US2959933A

US2959933A - Air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2959933A
Application number: US625890A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Burke
Original assignee: Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Carrier Corp
Priority date: 1956-12-03
Filing date: 1956-12-03
Publication date: 1960-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 1977-11-15

Description

Nov. 15, 1960 Filed Dec. 3, 1956 E. J. BURKE 2,959,933

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

INVENTOR.

EDWARD J. BURKE.

Max

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 15, 1960 E. J. BURKE AIR conozwronmc APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 5, 1956 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. EDWARD J. BURKE.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent O AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Edward J. Burke, North Syracuse, N.Y., assignor to Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, N .Y., a corporation Delaware Filed Dec. 3, 1956, Ser. No. 625,890

Claims. (Cl. 62-183) This invention relates to air conditioning equipment and more particularly to air conditioning equipment of the type equipped with a refrigeration system operable under the reverse cycle principle. Still more particularly this invention relates to air conditioning equipment more commonly known as a heat pump.

In apparatus of the type described, a heating effect as well as a cooling effect, is obtained with the same equipment. This situation occurs by virtue of the presence of a reversing valve for re-routing refrigerant through portions of the system so that the heat transfer functions of the evaporator and condenser are interchanged.

One of the difficulties involved in employing equipment of this type is encountered in those geographical locations wherein the outside air temperature drops to 40 F. and below. With equipment of the type under consideration, heat is extracted from the ambient when the apparatus is operated on the heating cycle and is rejected in a heat exchange unit located in an enclosure such as a residential home. The quantity of heat available in the ambient at the temperature mentioned above, is limited. It is accordingly the chief object of this invention to provide air conditioning apparatus constructed so that an additional supply of heat, available by virtue of operation of certain components of the system, is utilized to increase the heat output of the unit when the latter is operating during a portion of the range of operation of the heating cycle.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved air conditioning unit wherein the heat generated by the compressor, the motor driving the compressor and the electrical components forming the control system for the unit is made available for incorporation into the system under certain operating conditions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an air conditioning unit wherein means are provided for selectively dissipating the heat generated from the above sources when the unit is operating on the cooling cycle and for utilizing the heat during operation on a portion of the heating cycle. An additional object of this invention is the provision of an improved method of operating an air conditioning unit wherein heat from the above mentioned sources is available for use in the system during a portion of the heating cycle range and is rejected to the atmosphere or any convenient cooling medium during the cooling cycle.

These, and other objects of the invention will be apparent upon a perusal of the ensuing specification wherein the invention is illustrated in connection with a description of an air conditioning unit or machine having a refrigerating system wherein certain components, such as the compressor and outside coil are located remotely from the location of the inside coil and which are provided with an enclosure having a compressor coinpartment separate from a coil compartment. Means are provided for placing the two compartments in communication during the cooling cycle and for isolating the two compartments during the heating cycle.

ice

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of an air conditioning system constructed in accordance with this invention, wherein the components are illustrated during heating cycle operation;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a compressor and outside coil assembly of the type employed in this invention, wherein the components are illustrated during cooling cycle operation;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the outside coil and compressor assembly in an isometric view;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a partition in the compressor-outside coil assembly dividing the assembly into a compressor compartment and a coil compartment;

Figure 5 is a view taken along lines V-V on Figure 4 showing the connection between a door or damper in said partition and the partition; and

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of one of the ele ments for connecting the damper to the partition.

This invention is best illustrated by reference to an air conditioning unit known as a two-piece air-to-air heat pump which incorporates a refrigeration system operable under the reverse cycle principle. The unit illustrated in the drawings contemplates an inside coil disposed within an air supply duct in a building and an outside coil and compressor assembly housed in an enclosure provided with openings for the flow of air therethrough. It will be appreciated that the outside coil and the compressor could be mounted within the same casing as the inside coil as long as proper insulation between the two sub assemblies could be maintained. While the invention is described as it applies to a two-piece system, it will be obvious that the invention could be incorporated in an air conditioning unit of the type known as a room cooler.

The air conditioning unit includes a refrigeration systenicomprising a compressor 10, discharge line 11, a reversing valve 12 and an outside coil 13 which functions as a condenser during the cooling cycle. Fan 14 is employed to pass air in heat exchange relation with the coil 13 so that when the unit is operating on a cooling cycle, hot gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor and flowing to the coil 13 through line 11 and valve 12 is converted to the liquid phase as heat is extracted by air moving under the influence of fan 14. The refrigerant in the coil 13 flows through line 15 to an expansion member 16, shown in the form of a conventional thermal expansion valve having an equalizer line 16, where it flows to the indoor coil 17, functioning as an evaporator on the cooling cycle, and is passed in heat exchange relation with a supply of air moving under the influence of fan 23. This latter heat exchange action causes the refrigerant to vaporize and pass through line 18, reversing valve 12 and suction line 19 to compressor 10 to com-. plete the cycle. duct forming a part of an air supply duct system for providing conditioned air to an enclosure or group of enclosures.

When it is desired to obtain a heating effect within line 18 to the coil 17 where it is liquified 'by the heat.

transfer action promulgated by fan 23.' Liquid-refrigerant so formed flows through bypass line 21 and ex pansion valve 22 equipped with equalizer line 22 to.v the outside coil 13 through line 15. Liquid refrigerant 2,959,933 Patented Nov. 15, 196i),

The coil 17 is usually mounted ma in coil 13 is converted to the vapor phase as ambient air is passed over the coil by the fan 14. The vaporous refrigerant formed in this coil flows to reversing valve 12 and line 19 to the compressor 10. It will be appreciated that in order to create a pressure condition within the coil 13, sufficient to cause a flow of heat from the ambient air at relatively low temperatures, it is necessary for the compressor to draw a very low suction temperature. Under circumstances described in the above co-pending application, a coating of frost will accumulate on coil 13. A defrost control of the type described in the co-pending application functions to temporarily reverse the operating cycle of the unit to permit hot gas from the compressor to flow in the coil 13.

This invention contemplates utilizing the heat available by virtue of the operation of the compressor and the motor driving the compressor as well as the radiant heat by any control elements located within the system, in the system so that the operating efficiency will be increased on the heating cycle. This is achieved through a unique orientation of the outside coil and compressor. Referring more particularly to Figure 2, the compressor and the outside coil are mounted within a housing 20 having a central partition 28. This partition or wall co-operates with a tube sheet 29 on the outside coil assembly to divide the housing into an insulated compressor compartment and a coil compartment. It will be appreciated that partition 28 could extend from wall to wall of the enclosure, if desired. Communication between the two compartments is achieved by virtue of an opening 30 located in the partition 28. The opening is controlled with a closure member or damper 31 having a unique mounting which automatically selectively permits and prevents communication between the two compartments in a manner to be later described.

Referring more particularly to Figures 4, 5, and 6, it will be observed that the opposite sides of the damper r closure member are provided with diametrically opposed notches 31'. Mounted within these notches are mounting

members

32 and 34 of a similar construction and comprising a strip of bimetallic material coiled in the manner shown in Figure so that tabs 33 and 35 adapted to be secured to the damper are presented. Cooperating with the

mounting elements

32 and 34 are

support pieces

36 and 38 formed in the manner shown in Figure 6 wherein two opposed sides are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation and are connected by a bend portion. One of the sides of the

members

36 and 38 is provided with an extension 37 adapted to be secured to the partition 28 in the manner shown in Figure 4. The central rectilinear portion 60 of the

members

32 and 34 is positioned between the sides of the

members

34 and 36 and is secured thereto by a crimping or swaging action or if desired, by a.- simple frictional bond.

The

bimetallic members

32 and 34 sense the temperature in the coil compartment as well as in the compressor compartment. Therefore the temperature of the bimetallic members will usually be somewhere between the compressor compartment temperature and coil compartment temperature. It will thus be obvious that the position of the damper will be influenced by the temperature of each compartment. When the resultant temperature of the members is about 50 F. or below, the damper will close, and when the resultant temperature is above 50 F., the damper will open. Stop members may be placed on the partition so that portions thereof project over one side of the opening. These members restrain the rotational movement of the damper in one direction to overcome any free swinging action of the damper.

Considering the operation of the air conditioning unit illustrating this invention, the bimetallic mounting

pieces

32 and 34 are constructed so as to flex at a control temperature of about 50 F. or below to a position such that the closure member prevents communication between the compressor compartment and the coil compartment in the enclosure 20. Thus the flow of air under the influence of fan 14 is in a substantially straight path. When the effective temperature controlling the operation of the damper exceeds 50 F., the bimetallic mounting elements being fixed at portion 60 flex to rotate the damper 31 so as to permit communication between the compressor compartment and the coil compartment. Thus, air flowing into the housing 20 through inlet 47 under the influence of fan 14 is free to circulate in the manner shown by the arrows in Figure 2 through the compressor compartment of the enclosure and into the inlet of the scroll 42 from where it is subsequently discharged through outlet 46 of the enclosure. This action causes the components in the compressor compartment to be cooled. The fan 14 is mounted on a shaft 44 secured to motor 46' mounted on the outside of the enclosure 20. When the control temperature drops below 50 F., or any other conveniently selected temperature, the door or closure member 31 closes under the influence of the movement of the bimetallic mounting elements so that the radiant heat generated by the compressor and the motor driving the compressor is trapped in the insulated compressor compartment. Thus instead of having the compressor and motor cooled by the air flowing in the enclosure, the elements are operated at a higher temperature. The system then operates at a higher discharge temperature which in turn provides higher temperature refrigerant for liquification in the coil 17 serving the inside of the enclosure being heated.

The individual control elements may be located within a box 50 within the compressor compartment so that any radiant effect from these elements may likewise be made available to the refrigerant in the system.

Thus it will be evident that the operation of the air conditioning unit incorporating the refrigeration system in accordance with this invention may operate on a heating cycle at a higher temperature level and thus provide a greater heating effect.

Summarizing it will be obvious that this invention has reduced the heat losses in the system under certain thermal conditions. While it is appreciated that these heat losses permit efiicient operation of the unit on the cooling cycle, conservation of these losses during operation under the heating cycle enables the increased efficiencies set out above to be achieved.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Air conditioning apparatus comprising a first heat exchange coil, a compressor, and a second heat exchange coil, connected to form a circuit for the flow of refrigerant, means for reversing the flow of refrigerant through a portion of the circuit to interchange the heat transfer functions of the coils, an enclosure having an inlet and outlet for housing said compressor and said second heat exchange coil, partition means serving to divide the enclosure into a coil compartment containing the inlet and outlet and a compressor compartment, said partition having an opening therein, means providing a path of flow for a heat transfer medium over the coil in said coil compartment, and means for selectively rejecting to and isolating from the medium, heat generated by operation of the compressor, said last mentioned means being operable in response to a predetermined temperature of the medium.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means includes a door and thermally responsive means controlling movement of the door.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means is operable when said first heat exchange coil is rejecting heat.

4. An air conditioning unit comprising a refrigeration system including a compressor, a first heat transfer coil and a second heat transfer coil connected to form a closed circuit for the flow of refrigerant, means interposed in said system for reversing the flow of refrigerant through a portion of the circuit to interchange the functions of the heat transfer coils, a housing surrounding the compressor and one of said heat transfer coils, a partition, having an opening, positioned in said housing to separate the housing into a compressor compartment and a heat transfer coil compartment, a door in said partition controlling said opening, means for supplying a heat transfer medium to said coil in said enclosure, and means for controlling the operation of the door to selectively direct a pontion of the flow of the heat transfer medium into the compressor compartment or isolate the compressor compartment from the flow of the medium whereby the heat generated by the compressor is trapped and utilized to increase the operating temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the compressor.

5. A refrigeration system including a compressor, a first heat transfer coil, a second heat transfer coil connected to form a circuit for the flow of refrigerant, means for reversing refrigerant flow in a portion of the circuit to interchange the function of the heat transfer coils, a compantmented housing accommodating one of said coils and the compressor, means for supplying a medium in heat transfer relation with the coil in said housing and means for selectively including the compressor in the path of flow of said medium through said housing or excluding the compressor from said path whereby the heat generated by the compressor is employed to raise the operating temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the compressor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS