Air Conditioner Units with Improved Make-Up Air System

Abstract

An air conditioner unit and methods of operating the same is provided. The air conditioner unit may include a refrigeration loop having a variable speed compressor, an electronic expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger. An indoor fan and an outdoor fan may be configured to urge air through the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, respectively. A bulkhead may be disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger to define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion of the unit. A vent aperture may be defined in the bulkhead, and the indoor and outdoor fans may be configured to urge make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion. In addition, an auxiliary fan may be disposed within the vent aperture to provide additional “boost” make-up air, and a heating bank may be used to heat make-up air if desired.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to air conditioner units, and more particularly to air conditioner units that utilize an improved system for make-up air.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Air conditioner or conditioning units are conventionally utilized to adjust the temperature indoors—i.e. within structures such as dwellings and office buildings. Such units commonly include a closed refrigeration loop to heat or cool the indoor air. Typically, the indoor air is recirculated while being heated or cooled.[0003]A variety of sizes and configurations are available for such air conditioner units. For example, some units may have one portion installed within the indoors that is connected, by e.g., tubing carrying the refrigerant, to another portion located outdoors. These types of units are typically used for conditioning the air in larger spaces.[0004]Another type of unit, sometimes referred to as PTAC or a packaged terminal air conditioner unit, may b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In accordance with one embodiment, an air conditioner unit for conditioning an indoor space is provided. The air conditioner unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger assembly disposed in an outdoor portion and including an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan; and an indoor heat exchanger assembly disposed in an indoor portion and including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The unit further includes a compressor configured for circulating a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger and a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction, the bulkhead defining the indoor portion and the outdoor portion. A vent aperture is defined in the bulkhead and a damper is positioned proximate the vent aperture and configured to move between an open position where the outdoor portion is in fluid communication with the indoor portion and a closed position where the damper blocks the vent aperture to prevent fluid communication between the outdoor portion and the indoor portion. A controller is configured to open the damper and operate the indoor fan at less than full speed when a negative pressure condition is sensed to force make-up air out of the air conditioner unit.

Problems solved by technology

If such cracks are not sufficient, the flow of make-up air may be insufficient or too slow.

For example, in the summer, the outdoor air may be too warm and too humid.

In such case, it is undesirable to draw the air into the room with further conditioning—such as e.g., lowering its temperature and / or humidity.

As such, even if make-up air is needed, the operation of the air conditioner unit at full speed to condition the make-up air is inefficient.

Furthermore, such operation can be generally noisier and more interruptive to the occupants of the indoor space.

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