Patent Application
20240401841
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to the present disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial applications to control environmental properties, such as temperature, humidity, and/or air quality, of respective indoor environments and/or spaces. The HVAC system may control the environmental properties through control of properties of an air flow delivered to and ventilated from spaces serviced by the HVAC system. For example, the HVAC system may place the air flow in a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant of a vapor compression circuit. The air flow may be directed through the HVAC system via a louver assembly. The louver assembly may include blades that are implemented to direct air flow therethrough while also enhancing a visual appearance of the HVAC system. It is now recognized that improved louver assembly designs are desirable to increase blockage of undesired elements from flowing through the louver assembly while enabling desired air flow through the louver assembly and enhancing an aesthetic appearance of the HVAC system.
A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.
In one embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a self-contained HVAC unit configured to extend at least partially through an external wall of a building in an installed configuration of the HVAC system and a louver assembly configured to couple to the self-contained HVAC unit, where the louver assembly is configured to be disposed within an ambient environment surrounding the building in the installed configuration of the HVAC system. The louver assembly includes a frame defining an opening configured to direct an ambient air flow from the ambient environment into the self-contained HVAC unit and a louver blade coupled to the frame. The louver blade includes a main body, a retention member extending from the main body, and a recess defined by the main body, the louver blade is configured to capture environmental elements directed into the louver assembly via the ambient air flow and direct the environmental elements into the recess, and the louver blade is configured to direct the environmental elements along the recess toward the frame.
In another embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a louver assembly configured to couple to a stand-alone HVAC unit. The louver assembly includes a frame having a first jamb frame member, a second jamb frame member, a head frame member, and a sill frame member coupled to one another to define an opening configured to direct an ambient air flow from an ambient environment into the stand-alone HVAC unit. The louver assembly also includes a plurality of louver blades secured to the frame and disposed within the opening, where each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades includes an upstream end, a downstream end, a main body, and a retention member extending from the main body at the upstream end to define a recess configured to accumulate liquid captured from the ambient air flow, and each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades is configured to direct the liquid along the recess toward the first jamb frame member, the second jamb frame member, or both. The louver assembly further includes a plurality of fasteners, where each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is configured to extend through a component of the frame and engage with a respective louver blade of the plurality of louver blades to secure the respective louver blade to the frame.
In a further embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a stand-alone HVAC unit having a housing and HVAC equipment disposed within the housing. The housing is configured to extend through an opening formed in an external wall of a building to be at least partially disposed within an ambient environment surrounding the building and at least partially disposed within an interior of the building in an installed configuration of the HVAC system. The HVAC system also includes a louver assembly configured to couple to the stand-alone HVAC unit and be disposed within the ambient environment in the installed configuration of the HVAC system. The louver assembly includes a frame defining an opening configured to direct an ambient air flow from the ambient environment into the housing. The frame includes a head frame member, a sill frame member, a jamb frame member, and a channel extending along the jamb frame member between the head frame member and the sill frame member. The louver assembly further includes a louver blade coupled to the frame, where the louver blade includes a blade body, a retention member extending from an upstream end of the blade body, and a recess formed by the blade body and the retention member. The recess extends toward the channel, the blade body is configured to divert liquid directed into the louver assembly via the ambient air flow toward the recess, and the louver blade is configured to direct the liquid along the recess toward the channel.
Various aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially,” and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being “approximately” equal to (or, for example, “substantially similar” to) a given value, this is intended to convey that the property value may be within +/−5%, within +/−4%, within +/−3%, within +/−2%, within +/−1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being “substantially parallel” to another feature, “generally perpendicular” to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to convey that the given feature is within +/−5%, within +/−4%, within +/−3%, within +/−2%, within +/−1%, or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Further, it should be understood that mathematical terms, such as “planar,” “slope,” “perpendicular,” “parallel,” and so forth are intended to encompass features of surfaces or elements as understood to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, and should not be rigidly interpreted as might be understood in the mathematical arts. For example, two components having respective axes that are “parallel” with one another is intended to encompass the axes of the components extending substantially parallel to each other (e.g., within related tolerances) without definitively being mathematically parallel.
The present disclosure is directed to a louver assembly for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The louver assembly may enable air flow into and/or out of the HVAC system or another enclosed space. For instance, the louver assembly may be disposed at an inlet of the HVAC system to enable control of an air flow from an ambient environment into the HVAC system. The HVAC system may condition the air flow by adding and/or removing heat from the air flow. The louver assembly may additionally or alternatively be disposed at an outlet of the HVAC system to enable control of an air flow directed out of the HVAC system, such as to condition a space serviced by the HVAC system and/or to discharge an exhaust air flow. As described in further detail below, the louver assembly may be incorporated with a terminal HVAC unit, such as a packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC), a vertical terminal air conditioner (VTAC), and/or other stand-alone HVAC unit that is configured to be installed within and/or through an exterior-facing wall of a building. As will be appreciated, the stand-alone HVAC unit (e.g., packaged HVAC unit) may be a self-contained unit configured to generate and supply conditioned air to a conditioned space. To this end, the HVAC unit may be exposed to the ambient environment to enable operation of a vapor compression circuit within the HVAC unit to generate and supply the conditioned air. In an installed configuration of the HVAC unit, the louver assembly may be exposed to an ambient environment surrounding the building and may be configured to enable flow of air from the ambient environment into the HVAC unit while also blocking solid and/or liquid particles, including precipitation, dirt, and/or other debris, from passing through the louver assembly and into the HVAC unit. Further, the louver assembly may provide an enhanced aesthetic appearance to an observer external to the building.
The louver assembly may include a frame (e.g., defined by frame segments) and blades secured to the frame. The frame may be coupled to the HVAC unit, such as to a housing of the HVAC unit, extending through the exterior-facing wall of the building to enable flow of air flow between the outdoor environment and the HVAC unit. In accordance with present techniques, the blades may be disposed within the frame and may be arranged to block solid and/or liquid particles, including precipitation, dirt, and/or other debris, from passing from the outdoor environment, through the louver assembly, and into the HVAC unit. In some embodiments, the blades, the frame, or both may include features to enable capture solid and/or liquid particles directed into the louver assembly via an air flow (e.g., ambient air flow), as well discharge of the captured solid and/or liquid particles from the louver assembly. In this way, the louver assembly may block solid and/or liquid particles, such as precipitation, from entering the HVAC unit and remaining within the HVAC unit.
Turning now to the drawings,
In the illustrated embodiment, a building 10 is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit 12. The building 10 may be a commercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit 12 is disposed on the roof of the building 10; however, the HVAC unit 12 may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building 10 and/or on a side of the building 10. The HVAC unit 12 may be a single packaged unit containing other equipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. For example, in accordance with present techniques, the HVAC unit may be a self-contained or packaged unit (e.g., unitary system), such as a packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC) (e.g., a window unit), a packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP), a vertical terminal air conditioner (VTAC), or other self-contained unit configured to generate and supply conditioned air to a space within the building 10. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may be part of a split HVAC system, which includes an outdoor HVAC unit and an indoor HVAC unit.
The HVAC unit 12 in the illustrated embodiment is an air cooled device that implements a refrigeration or vapor compression circuit to provide conditioned air to the building 10. Specifically, the HVAC unit 12 may include one or more heat exchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is supplied to the building 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flow from the building 10. After the HVAC unit 12 conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building 10 via ductwork 14 extending throughout the building 10 from the HVAC unit 12. For example, the ductwork 14 may extend to various individual floors or other sections of the building 10. In certain embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may be a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building 10 with one vapor compression circuit configured to operate in different modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include one or more vapor compression circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnace for heating the air stream.
A control device 16, one type of which may be a thermostat, may be used to designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device 16 also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork 14. For example, the control device 16 may be used to regulate operation of one or more components of the HVAC unit 12 or other components, such as dampers and fans, within the building 10 that may control flow of air through and/or from the ductwork 14. In some embodiments, other devices may be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperature transducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of the supply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device 16 may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate from other building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that are remote from the building 10.
As discussed above, the present disclosure is directed to a louver assembly that includes a frame or a frame assembly and louver blades having a geometry and configuration that enables desired flow of air through the louver assembly while also blocking solid and/or liquid particles from flowing through the louver assembly. For example, the louver blades may include extensions that form recesses configured to receive, capture, or retain solid and/or liquid particles. The louver blades may also include features, such as protrusions, that retain the solid and/or liquid particles within the recesses. The frame or frame assembly may include a jamb frame coupled to the louver blades. The jamb frame may have channels that align with the recesses of the louver blades, and the channels may receive the solid and/or liquid particles captured or retained by the louver blades via the recesses. The channels may then discharge the solid and/or liquid particles out of the louver assembly. Further, the louver blades may be arranged to form openings between adjacent louver blades that enable air to flow through the louver assembly at a desirable flow rate and/or with reduced obstruction. In this manner, the louver blades may enable improved control of air flow through the louver assembly.
In accordance with present techniques, the louver assembly may be implemented with a self-contained HVAC unit that is configured to generate and supply conditioned air to a conditioned space. To this end, the self-contained HVAC unit may at least partially extend within and/or through an exterior-facing wall of the building, and the louver assembly may be exposed to an ambient environment surrounding the building. The louver assembly may therefore be configured to direct ambient air into the self-contained HVAC unit while also blocking solid and/or liquid particles from flowing through the louver assembly and into the self-contained HVAC unit. In this way, the louver assembly may protect equipment within the self-contained HVAC unit from exposure to external elements, such as rain, dust, debris, other liquids, and/or other particulate matter. Further, the louver assembly may be configured to enable desired flow of air therethrough (e.g., into the self-contained HVAC unit), such as with reduced pressure drop.
With the foregoing in mind,
In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 102 is configured as a packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC) (e.g., PTHP). Accordingly, the HVAC unit 102 extends at least partially within, through, and/or directly adjacent an external wall 124 (e.g., exterior-facing wall) of the building 108 that extends between the space 106 and an ambient environment 126 (e.g., outdoor environment) surrounding the building 108. That is, the external wall 124 includes an opening 128, and the HVAC unit 102 extends into and/or through the opening 128, such that the HVAC unit 102 is exposed to the space 106 and the ambient environment 126. To this end, the HVAC system 100 (e.g., the HVAC unit 102) may include a sleeve 130 configured to extend through the opening 128 and to be secured to the external wall 124. The HVAC unit 102 may extend into the sleeve 130 and may be secured to the sleeve 130. In this way, the sleeve 130 may retain the HVAC unit 102 in an installed location and/or configuration (e.g., relative to the external wall 124) and may support the HVAC unit 102 in the installed configuration.
With the HVAC unit 102 fluidly coupled to the space 106 and to the ambient environment 126, the HVAC unit 102 is configured to receive an ambient air flow 132 from the ambient environment 126. For example, the ambient air flow 132 may be directed into the HVAC unit 102 and may be placed in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid directed through the outdoor heat exchanger 118, the indoor heat exchanger 122, or both. The HVAC unit 102 may also receive an indoor air flow 134 from the space 106. The indoor air flow 134 may be directed into the HVAC unit 102 and may be placed in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid directed through the indoor heat exchanger 122, the outdoor heat exchanger 118, or both.
In operation, the HVAC equipment 110 (e.g., HVAC unit 102) may transfer heat to and/or from one or more air flows (e.g., ambient air flow 132 and/or indoor air flow 134) to generate a conditioned air flow 136 (e.g., heated air, cooled air, dehumidified air) that may be discharged from the housing 112 and into (e.g., directly into) the space 106 to condition the space 106. The HVAC unit 102 configured as a PTAC or PTHP may be configured to discharge the conditioned air flow 136 directly into the space 106, such as without ductwork extending from the HVAC unit 102 to the space 106. For example, the HVAC equipment 110 may receive the indoor air flow 134, condition (e.g., heat, cool) the indoor air flow 134, and recirculate the indoor air flow 134 back into the space 106 as the conditioned air flow 136. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the ambient air flow 132 received by the HVAC unit 102 from the ambient environment 126 may be conditioned by the HVAC equipment 110 to form at least a portion of the conditioned air flow 136 supplied to the space 106. The HVAC unit 102 may also discharge an exhaust air flow 138 into the ambient environment 126. The exhaust air flow 138 may include a portion of the ambient air flow 132 received by the HVAC unit 102, a portion of the indoor air flow 134 received by the HVAC unit 102, or both. As will be appreciated, the space 106 may be a single room within the building 108 that is conditioned by the HVAC unit 102 configured as a PTAC and/or PTHP. Accordingly, the HVAC unit 102 may include an embodiment of the control device 16 (e.g., thermostat) incorporated therewith to enable adjustable operation of the HVAC unit 102.
As mentioned above, the HVAC unit 102 (e.g., PTAC, PTHP) includes the louver assembly 104 (e.g., outdoor grille, architectural grill, architectural louver assembly). The louver assembly 104 (e.g., a frame of the louver assembly 104) may be secured to the sleeve 130, the housing 112, the external wall 124, or any combination thereof, such as via fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, rivets, screws, or any combination thereof), a snap fit, an interference fit, or any other suitable coupling technique. As shown, the louver assembly 104 is disposed at least partially within the ambient environment 126 and is generally configured to overlap with (e.g., completely overlap with) the opening 128 formed in the external wall 124. Therefore, the ambient air flow 132 directed into the HVAC unit 102 is first directed through the louver assembly 104. In some circumstances, solid and/or liquid particles, including precipitation, dirt, and/or other debris, may be entrained within the ambient air flow 132 and/or may otherwise be directed to flow into the louver assembly 104 via the ambient air flow 132. In accordance with present embodiments, the louver assembly 104 is configured to capture solid and/or liquid particles directed into the louver assembly 104 and thereby block ingress of the solid and/or liquid particles through the HVAC unit 102 (e.g., into the housing 112, to the HVAC equipment 110, into the space 106). For example, the louver assembly 104 may capture liquid (e.g., precipitation, rain) driven by the ambient air flow 132 into the louver assembly 104 and block exposure of the HVAC equipment 110 to the liquid. The louver assembly 104 may also be configured to redirect and discharge captured liquid and/or solid particles to flow back into the ambient environment 126. In this way, the louver assembly 104 is configured to protect the HVAC equipment 110 within the HVAC unit 102, as well as the space 106, from exposure to external elements (e.g., debris, leaves, precipitation) of the ambient environment 126. The louver assembly 104 may also be configured to enable desired flow of air (e.g., ambient air flow 132, exhaust air flow 138) therethrough to facilitate desired operation of the HVAC unit 102.
Even so, as similarly described above, the HVAC unit 102 may extend at least partially within and/or through the external wall 124 (e.g., exterior-facing wall) of the building 108. Specifically, the external wall 124 may include the opening 128 extending between the ambient environment 126 and the enclosed space 150, and the HVAC unit 102 may extend at least partially within, through, and/or directly adjacent the opening 128, such that the HVAC unit 102 is exposed to the ambient environment 126. With the HVAC unit 102 fluidly coupled to the ambient environment 126, the HVAC unit 102 is configured to receive the ambient air flow 132 from the ambient environment 126 via the louver assembly 104. As similarly described above, the ambient air flow 132 may be directed into the HVAC unit 102 and may be placed in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid directed through the outdoor heat exchanger 118, the indoor heat exchanger 122, or both.
The HVAC unit 102 may also receive the indoor air flow 134 from the space 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the indoor air flow 134 may be directed into the HVAC unit 102 (e.g., VTAC) via an intake vent 152 formed in a wall, door, panel, or other structure defining the enclosed space 150. The indoor air flow 134 may be placed in a heat exchange relationship with the HVAC equipment 110, such as with a working fluid directed through the indoor heat exchanger 122, the outdoor heat exchanger 118, or both. The HVAC equipment 110 may transfer heat to and/or from one or more air flows (e.g., ambient air flow 132 and/or indoor air flow 134) to generate the conditioned air flow 136 (e.g., heated air, cooled air, dehumidified air) that may be discharged from the HVAC unit 102 and directed toward the space 106 via ductwork 154. For example, the ductwork 154 may extend from the HVAC unit 102, through the enclosed space 150, and external to the enclosed space 150 to direct the conditioned air flow 136 into the space 106, such as via a supply vent 156. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 102 may include the ductwork 154 with multiple supply vents 156 to enable supply of the conditioned air flow 136 generated by the HVAC unit 102 to multiple spaces 106 (e.g., multiple rooms) within the building 108.
The HVAC unit 102 configured as the VTAC (e.g., VTHP) may also include the louver assembly 104 in accordance with present techniques. As mentioned above and described in detail below, the louver assembly 104 may be disposed at least partially within the ambient environment 126 and may generally overlap with (e.g., completely overlap with) the opening 128 formed in the external wall 124. Therefore, the ambient air flow 132 directed into the HVAC unit 102 is first directed through the louver assembly 104. The louver assembly 104 is configured to capture solid and/or liquid particles directed into the louver assembly 104 and thereby block ingress of the solid and/or liquid particles through the HVAC unit 102. The louver assembly 104 may also be configured to redirect and discharge captured liquid and/or solid particles to flow back into the ambient environment 126, as well as enable desired flow of air (e.g., ambient air flow 132, exhaust air flow 138) therethrough to facilitate desired operation of the HVAC unit 102.
The louver assembly 104 may include a frame 206 (e.g., a frame assembly) defining an air flow path through the louver assembly 104 (e.g., from an upstream location to a downstream location). It should be noted that “upstream,” “midstream,” and “downstream” may be utilized herein with reference to a direction of air flow, such as the ambient air flow 132, through the louver assembly 104. In some embodiments, the frame 206 may include multiple frame members that are coupled one another to define a perimeter of the air flow path and/or the louver assembly 104. As an example, the frame 206 may include jamb frame members 208 (e.g., jamb members, jambs, a first jamb frame member and a second jamb frame member) defining a portion of the perimeter of the air flow path and/or a portion of the perimeter of the frame 206. Each jamb frame member 208 may be configured to couple to a head frame member 210 (e.g., top frame member, head frame, head) and to a sill frame member 212 (e.g., base frame member, sill, sill frame). The head frame member 210 and the sill frame member 212 may each define additional portions of the perimeter of the air flow path and/or the frame 206.
The jamb frame members 208, the head frame member 210, and the sill frame member 212 may be coupled to one another to form a rectangular geometry of the frame 206. In some embodiments, the jamb frame members 208 may each be secured to the head frame member 210 and the sill frame member 212 via mechanical fasteners 214 (e.g., screws, rivets, bolts, another fastener, or any combination thereof) extending through the jamb frame members 208 and into engagement with a respective boss or chase 216 (e.g., screw boss, chase, groove, recess) formed in the head frame member 210 and the sill frame member 212. In other embodiments, the jamb frame members 208, the head frame member 210, and/or the sill frame member 212 may be secured to one another via another suitable coupling technique (e.g., without screws), such as lugs and pop rivets, welding, brazing, adhesive, another suitable attachment technique, or any combination thereof. The jamb frame members 208 may each extend along the vertical axis 202, and the head frame member 210 and sill frame member 212 each extend along the lateral axis 204 in the assembled and/or installed configuration of the frame 206 (e.g., louver assembly 104). However, in additional or alternative embodiments, the frame 206 may have any other suitable geometry and/or may include any suitable number of frame members defining the geometry (e.g., a perimeter) of the frame 206. In any case, the frame 206 may form an opening 218 (e.g., air flow path) along which air may flow through the louver assembly 104.
The louver assembly 104 also includes a plurality of blades 220 (e.g., louver blades) configured to extend along the lateral axis 204 between the jamb frame members 208 and within the opening 218 formed via the frame 206. The plurality of blades 220 may be secured (e.g., fixed) to one or more components of the frame 206 (e.g., jamb frame members 208), one or more additional components of the louver assembly 104, or any combination thereof. In alternative embodiments, the blades 220 may be adjustable relative to the frame 206. As previously mentioned, the plurality of blades 220 is configured to enable and direct air flow through the louver assembly 104 (e.g., from the ambient environment 126 into the HVAC unit 102) and to block flow of environmental elements (e.g., precipitation, debris) into the HVAC unit 102. For example, the plurality of blades 220 may be configured to initially capture solid and/or liquid particles directed into the louver assembly 104 via an air flow (e.g., ambient air flow 132). The plurality of blades 220 is also configured to facilitate drainage and/or discharge of captured environmental elements from the louver assembly 104, such that the captured environmental elements are not retained within the louver assembly 104 and/or the HVAC unit 102. Details of the plurality of blades 220 are described further below.
The frame 206 may also include features configured to enable drainage and/or discharge of captured environmental elements from the louver assembly 104. For example, the frame 206 may define one or more channels 222 configured to receive solid and/or liquid particles captured by the plurality of blades 220. In some embodiments, the channels 222 may be formed via the jamb frame members 208. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the jamb frame members 208 each include a plurality of flanges 224 extending from a base portion 226 of the jamb frame member 208 to define the channel 222 therebetween. In some embodiments, the flanges 224 may be integrally formed with the jamb frame members 208. The flanges 224 extend from the base portion 226 at least partially toward the plurality of blades 220 and/or along the lateral axis 204 (e.g., toward the opening 218, inwardly). The flanges 224 also extend along the base portion 226 and along the vertical axis 202, such that the channels 222 defined by the flanges 224 also extend along the vertical axis 202. In some embodiments, the flanges 224 may extend from the base portion 226 at an oblique angle (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 204, relative to the longitudinal axis 200). It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the channels 222 may be formed via one or more additional components, such as jamb frame inserts, respectively positioned between the plurality of blades and one of the jamb frame members 208 (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 204). For example, the louver assembly 104 may include jamb frame inserts having the plurality of flanges 224 defining the channels 222. In some embodiments, one or more of the flanges 224 may have a geometry (e.g., a T-shape, a distal end projection opposite the base portion 226) to block back flow (e.g., splash back) of environmental elements from the channel 222 back toward the plurality of blades 220.
In any case, the plurality of blades 220 may be configured to direct captured environmental elements toward the channels 222 formed via the jamb frame members 208 and/or other louver assembly 104 components (e.g., jamb frame inserts), as described in further detail below. Captured environmental elements (e.g. liquid, rain, water) directed to the channels 222 may be directed along the channels 222 (e.g., via the flanges 224, via force of gravity) toward the sill frame member 212. That is, the captured environmental elements may be directed in a generally downward direction (e.g., along the vertical axis 202, in a direction of gravity) along the channels 222. Thus, the channels 222 may extend generally vertically (e.g., linearly) along the vertical axis 202. However, in other embodiments, the channels 222 may form passages having other geometries (e.g., stepped, oscillating, non-linear), such as via other geometric features of the flanges 224. For example, the flanges 224 may include features, such as ridges, protrusions, lips, projections, edges, another structural feature, or any combination thereof to facilitate flow of the environmental elements along the channels 222 in a downward direction and/or in a controlled manner (e.g., via increased contact with the environmental elements within the channels 222). Further, it should be appreciated that each jamb frame member 208 may include and/or be associated with one channel 222, as shown, or each jamb frame member 208 may include or be associated with multiple channels 222. From the channels 222, the captured environmental elements may be received by the sill frame member 212.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the sill frame member 212 has a generally U-shaped configuration defined by a base portion 228, a first extension portion 230 (e.g., upstream end portion, first vertical portion), and a second extension portion 232 (e.g., downstream end portion, second vertical portion). The captured environmental elements directed to the sill frame member 212 may be discharged from the louver assembly 104 via a plurality of apertures 234 formed in the first extension portion 230. The apertures 234 may be spaced along the lateral axis 204 and/or may be formed at least partially at vertex of the base portion 228 and the first extension portion 230 to facilitate discharge of the environmental elements (e.g. liquid) from the sill frame member 212. More specifically, the captured environmental elements directed to the sill frame member 212 via the channels 222 may flow along the base portion 228 (e.g., along the lateral axis 204) and may readily flow from the base portion 228 through one or more of the apertures 234 formed in the first extension portion 230.
As mentioned above, the sill frame member 212 may include the boss 216 configured to engage with mechanical fasteners 214 to facilitate assembly of the frame 206. The boss 216 may extend from the base portion 228 (e.g., at a midpoint between the first extension portion 230 and the second extension portion 232 along the longitudinal axis 200). To further facilitate flow of environmental elements from the channels 222 to the apertures 234, in some embodiments, the flanges 224 defining the channels 222 may extend from the base portions 226 of the jamb frame members 208 at an angle and at least partially along the longitudinal axis 200 toward the first extension portion 230. In this way, the environmental elements may be directed to the base portion 228 of the sill frame member 212 between the boss 216 and the first extension portion 230 (e.g., relative to the longitudinal axis 200).
As will be appreciated, in an assembled configuration of the louver assembly 104 with the HVAC unit 102 and in an installed configuration with the building 108 (e.g., external wall 124), the first extension portion 230 of the sill frame member 212 may face externally and/or outwardly (e.g., relative to the external wall 124 and/or the building 108) toward the ambient environment 126. Thus, environmental elements discharged from the louver assembly 104 via the apertures 234 may flow from the louver assembly 104 and into the ambient environment 126 away from the HVAC unit 102 and the building 108. In this way, undesired exposure of the HVAC unit 102 and the components therein, as well as the space 106 within the building 108, to the environmental elements may be avoided.
The frame 206 and the plurality of blades 220 may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum), a polymer, a composite material, another suitable material, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the frame 206 and/or the plurality of blades 220 may be formed via an extrusion process, an injection molding process, and/or any other suitable manufacturing process. Furthermore, as discussed above, it should be appreciated that the louver assembly 104 may be installed with the HVAC unit 102 in any suitable manner. For example, one or more components of the frame 206 may be secured to the housing 112 of the HVAC unit 102, the external wall 124, the sleeve 130 disposed within opening 128 in the external wall 124 and extending about and supporting the HVAC unit 102, or any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, each blade 220 may be secured to one or more support rails 288 (e.g., brace bars, support members) disposed at the second end 282 of the louver assembly 104. For example, the louver assembly 104 may include two support rails 288 disposed on opposite lateral sides (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 204) of the frame 206. In particular, one support rail 288 may extend along the vertical axis 202 adjacent one lateral side of the frame 206 and adjacent one of the jamb frame members 208, and another support rail 288 may extend along the vertical axis 202 adjacent an opposite lateral side of the frame 206 and adjacent the other of the jamb frame members 208. In this way, the support rails 288 may be generally and/or substantially offset (e.g., lateral offset, along the lateral axis 204) from the opening 218 defined by the frame 206. The support rails 288 may be secured (e.g., fastened, attached) to one or more of the head frame member 210, the jamb frame member 208, the sill frame member 212, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, each support rail 288 may be integrally formed with a corresponding jamb frame insert defining one of the channels 222. For example, an insert disposed between the plurality of blades 220 and the frame 206 may include a jamb frame insert portion that extends along the vertical axis 202 and the longitudinal axis 200 and that defines the channel 222 and may include a support member portion defining the support rail 288 that extends along the lateral axis 204 and the vertical axis 202. In such embodiments, the louver assembly 104 may include two inserts that each include the jamb frame insert portion and the support member portion described above.
As shown, the blades 220 may be secured to the support rails 288 via mechanical fasteners 290 extending through the support rails 288 and into engagement with the blades 220 (e.g., with the second ends 286 of the blades 220). In some embodiments, each blade 220 may be secured to one of the support rails 288 via one mechanical fastener 290 adjacent a first lateral side (e.g., adjacent one of the jamb frame members 208) of the frame 206 and may be secured to another of the support rails 288 via another mechanical fastener 290 adjacent a second lateral side (e.g., adjacent the other jamb frame member 208) of the frame 206.
As mentioned above, the blades 220 are spaced apart from one another along the vertical axis 202 within the frame 206 in the assembled configuration of the louver assembly 104. In general, the plurality of blades 220 may be spaced apart from one another (e.g., along the vertical axis 202) to define first gaps 292 (e.g., upstream gaps, first vertical gaps) extending along the vertical axis 202 between respective first ends 284 of adjacent blades 220. The plurality of blades 220 may also define second gaps 294 (e.g., downstream gaps, second vertical gaps) extending along the vertical axis 202 between respective second ends 286 of adjacent blades 220. In some embodiments, the first gaps 292 may include or define distances (e.g., magnitudes) along the vertical axis 202 that are approximately equal to one another. In other embodiments, distances or magnitudes of the first gaps 292 along the vertical axis 202 may vary relative to one another. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first gap 292 extending between a first blade 296 (e.g., uppermost blade, top blade, relative to the vertical axis 202) of the plurality of blades 220 and a second blade 298 of the plurality of blades 220 adjacent the first blade 296 (e.g., below the first blade 296, relative to the vertical axis 202) is less than the first gap 292 extending between the second blade 298 and a third blade 300 adjacent the second blade 298 (e.g., below the second blade 298, relative to the vertical axis 202). As will be appreciated, a greater amount of environmental elements (e.g., liquid, precipitation) may be directed by the ambient air flow 132 toward the first gap 292 extending between the first blade 296 and the second blade 298 than toward the first gap 292 extending between the second blade 298 and the third blade 300, in some implementations of the louver assembly 104 with the HVAC unit 102. Accordingly, a magnitude of the first gap 292 extending between the first blade 296 and the second blade 298 may be less than a magnitude of the first gap 292 extending between the second blade 298 and the third blade 300 to further reduce flow of environmental elements into the louver assembly 104.
The respective configurations and/or geometries of the blades 220 may be the same or different from one another. For example, the first blade 296 discussed above includes a different configuration than remaining blades 220 of the louver assembly 104 in the illustrated embodiment. The geometries of the blades 220 are described further below.
In any case, the spaced arrangement of the blades 220 along the vertical axis 202 defines a plurality of passages 302 extending through the opening 218 (e.g., between the first end 280 and the second end 282) between adjacent blades 220. The passages 302 cooperatively define an air flow path through the louver assembly 104. That is, the passages 302 cooperatively define a free area through the louver assembly 104 along which an air flow (e.g., ambient air flow 132) may flow through the louver assembly 104. The spaced arrangement of the blades 220, as well as the geometries of the blades 220 may enable a desired flow of air through the louver assembly 104 (e.g., reduced pressure drop) that enables desired performance of the HVAC unit 102 while also providing additional benefits, such as enhanced aesthetic appearance (e.g., from an observer in the ambient environment 126), inhibited flow of environmental elements through the louver assembly 104 and into the HVAC unit 102, and reduced retention of environmental elements within the louver assembly 104.
The blade 220 includes a main body 320 (e.g., blade body) extending from the first end 284 toward the second end 286. The main body 320 includes a linear portion 322 (e.g., first portion, flat portion, flat section) and an arcuate portion 324 (e.g., second portion, curved portion, arcuate section). The linear portion 322 extends from the first end 284 to the arcuate portion 324, and the arcuate portion 324 extends from the linear portion 322 toward the second end 286. In the assembled and/or installed orientation, the linear portion 322 (e.g., linear portion) extends from the first end 284 at an angle 326 (e.g., an inclined angle) relative to the longitudinal axis 200. That is, the linear portion 322 extends at least partially upward (e.g., relative to gravity, relative to horizontal) along the vertical axis 202 and at least partially along the longitudinal axis 200. The angle 326 at which the linear portion 322 of the blade 220 extends from the first end 284 may be any suitable magnitude. For example, the angle 326 may be between approximately 35 degrees and 50 degrees or between approximately 40 degrees and 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle 326 may be approximately 45 degrees. However, it should be appreciated that the angle 326 may be any suitable value that enables desired flow of air across the blade 220 and through the louver assembly 104, as well as desired blockage of environmental elements across the blade 220 and through the louver assembly 104.
The arcuate portion 324 extends from the linear portion 322 and may curve in a direction different than the direction in which the linear portion 322 extends from the first end 284. For example, the arcuate portion 324 may be bent or curved such that an angle of incline of the arcuate portion 324 (e.g., relative to the longitudinal axis 200) is less than the angle 326. The arcuate portion 324 may be arcuate or curved to improve flow of the ambient air flow 132 across the blade 220 from the first end 284 to the second end 286 with reduced pressure drop and/or reduced flow resistance imparted by the blade 220.
The blade 220 further includes an extension 328 that extends (e.g., vertically extends) from the arcuate portion 324, such as along the vertical axis 202. In other embodiments, the extension 328 may extend from the arcuate portion 324 at an angle relative to the vertical axis 202. A guide lip 330 extends from the extension 328 at an end of the extension 328 opposite the arcuate portion 324. As shown, the guide lip 330 generally extends in a direction toward the first end 284 of the blade 220 (e.g., in an upstream direction, relative to a direction of the ambient air flow 132). The guide lip 330 extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis 200 and at least partially along the vertical axis 202. In some embodiments, an angle of the guide lip 330 relative to the longitudinal axis 200 may be substantially similar to the angle 326 described above. The guide lip 330 (e.g., the orientation of the guide lip 330) may facilitate flow of the ambient air flow 132 across the blade 220 from the first end 284 to the second end 286 with reduced pressure drop and/or reduced flow resistance imparted by the blade 220. Additionally or alternatively, the guide lip 330 may function as a barrier against which environmental elements (e.g., water) entrained within the ambient air flow 132 directed into the louver assembly 104 may impinge. For example, water droplets may impinge against the guide lip 330 and may flow toward the arcuate portion 324 and/or the linear portion 322 and further toward the first end 284 of the blade 220.
Additionally, during operation of the HVAC unit 102 having the louver assembly 104 with the blade 220, the extension 328 may also function as a barrier against which environmental elements (e.g., water) entrained within the ambient air flow 132 directed into the louver assembly 104 may impinge. For example, water droplets may impinge against the extension 328 and may flow toward and/or along the arcuate portion 324 to the linear portion 322 and further toward the first end 284 of the blade 220, as indicated by arrow 332. As will be appreciated, the contour of the arcuate portion 324 and/or the angle 326 at which the linear portion 322 is inclined may further facilitate flow of liquid captured or blocked by the blade 220 (e.g., the extension 328) toward the first end 284.
The liquid directed along the blade 220 toward the first end 284 may be further captured and directed by the blade 220 toward the channels 222 positioned at lateral sides of the louver assembly 104 described above. More specifically, the liquid and/or other environmental elements directed along the arcuate portion 324 and/or the linear portion 322 toward the first end 284 may be captured within a recess 334 (e.g., catch basin, reservoir, cavity, blade channel) formed via a retention member 336 (e.g., extension, front extension, shield member, retention portion, capture member) extending from the linear portion 322 at the first end 284. In other words, the retention member 336 and the linear portion 322 may cooperatively form the recess 334 at the first end 284 of the blade 220. In some embodiments, the retention member 336 may extend generally vertically (e.g., in an upward direction, relative to the vertical axis 202) from the linear portion 322. A length (e.g., dimension) and/or an orientation (e.g., angle) of the retention member 336 extending from the linear portion 322 may be selected to provide a desired volume or liquid retention capacity of the recess 334. As described further below, in an assembled configuration of the blade 220 in the louver assembly 104, the recess 334 may be generally aligned (e.g., along the lateral axis 204) with the channels 222 formed at the jamb frame members 208. Thus, liquid and/or other particles captured within the recess 334 may be directed to lateral ends of the blade 220 to flow into the channels 222 and be directed out of the louver assembly 104 in the manner described above. In some embodiments, one or more portions or sections of the blade 220 may be angled (e.g., relative to horizontal, relative to the lateral axis 204) to further promote flow of liquid from the recess 334 into one or both of the channels 222. For example, a center portion (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 204) of the blade 220 within the louver assembly 104 may be elevated relative to lateral ends of the blade 220, such that the blade 220 is slanted (e.g., downward relative to horizontal) from the center portion toward one of the lateral ends of the blade 220 and therefore toward one of the jamb frame members 208 and the corresponding channel 222 disposed therein.
The blade 220 may also include additional features formed at the second end 286 of the blade 220 to enable securement of the blade 220 to the frame 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade 220 includes a first engagement arm 338 and a second engagement arm 340 disposed at the second end 286. The first engagement arm 338 may extend from a first end 342 of the extension 328 and may extend generally along the longitudinal axis 200 in a direction opposite the guide lip 330. The second engagement arm 340 may extend from a second end 344 of the extension 328 and/or from the arcuate portion 324 and may extend generally along the longitudinal axis 200 in a direction opposite the arcuate portion 324. That is, the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340 may generally extend in a downstream direction (e.g., in a general direction of the ambient air flow 132 through the louver assembly 104).
The first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340 may cooperatively define a retention recess 346 (e.g., recess, boss, chase, cavity) at the second end 286 of the blade 220 and extending along a length or width of the blade 220 along the lateral axis 204. In some embodiments, the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340 may at least partially converge toward one another (e.g., at least partially along the vertical axis 202) to define the retention recess 346. The retention recess 346 may also be at least partially defined by the extension 328. As discussed further below, the retention recess 346 may be configured to receive one of the mechanical fasteners 290 utilized to secure the blade 220 to the frame 206. For example, the mechanical fastener 290 may be a rivet configured to extend within the retention recess 346 and engage with the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340 to enable securement of the blade 220 to one of the support rails 288. In some embodiments, the first engagement arm 338, the second engagement arm 340, or both may include one or more respective features configured to facilitate improved engagement between the mechanical fastener 290 and the first engagement arm 338 and/or the second engagement arm 340. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340 include respective prongs 348 formed at respective distal ends of the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340. The prongs 348 may facilitate engagement between the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340 and the mechanical fastener 290 (e.g., rivet) extending within the retention recess 346 during and after assembly of the louver assembly 104.
As described above, environmental elements, such as water, blocked (e.g., captured, deflected, diverted) by features of the second blade 382 may flow along the second blade 382 toward the recess 334 formed by the retention member 336 and the main body 320 (e.g., linear portion 322) of the second blade 382. Environmental elements accumulated within the recess 334 may flow toward one of the channels 222 formed at the jamb frame members 208. To this end, the recess 334 of the blades 220, including the second blade 382, may be aligned with the channels 222 along the lateral axis 204. Thus, the accumulated environmental elements may be directed from the recesses 334 of the blades 220 and into (e.g., directly into) the channels 222. In some embodiments, the retention members 336 of the blades 220 may be aligned (e.g., along the lateral axis 204) with one of the flanges 224 defining each channel 222. Specifically, the retention members 336 may be aligned with an upstream flange 384 of the flanges 224 that is more proximate the first end 280 of the louver assembly 104 compared to the other flange 224 defining the corresponding channel 222. In this way, the blades 220 and the channels 222 may be arranged to enable reliable guidance of the environmental elements from the recesses 334 into the channels 222 and thereby ensure discharge of the environmental elements from the louver assembly 104 in the manner described above.
The blades 220 (e.g., the first blade 380 and the second blade 382) may also be arranged relative to one another to enable desired flow of the ambient air flow 132 along the passages 302 while also improving capture of environmental elements via the blades 220 and/or to further block flow of the environmental elements to the second end 282 of the louver assembly 104 and into the HVAC unit 102. As noted above, the second blade 382 is disposed generally below, relative to the vertical axis 202, the first blade 380. However, the first blade 380 and the second blade 382 at least partially overlap with one another (e.g., along the vertical axis 202, relative to the longitudinal axis 200). Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a lowermost portion 386 of the first blade 380 (e.g., formed via the retention member 336 and the linear portion 322 of the first blade 380) is below (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 202) an upper most portion 388 of the second blade 382 (e.g., formed via the extension 328, the guide lip 330, and/or the first engagement arm 338 of the second blade 382). As will be appreciated, the partial overlap (e.g., vertical overlap) of the first blade 380 and the second blade 382 may further enable improved blockage of flow of environmental elements through the passage 302 to the second end 282 of the louver assembly 104. Moreover, the partial overlap (e.g., vertical overlap) of the first blade 380 and the second blade 382 may block line of sight (e.g., for an observer viewing the louver assembly 104 from an exterior of the building 108) through the louver assembly 104 and into the HVAC unit 102. In this way, the louver assembly 104 may enhance an aesthetic appearance of the building 108 having the HVAC unit 102 installed therewith and extending through the external wall 124.
The illustrated embodiment also includes a jamb frame insert 402 incorporated with the louver assembly 104 (e.g., the frame 206, as a component of the frame 206 and/or the louver assembly 104). It should be appreciated that the jamb frame insert 402 described herein may be incorporated within embodiments of the louver assembly 104 utilizing existing frame designs or configurations of the frame and/or frame components (e.g., the jamb frame members, the head frame members, the sill frame members, or any combination thereof). For example, the jamb frame insert 402 may be configured to extend within (e.g., be retained within) existing jamb frame member configurations. Accordingly, existing frame designs or configurations may be retrofitted with the jamb frame insert 402 and the blades 220 incorporating the present techniques to provide the frame assembly 104 configured to provide the benefits and improvements described herein.
As mentioned above, the jamb frame insert 402 may include the flanges 224 defining the channel 222. That is, the flanges 224 are not integral components or features of the jamb frame member 208 as described above with reference to
The lateral side portion 404, the flanges 224, and the support rail 288 each extend along the vertical axis 202. The lateral side portion 404 also extends along the longitudinal axis 200, while the support rail 288 extends along the lateral axis 204. The support rail 288 extends along the lateral axis 204 such that the support rail 288 overlaps with the blades 220 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 200. In this way, the mechanical fasteners 290 may extend through the support rail 288 and into the retention recesses 346 of the blades 220 to enable securement of the blades 220 to the support rail 288 (e.g., the jamb frame insert 402). The jamb frame insert 402 may be further secured to other components for the frame 206 to enable assembly of the louver assembly 104. For example, one or more of the mechanical fasteners 290 may also extend through the head frame member 210 in addition to the support rail 288 and the corresponding retention recess 346 of one of the blades 220. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the mechanical fasteners 214 described above may extend through the base portion 226 of the jamb frame member 208 and through the lateral side portion 404 of the jamb frame insert 402 to enable securement of the jamb frame insert 402 to the frame 206.
The illustrated embodiment also includes additional features to facilitate improved capture, conveyance, and discharge of environmental elements that may be entrained within and/or carried by the ambient air flow 132 into the louver assembly 104. For example, as mentioned above, the flanges 224 in the illustrated embodiment include distal end projections 406 (e.g., J-shaped protraction, T-shaped protrusion) extending from the flanges 224 at a distal end and/or an end of the flanges 224 opposite the lateral side portion 404. One or more of the distal end projections 406 may extend from one of the flanges 224 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 200 (e.g., cross-wise to the lateral axis 204), in some embodiments. The distal end projections 406 may block back flow (e.g., splash back) of environmental elements from the channel 222 back toward the blades 220 (e.g., back into the recesses 334).
Additionally, the illustrated embodiment shows an uppermost blade 408 that is above (e.g., relative to the vertical axis 202) remaining blades 220 of the louver assembly 104. That is, the uppermost blade 408 is most proximate and/or adjacent the head frame member 210 compared to the remaining blades 220. In some embodiments, the uppermost blade 408 includes features and/or characteristics different than those of the remaining blades 220 of the louver assembly 104. For example, the retention member 336 of the uppermost blade 408 extends along the vertical axis 202 by a greater dimension or magnitude than the retention members 336 of other blades 220 of the louver assembly 104. The retention member 336 of the uppermost blade 408 may also extend along the lateral axis 204 across an entirety of a width or length of the uppermost blade 408. The increased dimension (e.g., height, width, and/or length) of the retention member 336 of the uppermost blade 408 may enable capture of a greater amount (e.g., volume) of environmental elements 400 within the recess 334 of the uppermost blade 408. As will be appreciated, the uppermost blade 408 may be exposed to a greater amount of environmental elements 400 entrained within and/or carried by the ambient air flow 132 during operation of the louver assembly 104 with the HVAC unit 102.
While the uppermost blade 408 includes the main body 320 with the linear portion 322, the uppermost blade 408 does not include the arcuate portion 324 described above. Instead, the uppermost blade 408 includes the extension 328 (e.g., blocking panel, impingement panel) extending from the linear portion 322, and the extension 328 of the uppermost blade 408 extends along the vertical axis 202 by a greater dimension or magnitude than the extensions 328 of other blades 220 of the louver assembly 104. In this way, the increased surface area of the extension 328 of the uppermost blade 408 may enable increased capture of environmental elements 400 that may impinge against the extension 328 of the uppermost bladed 408. The extension 328 of the uppermost blade 408 may extend from the linear portion 322 of the uppermost blade 408 toward and/or to (e.g., adjacent, in contact with) the head frame member 210 (e.g., a top panel 410 of the head frame member 210). As shown, the uppermost blade 408 may also include the first engagement arm 338 and the second engagement arm 340, which may extend from the extension 328.
In some embodiments, the louver assembly 104 may have an overall depth 412 extending along the longitudinal axis 200. The overall depth 412 may extend from the first end 280 of the louver assembly 104 to the second end 282 of the louver assembly 104. The overall depth 412 (e.g., dimension, depth dimension) of the louver assembly 104 having the features described herein may be equal to or less than approximately 2 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the overall depth 412 may be approximately 1.5 inches. In this way, the louver assembly 104 may be more readily incorporated and accommodated with the HVAC unit 102 configured as the PTAC, PTHP, VTAC, VTHP, and/or other stand-alone or self-contained HVAC unit configured to extend at least partially through the external wall 124 of the building 108. That is, the magnitude of the overall depth 412 may be substantially less than existing louver assemblies that may otherwise be unsuitable for incorporation with embodiments of the HVAC unit 102 described herein. To this end, each blade 220 may also include a depth (e.g., extending along the longitudinal axis 200) that is less than two (2) inches and/or less than or equal to 1.5 inches.
As discussed in detail above, present embodiments are directed to a louver assembly configured to be incorporated with a self-contained HVAC unit, such as a packaged terminal air conditioning (PTAC), a vertical terminal air conditioner (VTAC), and/or other stand-alone HVAC unit that is configured to be installed within and/or through an exterior-facing wall of a building. The HVAC unit may be exposed to an ambient environment to enable operation of a vapor compression circuit within the HVAC unit to generate and supply conditioned air. In an installed configuration of the HVAC unit, the louver assembly may be exposed to an ambient environment surrounding the building and may be configured to enable flow of air from the ambient environment into the HVAC unit while also blocking solid and/or liquid particles, including precipitation, dirt, and/or other debris, from passing through the louver assembly and into the HVAC unit. Further, the louver assembly may provide an enhanced aesthetic appearance to an observer external to the building.
The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
While only certain features and embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in number, proportions, sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, including temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.
Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the disclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed disclosure. It should be noted that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/471,200, entitled “DRAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL LOUVER,” filed Jun. 5, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63471200 | Jun 2023 | US |
