Universal air conditioner fan frame repair kit

Abstract

A repair kit for an air conditioning condenser fan frame that has corroded at its lower end. The invention allows the existing fan frame to be secured in place using a rigid supporting bracket that fills the corroded area with a bonding agent and reattaches the fan securely to the base of the condenser. The invention avoids the need for full condenser replacement and extends the lifespan of the unit.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] This invention relates to a device which will allow the lower portion of an air conditioning condenser fan frame (corroded or otherwise) to be secured to the body of the condenser so that the fan remains in position and does not foul the fan cowling.

[0003] Background

[0004] Air conditioning condensers normally contain a fan to blow air over the heat exchanger where the fan is supported by a galvanised steel frame - usually in an “H” configuration.

[0005] Over a period of years the lower quarter (usually the lower 50 to 75mm) of the fan frame legs corrode (especially in salty air locations near the sea) and eventually with the fan movement the frame legs break away from the frame base, leaving the fan to move back against the heat exchanger and catch on the condenser fan cowling. The result is a noisy fan and, eventually, the fan is unable to rotate and ceases to work, causing the condenser heat exchanger to stop working due to a lack of airflow.

[0006] The provision of a new frame is not always available and can be costly, since the fan would need to be removed from the old frame and refitted onto a new one - if it can be found. Quite often, the technician will recommend replacing an otherwise good condenser rather than offer a repair.

[0007] The idea behind this invention is to provide a low cost, easy to fit universal repair kit, which can be fitted to the existing fan frame (without removal of the fan from the frame) by allowing the existing frame to be reconnected to the base of the condenser. This prolongs the life of the condenser and saves the owner the cost of a new condenser or expensive renewal of the fan frame.

[0008] The device consists of a moulded plastic (or other material) structure which permits the legs of the fan frame to sit inside vertical tubes to where there is little or no corrosion, allowing the fan frame legs to be extended and connected to the base of the condenser, thus stabilising the fan and preventing it from catching the condenser cowling.

[0009] Once the legs are in place within the device, the gap between the frame legs and the vertical tubes are filled with a 2-pack resin (or silicone or similar product) to create a rigid structure to allow the condenser fan to rotate freely.

[0010] New self-tapping screws are provided to attach the device to the base of the condenser.

Claims

Claims1. An air conditioner condenser fan frame repair kit which allows a corroded (or otherwise) condenser fan frame to be reconnected (or connected) to the condenser base matching the condenser dimensions.

2. An air conditioner condenser fan frame repair kit made from a moulded non- corrosive plastic (or other suitable material) according to Claim 1 which allows the lower sections of corroded (or otherwise) legs of various types and structures of air conditioner condenser fan frames to be located and encapsulated within the kit upright tubes using a 2-part resin (or similar).

3. An air conditioner condenser fan frame repair kit made from a non-corrosive plastic (or other suitable material) according to Claim 1 which allows the condenser fan to remain stable and rotate freely within the fan cowling and not damage the condenser heat exchanger or other parts.