Heat exchange – With external support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-14
2001-03-27
Flanigan, Allen (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
With external support
C165S122000, C165S149000, C403S316000, C403S353000, C403S362000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206085
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention generally relates to air distribution units of the type commonly used in air conditioning, heating or ventilation systems and, more particularly, to a method of mounting a heat exchange coil in such a unit.
BACKGROUND ART
In many commercial air conditioning, heating and ventilating systems, treated air is discharged into an area to be conditioned through an air distribution or conditioning unit. For example, one type of air conditioning system, often referred to as a split system, includes separate indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, a heat exchanger and a fan. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger and a fan. In operation, the indoor fan draws air into the indoor unit, through an inlet thereof, and forces the air over the indoor heat exchanger and then out of the indoor unit, through an outlet opening therein.
The outdoor fan draws air into the outdoor unit, through an inlet, forces that air over the outdoor heat exchanger and then forces that air out of the outdoor unit through an outlet therein. At the same time, a compressor causes a refrigeration fluid to circulate through and between the indoor/outdoor heat exchangers. At the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air passing over that heat exchanger, cooling that air. At the same time, at the outdoor heat exchanger, the air passing over the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the refrigerant passing therethrough.
In manufacturing the indoor units of such air conditioning systems, the mounting of the indoor fans, heat exchanger, and related components typically require a number of fasteners of different types. As a result, the labor involved in assembly of such units has been high in view of the large number of fasteners required. It is considered extremely desirable to minimize the number of components required in order to fabricate the indoor units of such an air conditioning system.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
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. The root section and the enlarged section define, together with the planar support surface, a narrow slot configured to receive the edge of the first tube sheets mounting flange therein. A second planar support surface of the support structure is configured the same as the first planar support surface and is adapted to cooperate with the second tube in a like manner. The first tube sheet is provided with a structural portion extending perpendicularly from the first mounting flange. The perpendicular structural portion is spaced from the edge and has an opening formed therein. The upper enlarged section of the structural protrusion of the first support surface is provided with a portion thereof in spaced relation with the perpendicular section of the first tube sheet. The spaced portion has an opening therein in axial alignment with the opening in the perpendicular section. A threaded fastener passes through the opening in the spaced portion and into threaded engagement with the opening in the perpendicular section. As a result, when the first and second tube sheets are positioned with their edges in confronting relation with their mating slots, and the threaded fastener is actuated to engage the perpendicular section, the edges are drawn into engagement with their mating slots to thereby attach the heat exchanger to the first and second support surfaces.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2354131 (1944-07-01), Larkin
patent: 4102148 (1978-07-01), Matthews et al.
patent: 4165944 (1979-08-01), Sunasky
patent: 4367979 (1983-01-01), Milligan
patent: 4406132 (1983-09-01), Bolton et al.
patent: 4802716 (1989-02-01), Rock et al.
patent: 5613554 (1997-03-01), Bull et al.
patent: 59-004387 (1984-01-01), None
patent: 5-113228 (1993-05-01), None
Carrier Corporation
Flanigan Allen
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