AU2008100094A4 - Airconditioning arrangement - Google Patents

Description

P/00/009A Section 29

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Invention Title: AIRCONDITIONING ARRANGEMENT Applicant: ICS Industries Pty Ltd The invention is described in the following statement: 2 00 AIR CONDITIONING ARRANGEMENT SField of the Invention ct The present invention generally relates to an air conditioning arrangement. The invention is particularly applicable for split system type air conditioning units and it will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application and could be used in other similar 00oo air conditioning arrangements.

Background of the Invention The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

Most air conditioning units work on a simple refrigeration cycle where a heat transfer medium, typically a gaseous medium, undergoes a cycle including a compression step, heat transfer step(s) and an expansion step. In this respect, the heat transfer medium is compressed to increase its pressure and temperature. The hot heat transfer medium is then passed through a first heat exchange arrangement (a condenser), to dissipate its superheat and then passed through an expansion valve to rapidly lower its pressure and temperature. The cooled heat transfer medium is then passed through a second heat exchange arrangement (an evaporator), to cool air in its proximity.

Split system air conditioning units separate the steps of the refrigeration cycle into two operatively connected units, one of which is located indoors and one of which is located outdoors. The outdoor unit includes the compressor and the condenser which cools the hot heat transfer medium in the outdoor environment. Thus, hot air is discharged outside. The indoor unit includes the U. ECPPatet Spedfr Pmisonats\A wndl goning uWvtr wnditoning affangemfen Irwiovation final oc 0 evaporator which functions to discharge cool air into the indoor environment.

0 The expansion valve can be in either the indoor or outdoor unit.

Traditionally, the outdoor unit and indoor unit are manufactured as separate units and are operatively connected when the split system air conditioning unit is installed at a selected location. In order to operatively connect the indoor and outdoor units, an electrician is required to electrically link the units and a plumber is needed to form a fluid connection between the units using one or more fluid conduits, and charge the fluid conduits and units 00oo with a heat transfer medium. In the case of the heat transfer medium c comprising a gas, the system then needs to be filled with the gas and pressurised.

As can be appreciated, it can be difficult and expensive to obtain the services of an electrician and plumber to install a traditional split system air conditioning unit in remote areas such as for example the Australian outback.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an alternative split system air conditioning unit arrangement that can be more easily installed in such remote areas.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning arrangement including: an indoor unit which includes a housing and at least a first heat exchanger for cooling air proximate thereto, wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to be releasable received within the housing, thereby allowing the housing and first heat exchanger to be installed separately at a selected location.

Accordingly, an air conditioning arrangement according to the present invention provides an indoor unit which has a housing that can be installed into a selected location, and at least a first heat exchanger that can be subsequently UECRPatenI Specftatlom mmislonalsII codnOlorng unbtvr oodtoning mangnmern I-mvalion fna.d=c 00 installed. If this first heat exchanger is operatively connected to an outdoor unit

C

C prior to installation at the selected location, the outdoor unit need only be

(N

F installed in an outdoor location and the heat exchanger secured into the Shousing in order to install the air conditioning arrangement at the selected M 5 location. As can be appreciated, an electrician and plumber can operatively connect a number of outdoor units and first heat exchangers at a first location such as a manufacturing or an assembling factory, and then these operatively connected indoor and outdoor units can be taken to the selected location or locations (possibly one or more remote locations) and installed. The electrician 00oo C 10 and plumber need not to travel to those selected locations for the installation N process.

The housing can be any suitable body into which the first heat exchanger can be received. Preferably, the housing is a box like sl:ructure having one or more sections or compartments therein. In some embodiments, the housing includes one or more passages through which air can flow.

The first heat exchanger can be releasably received within the housing using a number of structures or configurations. In one embodiment, the housing includes at least one opening through which the first heat exchanger is slidingly received within the housing. In a preferred configuration, the housing includes a mounting structure therein onto which the first heat exchanger can be releasably mounted. The first heat exchanger can therefore be inserted into a section of the housing and mounted on the mounting structure. Various mounting structures can be used, ranging from brackets, platforms, fastening clips, cooperating flanges and the like. In one preferred embodiment, the mounting structure includes at least one rail that cooperates with one or more sides of the first heat exchanger. Of course, the first heat exchanger can be releasably secured to the mounting structure using any/ number of fasteners, including clips, bolts, screws, ties, wire, snap fasteners, removable adhesive or the like. In other embodiments, the first heat exchanger includes one or more components that have a friction fit or interference fit with a cooperating component in the housing in order to secure the first heat exchanger to the mounting structure.

U \ECPaPmem Spe ,ansPreiSionaIS3AA triord und Air 00rntioing a neraont- I boO finai.doc 00 SIt is preferable to be able to seal the first heat exchanger within the Shousing in order to optimise the function of the indoor unit. Preferably, the seal is an airtight seal. Accordingly, the housing can include at least one releasably sealable opening through which the first heat exchanger can be mounted within the housing. In some embodiments, the releasably sealable opening cooperates with a panel or door associated with the first heat exchanger.

Preferably, the panel or door is connected to the first heat exchanger. Again, the panel or door can be releasably secured to the housing using any number of 00 0 10 fasteners, including clips, bolts, screws, ties, wire, snap fasteners, removable C adhesive or the like. In some embodiments, a sealing member such as for example a flexible seal is used between the housing and the panel/door to enhance the seal therebetween.

The function of the first heat exchanger is to transfer energy from air proximate to the first heat exchanger to the heat transfer medium and thereby cool this air. In this form, the first heat exchanger can be an evaporator unit. In another embodiment, the first heat exchanger can be used to transfer energy from the heat transfer medium to air proximate to the first heat exchanger and thereby heat the air. In other forms, the first heat exchanger can be used to both heat and cool air proximate to the first heat exchanger.

The first heat exchanger can be any suitable type of heat transfer device, including coil type heat exchangers, pipe type heat exchangers, plate type heat exchanger or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the first heat exchanger includes a plurality of pipes which include a fins to increase the heat transfer area between the pipes/fins and the proximal air.

In each form the first heat exchanger includes, in operation, a heat transfer medium that flows through the first heat exchanger. The temperature of heat transfer medium can be changed by a thermal transfer unit that is operatively connected to the first heat exchanger. The thermal transfer unit can be a cooling unit, a heating unit or a combination of a cooling and heating unit.

When used to cool the air, the heat transfer medium can be cooled by a cooling U ECRPftem Specfka tobUPrvi1onM1sAir 1ondfloning wdu r mndiboning arangmen1 Imovahon finadoc unit that is operatively connected to the first heat exchanger. Accordingly, the Sheat transfer medium can be a refrigerant gas such as for example Freon, F tetrafluoroethane, trifluoromethane, octafluorocyclobutane, difluoroethane, c- dichlorodifluoromethane, or tetrafluoromethane.

The first heat exchanger can be operatively connected to the thermal heat transfer unit at a selected time during or prior to installation of the air 0conditioning arrangement at the selected location. However, the first heat exchanger is preferably operatively connected to a thermal transfer unit prior to 00 0 10 installation of the air conditioning arrangement at the selected location, N particularly when installing the air conditioning at a remote location. As noted previously, an electrician and plumber therefore need not to travel to the selected location for the installation process if connection occurs prior to installation. This can significantly reduce the costs associated with installation of such air conditioning units in remote locations.

As can be appreciated, the operative connection can include a number of connections between the first heat exchanger and thermal transfer unit depending on the configuration or each component. Preferably, the operative connection between the thermal transfer unit and the first heat exchanger includes at least one electrical connection and at least one fluid connection. In the case of a gaseous heat transfer medium, the fluid connection would include one or more gas connections between the first heat exchanger and thermal transfer unit.

The operatively connected thermal transfer unit can be any suitable unit capable to one or both of heat or cooling the heat transfer medium. For example, in some embodiments, the thermal transfer unit includes a boiler or similar heating unit for heating the heat transfer unit. The thermal transfer unit can in some embodiments include a cooling device for cooling the heat transfer medium. In one preferred embodiment, the heat transfer unit includes a compressor that is in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger. The compressor is also in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the a second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first heat U AECPPatert Spific~bom mvksonadslr wndioning unhtar wnditoning anwngmem Inovaton inal.doc 0 exchanger. The heat transfer unit can further include a fluid expansion valve Swhich is in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and also in fluid F communication with the second heat exchanger. Preferably, the first heat exchanger, compressor, fluid expansion valve and second heat exchanger form a circuit that functions as refrigeration cycle.

The air conditioning arrangement can be any form of air conditioning system. Preferably, the air conditioning arrangement is a split system air conditioning system. In such an embodiment, the operatively connected 00oO 10 thermal transfer unit is preferably an outdoor unit designed to be located at an N outdoor environment at or near the indoor unit at the selected location.

Air can pass through and/or around the first heat exchanger by natural flow or using forced convection. Of course, forced convection will provide more consistent heat transfer between the heat transfer medium and the air proximate to the first heat exchanger. Accordingly, it is preferable for the indoor unit to include a fan for drawing air through the heat exchanger.

The air conditioning arrangement of the present invention can be used to replace existing air conditioning units in selected buildings. In this respect, it can be desirable to replace traditional window air conditioning units with a splitsystem air conditioning arrangement according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the housing preferably has a box-like configuration having substantially similar dimensions to a traditional window mounted air-conditioning unit.

The indoor unit of the air conditioning unit ideally includes air passages within the housing which allows air to flow into and out of the housing.

Preferably, the housing of the indoor unit includes at least a first air inlet through which air can enter the housing from an indoor environment where the indoor unit is located and an air outlet through which air can exit the housing, the first air inlet and the air outlet being in fluid communication through the heat exchange unit. In some forms, the housing is configured with the first air inlet U %ECPPatent Specir %Pmvlsona1S\Air Wrddloun unf air wniliionlng aranxeent lInn3ton fnal.doc 00 and air outlet on one side of the housing. In other forms, the housing is C) configured with the first air inlet and air outlet on different sides of the housing.

SThe housing can include at least a second air inlet through which air can enter the housing from an outdoor environment. Accordingly, the indoor unit can be used to direct air from an outdoor environment directly into the indoor environment. This can be desirable if the air condition of the outdoor environment is of a desirable humidity and temperature, say for example 18'C and a relative humidity of less than 30%. Of course, it may be desirable to 00oO C 10 switch between introducing air from the outdoor environment and N cooling/heating air from the indoor environment using the indoor unit.

Accordingly, the housing can preferably include a diverter arrangement configured to selectively direct air flow to the air outlet from one or both of the first air inlet or the second air inlet.

In some embodiments, the housing can include at least a second air outlet in fluid communication with the first air inlet. The second air outlet is preferably in fluid communication with an outdoor environment. The indoor unit can therefore be run on an economy mode where air can be directed from an outdoor environment directly into the indoor environment via a fluid passage between the second air inlet and the first air outlet and exhaust air can pass through the first air inlet to the second air outlet.

The housing can include a fluid passage connecting both the first air inlet and the second air inlet to the air outlet and the diverter arrangement includes a movable component in the fluid passage that can be selectively moved to direct air flow to the air outlet from one or both of the first air inlet and the second air inlet. Preferably, where the housing includes at least a first air outlet and a second air outlet, the movable component can be selectively moved between a first configuration where air is directed from the first air inlet, through the heat exchange unit to the first air outlet and a second configuration where air is directed from the second air inlet from an outdoor environment to the first air outlet to an indoor environment and where air from the indoor environment is directed through the first air inlet and out of the second air outlet to the outdoor U ECP Patent SpedflcmnslPmvisonal5'Ar 00rdibo, uratWr wfUtfling aanoemnt Innov2on finaldoc environment. The second configuration therefore allows an air flow to pass into and out from the indoor environment through the housing. The movable F component can be any member or part that can seal one air passage between the first air inlet and air outlet, and the second air inlet and air outlet. For S 5 example, in some embodiments, the movable component is a flexible flap. In other embodiments, the movable component is a sliding door. In yet another 0 embodiment, the movable component is a venetian blind type arrangement. In Sone preferred embodiment, the movable component comprises a plate that is 0 pivotable about a pivot point.

00oo 0 N Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 is a first perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioning system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the indoor unit shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the indoor unit along a plane defined by line A-A of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the indoor unit along a plane defined by line B-B of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the indoor unit shown in Figure 1 with the chilled heat exchange unit partially removed from the unit's housing.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the indoor unit shown in Figure 1 with the chilled heat exchange unit of the indoor unit shown in Figure 1 when fully removed from the unit's housing.

U:%ECP\'atem SpodficaiWiPm isona2sr ondlionin unnar c tnditodg arrngement Innonation final.do 00 (N Figure 7 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of the indoor F unit according to the present invention.

Detailed Description Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown two perspective views of the exterior configuration of the housing 12 of an indoor unit 10 for an air conditioning arrangement according to the present invention. Although not 00oo 0 10 illustrated, it should be appreciated that the indoor unit 10 can be operatively 1 connected to an outdoor unit (not illustrated) having a compressor, condenser, expansion valve and fan to form a functioning split system air conditioning unit.

The illustrated indoor unit 10, has a rectangular box shaped housing 12 designed to replace an existing window air conditioning unit installed in a window or custom hole made in a building. The housing 12 has four fixed side walls 14, a fixed rear wall 15 and a removable grill front face 16. The front face 16 has a square grid grill pattern designed to allow air to flow through the front face 16. The front face 16 covers the air inlet opening 18 and air outlet opening 20 of the indoor unit 12. The front face 16 is connected to the fixed section of the housing, specifically side wall 14A through two hinges 20. A fastening clasp (21 in Figure 4) fixes the opposite side of the front face 16 to side wall 14B when the front face 16 is closed. The front face 16 also includes two vertical brackets 22 which can be used to attach the housing 12 into a desired position.

For example screws can be fastened through the bracket 22 and into a cooperating section of a wall of a building to secure the housing 12 in place in a desired position in the building.

As can be best seen in Figure 2, one side wall 14A includes a removable rectangular panel 24. This panel 24 is releasably sealed to the housing 12, and more specifically side wall 14A, and as will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 6 covers an opening through which an evaporator unit in Figures 3 to 6) can be releasably mounted within the housing 12.

U:\ECPPatem Specflc1 \PmOnngomlsAlt ndrdo unmadr onditionig wamngem ert. Innovatof flna.doc 0Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a picture showing how Sthe evaporator unit 30 is received within an opening 32 within side wall 14A of Sthe housing 12. As shown in Figure 6, the evaporator unit 30 is a rectangular Sshaped device that functions as a heat exchange unit to transfer energy 5 between a heat transfer medium contained within the evaporator unit 30 and air proximate to the evaporator unit 30. To this end, the evaporator unit includes a plurality of interconnected heat transfer tubes 36 running along the length of the unit 30. The tubes 36 include a gaseous heat transfer medium, such as for example Freon. Heat transfer fins 38 are also included to enhance 00 0 10 heat transfer area between the tubes 36 and the surrounding air.

The evaporator unit 30 also includes an electrical connection (not illustrated) that can be used to electrically connect the evaporator unit 30 to an electrical power supply and a fluid conduit outlet 41 that can accommodate at least two fluid conduits (not shown) which can be used connect the heat transfer tubes 36 to the fluid system of an outdoor unit (not shown). The electrical connection can be located in any desired position on the panel 24 and could be recessed or located internally within the housing 12. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the fluid conduits would be used to link the evaporator unit 30 to an outdoor unit of a split air conditioning system to complete the refrigeration cycle circuit of this system, with the evaporator unit being in fluid communication with a circuit including a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the evaporator unit 30 is designed to be completely removed from the housing 12 through the opening 32. As can be appreciated, the evaporator unit 30 can be mounted within the housing 12 at a suitable time during installation of the overall air conditioning arrangement.

Figure 3 and 4 show the internal components of the housing 12 of the indoor unit 10. As shown in Figure 4, the internal configuration of the housing 12 is broken into three distinct sections, being the inlet section 40 which includes the evaporator unit (when mounted therein), a diverter section 42, and an outlet passage 44.

U IECP'PateM Sped aiPros~onaISAir condwinin undLar onoroWmn arrnement Innovaon flna.doc 00 O The inlet section 40 is the section of the housing through which air is F sucked onto the housing 12 to be conditioned by the evaporator unit 30. As is best shown in Figure 4, the inlet section 40 includes a rail 46 on which the evaporator unit 30 is mounted when received within the housing 12. The illustrated rail 46 is simply a rectangular shaped platform on which the base of the evaporator unit 30 is seated. As shown in Figure 5, the evaporator unit 0includes two vertical flanges 48 that extend downwardly from the base of the ievaporator unit 30. The flanges 48 are configured to cooperate with the sides oo 00 0 10 of the rail 46 to laterally seat the evaporator unit 30 onto the rail 46.

c Accordingly, the evaporator unit 30 can be slide into and out from the housing 12 on the rail 46.

The diverter section 42 is located rearwardly (relative to orientations shown in Figure 4) of inlet section 40. This section is essentially an empty space in the housing 12 where the air flowing from the inlet section 40 can take a 90 degree turn upwardly to be drawn into the outlet passage 44. The diverter section 42 therefore provides a fluid connection between the inlet section and outlet passage 44.

The outlet passage 44 is in fluid connection with the diverter section 42 through a fan 50. The illustrated fan 50 is a simple turbine blade type fan mounted in square fan mounting bracket 52 which is used to suck air from the diverter section 42 and blow this air through the outlet opening 20. The suction created also sucks air through the inlet opening 18 and through the evaporator unit 30. As can be appreciated, the resulting forced convection enhances heat transfer between the air moving through the evaporator unit 30 and the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer tubes 36. As shown by the arrows in Figure 4, air is therefore sucked into the housing 12 through the inlet opening 18, into the inlet section 40 where the air passes through the evaporator unit 30 where, in this case it is cooled by the evaporator unit thereafter the air is diverted to the outlet passage 44 via the diverter section 42, passes through the fan 50 and expelled out of the housing 12 through the outlet opening 20. It should however be appreciated in other embodiments that the U\ECPNPalem Specft ,,dUPrvLsionais r oxnin g unftmmr nDrlloniong anmngernpen Ivnovabnof final Soc 0 evaporator unit 30 could also be used to heat air flowing through the evaporator unit Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement of an indoor unit 100 C 5 according to the present invention. Given the similarity to the embodiment of the indoor unit 10 shown in Figures 1 to 6, the same reference numerals have been used for the same parts plus 100. It should be appreciated that the preceding description of components equally applies to this illustrated embodiment.

o00 N The functioning of this indoor unit 110 is very similar to that described for the indoor unit 10 shown in Figures 1 to 6. In this respect, the illustrated indoor unit 110, also includes a rectangular box shaped housing 112 having four fixed side walls 114, a rear wall 115 and a removable grill front face 116. The front face 16 has a square grid grill pattern designed to allow air from an indoor environment to flow through the air inlet opening 118 and air outlet opening 120.

Each of the air inlet opening 118 and air outlet opening 120 are located in use in fluid communication with the indoor environment of the location where the indoor unit 100 is located. However, in this case the rear wall 115 also has a square grid grill pattern designed to allow air to flow through a rear inlet opening 158. The rear inlet opening 158 is located in use in fluid communication with the outdoor environment. As shown, rear inlet opening 158 includes a filter member 159 used to filter out any particles entrained in the outside air is drawn into the housing 112 through the rear inlet opening 158. Additionally, the base of the housing 112 includes a base outlet opening 165 which in use is located in fluid communication with the outdoor environment.

Again, one side wall 14A includes a removable rectangular panel 124 that covers an opening through which an evaporator unit 130 is releasably mounted within the housing 112. The evaporator unit 130 also includes an electrical connection (not shown) that can be used to electrically connect the evaporator unit 130 to an electrical power supply and a fluid conduit outlet 141 that can accommodate at least two fluid conduits (not shown) which can be used connect the evaporator unit 130 to the fluid system of an outdoor unit (not U \ECPPaterl SpeCfif=WnSPPronvasjos1IAr ondhoning undkWr odor1ong arangement Irmvatifn finaldoc shown). Again, the electrical connection can be located in any desired position Son the panel 124 and could be recessed or located internally within the housing F 112. Again, the internal configuration of the housing 112 is broken into three distinct sections, being the inlet section 140 which includes the evaporator unit C 5 130 (when mounted therein), a diverter section 142, and an outlet passage 144 including a fan 150 mounted in a fan bracket 152.

0 However, unlike the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, the diverter 0 section 142 includes a movable diverter panel 160. The diverter panel 160 is 00 0 10 fixed in position within the diverter section 142 on a pivot mount 162. The N diverter panel 160 can be rotated between two positions to divert flow to the outlet from either the front inlet opening 118 or from the rear inlet opening 158.

In this respect, the diverter panel 160 has a square configuration that is designed to substantially block air flow when orientated on a diagonal within the diverter section 142 from one of the front inlet opening 118 or the rear inlet opening 158.

In the illustrated position, position A, the diverter panel 160 is blocking air flow between the front inlet opening 118 and outlet passage 144, and is allowing air flow between the rear inlet opening 158 and outlet passage 144 as shown by arrows G and air flow between the front inlet opening 118 and base outlet opening 165 as shown by arrows H. The evaporator unit 130 does not function when the diverter panel 160 is in position A, but rather allows air (exhaust air) to flow from the indoor environment to the outside environment following the path H.

If the diverter panel 160 is rotated to position B, as shown by the dotted lines in the diverter section 142, air would be sucked into the housing 112 through the inlet opening 118, into the inlet section 140 where the air passes through the evaporator unit 130 and then diverted to the outlet passage 144 via the diverter section 142 and through the outlet opening 20. Conversely, the diverter panel 160 would block air flow between the rear inlet opening 158 and outlet passage 144 and between inlet opening 118 and base outlet opening 165 UAIECPPatem Spocflcom oPmLinaISMAir onditioninQ unlitar oondonlng affa m Innovation inal doe 0 and therefore allow air to pass through the front inlet opening 118, through the Sevaporator 130 thereby conditioning the air and then through the outlet 120.

Ct SThe diverter panel 144 is moved using a manual lever (not shown) attached though the pivot mount 162.

As should be appreciated, the configuration of indoor unit 110 shown in Figure 2 can be used to direct air from an outdoor environment directly into the indoor environment. This can be desirable if the air condition of the outdoor 00oO 0 10 environment is of a desirable humidity and temperature, say for example 18'C c and a relative humidity of less than 30%. The indoor unit can then be run on an economy mode when the diverter is in position A with outdoor air being blown into the indoor environment along path G and exhaust air exiting from the indoor environment to the outdoor environment along path H. If the air condition of the outdoor environment is not suitable, the diverter panel 160 can be moved to allow the indoor air to be conditioned by the evaporator unit 130 without any outdoor air entering the indoor environment.

Accordingly, an air conditioning arrangement according to the present invention provides an indoor unit 30, 130 which has a housing 12, 112 that can be installed into a selected location. Thereafter, the evaporator unit 30, 130, can be installed. If this the evaporator unit 30, 130 is operatively connected to an outdoor unit prior to installation at the selected location (for example the evaporator unit 30, 130 being operatively connected to an outdoor unit of a split air conditioning system to complete the refrigeration cycle circuit of this system, with the evaporator unit 30, 130 being in fluid communication with a circuit including a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve), the outdoor unit need only be installed in an outdoor location and the evaporator unit 30, 130 secured into the housing 12, 112 in order to install the air conditioning arrangement at the selected location. As can be appreciated, an electrician and a plumber can operatively connect a number of outdoor units and evaporator units 30, 130 at a first location, and then these operatively connected outdoor units and evaporator units 30, 130 can be taken to the selected location U\ECPPatem SpeafiC m vksxnaSlA\ onr onng unalr ooxtlomng aangemeenl- Ilovatin final cc 16 0 (possibly a remote location) and installed. The electrician and plumber need Snot to travel to the selected location for the installation process.

It should be appreciated that the air conditioning arrangement 10, 110 S 5 shown in the Figures could further include filters over or proximate to each of the inlets 18, 118 and 115, the outlet 120 and/or around the fan 50, 150 in order to filter particles being drawn into or flowing out from the air conditioning 0 arrangement 10, 110.

oO 0 10 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein 0 N is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Throughout the description and claims of the specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

U :ECP\Pate Sped n'Proviis~OnaasA ondiVordng urMar oodmaninQ waen Imvabon flnal.doc

Claims (3)

1. 3. An air conditioning arrangement according to any preceding claim, further including an outdoor unit designed to be located in an outdoor environment, the outdoor unit being operatively connected to the first heat exchanger, the outdoor unit including a compressor that is in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger each of which are in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger.
2. 4. An air conditioning arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the first heat exchanger is operatively connected to the outdoor unit prior to installation of the air conditioning arrangement at the selected location.
3. 5. An air conditioning arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes at least a first air inlet through which air can enter the housing from an indoor environment where the indoor unit is located, at least a second air inlet through which air can enter the housing from an outdoor environment and an air outlet through which air can exit the housing, the first air inlet and the air outlet being in fluid communication through the heat exchange unit and wherein the housing includes a diverter arrangement configured to selectively direct air flow to the air outlet from one or both of the first air inlet or the second air inlet. U ECPaPlert Spedrca1 onsP i~OlnaIs Ott.onin un \ir nditioning angreren Inovatlon finaldoc