A weather shield is a cover of rigid material of sufficient size and shape, to accommodate the complete surrounding of the exterior unit of a heat pump, or central air conditioning system, which, when installed over the exterior unit, will be a shelter from the weather conditions of rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, cold, and heat; by acting as an umbrella to divert the weather conditions, be a shield to impede the movement of the natural flow of air currents, act in the capacity of an energy saver, by collecting heat from solar rays through an absorbant pigment coating, or by repelling heat from solar rays through the use of a white reflective pigment coating, or attachable panels of a white durable material, act to decrease the recirculation of air flow produced by the exterior unit'fan which circulates air through the heat exchanger.
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0. 17. A weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, wherein said solar heat collector per reflector acts in the capacity of an energy saving device, by the application of a coloring substance to the side panels of said weather shield, which utilizes heat from solar rays during the heating season, or by the reflection of solar rays during the cooling season, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of a heat pump system, comprising:
a black pigment coating of said coloring substance be applied to said side panels, to absorb heat from solar rays, during said heating season, and,
a quantity of said side panels of rigid material, disposed with a white said coloring substance, of sufficient size and shape to completely cover said black pigment coating during the cooling season, to reflect solar rays.
0. 15. A weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, consisting of a top cover, a side panel unit, an air regulator unit, a bottom base plate and with pigment coloration for the collection or reflection of solar heat; wherein said top cover acts as an umbrella to protect the exterior unit of an air conditioning and, or, heat pump system, by diverting the weather conditions of rain, snow, sleet, or hail, said top cover comprising:
a diffuser, of rigid material with sufficient size and shape as to form a shelter above said exterior unit,
said diffuser being the end device, in the air distribution system that directs air to exit upwards through said top cover,
said diffuser having a diffuser top,
said diffuser top disposed as said umbrella, to divert weather conditions,
said diffuser having diffuser sides,
said diffuser sides having air vents of sufficient air flow capacity, as to allow an adequate air flow being propelled by mechanical means to exit through said exterior unit.
0. 9. A weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, wherein said weather shield is a shelter having a top, sides and a bottom, being a combination of parts fastened by means of attachment to form a cover of rigid material to protect the exterior unit of an air conditioning and, or, heat pump system, by acting as an umbrella to divert the elements of weather, such as rain, snow, sleet, hail or wind, said shelter comprising:
a top cover diffuser, mounted in a position such that the bottom edges of said top cover diffuser is fastened to the top edges of said shelter sides,
said shelter sides, being panels of rigid material, disposed within a configuration to match the shape of said exterior unit,
said panels, having a top, sides and bottom, with said panel sides being fastened together with one panel side being fastened to another panel side, until the last panel side is fastened to the remaining panel side of the first panel, forming a panel unit of sufficient size and shape as to completely surround said exterior unit,
said panel unit fastened by means of attachment to a bottom panel leveling plate,
said bottom panel leveling plate, being of sufficient size and shape as to accommodate the attachment of the bottom edges of said panel unit to the top edges of said bottom panel leveling plate,
said combination of parts disposed to form said shelter.
0. 3. A weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, is a cover of rigid material of sufficient size and shape, as to accommodate the complete surrounding of an exterior unit, for energy efficiency and protecting said exterior unit of an air conditioning and, or, heat pump system, by means of attachment as to form a protective shell, comprising:
a plurality of panels, fastened by means of attachment of one panel to another panel, with the last panel being attached to the remaining edge of the first panel, being of sufficient size and shape as to accommodate the complete surrounding of the sides of said exterior unit,
said plurality of panels having air vents to support an adequate air flow to reach and pass through said exterior unit,
a plurality of air regulator panels, fastened by means of attachment of one panel to another panel, with the last panel being attached to the remaining edge of the first panel,
said plurality of air regulator panels, fastened by means of attachment to form an air regulator unit of sufficient size and shape as to accommodate the separation of intake air flow currents, by means of rigid material, from the exiting air flow,
a top cover diffuser, of sufficient size and shape, with adequate air venting capacity, so as to accommodate the exit flow of forced air current, having been passed through said exterior unit,
a bottom panel leveling platform of rigid material, of sufficient size and shape, as to accommodate a base and leveling platform, for said protective shell, by means of attachment.
0. 1. A weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, for energy efficiency and protecting the exterior unit of central air conditioning heat pump systems comprising:
A) a cover of rigid material, of sufficient size and shape, to accommodate the complete surrounding of said exterior unit,
B) having means for attachment as to form a protective shell,
The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector further including:
A) a plurality of intake air vents to support an adequate air flow to reach and pass thru said exterior unit,
B) a durable coating of black pigment, be applied to said cover for sufficient absorption of solar rays,
C) a plurality of white panels, by means of attachment to, and with sufficient size and shape, to accommodate the complete surrounding of said cover,
D) means for easy adjoining, of said white panels, with bolts,
E) a portal hole of sufficient size, shape, and location on said cover, to accommodate the piping and wiring for the said exterior unit, by means of a flexible rubber bushing, insulator, to protect said piping and wiring,
F) a plurality of air regulator panels, by means of attachment to, and with sufficient size and shape to accommodate the separation of air flow currents, by means of forced air, through said exterior unit,
G) a plurality of air regulator panels, by means of attachment to, and with sufficient size, shape, and appropriate insulation, by means of attachment to said air regulator panels, to accommodate the complete coverage of area, by said insulation to said air regulator panels,
H) a top cover diffuser, of adequate size and shape, to accommodate the exit flow of forced air current, having been passed through, the said exterior unit,
The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector further including:
I) a bottom panel leveling plate of rigid material, of sufficient size and shape, as to accommodate a base and leveling platform, for said protective shell, with slide bolt holes, by means of attachment,
J) a wing nut bolt per screw, with a wing nut per washer, by means of attachment, to a machine thread bolt, with hex head screw attached, in one, said wing nut bolt per screw.
0. 2. A weather shield and solar heat reflector, for energy efficiency and protecting the exterior unit of central air conditioning systems, comprising:
A) a cover of rigid material, of sufficient size and shape, to accommodate the complete surrounding of said exterior unit,
B) having means for attachment, as to form a protective shell,
The weather shield and solar heat reflector, further including:
A) a plurality of intake air vents, to support an adequate air flow to reach and pass thru, said exterior unit,
B) a durable coating of white pigment, be applied to said cover, for sufficient reflection of solar rays,
C) a portal hole of sufficient size, shape, and location on said cover, to accommodate the piping and wiring, for the said exterior unit, by means of a flexible rubber bushing, insulator, to protect said piping and wiring,
D) a plurality of air regulator panels, by means of attachment to, and with sufficient size and shape to accommodate the separation of air flow currents, by means of forced air, through said exterior unit,
E) a plurality of air regulator panels, by means of attachment to, and with sufficient size, shape, and appropriate insulation, by means of attachment to said air regulator panels, to accommodate the complete coverage of area, said insulation, of air regulator panels,
F) a top cover diffuser, of adequate size and shape, to accommodate the exit flow of forced air current, having been passed through, the said exterior unit,
G) a bottom panel per leveling plate, of rigid material, of sufficient size and shape, as to accommodate a base and leveling platform, for said protective shell, with slide bolt holes, by means of attachment,
H) a wing nut bolt per screw, with a wing nut per washer, by means of attachment, to a machine thread bolt, with hex head screw attached, in one, said wing nut bolt per screw.
0. 4. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
a durable coating of white pigment be applied to said cover, of an air conditioning system, for reflection of solar rays.
0. 5. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
a durable coating of black pigment be applied to said cover of a heat pump system, for absorption of solar rays.
0. 6. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
a plurality of white panels, of rigid material, of sufficient size and shape as to accommodate the complete surrounding of said black pigment coated side panels,
said white panels, by means of attachment, to be placed over said black pigment coated side panels, during the cooling season.
0. 7. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
a portal hole of sufficient size, shape and location upon said cover as to accommodate the piping and wiring for said exterior unit.
0. 8. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
an insulating material be applied to the plurality of air regulator panels, by means of attachment, with sufficient size and shape as to accommodate the complete coverage of area of said air regulator panels with said insulating material, to form an insulated barrier between the incoming and outgoing air flow movement through said exterior unit.
0. 10. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
wherein said weather shield, the quantity of panels required to assemble the sides of said shelter, will be determined by the physical shape of said exterior unit, such that,
said exterior unit with a square physical shape will require four panels to assemble said shelter, and,
a round, circular, or cone physical shape of said exterior unit will require said quantity of panels to be determined by the curvature of said panels.
0. 11. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
a portal hole, positioned upon said panel unit, to accommodate an opening for the piping and wiring of said exterior unit.
0. 12. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
air vents, within said top cover diffuser, of sufficient air flow capacity as to accommodate the movement of forced air current exiting said exterior unit.
0. 13. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
air vents, within the panels of said panel unit, of sufficient air flow capacity as to accommodate the movement of forced air current entering into said exterior unit.
0. 14. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
a means of attaching said top cover, panel unit and bottom panel leveling plate with fasteners, to form said shelter.
0. 16. The weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, of
said air vents are of a rigid material, disposed with a series of narrow openings and framed with slanting overlapping slats, pre-positioned to allow forced air flow to exit, while shutting out rain.
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The field of endeavor, of this invention, is in the heating and air conditioning technical field, as pertains to the exterior unit of heat pumps and air conditioning systems.
The subject matter of the claimed invention is centered around the said exterior unit, the function of which is to act as the heart, veins, lungs and soul of said system, having a compressor that pumps, by means of tubing thru the air circulation system of the heat exchange coils, fed by a forced air fan.
The soul of the heating and cooling process center, is the said exterior unit heat exchange system, which is located outdoors in a harsh environment, with an unimpeded access of the weather elements of rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, cold, and extreme heat, which drastically reduces the said heat exchange effect, by;
1) introducing moisture per water, directly into the said air circulation system, which interacts with cold unregulated winds to freeze-up the said tubing and reduces or totally stops air flow,
2) being illuminated daily by solar heat rays, which are either wasted during heat cycle season or endured as a burden to overcome during the cooling cycle season.
Where as, the use of said heat pumps and central air conditioning exterior units, have been plagued by continuous problems such as;
A) the lack of adequate weather protection,
B) the unavoidable placement, of said exterior unit, in weather conditions, which by nature are the total opposite of conditions needed for the optimal heating and cooling exchange functions of the freon conduit, employed by said exterior unit'compressor, to transfer;
A) heat from a heat starved environment of the outdoors, through piping, into the indoors,
B) heat from the indoors, into a heat rich environment, of the outdoors, through said piping,
C) said heat, through forced air flow, by use of electric motors, into an already hot summer environment,
D) said heat, pick up from a cold winter environment to be transported indoors.
Therefore, the use of the weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, will be a solution, to said problems, by means of;
A) a cover of rigid material of sufficient size and shape to accommodate the complete surrounding of said exterior unit, which will shelter the said exterior unit from the said weather conditions of rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, cold and heat,
B) by acting as;
1) an umbrella to divert said weather conditions,
2) a shield to impede the movement of the natural flow of air currents, which produce a wind chill effect,
3) act in the capacity of energy saver, by:
A) collecting heat from solar rays thru the use of a black absorbant pigment coating,
B) repelling heat from solar rays thru the use of a white reflective pigment coating, or attachable panels of a white durable material,
C) reducing the constant defrost cycles caused by weather related moisture freeze-ups on said exterior units coils,
D) act to control the recirculation of air flow produced by said exterior unit'fan, which circulates air through the heat exchanger.
Further, references to specific problems involved in the prior art, are as follows:
A) College level, book of study, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 2nd Edition by Whitman, Johnson, published by Delmar;
A) Page 799, chapter 45, section 25 reads as follows;
The outdoor unit installation for a heat pump is much like a central air conditioning system from an air flow standpoint. The unit must have a good air circulation around it, and the discharge air must not be allowed to recirculate.
There are some more serious considerations that should be dealt with. The direction of the prevailing wind in the winter could lower the heat pump performance. If the unit is located in a prevailing north wind or a prevailing wind from a lake, the performance may not be up to standard. A prevailing north wind might cause evaporation to operate at a lower than normal temperature. A wind blowing inland off a lake will be very humid and might cause freezing problems in the winter.
The outdoor unit must not be located where roof water will pour into it. The outdoor unit will be operating at below freezing much of the time, and any moisture or water that is not in the air itself, should be kept away from the unit's coil. If not, excess freezing will occur.
The outdoor unit is an evaporator in winter and will attract moisture from the outside air. If the coil is operating below freezing, the moisture will freeze on the coil. If the coil is freezing, the moisture will run off the coil as it does in an air conditioning evaperator. This moisture must have a place to go. If the unit is in a yard, the moisture will soak into the ground. If the unit is on a porch or walk, the moisture could freeze and create slippery conditions, FIGS. 45-30.
The outdoor unit is designed with drain holes or pans in the bottom of the unit to allow free movement of water away from the coil. If they are inadequate, the coil will become a solid block of ice in cold weather. When the coil is frozen solid, it is a poor heat exchanger with the outside air, and the C.O.P. will be reduced. Defrosting methods are discussed later.
So, you can see that a problem has existed for decades with no design or consideration given for the control of the problem. The prior art solution has been, to;
1) move it to an area where hopefully the wind isn't as strong,
2) keep the outdoor unit away from falling water by locations,
3) drill holes in bottom to drain the unimpeded water flow,
B) As of Feb. 16, 1999, a patent search of the U.S.P.T.O. Gov./ web site has given the following patent data base information;
1) Heat Pump weather shield—O occurrences in O patents,
2) Heat Pump cabinet weather protection—O occurrences in O patents,
3) Heat Pump cabinet protectors—O occurrences in O patents,
4) Heat Pump and Air Condition weather shield O occurrences in O patents.
The problem exist, but, no solution, until now.
C) Also, the U.S.P.T.O. Gov/ patent data base search results on the subject of heat pumps with solar heat is as follows;
1) heat pumps with solar heat source to Wallin, et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,312 on Jan. 21, 1977,
2) combination heat pump and low temperature solar heat collector to Ramey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,583 on Feb. 1, 1977,
3) several other related topic patents issued, but none similar to the invention.
D) conclusion, the novelty of the unobvious approach taken by the inventor, is to go to the core of the problems, stop the water and wind from gaining access to the sensitive heat exchange system, use the sun'solar rays to an advantage, absorb when you need heat, reflect when you need cooling.
This invention is definitely an improvement, to the prior art, as relates to the said exterior units of heat pumps and air conditioning systems!
The general idea of the claimed invention in a summarized form is;
A) a cover of rigid material of sufficient size and shape as to accommodate the complete surrounding of the said exterior unit, which will shelter the said exterior unit from the weather conditions of rain, snow, sleet, hail, winds, cold, and the heat, by acting as an umbrella to divert said weather conditions, a shield to impede the movement of the natural flow of air currents, which produce a wind chill effect, to act in the capacity of an energy saver by collecting heat from solar rays thru the use of absorbant pigment coatings, repelling heat from solar rays thru the use of a white reflective pigment coating, or attachable panels of a white durable material,
B) the object of the invention is to be a solution to some of the problems of the said exterior unit, there by reducing the constant defrosting cycles, which reverses the heating cycle back to removing heat from the indoors, so as to heat the frozen water on the said exterior unit, and make the heat pump and air conditioning systems more operationally and energy efficient, by adding solar heat to heat exchange air in winter or removing solar heat from said heat exchange in the summer, to act as an air regulator, to reduce the recirculation of air flow thru the said heat exchange.
The following, is a list of all figures, by number, with corresponding statements explaining what each figure depicts;
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H)
I)
J)
K)
L)
M)
N)
O)
P)
Q)
R)
The following, is a description of the specifications required to explain the manner and process of making and using a weather shield and solar heat collector per reflector, the invention, which acts as a cover, shield, air flow regulator, and energy saver, when installed surrounding the exterior unit of a heat pump or air conditioning system.
Since varying sizes and shapes of said exterior units exist, the manufacture of the weather shield will be varied to meet the wide range of sizes and shapes, which presently exit or will be produced. The drawings submitted are of one shape style and should not be interpreted as the shape of the weather shield, but as one of many styles of sizes and shapes. The manufacture of the said weather shield can be produced by following the basic guidelines set forth, and production techniques used to tailor sizes and shapes, such as curved panels to produce a cone shaped weather shield.
The following directions should serve as a basic guideline, to produce, the said weather shield:
A) Materials used should be of a rigid material of sufficient size and shape, to accommodate the complete surrounding of said exterior unit:
1) Side panels, part 1,2,3, and 4 should be produced, as illustrated in FIGS. 01,02.03, and
2) Said side panels, should have intake air vents, per
3) Bolt holes should be tooled on said side panels, as illustrated in FIG. 03 and
4) a portal offset cut, should be made in one of the said side panels, to allow an opening for the wiring and piping of said exterior unit, per
5) A flexible rubber seal bushing, should be made to form an insulator, to protect said wiring and piping, per
6) a top cover diffuser, should be produced, which has a cover area, equal to the area of the opening formed by the connection of the top corners, produced by joining of, said side panels, as illustrated in
7) Screw holes should be tooled on said top cover diffuser base plate, as illustrated in
8) the bottom panel or leveling platform, should have an oval shaped slide hole, on the upright section, per
9) the said; side panels, top cover diffuser, and bottom panels should be coated with;
A) a black absorbant pigment coating for a weather shield produced for a heat pump system,
B) a white reflective pigment coating for a weather shield produced for an air conditioning system,
10) an air flow regulator panel produced per
11) a wing nut bolt per screw, easy access bolt, should be produced as illustrated in
12) a plurality of white side panels, sufficient to completely surround a pre-installed weather shield of a heat pump, only, should, by means of a rigid material, such as, but not limited to plastic, be produced as part 16, per
13) said air regulator panel, should be produced with a double layer panel, per
14) said air regulator panel, should be tooled with the angle bends and, bolt holes, illustrated in
The following, is a step by step list of instructions, to be used to assemble, said weather shield,
A) step;
1) the one bottom panel, part 9, per FIG. 01 and
2) a side panel, part 1, per
3) an air regulator panel, part 11, per
4) the remaining bottom panels, parts 6,7, and 8, per FIG. 01 and
5) side panel, part 2, per
6) an air regulator panel, part 12, per
7) said side panel, part 3, per
8) an air regulator panel, part 13,
9) said side panel, part 4, per
10) an air regulator panel, part 14,
11) the remaining corner, of part 4 and part 1, per
12) the top cover diffuser, part 5, per
13) a wing nut bolt per screw, will be supplied by the manufacturer, part 15, per
The following instructions are to be used for the weather shield of a heat pump system;
A) a plurality of white side panels, by means of attachment or removal, being parts 16,17,18, and 19,
A) removing wing nuts from installed weather shield, one panel at a time,
B) place said white side panel over a corresponding pre-installed black side panel of existing, said weather shield, by the following steps,
1) step one, a white side panel, part 16,
2) step two, a white side panel, part 17,
3) step three, a white side panel, part 18,
4) step four, a white side panel, part 19,
C) Firmly tighten, said wing nut bolts, to assure a secure attachment of said white side panels.
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