Air conditioning system

• US 4,537,035 A
• Filed: 05/04/1984
• Issued: 08/27/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jack L. Stiles
• Original Assignee: Jack L. Stiles
• Inventors: Stiles, Jack L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/607,185
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 165/16, 236/49, 62/186, 62/409, 62/89, 55/478, 55/480
• US Class Current: 62/89
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/022 comprising a compressor cycle

Abstract

A valve is provided that controls the type of air reaching an air conditioning blower. For example, in one position of the valve, returned, air conditioned air is continually recirculated to the blower without the addition of any fresh air. In another position of the valve the recirculated air is prevented from reaching the blower and only fresh air can flow to the air conditioner blower. The valve can also be located in an infinite number of positions wherein various mixtures of fresh and recirculated air are directed to the air conditioning blower. The valve is positioned by a motor which is in turn controlled by a sensor. The valve mechanism is mounted in a housing which may be included as a part of an original air conditioning system or may be attached to an existing system as a retrofit.

Claims

1. In combination with a thin-line air conditioner having a blower, a compressor, an opening between said blower and compressor for receiving a return air filter and having an access opening adjacent to said blower closed by an access panel, an attachment comprising in combination:

a hollow housing including a return air inlet, an outlet for connection with the air conditioner unit, a fresh air inlet, and an exhaust opening;

impermeable means for closing said first mentioned opening;

means for pivotally connecting said housing to the air conditioner with said outlet adjacent to said access opening in place of the access panel;

control valve means pivotal in said housing from a first position wherein said fresh air inlet is in communication with said outlet to a second position wherein said return air inlet is in communication with said outlet and through an infinite number of intermediate positions wherein fresh air entering said fresh air inlet is mixed with return air before passing through said outlet; and

control means for varying the position of said control valve means in response to a preselected signal to obtain only return air, to another signal to obtain only fresh air, and to other signals to obtain a mixture of fresh and return air at the outlet.

2. The attachment of claim 1 and also including sensing means connected with said control means for generating said signals and transmitting said signals to said control means.

3. The attachment of claim 2 wherein said sensing means generates signals related to ambient temperture.

4. The attachment of claim 3 wherein said control means includes:

a motor having a shaft movable in response to said signals; and

means connecting said shaft with said control valve means.

5. The attachment of claim 4 and also including a filter removably located in said housing and extending across said outlet.

6. In combination with a thin-line air conditioner having a blower, a compressor, an opening between said blower and compressor for receiving an air filter and having an access opening adjacent to said blower closed by an access panel, an attachment comprising in combination:

a hollow housing including a return air inlet, an outlet for connection with the air conditioner unit, a first edge and a second edge adjacent to said outlet, a fresh air inlet, and an exhaust opening;

a filter removably located in said housing and extending across said outlet;

impermeable means for closing said first mentioned opening;

means for pivotally connecting said housing to the air conditioner with said outlet adjacent to said access opening in place of the access panel, said means including a releaseable fastener connecting said first edge to said air conditioner and pivot means connecting said second edge to said air conditioner;

control valve means pivotal in said housing from a first position wherein said fresh air inlet is in communication with said outlet to a second position wherein said return air inlet is in communication with said outlet and through an infinite number of intermediate positions wherein fresh air entering said fresh air inlet is mixed with return air before passing through said outlet;

control means for varying the position of said control valve means in response to a preselected signal to obtain only return air, to another signal to obtain only fresh air, and to another signal to obtain a mixture of fresh and return air at the outlet, said control means inlcuding a motor having a shaft movable in response to said signals and means for connecting said shaft with said control valve means; and

,

sensing means connected with said control means for generating said signals and transmitting said signals to said control means and wherein said signals and the position of said valve means are related to ambient temperature.

7. A method for increasing the efficiency of a thin-line air conditioner having a blower, a compressor, a return air filter located in an opening between said blower and compressor and having an access opening adjacent to said blower closed by an access panel, said method comprising the steps of:

removing the access panel;

removing the filter;

closing the opening between the blower and compressor;

pivotally attaching an air control housing to said air conditioner with an outlet in said housing disposed adjacent to the access opening;

sensing the ambient temperature;

transmitting a signal related to said sensed temperature to a control motor; and

,

positioning a control member to admit only recirculated air to said blower in response to one signal, to admit only fresh air to said blower in response to another signal, and to admit a mixture of recirculated and fresh air in response to still another signal.