Heat exchanger protective cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
External heat exchangers in air conditioning and heat pump systems are vulnerable to debris accumulation and physical damage, which restricts air flow and reduces efficiency, and existing protective solutions either require skilled installation or are susceptible to removal by wind and rain.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover combining screen material and flexible nonporous joining material, forming a continuous loop with a yoke and cinching mechanism, designed to fit over external heat exchanger components, allowing air flow while securing the cover against elements and physical damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective cover is installed over the external heat exchanger, then protection against debris and physical damage is improved, but air flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover incorporates a porous screen material that allows air to pass through while filtering out debris. The porous structure enables simultaneous achievement of protection and air flow, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover combines screen material with flexible nonporous joining material to create a composite structure. This composite design allows different portions of the cover to serve different functions: screen material for filtration and air flow, nonporous material for structural integrity and protection.
2Reliability
If a protective screen is installed outside the external heat exchanger, then protection against debris is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is made from flexible material that can be easily draped over the heat exchanger unit. This flexibility eliminates the need for complex installation procedures, allowing homeowners to install it themselves without requiring skilled technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to be easily installed and removed by the end user without professional assistance. The simple design with flexible material and basic fastening mechanisms enables self-service installation, reducing installation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible protective cover is used during non-use season, then ease of installation is improved, but protection against removal by elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material allows easy installation while the specific design features (cinching mechanisms, overlapping sections) provide secure attachment that resists removal by wind and rain, combining ease of installation with reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to conform to the curved surfaces of the heat exchanger unit, creating a snug fit that prevents wind from getting underneath and causing removal. The curved design follows the contours of the equipment for secure attachment.
4Reliability
If a protective cover with cinching mechanism is installed, then resistance to removal by elements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material with integrated cinching mechanisms provides secure attachment without requiring complex structural elements. The simplicity of the flexible design combined with basic cinching features achieves reliable protection while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover for an external heat exchanger of a heat exchanger such as an air conditioner system or a heat pump system is disclosed. The protective cover includes a continuous loop of screen material and flexible nonporous material. The first end of the screen material and a second end of the screen material are affixed to opposite ends of the flexible nonporous material to form a continuous loop. The continuous loop comprises an upper edge and a lower edge configured to fit over at least a portion of an external heat exchanger having sides, a bottom, and a top, and wherein the continuous loop of screen material covers at least a portion of vent holes on the side of the exchanger. The protective cover includes a top yoke attached to the upper edge of the screen material and the top yoke comprising a cinching mechanism. The top yoke covers at least a portion of the vent holes on the side of the heat exchanger and at least a portion of the top of the external of the exchanger, and the cinching mechanism, when tightened, secures the protective cover to the heat exchanger. A method of installing the disclosed protective cover is also disclosed.