Patent Abstract:
A system and method for a fluid manifold with a sensor inlet and sensor outlet located on the same side of the body of the fluid manifold.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates to the field of heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems, and more particularly to manifolds for use in HVAC systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Traditionally, manifolds have been used in HVAC systems in many different ways. One such way is for the placement of sensors, such as pressure sensors in an HVAC system. A problem exists with known manifolds that have inlets and outlets on opposite sides. The placement of the inlets and outlets on a traditional manifold limit the placement of the manifolds when deployed in an HVAC system. Traditional manifolds also require adequate space for the piping connecting to the inlet and outlet that are opposite one another. Another problem with traditional manifolds that are commonly found in HVAC systems, is the additional pipe required to make connections on two sides of a manifold. This additional piping results in additional cost. 
         [0003]    While traditional manifold systems have been used in HVAC systems, a need exists for a manifold that overcomes the known problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an approach for a manifold that has input and output ports located on the same side of the manifold. 
         [0005]    The above described approaches and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While it would be desirable to have a manifold that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned advantages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective diagram of a fluid manifold with an associated sensor and bracket according to an example implementation of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a cut-away view of the fluid manifold of  FIG. 1  as viewed from the above in accordance with an example implementation; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram of the steps for forming the channels of  FIG. 2  in the fluid manifold in accordance with an example implementation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective diagram  100  of a fluid manifold  102  with an associated sensor  104  and bracket  106  according to an example implementation of the invention is depicted. The fluid manifold  102  may have multiple knobs, such as  108 . The knobs may be formed from a material that is resistant to the type of fluid passing through the fluid manifold  102 . In the current example, FORTRON™ 1140 L4 Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) with 40% glass fiber is employed from TICONA. Each knob, such as knob  108  may have multiple seals  110 ,  112 . The seals  110  and  112  may also be formed from material that is resistant to type of fluid passing through the fluid manifold  102 . The knobs may be held in the fluid manifold  102  via a clip  113 . 
         [0011]    The sensor  104  may be a pressure sensor or other type of transducer that transmits data about the fluid flowing through the fluid manifold  102 . An example of the sensor that may be used is SIEMENS QBE3100UD25, QBE3100UD50, and QBE3100UD100. The sensor may have two fluid connectors, such as  114 ,  116 . Compression fittings, such as  118 , may be used to connect the sensor  104  to copper pipes  120  and  122 . In the current example, copper pipes  120  and  122  are used, but in other implementations the pipes  120  and  122  may be composed of different materials and may be dependent upon the type of fluid that passes through the pipes  120  and  122 . The pipes on the side of the fluid manifold  104  may also have compression fittings  119  similar to  118 . The compression fittings compress to seal around the pipes  120  and  122  and have threads to screw into the senor  104  and manifold  102 . 
         [0012]    The sensor  104  may attach to the bracket  106  with a pair of bolts and washers, such as bolt  124  and lock washer  126 . Similarly, the fluid manifold  102  may be attached to the bracket  106  with a pair of bolts and washers, such as bolt  128  and washer  130 . The bracket  106  may be affixed to a wall or other support prior to mounting the fluid manifold  102  and sensor  104 . In other implementations, the bracket  106  may be mounted using tire-wraps, screws or other fasteners. In yet other implementations, the bracket may only secure the fluid manifold  102  or the sensor  104  rather than both as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0013]    The shape of the knobs may have an elongated portion and ribs to assist in grasping and turning the knobs. The knobs may also have an indicator shape or marking that enables a person to identify the direction that the knob faces. To further aid in use of the fluid manifold, a graphic overlay  132  may be affixed to the fluid manifold  102 . In other implementations, multiple graphics may be affixed or painted onto the fluid manifold  102 . In yet other implementations, the graphics may be formed in the material that the fluid manifold is formed from (i.e. by etching or casting). 
         [0014]    The advantage of the fluid manifold  102  may be seen in  FIG. 1  with the pipes  120  and  122  being attached to the same side of the fluid manifold  102 . The routing of the pipes  120  and  122  require less material than if the pipe connections were on opposite sides of the fluid manifold  102 . Furthermore, items only attach on two sides of the fluid manifold  102  allowing the fluid manifold to be placed in areas with limited space. 
         [0015]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , a cut-away view of the fluid manifold  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed from above in accordance with an example implementation is shown. A pipe that carries fluid may be connected via a connector with threads to inlet  202  that is defined by the fluid manifold  102 . A first knob may control the flow of fluid through a first knob area  210  into the fluid manifold&#39;s channel  216 . The fluid flow is typically under “high” pressure in the fluid manifold&#39;s channel  216 . The fluid may pass through the fluid manifold  102  to a sensor outlet  206  that is defined by the fluid manifold  102 . The “high pressure” fluid would dead-end at the pressure sensor  104  inlet  116  of  FIG. 1 . A pipe that carries fluid may be connected via a connector with threads to inlet  204  that is defined by the fluid manifold  102 . A second knob may control the flow of fluid through a second knob area  212  into the fluid manifold&#39;s channels  218 . The fluid flow in the fluid manifold&#39;s channels  218  is typically under “low” pressure. The fluid may pass through the fluid manifold  102  to a sensor outlet  208  that is defined by the fluid manifold  102 . The “low” pressure fluid would dead-end at the pressure sensor  104  inlet  114  of  FIG. 1 . All of the inlets and outlets may have threads to receive fittings and connectors, such as compression fitting  118 . A third knob area  214  and associated knob may be used to disconnect or equalize or balance the pressure in the fluid manifold if knob area  212  and  210  have their associated knobs set to a closed position ( 210  off,  214  on, and  212  off). 
         [0016]    In  FIG. 3 , a flow diagram  300  of the steps for forming the channels  216  and  218  of  FIG. 2  in the fluid manifold in accordance with an example implementation. A block of material, such as aluminum may be formed into the general shape of the body of the fluid manifold  102  of  FIG. 2  (step  302 ). The forming may be accomplished by an additive process such as casting or by a subtractive process such as milling. The channels may be formed in the fluid manifold by machining (drilling) the channels (step  304 ). The knob areas ( 210 - 214  of  FIG. 2 ) may be machined into the aluminum (Step  306 ). The threads in the inlets and outlets ( 202 - 208 ) may be machined into the fluid manifold (Step  308 ). Depending upon the implementations, the inner surface of the fluid manifold may be anodized (step  310 ) to further protect the fluid manifold from the fluid that passes through it. In other implementations, the fluid manifold may be completely anodized. In other implementations, a bleed screw may be used to release pressure in the fluid manifold  102 . 
         [0017]    The foregoing detailed description of one or more embodiments of the fluid manifold has been presented herein by way of example only and not limitation. It will be recognized that there are advantages to certain individual features and functions described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other features and functions described herein. Moreover, it will be recognized that various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments, systems or applications. Presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8