Patent ID: 12228305

Like reference numbers represent like parts throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to an air handler with recirculation dampers for a heating, venting, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system, particularly the arrangement, construction, and/or configuration of the recirculation dampers in the air handler.

FIG.1Ais a perspective view of an air handler100with recirculation capabilities, according to one embodiment. As shown inFIG.1A, air handler100includes a housing and a heat exchanger core125.

The housing includes the faceplate114, a rear faceplate114A, a roof panel162(shown inFIG.1B), a base panel164(shown inFIG.1B), a first side panel166(shown inFIG.1D), and a second side panel168(shown inFIG.1D). According to an embodiment, the he air handler100further includes a septum170, or alternatively referred to as a septum panel170, protruding from a first side of the faceplate114. The septum170extends from the first side panel166on one end of the septum170, to the second side panel168on the other end of the septum170. The septum170is joined to the faceplate114on one side of the septum170, and to the core125on the other side of the septum170.

The heat exchanger core125can alternatively be referred to as the core125or an energy recovery section125. The housing connects to a first tunnel130and a second tunnel140at a faceplate114of the air handler100.

FIG.1Bis a side view of the air handler100in a ventilating mode, according to the embodiment ofFIG.1A. As shown inFIG.1B, the air handler100further includes at least one of a top block-off170A, a bottom block-off170B, or a rear septum170C, according to an embodiment. The core125is disposed inside the housing. The core125includes a top edge126, a bottom edge128, a front edge127, and a back edge129. The top block-off170A connects the top edge126to the roof panel162. The bottom block-off170B connects a bottom edge128to the base panel164. The septum170connects the front edge127to the faceplate114. The rear septum170C connects the back edge129to the rear faceplate114A.

FIG.1Cis a perspective view of the air handler100in a recirculation mode, according to the embodiment ofFIG.1A. As shown inFIG.1C, the first tunnel130connects to a second side of the faceplate114at a first area. The second side of the faceplate114is opposite to the first side of the faceplate114where the septum170protrudes from. The first tunnel130introduces vented indoor air into the housing. The vented indoor air can be indoor air removed from a controlled space and before the indoor air is exhausted to the outside environment. The controlled space is served by an HVACR system, and the controlled space can be a room, an office, a building, or the like. According to an embodiment, the vented indoor air from the controlled space is heated or cooled to a desired temperature that is generally different from the temperature of untreated fresh air from the outside environment. Without a core in the air handler, the vented indoor is exhausted into the environment, and nearly all the energy consumed to heat or cool the vented air would have been lost.

The second tunnel140connects to the faceplate114on the second side of the faceplate114. The second side of the faceplate114is the same side of the faceplate114where the first tunnel130also connects to the faceplate114. The second tunnel140connects to the second side at a second area that is disjointed from the first area connected to the first tunnel130. According to an embodiment, the first area and the second area are adjacent to but separated from each other at where a middle of unit wall150connects to the faceplate114

A first damper116is disposed on the faceplate114within the first area. The first damper116connects a portion of the first tunnel130to a first recirculation path110A. A first opening118is disposed on the faceplate114within the first area. The first opening118connects another portion of the first tunnel130to a second recirculation path110B. A second damper120is disposed on faceplate114within the second area. The second damper120connects a portion of the second tunnel140to the second recirculation path110B. A second opening122is disposed on the faceplate114within the second area. The second opening122connects another portion of the second tunnel140to the first recirculation path110A.

According to one embodiment, the first damper116is disposed on a lower portion of the faceplate114below the septum170. The second opening122is disposed on the lower portion of the faceplate114below the septum170. The second damper120is disposed on an upper portion of the faceplate114below the septum170. The first opening118is disposed on the upper portion of the faceplate114below the septum170.

According to another embodiment, the first damper116occupies approximately one half of the first area on the faceplate114. The first opening118occupies approximately the other half of the first area. The second damper120occupies approximately one half of the second area on the faceplate114. The second opening122occupied approximately the other half of the second area. Further, the first damper116, the first opening118, the second damper120, and the second opening122each occupies a portion of the faceplate114that are disjointed from one another.

The first tunnel130conducts the vented indoor air into the air handler100via the first damper116and the first opening118. Accordingly, the first tunnel130functions as an indoor air intake132. The second tunnel140conducts air from the air handler100to the controlled space via the second damper120and the second opening122. Accordingly, the second tunnel140functions as an indoor air return142. The first tunnel130and the second tunnel140are separated by a middle of unit wall150. In an embodiment, the middle of unit walls150is substantially perpendicular to the faceplate114on a first plane and substantially perpendicular to the septum170on a second plane. Further, the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

FIG.1Dis a top view of the air handler100in a recirculation mode, according to the embodiment ofFIG.1A. As shown inFIGS.1B and1D, the core125within the air handler100has a top edge126, a front edge127, a bottom edge128, and a back edge129. The core125connects to the septum170at the front edge127. A top surface125A of the core125is located between the top edge126and the front edge127, and a bottom surface125B of the core125is located between the bottom edge128and the front edge127. The core125further includes a first side plate125C connected to the first side panel166of the air handler100and a second side plate125D connected to the second side panel168of air handler100. According to one embodiment, the core125is disposed in a horizontal configuration with heat exchanger plates (not shown) of the core125in a vertical configuration. According to one embodiment, the core125is in a horizontal configuration when the top edge126, the front edge127, the bottom edge128, or the back edge129is perpendicular to the middle of unit wall150that separates the first tunnel130and the second tunnel140.

The second recirculation path110B of the air handler100is defined by the roof panel162, the faceplate114, the septum170, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the core125. The first recirculation path110A of the air handler100is defined by the base panel165, the faceplate114, the septum170, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the core125. The first recirculation path110A and the second recirculation path110B are inside the housing and are separated by the septum170.

According to one embodiment, the second recirculation path110B of the air handler100is defined by the roof panel162, the faceplate114, the septum170, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the top surface125A. The first recirculation path110A of the air handler100is defined by the base panel164, the faceplate114, the septum170, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the bottom surface125B.

As shown inFIGS.1B and1C, the air handler can100be in a circulation mode or a ventilation mode. In the ventilation mode, the first damper116is in a closed position, the first damper116obstructs the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132entering the first recirculation path110A and further obstructs the vented indoor air from entering the second tunnel140downstream from the first damper116. When the second damper120is in a closed position, vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is allowed into to pass through the first opening118, but the second damper120obstructs the vented indoor air in the second recirculation path110B from entering the second tunnel140. Accordingly, the indoor air from the indoor air intake142is obstructed from recirculating into the controlled space through the second tunnel140as the indoor air return142. Accordingly, when the first and the second dampers116and120are both in their closed positions, vented indoor air entered into the first tunnel130is primarily exhausted after exchanging heat in the core125.

In the recirculation mode, the first damper116is in an open position, a first portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132can flow through the first damper116into the first recirculation path110A. The first portion of the vented indoor air in the first recirculation path110A can further enter into the second tunnel140through the second opening122as a portion of the indoor air return142. Accordingly, when the first damper116is in the open position, the first portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated through the first recirculation path110A into the second tunnel140as a portion of the indoor air return142. The vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated back to the controlled space.

In the recirculation mode, the second damper120is in an open position. A second portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132can flow through the first opening118into the second recirculation path110B. The second portion of the vented indoor air in the second recirculation path110B can further flow through the opened second damper120into the second tunnel140as another portion of the indoor air return142. Accordingly, when the second damper120is in the open position, the second portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated through the second recirculation path110B into the second tunnel140as another portion of the indoor air return142. The indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated back to the controlled space. Further, when the first damper116and the second damper120are both in their open positions, a portion of the indoor air from the first tunnel130is recirculated through the second tunnel140and back into the controlled space.

It is appreciated that, although the first damper116and the second damper120are depicted to have horizontal blades with linkages operated with rotary actuators, the dampers116and120are no limited to his configuration. According to one embodiment, the dampers116and120can be vertical blade type dampers. The blades on each of the recirculation dampers parallel blade configuration or an opposed blade configuration, or a combination of both. According to another embodiment, the dampers116and120can be any type of damper that obstruct airflow. It is also appreciated that, when the first damper116includes a plurality of sections, each of the sections can be operated independently from one another or in unison. When the second damper120includes a plurality of sections, each of the sections can be operated independently from one another or in unison. It is appreciated that the first damper116and the second damper120can be operated independently or in unison.

In the ventilation mode, energy is recovered in the core125. The first damper116is in the closed position and obstructs the vented indoor air in the first tunnel130from entering into the first recirculation path110A. The vented indoor air flows into the second recirculation path110B through the first opening118. The second damper118is in the closed position and obstructs the vented indoor in the second recirculation oath110B from entering the second tunnel140. Accordingly, the vented indoor air enters into the core125. Fresh air from the environment enters the core125through the rear faceplate114A and exchanges energy with the vented indoor air in the core125. After passing the core125, the fresh air enters into the first recirculation path110A. The fresh air is obstructed by the first damper116and channeled into the second tunnel140through the second opening122. The fresh air in the second tunnel140becomes the indoor air return142and is further channeled into the controlled space. The vented indoor air is exhausted into the environment after passing the core125.

FIG.2Ais a perspective view of an air handler200with recirculation capabilities, according to another embodiment. As shown inFIG.2A, air handler200includes a housing and a heat exchanger core225.

The housing includes the faceplate114, a rear faceplate114A, a roof panel162(shown inFIG.2B), a base panel164(shown inFIG.2B), a first side panel166(shown inFIG.2D), and a second side panel168(shown inFIG.2D). According to an embodiment, the air handler200further includes a septum270, or a septum panel270, protruding from a first side of the faceplate114. The septum270connects to the first side panel166on one end of the septum270, to the second side panel168on the other end of the septum270, to the faceplate114on one side of the septum270, and to the core225on the other side of the septum270.

The heat exchanger core225can be alternatively referred to as the core225or an energy recovery section225. The housing connects to a first tunnel130and a second tunnel140at a faceplate114of the air handler200.

FIG.2Bis a side view of the air handler200in a ventilating mode, according to the embodiment ofFIG.2A. As shown inFIG.2B, the air handler200further includes at least one of a top block-off270A, a bottom block-off270B, or a rear septum270C, according to an embodiment. The core225is disposed inside the housing. The core225includes a top edge226or a top surface226, a bottom edge228or a bottom surface228, a front edge227or a front surface227, and a back edge229or a back surface229. The top block-off270A connects the top edge226to the roof panel162. The bottom block-off270B connects a bottom edge228to the base panel164. The septum270connects the front edge227to the faceplate114. The rear septum270C connects the back edge229to the rear faceplate114A.

FIG.2Cis a perspective view of the air handler200in a recirculation mode, according to the embodiment ofFIG.2A. As shown inFIG.2C, the first tunnel230connects to a second side of the faceplate114at a first area. The second side of the faceplate114is opposite to the first side of the faceplate114where the septum270protrudes from. According to one embodiment, the first tunnel130introduces vented indoor air into the housing. The vented indoor air is indoor air removed from a controlled space and before the indoor air is exhausted to the outside environment. The controlled space is served by an HVACR system, and the controlled space can be a room, an office, a building, or the likes. According to an embodiment, the vented indoor air from the controlled space is heated or cooled to a desired temperature that is generally different from the temperature of untreated fresh air from the outside environment. Without a core in the air handler, the vented indoor is exhausted into the environment, and nearly all the energy consumed to heat or cool the vented air would have been lost.

The second tunnel140connects to the faceplate114on the second side of the faceplate114. The second side of the faceplate114is the same side of the faceplate114where the first tunnel130also connects to the faceplate114. The second tunnel140connects to the second side at a second area that is disjointed from the first area connected to the first tunnel130. According to an embodiment, the first area and the second area are adjacent to and disjointed from each other at where a middle of unit wall150connects to the faceplate114.

A first damper116is disposed on the faceplate114within the first area. The first damper116connects a portion of the first tunnel130to a first recirculation path210A. A first opening118is disposed on the faceplate114within the first area. The first opening118connects another portion of the first tunnel130to a second recirculation path210B. A second damper120is disposed on faceplate114within the second area. The second damper120connects a portion of the second tunnel140to the second recirculation path210B. A second opening122is disposed on the faceplate114within the second area. The second opening122connects another portion of the second tunnel140to the first recirculation path210A.

According to one embodiment, the first damper116is disposed on a lower portion of the faceplate114below the septum270. The second opening122is disposed on the lower portion of the faceplate114below the septum270. The second damper120is disposed on an upper portion of the faceplate114above the septum270. The first opening118is disposed on the upper portion of the faceplate114above the septum270.

According to another embodiment, the first damper116occupies approximately one half of the first area on the faceplate114. The first opening118occupies approximately the other half of the first area. The second damper120occupies approximately one half of the second area on the faceplate114. The second opening122occupied approximately the other half of the second area. Further, the first damper116, the first opening118, the second damper120, and the second opening122each occupies a portion of the faceplate114that are disjointed from one another.

The first tunnel130conducts the vented indoor air into the air handler200via the first damper116and the first opening118. Accordingly, the first tunnel130functions as an indoor air intake132. The second tunnel140conducts air from the air handler100to the controlled space via the second damper120and the second opening122. Accordingly, the second tunnel140functions as an indoor air return142. The first tunnel130and the second tunnel140are separated by the middle of unit wall150. According to an embodiment, the middle of unit wall150is substantially perpendicular to the faceplate114on a first plane and substantially perpendicular to the septum270on a second plane. Further, the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

FIG.1Dis a top view of the air handler200in a recirculation mode, according to the embodiment ofFIG.2A. As shown inFIGS.2B and2D, the core225within the air handler200has a top edge226, a front edge227, a bottom edge228, and a back edge229. The core225connects to the septum270at the front edge227. A top surface225A of the core225is located between the top edge226and the front edge227, and a bottom surface225B of the core225is located between the bottom edge228and the front edge227. The core225further includes a first side plate225C connected to the first side panel166of the air handler200and a second side plate225D connected to the second side panel168of the air handler200. According to one embodiment, the core225is disposed in a side-by-side dual wheel configuration with heat exchanger wheels of the core225configured to rotate in the same vertical plane substantially parallel to the faceplate114, and the centers of rotation of both heat exchanger wheels are in a line substantially overlaps the intersection of the vertical plane of the rotating dual-wheels and the septum270. According to one embodiment, the core225includes at least three side-by-side heat exchanger wheels.

The second recirculation path210B (shown inFIG.2C) of the air handler200is defined by the roof panel162, the faceplate114, the septum270, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the core225. The first recirculation path210A (shown inFIG.2C) of the air handler200is defined by the base panel165, the faceplate114, the septum270, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the core225. The first recirculation path210A and the second recirculation path210B are inside the housing and are separated by the septum270.

According to one embodiment, the second recirculation path210B of the air handler200is defined by the roof panel162, the faceplate114, the septum270, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the top surface225A. The first recirculation path210A of the air handler100is defined by the base panel164, the faceplate114, the septum170, the first side panel166, the second side panel168, and the bottom surface225B. According to another embodiment where at least one of the first side plate225C, the second side plate225D, the top block-off170A, or the bottom block-off170A is included in the air handler200. The second recirculation path210B is further defined the at least one of the first side plate225C, the second side plate225D, the top block-off170A included in the air handler200. The first recirculation path210A is further defined the at least one of the first side plate225C, the second side plate225D, the bottom block-off170B included in the air handler200.

As shown inFIGS.2B and2C, the air handler200can be in a circulation mode or a ventilation mode. In the ventilation mode, the first damper116is in a closed position, the first damper116obstructs the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132entering the first recirculation path210A and further obstructs the vented indoor air from entering the second tunnel140downstream from the first damper116via the first recirculation path210A. When the second damper120is in a closed position, vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is allowed into the second recirculation path210B through the first opening118, but the second damper120obstructs the vented indoor air in the second recirculation path210B from entering the second tunnel140. Accordingly, the indoor air from the indoor air intake142is obstructed from recirculating into the controlled space through the second tunnel140as the indoor air return142. Accordingly, when the first and the second dampers116and120are both in their closed positions, vented indoor air entered into the first tunnel130is primarily exhausted after exchanging heat in the core225.

In the recirculation mode, the first damper116is in an open position. A first portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132can flow through the first damper116into the first recirculation path210A. The first portion of the vented indoor air in the first recirculation path210A can further enter into the second tunnel140through the second opening122as a portion of the indoor air return142. Accordingly, when the first damper116is in the open position, the first portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated through the first recirculation path210A into the second tunnel140as a portion of the indoor air return142. The vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated back to the controlled space.

In the recirculation mode, the second damper120is in an open position. A second portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132can flow through the first opening118into the second recirculation path210B. The second portion of the vented indoor air in the second recirculation path210B can further flow through the opened second damper120into the second tunnel140as another portion of the indoor air return142. Accordingly, when the second damper120is in the open position, the second portion of the vented indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated through the second recirculation path210B into the second tunnel140as another portion of the indoor air return142. The indoor air from the indoor air intake132is recirculated back to the controlled space. Accordingly, when the first damper116and the second damper120are both in their open positions, at least a portion of the indoor air from the first tunnel130is recirculated through the second tunnel140and back into the controlled space.

It is appreciated that, although the first damper116and the second damper120are depicted to have horizontal blades with linkages operated with rotary actuators, the dampers116and120are not limited this configuration. According to an embodiment, the dampers116and120can be vertical blade type dampers. The blades on each of the dampers can be a parallel blade configuration or an opposed blade configuration, or a combination of both. According to another embodiment, the dampers116and120can be any type of damper that obstruct airflow.

In the ventilation mode, energy is recovered in the core225. The first damper116is in the closed position and obstructs the vented indoor air in the first tunnel130from entering into the first recirculation path210A. The vented indoor air flows into the second recirculation path210B through the first opening118. The second damper118is in the closed position and obstructs the vented indoor in the second recirculation oath210B from entering the second tunnel140. Accordingly, the vented indoor air enters into the core225. Fresh air from the environment enters the core225through the rear faceplate114A and exchanges energy with the vented indoor air in the core225. After passing the core225, the fresh air enters into the first recirculation path210A. The fresh air is obstructed by the first damper116and channeled into the second tunnel140through the second opening122. The fresh air in the second tunnel140becomes the indoor air return142and is further channeled into the controlled space. The vented indoor air is exhausted into the environment after passing the core225.

According to another embodiment, the core125or225further includes at least one of a defrost damper or a bypass damper (not shown). The defrost damper, when opened, introduces heated air or indoor air to the heat exchanger in the core125or225, and removes frost on the heat exchanger by warming the heat exchanger with the heated air. The bypass damper, when opened, conducts vented indoor air to the exhaust without passing through the core125or225.

FIG.3Ais a side view of the air handler to illustrate space savings. As shown inFIG.3A, the air handler100includes the core125, the first recirculation path110A, and the second recirculation path110B. The first tunnel130connects to the air handler100at the first area of the faceplate114. A septum170connects the core125to the faceplate114. The second tunnel140connects to the air handler100at the second area of the faceplate114. The first tunnel130and the second tunnel140are separated by the middle of unit wall150. During the recirculating mode of the air handler100, vented indoor air recirculates through the first tunnel130, the first damper116, the first opening118, the first and second recirculation paths110A and110B, the second damper120, and the second opening122, and into the second tunnel140. Accordingly, the recirculation function of the air handler100can be accomplished by a distance of L1. The space represented by L1includes the space for the core125.

FIG.3Bis a side view of a known air handler to illustrate space savings of the air handler100ofFIG.3Ain comparison to said known air handler. As shown inFIG.3B, an air handler10includes a core25. The size or capacity of the core25is comparable to the size or capacity of the core125(shown inFIG.3A). The first tunnel30connects to the air handler10at a first area of a faceplate14. The second tunnel40connects to the air handler10at a second area of the faceplate14. The first tunnel30and the second tunnel40are separated by a middle of unit wall50. A recirculation damper52is included adjacent to the faceplate14on the middle of unit wall50. During the recirculating mode of the air handler10, vented indoor air enters the first tunnel30and is blocked by a first damper and a first block off plate on the first area of the faceplate14where the first tunnel30connects to the faceplate14. Accordingly, the vented indoor air is forced through the opened recirculation damper52into the second tunnel40. The vented indoor air is further blocked by a second damper and a second block off plate on the second are of the faceplate14where the second tunnel40connects to the faceplate14. Accordingly, the vented indoor air flows through the second tunnel40back to the controlled space. The recirculation function of the air handler10is accomplished in a distance of L′ with the core25having a similar size and capacity of the core125(as shown inFIG.4A).

As shown by comparingFIGS.3A and3B, the damper configurations according to the air handler100save a distance of a difference between L1and L1′, for example. This difference is similar to the width of the recirculation damper52, as shown inFIG.3B. According to one embodiment, the recirculation damper52can be 24 to 48 inches wide. Accordingly, the space savings of the air handler100can be 24 to 48 inches.

FIG.4Ais a side view of the air handler200to illustrate space savings. As shown inFIG.4A, the air handler200includes the core225, the first recirculation path210A, and the second recirculation path210B. The first tunnel130connects to the air handler200at the first area of the faceplate114. A septum270connects the core225to the faceplate114. The second tunnel140connects to the air handler200at the second area of the faceplate114. The first tunnel130and the second tunnel140are separated by the middle of unit wall150. During the recirculating mode of the air handler200, vented indoor air recirculates through the first tunnel130, the first damper116, the first opening118, the first and second recirculation paths210A and210B, the second damper120, and the second opening122, and into the second tunnel140. Accordingly, the recirculation function of the air handler200can be accomplished by a distance of L2. The space represented by L2includes the space for the core225.

FIG.4Bis a side view of a known air handler20to illustrate space savings of the air handler200ofFIG.4A. As shown inFIG.4B, an air handler20includes a core25A. The size or capacity of the core25A is comparable to the size or capacity of the core225(shown inFIG.4A). The first tunnel30connects to the air handler10at a first area of a faceplate14. The second tunnel40connects to the air handler10at a second area of the faceplate14. The first tunnel30and the second tunnel40are separated by a middle of unit wall50. A recirculation damper52is included adjacent to the faceplate14on the middle of unit wall50. During the recirculating mode of the air handler10, vented indoor air enters the first tunnel30and is forced through the opened recirculation damper52into the second tunnel40. Accordingly, the vented indoor air flows through the second tunnel40back to the controlled space. The recirculation function of the air handler20is accomplished in a distance of L2′ with the core25A having a similar size and capacity of the core225(as shown inFIG.4A).

As shown by comparingFIG.4AandFIG.4B, the damper configurations according to the air handler200save a distance of a difference between L2and L2′. This difference is similar to the width of the recirculation damper52, as shown inFIG.4B. According to one embodiment, the recirculation damper52can be 24 to 48 inches wide. Accordingly, the space savings of the air handler100can be 24 to 48 inches.

It is appreciated that pressure drop is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the flow path. Accordingly, when the two air handlers occupying the same amount of space, the air handler with damper configuration according to this disclosure will experience a smaller pressure drop. Additionally, a smaller pressure drop generally correlates to more uniformed downstream airflow. Accordingly, when the two air handlers occupying the same amount of space, the air handler with damper configuration according to this disclosure will have a more uniformed airflow downstream of air handler.

Aspects. It is noted that any of aspects 1-12 can be combined with any one of aspects 13-20.

Aspect 1. An air handler for an HVACR system, comprising:a housing having a faceplate, a roof panel, a base panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;a septum protruding into the housing from a first side of the faceplate;a core disposed within the housing and having a front edge connected to an edge of the septum, a top edge connected to the roof panel, a bottom edge connected to the base panel, a first side plate connected to the first side panel, and a second side plate connected to the second side panel;a first tunnel connected to a first area on the faceplate from a second side of the faceplate, wherein the second side is opposite to the first side of the faceplate;a second tunnel connected to a second area of the faceplate from the second side, wherein the second area is disjointed from the first area;a first recirculation path defined by the faceplate, the roof panel, the septum, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the core and configured to channel a first portion of airflow from the first tunnel to the second tunnel;a second recirculation path defined by the faceplate, the septum, the base panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the core and configured to channel a second portion of the airflow from the first tunnel to the second tunnel;a first damper disposed in the first area of the faceplate and configured to obstruct the first recirculation path;a second damper disposed in the second area of the faceplate and configured to obstruct the second recirculation path;a first opening disposed in the first area of the faceplate and connecting the first tunnel to the second recirculation path; anda second opening disposed in the second area of the faceplate and connecting the second tunnel to the first recirculation path.Aspect 2. The air handler of aspect 1, whereinthe second damper is disposed adjacent to the first side panel and the roof panel, andthe first damper is disposed adjacent to the second side panel and the base panel.Aspect 3. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-2, whereinthe second opening is adjacent to the first side panel and the base panel, andthe first opening is adjacent to the second side panel and the roof panel.Aspect 4. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-3, whereinthe first tunnel is an indoor air inlet from a controlled space, andthe second tunnel is an indoor air return to the controlled space.Aspect 5. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-4, whereinthe core includes a fixed plate heat exchanger or a rotary type wheel heat exchanger.Aspect 6. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-5, whereinthe core is in a horizontal configuration substantially parallel to the septum, andwhen the core includes a fixed plate heat exchanger, the fixed plate heat exchanger includes heat transfer plates that are in a vertical configuration, and.when the core includes a rotary type wheel heat exchanger the rotary type wheel heat exchanger includes at least two side-by-side wheels.Aspect 7. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-6, whereinthe first tunnel and the second tunnel are separated by a middle of unit wall that is substantially perpendicular to the faceplate on a first plane and substantially perpendicular to the septum on a second plane, wherein the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.Aspect 8. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-7, whereinthe first damper includes a plurality of sections that are configured to open or close independently among one another or in unison, andthe second damper includes a plurality of sections that are configured to open or close independently among one another or in unison.Aspect 9. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-8, whereinthe first damper obstructs the first portion of the airflow from entering the first recirculation path when the first damper is in a closed position.Aspect 10. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-9, whereinthe second damper obstructs the second portion of the airflow from entering the second tunnel when the second damper is in a closed position.Aspect 11. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-10, whereinthe first portion of the airflow is recirculated to the second tunnel through the second opening when the first damper is in an open position, andthe second portion of the airflow is recirculated to the second tunnel through the first opening and the second recirculation path when the second damper is in an open position.Aspect 12. The air handler of any one of aspects 1-11, whereinthe airflow enters the first tunnel from a controlled space is recirculated into the controlled space when the first and the second dampers are in their open positions.Aspect 13. The air handler of any one of aspect 1-12, whereinthe core further includes at least one of a bypass damper or a defrost damper.Aspect 14. A method of providing recirculation capabilities using an air handler with a core, comprising:opening a first damper and a second damper;receiving vented indoor air from a controlled space through a first tunnel;channeling a first portion of the vented indoor air from the first tunnel to a second tunnel through the first damper, a first recirculation path, and a second opening;channeling a second portion of the vented indoor air from the first tunnel to the second tunnel through a first opening, a second recirculation path, and the second damper; andreturning the first portion of the vented indoor air and the second portion of the vented indoor air from the second tunnel into the controlled space, whereinthe air handler has a housing that includes a faceplate, a roof panel, a base panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel,the first recirculation path and the second recirculation path are separated by a septum protruding into the housing from a first side of the faceplate,the housing contains the core having a top edge connected to the roof panel, a bottom edge connected to the base panel, a front edge connected to the septum, a first side plate connected to the first side panel, and a second side plate connected to the second side panel,the first tunnel connects to the faceplate at a first area of a second side of the faceplate, wherein the second side is opposite to the first side of the faceplate,the second tunnel connects to the faceplate at a second area of the first side of the faceplate, wherein the second area is disjointed from the first area,the first damper and the first opening are disposed in the first area on the faceplate,the second damper and the second opening are disposed in the second area on the faceplate,the first recirculation path is defined by the roof panel, the faceplate, the first side panel, the second side panel, the septum, and the core, andthe second recirculation path is defined by the base panel, the faceplate, the first side panel, the second side panel, the septum, and the core.Aspect 15. The method of aspect 14 further comprising:closing the first damper and the second damper;obstructing the vented indoor air in the first tunnel from entering into the first recirculation path;channeling the vented indoor air in the first tunnel into the second recirculation path through the first opening;channeling the vented indoor air in the second recirculation path into the core;channeling fresh air into the core;exchanging energy in the core between the vented indoor and the fresh air;channeling the fresh air in the core into the first recirculation path;obstructing the fresh air in the first recirculation path from entering into the first tunnel;channeling the fresh air in the first recirculation path into the second tunnel through the second opening;exhausting the vented indoor air from the core after exchanging energy; andchanneling the fresh air from the second tunnel to the controlled space.Aspect 16. The method of any one of aspects 14-15, whereinthe second damper is disposed adjacent to the first side panel and the roof panel, and the first damper is disposed adjacent to the second side panel and the base panel, andthe first opening is adjacent to the second side panel and the roof panel, and the second opening is adjacent to the first side panel and the base panel.Aspect 17. The method of any one of aspects 14-16, whereinthe first tunnel is an indoor air inlet from the controlled space, andthe second tunnel is an indoor air return to the controlled space.Aspect 18. The method of any one of aspects 14-17, whereinthe core includes a fixed plate heat exchanger or a rotary type wheel heat exchanger.Aspect 19. The method of any one of aspects 14-18, whereinthe core is in a horizontal configuration substantially parallel to the septum, andwhen the core includes a fixed plate heat exchanger, the fixed plate heat exchanger includes heat transfer plates of the core are in a vertical configuration, andwhen the core includes a rotary type wheel heat exchanger the rotary type wheel heat exchanger includes at least two side-by-side wheels.Aspect 20. The method of any one of aspects 14-19, whereinthe first tunnel and the second tunnel are separated by a middle of unit wall that is substantially perpendicular to the faceplate on a first plane and substantially perpendicular to the septum on a second plane, wherein the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane.Aspect 21. The method of any one of aspects 14-20, whereinthe first damper includes a plurality of sections that are configured to open or close independently among one another or in unison, andthe second damper includes a plurality of sections that are configured to open or close independently among one another or in unison.

The terminology used in this Specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this Specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.

With regard to the preceding description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This Specification and the embodiments described are exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.