AIR PLENUM WITH LEG HEIGHT INDICATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to air conditioning appliances, and more particularly to air plenums for air conditioning appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioner or air conditioning appliance units are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. In particular, one-unit type room air conditioner units, such as single-package vertical units (SPVU), or package terminal air conditioners (PTAC) may be utilized to adjust the temperature in, for example, a single room or group of rooms of a structure. A typical one-unit type air conditioner or air conditioning appliance includes an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The indoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area within a building, and the outdoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area outside a building. Accordingly, the air conditioner unit generally extends through, for example, an outer wall of the structure. Generally, a fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the indoor portion. Another fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the outdoor portion. A sealed cooling system including a compressor is generally housed within the air conditioner unit to treat (e.g., cool or heat) air as it is circulated through, for example, the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit. One or more control boards are typically provided to direct the operation of various elements of the particular air conditioner unit.

Some conventional air conditioning appliances include a plenum for directing air to or from an outdoor portion of the air conditioning appliance. When installed, the plenum may be positioned through a wall of the building or structure. The wall may be an outer wall such that the plenum extends from an interior portion of the building to an exterior portion of the building. Thus, a portion of the plenum will often extend to and be visible from an area outside of the building. However, it is generally preferable (e.g., for aesthetics, support, sizing, performance, etc.) to minimize the amount of plenum exposed to the exterior environment.

The lack of standard wall positions (e.g., height relative to the floor) for plenums across various installations makes connecting and supporting the remainder of the air conditioner unit difficult. For example, the remainder of the air conditioner unit must be aligned with the plenum in a specific way. In some instances, the plenum may be positioned at a height in the wall such that the bottom of the air conditioner unit, such as a drain pan of the air conditioner unit, may rest directly on the floor. However, in other instances, the plenum may be positioned in the wall such that when the remainder of the air conditioner unit is properly aligned with the plenum, the remainder of the air conditioner unit is above the floor and is thus unsupported.

Typically, a platform may be constructed to support the remainder of the air conditioner unit when the plenum is located in the wall such that the remainder of the air conditioner unit is positioned above the floor. Because the installation height of the plenum through the wall varies from case to case, and even from room to room in some installations, the platform must be bespoke for each air conditioner unit. Additionally, such platforms are often constructed out of whatever scrap material may be presently at hand at the time of installation. Moreover, bespoke construction of the platform can be difficult and time-consuming in order to reach the correct height to position the remainder of the air conditioner unit above the floor and in the proper alignment with the plenum, e.g., the air conditioner unit may have to be installed, placed on a temporary support, and then measured to determine the needed height of the platform, before taking the remainder of the air conditioner unit (i.e., other than the plenum which is mounted in the wall) down in order to build the platform. Further, inasmuch as the platform is bespoke to each unit, this entire process must be repeated for each and every unit, which can add significant time to a multi-unit project such as a hotel or apartment building.

As a result, further improvements to air conditioners may be advantageous. In particular, it would be useful to provide a plenum with features for improved ease of installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit defines a mutually-perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The air conditioner unit includes a housing that defines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. An outdoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the outdoor portion. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan. An indoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the indoor portion. The indoor heat exchanger assembly includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. A compressor is in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. A drain pan is positioned below the housing along the vertical direction. The drain pan includes a socket configured to receive a leg. The socket is defined between an open end and a top surface such that the socket extends along the vertical direction from the open end to the top surface. A plenum is attached to the housing and to the drain pan. The plenum is receivable within a wall channel defined by a structure wall along an axial direction. The plenum includes a mating surface defined on an interior portion of the plenum. The mating surface is perpendicular to the transverse direction and is configured to mate with the indoor portion of the housing and with the drain pan. The plenum also includes an indicator mark aligned with the top surface of the socket along the vertical direction when the drain pan is attached to the plenum.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a plenum for an air conditioning appliance is provided. The air conditioning appliance includes a housing and a drain pan positioned below the housing with a socket configured to receive a leg defined in the drain pan. The plenum is receivable within a wall channel defined by a structure wall along an axial direction. The plenum includes a mating surface defined on an interior portion of the plenum. The mating surface is configured to mate with the indoor portion of the housing and with the drain pan. An indicator mark is positioned and configured to align with the socket along a vertical direction when the drain pan is attached to the plenum.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an air conditioning appliance according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides an enlarged view of a portion of the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a section view of the air conditioning appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a plenum such as may be incorporated with the air conditioning appliance of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate an exemplary air conditioner appliance (e.g., air conditioner 100). As shown, air conditioner 100 may be provided as a one-unit type air conditioner 100, such as a single-package vertical unit. Air conditioner 100 includes a package housing 114 supporting an indoor portion 112 and an outdoor portion 110.

Generally, air conditioner 100 defines a vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T is perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

In some embodiments, housing 114 contains various other components of the air conditioner 100. Housing 114 may include, for example, a rear opening 116 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) and a front opening 118 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) may be spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. The rear opening 116 may be part of the outdoor portion 110, while the front opening 118 is part of the indoor portion 112. Components of the outdoor portion 110, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 120, outdoor fan 124, and compressor 126 may be enclosed within housing 114 between front opening 118 and rear opening 116. In certain embodiments, one or more components of outdoor portion 110 are mounted on a base 136, as shown. The base 136 may be received within a drain pan 300.

During certain operations, air 1000 may be drawn to outdoor portion 110 through rear opening 116. Specifically, an outdoor inlet 128 defined through housing 114 may receive outdoor air 1000 motivated by outdoor fan 124. Within housing 114, the received outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or across outdoor fan 124. Moreover, at least a portion of the outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or across outdoor heat exchanger 120 before exiting the rear opening 116 at an outdoor outlet 130. It is noted that although outdoor inlet 128 is illustrated as being defined above outdoor outlet 130, alternative embodiments may reverse this relative orientation (e.g., such that outdoor inlet 128 is defined below outdoor outlet 130) or provide outdoor inlet 128 beside outdoor outlet 130 in a side-by-side orientation, or another suitable orientation.

As shown, indoor portion 112 may include an indoor heat exchanger 122, a blower fan 142, and a heating unit 132. These components may, for example, be housed behind the front opening 118. A bulkhead 134 may generally support or house various other components or portions thereof of the indoor portion 112, such as the blower fan 142. Bulkhead 134 may generally separate and define the indoor portion 112 and outdoor portion 110 within housing 114. Additionally or alternatively, bulkhead 134 or indoor heat exchanger 122 may be mounted on base 136 (e.g., at a higher vertical position than outdoor heat exchanger 120), as shown.

During certain operations, air 1002 may be drawn to indoor portion 112 through front opening 118. Specifically, an indoor inlet 138 defined through housing 114 may receive indoor air 1002 motivated by blower fan 142. At least a portion of the indoor air 1002 may be motivated through or across indoor heat exchanger 122 (e.g., before passing to bulkhead 134). From blower fan 142, indoor air 1002 may be motivated (e.g., across heating unit 132) and returned to the indoor area of the room through an indoor outlet 140 defined through housing 114 (e.g., above indoor inlet 138 along the vertical direction V). Optionally, one or more conduits (not pictured) may be mounted on or downstream from indoor outlet 140 to further guide air 1002 from air conditioner 100. It is noted that although indoor outlet 140 is illustrated as generally directing air upward, it is understood that indoor outlet 140 may be defined in alternative embodiments to direct air in any other suitable direction.

Outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may be components of a thermodynamic assembly (i.e., sealed system), which may be operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or, in the case of the heat pump unit embodiment, a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). Thus, as is understood, exemplary heat pump unit embodiments may be selectively operated perform a refrigeration cycle at certain instances (e.g., while in a cooling mode) and a heat pump cycle at other instances (e.g., while in a heating mode). By contrast, exemplary A/C exclusive unit embodiments may be unable to perform a heat pump cycle (e.g., while in the heating mode), but still perform a refrigeration cycle (e.g., while in a cooling mode).

The sealed system may, for example, further include compressor 126 (e.g., mounted on base 136) and an expansion device (e.g., expansion valve or capillary tube—not pictured), both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat exchangers 120, 122 to flow refrigerant therethrough, as is generally understood. The outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may each include coils 146, 148, as illustrated, through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally understood.

As will be further described in detail below, a plenum 200 may be provided to direct air to or from housing 114. When installed, plenum 200 may be selectively attached to (e.g., fixed to or mounted against) housing 114 (e.g., via a suitable mechanical fastener, adhesive, gasket, etc.) and extend through a structure wall 150 (e.g., an outer wall of the structure within which air conditioner 100 is installed) and above a floor 151. In particular, plenum 200 extends along an axial direction X (e.g., parallel to the transverse direction T) through a hole or channel 152 in the structure wall 150 that passes from an internal surface 154 to an external surface 156.

The operation of air conditioner 100 including compressor 126 (and thus the sealed system generally), blower fan 142, outdoor fan 124, heating unit 132, and other suitable components may be controlled by a control board or controller 158. Controller 158 may be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) to such components of the air conditioner 100. By way of example, the controller 158 may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of air conditioner 100. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH.

Air conditioner 100 may additionally include a control panel 160 and one or more user inputs 162, which may be included in control panel 160. The user inputs 162 may be in communication with the controller 158. A user of the air conditioner 100 may interact with the user inputs 162 to operate the air conditioner 100, and user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 162 and controller 158 to facilitate operation of the air conditioner 100 based on such user commands. A display 164 may additionally be provided in the control panel 160, and may be in communication with the controller 158. Display 164 may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the air conditioner 100.

Turning now specifically to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 is provided in order to illustrate attachment of the drain pan 300 to the plenum 200 according to at least one example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the drain pan 300 may include a hook 310 and the plenum 200 may include a slot 262. The hook 310 and the slot 262 may be configured to engage and thereby attach the drain pan 300 to the plenum 200. With the drain pan 300 so attached to the plenum 200, the drain pan 300 is supported on one side or one end thereof by the plenum 200, e.g., when the plenum 200 is installed within and through the wall 150, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Also as may be seen in FIG. 3, in some instances when the plenum 200 is installed within the wall 150 above the floor 151, the remainder of the air conditioner unit 100 may be suspended or cantilevered from the plenum 200, e.g., supported by the hook 310. In order to avoid this and thereby minimize or avoid damage to the hook 310, one or more support legs 307 and/or 308 may be provided between the drain pan 300 and the floor 151. Where the installation height of the plenum 200 above the floor 151 varies, the required height of the leg(s) 307 and/or 308 will also vary. Thus, the leg(s) 307 and/or 308 may be cut in the field and custom-fitted to the specific installation. In order to aid in determining the correct length of the leg(s) 307 and/or 308, one or more indicator marks 280 may be provided on the plenum 200, as will be described in more detail below.

The drain pan 300 may include one or more sockets which are configured to receive the leg(s) 307 and/or 308. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the drain pan 300 may include a first socket 301 and a second socket 302. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3, the socket(s) 301 and/or 302 are positioned opposite the hook 310 along the transverse direction T. For example, the hook 310 may be positioned at a first transverse end of the drain pan 300 and the socket(s) 301/302 may be positioned opposite the hook 310 at or near a second transverse end of the drain pan 300.

In various embodiments, one or both of the sockets 301 and 302 may be provided. In some embodiments, each socket 301 and 302 may be one of a pair of matching shaped sockets which are spaced apart along the lateral direction L and aligned along the transverse direction T. Thus, possible combinations include, for example, one pair of first sockets 301, one pair of second sockets 302, or two pairs of sockets, e.g., a pair of first sockets 301 and a pair of second sockets 302.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first socket 301 is defined between an open end 303 and a top surface 305. The open end 303 and the top surface 305 are spaced apart along the vertical direction V such that the first socket 301 extends along the vertical direction V from the open end 303 to the top surface 305. Similarly, the second socket 302 is defined between an open end 304 and a top surface 306. The open end 304 and the top surface 306 are spaced apart along the vertical direction V such that the second socket 302 extends along the vertical direction V from the open end 304 to the top surface 306. When a leg or legs 307, 308 is/are received in the corresponding socket(s) 301, 302, the top of the or each leg 307, 308 will abut the or each top surface 305, 306. Thus, the indicator mark 280 on the plenum 200 may be aligned with the top surface(s) 305, 306 of the socket(s) 301, 302 along the vertical direction V when the drain pan 300 is attached to the plenum 200, such that when the plenum 200 is installed into and through the wall 150, the indicator mark 280 on the plenum 200 will be the same height above the floor 151 as the top of the leg(s) 307/308, such that an installer can use the indicator mark 280 to determine where to cut the material for the leg(s) 307/308 before the remainder of the air conditioner unit 100 is installed, e.g., without having to temporarily install the housing 114 and drain pan 300 and measure the leg(s) 307/308 directly on the drain pan 300 while the drain pan 300 is temporarily installed.

The material for the leg(s) 307/308 may be any suitable material which is strong enough to bear the weight of the housing 114 and drain pan 300. For example, materials which are likely to be readily available during installation of the air conditioner unit and which can be suitable for forming the leg(s) 307/308 include building materials such as lumber, e.g., dimensional lumber such as a nominal two-inch-by-four-inch board, commonly referred to as a two-by-four, or plumbing, e.g., PVC piping having sufficient size (e.g., outer diameter, wall thickness, etc.). Thus, in some embodiments, the socket, e.g., first socket 301, may have a rectangular cross-section and may thereby be configured to receive a leg 307 made of lumber, such as a two-by-four leg, a two-by-six leg, or a four-by-four leg, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, the socket, e.g., the second socket 302, may be cylindrical and may thereby be configured to receive a round, e.g., cylindrical, leg 308, such as a piece of piping, e.g., a PVC pipe as mentioned above, or, as another example, a steel pipe or other tubular leg 308.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an exemplary plenum 200 will be described in greater detail. FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of plenum 200 in isolation for clarity. In particular, FIG. 4 provides a front perspective of the plenum 200 including a mating surface 272 thereof which corresponds to and is configured to mate, e.g., sealingly engage, with a mating surface of the housing 114. The mating surface 272 lies in a lateral-vertical plane, e.g., a plane defined by the vertical direction V and the lateral direction L. The lateral-vertical plane is thus perpendicular to the transverse direction T and the axial direction X.

Although shown as a single piece in FIG. 4, it is noted that the plenum 200 may be telescopic in some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3, where the interior portion 210 and exterior portion 212 are provided as two separate pieces in sliding engagement (e.g., such that exterior portion 212 is movable along the axial direction X on interior portion 210). For instance, at least one of interior portion 210 and exterior portion 212 may be selectively nested within each other (e.g., such that the nested member is surrounded about the axial direction X, at least in part, by the receiving member).

The plenum 200 includes a duct wall 216 that is formed about the axial direction X (e.g., when mounted through wall channel 152). Duct wall 216 may be formed according to any suitable hollow shape, such as conduit having a rectangular profile (shown), defining an air channel 214 to guide air therethrough. Moreover, duct wall 216 may be formed from any suitable non-permeable material (e.g., steel, aluminum, or a suitable polymer) for directing or guiding air therethrough.

The interior portion 210 of the plenum 200 may be selectively attached to housing 114. Specifically, interior portion 210 may be mounted proximal to outdoor portion 110 of the housing 114 or distal to indoor portion 112 of the housing 114. In some such embodiments, interior portion 210 is fixed to or mounted against housing 114 (e.g., via one or more suitable mechanical fasteners, adhesives, gasket, etc.) about at least a portion of rear opening 116. The duct wall 216 of interior portion 210 may surround, for instance, outdoor outlet 130. Additionally or alternatively, the duct wall 216 of interior portion 210 may surround outdoor inlet 128.

In certain embodiments, interior portion 210 further includes an outer flange 220 that extends in a radial direction (e.g., perpendicular to the axial direction X) from duct wall 216. Specifically, outer flange 220 extends radially outward (e.g., away from at least a portion of the axial direction X or the duct wall 216 of interior portion 210). Outer flange 220 may thus avoid interference an airflow or flow path within air channel 214.

Outer flange 220 may extend radially outward from all or, alternatively, merely a portion of, duct wall 216. For instance, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, outer flange 220 extends from a top end 222 of the duct wall 216 of the plenum 200. In the illustrated embodiments, outer flange 220 also extends from both sides 230, 232 of the duct wall 216 of the plenum 200. It is understood, however, that alternative embodiments, may provide outer flange 220 at another (e.g., one or more) suitable locations along the profile of the duct wall 216 of the plenum 200. Optionally, an internal plate 221 may extend radially inward from duct wall 216 (e.g., at or from the bottom end 238), such that a sub-portion (i.e., less than a whole) of air channel 214 is obstructed.

When assembled, outer flange 220 may be placed against (e.g., in direct or indirect contact with) an internal surface 154 of the structure wall 150. Thus, outer flange 220 may be located in or pressed into engagement with the internal surface 154 as at least a portion of duct wall 216 extends through wall channel 152 (e.g., while housing 114 is held opposite the duct wall 216, such as within an interior or indoor area of the structure).

As shown, the duct wall 216 at the exterior portion 212 has an inner surface directed toward air channel 214 or interior portion 210, as well as an outer surface 246 directed away from air channel 214 or interior portion 210. In certain embodiments, outer surface 246 is provided as a flange-less outer surface 246 at the exterior portion 212, e.g., at least from an axial midpoint of the plenum 216 which defines the interior portion 210 and exterior portion 212 of the plenum 200. For example, the outer surface 246 may be flange-less at least in that the outer surface 246 does not include a flange or any other projection which extends radially outward therefrom between the axial midpoint and an outer end 250 of the exterior portion 212. The duct wall 216 may be generally parallel to, for example, axial direction X or transverse direction T and free of any flanges or obstruction thereon (e.g., as provided in conventional plenums), at least at the exterior portion 212 thereof (e.g., where the outer flange 220 is provided on the interior portion 210).

When assembled, exterior portion 212, including flange-less outer surface 246, may extend through (e.g., selectively pass through) wall channel 152 along the axial direction X. Advantageously, exterior portion 212 may pass through wall channel 152 (e.g., move relative thereto) without striking or contacting either the internal surface 154 or external surface 156 of structure wall 150). In some such embodiments, the outer end 250 is selectively held or positioned outside of wall channel 152, such as beyond the external surface 156 thereof (e.g., in an ambient environment opposite of housing 114 relative to structure wall 150). Optionally, a caulk bead 252 (i.e., adhesive or sealant caulk) may be positioned on or along at least a portion of the flange-less outer surface 246 and join outer surface 246 to the external surface 156 of structure wall 150 (e.g., about or outside from wall channel 152).

In some embodiments, plenum 200 includes a divider wall 256 within air channel 214. When assembled, divider wall 256 defines a separate upper passage 258 and lower passage 260. For instance, divider wall 256 may extend along the lateral direction L from one lateral side of plenum 200 to the other lateral side. Generally, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 may divide or define two discrete air flow paths for air channel 214. For instance, upper passage 258 may be defined within plenum 200 between divider wall 256 and interior portion 210 or exterior portion 212. Similarly, lower passage 260 may be defined within plenum 200 between divider wall 256 and interior portion 210 or exterior portion 212 (e.g., below upper passage 258 along the vertical direction V). When assembled, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 may be fluidly isolated by divider wall 256 (e.g., such that air is prevented from passing directly between passages 258 and 260 through divider wall 256, or another portion of plenum 200). Upper passage 258 may be positioned upstream from outdoor inlet 128. Lower passage 260 may be positioned downstream from outdoor outlet 130.

As mentioned above, the plenum 200 may define a mating surface 272. The mating surface 272 may surround and enclose the air channel 214 on all sides, such as both the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 of the air channel 214. For example, as may be seen in FIG. 4, the mating surface 272 may include an upper segment 274 positioned above the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 along the vertical direction V, a lower segment 276 positioned below the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 along the vertical direction V, a first side 278 segment extending along the vertical direction V from the upper segment 274 to the lower segment 276, and a second side segment 280 extending along the vertical direction V from the upper segment 274 to the lower segment 276. The upper segment 274 may extend along the lateral direction L. The upper segment 274 may encompass the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 along the lateral direction, e.g., the upper segment 274 may extend over a greater lateral distance than the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 and may be positioned relative to the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 such that the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 are entirely overlapped by the upper segment 274 along the lateral direction L. The lower segment 276 may also extend along the lateral direction L and encompass the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 along the lateral direction L, where “encompass” is used in the same sense with respect to the lower segment 276 as defined above with respect to the upper segment 274. The first side segment 278 and the second side segment 280 may be positioned opposite another along the lateral direction L such that the upper passage 258 and the lower passage 260 are between the first side segment 278 and the second side segment 280 along the lateral direction L. In some embodiments, the upper segment 274, the first side segment 278, and the second side segment 280 of the mating surface 272 may be defined on the outer flange 220 of the interior portion 210. Additionally, the lower segment 276 of the mating surface 272 may be at least partially defined on the internal plate 221, e.g., the lower segment 276 may extend laterally across the internal plate 221 and may extend past the internal plate 221 onto the outer flange 220 at least one end of the lower segment 276.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the indicator mark 280 may be oriented generally along the lateral direction L. The indicator mark 280 may be positioned on the mating surface 272, such as on the lower segment 276 thereof. In some embodiments, the indicator mark 280 may be provided on the outer flange 220 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the indicator mark 280 may also or instead be positioned on the internal plate 221. In some embodiments, more than one indicator mark 280 may be provided. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, two indicator marks 280 may be provided, and the indicator marks 280 may be aligned with the socket(s) 301/302 along the lateral direction L as well as along the vertical direction V, e.g., where, as mentioned above, the or each socket 301 and/or 302 is one of a pair of sockets at laterally opposing corners of the drain pan 300.

The indicator mark 280 may be formed on the mating surface 272 in any suitable manner. For example, the indicator mark 280 may be recessed into the mating surface 272, e.g., the indicator mark 280 may comprise a groove in the mating surface, such as by etching the indicator mark 280 into the mating surface 272. In other embodiments, the indicator mark may be proud of the mating surface 272, e.g., the indicator mark 280 may extend from the mating surface 272 along the transverse direction T, e.g., away from the exterior portion 212 of the plenum 200. For example, the indicator mark 280 may be embossed onto the mating surface 272. In other embodiments, the indicator mark 280 may be positioned entirely on the mating surface 272. For example, the indicator mark 280 may be painted or printed on the mating surface 272. Additionally, various combinations of the foregoing examples are also possible, e.g., a portion of the indicator mark 280 may be etched into the mating surface 272 and another portion of the indicator mark 280 may be painted on the mating surface 272.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

AIR PLENUM WITH LEG HEIGHT INDICATOR

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

Claims