Abstract: A modular panel for forming part of an enclosure for an appliance of the type which is manufacturable in a plurality of sizes requiring one or more modular panels. The panel includes a main planar section having first and second substantially parallel edges. First and second flanges are integrally formed with the main section and extend rearwardly from the first and second edges, respectively. The first and second flanges are parallel to one another and each has an inner and outer facing surface. The outer facing surface of the first flange is provided with integrally formed hinge elements which together define a first axis. The outer surface of the second flange is provided with integrally formed mating hinge elements spaced from one another the same distance as the first hinge elements and together defining a second axis parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A structural framework for an air distribution unit of the type which includes a housing having an evaporator coil supported therein in an air flow path and a fan for effecting air flow along the flow path. The framework includes a main support frame including a bottom section, a vertically extending back section, and a top section extending forwardly from the top of the back section. The back section and the top section have the same width as the bottom section, and the bottom section and the back section each have right and left hand edges. Vertically extending left and right side walls are structurally interconnected at lower edges thereof to the right-hand edges of the bottom section and the back section, respectively. Each of the side walls has a rectangular lower section and an upper triangular section extending from the upper end of the rectangular section.

Abstract: An evaporator unit for an air conditioning system includes a housing having a back panel and a front section. The front section defines an air inlet at one end and an air outlet at an opposite end thereof. The housing defines an air flow path through the unit extending from the inlet to the outlet. An evaporator coil is supported in the housing in the air flow path. The unit includes an evaporator fan for effecting air flow along the air flow path and through the evaporator coil where the air is cooled and water is removed therefrom resulting in condensation. The unit includes a first condensate collection pan mounted in the housing adjacent to the evaporator coil. The first condensate collection pan is configured to collect condensate from the evaporator coil when the evaporator unit is mounted with the back panel in a substantially vertical orientation with one end defining the lower end of the housing and the opposite end defining the upper end of the housing.

Abstract: A room air conditioner unit of the type having a basepan, which is divided into indoor and outdoor sections by a partition. The indoor section includes an evaporator coil, an evaporator fan and a scroll for directing indoor air flow. The outdoor section includes a compressor, a condenser coil, a condenser fan, a condenser fan shroud and an electric motor. The motor is configured to drive both the evaporator and condenser fans. A first partition wall section is attached to the basepan and has a height less than the overall height of the partition. A first condenser fan shroud section is also attached to the basepan and has a height less than the overall height of the condenser fan shroud. A molded component having a top wall is configured to overlie at least a portion of both the indoor section and the outdoor section. The top wall has, integrally formed therewith, a downwardly extending partition wall section.

Abstract: Apparatus for alternatively mounting either a large cylindrical capacitor having a given length and a given diameter or a small cylindrical capacitor having a given length and a given diameter. The apparatus includes a substantially planar support wall having two or more substantially U-shaped support walls extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The U-shaped support walls are parallel to one another and are spaced from one another by a distance such that at least two of the U-shaped walls will span the given length of either of the capacitors. Each of the two or more U-shaped walls defines an upwardly facing capacitor support surface. Each of the support surfaces has a lower arcuate section extending between left and right end points. The lower arcurate sections have an effective diameter, which is substantially equal to the given diameter of the small capacitor.

Abstract: A cover for the upper end of an electrical capacitor having electrical leads on the upper end thereof. The cover includes a cup-shaped cylindrical section having a closed end and an open end. The open end being adapted to receive the upper end of the capacitor. The capacitor cover further includes a radially extending opening defining a passage for electrical leads from the exterior thereof into the interior of the cover. The cover is further provided with radially extending mounting means which are adapted to be received in mating vertically extending support structure which allows the cover to be supported through a range of vertical positions. The cover further includes a grounding screw support structure extending from the outer surface which is adapted to receive a grounding screw therethrough to engage the capacitor protected by the cover.

Abstract: A scroll housing (40) is provided for enclosing a centrifugal fan of an air distribution unit. The housing (40) is of the type configured for mounting to a panel (22) dividing the air distribution unit into inlet and outlet regions. The scroll housing (40) is formed from two sections (50, 52). A rear section (50) includes a curved wall (56) having a first edge (58) at one end thereof, which defines one side of the rectangular opening (39), and a second edge (60) at the other end of the wall (56). A front section (52) of the scroll housing also includes a curved wall (96) having a first edge (98) at one end thereof, which defines the fourth side of the rectangular opening (39) and a second edge (100) of the other end thereof. The second edge (60) of the curved wall (56) of the back section (50) is provided with a first hinge element (70) thereon. The second edge (100) of the curved wall (96) of the front section (52) is provided with a second hinge element (110) thereon.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit includes a vertically extending structural wall, which forms an internal side of the unit. The wall is formed from a structural plastic material, which has molded therein a pair of spaced support means, which are configured to supportingly engage two adjacent corners of a substantially rectangular electrical component of the air conditioning unit. Also molded integrally into the structural internal wall is a deformable latch located so as to engage the side of the rectangular component, which is opposite from the two adjacent corners. The latch is configured to cooperate with the pair of spaced support means to support the rectangular component in parallel relation to the wall when the latch is in a first undeformed position, and to allow installation or removal of said rectangular component when said latch is in a second deformed position.

Abstract: An oscillating drive mechanism for an air discharge nozzle, which is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis. The discharge nozzle includes end plates, each having a pivot pin extending along the pivot axis. One end plate has an elongated slot therein spaced from the pivot pin. The pivot pins are supported at opposite ends by support structure, which allows pivotal movement of the nozzle about the axis. The support structure adjacent one end includes an opening therethrough spaced from the axis and configured such that the elongated slot and one end plate will sweep across the opening as the air discharge nozzle pivots through a predetermined desired arcuate sweep. A drive motor having a drive axis is attached on the opposite side of the support structure, opposite the through opening. A drive mechanism is disposed in the opening.

Abstract: The combination of a heat exchanger and support structure for the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a first tube sheet having a planar mounting flange which has at least one opening formed therein. The opening defines an edge facing in a predetermined direction. A second tube sheet has a second planar mounting flange which also has at least one opening formed therein, which defines an edge facing in the same predetermined direction. The two tube sheets are spaced from one another with the first and second mounting flanges lying in substantially the same plane. The support structure includes a first planar support surface adapted to receive the flange of the first tube sheet in parallel confronting relationship. The support surface has integrally formed therein an upstanding structural protrusion, which includes a root section and an upper enlarged section, which is configured to pass through the openings in the first flange.

Abstract: An air distribution unit of the type including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therethrough extending from the inlet to the outlet. The unit includes an evaporator coil supported in the housing in the air flow path and a fan and motor assembly for effecting air flow along the air flow path and through the evaporator coil. The housing includes external cover components including a front panel and left and right external side covers. An internal structural framework of the unit supports components internally of the housing and also supports the external components. The framework includes at least one horizontally extending structure member and at least one vertically extending structural side panel structurally attached to the horizontal member in perpendicular relationship thereto. The fan and motor assembly includes a centrifugal fan having a horizontal axis of rotation and an electric motor having an axis coincident with the fan, which is drivingly coupled to the fan.

Abstract: An air conditioner which includes an evaporator module and a condenser module. The evaporator and condenser modules are adapted to be mounted into a structural base pan for supporting both modules when used as a room air conditioner. Refrigerant tubing and appropriate electrical wiring interconnect the units in such application. The evaporator module and condenser module may also be installed in a split air conditioner application wherein the condensing module is located outdoors and the evaporator module is mounted on an inside wall of the room to be conditioned. The evaporator module is adapted to be mounted in a reversed, top to bottom, orientation when used in the split application.

Abstract: An evaporator module for an air conditioner includes a substantially rectangular structural evaporator housing having a rear wall and a substantially open front. An air directing scroll is mounted within the housing adjacent the rear wall. Scroll aligning structures, provided on the rear wall of the housing, cooperate with structure on the scroll to support the scroll in its operative position. An evaporator fan and motor subassembly are mounted directly to a support extending from the rear wall. The rear wall of the housing and the scroll are provided with axially aligned openings which receive at least a portion of the evaporator fan motor therein. An evaporator coil and evaporator coil support subassembly is positioned in substantially confronting relationship with the evaporator fan and the scroll to thereby support the scroll and to further define the air inlet path across the evaporator and into the evaporator fan.

Abstract: A motor mount for an electric motor includes a single piece pedestal-like support structure having a pair of quick disconnect mounting clips, which attach the electric motor thereto. Specifically, the motor mount includes a pair of spaced apart substantially vertically extending support legs. The upper ends of the legs include a support recess therein adapted to receive mating structure on axially spaced ends of the motor. The upper end of each of the legs further includes two openings therein, one on each of the opposite sides of the support recess. Each of the openings has a transverse extending retaining ledge formed therein. A pair of motor mounting clips are provided, each of which is adapted to be installed on one of the pair of support legs. Each of the clips includes a support recess therein adapted to receive the mating structure on the axially spaced ends of the motor to be mounted. Each mounting clip further includes two flexible latches, one on each side of the support recess.

Abstract: A subassembly of an electric motor and a fan for use in an air conditioner includes a centrifugal fan adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The fan has an open inlet end at one longitudinal end thereof and convex closed end partition defining a cup-shaped space at the other axial end thereof. The fan motor includes a housing having an axial length and a width and a drive shaft extending from one axial end thereof. The closed end partition of the centrifugal fan has a centrally disposed axially extending opening therethrough through which the drive shaft of the motor is adapted to be received and operatively attached. The width of the motor housing and the cup-shaped space are sized to allow a substantial portion of the axial length of the motor housing to be received within said cup-shaped space when the drive shaft is operably attached to the partition.

Abstract: A grille for the indoor section of a room air conditioner has transversely extending latching structure formed on the inside of a pair of opposing walls. The transverse structures on one side thereof engage openings in the air conditioner indoor housing, which thereby receive and cooperate with the structure on one side of the grille. A flexible latch is provided on the indoor housing on the other side thereof to engage the transverse section on the inside wall of the other side of the grille. The flexible latch deforms to snap into engagement with the mating structure to attach the grille. Release of the latch to allow removal of the grille requires a tool to pass through an opening in the housing to deflect the latch to its unlatched position.