NL2027152B1 - Insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit for use in a heat or cold generating system, such as a heat pump system or an air conditioner system, wherein the insulating container comprises: — a housing comprising at least one sidewall and a bottom wall for defining a space for containing said outdoor unit; — an inlet for letting air into said housing, and; — an outlet for letting air out of said housing, wherein the outlet is distinct from the inlet.

Description

Insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit The present invention relates to an insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit. The invention farther relates to a method for isolating such an outdoor unit.

In a heat or cold generating system, such as a heat pump system or an air conditioner system, use is made of an outdoor unit which functions as heat exchanger. In air conditioning systems, condenser units are used which are typically placed outside the building containing the room the system is arranged to cool. Also heat pump systems for heating, or generally conditioning, a room in a building typically use an outdoor unit as heat exchanger. Such an outdoor unit typically comprises a housing containing a heat exchanger and at least one ventilator for directing air through said heat exchanger.

Itis a problem that these outdoor units, in particular the ventilators or other moving components thereof, make noise, which may lead to nuisance. It is a goal of the present invention, next to other goals, to at least partially solve this problem, next to other problems, and/or to provide an improved insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit. This goal, amongst other goals, is met by a method according to appended claim 1. More specifically, this goal, amongst other goals, is met by an insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit for use in a heat or cold generating system, such as a heat pump system or an air conditioner system, wherein the insulating container comprises: - a housing comprising at least one sidewall and a bottom wall for defining a space for containing said outdoor unit; - an inlet for letting air into said housing, and; - an outlet for letting air out of said housing, wherein the outlet is distinct from the inlet.

By arranging an outdoor unit in the space, the housing forms a sound-insulating barrier, such that any nuisance is reduced. For providing sufficient air to the outdoor unit, the housing comprises two conduits for air, preferably an inlet for air and an outlet for air. To improve the efficiency of the outdoor unit, the conduits, preferably the inlet and the outlet, are preferably distinct. Mixing of inlet air with outlet air is then preferably prevented.

To improve the resistance to weather conditions, in particular precipitation, the housing preferably comprises a bottom wall. Preferably said bottom wall closes the lower end of the housing. Entry of water from the bottom, for instance groundwater or as the result of heavy rainfall, is then prevented. Furthermore, the bottom wall can keep the container, or the outdoor unit in particular when supported by the bottom wall, in place. Moreover, the bottom wall can prevent the container or the outdoor unit from sinking into the ground in case the ground is muddy.

Although the container may be provided with a fixed top wall to enclose the spacing, it is preferred if the container farther comprises a removable top cover configured to cover said space. The space, and particular the outdoor unit in said space, is then accessible for instance for maintenance.

The top cover is preferably movable, relative to the housing, between a covered state, in which said space is covered, and an uncovered state, in which said space is uncovered. The top cover is preferably dismountable from the housing for easy access.

For efficient support of the top cover, one or more supporting elements are preferably protruding from an upper side of the housing, wherein the one or more supporting elements are configured to support the top cover. A robust container is obtained if the top cover comprises a rigid surface, preferably sufficiently rigid to support a person. As such, the container can be safely integrated with its surroundings without a person stepping on it being a problem.

To further reduce the nuisance of the outdoor units, also from a visual point of view, it is preferred if the container is at least partly buried. This reduces the visibility, while also the noise is further reduced. Preferably at least the upper part, for instance the top surface of the container, remains free, i.e. unburied. Preferably, the side wall and the bottom wall are buried, preferably substantially completely.

The container is then preferably arranged to be at least partly buried, wherein the inlet and/or outlet are arranged at the upper region of the container, for instance in the top surface or wall of the container. Preferably, at least one sidewall comprises a recess for receiving ground. This improves the retention in the ground.

When a removable top cover is used, it is preferred if the inlet and/or the outlet are provided in the top cover. This way, maintenance of the inlet or outlet, e.g. unclogging, can be easily performed when the top is removed.

Preferably, the inlet and/or the outlet comprise a plurality of slits. The slits can be formed in such a way so as to ensure a sufficient outflow velocity of air flowing out of the container to prevent the air flowing out from flowing back into the container via the inlet, which would lower the efficiency of the outdoor unit placed inside the container. The plurality of slits may be provided in the top cover and/or the sidewall.

According to a preferred embodiment, the inlet and outlet are arranged at an edge region of the top cover, wherein the sidewall comprises a flange for receiving said edge region of said cover, wherein said flange comprises a weir mechanism configured for preventing liquid from entering the housing via at least one of the inlet and the outlet. Any liquid entering the inlet or outlet is then blocked from entering the space. Preferably, the flange is arranged at the top end of the sidewall, wherein said flange extends outwardly with respect to the space. The flange may for instance be arranged to be supported on the ground surface when buried. Alternatively, the weir mechanism is provided elsewhere in the container, for instance in the top. In addition, the flange may extend inwardly with respect to the space to provide a more compact container. It is preferred if the inlet and the outlet are arranged above the flange in connected state of the top cover. Any precipitation entering the inlet or outlet then ends up on the flange and can thus be prevented from entering the space. To further improve the drainage, the flange comprises a sloping surface sloping in a direction away from said space. According to further preferred embodiment, the housing comprises an opening provided in adjacency of the bottom wall and configured for draining the housing. Any liquid in the space can then be drained. The efficiency of the outdoor unit is further improved if the container comprises a separating member provided in the housing, wherein the separating member is configured to delimit the space in a first chamber for containing said outdoor unit and a second chamber, separated form said first chamber. Preferably, the separating member comprises an opening to allow a flow of air between the first chamber and the second chamber. The opening may be arranged and dimensioned to match the shape and position of a ventilator of the outdoor unit, such that air can be moved through the opening between the chambers.

Preferably, each of the chambers has at least one associated conduit for air allowing movement of air between the respective chamber and the outside. Air then flows from the outside through the inlet in a chamber, through the outdoor unit and the opening in the separating member, to the other chamber and subsequently out of the housing through the outlet. The first chamber for instance comprises the inlet and the second chamber may comprise the outlet.

To further improve the efficiency of the outdoor unit, the container preferably comprises an air flow guiding member provided in the housing, wherein the guiding member comprises a sloped guiding surface arranged facing upward. In case an outdoor unit is positioned in the housing such that, when active, it creates a flow of air towards the guiding member, the guiding surface is configured to guide the air flow upwardly toward the outlet. This way, air flowing out of the outdoor unit is guided away from the housing to prevent the mixing of an air outflow and an inflow of air into the outdoor unit.

Preferably, the separating member comprises an upright wall member defining the first and second chambers. Preferably, the wall member extends perpendicular to the bottom wall. The wall member preferably extends up to the top cover to form the enclosed chambers. To provide additional support to the top cover, an upper end of the wall member is arranged to support the cover top.

Efficient placement of a removable top cover is obtained when a lower surface of the top cover and the upper end of the separating member are provided a cooperating connection mechanism, wherein said connection mechanism preferably comprises a substantially V-shaped ridge for receipt in a correspondingly shaped channel. Such connection mechanism has the additional advantage of preventing air leakage via the upper end of the separating member from the first to the second chamber or vice versa. Moreover, the V-shaped channel allows thermal expansion or contraction of the ridge upon relative temperature changes in the top with respect to the channel. Preferably, the upper end of the separating member comprises the channel and the lower surface of the top cover comprises the ridge. Differently shaped ridges can be envisaged that are substantially but not perfectly V-shaped, such as U-shaped, and which are understood to demonstrate at least one of the advantages described above.

Easy installing of the outdoor unit inside the container is enhanced when the separating member is removable from the housing. Preferably, the separating member is not fixed to but merely supported by the housing, for instance if the bottom or sidewall of the housing comprises a groove 5 configured for receiving an edge of the separating member to maintain the separating member in an upright position. In that case, the edge of the separating member can be removed from the groove and the separating member can be removed from the housing, after which the outdoor unit can be easily installed inside the container, after which the separating member can be placed back into the housing and received and secured by the groove. Alternatively, the separating member may be supported at its upper end by the top end of the sidewall. For instance, the V-shaped ridge may extend beyond the separating member in the longitudinal direction of the ridge and be supported at the top end of the sidewall.

According to another aspect, an insulating container as described above is provided, wherein said container is arranged underground, or at least partly, such as the side walls.

According to a further aspect, a method is provided for insulating a heat exchanging outdoor unit for use in a heat or cold generating system, such as a heat pump system or an air conditioner system, wherein the method comprises the steps of: 200 - providing said outdoor unit; - providing an insulating container as described above; - arranging the insulating container in a hole in the ground; - arranging the outdoor unit in said container.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the device and method according to the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, wherein: - figure | shows a container in perspective view; - figure 2 shows the container with separated top cover; - figure 3 shows the container in cross-sectional view in buried state; - figure 4 shows the interior of the container in perspective, and - figure 5 shows a detail of the drainage system of the container.

With reference to figures | - 4, a container | for an outdoor unit 9 in a heat pump system is shown. The container 1 comprises a housing 3, provided with sidewalls 32, 33 (see fig. 3) and 34 (see fig. 3) and bottom wall 31. The bottom wall 31 and sidewalls 32-34 define a space, generally indicated with 10. The container 1 has the shape of a rectangular cuboid or box like configuration.

On top of the housing 3, a top cover 2 is provided. The top cover 2 comprises a substantially flat upper surface 22 and is provided at the edge region 24 with a plurality of slits 23 which form inlets and outlets as will be explained later. In this embodiment, the edge region 24 slopes downwardly, away from the upper surface 22, such that the top cover 2 has a bevelled configuration. The sloped edge region 24 may prevent a person from tripping over the top cover 2. The container 1 is particularly suitable to be buried in the ground 100. One of the sidewalls 34 is sloped and thus forms a recess 34a for receiving ground 100. Also provided in the sidewalls is a drainage opening 33a, which can be coupled to a drainage conduit {not shown) buried in the ground 100. Any liquid in the space 10 can then be drained. Also provided are openings 33b and 33c for coupling conduits to the outdoor unit 9. The container 1 further comprises a separating wall 35 which separates the space 10 in a first chamber 11 and a second chamber 12. The outdoor unit 9 is arranged in the first space 11. For accommodating the ventilator 91 of the outdoor unit 9 (see figure 4), an opening 35a is provided allowing air to pass between the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. The separating wall 35 may comprise e.g. a sheet or fabric screen. Some of the slits 23a are arranged above the first chamber 11, while the other slits 23b are arranged above the second chamber 12. Both chambers 11, 12 has thus air conduits associated therewith, which are separate from each other. Air from the first and second chambers 11, 12 will thus substantially not mix, except for air directed by the outdoor unit 9. The sloped sidewall 34 is moreover sloped to comprise a sloped surface facing the opening 35a and configured to guide air, passing from the first chamber 11 to the second chamber 12, from the opening 35a toward the slits 23b. Similarly, such a configuration of the surface of the sloped sidewall 34 may guide an inflow of air from the slits 23b toward the opening 35a. Next to supports 36 which extend from the sidewalls in the corners, the top cover 2 is further supported on the housing 3 by the upper edge of the separating wall 35. Provided on the top of the wall 35 is a V-shaped channel 36, which is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped ridge 25 provided in the lower surface of the top cover 2. This mechanism provides an efficient support of the top cover.

The housing 3 is further provided with a flange 37 which functions as drainage mechanism. The top cover 2 and the housing 3 are arranged such that in connected state (see for instance figure 1) all the slits 23 extend (only) above the flange 37. Any precipitation entering the slits 23 will thus end up on the flange 37. To drain any water, the flange 37 slopes downwardly, seen in a direction away from the space 10 (see figure 5), preferably at an angle with the horizon in the range of 1 to 10 degrees, preferably approximately 5 degrees. Figure 5 further shows that a wall 38 is arranged to protrude from the flange 37, thereby functioning as weir. Any liquid on the flange 37 will then not enter the space 10, but will be drained using the sloping flange 37 and a slit 23. A lower end of the slit is thereto arranged lower (indicated with the arrow h) than the upper end of the wall 38.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but extends also to other embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (16)

Conclusions Insulating container for a heat exchanging outdoor unit for use in a heat or cold generation system, such as a heat pump system or an air conditioner system, the insulating container comprising: - a housing comprising at least one side wall and a bottom wall for defining a space for holding from the outdoor unit; - an inlet for letting air into the housing, and; - an outlet for letting air out of the housing, the outlet being separate from the inlet. The insulating container of claim 1, further comprising a removable top cover adapted to cover the space. An insulating container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is adapted to be at least partially buried, the inlet and/or outlet being arranged at the upper region of the container. An insulating container according to claim 3, wherein at least one side wall comprises a recess for receiving soil. An insulating container according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet are provided in the top cover. An insulating container according to claim 5, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet comprises a plurality of slots arranged in the top part. An insulating container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the inlet and outlet are arranged on an edge region of the top cover, the side wall comprising a flange for receiving the edge area of the cover, the flange comprising a dam mechanism adapted for preventing liquid from entering the housing through at least one of the inlet and the outlet. An insulating container according to claim 7, wherein the inlet and the outlet are arranged above the flange in the connected state of the top cover. An insulating container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the flange comprises an inclined surface sloping in a direction away from the space. An insulating container according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a separating member provided in the housing, wherein the separating member is arranged to divide the space into a first chamber for holding the outdoor unit and a second chamber, the separating member having an opening included to allow airflow between the first chamber and the second chamber. An insulating container according to at least claim 10, wherein the separating member comprises an upright wall member, wherein an upper end of the wall member is adapted to support the top cover 10. An insulating container according to at least claims 2 and 11, wherein a lower surface of the top cover and the upper end of the wall member are provided with a cooperating connecting mechanism, the connecting mechanism comprising a substantially V-shaped cam i5 for receiving in a correspondingly shaped channel. . The insulating container of claim 12, wherein the top end of the wall member includes the channel and the bottom surface of the top cover surrounds the ridge. An insulating container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is arranged underground. An insulating container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises an opening provided in the vicinity of the bottom wall and arranged for draining the housing. A method for insulating a heat exchanging outdoor unit for use in a heat or cold generating system, such as a heat pump system or an air conditioner system, the method comprising the steps of: - providing the outdoor unit; - providing an insulating container according to any one of the preceding claims; - placing the insulating container in a hole in the ground; - placing the outdoor unit in the holder.