Patent Application
20120126971
This invention was not made by an agency of the United States Government nor under a contract with an agency of the United States Government.
Not Applicable
This invention serves the dual purpose of providing security for air conditioner/heat pump units and utilizing the exhaust gas from those units to generate electricity. The containment cage with its lockable door, anti-tamper sensor and alarm system provides the security while the wind turbine utilizes the exhaust of the protected air conditioner/heat pump unit to produce electricity.
The invention was the subject of Provisional patent application No. 61/466,826 filed by the inventor, James E. Robinson Jr.
The invention consists of a containment structure (security cage) used to enclose air conditioner/heat pump unit(s), anti-theft tamper sensors connected to a microprocessor and alarm system, and wind powered generator(s). The size and configuration of the security cage will vary depending on the size and number of air conditioner/heat pump units to be protected, as will the size and number of wind powered generators. The security cage may be constructed of metal or organic polymer composite material.
Air conditioner/heat pump units are often vandalized for the purpose of removal of the copper tubing contained within, a valuable commodity. This results in the release of Freon to the atmosphere, an undesirable detriment to the environment. The cage and security system deter the vandalism of the units.
A wind powered electric generator in the interior of the security cage is position such that it utilizes the exhaust from the protected air conditioner/heat pump unit to generate electricity. The wind turbine is secured by supports affixing it to the interior of the security cage. The electricity generated by the wind powered generator can be used to assist in providing power to the air conditioner/heat pump unit protected, the building serviced by the unit or fed back into the energy grid.
The invention can be utilized in a number of geometries and configurations. A single family residence would typically have a single security cage and generator. An apartment, commercial or industrial building with large or multiple cooling systems may have a single large cage with multiple generators.
The invention is comprised of three major parts (1) a containment structure (security cage) sized to enclose a single or multiple outdoor air conditioner/heat pump condenser units; (2) an alarm system to alert when an attempt is made to breach the security cage; and (3) a wind-powered generator to produce electricity utilizing the exhaust of the air conditioner/heat pump condenser. There may be multiple wind-powered generators depending on the number of air conditioner/heat pump condenser units enclosed by the security cage or the number of exhausts of a single large protected unit. The size of the wind powered generator may vary depending upon the size of the protected air conditioner/heat pump condenser unit.
The security cage may be constructed in various configurations as is needed to surround the air conditioner/heat pump condenser unit(s). The air conditioner/heat pump condenser unit(s) would thus be contained inside the security cage. The security cage is equipped with lockable door(s) to provide access to the air conditioner/heat pump unit(s) for maintenance purposes.
The security cage could be constructed in a rectangular shape from multiple side panels and top panels attached as shown in
The security cage could also be constructed in an oval or circular shape. The bottom of the cage would be attached to the platform upon which the contained air conditioner/heat pump unit rests or secured to the ground. The geometry of the security cage is not limited to the above, but may include any geometry necessary to enclose the equipment in need of protection.
The security cage is equipped with anti-tamper seismic sensors to detect if an attempt is made to breach the security cage. The signal from the sensors is sent to a microprocessor used to trigger an alarm system. The microprocessor can be set to provide for three levels of alert: (1) an audible alarm located in the near proximity of the air conditioner/heat pump unit; (2) an alert signal sent to the security system of the building serviced by the air conditioner/heat pump unit; and/or (3) an alert signal sent to designated cell phone number(s).
Wind-powered turbines are mounted within the security caged positioned to utilize the exhaust from the air conditioner/heat pump condenser fan to generate. The electricity generated from the wind-powered turbine can be used to assist in powering the air conditioner/heat pump unit, the building it services or to feed back into the electrical power grid.
The typical embodiment of the invention for a single air conditioner consists of a security cage constructed from four (4) metal side panel and a top panel. Each panel is fabricated to allow the free movement of air throughout the cage. The panels are attached to each other by welding. Although depending on the size of the cage, the top panel may be hinged on one side with a latch on the opposite to allow for a lock to be attached. This would allow the top panel to be lifted away from the unit for maintenance purposes. One of the side panels would be equipped with a lockable door to allow access to the interior of the cage. The wind generator is supported and attached to the cage with metal support bars welded to the side of the panels. The generator is positioned such that the exhaust from the air conditioner will turn the generator turbine blades. The cage would be equipped with a seismic sensor to detect attempts at vandalism. A signal from the sensor would activate the microprocessor alarm system.
Provisional application No. 61/466,826 Filing Date: Mar. 23, 2011 Relationship: Provisional application was for the same invention, filed by the inventor
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61466826 | Mar 2011 | US |
