LEAKAGE MINIMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PACKAGED TERMINAL AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEAT PUMPS

• US 20140116070A1
• Filed: 10/27/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Hubble
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Hubble
• Inventors: Hubble, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US13/662,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20140116070A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/56
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/36 to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof

Abstract

A system and apparatus is provided for minimizing damage caused by leaks from a packaged terminal air conditioner (“PTAC”) or heat pump (“PTHP”). A shutoff switch can be operatively connected to the front desk circuit of a PTAC/PTHP. The switch is configured such that, when it is exposed to water, the PTAC/PTHP is automatically deactivated to prevent further leakage. The shutoff switch includes a plurality of spaced, non-insulated conductors enclosed between a non-conductive base layer and a water absorbent layer. The water absorbent layer is in contact with the conductors. Electrical connection between the conductors is permitted when the absorbent layer is sufficiently wetted, but there is no electrical connection between the conductors when the water absorbent layer is dry. The switch can be placed on or near the PTAC/PTHP, on the floor or wall beneath the PTAC/PTHP and/or on a wall sleeve that receives the PTAC/PTHP.

Claims

1. A shutoff switch for a packaged terminal air conditioner or packaged terminal heat pump comprising:

a strip including;

a non-conductive base layer having an inner side and an outer side;

a plurality of non-insulated conductors extending along the inner side of the base layer, the plurality of non-insulated conductors being spaced apart along their entire lengths; and

a water absorbent layer attached to the inner side of the base layer such that the plurality of conductors are substantially enclosed therebetween, the water absorbent layer being made of a non-conductive material and being in contact with the plurality of conductors, whereby electrical connection between the plurality of conductors is permitted when the absorbent layer is sufficiently wet and whereby electrical connection between the plurality of conductors is prevented when the water absorbent layer is dry; and

a plurality of conductors extending from the strip, each of the conductors being electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of non-insulated conductors, at least a substantial portion of each of the conductors being insulated.

2. The shutoff switch of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner side or the outer side of the base layer is at least partially coated with an adhesive.

3. The shutoff switch of claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer has an associated width and the base layer has an associated width, wherein the width of the absorbent layer is greater than the width of the base layer, wherein the absorbent layer protrudes beyond at least one lateral side of the base layer, and wherein the protruding portion of the absorbent layer is wrapped around a respective lateral side of the base layer and attached to the outer side of the base layer, whereby absorption of water below the switch is facilitated.

4. The shutoff switch of claim 1, further including an electrolyte associated with the absorbent layer.

5. The shutoff switch of claim 1, further including a resistor disposed along at least one of the plurality of non-insulated conductors or at least one of the plurality of conductors.

6. A leakage minimization system for a packaged terminal air conditioner or packaged terminal heat pump comprising:

a unit being one of a packaged terminal air conditioner or packaged terminal heat pump, the unit having a front desk circuit, the front desk circuit being configured to disable the unit when the front desk circuit is completed; and

a normally open shutoff switch operatively connected to the front desk circuit, the shutoff switch being configured to close when sufficiently wetted, whereby the front desk circuit is completed when the shutoff switch closes.

7. The system of claim 7, wherein the shutoff switch includes:

a strip including;

a non-conductive base layer having an inner side and an outer side;

a plurality of non-insulated conductors extending along the inner side of the base layer, the plurality of non-insulated conductors being spaced apart along their entire lengths, each of the plurality of non-insulated conductors being operatively connected to the front desk circuit; and

a water absorbent layer attached to the inner side of the base layer such that the plurality of non-insulated conductors are substantially enclosed therebetween, the water absorbent layer being made of a non-conductive material and being in contact with the plurality of non-insulated conductors, whereby electrical connection between the plurality of non-insulated conductors is permitted when the absorbent layer is sufficiently wet and electrical connection between the plurality of non-insulated conductors is prevented when the water absorbent layer is dry.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the strip is attached to a surface located below the unit.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the surface is a floor or a wall.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the strip is substantially aligned with a front edge of the unit.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the strip is attached to a portion of the unit.

12. The system of claim 7, further including a sleeve, wherein at least a portion of the unit is received in the sleeve, and wherein the strip is attached to a portion of the sleeve.

13. The system of claim 7, further including a cover for covering at least a portion of the unit, and wherein the strip is attached to a portion of the cover.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the inner side or the outer side of the base layer is at least partially coated with an adhesive.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the absorbent layer has an associated width and the base layer has an associated width, wherein the width of the absorbent layer is greater than the width of the base layer, wherein the absorbent layer protrudes beyond at least one lateral side of the base layer, and wherein the protruding portion of the absorbent layer is wrapped around a respective lateral side of the base layer and attached to the outer side of the base layer, whereby absorption of water below the switch is facilitated.

16. The system of claim 7, further including an electrolyte associated with the absorbent layer.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the electrolyte is salt.

18. The system of claim 7, further including a resistor disposed along at least one of the plurality of non-insulated conductors or between at least one of the plurality of non-insulated conductors and the front desk circuit.

19. A method for minimizing leakage from a packaged terminal unit, the packaged terminal unit being a packaged terminal air conditioner or packaged terminal heat pump, the packaged terminal unit having a front desk circuit, the front desk circuit being configured to disable the packaged terminal unit when the front desk circuit is completed, the method comprising:

operatively connecting a normally open shutoff switch to the front desk circuit, the shutoff switch being configured to close when sufficiently wetted, whereby the front desk circuit is completed when the shutoff switch closes.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the shutoff switch includes a strip having a water absorbent layer, and further including:

attaching the strip to a floor below the packaged terminal unit, a wall below the packaged terminal unit, a portion of the packaged terminal unit, a portion of a sleeve into which at least a portion of the packaged terminal unit is received, or a cover that covers at least a portion of the packaged terminal unit.