Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF T~E INVENTION
.
This invention relates to the apparatus and method o~ prov~d-
ing an acoustical and thermal insu~ating canopy for a motor-compressor
unit of an air conditioning system. In split a~r conditioning systems,
including an indoor and autdoor section, the outdoor sect~on whic~
includes the motor-compressor is generally mounted adjacent the structure
to be conditioned. Accordingly, the noise output of the unit and,
pr~marily, the frequency pulsations generated by the motor-compressor
can be ob~ectionable to the occupants of the area to be conditioned.
Further, the heat generated from the operation of the motor-compressor
is dissipated to the outdoor ambient. It has been recognized that, when
the heat genera~ed by the operatin~ motor-compressor is maintained in
the system, greater efficiency is attained. This is especially true in
heat pumps wherein, during the heating cycle, the system generally
lS operates at low ambient temperatures. This generated heat,~when retainedin the system, will ultimate~y be carried by the circulating refrigerant
to the indoor coil and then be rejected.
SUM~RY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide means for retaining
heat generated by the operation of the motor compressor ~Jhile, at the
same time, absorb and reduce decibel level across the whole spectrum of
frequency range.
Another object of the lnvention is to provide a canopy that
e~fectively isolates the motor compressor, both thermally and acousti-
cally, and can be installed during manufacturing process without the useof special tools or other aids.
The air conditioner is of the split unit type and includes an
indoor section having an indoor heat exchanger and air moving means for
moving indoor air throu~h the heat exchanger and an outdoor section.
3n The outdoor section includes a housing having a hermetic compressor
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shell arranged therein. The shell includes a motor-compressor that has
a suction and discharge line and electrical line means connected thereto.
A removable and replaceable open end, bell-shaped canopy surrounds the
compressor shell. 1nsulation surrounds subs~antially the entire inter~or
wall area of the canopy so that the compressor is essentially thermally
and acoustically insulated from the ambient.
The canopy includes slot means that extend from its open end
that are dimensioned`to receive the suction, discharge and electric
lines that may be attached to the compressor casin~. Cover portions are
arranged to cover the slot means. The covers have sl~ts that allow
passage of the lines and further include enlargements that accommodate
the line when the canopy is arranged on the compressor shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a split system heat pump show-
lS ing the indoor section and the outdoor section incorporating the presentinvention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the enclosure
of the present invention relative to the motor-compressor;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1
showing certain details of the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a view showing details of another embodiment of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ~lBODIrlENT
The present invention relates to a split system air condition-
ing system, including an outdoor section 10 and an indoor section 12and, more particularly, to a means for isolating the motor-compressor
unit 14 arranged in the outdoor section 10. By the present invention,
as will be fully explained hereinafter, the motor-compressor 14 is
isolated both the mally and acoustically.
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The outdoor section 10, which ~ncorporates the present in~en-
tion, includes a cabinet 16 housing an outdoor heat exchanger coil 18, a
fan 20 driven by a mntor 22, and the system motor-compressor 14. The
refr~geration system components in the indoor unit comprise the indoor
heat exchanger coil 24 and air handler 26, ~ncluding a blower 2~ for
passing air through heat exchanger coil 24. The compressor (Figure 2)
has dttached thereto a junction box 30 that includes the electric
switching devices (not shown) for operating the motor-compressor 14.
The refrigeration system (Figure 1) may be of the heat pump
bpe and may further include a reversing valve 32. When the system is
of the heat pump type operating in the heating cycle, hot gaseous
refrigerant from the discharge line 33 of the motor-compressor 14 flows
through reversing valve 32 and line 35 to the indoor heat exchanger 24
now functioning as the system condenser. The hot gaseous refrigerant is
lS desuperheated and conver~ed to liquid phase as heat is extracted by air
moving through the heat exchanger. The liquid refrigerant then flows
through an expansion device (not shown) line 37 to the outdoor coil 18
acting as the evaporator on the heating cycle and is passed in heat
exchange relationship with a supply of air under influence of fan 20.
The latter heat exchange action causes the l~quid refrigerant to
vaporize and flow as a gas back through reversing valve 32 and suction
line 38 to the compressor 14 completing the cycle.
The refrigeration system, when operating as a heating means,
requires that it function at relatiYely low outdoor ambient temperature.
The cooling effect of the relatively cold a~bient air on the refrigerant
and the system components, such as motor-compressor, causes the tempera-
ture of hot discharge sas to be lowered and, accordingly, lower the
heating output of the indoor heat e~changer operating as a condenser.
; Generally, when installing split unit air conditioners, the
3n outdoor sections are positioned in close proximity to the exterior walls
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of the enclosure to be cond~tioned so that a mtn~mum length of refrig-
erant conduits ~s employed between the indoor and outdoor sections.
This positioning of the outdoor section adjacent the enclosure can
- sometimes result in objectional no~se levels generated essentially by
A S the operating motor-compressor ~a~ reaching the enclosure.
Accordingly, by the present invent~on, a canopy or enclosure
is provided which serves to maintain the generated heat in the system
and further serves to materially attenuate the undesirable noises acco~-
panying compressor operation so that the sound issuing therefrom is
relatively quiet or subdued, non-irritating and at an acceptable decibel
level .
Referring to Figu-e 2, the compressor enclosure or canopy of
the present invention is shown generally at 34 in association with the
motor-compressor 14 and its associated junction box 30 of the air condi-
tioning system. The motor-compressor, the detaiis of which are not a
part of this invention, includes a motor and compressor unit (not shown)
enclosed in the motor-compressor housing 36. It may be noted that
refrigerant flow lines or conduits 33 and 38 for the transmiss~on of
fluid to and from the motor-compressor 14 protrude from and are con-
nected to the housin~ 36. Protruding from the junction box 30 attached
to the housing 36 is an electrical conduit or line 40, the lines being
accessible from the exterior of the enclosure 34, as shown in Figure 1.
The enclosure 34 is removably arranged on the moto~-compressor housing
36 and, by the present invention, means and a method of mounting the
enclosure on the motor-compressor are provided.
The motor-compressor enclosure 34 consists essentially of one
major component, a generally bell-shaped canopy 42 dimensioned to enclose
the housing 36 and junction box 30. Fonmed along the open end of the
canopy 42 is a flange 45 through which it may be secured to the f100r of
cabinet 16. In the present embodiment, the canopy is constructed of A8S
- polymer, but other materials may be employed. Substantially, all of the
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interior wa11 surface of the canopy 42 is covered with an ~nsulat1ng
material 60 that acoustically and thermally isolates the inter~or of the
canopy 42 from the outside amb~ent. The insulation 60 effectively
isolates against and absorbs and reduces decibel levels across the whole
S spectrum of frequency ran~e. The insulation 60, as shown in Fi~ure 2,
consists of a laminate having a first layer of mastic 62 arranged against
the walls of canopy 42 that absorbs low frequency noises and consists of
an asphalt base having a diversity of 1 lb. per sq. ft. and a second
layer of fiber glass 64 which absorbs high frequency noises and provides
thermal insulatfon.
Means are provided in the canopy 42 to accommodate the refrig-
erant lines 33 and 38 and the electrical line 40 when it is in place
over the motor-compressor, as shown in Figure 1. To this end, the
canopy is provided with slots 44 and 46. The slot 44 accommodates the
lines 33 and 38 which, in the present embodiment, are substantially in
vertical alignment so that the single slot is sufficient for both lines,
with the line 40 being accommodated in slot 46. It may be noted that,
while in the present embodiment shown, two slots are provided, the exact
configuration and number of slots are dependent on the design of the
particular motor-compressor being isolated.
Further, the size of the slots 44 and 46 is substantially
larger than the diameter of the lines 33, 38 and 40, respectively, so
that lines of varying diameters may be accommodated. Means are provided
for sealing the slots 44 and 46; accordingly, cover portions 48 and 50
are arranged over the slots 44 and 46, respectively. The covers are
secured to the canopy by an adhesive; however, any suitable means, such
as by screws 52 shown in Fi~ure 4 may be employed. The covers may be
constructed of any suitable materia1 that allows flexing to yieldably
receive the lines as the canopy is placed over the motor-compressor. In
the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1-3 t each cover portion
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~s made of two pieces 66 and 68 that are dimensioned to overlap to
lnsure a seal at the split area. In order to accommodate the
respective lines 33, 38 and 40, there are provided on the cover members
48 and 50 enlargements or lateral slots 56 at each separation edge on
both sides of the parting line 54. ~he slots 56 on pieces 66 are deeper
laterally than the cooperating slots 56 on pieces 68 so that a substan-
tial area overlaps; This overlapping provides a curtain effect such
that the enclosure or canopy can sit cver the refrigerant and electr~cal
lines extending ~rom the compressor without the use of tools or other
hardware. The members 66 and 68 yield to allow passage of the lines,
then fold back into the overlap position shown in Figure 3 and form an
acoustical seal.
the covers 48,50 may be of one-piece construction 69, as shown
in the embodiment of Figure 4, and be provided with splits or separation
parting lines 54 whose edge portions are in abutting relationship.
Means are further provided at points along the parting lines
54, such as fastening or holding tabs 58, to maintain the two parting
line edges of the cover portion in ~inm contact to thereby complete the
sealing of the motor-compressor from the outside ambient.
The first step in assembling the canopy, relative to the motor-
co~pressor, is to insure that the insulation laminate 60 and cover portions
48 and 50 are secured to the canopy 42. To this end, the interior walls
of the canopy are coated with an adhesive that will effectively secure
the laminate 60, including the mastic 62 and f~ber glass 64, to the
canopy. The cover portions are, at this time, secured to their respec-
tive slots, as stated above. With the insulation laminate 60 and cover
portions 48 and 50 so secured to the canopy, it is then lowered unto the
motor-compressor 14. As the lines 33, 38 and 40 engage the cover portions
48 and 50, they cause flexing tnereof as the lines 33, 38 and 40 pass
3~ through their respective parting lines to their appropriate enlargements 56.
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After the canopy 42 is in place over the motor-compressor 14,
as shown in Figure 1, with covers 48 and 50 in the position shown
in Figure 3, the canopy assembly is then fastened to the base
of the outdoor cabinet 16 through its lower flange 45 by screws
or other fastening means. As indicated in Figure 1 and more
clearly shown in Figure 3, the canopy 42 when positioned over the
housing 36 is dimensioned to provide a clearance between the
interior wall of canopy 42 and housing 14. It should be noted
that if the cover portions are of the overlapping type 66,68
as shown in the ~mbodiment of Figure 4, then it may be possible
to eliminate the use of the fastening tabs 58 since the over-
lapping portions may be sufficient to suppress noise and
leakage of heat from the interior of the canopy.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art
that the embodiment described heretofore is considered to be
presently preferred form of this invention. In accordance with
the Patent Statutes, changes may be made in the disclosed
apparatus and the manner in which it is used without actually
departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
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