Air conditioning apparatus

Abstract

Air conditioning apparatus, particularly for marine vessels, has an evaporator located so that minimum moisture occurs thereon at the location where there is maximum air flow thereacross to an air plenum discharge chamber. Condensate from the evaporator is automatically discharged through a sound suppressor to minimize noise. Components of the apparatus are arranged for maximum efficiency to attain miniaturization of the entire unit.

Description

This invention relates to air conditioning apparatus, and in particular apparatus of the type adapted for use on marine vessels. Apparatus of the general type involved herein is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,229. The present invention is structurally interrelated in a manner so as to be a self-contained unit having a hermetically sealed compressor and cooling water pump enclosed in a sound proofed compartment whereby the apparatus is quiet in operation.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted for use on marine vessels. The apparatus can be mounted free standing or recessed in a wall or bulkhead. In this regard, the components of the apparatus have been structurally interrelated in a manner so that the depth of the apparatus, that is distance from front wall to back wall, is small compared with the width and height of the unit. In a commercial embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is 18 inches wide, 26 inches high, and less than 10 inches deep.

The apparatus of the present invention includes a housing having an air inlet means and at least one air outlet means. The evaporator is positioned in the housing adjacent the air inlet means for cooling the air which enters the housing. An intermediate wall in the housing is located adjacent the elevation of the upper end of the evaporator and divides the interior of the housing into a plenum chamber thereabove and an inlet chamber therebelow.

The plenum chamber communicates directly with the outlet means which may be in the form of a grill on the front wall of the housing or through a separate duct to a grill on a bulkhead remote from the housing. An air blower means is provided in the plenum chamber so that a maximum amount of air flowing across the evaporator from the inlet means contacts the upper portion of the evaporator. A minimum amount of moisture accumulates at the upper portion of the evaporator. Likewise, the smallest portion of the air stream contacts the lower portion of the evaporator where the maximum amount of moisture accumulates. Hence, a minimum amount of moisture is carried by the air stream off the evaporator and into the interior of the housing of the apparatus of the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes a single motor drive for the air blower wheel and the fluid pump which is used to pump water through a heat exchanger. The water which is pumped through the heat exchanger may be sea water. These relationships are attained while permitting air flow over the motor thereby allowing high operating loads and having a completely self-contained apparatus which only requires a connection for electrical power and a pair of connections for input and discharge of cooling water.

The apparatus of the present invention is structurally interrelated in a manner which facilitates ease of installation while at the same time has test connections for servicing and maintenance which are readily accessible without moving the apparatus. Thus, maintenance may be attained merely by moving the front wall of the apparatus and any air filter associated therewith. Water connections may be horizontal or vertical. The compressor is located out of the direct forced air stream so as to limit internal heat transfer. The interior apparatus utilizes a minimum amount of floor space, has a minimum depth dimension and is sufficiently small in its overall dimensions so that it may be free standing on the floor or recessed within a wall or bulkhead. Thus, the apparatus may be installed by persons having minimal skill.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel air conditioning apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel air conditioning apparatus primarily for marine applications and structurally interrelated in a manner so as to minimize the size of the apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel air conditioning apparatus structurally interrelated in a manner so as to facilitate ease of installation and maintenance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide air conditioning apparatus structurally interrelated in a manner whereby maximum air flow across an evaporator occurs at an area where there is minimum condensation on the evaporator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel air conditioning apparatus which contains a plenum chamber to facilitate discharge of treated air at two or more locations.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 but on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 in FIG. 1 but on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a flow diagram used in the apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an air conditioning apparatus in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10. The apparatus 10 is designed to condition air by cooling or heating the same. For purposes of this disclosure, the components will be shown and discussed, primarily, in connection with air conditioning apparatus for cooling and dehumidifying air and returning the same to the room.

The apparatus 10 includes a housing having a front wall 12 containing horizontally disposed louvers 14 associated with an opening whereby air may flow into the housing as indicated by the arrows 15 and 17. The front wall 12 also includes an air outlet means defined by an opening having louvers 16 whereby air may discharge therefrom in the direction of arrow 18. The front wall 12 also has means for receiving the associated control knobs 20 and instructions utilized in operating the apparatus 10.

The housing of the apparatus 10 also includes a top wall 22, side walls 24 and 26, and a bottom wall 28 coupled together to form an open housing shell 25. The front wall 12 is adapted to be removably coupled to the housing shell 25 on one open side thereof by use of releaseable coupling members such as screws. The opposite open side of the housing shell 25 is adapted to be closed by means of a rear wall 30 detachably coupled thereto in a similar manner. The housing shell 25 includes an intermediate wall 32.

Within the housing shell 25, there is provided a coil-type evaporator or condenser 34 juxtaposed to the inlet opening containing the louvers 14. Air may flow through the inlet opening between louvers 14 across the lower portion of the evaporator 34 as indicated by arrow 15 while most of the air flows across the upper portion of the evaporator 34 as indicated by the arrow 17. A condensate collection pan 36 is disposed beneath the evaporator 34. The evaporator 34 is connected to the housing shell by brackets 38.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the intermediate wall 32 has an opening 40 defined by an upwardly and radially inwardly directed flange. The opening 40 is closer to side wall 24 than side wall 26. A blower wheel 42 is supported above wall 32 for rotation about a vertical axis. Wheel 42 has its suction side adjacent to the opening 40 and is connected to a motor 44 by way of shaft 46. A pump 48 is connected to and driven by another shaft of the motor 44. The wheel 42, motor 44 and pump 48 are supported as a unit by a plurality of brackets 50 releaseably bolted to the wall 32.

The space within the housing shell 25 above the wall 32 constitutes an air plenum chamber 54. Within the chamber 54 there is provided a wheel housing 52 having a discharge opening 53. Housing 52 is supported by the wall 32 in a manner so that the discharge opening 53 is directed toward the far corner defined by the intersection of walls 26 and 30. A vane 55 is mounted on the wall 32 opposite the opening 53 to cause part of the air to be deflected toward the louvers 16. In this manner, it is not possible to extend a tool or other device through the louver 16 into the blower wheel 42. At the same time, the air flow pattern is quiet and substantially uniform in its discharge through the louver 16.

A compressor 56 is supported within the housing shell 25 adjacent the intersection of the walls 26 and 30 so as to be remote from the opening 40 in the intermediate wall 32. In this manner, the compressor 56 is physically located out of the main flow stream of air whereby heat losses are minimized. Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 4, the compressor 56 on its discharge side is connected by a conduit 60 to a four way valve 58 having a solenoid actuator 64. Conduit 60 is provided with a high pressure safety cut off 62 which shuts off the compressor 56 when the pressure in conduit 60 exceeds a predetermined maximum.

The valve 58 includes a slide valve member 66 adapted to control flow from conduit 60 to the exit conduits 68, 70, and 72. The valve member 66 is shown in the position it occupies when the apparatus is utilized as an air conditioner. If the apparatus 10 is used as a means for heating air, the valve member 66 is moved to the phantom position shown in FIG. 4.

In the solid line position of the valve member 66 as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge side of the compressor 56 is in communication with conduit 72. Conduit 72 contains a low pressure cut off 74 for shutting off the compressor 56 if the pressure in conduit 72 is below a predetermined minimum during the operation of the system in a heating mode.

The end of conduit 72 remote from the valve 58 is connected to one end of a coil forming the part of the heat exchanger 76. The pump 48 has its suction side connected to a source of cooling water by way of inlet conduit 77. Conduit 77 preferably is connected to a water scoop below the water line on the hull of the boat as shown in FIG. 7 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,229. The pressure side of pump 48 is connected to conduit 78 containing a coil forming a part of the heat exchanger 76. Beyond the heat exchanger 76, the conduit 78 contains an ejector 80 having its outlet end connected to a discharge conduit 79. Conduit 79 preferably extends overboard for discharge of water at an elevation substantially below the elevation of the apparatus 10.

A condensate collection conduit 82 extends from the pan 36 to the throat of the ejector 80. Conduit 82 includes a sound suppresser device 84 for muffling the sound of condensate flowing therethrough. Such muffling is obtained by baffles and/or preferably by open cell synthetic rubber filter media which also absorbs sound in a manner which per se is known to those skilled in the art. Between the sound suppresser device 84 and the throat of the ejector 80, conduit 82 includes a one way check valve. Thus, the pump discharge is utilized to remove condensate from the pan 36 in a manner which is quiet during operation and reliable.

As mentioned above, conduit 72 is connected to one end of a coil forming a part of heat exchanger 76. The other end of that coil is connected to conduit 86 which extends between the heat exchanger 76 and evaporator 34. Conduit 86 includes a strainerdryer 88 and a strainer 90 with capillary tubing 92 disposed therebetween. Other known devices may be used in place of capillary tubing.

The coil of evaporator 34 has one end connected to conduit 86. The other end of the coil is connected to conduit 68 which is one of the exit conduits from the valve 58. In the solid line position of the valve member 66, conduit 68 communicates with conduit 70 which connects to the suction side of the compressor 56.

The air conditioning apparatus 10 of the present invention is adapted to be free standing on a floor. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may be recessed behind a wall or bulkhead of the vessel such as wall 94. See FIG. 3. Bracket 96 on wall 32 may be coupled to any convenient wall surface 100 by means of fasteners extending through the opening 98 in the rear wall 30.

The apparatus 10 may also be secured to the floor in a releaseable manner by way of the bracket 102 having prongs 104. The prongs 104 extend into a slot or opening of the housing shell and are releaseably snapped over a tongue 105. Further, a front mounting bracket 106 may be removably bolted to the housing shell and the floor in a manner so that the front wall 12 overlaps the same.

As pointed out above, the chamber 54 is an air plenum chamber from which air may discharge forwardly through the louvers 16 in the direction of arrow 18 so that it may be returned to the room. As an optional feature, the housing shell 25 may have one or more openings, 108 in the walls 22, 24, 26 and/or 30 so that part of the air from the plenum chamber 54 may be directed through each opening to mating conduit 110. Conduit 110 communicates with a discharge grill on a wall or walls of the same or other compartments on the boat.

All plastic conduits such as conduit 78 are wire-bound so as to prevent kinking at turns in the conduit. Access to the internal components is readily attained by removing either the front wall 12 or the rear wall 30. The conduits 77 and 79 may be orientated for vertical or horizontal disposition and the electrical power cord 112 may exit from the housing shell in a horizontal or vertical direction through the side or rear walls of the housing in the apparatus 10. The entire interior of the housing of the apparatus 10 is provided with sound and heat insulation to minimize noise and to minimize heat losses.

For purposes of miniaturization and for maximum efficiency, the various components of the apparatus 10 are strategically located. For example, the compressor 56 is spaced at the opposite end of the housing from the opening 40. Also, the blower wheel 40 is located with respect to the heat exchanger 34 whereby the maximum air throughout will be adjacent the upper end of the evaporator 34 at which location there is minimum moisture in the form of condensation. At the same time, the lower end of the evaporator 34 will have the maximum amount of moisture in the form of condensation but will be subjected to the minimum air flow whereby a minimum amount of moisture will be carried into the housing by the air.

The coils on the evaporator 34 are preferably provided with fins so as to enlarge the surface area. As a conventional liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator 34, it expands into a gaseous state thereby absorbing large quantities of heat and cooling the coils of the evaporator 34. Hence, air flowing across the coils of the evaporator 34 is cooled, dehumidified, and recirculated back to the room by way of the plenum chamber 54.

The liquid refrigerant in the gaseous state is then transmitted to the suction side of the compressor 56 by way of conduits 60 and 70. Compressor 56 compresses the refrigerant and discharges it under pressure to a first coil of heat exchanger 76 by way of conduits 60 and 72. The sea water flowing through a second coil of heat exchanger 76 under the influence of pump 48 cools the refrigerant flowing in the first coil and causes the refrigerant to liquify and flow through conduit 86. The capillary tubes 92 in conduit 86 provide control of the liquified refrigerant flow. The liquified refrigerant is then recirculated through the evaporator 34 wherein it expands into its gaseous state and the cycle repeated.

When operating as a source of heated air, to be discharged through the space between the louvers 16, valve member 66 is shifted to the phantom position shown in FIG. 4 whereby conduits 72 and 70 communicate directly with one another by way of the valve 58. This shifting of valve member 66 will place conduit 60 in direct communication with conduit 68. The sequence of events when the apparatus 10 is in the heating mode will be obvious to those skilled in the art especially in view of the above description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

A replaceable cleanable foam filter 116 is preferably provided between front wall 12 and evaporator 34. The connection between bracket 50 and wall 32 preferably includes a vibration dampener 114. The housing shell 25 and the walls 12, 30 are preferably made from a lightweight noncorrosive material such as a polymeric plastic. The louvers 16 preferably include independently adjustable vertical and horizontal members so that the direction of air flow may be adjusted as desired.

The above mentioned dimensions for the housing are typical for a unit which produces a cooling effect of 12,000 BTU. A proportionate increase in the dimensions may be utilized for a larger size unit while a housing depth which is substantially less than the width and the height of the unit is maintained.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

It is claimed:

1. Compact air conditioning apparatus comprising a housing having an air inlet means and at least one air outlet means, an evaporator positioned in the housing adjacent the air inlet means for cooling air which enters the housing there through, an intermediate wall in said housing adjacent the upper end of said evaporator, said wall dividing the interior of said housing into an upper plenum discharge chamber and a lower cooling chamber containing said evaporator, said wall having an opening, air blower means in said plenum chamber with suction side adjacent to said opening so that the maximum air disturbances produced in the cooling chamber occur adjacent the top of said evaporator, motor means located in said cooling chamber adjacent said evaporator and below said opening for energizing said air blower, and said upper plenum chamber communicating with said outlet means.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means dividing said lower cooling chamber into first and second discrete compartments, said means dividing located adjacent the lower end of said evaporator, a heat exchanger in one of said compartments, a compressor, said evaporator and said motor means in the other compartment, conduit means defining a close circuit for a liquid refrigerant between said compressor and said heat exchanger and said evaporator, and means including conduits for enabling sea water to be pumped through said heat exchanger and discharged overboard from a vessel.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the depth of said housing is substantially less than the width of the housing, a compressor in said housing adjacent one end thereof, said opening in said intermediate wall being adjacent an opposite end of said housing.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said outlet means includes two discrete outlets from said plenum chamber, and a conduit connected to one of said outlets for transmitting air from the plenum chamber to a remote discharge point spaced from the housing.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including a motor and pump coupled together and supported within said housing in depending relation from said intermediate wall, said motor being coupled to said blower means and, said pump, means for collecting condensate from said evaporator, and means for effecting withdrawal of collected condensation by said pump.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including valve means in said conduit for alternately operating said evaporator in a heating or cooling mode, a high pressure cutoff in said conduit means for the discharge side of said compressor, and a low pressure cutoff in said conduit means between said valve means and said heat exchangers.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the depth of said housing is substantially less than the width of said housing.

8. Compact air conditioning apparatus comprising a housing having an air inlet means and at least one air outlet means, an evaporator positioned in the housing adjacent the air inlet means for cooling air which enters the housing there through, an intermediate wall in said housing adjacent the upper end of said evaporator, said wall dividing the interior of said housing into an upper plenum discharge chamber and a lower cooling chamber containing said evaporator, said wall having an opening, blower means associated with said opening for causing air to flow through said inlet means across said evaporator to said plenum chamber for discharge through said outlet means, means mounting said blower means at an elevation so that most of the warm air entering said inlet chamber flows across the upper end portion of said evaporator.