AIR CONDITIONER COVER WITH OPENING AND CLOSING FEATURE
An air conditioner cover for an outside air conditioner is provided. The cover may include a shutter that has a plurality of slats. The shutter can have a side wall, and the slats may be pivotally mounted to the side wall. The slats can be capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position.
The present invention relates generally to an air conditioner cover that can be opened during use and closed during non-use. More particularly, the present application involves an air conditioner cover for an air conditioner that has one or more shutters that open automatically when the air conditioner is turned on and that close automatically when the air conditioner turns off.
BACKGROUNDAir conditioning systems often employ an outside air conditioner that is located adjacent the structure that is being cooled. This outside air conditioner typically has a large wrap around coil that is used to effect heat transfer. The outside air conditioner may have a compressor and a condenser and a condenser cooling fan that turns on when the outside air conditioner is running. The condenser cooling fan functions to both draw air into the outside air conditioner and to exhaust air out of the outside air conditioner. Since the outside air conditioner is located in an outside environment, it is subjected to the elements such as wind, rain, sunlight, and debris. Further, salt laden air/salt laden mist may blow onto the outside air conditioner causing corrosion of components such as the large wrap around coil. This corrosion will quickly degrade the outside air conditioner and cause same to become inoperative. In certain environments, for example when located in a coastal area, salt laden air/mist may cause the outside air conditioner to become inoperative after a period of only five years.
Air conditioner covers are known that function to protect the outside air conditioner from debris. For example, one such cover includes sides that are made of a wire mesh material that is small enough to prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from passing therethrough into the outside air conditioner. This air conditioner cover surrounds the outside air conditioner on all sides, expect of course for the bottom that rests on the ground or on a concrete slab. Although capable of preventing some debris from entering the outside air conditioner, such a cover is not capable of preventing other elements from damaging the outside air conditioner. As such, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs. in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTSReference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.
It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.
The present invention provides for an air conditioner cover 10 that may be used to protect an outside air conditioner 30 from environmental elements such as wind having air that is salt laden. The air conditioner cover 10 provides a shield around all or a portion of the outside air conditioner 30 that prevents or reduces exposure to the salt laden air so that degradation of the outside air conditioner 30 from this condition is eliminated or reduced. When operation of the outside air conditioner 30 is desired, one or more shutters 12 of the air conditioner cover 10 can open to allow intake air to be transferred to the outside air conditioner 30 and to allow exhaust air from the air conditioner cover 10 to be vented. This allows the outside air conditioner 30 to have airflow as initially designed in order to function properly. After operation of the outside air conditioner 30, the shutters 12 may automatically close to once again afford environmental protection to the outside air conditioner 30. The opening and closing of the shutters 12 may be automatically performed such that user manipulation is not necessary. Further, although described as protecting the outside air conditioner 30 from salt laden air/salt mist, the air conditioner cover 10 may protect the outside air conditioner 30 from a variety of environmental hazards such as rain, snow, hail, leaves, debris, sun, and ice. Further, the air conditioner cover 10 may provide shading from sunlight so that the outside air conditioner 30 is not unnecessarily heated so that it will transfer heat more efficiently.
One exemplary embodiment of the air conditioner cover 10 is illustrated with reference to
The air conditioner cover 10 includes a first shutter 12 on a first side, and a second shutter 42 on a top side. The first shutter 12 is mounted onto a first frame 28 that engages a similarly configured second frame 58 associated with the second shutter 42. The first shutter 12 is in a closed position 24, and the second shutter 42 is in a similar closed position 52. The closed positions 24 and 52 prevent or hinder the transfer of air through the shutters 12 and 42 thus preventing or reducing engagement of environmental air, that may be salt laden, with the interior of the air conditioner cover 10 that includes the outside air conditioner 30.
A third shutter 60 is located on a side of the air conditioner cover 10 and is mounted to a third frame 76 that engages both the first frame 28 and the second frame 58. The third shutter 60 is oriented into a closed position 72. An opposite side of the air conditioner cover 10 includes a fourth shutter 78 that is likewise oriented into a closed position 90. The fourth shutter 78 is mounted to a fourth frame 94 that engages both the first frame 28 and the second frame 58 but is not in contact with the third frame 76. The various frames may be connected to one another through welding, mechanical fasteners, or may be integrally formed with one another in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Each of the frames 28, 58, 76 and 94 may be provided with predrilled holes that allow them to be easily assembled to one another by a user.
With reference now to
The outside air conditioner 30 has a top 32 that extends generally in a horizontal direction 112. A first side 34, second side 36, and third side 38 extend downwards from the top 32 in a vertical direction 110. Although not visible in
Once assembled and located around the outside air conditioner 30 as illustrated in
Reorientation of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 into open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 is illustrated with reference to
A top view of the outside air conditioner 30 is illustrated with reference to
Details of the second shutter 42 can be more easily seen with reference to
Referring to
The possible mechanisms for opening and closing the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 will now be described in greater detail. Since the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 can be opened and closed in similar manners, reference will be made to the opening and closing of shutter 12. It is to be understood that the other shutters 42, 60 and 78 can be opened and closed in like manners and thus a repeat of this information is not necessary. Also, it is to be understood that the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 can be opened and closed in different manners so that one of the shutters 12, 42, 60 or 78 can be opened and closed in one manner and the other shutters 12, 42, 60 or 78 can be opened and closed in different manners.
With reference first back to
With respect to
A mechanical linkage 96 links the five slats 14. The mechanical linkage 96 includes five slat engagement members 100 that are each pivotally mounted to a linking member 98 of the mechanical linkage 96. The slat engagement members 100 are attached to and can pivot with respect to the linking member 98. The slat engagement members 100 are rigidly attached to the slats 14 so that the slat engagement members 100 cannot move or pivot with respect to the slat 14 to which the particular slat engagement member 100 is attached. In
Since all of the slats 14 are in communication with one another through the mechanical linkage 96, movement of one of the slats 14 will result in a corresponding movement of the other four slats 14. The slats 14 are attached to the first and second side walls 16 and 18 via pivots 20 and 22, and pivots 22 are illustrated in
The mechanical linkage 96 may be located at the midpoint of the shutter 12 in the horizontal direction as more easily seen with reference to
The linear solenoid actuator 102 is actuated via an electrical signal, that may be for instance a 120 volt signal. Upon actuation, a plunger will move either towards or away from the frame of the linear solenoid actuator 102 that is rigidly attached to the frame 28. The linear solenoid actuator 102 can be configured in a variety of manners. For example, a second electrical signal can be sent so that the plunger moves in the opposite direction back to its initial position. In this instance, forward and backwards motion of the plunger can be realized via electrical signals. Alternatively, the linear solenoid actuator 102 can be made so that the plunger must be mechanically moved back to its start position at such time a second electrical signal will cause it to once again move in the same direction that the first one caused. In the embodiment shown in
Turning to
The plunger of the linear solenoid actuator 102 extends in the vertical direction 110 and is pivotally attached to a slat attachment member 104 that extends backwards from this attachment point in the vertical direction 110 and also in the horizontal direction 112 so as to have components in both of these directions 110 and 112. The slat attachment member 104 is pivotally attached to the slat 14 at a location spaced from the pivot 22 in the vertical direction 110. The slat 14 pivots about pivot 22 and is in the closed position 24 in which the end of the slat 14 is adjacent the edge of frame 28.
Actuation of the linear solenoid actuator 104 causes the plunger to move in the vertical direction 110 but not in the horizontal direction 112. This reconfiguration is shown in
An alternative arrangement of opening and closing the slats 14 is illustrated in
An opposite end of the linking member 98 is attached to the plunger of the linear solenoid actuator 102 via a coupler. In other embodiments, the plunger of the linear solenoid actuator 102 may extend all the way to the spring 106 such that the plunger and the linking member 98 are one in the same. The linear solenoid actuator 102 has a frame that is rigidly attached to the frame 28. The shutter 12 is displayed in the closed position 24 in
The spring 106 pulls the linking member 98, slat engagement members 100, and slats 14 into the closed position 24. Also, the spring 106 exerts a force on the linear solenoid actuator 102 such that its plunger is pulled/extended away from its frame. When desired, a signal can be sent to the linear solenoid actuator 102 to cause it to actuate such that the plunger is pulled towards the frame. This reconfiguration is shown with reference to
Movement of the linking member 98 causes a corresponding movement of the pivotally attached slat engagement members 100. The slat engagement members 100 move in both the vertical direction 110 and the horizontal direction 112 such that they extend farther in the horizontal direction 112 after movement from
As can be more easily seen with reference back to
With reference now to
Although all of the ends 23 are shown as moving towards the outside air conditioner 30, various arrangements exist in which some of the ends 23 of the various slats 14, 44, 62, and/or 80 may move towards the outside air conditioner 30 and in which some may move away from the outside air conditioner 30 when moving to the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92. The air conditioner cover 10 may be sized and arranged so that the slats 14, 44, 62, and 80 do not engage the outside air conditioner 30 when opened, or so that some or all of them do in fact engage the outside air conditioner 30 when opened.
The slats 14, 44, 62 and 80 may be opened and closed in a variety of manners and it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments herein are only exemplary. For example, airflow generated by the outside air conditioner 30 alone may be sufficient to cause the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 to move from the closed positions 24, 54, 72, and 90 to the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92. Once the outside air conditioner 30 begins to run, its fan may push air upwards against the second shutter 42 which causes the second shutter 42 to open. Further, the fan of the outside air conditioner 30 may draw air in its sides thus causing an pressure to be exerted on shutters 12, 60, and 78 which causes these shutters 12, 16, and 78 to open in an inwards direction. All of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 will thus be in the open positions 26, 56, 74, and 92 and airflow will be possible into and out of the air conditioner cover 10. Once the fan of the outside air conditioner 30 shuts off, the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 will pivot back into their closed positions 24, 54, 72, and 90 and airflow through the air conditioner cover 10 will cease. The shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be normally closed through either gravity, the use of springs, combinations of the two, or through other mechanisms. This normally closed force may be overcome simply by the airflow generated by the outside air conditioner 30.
In other exemplary embodiments, the mechanical linkages 96 may be used on some or all of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 to cause their opening and/or closing. Each one of the shutters 12, 42, 60, and 78 may be fitted with its own individual mechanical linkage 96 and linear solenoid actuator 102. In other embodiments, a single linear solenoid actuator 102 can be used which is in communication with various mechanical linkages 96 such that actuation of the single linear solenoid actuator 102 causes opening or closing of two, three, four or more (if any) of the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78. As such, various embodiments exist in which fewer than the same number of linear solenoid actuators 102 and shutters are present. Also, in other embodiments, some of the shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 can be opened via airflow while other shutters 12, 42, 60 and 78 are opened via a mechanical linkage 96 and linear solenoid actuator 102 and/or other arrangement.
As disclosed, the back of the air conditioner cover 10 is open in order to allow the connections 122 to be channeled to and away from the outside air conditioner, and because this side of the air conditioner cover 10 will be located adjacent a structure which will thus naturally act as a shield to salt laden air or mist exposure. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements are possible in which shutters that open and close in manners similar to those previously discussed are in fact present on this side of the air conditioner cover 10. This shutter may have fewer slats than shutters on other sides of the air conditioner cover 10, or may have the same amount. Also, these slats may open and close in manners similar to those previously discussed.
Various elements of the air conditioner cover 10 can be made of materials that are non-corrosive so that the cover 10 does not degrade in a humid or salt air laden environment. For example, the slats, side walls, and frames may be made out of fiber glass, plastic, or other non-corrosive material. The mounting screws and/or bolts of the air conditioner cover 10 can be made of stainless steel. However, it is to be understood that various elements of the air conditioner cover 10 may in fact be made of a corrosive material in certain exemplary embodiments. In such arrangements, although the air conditioner cover 10 may corrode, it will still function to protect and extend the life of the outside air conditioner 30. The air conditioner cover 10 may be made in a variety of colors and can be variously sized. The air conditioner cover 10 may be capable of fitting onto outside air conditioners 30 having cube, rectangular, or cylindrical shapes. The air conditioner cover 10 can be provided to the user in a kit form so that he or she can assemble it himself or herself. In this regard, the various portions such as the frames and shutters can be assembled and attached to one another during installation.
The air conditioner cover 10 functions to shield the outside air conditioner 30 either completely or partially from salt laden air and/or salt laden mist when the outside air conditioner 30 is not running hence increasing the life of the outside air conditioner 30 by delaying or preventing degradation of components such as a wrap around coil. The air conditioner cover 10 may automatically open when the outside air conditioner 30 runs so that proper air flow is maintained to and from the outside air conditioner 30 to ensure its correct functioning. Although salt laden air and/or mist may enter at these times, the life of the outside air conditioner 30 will still be extended because the unit will not be exposed to salt laden air and/or mist when its not running and hence, usually, the majority of the time it will be covered. When the outside air conditioner 30 stops running, the air conditioner cover 10 will revert back to its closed state automatically so that the outside air conditioner 30 is once again protected from the elements. Therefore, it is the case that salt laden air/mist will in fact contact the outside air conditioner 30 even when the air conditioner cover 10 is installed due to the open shutters 12, 42, 60 and/or 78.
While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An air conditioner cover, comprising:
- a shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the shutter has a side wall and wherein the slats are pivotally mounted to the side wall, wherein the slats are capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position.
2. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shutter has a second side wall, and wherein the slats extend from the side wall to the second side wall and are pivotally mounted to the second side wall, wherein when the slats are in the closed position the shutter is closed and wherein when the slats are in the open position the shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the shutter is closed.
3. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:
- a frame that is attached to the shutter, wherein the frame and the shutter are located adjacent a side of an outside air conditioner;
- a second shutter that has a plurality of slats capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall and wherein the slats of the second shutter extend between and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls of the second shutter, wherein when the slats of the second shutter are in the closed position the second shutter is closed and wherein when the slats of the second shutter are in the open position the second shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the second shutter is closed; and
- a second frame that is attached to the second shutter, wherein the second frame and the second shutter are located adjacent a top of the outside air conditioner.
4. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:
- a third shutter that has a plurality of slats capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position, wherein the third shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall and wherein the slats of the third shutter extend between and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls of the third shutter, wherein when the slats of the third shutter are in the closed position the third shutter is closed and wherein when the slats of the third shutter are in the open position the third shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the third shutter is closed;
- a third frame that is attached to the third shutter, wherein the third frame and the third shutter are located adjacent a second side of the outside air conditioner;
- a fourth shutter that has a plurality of slats capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position, wherein the fourth shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall and wherein the slats of the fourth shutter extend between and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls of the fourth shutter, wherein when the slats of the fourth shutter are in the closed position the fourth shutter is closed and wherein when the slats of the fourth shutter are in the open position the fourth shutter is open to allow greater airflow therethrough as opposed to when the fourth shutter is closed; and
- a fourth frame that is attached to the fourth shutter, wherein the fourth frame and the fourth shutter are located adjacent a third side of the outside air conditioner;
- wherein the frame contacts the second frame, the third frame, and the fourth frame, and wherein the second frame contacts the third frame and the fourth frame, and wherein the third frame and the fourth frame do not contact one another.
5. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an outside air conditioner, wherein when the outside air conditioner turns on to cause heat transfer the slats pivot from the closed position to the open position and remain in the open position while the outside air conditioner continues to run, and wherein when the outside air conditioner turns off the slats pivot from the open position back to the closed position.
6. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 5, wherein the slats are pivoted from the closed position to the open position via airflow generated by the outside air conditioner when the outside air conditioner turns on.
7. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:
- a mechanical linkage that is attached to all of the slats; and
- a linear solenoid actuator that is attached to at least one of the slats, wherein the linear solenoid actuator is capable of being actuated in order to cause the at least one attached slat to pivot with respect to the side wall, and wherein pivoting of the at least one attached slat causes the mechanical linkage to move such that the slats attached to the mechanical linkage also pivot with respect to the side wall.
8. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:
- a linear solenoid actuator;
- a mechanical linkage attached to the linear solenoid actuator such that movement of the linear solenoid actuator causes the mechanical linkage to move in a linear direction, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to each of the slats such that movement of the mechanical linkage in the linear direction causes the attached slats to pivot with respect to the side wall; and
- a spring attached to the mechanical linkage, wherein the spring urges the mechanical linkage in the linear direction so as to urge the slats into the closed position.
9. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 8, wherein the linear solenoid actuator receives an electrical signal from the outside air conditioner to cause the linear solenoid actuator to actuate and to deactivate.
10. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 5, wherein ends of the slats opposite from pivotally mounted connections of the slats are located farther from the outside air conditioner when the slats are in the open position than when the slats are in the closed position, and wherein the slats are made of a non-corrosive material.
11. An air conditioner cover, comprising:
- a shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the shutter is oriented vertically so as to extend adjacent to a side of an outside air conditioner, wherein the slats are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, and wherein the slats are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running.
12. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, wherein the shutter has a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the slats extend between the first and second side walls and are pivotally mounted to the first and second side walls, wherein the slats pivot between the open position and the closed position, wherein when the slats are in the open position greater airflow is capable through the shutter than when the slats are in the closed position.
13. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
- a frame that is attached to the shutter;
- a second shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the slats of the second shutter are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, and wherein the slats of the second shutter are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running;
- a second frame that is attached to the second shutter, wherein the second frame and the second shutter are oriented horizontally so as be located above and extend adjacent a top of the outside air conditioner, wherein the first frame engages the second frame.
14. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:
- a third shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the slats of the third shutter are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, wherein the slats of the third shutter are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running;
- a third frame that is attached to the third shutter, wherein the third frame and the third shutter are oriented vertically so as to extend adjacent to a second side of an outside air conditioner, wherein the third frame engages the first and second frames;
- a fourth shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the slats of the fourth shutter are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running, wherein the slats of the fourth shutter are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running;
- a fourth frame that is attached to the fourth shutter, wherein the fourth frame and the fourth shutter are oriented vertically so as to extend adjacent to a third side of an outside air conditioner, wherein the fourth frame engages the first and second frames and does not engage the third frame.
15. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 11, wherein the slats are moved between the closed position and the open position via airflow generated by the outside air conditioner when the outside air conditioner is running.
16. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
- a mechanical linkage that is attached to all of the slats; and
- a linear solenoid actuator that is attached to at least one of the slats, wherein the linear solenoid actuator is capable of being actuated in order to cause the at least one attached slat to change from the closed position to the open position, and wherein movement of the at least one attached slat causes the mechanical linkage to move such that the slats attached to the mechanical linkage also move from the closed position to the open position.
17. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
- a linear solenoid actuator;
- a mechanical linkage attached to the linear solenoid actuator such that movement of the linear solenoid actuator causes the mechanical linkage to move in a linear direction, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to each of the slats such that movement of the mechanical linkage in the linear direction causes the attached slats to pivot; and
- a spring attached to the mechanical linkage, wherein the spring urges the mechanical linkage in the linear direction so as to urge the slats into the closed position.
18. The air conditioner as set forth in claim 17, wherein the linear solenoid actuator receives an electrical signal from the outside air conditioner to cause the linear solenoid actuator to actuate.
19. An air conditioner cover, comprising:
- a shutter that has a plurality of slats, wherein the shutter is oriented horizontally so as be located above and extend adjacent a top of an outside air conditioner, wherein the slats are located in an open position when the outside air conditioner is running so that exhaust air from the outside air conditioner can flow through the shutter, and wherein the slats are located in a closed position when the outside air conditioner is not running so that airflow through the shutter to the outside air conditioner is hindered.
20. The air conditioner cover as set forth in claim 19, further comprising:
- a linear solenoid actuator;
- a mechanical linkage attached to the linear solenoid actuator such that movement of the linear solenoid actuator causes the mechanical linkage to move in a linear direction, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to each of the slats such that movement of the mechanical linkage in the linear direction causes the attached slats to pivot; and
- a spring attached to the mechanical linkage, wherein the spring urges the mechanical linkage in the linear direction so as to urge the slats into the closed position;
- wherein the linear solenoid actuator receives an electrical signal from the outside air conditioner to cause the linear solenoid actuator to actuate.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2013
Inventor: Donald M. Brandt (Orla, SC)
Application Number: 13/172,188
International Classification: F24F 13/20 (20060101); F24F 13/10 (20060101);