US20230049475A1

US20230049475A1 - Compact Air Conditioning Device

Info

Publication number: US20230049475A1
Application number: US17/885,601
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilburn Doyle King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-08-12
Filing date: 2022-08-11
Publication date: 2023-02-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compact air conditioning device for a railroad equipment house or highway traffic control device. The device is primarily comprised of a housing with an interior space that preferably houses at least one air-conditioning unit with multiple features. A supply grate in the front wall of the housing can be routed into the equipment house such that the air-conditioning unit delivers cool air into the equipment house. The operation of the air-conditioning unit may be controlled by a remote or automatically controlled via at least one sensor. The air-conditioning unit may further be powered by at least one solar panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/232,261, which was filed on Aug. 12, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of air conditioners. More specifically, the present invention relates to a compact air conditioning device for a railroad equipment house or road traffic control device. The device is primarily comprised of a housing with an interior space that preferably houses at least one air-conditioning unit with multiple features. A supply grate in the front wall of the housing can be routed into the equipment house such that the air-conditioning unit delivers cool air into the equipment house. The operation of the air-conditioning unit may be controlled by a remote or automatically controlled via at least one sensor. The air-conditioning unit may further be powered by at least one solar panel. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Equipment houses, including railroad equipment housings used by railroads and highway traffic control devices housed in equipment cabinets on roadsides and elsewhere, are small structures positioned along railroads/highways. An equipment house typically stores electronics used to control the railroad/highway. In the summer, an equipment house can become exceptionally hot. When hot, the electronics in an equipment house may overheat, resulting in shorter service life and/or causing them to malfunction. This is undesirable as it can increase costs of operation by requiring early replacement of components and, in the case of malfunction, create safety and emergency repair issues by rendering the underlying railroad/highway switch, control or safety equipment inoperable. Further, equipment houses have limited space. As a result, devices like portable air conditioners cannot be used to cool an equipment house due to their size.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a novel cooling device for an equipment house. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a compact air conditioning device that cools an equipment house to prevent electronics within the equipment house from overheating. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a compact air conditioning device that uses limited space within an equipment house. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a compact air conditioning device that offers additional features beyond the features of existing portable AC units.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a compact air conditioning device. The device is primarily comprised of a housing with an interior space that preferably houses at least one air-conditioning unit with multiple features. The housing can be attached to the exterior of an equipment house via at least one flange and at least one fastener. A supply grate in the front wall of the housing can be routed into the equipment house such that the air-conditioning unit delivers cool air into the equipment house. The operation of the air-conditioning unit may be controlled by a remote or automatically controlled via at least one sensor. The air-conditioning unit may further be powered by at least one solar panel. The unit may also circulate air via a fan function and/or dehumidify air.
In this manner, the compact air conditioning device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a novel cooling device for an equipment house that cools an equipment house to prevent electronics within the equipment house from overheating. Further, the device uses limited space within an equipment house via the grate. In addition, the device offers additional features beyond the features of existing portable AC units.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a compact air conditioning device. The device is primarily comprised of a housing with an interior space that preferably houses at least one air-conditioning unit with multiple features. The device is intended to be used to provide air to an on-site equipment house to prevent electronics and batteries within the equipment house from overheating.
The housing is comprised of at least one flange, preferably positioned on the front wall and/or sidewalls, wherein at least one fastener can be driven through the flange to secure the housing to an exterior wall of an equipment house. The interior space of the housing may have a singular interior space that houses the air-conditioning unit. The interior space may be lined with at least one insulation layer. The front wall of the housing is further comprised of at least one supply grate and at least one return grate.
After being secured to the exterior of an equipment house, the grates are positioned inside the equipment house via creating (i.e., drilling or cutting) at least two holes through the equipment house through which the grates can enter the equipment house. As a result, cool air supplied by the air-conditioning unit can flow into the equipment house via the supply grate and can be re-circulated into the unit via the return grate. The rear wall and/or side walls may further be comprised of at least one supply air opening that is covered by at least one grate and at least one return air opening that is covered by at least one grate.
In differing embodiments, the air-conditioning unit may have a plurality of functions such as a fan function to circulate air within the equipment house, a dehumidifier function to dehumidify air within the equipment house, and an air condition function to cool air within the equipment house. Said functions can be controlled by a remote that is in wireless electrical communication with the unit.
A battery of the device powers the air-conditioning unit. The battery may receive power from a power source such as, but not limited to, a wall outlet via a 110V/240V plug. The battery may also receive power from at least one solar panel position on the exterior of the housing.
Accordingly, the compact air conditioning device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a compact air conditioning device that cools an equipment house to prevent electronics within the equipment house from overheating. Advantageously, the device uses limited space within an equipment house. Furthermore, the device offers additional features beyond the features of existing portable AC units. In this manner, the compact air conditioning device overcomes the limitations of existing AC units known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a compact air conditioning device of the present invention while attached to an equipment house in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of one potential embodiment of a compact air conditioning device of the present invention while attached to an equipment house in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially exploded, front perspective view of one potential embodiment of a compact air conditioning device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel cooling device for an equipment house. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a compact air conditioning device that cools an equipment house to prevent electronics within the equipment house from overheating. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a compact air conditioning device that uses limited space within an equipment house. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a compact air conditioning device that offers additional features beyond the features of existing portable AC units.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a compact air conditioning device primarily comprised of a housing with an interior space that preferably houses at least one air-conditioning unit with multiple features. The device is intended to be used to provide air to an on-site equipment house to prevent electronics and batteries within the equipment house from overheating.
The housing is comprised of at least one flange preferably positioned on the front wall and/or sidewalls wherein at least one fastener can be driven through the flange to secure the housing to an exterior wall of an equipment house. The interior space of the housing may have a singular interior space that houses the air-conditioning unit. The interior space may be lined with at least one insulation layer. The front wall of the housing is further comprised of at least one supply grate and at least one return grate wherein the grates are positioned inside the equipment house via creating (i.e., drilling or cutting) at least two holes through the equipment house through which the grates can enter the equipment house. As a result, cool air supplied by the air-conditioning unit can flow into the equipment house via the supply grate and can be re-circulated into the unit via the return grate. The rear wall and/or side walls may further be comprised of at least one supply air opening that is covered by at least one grate and at least one return air opening that is covered by at least one grate.
The air-conditioning unit may have a plurality of functions such as a fan function to circulate air within the equipment house, a dehumidifier function to dehumidify air within the equipment house, and an air conditioner function to cool air within the equipment house. Said functions can be controlled by a remote that is in wireless electrical communication with the unit.
A battery of the device powers the air-conditioning unit. The battery may receive power from a power source such as, but not limited to, a wall outlet via a 110V/240V plug. The battery may also receive power from at least one solar panel positioned on the exterior of the housing.
Accordingly, the compact air conditioning device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a compact air conditioning device that cools an equipment house to prevent electronics within the equipment house from overheating. Advantageously, the device uses limited space within an equipment house. Furthermore, the device offers additional features beyond the features of existing portable AC units. In this manner, the compact air conditioning device overcomes the limitations of existing AC units known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a compact air conditioning device 100 of the present invention while attached to an equipment house 10 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a housing 110 with an interior space 120 that preferably houses at least one air-conditioning unit 200 with multiple features. Unless otherwise specified herein, all components of the housing 110 are preferably made from a durable metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, galvanized steel, or aluminum that is preferably waterproof and corrosion resistant.
In the preferred embodiment, the housing 110 is rectangular in shape and is comprised of a top wall 130, a bottom wall 140, a front wall 150, a rear wall 160, and two side walls 190 that together form an interior space 20. All walls 130,140,150,160,190 may be removably attached to one another using any fastening means known in the art, or fixedly attached via welds, adhesive, etc. The device 100 is intended to be used to provide air to an on-site equipment house 10 to prevent electronics and batteries within the equipment house 10 from overheating. The housing 110 is comprised of at least one flange 156 preferably positioned on the front wall 150 and/or sidewalls 190. At least one fastener 158 can be driven through the flange 156 to secure the housing 110 to an exterior wall of an equipment house 10. In differing embodiments, the fastener 158 may be any fastener type such as, but not limited to, bolt, nail, screw, magnet, etc.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of one potential embodiment of a compact air conditioning device 100 of the present invention while attached to an equipment house in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The interior space 120 of the housing 110 may have a singular interior space that houses the air-conditioning unit 200. In a differing embodiment, the interior space 120 is comprised of at least one return air chamber 122 and at least one air conditioning chamber 124. Each chamber 122,124 and/or the entire interior space 120 may be lined with at least one insulation layer 126. The insulation layer 126 may be comprised of any insulation type known in the art such as, but not limited to, a cellulose insulation, a fiberglass insulation, a mineral wool insulation, etc., such that the chambers 122,124, and/or housing 110 remains insulated from outside heat. The chambers 122,124 and housing 110 may further be airtight. The air-conditioning unit 200 may be positioned within the air conditioning chamber 124.
FIG. 3 illustrates a partially exploded, front perspective view of one potential embodiment of a compact air conditioning device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The front wall 150 is further comprised of at least one supply grate 152 and at least one return grate 154. After being secured to the exterior of an equipment house 10, the grates 152,154 are positioned inside the equipment house 10 via creating (i.e., drilling or cutting) at least two holes through the equipment house 10 through which the grates 152,154 can enter the equipment house 10. As a result, cool air supplied by the air-conditioning unit 200 can flow into the equipment house 10 via the supply grate 152 and can be re-circulated into the unit 200 via the return grate. Both grates 152,154 may be any grate type known in the art and can be opened, closed, and have adjustable airflow.
The rear wall 160 and/or side walls 190 may further be comprised of at least one supply air opening 170 that is covered by at least one grate 172 and at least one return air opening 180 that is covered by at least one grate 182. Both grates 172,182 may be any grate type known in the art and can be opened, closed, and adjusted. The supply air opening 170 allows outside air to flow into the housing 110 to be used by the air-conditioning unit 200. The return air opening 180 allows excess return air to be expelled from the housing 110 as needed.
In differing embodiments, the air-conditioning unit 200 may have a plurality of functions. Said functions include a fan function to circulate air within the equipment house 10, a dehumidifier function to dehumidify air within the equipment house 10, and an air conditioning function to cool air within the equipment house 10. The air-conditioning unit 200 preferably has all conventional features of air-conditioning units known in the art. In a further embodiment, the unit 200 may have a heating feature to heat the air within the equipment house 10.
The functions of the unit 200 are preferably controlled by at least one remote 220 with at least one button 222 and that is powered by at least one battery 226. At least one receiver 224 of the remote 220 is in wireless electrical communication with at least one transmitter 206 of the unit 200. The wireless communication method can include but is not limited to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, radiofrequency, etc. The remote 220 preferably has a button 222 that allows the unit 200 to be turned on and off. The remote 220 further preferably has a button that allows the function of the unit 200 (as described above) to be selected. A button 222 may also allow a user to program the unit 200 to run for a specific duration of time (i.e., hours, time of day, duration of days, etc.) and do so using a specific function.
In one embodiment, the unit 200 may be comprised of at least one sensor 208 positioned outside or inside the housing 110 and powered by the battery 202. The sensor 208 may be a temperature sensor that automatically powers on the unit 200 with the cooling function if the temperature detected within the equipment house 10 or outside the device 100 exceeds a programmable (via the remote 200) temperature. In this manner, the device 100 can operate automatically as needed to cool the equipment house. If the temperature detected within the equipment house 10 or outside the device 100 is below the programmable temperature, the unit 200 may automatically use the fan function as cooling is not needed. The sensor 208 may also be a humidity sensor that automatically uses the dehumidifier function of the unit 200 if the humidity percentage detected within the equipment house 10 or outside the device 100 exceeds a programmable (via the remote 200) humidity percentage.
The unit 200 is powered by at least one battery 202. The battery 202 may be a disposable battery 202 or a rechargeable battery 202 in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery 202, etc., such as any 3V-12volts DC battery 202 or other conventional battery 202 such as A, AA, AAA, etc., that supplies power to the device 100. Throughout this specification the terms “battery” and “batteries” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries 202 of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries 202 may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries 202 of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery 202 technology that may be used.
In one embodiment, the battery 202 receives power via at least one male or female power cord 210 that can be plugged into an existing power source within an equipment house 110 such as, but not limited to, a 110V/240V power outlet. In a differing embodiment, the battery 202 can receive power from at least one solar panel 204 positioned on the outer surface 112 of the housing 110 outside the housing 110. The solar panel 204 may be comprised of, but not limited to, monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or a photovoltaic cell film.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “compact air conditioning device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the compact air conditioning device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the compact air conditioning device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the compact air conditioning device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the compact air conditioning device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the compact air conditioning device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the compact air conditioning device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A compact air conditioning device comprising:

a housing having an interior space;

a supply grate;

a return grate;

a supply air opening;

a return air opening;

an air-conditioning unit; and

a battery.

2. The compact air conditioning device of claim 1, wherein the housing is comprised of an insulation layer.

3. The compact air conditioning device of claim 2, wherein the insulation layer is a cellulose insulation, a fiberglass insulation, or a mineral wool insulation.

4. The compact air conditioning device of claim 1, wherein the housing is comprised of a galvanized steel material.

5. A compact air conditioning device comprising:

a housing comprised of an interior space and a flange;

a supply grate;

a return grate;

a supply air opening;

a return air opening;

a remote;

an air-conditioning unit; and

a battery.

6. The compact air conditioning device of claim 5, wherein the remote controls a function of the air-conditioning unit.

7. The compact air conditioning device of claim 5, wherein the remote can be used to program the air-conditioning unit to run for a duration of time.

8. The compact air conditioning device of claim 5, wherein the interior space is comprised of a return air chamber.

9. The compact air conditioning device of claim 5, wherein an air-conditioning chamber is positioned in the interior space.

10. The compact air conditioning device of claim 9, wherein the air-conditioning unit is positioned within the air-conditioning chamber.

11. A compact air conditioning device comprising:

a housing comprised of an interior space and a flange;

a supply grate;

a return grate;

a supply air opening;

a solar panel;

a remote having a button;

a return air opening;

an air-conditioning unit; and

a battery.

12. The compact air conditioning device of claim 11, wherein a transmitter of the air-conditioning unit is in wireless electrical communication with a receiver of the remote.

13. The compact air conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the solar panel provides power to the battery.

14. The compact air conditioning device of claim 13, wherein the solar panel is positioned on an outer surface of the housing.

15. The compact air conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the air-conditioning unit has a fan function to circulate air.

16. The compact air conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the air-conditioning unit has an air condition function to cool air.

17. The compact air conditioning device of claim 11, wherein the air-conditioning unit has a dehumidifier function to dehumidify air.

18. The compact air conditioning device of claim 11 further comprised of a sensor.

19. The compact air conditioning device of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

20. The compact air conditioning device of claim 19, wherein activation of the sensor powers on the air conditioning unit.