US3862549A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular environmental control system
Assignee: United Aircraft Products Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-29
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1992-11-29
Abstract
Abstract An environmental control system the components of which are in a self contained unitary package, particularly adapted for modular installation in railway, buses and like transport vehicles. Refrigeration components including refrigerant flow lines are internal to a module which is adapted for simplified mounting in and removal from the vehicle. Interfacial relationships with conditioned air ducting systems and with ambient air flowing systems in the vehicle are inherently arrived at. Heating means integrated into the module gives the system multiple mode capabilities including cooling, dehumidification, cooling with reheat, heating and ventilation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F Fernandes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/00357; B60H1/00371; B61; B61D; B61D27/00; B61D27/0018; B60H1/00007; B60H1/00207; B60H2001/00235; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A modular environmental control system in a light weight rail vehicle or the like, said vehicle providing integrated delivery and return flow ducting systems for conditioned air, said ducting systems terminating at their one ends in a module receiving area conveniently accessible at a location above the vehicle floor, said area communicating with the vehicle exterior through openings providing for inflow and outflow of cooling ambient air, at least a portion of said control system being contained in a module installed in and removed from the module receiving area of the vehicle as a self-contained unit, said control system portion comprising refrigeration components including evaporator and condenser fan means to induce air movement through said module receiving area respectively by way of said delivery and return flow ducting systems and said exteriorly communicating openings, said refrigeration components further including evaporator and condenser means respectively and inherently positioned by the unitary installation of said module in said module receiving area to be in the path of flow of said induced air movements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A modular environmental control system in a light weight rail vehicle or the like, said vehicle providing integrated delivery and return flow ducting systems for conditioned air, said ducting systems terminating at their one ends in a module receiving area conveniently accessible at a location above the vehicle floor, said area communicating with the vehicle exterior through openings providing for inflow and outflow of cooling ambient air, at least a portion of said control system being contained in a module installed in and removed from the module receiving area of the vehicle as a self-contained unit, said control system portion comprising refrigeration components including evaporator and condenser fan means to induce air movement through said module receiving area respectively by way of said delivery and return flow ducting systems and said exteriorly communicating openings, said refrigeration components further including evaporator and condenser means respectively and inherently positioned by the unitary installation of said module in said module receiving area to be in the path of flow of said induced air movements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 1, wherein said refrigeration components further include interconnecting refrigerant flow lines, said refrigeration components including said flow lines being fuly contained in a housing defining said module and appropriately apertured for inflow and outflow of the induced air movements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 2, characterized by filter means installed in advance of said evaporator and condenser components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 3, characterized by a liquid flow connection installed in said module and arranged to discharge through the filter means in advance of said condenser means in a direction opposite to the direction of air movement therethrough for filter cleaning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 1, wherein the openings providing for inflow and outflow of cooling ambient air include at least one inflow opening so disposing with reference to the direction of vehicle travel as to be not impacted by air flowing over the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 2, wherein said housing defines with said vehicle in said module receiving area a manifold chamber receiving return air from the return flow ducting system, an apertured portion of said housing having said evaporator means installed to have air from said manifold chamber moved therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 6, wherein said housing defines an interior chamber through which cooling ambient air moves, apertured portions of said housing registering with externally communicating openings in the vehicle, said externally communicating openings being in planes approximately perpendicular to the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 7, wherein said interior chamber is in communication with said manifold chamber to supply makeup air to the return flow through said evaporator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 8, wherein said condenser fan means is installed in said interior chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A modular environmental control system according to claim 1, characteriZed by filter means in advance of and in spaced relation to said condenser means, the space between said filter means and said condenser means being in communication with a portion of the return flow ducting system at a location in advance of said evaporator means to supply makeup air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |