Abstract:
A suspension system for a refrigeration condensing unit which utilizes a simple unique elastomeric spacer instead of conventional multiple-piece spring arrangements.

Description:
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 246,437, filed Sept. 19, 1988 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to mounting and suspension systems, and more particularly to a system for mounting a motor-compressor to a refrigeration condensing unit. 
     Motor-compressors are conventionally mounted to such units using a spring suspension system to attenuate noise and vibration. These known systems are adequate, but suffer the disadvantage that they generally comprise a large number of separate pieces (often more than thirty per motor-compressor), and thus are relatively expensive to fabricate and assemble. In addition, spring suspensions are sometimes so soft that the excessive motion caused by starting and stopping of the compressor can damage the connecting refrigerant tubes. The softness of spring suspensions also usually requires that a shipping constraint be provided to prevent excessive motion of the motor-compressor during shipment. This increases cost and inconveniences the customer who must then remove the constraint. 
     It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an extremely simple and cost effective mounting system which avoids the problems associated with the aforementioned known systems. 
     Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigeration condensing unit embodying the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section view showing an assembled mounting spacer of the present invention in a relaxed state; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but rotated 90° with respect thereto; and 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spacer of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a refrigeration condensing unit embodying the mounting system of the present invention. The unit generally comprises a rigid base 10, a semi-hermetic motor-compressor 12, a condensing heat exchanger and fan assembly 14, a receiver 16 and an electrical box 18, all interconnected in the usual way. Compressor 12 has four feet 20 (two of which are shown) projecting laterally outwardly from the bottom thereof for mounting the motor-compressor on base 10. 
     The present invention resides in the provision of unique spacers, identified at 22, for resiliently mounting or suspending motor-compressor 12 with regard to base 10. Each spacer 22 is formed of an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic polyester elastomer comprised of a hard segment of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and a soft segment of polyethelene terephthalate (PET) (for example &#34;Hytrel 4074&#34; supplied by DuPont de Nemours located at Wilmington, Delaware), and is preferably inexpensively fabricated by injection molding. It should be a relatively hard material, i.e. in the order of 40D durometer. In shape, each spacer 22 has a generally circular cylindrical main body portion 24 integrally formed with a lower support flange 26 from which downwardly projects a radiused mounting projection 28 having an enlarged terminal head portion 30, projection 28 and head 30 having a diametrical upwardly extending V-shaped slot 32 therethrough (FIG. 2). 
     Spacer 22 is assembled to base 10 by forcing projection 28 and head 30 through an extruded contoured hole 34 in base 10 until flange 26 seats on the base. Slot 32 permits the projection and cap to collapse enough to facilitate assembly, and thereafter cap 30 re-expands to prevent inadvertent removal of the spacer. Cap 30 is relieved at the ends of slot 32, as at 31, to facilitate assembly. A minimal clearance, such as at 36, is provided between cap 30 and the bottom of base 10 (or the small flange 38 formed when forming hole 34, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) to restrict vertical movement of spacer 22 in hole 34. Projection 28 and hole 34 are preferably given the complementary contoured shape illustrated in FIG. 2 and 3. The radiused entrance to hole 34 facilitates insertion of the spacer, and the smooth walls thereof prevent abrasion of the spacer. Spacer 22 is preferably aligned so that slot 32 is generally parallel to the crankshaft of the motor-compressor so as to minimize the tendency of vibrational forces rocking spacer 22 out of hole 44 (i.e., the two relieved portions 31 on cap 30 on each side of slot 32 are disposed in planes parallel to the crankshaft axis, as is shown). 
     The upper end of spacer main body portion 24 is nested in a counterbore 40 formed in each foot 20 and has projecting upwardly therefrom a post 42 of cross-shaped cross-section which extends through a round hole 44 in foot 20. Post 42 has a transverse tubular portion 46 having a transverse hole 48 in which is disposed the long leg 50 of an L-shaped locking pin 52, the short leg 54 of which serves as a handle. With spacer 22 in place, assembly is effected by lowering the compressor on to the spacers with a post 42 extending up through hole 44 in each foot 20. A locking pin 52 is then manually press fit through each hole 48. Pin 52 and spacer 22 are preferably orientated so that leg 50 of pin 52 is generally parallel to the axis of the compressor crankshaft so that the major vibration component of the motor-compressor does not tend to shake pin 52 out of hole 48, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also, a pair of bumps 56 are formed in leg 50 to help prevent pin 52 from working out of hole 48 (they provide a friction/interference fit in hole 48). The entire assembly process, which involves only eight mounting pieces, can thus be accomplished without the use of tools, both ends of the spacer being champhered as shown to facilitate this assembly. Disassembly for repairs or the like can be similarly effected. 
     The degree of vibration and sound attenuation, and the frequencies attenuated, are controlled by providing in body portion 24 slots and/or openings of desired size, shape, number and location, all of which effect the hardness or spring rate of the spacer. In the embodiment illustrated there are provided a pair of oppositely disposed generally horizontal slots 58 and a pair of generally flat spaced horizontal through-openings 60, rotated approximately 90° with respect to slots 58 and slightly overlying same. The arrangement shown has been found to be ideal in that it provides for a higher spring rate in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, and it is an easy to mold part (can use a simple two-piece mold without cams, etc.) which yields much design freedom in controlling softness or spring rate. To reduce spring rate it is only necessary to increase the width of through-openings 60 or the depth of slots 58 to increase the degree of overlap of the two. For a given application the proper configuration can be achieved by starting with small slots and openings and then progressively increasing them in size until the desired amount of attenuation is obtained, using trial and error techniques. 
     While it is apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to provide the advantages and features above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.