The present application relates generally to bracketing arrangements for a furnace system and more specifically to a two in one blower bracket arrangement and electrical controls bracket for a furnace or HVAC system.
The basic components of a furnace or HVAC system are: a burner, a heat exchanger, an air distribution system, and a vent pipe. In the burner, gas (natural or propane) or oil is delivered and burned to generate heat. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the burning gas to the air distribution system. The air distribution system, which includes a blower and ductwork, delivers the heated air throughout the home and returns cooler air to the furnace to be heated. Finally, the vent pipe or flue exhausts byproducts of combustion (such as water vapor and carbon dioxide) outside of the home. In addition, the furnace system may also include a cooling element, such as an A-coil, that operates in conjunction with an air conditioning unit (typically located outside of the home) to provide cooled air to the home instead of heated air.
Typically, furnace systems in residential applications are located in the basement or a small closet in the user's home, which areas have limited space for an installed furnace system. Furthermore, efficiency standards have recently changed, thereby requiring the size of the A-coil to be increased to meet these new standards. Thus, when a newer furnace system is needed to replace an older system, often, the newer furnace can not fit into the space where the old furnace was installed because the size of the furnace unit and the newer, taller A-coil that is required is greater than the available installation space. Thus, a shorter, furnace is needed to accommodate the taller A-coil in order to be able to install a new furnace system in the same space as the old furnace system.
Each individual HVAC system has a blower in the air distribution system to push the air through the ductwork. A bracket arrangement for the blower provide support and a mounting means for the blower in the system. What is needed is a bracket that provides easy maintenance and accessibility of the blower while providing a mounting surface for the electrical controls for the system. What is also needed is a bracket arrangement that provides easy access to the electrical controls as well.
Intended advantages of the disclosed systems and/or methods satisfy one or more of these needs or provides other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs.
One embodiment is directed to a bracket arrangement having a fixed bracket part that is substantially stationary and a movable bracket part that is moveable about the fixed bracket part. At least one of a blower, or a mounting plate with at least one electrical control mounted to it, are mounted to the movable bracket part. Upon the application of a force the blower and/or mounting plate with at least one electrical control are moved to at least one predetermined position along the path of the movable bracket part.
An HVAC&R/bracket arrangement having an HVAC system with a blower, a housing to enclose the HVAC system, a fixed bracket part mounted to the housing and being substantially stationary, and a movable bracket part moveable about the fixed bracket part. The blower is mounted to the movable bracket part, and upon the application of a force, the blower is moved to at least one predetermined position along the path of the movable bracket part.
An advantage is a single bracket arrangement that provides a bracket for a blower of an HVAC system while providing a mounting surface for the electrical controls of the HVAC system.
Another advantage is the bracket arrangement provides a simple means to push or pull the blower bracket into and out of the HVAC system.
Yet another advantage is that the controls are easily accessible when the bracket and blower are partially pulled out of the HVAC system.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Any suitable connection between the fixed brackets 206 and the moveable brackets 208 may be used that will permit relative movement between the two brackets 206, 208, e.g., rollers, fasteners, or grooves. The blower 107 is connected to the moveable brackets 208 such that the blower 107 can be slid from the housing 196 if desired by the maintenance person or user. In addition, a control mounting plate 212 can also be mounted to the moveable brackets 208 such that the control mounting plate 212 can be slid from the furnace housing 196 when the moveable brackets 208 are moved relative to the fixed brackets 206. The control mounting plate 212 can be a metal plate that extends between two moveable brackets 208 and is oriented appropriately for the mounting of electrical components 204. However, it is to be understood that any suitable arrangement for the control mounting plate 212 can be used so long as the control mounting plate 212 can be slid from the furnace housing 196 and provide adequate mounting of electrical components 204.
While the systems and/or methods of the application have been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the application without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the application not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the systems and/or methods of the application, but that the application will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/884,261, filed Jan. 10, 2007.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6318103 | Rieger et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
20050194003 | Paulsen et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20080164388 A1 | Jul 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60884261 | Jan 2007 | US |