|
For Release:
January 19, 2008
Contact: Wendy Angel
Public Relations
678-539-1216
wangel@ashrae.org
NEW YORK CITY– Frank Dean, a pioneer in HVAC systems design and installation, was inducted into the ASHRAE Hall of Fame at its Winter Meeting held here Jan. 19-23.
The Hall of Fame honors deceased members of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers who have made milestone contributions to the growth of HVAC&R technology.
Considered “an HVAC systems thinker,” Dean conceptualized and implemented an overall method of designing and installing air-conditioning systems that provided a unique combination of low first cost and low energy cost without sacrificing high quality. His designs also provided for quietness, durability and low maintenance.
Among his innovative concepts was the development of a computerized air-conditioning system simulation program using weather data together with detailed equipment and systems modeling. These programs were installed in the Kansas City Board of Trade Building in 1966 and continue to perform satisfactorily today.
Dean was one of the first installers of variable-air-volume (VAV) systems and stands out in perfecting the total system concept. It is estimated that nearly 70 percent of large commercial air-conditioning systems in the United States today use the VAV system in some form.
He formed the Temperature Industries Corp. along with subsidiary companies, Tempmaster, Viron and Wattmaster. The Tempmaster Corp. manufactured a line of commercial VAV air distribution products and air handling equipment. The Viron Corp. providing management consulting services, and the Wattmaster Corp. manufactured building automation control systems, all as a complement to Tempmaster equipment. The three companies worked together to pioneer cutting edge design, manufacturing and energy management systems solutions for the commercial HVAC marketplace.
Dean and his employees were granted more than 20 patents. Major HVAC equipment manufacturers in the U.S. have successfully adopted many of the air-conditioning technologies and designs that Dean conceived and developed.
Dean died in 2000 at the age of 89.
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.
###
|
