Conducted 3D CFD airflow simulations under Rich Lange to model pressure drop, turbulence, and velocity fields in flex duct junction boxes—establishing the fluid dynamics foundation for Rheia.
CFD AIRFLOW SIMULATION: Executed 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling under Rich Lange to evaluate airflow distribution and pressure losses inside residential HVAC flex duct junction boxes.
SYSTEMIC IMBALANCE & TURBULENCE DISCOVERY: Revealed how internal turbulence, uneven entrance velocities, and uncalibrated branch geometries caused severe airflow imbalances across home runs—proving that traditional junction boxes were a primary bottleneck in residential HVAC performance.
DOE PUBLICATION & FOUNDATIONAL IMPACT: Published findings in a U.S. Department of Energy Building America report ('Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Flexible Duct Junction Box Design', Dec 2013). This research established the fluid dynamics principles that directly inspired Rheia's central manifold and twist-and-lock duct system.