first interior zone from the second interior zone. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments, a method of creating air pressure zones in an air handling unit is provided that comprises providing a cabinet configured to receive a blower assembly, inserting a blower assembly into the air duct, and closing a cabinet door of the cabinet, wherein upon closing the cabinet door, the primary air flow path from a location within the cabinet downstream of the blower assembly to a location within the cabinet upstream of the blower assembly is through a blower housing of the blower assembly. 
         [0007]    In yet other embodiments, a blower assembly for an air handling unit of an HVAC system is provided and the blower assembly comprises a blower housing comprising at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet and a blower deck extending from the outlet, wherein the blower deck comprises at least one substantially flat component having a substantially orthogonal wall extending from the flat component. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of an air handling unit according to embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an orthogonal view of the front of the air handling unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded oblique view of the air handling unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a simplified oblique view of the air handling unit of  FIG. 1  showing a plurality of inner shell components encased within outer skins; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an oblique left side view of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an oblique left side view of the blower cabinet right shell of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an oblique view of a blower assembly of  FIG. 2  from a front-upper-right viewpoint; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an orthogonal front view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an orthogonal rear view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an orthogonal top view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an orthogonal bottom view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an orthogonal right side view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional orthogonal right side view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is an oblique partial view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2  from a rear-upper-right viewpoint; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is an oblique partial exploded view of the blower assembly of  FIG. 2  from a rear-lower-right viewpoint. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Interior walls of some air handling units may be planar in construction, covered with insulation that may release particulate matter, and may be configured to carry a plurality of brackets for carrying removable components of the air handling units. The removable components of such air handling units may need to be rearranged to configure the air handling unit for use in a particular installation configuration with respect to the direction of gravity. For example, a removable drain pan may need to be relocated within the air handling unit for use in a particular installation configuration. Still further, construction of the air handling units may be time consuming and/or difficult due to a need to install a variety of brackets and/or support structures to the interior walls of the air handling units. Further, removal and/or replacement of the removable components of some current air handling units may be unnecessarily difficult due to complicated multi-piece mounting brackets and supports. 
         [0025]    Accordingly, the present disclosure provides, among other features, an air handling unit (AHU) that comprises interior cabinet walls shaped and/or otherwise configured to selectively carry removable components of the AHU with a reduced need for brackets and supports. The interior cabinet walls of the AHU of the present disclosure may be further shaped and/or otherwise configured to reduce or eliminate the need to rearrange components within the AHU to configure the AHU for a selected installation orientation relative to the direction of gravity. In some embodiments, an AHU of the disclosure may comprise interior cabinet walls that are formed and/or shaped to integrally comprise brackets and/or other mounting features for carrying removable components. In some embodiments, an AHU may comprise integral drain pans, the integral drain pans being suitable for use in different installation orientations with respect to the direction of gravity. 
         [0026]    AHUs of some HVAC systems comprise blower assemblies that attach to zone separation decks installed in the blower cabinet portion of the AHUs. In some cases, the zone separation decks are structurally inadequate to prevent significant amounts of vibration, stress cracks, and/or other mechanical failures due to the deck carrying heavy blower assemblies. In some cases, the zone separation decks may be formed as a substantially planar component having a hole shaped and/or sized to accommodate connection to an output of the blower assembly. In some cases, the hole in the planar component is located well within the entrance to the blower assemblies so that installation and removal of a blower assembly requires reaching far into the blower cabinet while simultaneously attempting to align features of the blower assembly with complementary features of the deck. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, the present disclosure, in some embodiments, provides systems and methods for providing and/or installing blower assemblies without the need to carefully manage the position of a heavy blower assembly while installing it into an AHU. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a blower assembly comprising an integral blower deck. In some embodiments, the integral blower deck may easily be received into an AHU by sliding edges of the integral blower deck into mounting channels of the AHU. In some embodiments, the mounting channels of the AHU may be located along the interior walls of the AHU. In some embodiments, the mounting channels may be integral with the interior walls of the AHU. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , an AHU  100  according to the disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, AHU  100  comprises a lower blower cabinet  102  attached to an upper heat exchanger cabinet  104 . Most generally and for purposes of this discussion, AHU  100  may be described as comprising a top side  106 , a bottom side  108 , a front side  110 , a back side  112 , a left side  114 , and a right side  116 . Such directional descriptions are meant to assist the reader in understanding the physical orientation of the various components parts of the AHU  100  but that such directional descriptions shall not be interpreted as limitations to the possible installation orientations of an AHU  100 . Further, the above-listed directional descriptions may be shown and/or labeled in the figures by attachment to various component parts of the AHU  100 . Attachment of directional descriptions at different locations or two different components of AHU  100  shall not be interpreted as indicating absolute locations of directional limits of the AHU  100 , but rather, that a plurality of shown and/or labeled directional descriptions in a single Figure shall provide general directional orientation to the reader so that directionality may be easily followed amongst various Figures. Still further, the component parts and/or assemblies of the AHU  100  may be described below as generally having top, bottom, front, back, left, and right sides which should be understood as being consistent in orientation with the top side  106 , bottom side  108 , front side  110 , back side  112 , left side  114 , and right side  116  of the AHU  100 . 
         [0029]    Blower cabinet  102  comprises a four-walled fluid duct that accepts fluid (air) in through an open bottom side of the blower cabinet  102  and allows exit of fluid through an open top side of the blower cabinet  102 . In this embodiment, the exterior of the blower cabinet  102  comprises a blower cabinet outer skin  118  and a blower cabinet panel  120 . The blower cabinet panel  120  is removable from the remainder of the blower cabinet  102  thereby allowing access to an interior of the blower cabinet  102 . Similarly, heat exchanger cabinet  104  comprises a four-walled fluid duct that accepts fluid (air) from the blower cabinet  102  and passes the fluid from an open bottom side of the heat exchanger cabinet  104  and allows exit of the fluid through an open top side of the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . In this embodiment, the exterior of the heat exchanger cabinet  104  comprises a heat exchanger cabinet outer skin  122  and a heat exchanger cabinet panel  124 . The heat exchanger cabinet panel  124  is removable from the remainder of the heat exchanger cabinet  104  thereby allowing access to an interior of the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . 
         [0030]    The AHU  100  further comprises a plurality of selectively removable components. More specifically, the AHU  100  comprises a heater assembly  126  and may be removably carried within the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . The AHU  100  further comprises a refrigeration coil assembly  128  that may also be removably carried within the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . In this embodiment, the heater assembly  126  is configured to be optionally carried within heat exchanger cabinet  104  nearer the top side  106  of the AHU  100  than the refrigeration coil assembly  128 . Similarly, the AHU  100  comprises a blower assembly  130  that may be removably carried within the blower cabinet  102 . The AHU  100  may be considered fully assembled when the blower assembly  130  is carried within the blower cabinet  102 , each of the refrigeration coil assembly  128  and the heater assembly  126  are carried within the heat exchanger cabinet  104 , and when the blower cabinet panel  120  and heat exchanger cabinet panel  124  are suitably associated with the blower cabinet outer skin  118  and the heat exchanger cabinet outer skin  122 , respectively. When the AHU  100  is fully assembled, fluid (air) may generally follow a path through the AHU  100  along which the fluid enters through the bottom side  108  of the AHU  100 , successively encounters the blower assembly  130 , the refrigeration coil assembly  128 , and the heater assembly  126 , and thereafter exits the AHU  100  through the top side  106  of the AHU  100 . 
         [0031]    In this embodiment, each of the four walls of the blower cabinet  102  and the heat exchanger cabinet  104  are configured to have a double-wall construction. More specifically, the heat exchanger cabinet  104  further comprises a heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and a heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 . In this embodiment, the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  may be joined to generally form the interior of the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . In order to form the above-mentioned double-wall construction for the heat exchanger cabinet  104 , the heat exchanger cabinet outer skin  122  generally covers the right side and back side of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  while also generally covering the left side and back side of the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 . Most generally, the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132 , the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 , and the heat exchanger cabinet outer skin  122  are shaped so that upon their assembly together a heat exchanger cabinet wall space exists between the heat exchanger cabinet outer skin  122  and each of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 . The blower cabinet right shell  136 , the blower cabinet left shell  138 , and the blower cabinet outer skin  118  are also shaped so that upon their assembly together a blower cabinet wall space exists between the blower cabinet outer skin  118  and each of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, one or more of the heat exchanger cabinet wall space and blower cabinet wall space may be at least partially filled with an insulating material. More specifically, in some embodiments, a polyurethane foam may at least partially fill exchanger cabinet wall space and the lower cabinet wall space. At least partially filling one or more of the spaces may increase a structural integrity of the AHU  100 , may increase a thermal resistance of the AHU  100  between the interior of the AHU  100  and the exterior of the AHU  100 , may decrease air leakage from the AHU  100 , and may reduce and/or eliminate the introduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into breathing air attributable to the AHU  100 . Such a reduction in VOC emission by the AHU  100  may be attributable to the lack of and/or reduced use of traditional fiberglass insulation within the AHU  100  made possible by the insulative properties provided by the polyurethane foam within the spaces. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, each of the blower cabinet outer skin  118  and the heat exchanger cabinet outer skin  122  may be constructed of metal and/or plastic. Each of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132 , the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 , blower cabinet right shell  136 , and blower cabinet left shell  138  may be constructed of a sheet molding compound (SMC). The SMC may be chosen for its ability to meet the primary requirements of equipment and/or safety certification organizations and/or its relatively rigid cleanable surfaces that are resistant to mold growth and compatible with the use of antimicrobial cleaners. Further, the polyurethane foam used to fill the spaces may comprise refrigerant and/or pentane to enhance the thermal insulating characteristics of the foam. Of course, in alternative embodiments, any other suitable material may be used to form the components of the AHU  100 . 
         [0034]    Further, each of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  comprise an interior side surface  146 , an interior rear surface  148 , an exterior side surface, and an exterior rear surface. Similarly, each of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138  comprise an interior side surface  154 , an interior rear surface  156 , an exterior side surface, and an exterior rear surface. Most generally, and with a few exceptions, each of the pairs of interior side surfaces  146 , interior rear surfaces  148 , exterior side surfaces, exterior rear surfaces, interior side surfaces  154 , interior rear surfaces  156 , exterior side surfaces, and exterior rear surfaces are substantially mirror images of each other. More specifically, the above listed pairs of surfaces are substantially mirror images of each other about a bisection plane  162  (see  FIG. 2 ) that is generally parallel to both the AHU left side  114  and the AHU right side  116  and which is substantially equidistant from both the AHU left side  114  and the AHU right side  116 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , simplified views of the AHU  100  are provided. Each of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132 , the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 , the blower cabinet right shell  136 , and the blower cabinet left shell  138  comprise integral features for carrying removable components of the AHU  100 . More specifically, the interior side surfaces  146  and interior rear surfaces  148  of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  comprise heater assembly mounting channels  200  bound above and below by heater assembly rails  202 . The heater assembly rails  202  protrude inwardly from the remainder of the respective interior side surfaces  146  and interior rear surfaces  148  so that complementary shaped structures of the heater assembly  126  may be received within the channels  200  and retained within the channels  200  by the heater assembly rails  202 . In this embodiment, the heater assembly  126  may be selectively inserted into the heat exchanger cabinet  104  by aligning the heater assembly  126  properly with the heater assembly mounting channels  200  and sliding the heater assembly  126  toward the AHU back side  112 . Of course, the heater assembly  126  may be selectively removed from the heat exchanger cabinet  104  by sliding the heater assembly  126  away from the AHU back side  112 . Further, one or more of the interior side surfaces  146  may comprise a heater assembly shelf  204  to slidingly receive a portion of the heater assembly  126  during insertion of the heater assembly  126  until the heater assembly  126  abuts a shelf back wall  206 . 
         [0036]    Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the interior side surfaces  146  of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  comprise refrigeration coil assembly mounting channels  208  bound above and below by refrigeration coil assembly rails  210 . The refrigeration coil assembly rails  210  protrude inwardly from the remainder of the respective interior side surfaces  146  so that complementary shaped structures of the refrigeration coil assembly  128  may be received within the channels  208  and retained within the channels  208  by the refrigeration coil assembly rails  210 . In this embodiment, the refrigeration coil assembly  128  may be selectively inserted into the heat exchanger cabinet  104  by aligning the refrigeration coil assembly  128  properly with the refrigeration coil assembly mounting channels  208  and sliding the refrigeration coil assembly  128  toward the AHU back side  112 . Of course, the refrigeration coil assembly  128  may be selectively removed from the heat exchanger cabinet  104  by sliding the refrigeration coil assembly  128  away from the AHU back side  112 . 
         [0037]    It will further be appreciated that one or more of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  may comprise integrally formed electrical conduit apertures  212  which form openings between the interior of the heat exchanger cabinet  104  and the heat exchanger cabinet wall space. The electrical conduit apertures  212  are formed and/or shaped to closely conform to the shape of electrical lines and/or electrical conduit that may be passed through the electrical conduit apertures  212 . However, in some embodiments, stabilizer pads  214  may be integrally formed about the circumference of the electrical conduit apertures  212  so that the electrical lines and/or electrical conduit may be more tightly held, isolated from the general cylindrical surface of the electrical conduit apertures  212 , and/or to reduce friction of insertion of electrical lines and/or electrical conduit while retaining a tight fit between the stabilizer pads  214  and the electrical lines and/or electrical conduit. Further, the stabilizer pads  214  may be configured to interact with nuts of electrical conduit connectors so that the stabilizer pads  214  serve to restrict rotational movement of such nuts. By restricting such rotational movement of nuts, the stabilizer pads  214  may provide easier assembly and/or disassembly of the electrical conduit and related connectors to the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . The electrical conduit apertures  212  are not simply holes formed in the interior side surfaces  146 , but rather, are substantially tubular protrusions extending outward from the exterior side surfaces. 
         [0038]    It will further be appreciated that one or more of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  may comprise drain pan indentions  216 . More specifically, the heat exchanger interior side surfaces  146  may generally comprise a sloped portion  218  sloped from a bottom side to the drain pan indentions  216  so that the bottom of the interior side surfaces  146  protrude further inward and the remainder of the sloped portion  218 . The drain pan indentions  216  may form a concavity open toward the interior of the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . The interior side surfaces  146  further comprises a front boundary wall  220  with integral drain tubes  222  extending into the concavity formed by the drain pan indentions  216 . In some embodiments, the AHU  100  may be installed and/or operated in an installation orientation where the drain pan indention  216  of an interior side surface  146  is located below the refrigeration coil assembly  128  and so that fluids may, with the assistance of gravity, aggregate within the concavity of the drain pan indention  216  and thereafter exit the AHU  100  through the integral drain tubes  222 . More specifically, the sloped portion  218  may direct fluids falling from the refrigeration coil assembly  128  toward the concavity formed by a drain pan indention  216 . In this manner, the integrally formed slope portion  218 , the drain pan indentions  216 , and the front boundary wall  220  may serve as a condensation drain pan for the AHU  100  and may prevent the need to install a separate drain pan and/or to rearrange the configuration of a separate drain pan based on a chosen installation orientation for the AHU  100 . Further, when in use, a drain pan indention  216  and sloped portion  218  may cooperate with airflow generated by blower assembly  130  to direct condensation to the integral drain tubes  222 . 
         [0039]    It will further be appreciated that one or more of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  may comprise integral assembly recesses  224 . Assembly recesses  224  may be located near a lower end of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 . Assembly recesses  224  may accept mounting hardware therein for joining the heat exchanger cabinet  104  to the blower cabinet  102 . In this embodiment, the recesses  224  are substantially shaped as box shaped recesses, however, in alternative embodiments, the recesses  224  may be shaped any other suitable manner. Additionally, one or more of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  may comprise integral fastener retainer protrusions  226 . Fastener retainer protrusions  226  may be used to hold threaded nuts or other fasteners. Further, in other embodiments, retainer protrusions  226  may themselves be threaded or otherwise configured to selectively retaining fasteners inserted therein. Still further, the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132  and the heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134  may comprise support bar slots  228  configured to receive the opposing ends of a selectively removable structural crossbar. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , one or more of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138  may comprise blower assembly mounting channels  230  bound above and below by blower assembly rails  232 . The blower assembly rails  232  protrude inwardly from the remainder of the respective interior side surfaces  154  so that complementary shaped structures of the blower assembly  130  may be received within the channels  230  and retained within the channels  230  by the blower assembly rails  232 . In this embodiment, the blower assembly  130  may be selectively inserted into the blower cabinet  102  by aligning the blower assembly  130  properly with the blower assembly mounting channels  230  and sliding the blower assembly  130  toward the AHU back side  112 . Of course, the blower assembly  130  may be selectively removed from the blower cabinet  102  by sliding the blower assembly  130  away from the AHU back side  112 . 
         [0041]    It will further be appreciated that one or more of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138  may comprise filter mounting channels  234  bound above and below by filter rails  236 . The filter rails  236  protrude inwardly from the remainder of the respective interior side surfaces  154  so that complementary shaped structures of a filter may be received within the channels  234  and retained within the channels  234  by the filter rails  236 . In this embodiment, a filter may be selectively inserted into the blower cabinet  102  by aligning the filter properly with the filter mounting channels  234  and sliding the filter toward the AHU back side  112 . Of course, the filter may be selectively removed from the blower cabinet  102  by sliding the filter away from the AHU back side  112 . In some embodiments, the filter mounting channel  234  may be sloped downward from the front to the back of the AHU  100 . Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the filter rails  236  may comprise filter protrusions  238  which may serve to more tightly hold a filter inserted into the filter mounting channels  234 . In some embodiments, one or more of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138  may comprise fastener retainer protrusions  226 . Still further, one or more of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138  may comprise integral assembly recesses  240 . Assembly recesses  240  may be located near an upper end of the blower cabinet right shell  136  and the blower cabinet left shell  138 . Assembly recesses  240  may accept mounting hardware therein for joining the blower cabinet  102  to the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . In this embodiment, the recesses  240  are substantially shaped as box shaped recesses, however, in alternative embodiments, the recesses  240  may be shaped in any other suitable manner. 
         [0042]    While many of the features of the heat exchanger cabinet right shell  132 , heat exchanger cabinet left shell  134 , blower cabinet right shell  136 , and blower cabinet left shell  138  may be formed integrally to those respective components in a single molding and/or injection process. However in alternative embodiments, the various integral features may be provided through a series of moldings, and/or injections, thermal welding, gluing, or any other suitable means of assembling a singular structure comprising the various features as is well known to those skilled in the art. Further, one or more of the components disclosed herein as being formed integrally, in some embodiments, may be formed from multiple components coupled together. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-13 , the blower assembly  130  is shown in greater detail.  FIG. 7  is an oblique view of the blower assembly  130  from a front-upper-right viewpoint.  FIG. 8  is an orthogonal front view of the blower assembly  130 .  FIG. 9  is an orthogonal rear view of the blower assembly  130 .  FIG. 10  is an orthogonal top view of the blower assembly  130 .  FIG. 11  is an orthogonal bottom view of the blower assembly  130 .  FIG. 12  is an orthogonal right side view of the blower assembly  130 .  FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional orthogonal right side view of the blower assembly  130 .  FIG. 14  is an oblique partial view of the blower assembly  130  from a rear-upper-right viewpoint.  FIG. 15  is an oblique partial exploded view of the blower assembly  130  from a rear-lower-right viewpoint. 
         [0044]    The blower assembly  130  comprises a motor  300  having a shaft upon which an impeller  304  is mounted. The motor  300  is attached to a motor mount  306  that holds the motor  300  in place relative to a left shell  308  of the blower assembly  130  and a right shell  310  of the blower assembly  130 . In this embodiment, left shell  308  and the right shell  310  are selectively joined together via integral snap features as well as retaining clips  312 . The snap features and the clips  312  may be operated to optionally disconnect the left shell  308  from the right shell  310 . When joined, left shell  308  and the right shell  310  may be conceptualized as defining two distinct functional portions of the blower assembled  130 . 
         [0045]    One functional portion of the blower assembly  130  may be referred to as the blower housing  314 . A primary function of the blower housing  314  is to receive at least a portion of each of the motor  300  and the impeller  304  while also defining an intermediate air path between each of the left air input port  316  of the blower assembly  130  and the right air input port  318  of the blower assembly  130  and the blower output  320 . It is the shape of the interior of the blower housing  314  in combination with the movement of the impeller  304  that allows the optional intake of air through the right air input port  318  and the left air input port  316  and subsequent output of that air through the blower output  320 . Another functional portion of the blower assembly  130  may be referred to as the blower deck  322 . A first primary function of the blower deck  322  is to serve as a physical component used in mounting the entire blower assembly  130  within and relative to the blower cabinet  102 . A second primary function of the blower deck  322  is to serve as a substantial air pressure barrier between the portion of the interior of the blower cabinet  102  that houses the blower assembly  130  and the interior of, in this embodiment, the heat exchanger cabinet  104 . 
         [0046]    Because the blower housing  314  in the blower deck  322  are substantially integrally formed when the left shell  308  is joined to the right shell  310 , the blower housing  314  in the blower deck  322  may be conceptualized as being joined along an interface path  324 . In this embodiment, interface path  324  comprises the points at which an inner surface of the blower assembly  130  begins to primarily extend at least one of a left, right, front, and/or rear direction. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the interference path  324  generally denotes a perimeter of the blower output  320 . 
         [0047]    The blower deck  322  generally comprises a left floor  326  and a right floor  328  that extend outward from the blower output  320  in a substantially left, right, front, and/or rear directions so that a generally horizontal boundary is formed. The left floor  326  extends generally horizontally outward to meet a left wall  330  of the blower deck  322 , a left portion of a front wall  332  of the blower deck  322 , a left portion of a rear wall  334  of the blower deck  322 , and a left most portion of the right floor  328 . The right floor  328  extends generally horizontally outward to meet a right wall  336  of the blower deck  322 , a right portion of the front wall  332  of the blower deck  322 , a right portion of the rear wall  334  of the blower deck  322 , and a right most portion of the left floor  326 . 
         [0048]    In this embodiment, the left floor  326  is slightly sloped so that a left end of the left floor  326  is slightly vertically higher than a right end of the left floor  326 . Similarly, in this embodiment, the right floor  328  is slightly sloped so that a right end of the right floor  326  is slightly vertically higher than a left end of the right floor  328 . Further, in this embodiment, a top edge of the rear wall  334  of the left shell  308  is slightly sloped so that a right end of the top edge of the rear wall  334  of the left shell  308  is slightly vertically higher than a left end of the top edge of the rear wall  334  of the left shell  308 . Similarly, in this embodiment, a top edge of the rear wall  334  of the right shell  310  is slightly sloped so that a left end of the top edge of the rear wall  334  of the right shell  310  is slightly vertically higher than a right end of the top edge of the rear wall  334  of the right shell  310 . Still further, in this embodiment, a right end of the rear wall  334  of the left shell  308  is located slightly further rearward than a left end of the rear wall  334  of the left shell  308 . Similarly, in this embodiment, a left end of the rear wall  334  of the right shell  310  is located slightly further rearward in a right and of the rear wall  334  of the right shell  310 . 
         [0049]    In this embodiment, structural webs  338  are provided to increase the rigidity and/or strength of the blower assembly  130 . Some structural webs  338  join the left wall  330  to the left floor  326  while other structural webs  338  join the right wall  336  to the right floor  328 . In this embodiment, some structural webs  338  join the left floor  326  to a left portion of the blower housing  314  while other structural webs  338  join the right floor  328  to a right portion of the blower housing  314 . 
         [0050]    Referring now additionally to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a drip shield  340  and a mounting plate  342  are shown in greater detail.  FIG. 13  is an oblique partial view of the blower assembly  130  from an upper-rear-right in viewpoint.  FIG. 14  is an oblique partial exploded view of the blower assembly  130  from a rear-right viewpoint.  FIG. 13  generally shows each of the drip shield  340  and the mounting plate  342  in their installed positions relative to the blower deck  322 .  FIG. 14  generally shows the drip shield  340  and the mounting plate  342  together in isolation from the remainder of the blower assembly  130  and in exploded positions relative to each other so that there is a vertical offset distance between the two. 
         [0051]    The drip shield  340  comprises a generally horizontal cover comprising a bent plate  344  having a central ridge  346  extending in a forward-rearward direction and from such ridge  346  the bent plate  344  extends both in the left direction in the right direction. As the bent plate  344  extends from the ridge  346  in the left direction, the bent plate  344  extends slightly downward from the vertical height of the ridge  346 . Similarly, as the bent plate  344  extends from the ridge  346  in the right direction, the bent plate  344  extends slightly downward from the vertical height of the ridge  346 . In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the underside of the bent plate  344  is dimensioned to complement and accordingly to optionally mate with the upper end of the front wall  332  of the blower deck  322 . As shown, a rear left corner of the bent plate  344  and a rear right corner of the bent plate  344  are each locally bent vertically downward. Accordingly, when installed and/or attached to the blower deck  322 , water and/or condensation that contacts the bent plate  344  from above may tend to drain downward and away from any electrical components carried by the mounting plate  342 . In some embodiments, water and/or condensation may be routed by the bent plate  344  toward left floor  326  and the right floor  328  rather than pooling above any electrical components carried by the mounting plate  342 . 
         [0052]    In this embodiment, the bent plate  344  further comprises a left tab  348 , a right tab  350 , and front tabs  352 . The left tab  348  extends generally downward from the left side of the bent plate  344 . The right tab  350  extends generally downward from the right side of the bent plate  344 . The front tabs  352  extend generally upward from the front side of the bent plate  344 . 
         [0053]    This embodiment, the mounting plate  342  comprises a generally vertical component wall  354  configured for mounting against the front wall  332  of the blower deck  322 . Mounting plate  342  further comprises forward tabs that extend generally forward from an upper end of the component wall  354 . The upper end of the mounting plate  342  and the forward tabs  356  are configured to complement the underside of the bent plate  344  and to mate against the underside of the bent plate  344 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that when the blower assembly  130  is installed into the blower cabinet  102 , the blower deck  322  generally provides a zone boundary  358  between a first interior zone  360  of the AHU  100  and a second interior zone  362  of the AHU  100 . The first interior zone  360  is generally associated with the left and right air input ports  316 ,  318  of the blower assembly  130  while the second interior zone  362  is generally associated with a space adjacent the blower output  320  and which, in this embodiment, is generally associated with the coil assembly  128 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the left and right floors  326 ,  328  of the blower deck  322  generally divide the interior of the AHU  100  into the first and second interior zones  360 ,  362  so that operation of the motor  300  to rotate the impeller  304  may cause a pressure differential between the zones  360 ,  362 . 
         [0055]    In this embodiment, the blower deck  322  does not provide the entire zone boundary  358 , but rather, the zone boundary  358  is at least partially defined by the drip shield  340 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the zone boundary  358  comprises the left floor  326 , the right floor  328 , and the bent plate  344 . Of course in other embodiments, the blower deck  322  may be configured to incorporate the functionality of the drip shield into the blower deck  322  itself as a unitary component. Nonetheless, this disclosure provides a blower assembly  130  that comprises components that form an entire zone boundary  358  when the blower assembly  130  is installed into the AHU  100 . 
         [0056]    More particularly, when the blower assembly  130  is installed into the AHU  100 , the following components may be mated and/or located adjacent each other to produce the zone boundary  358 : the rear wall  334  and the interior rear surface  156  and/or mounting channels  230 , the right wall  336  and the right interior side surfaces  154  and/or mounting channels  230 , the left wall  330  and the left interior side surfaces  154  and/or mounting channels  230 , the upper end of the front wall  332  and the underside of the bent plate  344  of the drip shield  340 , the front tabs  352  of the drip shield  340  and the back side of the blower cabinet panel  120 , the left tab  348  of the drip shield  340  and the left interior side surface  154  and/or mounting channels  230 , and the right tab  350  of the drip shield  340  and the right interior side surface  154  and/or mounting channels  230 . 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, a center of mass and/or a center of gravity of the blower assembly  130  is located within a periphery the components that form the zone boundary  358 , as viewed from above. In some cases, by locating the center of mass and/or center of gravity in the above described manner may allow better distribution of forces due to gravity along a greater footprint so that gravitational forces do not consistently produce large bending moments against a blower deck that is not integral to a blower assembly. 
         [0058]    At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, RI, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=RI+k*(Ru−RI), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention.