AU620203B2 - Creación de Inventos y Patentes con Inteligencia Artificial

AU620203B2 – Bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the normal profile of a bus
– Google Patents

AU620203B2 – Bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the normal profile of a bus
– Google Patents
Bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the normal profile of a bus

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Publication number
AU620203B2

AU620203B2
AU48777/90A
AU4877790A
AU620203B2
AU 620203 B2
AU620203 B2
AU 620203B2
AU 48777/90 A
AU48777/90 A
AU 48777/90A
AU 4877790 A
AU4877790 A
AU 4877790A
AU 620203 B2
AU620203 B2
AU 620203B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
air
bus
frame
evaporator
condenser
Prior art date
1989-02-09
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Ceased

Application number
AU48777/90A
Other versions

AU4877790A
(en

Inventor
Ronald Walker Brown
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Thermo King Corp

Original Assignee
Thermo King Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1989-02-09
Filing date
1990-01-24
Publication date
1992-02-13

1990-01-24
Application filed by Thermo King Corp
filed
Critical
Thermo King Corp

1990-08-16
Publication of AU4877790A
publication
Critical
patent/AU4877790A/en

1992-02-13
Application granted
granted
Critical

1992-02-13
Publication of AU620203B2
publication
Critical
patent/AU620203B2/en

2010-01-24
Anticipated expiration
legal-status
Critical

Status
Ceased
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING

F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES

F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

F25D19/00—Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infra-red detectors

F25D19/003—Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infra-red detectors with respect to movable containers

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL

B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES

B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices

B60H1/00357—Air-conditioning arrangements specially adapted for particular vehicles

B60H1/00371—Air-conditioning arrangements specially adapted for particular vehicles for vehicles carrying large numbers of passengers, e.g. buses

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL

B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES

B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices

B60H1/32—Cooling devices

B60H1/3204—Cooling devices using compression

B60H1/3229—Cooling devices using compression characterised by constructional features, e.g. housings, mountings, conversion systems

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL

B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES

B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices

B60H1/32—Cooling devices

B60H1/3233—Cooling devices characterised by condensed liquid drainage means

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL

B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES

B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices

B60H1/00007—Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices

B60H1/00207—Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices characterised by the position of the HVAC devices with respect to the passenger compartment

B60H2001/00242—Devices in the rear area of the passenger compartment

Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC

Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10S62/00—Refrigeration

Y10S62/16—Roof and ceiling located coolers

Description

Amar /0/1 PATENTS ACT 1952 20 2 0 COMPLETE SPEC0IFICATION
(ORIGINAL)
FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: hIt Cl: Applicatir Number: Lodged: 0 00 00 o 000 :0 000.
0 06 00 0 0 00 Coruplete SpoGIfic~t~on-Lo~iged: Acc’aptgd: L.apsod: PublisheO~: 0000 000~ Priority: 000Related Art: 0000 00 0 0 c0.0000 0 0 Name of Applicant: 0’000 des p lia t 0 0 drs e6Aplc0t Actual Inventor: Address for Service: TO BE COMPLV~ED BY APPLICANT THERMO KI’LG CORJ0RAT ION 314 West 90thi Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55420, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RONALD WALKYSR BROWN PETER MAXWELL ASSOCIATES Ross Streeto North Parranattag NSW, 2151 Complete Specification for the invention entitled:- BUS AIR CONDITQIONER SUITABLE FOR MOUNTING WITH-IN THE NORMAL PROF ILB OF A BUS The following statement Is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing It known to me:-* Note: The description Is to be typed In double spacing, pica type face, In an area not e~xceeding 250 mm in deph and 160 mm In width, on tough white paper of good quality and It Is to be Inserted Inside this form, 14599/78-L Printed by C J. THoMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer. Canberra
I
a 0 i o The invention relates in general to air con- S00la Sbo ditioning systems for a bus, and more specifically to bus 00 e t air conditioning systems which are suitable for mounting Ss b within the normal profile or outer structure of a bus.
°d Certain types of bus construction, such as buses oo of h coolig porio of h y 0000 which travel relative long distances at highway speeds between tops, desire minimal airflow drag and accordingly require that the air conditioning and air distribution ooo system be confined within the normal oster structure of o°ogo 10 the bus. Typical prior art approaches to conditioning and distribution systems for such buses s read the clmoooao panents of the cooling portion of the system about the bus, and the heating system is normally separate from the cooling system.
15 The distribution of air in a bus for heating, oOn cooling, and fresh air circulation, is a major factor in o *o obtaining satisfactory passenger comfort. The cooling of a bus is best accomplished with air from roof ducts which extend along the outer roof corners. Heating of a bus is best accomplished with air from floor and sidfwall ducts.
Cooling a bus with floor and sidewall ducts is not efficient, and requires a relative long pull-down time which is undesirable for commuter buses, for example, which sit all day in the sun waiting for the evening part of the commute.
Heating a bus via overhead ducts is generally unsatisfactory as the bus floor is usually too cold and 2 9, rarr
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the ceiling too warm, due to the natural convection of the air.
Thus, it is conventional to heat a bus using floor and sidewall ducts, drawing return air to the heating unit at the floor level. The air at floor level, however, is not the most indicative of passenger compartment air temperature, and even more detrimental, it contains the highest dirt content of any air in the bus.
The noise produced by the motors and blowers of the air conditioning and air circulation system must be o° oo controlled for passenger comfort. Introducing a cira»o cuitous path between the air conditioning system and the o0, bus ducting reduces noise level. However, this results in coo ooo higher losses due to the angles and longer ducts, requir- 0 00 15 ing higher fan power per cubic foot of conditioned air 0000 ooo delivered. It is also partially self defeating as it increases the static pressure the fans have to work against, which increases both the losses and noise level.
0041 Thus, it would be desirable, and it is the 6 0 o ‘o 20 object of the present invention, to provide a new and 0000 oo° o improved air conditioning system for buses which achieves the desired passenger comfort during both heating and 000000o o cooling cycles, without the disadvantages pointed out above.
000 25 Briefly, the present invention is a new and a 6 improved bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within o °o the normal outer structure of a bus. The air conditioner provides both heating and cooling from the same integral package, which package includes all heating and cooling components except for the compressor. The compressor is driven by the bus engine, and it is thus mounted in the engine compartment of the bus.
The air conditioner provides both heating and cooling to upper and lower air distribution systems on the bus, and it thus provides cool air from the ceiling, as well as from the floor and side walls, when cooling is required, facilitating a fast pull-down. The air conditioner further provides heating from the floor and side -i walls, in addition to heat from the overhead ducting, assuring warm floors during the heating season.
The air conditioner utilizes a single air return common to both the upper and lower air distribution systems, and this air return, which is at the back of tLe bus, is horizontally oriented for noise reduction.
Further, the air return is approximately at passenger head level, returning air past the temperature sensor of the unit which is most indicative of passenger compartment 10 temperature, and also returning air with little or no 09 Soo dirt.
o The air return is part of an acoustical plenum °0 which surrounds the air discharge ducts where the air o conditioner discharges conditioned air into the bus air 15 duct distribution system. The acoustical plenum enables 0000 o this discharge to be direct, eliminating the need for a circuitous path, thus reducing the static pressure against which the evaporator blowers must work, and reducing 0000 losses due to the direct .ischarge and lower static 0 0 00″» 20 pressure. The direct discharge and elevated entry of 000 oo o cooled air promotes a very quick pull-down, which is 0 essential for passenger comfort on the hereinbefore amentioned commuter buses.
The single package is made possible by a frame 0.00 25 arrangement in which upper and lower evaporator and 01oo condenser sections, respectively, are formed by an inter- 0 0 0o 0 mediate frame structure which promotes moi,’,ture removal from the air before the air reaches first a, d second sets of evaporator blowers which introduce conditioned air into ‘the bus air distribution system. The first set of evaporator blowers is directly associated with the evaporator section. The evaporator section includes the refrigerant evaporator coil and also a heating coil which controllably receives hot bus engine coolant. The first set of evaporator blowers discharges conditioned air directly into the upper bOs air distribution system, passing through the acoustical plenum, as hereinbefore explained.
9]
.J
-i i_ il I The frame further defines a downwardly extending central air duct which extends from the evaporator section, through the condenser section, to the second set of evaporator blowers disposed below the condenser section.
The second set of evaporator blowers draws conditioned air from the evaporator section and discharges it into the lower bus air distribution system, which may include both floor and sidewall outlets.
The condenser section Ancludes a condenser fan on both sides of the vertical duct defined by the frame, 0oooo with fan drive motors being mounted on motor mounts which 0°Oo angle upwardly from the bottoms of side openings in the 0 0C0 0 0 frame to the vertical duct. The skewed arrangement of the o0o motor mounts increases the size of the motor access space.
0 15 A condenser is mounted across the side of the condenser oda 0000oo section which faces the rear of the bus. The condsenser fans draw ambient air into the condenser section from appropriately located side openings in the bus and the 000 2 fans discharge it through the condenser coil and away from 0.°0 20 the bus via an opening in the back or rear of the bus.
0000 0o 0 In addition to the fresh ambient air being drawn 0 into the bus for the purpose of picking up heat rejected by the condenser, the rear bus structure within which the bus air conditioner is mounted functions as a fresh air oo 25 plenum. The ambient air drawn into fresh air plenum by oo the condenser fans is adjacent to a rear wall of the o oo acoustical plenum, with louvers in this rear plenum wall enabling fresh outside air to mix with return air from the bus, to ensure the desired freshness of the conditioned air.
The invention will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, which are shown by way of example only, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bus illustrating the position of an air conditioning unit constructed according to the teachings of the invention 0 000 00 0 o0000 000 000 00 0 0000 00 0 0 000 00000 0 a0 and upper and lower air distribution systems in the bus which are connected to the air conditioning unit; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a frame which supports the various elements of the air conditioner, viewed from the evaporator side of the frame; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame shown in Figure 2, except viewed from the condenser side of the frame;, Figure 4 is a view of the frame shown in Figures 2 and 3, except with parts removed to more clearly illustrate an intermediate portion of the frame which separates an upper evaporator section from lower condenser section, and a vertically extending duct which communicates conditioned air from the evaporator section to a lower evaporator blower assembly; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rear of the bus shown in Figure 1, with parts of the bus cut away, to more clearly illustrate the various components of the air conditioner unit; 20 Figure 6 is an elevational rear view of the air conditLioner 7,unit shown in Figures 1 and 5, with parts cut away to more clearly illustrate the components thereof; Figure 7 is a plan view of the air conditioner unit shown in Figures 1, 5 and S, with parts cut away; and 25 Figure 8 is a siLde elevational vietw of the air conditioner unit shown in Figures 1, 5, 6 and 7.
Referring now to the drawings, and to Figure 1 in particular, there is shown a bus 10 having an air cgonditioner unit 12 constructed according to the teachings of the invention for providing conditioned warm or cool air, as required, for a passenger compartment 13. Bus 12 has a front 14, a back or rear 16, a roof or top 1a, and first and second sides 20 and 22.* Bus 2,0 has a straight top 18, devoid of air drag produoihng projections, such as would be caused by a roof mounted~ Pir conditioner unit.
Air conditioner unit 12, vhich supplies both heating and cooling for but 10, is a single integral package except for a refriqera ,t compressor 24 located in 06 90 0 coo* 6 an engine compartment 25 at the lower rear 16 of bus with the compressor 24 being driven by a prime mover such as a bus engine. Air conditioner unit 12 is mounted in a fresh air compartment or plenum 31 at the rear 16 of bus 10, above the engine compartment 25, completely within the normal profile of bus 10, with no projections on bus being required to accommodate unit 12.
Notwithstanding that air conditioner 12 is a single package, it supplies conditioned air to the bus via an upper air duct distribution system which includes upper air ducts 26 and 28, and lower air duct distribution system which includes lower air ducts 27 and 29. Upper f» ducts 26 and 28, which are generally located above a Ii ceiling 30 of bus 10, run the length of bus i0 along the upper right and left hand corners of the bus ceiling As illustrated relative to upper air duct 28, conditioned air, indicated by arrows 32, is forced along the length of duct 28, with appropriate outlets spaced along duct 28 S directing conditioned air, indicated by arrows 34 and 36, 20 downwardly into the passenger compartment 13. The lower ducts 27 and 29, which are generally located at or below the floor level of bus 10, run the length of the bus along the lower right and left hand corners of the bus floor. In addition to providing conditioned air at floor level via appropriate openings in ducts 27 and 29, indicated by arrows 38, the lower ducts 27 and 29 ray communicate with vertical side wall ducts which discharge conditioned air via side outlets located intermediate the floor and ceiling, as indicated by arrows A plenum 42 lined with sound absorbing material 49, which plenum will be hereinafter referred to as acoustical plenum 42, is disposed between air conditioner unit 12 and passenger compartment 13, with the upper air ducts 26 and 28 communicating with unit 12 via acoustical plenum 42. Acoustical plenum 42 has a generally horizontally oriented bottom portion 44 which defines a return air opeaing 45 (Figure 8) through which air is drawn from the passenger compartment 13 by unit 12, as indicated by i i _1 L arrow 46. The level of opening 45 is generally at passenger hea4′ level of a standing passenger, or above. A filter 48 (Figures 5 and 8) disposed within the return air opening 45 may be removed, and the acoustical plenum 42 tnen provides a relatively large accesv space for service and maintenance of certain of the componenta of unit 12 from within the passenger compartment 13 of bus 10. The acoustical plenu-m 42, which, as hereinbefore stated, is lined with a s~itable sound absorbing insulation 49 (Figure enables unit 12 to discharge conditioned air 0 000directly into overhead ducts 26 and 28 for efficient 0 000transfer of conditioned air to passenger compartment 13, 0 0 enabling fast pull-down without excessive noise being 0 O 000.prcoXaced In the passeniger compartment 13. Acoustical 00 00 V 25 plenum 42 includes a back wall 51. which is immediately 0000 adjacent to the fresh air plenum 31 defined by bus U~nit 12 draws fresh ambient air, indicated by arrow 50, into the fresh air plenum 31 and into unit 12 via openings in both sides 20 and 22 of bus 10, such as 20 opening 52 in side 22 which is covered by an access panel o c0 0 00 0 or door 54 containing a grille for air entry. Unit 12 0 discharges heat rejected by unit 12 out the back or rear OQO 0O 0 16 of bus 10, via an opening 56 covered by a removable or hinged access panel 57 containing an appropriate grille 0000 25 for air passage. Fresh air 50 drawn into fresh air plenum
U
0 0 r31 is alco available adjacent to louvers 58 disposed in 00 o the back wall 51 of acoustical plenum 42. Louvers 58 may be adjusted or controlled,, as desired, to provide the desired mix of bus return air 46 with fresh air The side openings in bus 10, such as side opening 52, the rear opening 56 in bus 10, and opening in acoustical plenum 42, provide ample access points for servicing all components of unit 12.
Air conditioner unit 12 includes an elongated metallic frame 60, formed of a inetal such as aluminum, Tiith frame 60 being best shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of frame 60 illustrating evaporator and condenser sides thereof, as ~09 0 Q 0 00 00 0 130 00 000 00 noon a 0~ 000040 0 00 will be hereinafter explained. Frame 60 includes first and second axial end 62 and 64, respectively, relative to a longitudinal axis 66 which extends between the ends. A generally horizontally oriented intermediate section 68 extends between ends 62 and 64, dividing frame 60 into an upper evaporator section 70 and a lower condenser section 72.
The first axial end 62 of frame 60 is defined by an upstanding wall 74. Wall 74 includes a, circular opening 76 into evaporator section 70 and a generally rectangu Lar opening 78 into condenser section 72. In like manner the second axial end 64 of frame 60 is defined by an upstanding wall 80. Wall 80 includes a circular opening 82 into evaporator section 70 and a generally 15 rectangular oper 4 ng 84 into condenser section 72.
Frame 60 includes a front 86, with reference to the front 14 of bus 10, with front 86 being the hereinbef ore mentioned «evaporator side» of frame 60, which is shown most clearly in Figure 2. Frame 60 includes a back 20 88, with reference to the back or rear 16 of bus 10, with back 88 being the hereinbi–ore mentioned «condenser side» of frame 60, which is shown most clearly in Figure 3.
The evaporator sect.Lun 70 is defined by intermediate section 68, upstanding walls 74 and 80, an upstanding wall 90 which joins the intermediate section 68 and walls 74 and 80 along the baac, 88 of frame 60, and a removable cover 92 which is shown in Figuze 1. Cover 92 is not shown in Figures 2 and 3 in order to more clearly illustrata the details of frame 60. Cover 92 is attached to flanges 94 and 96 on upstanding walls 74 and 4 respectively. Side 86 of evaporator section 70 of frame is opcn, being closed by the assembly of an evaporator coil 98 with frame 60, as shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8.
The intermediate section 68 of frame 60, which is beot shown in a fragmentary view of frame 60 in Figure 4, includes a base inembdr 100 formed of sheet metAl, such as aluminum. Base member 100, which may al,’o form the hereinbefore mentioned pstanding wall port~ion 90 of 000 0 U 00 Ii ,evaporator section 70, i19 desired, includes a horizontally orier~ted section 102 -which extends between the first and second ends 62 and 64, starting on side 88 of frame. Base member 100 then angles or slopes downwardly from the horizontal portion 102, starting at bend 104, to form a sloping portion 106 of base member 100 which proceeds to front 86 of frame 60. Sloping portion 106, which functions as a drain pan for unit 12, includes an upstanding motor mount 108 disposed intermediate ends 62 and 64.
Sloping portion 106 also includes one cr more openings, such as openings 110 and 112 disposed on opposite sides of motor mount 108 for commnunicating conditioned air in the evaporator section 70 with a centrally disposed, vertically oriented air duct 114 which extends downwardly from the aa’ 15 initermediate~ section 68, through the condenser section 72.
0 Duct 114 is funnel ahaped at the upper end in ordsr to encopapas.- t 4e openings 110 and 112, wlhich extend outs;ide the vertical projection of duct 114 in order to provide coothe required openiing area. In practice, as will be hereinafter explained, a lower section 1li of duct 114 is ao preferably a part of a lower evaporator air delivery assembly 118 shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8, with an upper evaporator air delivery assembly 12U, shown most clearly in Figure 5, being associated with ‘the evaporator section 000 25 70. The lower portion 116 of duct 114 includes openings 117 and 119 on opposite sides thereof for communicating o 0 V oe with the lower evaporator air delivery assembly 118.
Frame. 60, with its assembled components, may simply be lowered vertically into operating position such that duct 114 enters the lower portion 116 with a sliding gasketed fit. The lower portion 2.16 should be installed in bus along with the associated lower air delivery assembly 118, prior to the installation of the main portion of the unit 12 in bus Sloping portion 106 of base member 2.00 includes one or more openingjs at the lowest portion of the slope for draining evaporator condensate, such as openi~ng 1.22 shown connected to a drain hose 124.
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00 00 00 a 000 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0
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Intermediate section 68 further includes a horizontally oriented evapoi.ator and heater coil support plate 1’26 which is fixed to the sloping portion 106 of base member 1’ pport plate 3126 includes a plurality of openings for enabling condensate on evaporator coil 98 to drop the sloping drain pan portion 106 of base member 100. An elongated right angle member 130 is fixed to support plate 126, to physically separate the evaporator coil 98 from a heater coil 132 (Figure and also to block moisture which is deposited on support plate 126 by the evaporator coil 98 from being forced towards back 88 of frame Moisture baffles 134 and 136 are fixed to the sloping portion 106 of base member 100, on opposite sides is of motor mount 108. Air is drawn through the evaporator section 70 from front 86 towards back 88 of frame 60, and the moisture ba 4!fles 134 and 136 have an end fixed to sloping portion 106 closely adjacent to the horizontal support plate 126. Baffles 134 and 136 then extend up the 20 slope, towards the back 88 of frame 60, angling upward and diverging from the s~oping portion 106, to extend in spaced relatl~on over the openings 110 and 112 which lead to the vertical air duct 114. Thus, any moisture which condenses evaporator coil 98 and. collects on support 25 plate 126 must go up the steeply inclined surface of the baffles 134 and 136, and then ovcir upturned ends 135 and 13~7 of baffles 134 and 136, respectively, before any moisture can enter openings 110 and 11l2. Thus, baffles 134 and 136 trap and return to the slc~ping drain pan 106 a large percentage of any evaporator condensate, preventing it from entering openings 110 and 112.
The condenser side or back 8$ of frame 6t,, adjacent to the lower condenser set-,tion ’72, includes a lower support channel 138, and side s1tipport channels 140 and 142 for, receiving a condenser coil 144 (Figure An upstanding wall 146i eY.2ends between frame ends 62 and 64, with wall, 146 being immediatelty adjacent to the condenser support channels 1381 140 and 144. Wall 146 defines two 0000 0 0 0000 00 000 0 0 0 large openings 148 and 150 disposed on opposite sides of vertical duct 114. Fresh ambient air is forced through openings 148 and 150 by condenser air delivery means, as will be hereinafter described.
Side openings 78 and 84 to condenser section 72 are partially defined by bottom or lower frame portions 148 and 150, respectively. Motor mounts 152 and 154 start at the bottom, frame portions 148 and 150, respectively, and they angle upwardly until reaching the vertical air duct 114, where they are suitably fixed. This arrangement for motor mounts 152 and 154 provides increased access space for motors which are mounted on the mounts 152 and 154, via the side openings 78 and 84 to the condenser section 72. A lower angle member 156 extends across the CA0 0 o 15 bottom of frame 60 to complete the condenser section 72.
11 00 «igures 5 through 8 illustrate air conditioner unit 12 !,nstalled in bus 10, with Figure 5 being a perspective view of the back. of bus 10 with parts of bus cut away to more clearly illustrate the various components of unit 1L2. The remaining Figures 6, 7 and 8 are rear OV000 Uelevational, plan, and side elevational views of unit I’Q.
0000 LIO aEvaporator cooil 98 is positioned on the support plate 126, 00 closely adjactent to the outer vertical plane which defines the evaporator side or front 86 of unit 12. The heater coil 132, which may receive hoL radiator coolant from the 00.0 bus engine, for example, is disposed closely adjacent to 0000 evaporator coil 98, separated therefrom by anqle 130. The 0o 0 first evaporator air delivery means or assembly 120 includes a d~ouble ended motor 157 which is mounted on motor mount 108. Centrifugal blowers 158 and 160 are fixed to the external sidas of upstanding walls 74 and respectively, with inlet sides of blowers 158 and 160 being aligned with openings 76 and 82, respectively, which comm~unicate with an evaporator plenum 161 defined by evaporator section 70. Discharge sides of blowers 153 and 160, such as discharge side 162 of blower 15,0, K!Irect conft ‘tioned air directly into bus air dt.ct 28 Via a duct section 164 which extends through acoustical plenum 42.
.least one tan mounted on said frame adjacent to said Tcondenser coil such that said condenser fan draws air into the condenser section via an opening in a side of the bus, and discharges air from the condenser section via the opening in the back of the bus, /2 i
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1 1 12 Motor 157 I,s linked to rotary blades of blowers 158 and 160 via shafts 166 and 168, respectively, which are coupled to motor 3,58 via couplings 170 and 172. Shafts 166 and 168 are supported adjacent to blowers 158 and 160 via suitable bearings, such as bearing 174 adj3cent to blower 160. A bearing support 176 extends across opening 82 and is fixed to wall The second or lower evaporator air delivery means 118 includes blowers 178 and 180 fixed to section 116 of duct 114, with blowers 178 and 180 being driven by an electric motor 181. Air inlets to blowers 178 and 180 are aligned with openings 117 and 119, respectively. Air discharge outlets of blowers 178 and 180 are connected to air ducts 182 and 184 which angle downwardly to connect to the bottom air distribution ducts 29 and 27 in bus Condenser air delivery means 186 is preferably tft in the form of first and second axial flow fans 188 and 190 which inlude fan blades 191 and 193 driven by motors 192 and 194 which are respectively mounted on upwardly angled motor mounts 152 and 154.
In the operation of air conditioner unit 12, bus 0o 0 at return air 46, and also outside or ambient air 50 when louvers 58 are open, are drawn into acoustical plenum 42 via the horizontally oriented filter 48 supported by the bottom 44 of plenum 42. This air is drawn into the evaporator plenum 161, passing through the evaporator and heater coils 98 and 132, respectively. Blowers 158 and 1600 discharge a portion of the corditioned air directly into the upper bus air ducts 28 and 26. Blowers 178 and 180 also draw a portion of the conditioned air down the vertical al.r duct 114, and blowers 178 and 180 discharge the conditioned air into ducts 182 and 184 which lead to the lower bus air ducts 29 and 27, respectively.
Condenser fans 188 and 190 draw air into the fresh air plenum 31 defined by bus 10 via the side openings, such as side opening 52, and into tie condenser section 72. Fans 1388 and 190 then force the fresh ambient ait through condenser coil 144, where air containing heat 8 k M~i ‘.T1 jb=~ r~
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00, 00 o 00 00 o ooo O 00 00 0000 4 4I ‘4,4 440’C 0 0i rejected from condenser coil 144 is then discharged from the back plane 16 of the bus via rear opening 56.
Refrigerant components, such as a ~rceiver 198 and drier 200, are accessible via the side opening 52 on the curb side of bus 10, and electrica2 controls, mounted in electrical control cabinet 202, are accessible via a similar side opening on the street side of bus Condenser fans 188 and 190 are also accessible via the side openings in bus 10, such as side opening 52 adjacent to condenser fan 188, with the inclined motor mounts 152 and 154 improving access space. The rear access panel 57 which covers rear opening 56 may be removed for access to the lower evaporator air delivery means 118, condenser coil 144, cover 92 on the evaporator section 70, and the 15 components mounted within the evaporate section including the upper evaporator air delivery means 120.
Finally, return air filter 48 may be removed and access may be gained to evaporator coil 98 and other refrigerant components, such as a temperature sensor for a temperature thermostat mounted with the electrical control cabinet In summary, bus air conditioner unit 12 is mounted in a rear fresh air plenum of bus 10, within the normal outside structure of bus 10, with unit 12 providing heating and coolinr from a single air conditioner package.
The single unit 12 directly discharges conditioned air int> the bus roof ducts 26 and 28 for quick pull down with little efficiency loss, via an acoustical plen 42 which acoustically isolates the unit 12 from passengers in the passenger compartment 13. Bus return air 46 is directed to unit 12 via the sime acoustical plenum 42, with the opening 45 to the air return acoustical plenum 42 being elevated such that a temperature sensor disposed to sense return air temperature senses the correct temperature of the passanger compartment for passenger comfort, and also to prevent dirt from being drawn into unit 12. This single air return serves the roof ducts 26 and 28 via an upper evaporator air delivery assembly 120, and also floor .,1 NORMAL PROFILE OF A BUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-‘ SNote: The description is to be typed in double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160 mm in width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted inside this form.
14599/78- L Printed by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra 2 1 .1I I I 1.
ducts 27 and 29 via a lower evaporator air delivery assembly 118 which draws conditioned air from evaporator plenum 161 via a vertica i’air duct 114 which splits the condenser section 72. The frame 60 of unit 12 provides several unique features, including the inclined motor mounts 152 and 154, and the intermediate section 68 which directs evaporator condensate to a drain pan or base 100, while preventing air movement from dragging moisture into the vertical air duct 114. The acoustical plenum 42 also includes vents 58 disposed in fluid flow communication the fresh air chamber 31 which surrounds the unit 12, permitting a desired mixing of fresh air 50 with the bus return air 46. The single integral unit 12 will provide quick cooling, when cooling is required, and it will warm the 15 floor of the passenger compartment 13 when heating is required. When neither heating nor cooling is required, unit 12 may Ile used to circulate fresh outside air 50 in all four air delivery ducts 26, 28, 27 and 29.
o 4 o a o o0 o 4o 0»
I
900 4 a 4I 4
SI
t t t C i.;*I i

Claims (9)

1. A bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the profile of a bus wherein the air conditioner includes an evaporator coil a condenser coil and evaporator and condenser air mover as- semblies and wherein the bus has a front back and first and second sides and openings in said back and said first and second sides, characterized by: an elongated frame mounted in said bus, im- mediately adjacent to the back of the bus, said frame defining an evaporator section in an upper portion of the frame, a condenser section in a lower portion of the frame, below said evaporator section, and an air duct which extends downwardly 15 from the evaporator section, through said condenser section, said evaporator and condenser coils being respectively disposed in said evaporator and condenser sections of said frame, said condenser air mover assembly including at least one fan mounted on said frame adjacent to said condenser coil such that said condenser fan draws air into the condenser section via an opening in a side of the bus, and discharges air from the condenser section via the opening in the back of the bus, and upper and lower air duct distribution systems in the bus, said evaporator air mover assembly including at least one upper blower and at least one lower blower -16- with said at least one upper blower being mounted on said frame above the condenser section to draw return air from the bus at a level above the condenser section and to discharge conditioned air into the upper air duct distribution system of the bus, and wherein the at least one lower blower is mounted on said frame below the condenser section to receive 00 conditioned air from the at least one upper evaporator 00 0 0o section via the air duct defined by said f.ame, and to 0 o. discharge conditioned air into the lower air duct 0o a 000 00*o distribution system of the bus. 0 00 oo

2. The bus air conditioner of claim 1 including an 000 acoustical plenum disposed in the bus adjacent to the evaporator section of the frame, with the at least one upper 00 evaporator blower drawing return air from the bus into the 0 io ,0 evaporator section via said acoustical plenum. a 3. The bus air conditioner of claim 2 wherein the oa acoustical plenum includes a generally horizontally oriented Q o S0bottom portion which ftines an opening through which air 0 0 o o from the bus is drawn by the at least one upper evaporator blower,

4. The bus air conditioner of claim 2 wherein the upper air duct distribution system of the bus includes air ducts which proceed to the evapc,ator section of the frame via the acoustical plenum, with the at least one upper evaporator blower discharging conditioned air directly into said air ducts. ~L 1 C ~LL- -16a- The bus air conditioner of claim 1 including a heating coil disposed in the evaporator section of the frame, enabling the bus air conditioner to provide both heating and cooling for the bus, as required.

6. The bus air conditioner of claim 1 wherein the frame of the bus air conditioner includes an intermediate section which divides the frame into the upper and lower portions, O 0 Q ODB o 0 with said intermediate portion including a sloping member, a 0 0 00o oo horizontally oriented evaporator coil support plate disposed 0 ao o°O, above and fixed to said sloping member, openings in the o o0 support plate which enable condensation from the evapora- 0000 0 0000O 0000 0 o 000000 oooo 0 0 00 00 00 oa o0 0 0 0 0 o a 0 0 0 c 1 11 1 it i tor coil to drop to the sloping member, and a drain outlet at a low point of the sloping member.

7. The bus air conditioner of claim 6 including an air duct opening in the sloping member disposed in communication with the air duct defined by the frame, and a moisture baffle fixed to the sloping member which extends in spaced relation above the air duct opening, said moisture baffle forcing conditioned o air being drawn into the air duct by the at .east one o 10 lower evaporator blower to initially follow an upward o Q4 o moisture blocking path.

8. The bus air conditioner of claim 1 wherein the frame of the air conditioner includes first and second 0 0 0-06 ends and the evaporator air mover assembly includes first and second upper blowers with the first and second upper blowers being respectively fixed to the first and second ends of the frame, and including an electric motor disposed in the evapora- Qon z 94 tor section which drives said first and second upper 20 blowers. o oo

9. The bus air conditioner of claim 1 wherein the evaporator air mover assembly includes first and second lower blowers and an electric drive motor and the air duct defined by the frame includes a portion which extends below the condenser section and into air flow communication with the first and second lower blowers. The bus air conditioner of claim 1 wherein the frame includes firsi and second end portions which define first and second openings respec- tively, disposed adjacent to the condenser section said frame including bottom frame portions which define lower sides of the openings, said frame including first and second electric motor mounts which angle upwardly from said bottom frame portions to the air duct defined by the frame, and wherein the condenser air mover assembly includes first and second fans driven by first and second electric motors 18 mounted on said first and second angled motor mounts.

11. The bus air conditioner of claim 2 wherein the bus defines a fresh air plenum adjacent to the acoustical plenum, into which air is drawn by the con- denser air mover assembly, and including openings in the acoustical plenum which communicate with said fresh air plenum, enabling air in the fresh air plenum to enter the acoustical plenum and mix with return air from the bus.

12. The bus air conditioner substantially as J hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying ,o drawings. 0 Dated this 24th day of January, 1990. THEFMO KING CORPORATION by their Patent Attorneys PETER MAXWELL ASSOCIATES 0 00 0 _i.4 I_

AU48777/90A
1989-02-09
1990-01-24
Bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the normal profile of a bus

Ceased

AU620203B2
(en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

US07/308,331

US4888959A
(en)

1989-02-09
1989-02-09
Bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the normal profile of a bus

US308331

1989-02-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number
Publication Date

AU4877790A

AU4877790A
(en)

1990-08-16

AU620203B2
true

AU620203B2
(en)

1992-02-13

Family
ID=23193559
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

AU48777/90A
Ceased

AU620203B2
(en)

1989-02-09
1990-01-24
Bus air conditioner suitable for mounting within the normal profile of a bus

Country Status (7)

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Link

US
(1)

US4888959A
(en)

JP
(1)

JP2897928B2
(en)

AU
(1)

AU620203B2
(en)

CA
(1)

CA2008665C
(en)

DE
(1)

DE4002909C2
(en)

ES
(1)

ES2020698A6
(en)

MX
(1)

MX165909B
(en)

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1989

1989-02-09
US
US07/308,331
patent/US4888959A/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1990

1990-01-24
AU
AU48777/90A
patent/AU620203B2/en
not_active
Ceased

1990-01-26
CA
CA002008665A
patent/CA2008665C/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1990-02-01
DE
DE4002909A
patent/DE4002909C2/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1990-02-08
ES
ES9000372A
patent/ES2020698A6/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1990-02-08
MX
MX019422A
patent/MX165909B/en
unknown

1990-02-09
JP
JP2031282A
patent/JP2897928B2/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

Also Published As

Publication number
Publication date

ES2020698A6
(en)

1991-09-01

JPH02234835A
(en)

1990-09-18

CA2008665C
(en)

1997-12-23

MX165909B
(en)

1992-12-09

CA2008665A1
(en)

1990-08-09

US4888959A
(en)

1989-12-26

JP2897928B2
(en)

1999-05-31

DE4002909C2
(en)

1998-10-22

AU4877790A
(en)

1990-08-16

DE4002909A1
(en)

1990-08-16

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