Air conditioning unit support pan

Abstract

A mounting and collection pan for an air conditioning unit including a bottom portion having a perimeter and a first flow surface, a sidewall extending upwardly from the perimeter and a first portal arranged in the sidewall. The air conditioning unit is secured to the bottom portion and the first flow surface is angled to direct a liquid condensate collected from the air conditioning unit to the first portal via gravity. The bottom portion may further include a first substantially horizontal mounting surface having a first means for securing the air conditioner unit thereto and is elevationally higher than the first flow surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 840,197, filed Aug. 25, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to air conditioning units. Particularly, it relates to condensation collection pans that support air conditioning units. More specifically, it relates to pans of this type used for marine air conditioning units.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Air conditioning (AC) units generally include four principle components: a compressor; an evaporator; a condenser; and, a blower. These components may exist in a single, self-contained unit or, in the alternative, may exist as two units working together, wherein a first unit includes the compressor and condenser and a second unit includes the evaporator and blower. This configuration of two units working together is generally referred to as a spl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention broadly includes a pan for supporting an AC unit and for collecting condensate produced by the AC unit. The pan includes a bottom having surfaces at various elevations and angles, which serve to secure an AC unit to the pan and / or direct condensate out of the pan. The particular configuration of the surfaces, in conjunction with mounting rails that separate the pan from the underlying substructure, serve to dampen the vibrations produced by the AC unit and retard their transmission to the underlying substructure.

[0015]In some embodiments, the first means for securing the air conditioning unit includes at least one opening for receiving bolts. In other embodiments, the bottom portion further includes a second mounting surface substantially coplanar with the first mounting surface, the second mounting surface comprising a second means for securing the air conditioning unit thereto, and in some of these embodiments, the second means for securing the air conditioning unit includes at least one opening for receiving bolts. In yet other embodiments, the mounting and collection pan further includes a flange having means for securing the pan to a substructure, wherein the flange extends substantially perpendicular from the sidewall on an edge of the sidewall distal from the perimeter, and in some of these embodiments, the means for securing the pan to the substructure includes a plurality of openings through the flange, each of the plurality of openings arranged for receiving a bolt therethrough, the bolt extending into the substructure. In still further embodiments, the mounting and collection pan includes a plurality of bushings, wherein each of the plurality of bushings is positioned in one of the plurality of openings and arranged for receiving the bolt therethrough, and in some of these embodiments, each of the plurality of bushings includes a vertical surface and a horizontal surface, the vertical surface arranged to dampen a horizontal vibration of the pan and the horizontal surface arranged to dampen a vertical vibration of the pan.

[0021]It is a general object of the present invention to provide a condensate collection pan that can support the weight of an air conditioner unit.

[0022]It is another general object of the present invention to provide a condensate collection pan that can effectively absorb and disperse vibrations produced by an air conditioner unit.

[0023]It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a condensate collection pan of this type that can effectively drain condensate and / or other liquid accumulated in the pan.

[0024]It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a condensate collection pan having the previously described benefits which does not substantially increase the overall height of an AC unit relative to its mounting location.

Problems solved by technology

They are not normally located in the engine room, because they tend not to be explosion-proof or ignition-proof, which makes them unsafe for mounting in the engine room.

Consequently, a problem occurs as the condensate collected in the pan cannot drain out of the pan until it reaches a level high enough to pass into openings 22 of drainage hose fittings 20.

Over time, the stagnant water, i.e., condensate 18, may become fetid and an environmental hazard as bacteria and other species begin to grow in it.

Another problem with marine air conditioners is the vibration produced by the compressors.

Regardless of the type, compressors tend to produce an undesirable vibration and noise when they are operating.

This problem is exacerbated aboard a nautical vessel where the AC unit is mounted in close proximity to passengers.

As boats are typically made of materials that are flat and not very stiff, e.g., fiberglass, plywood, or sheet aluminum, the substructure readily transmits and may even amplify the vibration.

Additionally, this type of platform assembly may cost as much as fifteen percent (15%) or more of the cost of the complete AC unit, making it quite expensive.

This is usually not possible as the overall height of an AC unit is determined by the commercially available compressors used.

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