Patent Application
20070062211
A condenser coil is one of the most important elements of any refrigerated system. Due to the air flow over the condenser coil, debris and dust settle on the condenser coil. If the condenser coil is not cleaned, the efficiency of the cooling system is reduced. Therefore, condenser coils should be regularly cleaned.
Cleaning of condenser coils is problematic. Condenser coils are generally concealed from view, and thus regular maintenance is often forgotten. Further, since condenser coils are cleaned infrequently, the dust and debris built up on a condenser coil can be difficult to remove.
Various chemicals have been developed to clean condenser coils. However, these chemicals are difficult to use.
Further, a business may have multiple refrigerated displays at a variety of locations. Thus, cleaning of the condenser coil for each of several refrigerated displays is time consuming and costly.
An improved device and method for cleaning condenser coils is thus highly desirable.
A coil cleaner includes an actuator assembly for moving a sweeper across the condenser coil. The actuator assembly includes a motor to turn a screw shaft. The screw shaft is attached to the sweeper by a nut riding on the shaft. As the screw shaft turns, the sweeper is raised or lowered.
The actuator assembly includes a pair of sensors. A sensor is placed proximal to each first end of the screw shaft. When the sweeper has moved the desired distance across the condenser coil, it activates one sensor. The signal from the sensor is used to stop the motor and then reverse the direction of the motor. The sweeper then travels in the opposite direction until it activates the second sensor. The motor is then turned off.
A second actuator assembly could be also be used. The second actuator system has a second motor engaging a screw shaft. A sensor is placed near the end of each screw shaft.
A controller may be used to control the motors and sensors. The controller would energize the motors at predetermined times to clean the condenser coil. The controller would cause the motors to move the sweeper in one direction. When the sweeper activates the sensor, the motor corresponding to that sensor would be turned off. After both motors are turned off, the controller reverses the motion of the motors and thus the sweeper to move in the opposite direction. When two additional sensors are closed, the motors are turned off and the controller waits a predetermined time before cleaning the condenser coil again.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the drawings.
First actuator assembly 18 and second actuator assembly 16 are mirror images of the other. Second actuator assembly 18 includes top cover 26, front cover 28, and rear cover 30.
Brush guard 32 blocks contaminates from entering the actuator assembly 18.
Fork bracket 34 is attached to first drive train assembly 36 by way of hex nut 38 and lead screw nut 40.
While a motor turning the screw shaft has been proven to be an acceptable method of moving the sweeper assembly, a converse method could be assumed to be directly equivalent. For example, the sweeper assembly could be attached directly to the motor with the motor traversing on a fixed screw shaft.
Top flange bushing 56 fits within top bracket 58, while bottom flange bushing 60 fits within bottom bracket 62. Stand offs 64 separate electric motor 40 from top bracket 58.
Top sensor 66 is attached to top bracket 58, while bottom sensor 68 is attached to bottom bracket 62. Sensors 66, 68 could be either contact or non-contact sensor. For example, limit switches, optical sensors, photoelectric sensors or proximity sensors could be used.
As fork bracket 34 translates up lead screw shaft 54, it eventually activates top sensor 66. Similarly, as fork bracket 34 translates down lead screw shaft 54, it eventually activates bottom sensor 68.
Second actuator assembly 16 includes a drive train assembly similar to that of first drive train assembly 36.
The operation of controller 82 is shown in
Controller 82 then detects whether sensor2 is closed. Step 104. If so, then first motor 70 is turned off. Step 106. Sensor4 is then checked by controller 82. Step 108. If it is closed, then second motor 72 is turned off. Step 110. The controller then determines whether both motors are off. Step 112. If so, then the system pauses 114.
Following the pause, both motors are energized so as to raise sweeper assembly 14. Step 116. Sensor1 74 is then checked. Step 118. If it is closed, then first motor 70 is turned off. Step 120. Sensor3 78 is next checked. Step 122. If it is closed, then second motor 72 is turned off. Step 124. If both first motor 70 and second motor 72 are turned off, then the system again waits for the next cleaning cycle. Step 100.
The above description is of the preferred embodiment. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
