GB2361055A - An air conditioning unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A unit 10 for use in an air conditioning system is provided, the unit 10 comprising two separable subunits 12, 14 with the first subunit 12 including both a refrigerant evaporator coil 18 and a refrigerant condenser coil 20. The unit can thus be disassembled if necessary, to allow passage through smaller openings than otherwise. A condenser fan assembly 34 is provided in the second subunit. The subunits may be electrically connected by means of a plug and socket arrangement provided on the subunits. A number of air outlet ducts 30, 32 may be provided to direct air to different locations around a building.

Description

1 2361055 1 AIR CONDITIONING to The present invention relates to an

apparatus for use in air conditioning; and in particular to an easilyassembled air conditioning unit composed of a number of subunits.

There is a growing trend in many regions of the world install domestic dwellings with air conditioning systems. A typical domestic air conditioning system draws warm air from outside or from within a dwelling through a heat exchanger, and passes or returns the cooled air into the dwelling. An air conditioning system typically comprises a substantially self-contained air conditioning unit which contains a fan for moving air, and a refrigeration system for facilitating heat exchange.

Due to the nature of air conditioning units, typically a utilitarian metal structure coupled to various air ducts, an attempt is often made to conceal the unit from visibility. The noise produced by a working unit may also encourage their location remote from living spaces. In existing dwellings, being fitted with air conditioning for the first time, it is often convenient to locate the air conditioning unit in the loft space, or other unused area; particularly as such dwellings rarely have other suitable locations for installation.

However, access to loft spaces is generally relatively difficult, being for example through a ceiling hatch barely 0 2 large enough for a person to pass through. Air conditioning units, on the other hand, may be relatively bulky, and hence unable to pass through a typical access hatch to the loft without resorting to structural alterations of the building.

Attempts have been made to reduce the size of air conditioning units; however, a minimum size is imposed by the requirements of providing a sufficient air flow and sufficient heat transfer area to allow the unit to condition air satisfactorily.

It is among the objects of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or alleviate these and other disadvantages of conventional units.

According to the present invention, there is provided a unit for use in an air conditioning system, the unit comprising at least two separable subunits, wherein a first subunit includes a refrigerant evaporator and a refrigerant condenser.

The unit may subunits, in order and subsequently relatively easy to restricted access condenser in the domestic air conditioning therefore be disassembled into smaller to allow passage through small openings, reassembled. The unit is therefore install in a loft, crawl space, or other space. Provision of the evaporator and same subunit allows all the refrigerant carrying tubing to be integral to a single subunit, so reducing the risk of damage to the tubing and avoiding the need for specialised installation and fitting of the unit.

1 c C is 3 There is further no need for the installer to assemble fluid-tight connections, or to handle refrigerant fluid.

Preferably, the unit is divided longitudinally, such that the subunits, may be of the same length and width as the unit, but of lesser depth. The subunits may be of similar dimensions.

An advantage of this longitudinal split of the unit into two subunits is that it allows the main heat transfer elements (the evaporator and condenser) to be effectively designed with optimum face area and minimal depth. It is not possible to provide this advantageous configuration in a unitary system when constrained by the limitations of loft hatch dimensions. This optimisation facilitates good heat transfer and air flow while minimising pressure drop through the elements which in turn reduces the fan power required and noise.

A further benefit is a reduced weight of each subunit making handling, for example through a loft hatch, easier.

Preferably the refrigerant evaporator comprises a coil, although other evaporator. arrangements may be utilised if desired.

Preferably the refrigerant condenser comprises a coil, although other condenser arrangements may be utilised if desired.

Preferably, a second subunit includes a condenser fan assembly for directing air across the condenser. The second subunit may also include an evaporator fan assembly, although preferably an evaporator fan assembly is provided c 4 is in the f irst subunit.

Preferably one or both subunits also comprise controls or relays for the unit; conveniently, these controls are located in the second subunit.

Preferably one subunit comprises an electrical plug, and the other subunit comprises a corresponding electrical socket for providing electrical connection between the two subunits. Provision of electrical connections in the form of a plug and socket enables the two subunits to be integrated on installation without difficulty, and without the need for soldering or fixing of cables. More preferably all electrical connections between the subunits are routed through a single plug and socket.

Preferably, the first subunit includes a partition between the evaporator and the condenser. This serves to prevent mixing of air between the evaporator and condenser, which could affect the heat transfer properties of the unit.

Preferably the second subunit includes a partition to prevent mixing of air within the subunit.

Preferably the first subunit includes a condenser warm air outlet, and a cool air delivery outlet from the evaporator. Preferably either or both of the delivery and condenser outlets are provided with an air duct, which directs air away from the subunit. Conveniently, a plurality of cool air delivery outlets are provided, to direct cool air to a plurality of ducts and subsequently to a plurality of locations, for example, different rooms c around a house.

Preferably the second subunit includes a condenser cool air inlet, and a return air warm air inlet to the evaporator. Preferably, the condenser inlet takes air from around the unit, for example from the loftspace, or from outside, while the return inlet takes air from within the dwelling. Preferably the return inlet is provided with a duct to direct air towards the inlet. Preferably the second subunit includes an air filter adjacent the return inlet, in order to remove particulates from the air. Additional filters may also be provided in the subunits as desired.

In some embodiments, the unit may also comprise an electric heating coil, in order to provide warm air if desired. Alternatively, or in addition, the unit may comprise means for reversing the usual flow of refrigerant around the unit, such that the unit may act to transfer heat from outdoors to the indoors air, to provide warm air.

Alternatively, or in conjunction with any of the aforementioned aspects, a heat exchanger may be located in the compressor discharge line for the purpose of heat recovery to the hot water system of the dwelling, thus increasing the total energy efficiency of the dwelling.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figure, which shows an air conditioning unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

1 6 The figure shows an air conditioning unit 10 comprising a f irst subunit 12 and a second subunit 14, held together by a number of latches 16, and connected by an electrical connector plug and socket (not shown), The first subunit 12 houses a refrigerant evaporator coil 18 and a refrigerant condenser coil 20, separated by a partition 22. Immediately in front the evaporator coil 18 is mounted an evaporator fan assembly 26, for directing air over the evaporator coil 18. Adjacent and downstream from the condenser 20 is a refrigerant compressor 28.

on the external face of the f irst subunit 12 are a number of air outlets 29,31, connected to air ducts 30,32. Four cool air outlets 29 and ducts 30 communicate with the evaporator coil 18, and serve to supply cool air to the building; whilst a warm air outlet 31 and duct 32 transport warmed air from the condenser 20 to the outdoor environment.

The second subunit 14 houses a condenser fan assembly 34 for directing air over the condenser 20 in the first subunit 12; and a filter 36 for removing particulates from the incoming air stream. Electrical controls, switches and relays (not shown) are also located within the second subunit in the space adjacent the filter 36. The upstream side of the subunit 14 is provided with condenser cool air and return air inlets 38, 40, and a return warm air duct 41. The subunit 14 is internally partitioned at 24 to separate the condenser and evaporator air streams.

In order to install the apparatus in, for example, a 0 is 7 loftspace, the subunits 12, 14 may be transferred separately to the loft, through a relatively small area access hatch, and then fastened together by means of latches 16. A single plug and socket, as described above, serves to electrically connect both subunits. Once the ducts 30, 32, 41 have been fitted to the vents 29, 31, 40, and the unit connected to a power supply, the unit is ready for use.

In use, warm return air is drawn through the duct 41 and inlet 40 and across the filter 36 by the evaporator fan assembly 26, and across the refrigerant evaporator coil 18, where the air is cooled. The cooled air then is distributed to rooms of the house via the outlets 29 and ducts 30.

In order to cool the refrigerant fluid, cool air from the loftspace or outside is drawn through the inlet 38 by the fan 34, and across the condenser 20, containing compressed refrigerant. The warmed air is returned to the outside via the outlet 31 and duct 32.

For use in colder weather, a heating element may be provided in the second subunit, in order to provide warm air for distribution to the house. Alternatively, the direction of flow of refrigerant fluid within the first subunit 12 may be reversed, thereby warming the air being directed into the ducts 30.

It can be seen from the foregoing that this embodiment of the present invention provides a simple and robust multi-part air conditioning unit which can be easily 0 8 assembled and disassembled without risk of refrigerant leakage.

It will also be apparent to those of skill in the art that the above described embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention, and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (24)

1. A unit for use in an air conditioning system, the unit comprising at least two separable subunits, wherein a first subunit includes a refrigerant evaporator and a refrigerant condenser.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein the unit is divided longitudinally.

3. The unit of claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the subunits is of substantially similar length and width as the unit.

4 The unit of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the subunits are of similar dimensions.

5. The unit of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the refrigerant evaporator comprises a coil.

6. The unit of any of claims 1 to refrigerant condenser comprises a coil.

wherein the

7. The unit of any preceding claim wherein a second subunit includes a condenser fan assembly for directing air across the condenser.

8. The unit of any preceding claim wherein an evaporator fan assembly is provided in the first subunit.

is

9. The unit of any preceding claim wherein one or both subunits also comprise controls or relays for the unit.

10. The unit of any preceding claim wherein one subunit comprises an electrical plug, and the other subunit comprises a corresponding electrical socket for providing electrical connection between the two subunits.

11. The unit of claim 10 wherein all electrical connections between the subunits are routed through a single plug and socket.

12. The unit of any preceding claim wherein the first subunit includes a partition between the evaporator and the condenser.

13. The unit of any preceding claim wherein the second subunit includes a partition to prevent mixing of air within the subunit.

14. The unit of any preceding claim wherein the first subunit includes a condenser warm air outlet, and a cool air delivery outlet from the evaporator.

15. The unit of claim 14 wherein either or both of the 11 delivery and condenser outlets are provided with an air duct, which directs air away from the subunit.

16. The unit of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein a plurality of cool air delivery outlets are provided, to direct cool air to a plurality of ducts and subsequently to a plurality of locations.

is

17. The unit of any preceding claim wherein the second subunit includes a condenser cool air inlet, and a return air warm air inlet to the evaporator.

18. The unit of claim 17 wherein the condenser inlet takes air from around the unit and the return inlet takes air from within a dwelling.

19. The unit of claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the return inlet is provided with a duct to direct air towards the inlet.

20. The unit of claims 17 to 19, wherein the second subunit includes an air filter adjacent the return inlet, in order to remove particulates from the air.

21. The unit of any preceding claim, further comprising an electric heating coil, in order to provide warm air if desired.

12

22. The unit of any preceding claim, further comprising means for reversing the usual flow of refrigerant around the unit, such that the unit may act to transfer heat from outdoors to the indoors air, to provide warm air.

23. The unit of any preceding claim wherein a heat exchanger is located in the compressor discharge line for the purpose of heat recovery to a hot water system of a dwelling.

24. An air conditioning unit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawing.