AU747796B2 - Evaporative air conditioner - Google Patents
Evaporative air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU747796B2 AU747796B2 AU66025/98A AU6602598A AU747796B2 AU 747796 B2 AU747796 B2 AU 747796B2 AU 66025/98 A AU66025/98 A AU 66025/98A AU 6602598 A AU6602598 A AU 6602598A AU 747796 B2 AU747796 B2 AU 747796B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- air conditioner
- housing
- roof
- water
- base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Description
WO 98/40678 PCT/AU98/00163 EVAPORATIVE AIR CONDITIONER The present invention relates to an evaporative air conditioner.
The present invention relates particularly to an evaporative air conditioner that conforms to the roofline of a house.
Conventional domestic air conditioners comprise: a housing defined by side walls, a base, and a top wall, with one or more of the side walls comprising water absorbent porous panels; (ii) a water distribution system to supply water to the panels; (iii) a fan for drawing air into the housing via the panels such that the air is cooled via heat exchange with water in the panels; and (iv) an outlet for discharging cooled air from the housing into ductwork for distributing the cooled air.
Conventional domestic air conditioners are usually roof-mounted, with the housing being supported well above the roof-line by means of a hollow dropper 02/04 '02 TUE 18:56 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA [006 S2 tube which also defines part of the ductwork for supplying cooled air to a house. The positioning of the housing well above the roof-line makes the conventional domestic air conditioners a prominent feature of houses that, in many instances, detracts from the overall appearance of houses and is an adverse factor on marketing of conventional air conditioners.
An object of the present invention is to provide 0 a roof-mounted evaporative air conditioner which is not as prominent as conventional domestic roof-mounted air .conditioners.
According to the present invention there is S. 15 provided an evaporative air conditioner mounted on an inclined roof of a house, the air conditioner including: a housing defined by: *e* 20 a base which conforms to the pitch of the roof and includes an outlet for air to flow from the housing into ductwork; (ii) a plurality of vertical side walls extending from the base, with at least one side wall including a water absorbent panel that defines an inlet for air to flow into the housing; and (iii)a top wall; 02/04 '02 TUE 18:57 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 1007 3 a water distribution system for supplying water to the panel, the system including a water trough formed in a lower section of the base; and a fan assembly for drawing air into the housing via the panel(s) so that the air is cooled by evaporating water in the panel(s).
The present invention is based on the So realisation that forming an evaporative air conditioner having a housing with a base that conforms generally to the pitch of a roof and side walls that extend 15 vertically when the air conditioner is mounted to the roof makes the air conditioner compatible with and not a prominent feature of the roof. In particular, the present invention makes it possible to minimise the spacing of the top wall of the housing above the roof.
o The term "pitch" is understood herein to have the same meaning as in The New Shorter Oxford Dictionary, Volume 2, page 2226, V122(C), namely the inclination of a sloping roof or of rafters to the horizontal.
It is preferred that the base be located on or a short distance only above the roof-line of the roof.
It is preferred that the top wall of the housing be generally horizontal.
It is preferred that the base include a 02/04 '02 TUE 18:57 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 4- IPAUSTRALIA []008 3a generally wave-like configuration when viewed in side elevation, with a convex lower section, a concave middle section, and a convex upper section. The applicant has found that the wave-like configuration enables the base to match closely a range of different roof pitches.
It is preferred that the air conditioner includes a collar which is connected to the roof and defines a support for the housing and other components *o
S
e *o WO 98/40678 PCT/AU98/00163 4 of the air conditioner and a transition between the outlet of the housing and the ductwork.
It is preferred particularly that the collar be mounted to the roof frame.
It is preferred particularly that the collar be at least substantially located below the roof-line.
It is preferred that the air conditioner includes a suspension system for suspending the housing and other components of the air conditioner in position above the roof-line.
It is preferred particularly that the suspension system be mounted to the collar.
It is preferred that the suspension system includes: a support arm extending upwardly from the collar to each upper corner section of the housing; and (ii) a suspension member extending downwardly from the upper section of each corner and connected to the base.
It is preferred that the air conditioner further includes a brace element extending between the collar and the lower end of each suspension arm.
The applicant has found that positioning 02/04 '02 TUE 18:57 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUTSTRALIA a 010 5 support members, suspension arms, and brace members to form a plurality of triangular assemblies results in a particularly effective support structure.
It is preferred that the water distribution system includes a water trough formed in a lower section of the base.
i It is preferred that the water distribution 10 system includes a water distribution tray positioned in a.
an upper section of the housing and arranged to e: distribute water to the panel(s).
It is preferred that the water distribution 15 system further include a means for pumping water from the water trough to the water distribution tray.
It is preferred that the water distribution system be adapted to supply different flow rates of water to each panel. This is an important feature in a situation where the air conditioner comprises panels in the upper and lower side walls of the housing so as to enable the water supply to the panels to be adjusted to take into account the different sizes of the panels.
According to the present invention there is also provided an evaporative air conditioner for mounting to an inclined roof of a house, which air conditioner includes: a housing defined by: a base which has an outlet for air flow from the housing; a plurality of side walls extending 02/04 '02 TUE 18:58 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA 0011l S6 upwardly from the base, with at least one side wall having a water absorbent panel that defines an inlet for air flow into the housing; and a top wall; wherein the housing is formed so that the base conforms to the pitch of the roof and defines an upper section and a lower section and the side walls extend vertically when the air conditioner is located on the roof; S*e a water distribution system for supplying So. water to the panel, the water distribution system including: a water 15 trough formed in the lower section of the 94 9 base when the air conditioner is located on the inclined roof; and .o• a fan assembly for drawing air into the housing via the panel for cooling air by evaporating water in the panel.
It is preferred that the housing further includes a top wall that is adapted to extend .horizontally when the air conditioner is positioned on the roof.
It is preferred that the base includes a generally wave-like configuration when viewed in side elevation, with a convex lower section, a concave middle section, and a convex upper section.
It is preferred that the air conditioner further 02/04 '02 TUE 18:58 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK *44 IPAUSTRALIA o012 6a includes a water distribution system.
It is preferred particularly that the water distribution system includes: a water trough formed in a lower section of the base; 0 9 0 0 0@ @000 *000 0 0 0* 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 00 0000 0ooo 0 00 0 0 0 0 ooo oooo *o ooo oooo '10 (ii) a water distribution tray positioned in a upper section of the housing for supplying water onto an upper edge of the panel(s); and (iii) a means for pumping water from the water trough to the water distribution tray.
It is preferred that the base include an outlet for air to flow from the housing into ductwork.
WO 98/40678 PCTIAU98/00163 7 It is preferred that the air conditioner further includes a collar for supporting the housing and other components of the air conditioner which is adapted to be connected to the roof frame of the house and to define a transition between the outlet in the base and the ductwork.
It is preferred that the air conditioner further includes a fan for drawing into the housing via the side wall panel(s) and for discharging air from the housing via the outlet.
It is preferred that the fan be mounted to the collar.
The present invention is described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of an evaporative air conditioner in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section through the air conditioner; Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 in Figure 2.
The preferred embodiment of the evaporative air 02/04 '02 TUE 18:58 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA [013 S8 conditioner shown in the figures is mounted on an inclined roof 11 of a house and is operable to supply cooled air via ductwork 25 to the rooms of the house, With reference to the Figures, the evaporative air conditioner includes a housing, generally identified by the numeral 3, having a base 5, 4 side walls including water absorbent porous panels 7, and a top wall 9.
With particular reference to Figure 2, the housing is constructed so that, in use, when the evaporative air conditioner is mounted on the roof 11, the base 5 conforms closely to the pitch of the roof 11, 15 the side wall panels 7 extend vertically, and the top wall 5 extends horizontally. This construction of the housing 3 makes the evaporative air conditioner compatible with and not a prominent feature of the roof 11. In particular, unlike many conventional air 9 9 20 conditioners that are mounted on dropper tubes that locate the air conditioners well above the roof-line, the air conditioner shown in the figures is located close to the roof-line.
As is evident from the figures, the air conditioner has 3 different sizes of side wall panels 7 due to the sloping base 5. Specifically, the forwarding facing panel 7; the rearwardly facing panel 7; and the 2 side facing panels 7 are different sizes.
With reference to Figure 1, in order to ^accomodate a range of pitch variations, while intaining compatibility of the air conditioner with 02/04 '02 TUE 18:58 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA 1014 8a the roof 11, the base 5 includes a wave-like configuration in side elevation, with a convex lower section 13, a concave middle section 15, and a convex upper section 17.
Whilst not an essential feature of the present e WO 98/40678 PCT/AU98/00163 9 invention, an important feature is that the structural components of the preferred embodiment of the air conditioner are located in or underneath the housing 3 so that the principal purpose of the visible exterior construction of the roof-mounted housing is to optimise the compatibility of the air conditioner and the roof 11.
With reference to Figure 2, the air conditioner includes a collar 19 located underneath the base 5 that is connected by bolts (not shown) or other suitable means to the roof 11, and more particularly to the roof frame 21, and defines a support for the housing 3 and the other components of the air conditioner.
The base 5 of the housing 3 is formed with an opening 23 which defines an outlet for cooled air from the housing 3. The collar 19 is aligned with and forms an extension of the outlet opening 23 and provides a mounting surface for the ductwork 25 so that, in use, cooled air from the housing 3 flows via the outlet opening 23 and the collar 19 into the ductwork 25 and, thereafter, is distributed to the rooms of the house.
The air conditioner further includes a water distribution system for distributing water to the side wall panels 7.
The water distribution system includes a water distribution tray 35 mounted in an upper section of the housing 3. With particular reference to Figure 3, the tray 35 has a central opening 47 which defines an inlet for supplying water to the tray 35. Furthermore, the WO 98/40678 PCT/AU98/00163 10 tray 35 has a slightly downwardly sloping surface over which, in use, water flows towards the periphery of the tray 35. The tray 35 further includes an upwardly extending wall 39 at the periphery of the tray 35 and a series of water outlets 37 inboard of the wall 39. The outlet openings 37 are positioned so that, in use, water from the inlet opening 47 flows through the outlet openings 37 onto the upper surface of the side wall panels 7.
The water distribution system further includes a water trough 41 in the lower section of the base 5, and a means (not shown) for pumping water from the water trough 41 to the inlet in the tray 35. In use, the water trough 41 receives water from a main supply (not shown) and as runoff from the side wall panels 7.
The water distribution system is adapted to supply different flow rates of water to the side wall panels 7 to take into account the different sizes of the panels 7.
The evaporative air conditioner further includes a suspension system for supporting the housing 3 and other components of the air conditioner from the roof 11.
The suspension system includes: 4 support members 29 that are connected to the collar 19 and extend upwardly from the collar 19 to the upper corners of the housing 3; and WO 98/40678 PCT/AU9/00163 11 (ii) 4 suspension arms 31 which are arranged so that one suspension arm 31 extends downwardly from each support member 29 and is connected at a lower end to the base In effect, the housing 3 and other components of the air conditioner are suspended via the abovedescribed suspension system.
In order to further strengthen the support for the housing 3, the air conditioner further includes 4 brace members 33 that extend generally horizontally outwardly from the collar 19 and are connected to the lower ends of the suspension arms 31.
Each assembly of the support members 29, the suspension arms 31 and the brace members 33 define a triangular structure that is a particularly effective support for the air conditioner.
The air conditioner further includes an axial fan (not shown) positioned in the collar 19 and operable to draw air into the housing 3 through the side wall panels 7 and to force cooled air through the outlet opening 23, the collar 19, and the ductwork The air conditioner further includes water management and electronic control systems 51 for controlling the operation of the air conditioner located in a chamber 53 moulded in the base WO 98/40678 PCT/AU98/00163 12 The above-described preferred embodiment of the air conditioner of the present invention operates efficiently and effectively.
Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. An evaporative air conditioner mounted on an inclined roof of a house, the air conditioner including: a housing defined by: of a base which conforms to the pitch 10 of the roof and includes an outlet for air to flow from the housing into ductwork; (ii) a plurality of vertical side walls 15 extending from the base, with at least one side wall including a water absorbent panel that defines an inlet for air to flow into the housing; and (iii)a top wall; a water distribution system for supplying water to the panel, the system including a water trough formed in a lower section of the base; and a fan assembly for drawing air into the housing via the panel(s) so that the air is cooled by evaporating water in the panel(s).
2. The air conditioner in claim 1 wherein 02/04 '02 TUE 18:59 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA 14 the base is located on or a short distance only above the roof-line of the roof.
3. The air conditioner defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the top wall of the housing is generally horizontal.
4. The air conditioner defined in claim 1 wherein the housing is defined by 4 vertical side walls, e. 10 with each of a forwardly facing side wall, (ii) a rearwardly facing side wall, and (iii) two side facing side walls being different sizes. The air conditioner defined in claim 4 15 wherein the 4 side walls include water absorbent panels. 9
6. The air conditioner defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base includes a generally wave-like configuration when viewed in side elevation.
7. The air conditioner defined in claim 6 wherein the base includes a convex lower section, a concave middle section and a convex upper section when viewed in side elevation.
8. The air-conditioner defined in any one of the preceding claims includes a collar which is connected to the roof and defines a support for the housing and other components of the air conditioner and a transition between the outlet of the housing and the ductwork. @o016 02/04 '02 TUE 18:59 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA [017 15
9. The air conditioner defined in any one of the preceding claims further includes a suspension system for suspending the housing and other components of the air conditioner in position above the roof-line. The air conditioner defined in claim 9 wherein the suspension system is mounted to the collar. 10 11. The air conditioner defined in claim wherein the suspension system includes: a a support arm extending upwardly from the collar to each upper corner section of 15 the housing; and *a. (ii) a suspension member extending downwardly from the upper section of each corner and connected to the base.
12. The air conditioner defined in claim 11 further includes a brace element extending between the collar and the lower end of each suspension arm whereby the support members, the suspension arms, and the brace members to form a plurality of triangular support structures.
13. An evaporative air conditioner for mounting to an inclined roof of a house, which air conditioner includes: _L a housing defined by: a base which has an outlet for air flow from the housing; a 02/04 '02 TUE 18:59 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444t IPAUSTRALIA INo18 16 plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base, with at least one side wall having a water absorbent panel that defines an inlet for air flow into the housing; and a top wall; wherein the housing is formed so that the base conforms to the pitch of the roof and defines an upper section and a lower 10section and the side walls extend 1 10 vertically when the air conditioner is located on the roof; a water distribution system for supplying 1. water to the panel, the water 15 distribution system including: a water trough formed in the lower section of the base when the air conditioner is located seeo. on the inclined roof; and a fan assembly for drawing air into the housing via the panel for cooling air by evaporating water in the panel.
14. The air conditioner defined in claim 13 wherein the housing further includes a top wall that is adapted to extend horizontally when the air conditioner is positioned on the roof. The air conditioner defined in claim 13 of claim 14 wherein the housing is defined by 4 side walls, with each of: a forwardly facing side wall, (ii) a rearwardly facing side wall, and (iii) two side facing side walls being different sizes. 02/04 '02 TTE 19:00 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA 01019 17
16. The air conditioner defined in claim wherein the 4 side walls include water absorbent panels.
17. The air conditioner defined in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the base includes a generally wave-like configuration when viewed in side elevation. S- 18. The air conditioner defined in claim 17 10 wherein the base includes a convex lower section, a o concave middle section, and a convex upper section. *O 9
19. The air conditioner defined in any one of claims 13 to 18 further includes a water distribution 15 system.
20. The air conditioner defined in claim 19 wherein the water distribution system includes; S a water trough formed in a lower section of the base; (ii) a water distribution tray positioned in a upper section of the housing for supplying water onto an upper edge of the panel(s); and (iii) a means for pumping water from the water trough to the water distribution tray.
21. The air conditioner defined in any one of claims 13 to 20 further includes a collar for supporting Lthe housing and other components of the air conditioner 02/04 '02 TUE 19:00 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 444 IPAUSTRALIA 1020 18 which is adapted to be connected to the roof frame of the house and to define a transition between the outlet in the base and the ductwork.
22. A roof mounted evaporative air conditioner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23. An evaporative air conditioner for o 10 mounting to an inclined roof of a house substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. SDated this 2nd day of April 2002 15 BRIVIS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia S
555.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU66025/98A AU747796B2 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1998-03-12 | Evaporative air conditioner |
| AU15470/99A AU706726B3 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1999-02-05 | Evaporative air conditioner |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPO5625A AUPO562597A0 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1997-03-12 | Evaporative air conditioner |
| AUPO5625 | 1997-03-12 | ||
| PCT/AU1998/000163 WO1998040678A1 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1998-03-12 | Evaporative air conditioner |
| AU66025/98A AU747796B2 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1998-03-12 | Evaporative air conditioner |
Related Child Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU15470/99A Division AU706726B3 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1999-02-05 | Evaporative air conditioner |
| AU10038/01A Division AU733026B3 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 2001-01-03 | Evaporative air conditioner |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU6602598A AU6602598A (en) | 1998-09-29 |
| AU747796B2 true AU747796B2 (en) | 2002-05-23 |
Family
ID=25634978
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU66025/98A Ceased AU747796B2 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1998-03-12 | Evaporative air conditioner |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU747796B2 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4369148A (en) * | 1981-07-20 | 1983-01-18 | Hawkins Warren H | Supplantary reservoir for evaporative cooler |
| AU1789395A (en) * | 1994-05-05 | 1995-11-16 | Brivis Climate Systems Pty Ltd | An evaporative air conditioning system |
-
1998
- 1998-03-12 AU AU66025/98A patent/AU747796B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4369148A (en) * | 1981-07-20 | 1983-01-18 | Hawkins Warren H | Supplantary reservoir for evaporative cooler |
| AU1789395A (en) * | 1994-05-05 | 1995-11-16 | Brivis Climate Systems Pty Ltd | An evaporative air conditioning system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU6602598A (en) | 1998-09-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |