U.S. patent application number 11/397259 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for condenser shroud assembly for a direct current air conditioning system.
Invention is credited to Matthew Cowling, Eduardo Leon, Bisher J. Rayyahin.
Application Number | 20070227181 11/397259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38556874 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070227181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leon; Eduardo ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
Condenser shroud assembly for a direct current air conditioning
system
Abstract
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a condenser
shroud assembly for a direct current (DC) power variable capacity
air conditioning system (VCACS), the shroud assembly includes a
condenser shroud configured to support a condenser air mover of the
VCACS, and a condenser shroud cover. The condenser shroud cover is
mountable to the condenser shroud. Further, the condenser shroud
cover defines an opening having a center axis that approximately
coaxially aligns with a center axis of the condenser air mover when
the condenser air mover is mounted to the condenser shroud and the
condenser shroud cover is mounted to the condenser shroud.
Inventors: |
Leon; Eduardo; (Woodridge,
IL) ; Cowling; Matthew; (Elmhurst, IL) ;
Rayyahin; Bisher J.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY, & PIERCE, P.L.C
7700 BONHOMME, STE 400
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105
US
|
Family ID: |
38556874 |
Appl. No.: |
11/397259 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/507 ; 62/428;
62/508 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/507 ;
062/508; 062/428 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06; F25B 39/04 20060101 F25B039/04 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
[0001] This invention was made with Government support under
contract DE-FC26-04NT42106, awarded by the United States Department
of Energy. The Government may have certain rights in this
invention.
Claims
1. A condenser shroud assembly for a direct current (DC) powered
variable capacity air conditioning system (VCACS), the shroud
assembly comprising: a condenser shroud configured to support a
condenser air mover of the VCACS, and a condenser shroud cover
mountable to the condenser shroud, the condenser shroud cover
defining an opening having a center axis that approximately
coaxially aligns with a center axis of the condenser air mover when
the condenser air mover is mounted to the condenser shroud and the
condenser shroud cover is mounted to the condenser shroud.
2. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 1 wherein the condenser
shroud includes mounts for supporting the condenser air mover.
3. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 1 wherein the condenser
shroud cover includes an inlet ring.
4. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 1 wherein the condenser
shroud cover includes a mounting surface for supporting a
screen.
5. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 1 wherein the condenser
shroud cover includes a mounting surface for supporting filter
media.
6. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 1 wherein the condenser
shroud is a single piece seamless structure.
7. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 6 wherein the single
piece seamless structure is a molded piece of plastic.
8. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 1 wherein the condenser
shroud cover is a single piece seamless structure.
9. The condenser shroud assembly of claim 8 wherein the single
piece seamless structure is a molded piece of plastic.
10. A direct current (DC) powered variable capacity air
conditioning system (VCACS) comprising: a condenser shroud, a
condenser air mover mountable to the condenser shroud, a condenser
shroud cover mountable to the condenser shroud, the condenser
shroud cover defining an opening having a center axis that
approximately coaxially aligns with a center axis of the condenser
air mover when the condenser air mover is mounted to the condenser
shroud and the condenser shroud cover is mounted to the condenser
shroud.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud includes
mounts for supporting the condenser air mover.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud cover
includes an inlet ring.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud cover
includes a mounting surface for supporting a wire screen.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud cover
includes a mounting surface for supporting filter media.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud is a single
piece seamless structure.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the single piece seamless
structure is a molded piece of plastic.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud cover is a
single piece seamless structure.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the single piece seamless
structure is a molded piece of plastic.
19. The system of claim 10 wherein the condenser shroud cover is
removably mountable to the condenser shroud for allowing access to
the condenser air mover.
20. A condenser shroud for a direct current (DC) powered variable
capacity air conditioning system (VCACS), the condenser shroud
comprising: a single piece seamless structure positioned adjacent
an air intake opening of the VCACS for directing air from the air
intake opening through an air passage through a condenser assembly
of the VCACS.
21. The condenser shroud of claim 20 wherein the condenser shroud
includes mounts for supporting the condenser air mover.
22. A condenser shroud cover for a direct current (DC) powered
variable capacity air conditioning system (VCACS), the condenser
shroud cover comprising: a single piece seamless structure
positioned adjacent an air intake opening of the VCACS for
directing air from the air intake opening through an air passage
through a condenser assembly of the VCACS.
23. The condenser shroud cover of claim 22 wherein the condenser
shroud cover includes an inlet ring.
24. The system of claim 22 wherein the condenser shroud cover
includes a mounting surface for supporting a wire screen.
25. The system of claim 22 wherein the condenser shroud cover
includes a mounting surface for supporting filter media.
26. The system of claim 22 wherein the single piece seamless
structure is a molded piece of plastic.
Description
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to direct current (DC) air
conditioning systems including a condenser shroud assembly for such
systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Direct current (DC) environmental temperature control
systems (ETCSs), also referred to as air conditioning systems, are
often used to control the temperature within enclosed environments
where alternating current (AC) ETCSs are not feasible, desirable or
reliable. For example, in environments enclosed by structures that
are remotely located where AC power is not available or
conveniently accessible, or where a backup air conditioning system
is necessary in case AC power is interrupted, or where a DC air
conditioning system is more desirable than an AC air conditioning
system. Generally, DC air conditioning systems have a capacity
suitable for efficiently controlling the temperature of
environments enclosed by smaller structures or buildings. For
example, DC air conditioning systems are very suitable for
controlling the temperature within utility sheds, portable or
mobile structures, and electronics cabinets and utility or
equipment structures such as cellular wireless communication
electronic cabinets and battery backup closets.
[0005] Such smaller structures can be located in a wide variety of
outdoor locations that present a myriad of rigorous exterior
environmental conditions that affect the temperature within the
structures. That is, the structures can be exposed to a wide range
of external temperatures, e.g., -30.degree. C. to 55.degree. C.,
varying solar loads and various forms of precipitation that can all
affect the internal environmental temperature. In the case of
equipment cabinets, temperature control requirements can be
stringent in order to prevent damage to the often expensive and not
terribly rugged equipment inside. Thus, employment of DC air
conditioning systems is often desirable for actively controlling
the temperature enclosed environment of such smaller structures.
And in many cases, efficiency, consistency and reliability are
critical necessities of the DC air conditioning system.
[0006] Typically, DC air conditioning systems include a condenser
assembly and an evaporator assembly both of which are positioned
within a housing. In operation, the condenser assembly receives air
from an external ambient environment through a first opening in the
housing, and an air mover pushes the air through the condenser
assembly including across a heat exchanger before the air is output
through a second opening in the housing and back into the external
ambient environment.
[0007] The air mover is typically mounted on one side of a sheet
metal box. On the opposite side of the box, an opening is typically
formed in the sheet metal box to allow air to flow from the
external ambient environment into the air mover.
[0008] As recognized by the inventors, however, mounting the air
mover to, and forming an opening in, a sheet metal box has
disadvantages. For example, sheet metal boxes have edges which are
sealed together by using a sealant, such as a room temperature
vulcanizing sealant, or by welding. These seals and welds are time
consuming to apply, costly and prone to failure. Over time these
seals and/or welds may deteriorate, which may compromise the
effectiveness of the condenser assembly. Further, since sheet metal
boxes are made by bending, folding and cutting, tolerances may
build which could misalign the opening and the air mover to the
extent that the sheet metal surrounding the opening may rub against
the air mover, thereby damaging the air mover.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a
condenser shroud assembly for a direct current (DC) power variable
capacity air conditioning system (VCACS), the shroud assembly
includes a condenser shroud configured to support a condenser air
mover of the VCACS, and a condenser shroud cover. The condenser
shroud cover is mountable to the condenser shroud. Further, the
condenser shroud cover defines an opening having a center axis that
approximately coaxially aligns with a center axis of the condenser
air mover when the condenser air mover is mounted to the condenser
shroud and the condenser shroud cover is mounted to the condenser
shroud.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
direct current (DC) power variable capacity air conditioning system
(VCACS) including a condenser shroud, a condenser air mover
mountable to the condenser shroud, and a condenser shroud cover.
The condenser shroud cover is mountable to the condenser shroud.
Further, the condenser shroud cover defines an opening having a
center axis that approximately coaxially aligns with a center axis
of the condenser air mover when the condenser air mover is mounted
to the condenser shroud and the condenser shroud cover is mounted
to the condenser shroud.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
condenser shroud for a direct current (DC) power variable capacity
air conditioning system (VCACS). The condenser shroud comprises a
single piece seamless structure positioned adjacent an air intake
opening of the VCACS. The condenser shroud directing air from the
air intake opening through an air passage through a condenser
assembly of the VCACS.
[0012] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure,
a condenser shroud cover for a direct current (DC) power variable
capacity air conditioning system (VCACS). The condenser shroud
cover comprises a single piece seamless structure positioned
adjacent an air intake opening of the VCACS for directing air from
the air intake opening through an air passage through a condenser
assembly of the VCACS.
DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a direct current (DC) powered
variable capacity air conditioning system (VCACS) including a
condenser shroud assembly according to various embodiments,
connected to a structure enclosing an environment to be thermally
conditioned by the variable capacity air conditioning system.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the
VCACS illustrating various components of the VCACS, in accordance
with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the VCACS illustrating a condenser
air passage according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a condenser shroud cover according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of the condenser shroud cover of FIG.
4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the condenser shroud cover
of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a condenser shroud assembly
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the condenser
shroud assembly and a condenser air mover according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a front view of a condenser assembly according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a front view of a condenser shroud according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the condenser shroud of
FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the detailed description provided
hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description
and specific examples, while indicating various preferred
embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Additionally,
the features, functions, and advantages of the present disclosure
can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be
combined in yet other embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a direct current (DC) powered variable
capacity air conditioning system 10 having a condenser shroud
assembly 32 according to one or more embodiments described below.
The DC variable capacity air conditioning system (VCACS) 10 is
connected to a wall of a structure 14 enclosing an environment 18
to be thermally conditioned by the DC VCACS 10. The DC VCACS 10 can
operate using any suitable DC power supply (not shown) such as one
or more DC batteries or a converted alternating current (AC)
supply. The structure 14 can be any building, shed, cabinet,
closet, portable or mobile structure, or any other structure
enclosing an environment desirous of being thermally controlled by
the DC variable capacity air conditioning system 10. For example,
the structure 14 can be an electronics and/or equipment cabinet,
such as a cellular wireless communication electronics cabinet or
battery backup closet, where it is important to maintain the
enclosed environment 18 at a desired temperature to prevent damage
to the enclosed components and/or systems. The VCACS 10 is
configured to provide heating and cooling to maintain a
substantially constant temperature of the enclosed environment 18
of the structure 14. The VCACS 10 and the structure 14 can comprise
a telecommunication station, e.g., a wireless telecommunication
station, wherein the structure 14 is a telecommunication
electronics and equipment cabinet, e.g., a wireless
telecommunication electronics and equipment cabinet.
[0027] The VCACS 10 generally includes a housing 12 enclosing a
condenser assembly 34, an evaporator assembly 38 and a variable
speed compressor 94 connected to the condenser and evaporator
assemblies 34 and 38 via refrigerant lines 46. The housing 12
defines an air intake opening 17 for intaking air from an external
ambient environment into the condenser assembly 34 (indicated
generally by an arrow 16), and an air output opening 19 for
outputting air from the condenser assembly 34 into the external
ambient environment (indicated generally by an arrow 20). An air
passage 24 flows through the condenser assembly 34 between the air
intake opening 17 and the air output opening 19.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, in various embodiments, the
condenser assembly 34 includes the condenser shroud assembly 32
that comprises a condenser shroud 50 and a condenser shroud cover
62. The condenser assembly 34 also includes a condenser air mover
54, a condenser air mover mounting plate 58, a condenser shroud
cover filter 66 and a condenser heat exchanger 70. The condenser
air mover 54 can be rotationally mounted to the condenser air mover
mounting plate 58, which can then be mounted to the condenser
shroud 50. The condenser air mover 54 can be a radial fan, an axial
fan or a turbine, a variable speed backward-curved impeller, or any
air mover suitable for moving varying volumes of air.
[0029] In various embodiments, the condenser shroud 50 and the
condenser heat exchanger 70 are supported by a support frame 90.
Additionally, a compressor 94 can be supported by the support frame
90.
[0030] A housing hood 74 is mounted over the condenser shroud 50,
the condenser air mover, shroud cover and the shroud cover filter
54, 62 and 66, and the condenser heat exchanger 70, and coupled to
a housing panel 78. It should be understood that although the
housing hood 74 is referred to herein as a single structure, the
housing hood 74 can be constructed of one or more panels, e.g.,
side panels, top panel and/or front panel. The housing hood 74
defines the air intake opening 17 and a plurality of grated or
finned apertures that generally form the air output opening 19. An
air intake cover 82, including a plurality of grated or finned
apertures that generally form an air intake cover opening 86, is
mounted to the housing hood 74 to cover the air intake opening 17.
When the condenser air mover 54 is operating, air from the air
intake opening 17 passes through the condenser shroud cover 62 and
is drawn into the condenser shroud 50 from the exterior ambient
environment. The condenser shroud 50 is fabricated to have an open
bottom such that the condenser shroud 50 directs air from the air
intake opening 17 along the air passage 24. More specifically, the
condenser shroud 50 directs air through the condenser shroud 50 and
downwardly such that the air flows across the condenser heat
exchanger 70 and around and/or across the compressor 94 before
being output back into the exterior ambient environment, via the
air output opening 19. Accordingly, air flowing through the air
passage 24 cools the compressor 94.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, in various embodiments, the
condenser shroud cover 62 is formed or fabricated as a single
piece, seamless structure. For example, the condenser shroud cover
62 can be molded using thermal forming or injection molding, cast,
stamped or pressed to form a single piece structure without folded
edges or joint seams.
[0032] In addition, the condenser shroud cover 62 can be fabricated
from any suitable material such as any suitable plastic polymer or
composite, any suitable reinforced polyurethane or epoxy resin or
any other material suitable for fabricating a single piece seamless
condenser shroud cover 62.
[0033] The condenser shroud cover 62, in various embodiments
includes an inlet ring 118 defining an opening 122, and a filter
support surface 126 having a plurality of fastener openings
130.
[0034] The opening 122 allows air from the external ambient
environment to flow into the condenser assembly 34. Although the
opening 122 is circularly shaped, the opening 122 may be other
suitable shapes (e.g., ovals or rectangles) to allow air to flow
into the condenser assembly 34 without departing from the scope of
this disclosure. Additionally, the condenser shroud cover 62, in
various embodiments can include a plurality of openings that
generally form the opening 122 and allow air to flow into the
condenser assembly 34 without departing from the scope of this
disclosure.
[0035] The inlet ring 118 surrounds the opening 122 and includes
radiused surfaces 134, as best seen in FIGS. 7-8. The radiused
surfaces 134 extends toward the condenser shroud 50 and increases
the pressure at which air enters into the condenser assembly 34 and
consequently the volume flow rate of air through the condenser
assembly 34.
[0036] In various embodiments, the inlet ring 118 can be formed
integrally with the condenser shroud cover 62. However, in various
other embodiments, the inlet ring 118 can be a separate part that
is mounted to the condenser shroud cover 62, or the condenser
shroud cover 62 may not include the inlet ring 118, without
departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0037] The condenser shroud cover filter 66, in various
embodiments, can be positioned on the filter support surface 126
and secured to the condenser shroud cover 62 via a plurality of
fasteners (not shown) inserted into the fastener openings 130. The
fasteners may be any suitable fastener including, without
limitation, screws, nails, rivets or bolts.
[0038] In various embodiments, the condenser shroud filter 66 can
be any suitable filter, such as a wire screen, a HEPA or a PTFE
filter, for effectively preventing particulate matter such as
airborne dust, dirt, leaves, grass, weeds, insects, etc. from
infiltrating the condenser assembly 34. In various other
embodiments, the condenser shroud filter 66 can comprise a wire
screen, such as a hardware cloth and a particulate filter such as
HEPA or PTFE filter.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the condenser shroud cover 62
can be mounted in the condenser shroud 50. In various embodiments,
the condenser shroud cover 62 can be aligned with the condenser
shroud 50 such that a center axis A of the opening 122
approximately coaxially aligns with a center axis of the condenser
air mover 54 when the condenser air mover 54 is mounted to the
condenser shroud 50 and the condenser shroud cover 62 is mounted to
the condenser shroud 50. As best seen in FIG. 11, aligning the
condenser shroud cover 62 and the condenser air mover 54 in this
manner prevents the condenser shroud cover 62 and the condenser air
mover 54 from rubbing against each other when the condenser air
mover 54 is in operation.
[0040] In various embodiments, the condenser shroud 50 is formed or
fabricated as a single piece, seamless structure. For example, the
condenser shroud 50 can be molded using thermal forming or
injection molding, cast, stamped or pressed to form a single piece
structure without folded edges or joint seams.
[0041] In addition, the condenser shroud 50 can be fabricated from
any suitable material such as any suitable plastic polymer or
composite, any suitable reinforced polyurethane or epoxy resin or
any other material suitable for fabricating a single piece seamless
condenser shroud 50.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 10-11, in various embodiments the
condenser shroud 50 includes mounts 102 for supporting the
condenser air mover 54 and mounting surfaces 114 for supporting the
condenser shroud cover 62. The condenser air mover 54 and the
condenser shroud cover 62 can be secured to the mounts 102 and the
mounting surfaces 114, respectively, via a plurality of fasteners
(not shown) that are inserted into fastener openings 106. The
fasteners may be any suitable fastener including, without
limitation, screws, nails, rivets or bolts.
[0043] In various embodiments, the condenser shroud 50 can also
include a curved portion 110 that surrounds the condenser air mover
54. When air enters the condenser assembly 34 through the air
intake opening 17 and the opening 122 in the condenser shroud cover
62, the condenser air mover 54 pushes the air radially away from
the center of the condenser air mover 54. The air subsequently
collects in, and is then channeled downwardly by, the curved
portion 110 of the condenser shroud 50. The curved portion 110
allows air to flow from the air intake opening 17 downwardly
through the condenser assembly 34 smoothly.
[0044] The condenser shroud cover 62, in various embodiments, can
be removably mounted to the condenser shroud 50 thereby allowing
access to the condenser air mover 54 for servicing or replacing the
condenser air mover 54.
* * * * *