GB2604672A

GB2604672A - Air conditioning assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2604672A
Application number: GB2112558.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clifford Middleton Guy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-09-29
Filing date: 2021-09-03
Publication date: 2022-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-03
Also published as: GB2604672B; GB202015396D0; GB202112558D0

Abstract

An air conditioning assembly comprises an air conditioning apparatus incorporated into a window box planter (fig 4). The assembly has a first housing 2 in which the apparatus is located, and a second housing 16 overlaying the first housing and in which a flowable solid material (soil / sand – 20, fig 2) is retained. The air conditioning apparatus includes at least one fan 14 that directs air flow upwardly from the first housing into and through flowable solid material located in the second housing. The second housing may comprise a recess providing a heat conductive metal container 18 into which the soil / sand is placed and is used for growing plants 22, flowers etc… The at least one fan and a heat exchanger 12 may be orientated horizontally or vertically (fig 8). The heat exchanger may heat the container and dissipate heat to the soil / sand, and the heat exchanger may have blades or fins extending through the container to enhance heat dissipation. The at least one fan may be located below or above (fig 5) the heat exchanger. Condensate from the air conditioning apparatus may be recycled to water the plants.

Description

AIR CONDITIONING ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air conditioning assembly. More especially the invention relates to an air conditioning assembly that is in incorporated into an outdoor plant holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioning units are commonly installed in new builds located in a housing secured to the outside of a building. Suitable air conditioning units are provided solely for their function and are constructed by engineers. Very little consideration is given to the aesthetic appearance and, as a result units are often an eyesore and detract any artistic appreciation of the building.

Units are often installed on the roof of a building and their bulky nature fills the roof space with ugly housings, particularly when many units are required to service a number of apartments. The roof location of the units makes maintenance and repair a cumbersome task.

The present invention seeks to provide an air conditioning constructed to be incorporated into more aesthetically pleasing construction often seen on the outside of houses, such as, for example, a planter or window box.

Moreover, the invention seeks to provide an air conditioning unit incorporated under a housing containing flowable material such as, for example, soil, in such a way that heat generated is flows into and through the material thereby improving the heat dissipation and increasing energy efficiency. This in turn increases the possible variations of design and dimensions to allow for aesthetic considerations allowing for me convenient locations for maintenance and repair.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an air conditioning assembly comprising air conditioning apparatus, a first housing in which the apparatus is located, and a second housing overlaying the first housing and in which flowable solid material is retained, the air conditioning apparatus including at least one fan orientated to direct some or all air flow upwardly from the first housing into and through flowable solid material located in the second housing.

Preferably, the first housing contains a horizontally orientated heat exchanger.

Preferably, the first housing of the air conditioning apparatus contains at least one horizontally orientated fan.

Preferably, the first housing of the air conditioning unit contains a compressor.

Preferably, at least part of the second housing of the air conditioning unit has a trough, into which the flowable solid material is located during use.

Preferably, the flowable solid material is soil.

Preferably, at least part of the second housing of the air conditioning unit is made from heat-conductive material.

Preferably, the heat exchanger includes at least one upwardly extending blade.

Preferably, the or each blade extends through the second housing into the flowable solid material.

Preferably, the second housing is removable from the first housing to allow for access to the air conditioning apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates an air conditioning assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates side and end views of the assembly in cross-section; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the assembly components showing the directional flow of air through the assembly; Figure 4 shows the assembly located on a window balcony in use; Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of an air conditioning assembly constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 illustrates the air conditioning assembly of figure 5 when assembled; Figure 7 illustrates an air conditioning assembly constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 illustrates is an exploded view of the assembly of figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates an air conditioning assembly of the invention. The assembly comprises air conditioning apparatus located within a first housing 2. Figure 1 shows the framework of the housing 1 to allow the relevant apparatus to be seen within it for the purpose of this description.

As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the housing 2 includes one longitudinal side wall 4 and end walls 6 such that the housing 2 is formed as a rectangular box structure open at its top and along one side.

The outer surface of each wall 4, 6 is designed to provide some aesthetic appeal, to look, for example, like a window box for plants or flowers. Each wall 4,6 may have a facade to provide this effect. The side and end walls 4, 6 are formed with longitudinal slats or slots 8, or may for example be are louvered, to allow airflow through them.

The air conditioning apparatus is of conventional form and the air dissipating components of the apparatus which are located in the first housing 2 include a compressor 10, heat exchanger 12 and a plurality of fans 14. The heat exchanger 12 and fans 14 are orientated horizontally within the housing 2, the fans being located on or near to the base of the housing 2, underneath the heat exchanger 12 to direct airflow upwardly through the heat exchanger.

In the embodiment shown the compressor 10 is located to one end of the housing 2 next to the heat exchanger 12 and fans 14. To this end, the housing 2 is a length sufficient to accommodate the air conditioning apparatus components which are hidden from view.

The assembly further includes a second housing 16 which fits and extends over the top of the first housing 2 effectively providing a lid to the first housing 2.

The second housing 16 has a recess providing a container section 18 into which soil 20 can be placed in use. The soil 20 provides a growing media for plants, flowers or the like 22.

The container section 18 of the second housing 16 has a depth that extends into the housing 2 above the heat exchanger 12. To this end, the heat exchanger 12 is supported horizontally within the housing 2 at a sufficient depth to provide a gap above it to receive the base of the second housing 16.

The second housing is preferably made from metal but could be made from other heat-conductive material. As shown in figure 2, the second housing 16 has a semi-circular cross section, providing a trough for plants.

Blades or fins (not shown) may be provided that extend upwardly from the heat exchanger 12 through the base of the container section 18 of the second housing 16 and into the soil 20 to enhance dissipation of warm air into and through the soil 20. Heat is dissipated through the soil and plants 22 thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the assembly. The increased efficiency allows for a variation in shape and size, particularly allowing for assemblies of reduced size -allowing them to take the form of a window box or other recognisable structure, for example. Moreover, the condensate is recycled to feed the plants 22.

In the embodiment illustrated the container section 18 only takes up a proportion of the second housing 16. The housing 16 has a flat end section 24 to provide a raised ceiling relative to the base of the container section 18 to accommodate the compressor 10 located at one side of the first housing 2. The top surface of the end section 24 provides, in use, a convenient platform or table for other objects, such as plant pots 26 to further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the assembly.

Figure 3 illustrates the separated component parts of the assembly. The figure also shows the directional flow through the assembly during use (when assembled).

As figure 4 shows, the second housing 16 is easily removable from the first housing 2 to allow access the air conditioning apparatus for maintenance or repair and/or to allow further planting.

Each assembly is able to provide individual room temperature control and may be located on window sill outside of the building, as shown in figure 4 which provides easy access to the unit and causes it not to look out of place to a passer-by.

The embodiment described relates to an air conditioning unit incorporated into a window box. It is though envisaged that the housing of the unit could take the appearance of any other recognisable structure. Similarly, the flowable solid material is described as being soil but the material could be any other suitable material to provide particulates through which heat can be dissipated to provide increased energy efficiency. The material could for example be sand.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an air conditioning assembly. The components are essentially the same as for the first embodiment, the difference being that the fans 14 are located above the heat exchanger 12. The fans 14 sit within a horizontally orientated frame 28, and the compressor 10 is located to one side of the heat exchanger 12 and fan frame 28, thin the same way as the first embodiment.

As shown in this embodiment, the first housing 2 may have the form and structure of an ornamental framework in keeping with an aesthetic window box design.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of an air conditioning assembly. Again, the components are the same as those for the first and second embodiments. This embodiment differs in that the frame assembly 28 and heat exchanger 12 are orientated vertically within the housing 2. To this end, the fan frame 28 is located to one side of the heat exchanger 12. The compressor 10 is located at one end of the housing 2 to one side of the fan frame 28.

Claims

CLAIMS1 An air conditioning assembly comprising air conditioning apparatus, a first housing in which the apparatus is located, and a second housing overlaying the first housing and in which flowable solid material is retained, the air conditioning apparatus including at least one fan orientated to direct some or all air flow upwardly from the first housing into and through flowable solid material located in the second housing.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first housing of the air conditioning unit contains a compressor.
3 An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least part of the second housing of the air conditioning unit has a trough, into which the flowable solid material is located during use.
4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the flowable solid material is soil.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least part of the second housing of the air conditioning unit is made from heat-conductive material.
6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second housing is removable from the first housing to allow for access to the air conditioning apparatus.
7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger includes at least one upwardly extending blade.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the or each blade extends through the second housing into the flowable solid material.
9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first housing contains a horizontally orientated heat exchanger.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first housing of the air conditioning apparatus contains at least one horizontally orientated fan.