Abstract:
A single piece offset mounting foot is positioned between the compressor and the floor of a cabinet for the compressor. The offset mounting foot has a main body having a geometric shape with a top and bottom surface connected by sidewalls that form a perimeter. A depression in the top surface receives a compressor and is offset in the direction of one of the sidewalls. A plurality of substantially equally spaced legs extend outward from the main body. The thickness of the offset mounting foot may be substantially uniform through the main body. The profile of the top surface in the main body is substantially concave forming a bowl-like surface that transitions smoothly from a minimum within the concave surface or concavity to a maximum in the direction toward the periphery and in the direction away from the center of the concavity. The bottom surface of the main body is configured or profiled to contact the floor or base of the cabinet into which the compressor is to be installed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to an apparatus for securing a vibrating part to a cabinet or a base, and specifically for mounting a compressor to a cabinet of an air conditioning unit.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Compressors used in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems, hereinafter referred simply as HVAC systems, are normally mounted in an associated unit that houses such a compressor using a mounting plate. The HVAC system normally includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and conduit connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger and is designed to distribute conditioned air through the interior of a structure, while the outdoor unit is enclosed in a cabinet that includes a heat exchanger, which exchanges heat with the atmosphere. Refrigerant cycles through the conduit between the heat exchangers. When strictly used as an air conditioner, the refrigerant cools the interior of a structure while removing heat and exchanging it with the atmosphere through the outdoor unit. However, when used as a heat pump, the HVAC system can additionally be used to draw heat from the atmosphere through the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit and transfer and distribute heat to the interior of the structure through the indoor unit. The compressor is usually enclosed within and mounted to the cabinet of the outdoor unit. The mounting plate desirably should reduce the vibrations and resulting noise caused by compressor operation.  
         [0003]     Several different types of compressors can be used in HVAC systems. These typically include reciprocating compressors, scroll compressors and rotary compressors, although other types of compressors may be used. Each of these compressors operates in a different manner, and therefore produces different vibrations. Even within a particular type or family of compressors, different sizes within the compressor type or family may produce different vibrations. For example, a large twin piston, reciprocating compressor can produce different characteristic vibrations than a smaller single piston, reciprocating compressor.  
         [0004]     It is desirable to reduce the vibration transmitted by the compressor to the cabinet into which it is installed. For many HVAC systems, the compressor is installed in a cabinet referred to as an outdoor unit of the HVAC system, which outdoor unit may be installed on a roof or adjacent to the structure or building. The vibration can be reduced or dampened by the type of mounting used to mount the compressor in the cabinet.  
         [0005]     In the past, the compressor has been mounted to the unit using a metal plate, which has provided very little damping of the compressor vibration, the metal plate being a poor damper and a very effective transmitter of the vibration. Different solutions have been used to address vibration damping of compressors mounted within units for different applications. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,558 B1, elastomeric grommets are positioned between the feet of the compressor and the base pan upon which it is mounted. The grommets support the weight of the compressor and are radially spaced from its center of gravity to prevent it from tipping. The grommets serve to vibrationally and acoustically isolate the compressor from its support in the unit.  
         [0006]     Other solutions to the problem of compressor vibration include the use of internal dampers to reduce the vibration of the compressor moving parts, such as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,038. In this approach, springs are mounted on resilient snubbers to dampen the vibration within the compressor housing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,786 (&#39;786 patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,709 (&#39;709 patent) utilize a resilient thermoplastic mounting boot having an upwardly extending rim that corresponds to an annular groove in the compressor, while U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,581 includes an upstanding sidewall that engages, frictionally, the circumferential wall of the compressor. In the &#39;786 patent, the boot is adhesively attached to the compressor, while in the &#39;709 patent, the compressor is frictionally engaged to the boot. The boot is also adhesively attached to a horizontal support surface in the &#39;786 patent, whereas in the &#39;709 patent, the compressor is attached to a horizontal support via bolts. These schemes provide sound and vibration suppression within the appliance cabinet while eliminating the need for hardware welded to the exterior of the compressor housing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is a system for more effectively managing the available space used by a compressor installed in an enclosed space or structure, such as an outdoor cabinet of a HVAC system. The present invention also permits the reduction of the vibration and noise transmitted by a compressor installed in a cabinet such as the outdoor unit of a HVAC system. The system includes a compressor and the cabinet. The cabinet includes a horizontal surface or floor for installation of the compressor. The floor of the cabinet typically includes predetermined mounting locations for positioning a compressor. A single piece offset mounting foot is intermediate the compressor and the horizontal surface or floor of the cabinet. The single piece offset mounting foot and the compressor are secured together as an assembly, and the assembly is positioned on the floor of the cabinet.  
         [0008]     The single piece offset mounting foot is comprised of a metallic material of sufficient strength to bear the weight of the compressor. The offset mounting foot has a main body having a geometric shape. In its simplest form, the offset mounting foot is a rectangularly shaped plate, preferably a square-shaped plate, having a top and bottom surface connected by sidewalls that form a perimeter. The bottom surface of the offset mounting foot is in contact with the floor of the cabinet. A depression in the top surface for receiving a compressor is offset in the direction of one of the sidewalls.  
         [0009]     In a more preferred embodiment, a plurality of substantially equally spaced appendages or legs extend outward from the main body. Perimeter surface segments of the main body extend between the appendages providing the offset mounting foot a continuous outer perimeter but giving the offset mounting foot an arcuate appearance. The offset mounting foot of this embodiment has a footprint that falls generally within the footprint of the rectangle or square shape described above and includes segments that are cut out from the generally rectangular or square footprint between the appendages. Although the shape in this embodiment is more complex, there is less material making this shape lighter and easier to handle. This overall footprint is important when considering the arrangement as well as the location of compressor connections to maximize the use of available space. The offset mounting foot main body has a first top surface and an opposed bottom surface, with the perimeter surfaces side walls extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The thickness of the offset mounting device may be substantially uniform through the portion that comprises its main body, but it is not necessary to restrict it to a uniform thickness. The offset mounting foot includes a depression in which the top surface drops downward toward the bottom surface to form a concavity. Ideally, the profile of the top surface in the main body is substantially concave forming a cup-like or bowl-like surface that transitions smoothly from a minimum within the concave surface or concavity to a maximum in the direction toward the periphery and in the direction away from the center of the concavity, but the invention is not so restricted. A unique feature of the main body is that the concave, cup-like surface is not in the geometric center of the main body, but rather is offset from the geometric center in the direction of one of the perimeter surface segments joining the appendages. The bottom surface of the main body is configured or profiled to contact the floor or base of the cabinet into which the compressor is to be installed.  
         [0010]     Because the concave surface formed in top surface of the main body is offset, the profiles of each of the appendages are not necessarily uniform. Each of the appendages also has a top surface and a bottom surface. Generally, the profile of the top surface of the appendages is such that each appendage top surface reaches its maximum height above the concavity in a portion of the appendage proximate to the main body. Thus, the offset concavity formed in the main body has top surface profile that extends upward and outward toward the outer perimeter of the mounting foot, reaching its maximum near or within the appendages. The profile of the appendages&#39; top surface then decreases distally from the main body. The decreasing profile can be uniform or stepwise. The overall rate of change of the decreasing profile will vary depending upon the location of the appendage with respect to the location of the center of the concavity. If the appendages are not to provide stability to the assembly, the top surface and the bottom surface of each of the appendages can be intermediate between the top surface and the bottom surface of the main body. Each of the appendages includes a small aperture. Each small aperture receives an elastomeric insert that further assists in damping vibrations of the compressor.  
         [0011]     The concave or cuplike surface is designed and sized to receive a compressor housing. The compressor housing is fixedly secured to the offset mounting foot to prevent compressor vibrations from moving the compressor from the offset mounting foot during operation. Elastomeric inserts are assembled into the offset mounting foot so that compressor vibrations are further damped.  
         [0012]     An important advantage of the present invention is that the offset mounting foot permits the compressor to be installed off-center within the cabinet. This provides more flexibility in optimizing space usage within the cabinet. For example, by rotating the offset mounting device in a predetermined direction, the compressor can be installed in the cabinet in a manner to improve space utilization within the cabinet, with no change in compressor design. The offset mounting foot can be located so that the compressor is located in a corner of the cabinet to increase the useable space within the cabinet. Alternatively, if more space is required along the side of the cabinet, such as to provide better access to fittings or connections, the offset mounting foot can be rotated so as to increase the space between the cabinet and the compressor upon installation.  
         [0013]     Another important advantage of the present invention is that the offset mounting foot of the present invention reduces the overall vibration and sound transmitted by the compressor to the cabinet so that the vibration and noise of the assembly is reduced. Each of the appendages or feet of the offset mounting device vibrate at different frequencies. Since the vibrations and their transmittal are related to the surface area and the velocity of the vibration, separating the resonances of the appendages or feet allows the offset mounting foot to reduce the transmission of vibration from the compressor to the cabinet.  
         [0014]     Another important advantage of the invention is that the offset mounting foot of the present invention is about the same size as existing mounting devices, so that the offset mounting foot of the present invention can be used interchangeably in cabinets and with compressors using existing mounting feet. There is no need to redesign existing compressors or existing cabinets in order to accommodate the offset mounting foot of the present invention.  
         [0015]     Still another advantage of the present invention is that cabinets can be redesigned to be of smaller size and lighter weight because the offset mounting foot can be positioned to permit compressor installation that maximizes the space in the cabinet.  
         [0016]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having four appendages.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mounting grommet that extends through the appendages of the offset mounting foot of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of the present invention through an appendage and the offset concavity formed in the top surface of the offset mounting foot shown in  FIG. 1   
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is schematic of a compressor assembled onto an offset mounting foot of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , which is a perspective view of an embodiment of the offset mounting foot  10  of the present invention present invention having four appendages  12 ,  13  extending outward from a main body  14 . The main body  14  can assume any convenient geometric shape, such as a circle, segments of a circle, substantially diamond-shaped, substantially rectangular-shaped, substantially hexagonal-shaped etc., as long as that shape does not depart from the purpose of the invention, which is for the offset mounting foot  10  to accept a compressor. Although this embodiment depicts four appendages  12 ,  13 , the number of appendages  12 ,  13  need not be limited to four, as fewer appendages, two or three, or additional appendages, such as five, six, or more may extend from the main body  14 . However, four appendages  12 ,  13  are preferred as will become evident.  
         [0023]     A substantially continuous perimeter  16  extends along the side of the offset mounting foot  10 . The continuous perimeter  16  is formed of perimeter sidewalls  20  of the appendages  12 ,  13  and perimeter surface segments  18 ,  19  which extend between the perimeter sidewalls  20  of the appendages  12 ,  13 . Main body  14  includes a top surface  22  and an opposed bottom surface  24  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). The perimeter surface segments  18 ,  19  extend between the top surface  22  and bottom surface  24  of the main body.  
         [0024]     The top surface  22  of the main body  14  has a profile  28  that is higher near the perimeter sidewalls  20  and decreases to a minimum in the interior. Preferably, the top surface  22  is concave and the transition of the top surface from its maximum height in the vicinity of the perimeter sidewalls to the minimum in the concavity is smooth. Functionally, the profile  28  should be such that it can accept the bottom outer housing of a compressor, as this fit-up feature is the most important aspect for the offset mounting foot  10 . The top surface  22  preferably has a profile that is concave because this profile will most frequently match the contour of the bottom outer housing of a compressor with which it is to be mated. However, an important aspect of this invention is that this profile  28  is asymmetric (not symmetric) within main body  14  of the mounting foot. The minimum dimension of profile  28  (thickness, thickness being the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface) is not in the geometric center of main body  14  of the mounting foot  10 . Rather, the minimum dimension of profile  28  is offset from the geometric center of main body  14 , which is an important aspect of the invention. Preferably, the minimum dimension is offset in the direction of one of the perimeter surface segments, such as perimeter surface segment  19  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , the offset is generally toward the mid-point of segment  19 , although it should be clear to those skilled in the art that the offset is not so limited, as it also can be in the direction of one of the appendages or any other suitable point so as to create an asymmetric mounting foot.  
         [0025]     Main body  14  also includes a plurality of optional bosses  30 . These bosses serve to locate a compressor within profile  28 . Most typically these bosses  30  are weld projections at which the compressor is attached to offset mounting foot  10  by resistance welding. The bosses facilitate the attachment of the compressor to mounting foot  10 ; however they are optional as the compressor can be attached to the mounting foot by other means, such as by TIG welding the bottom portion of the compressor housing to the offset mounting foot  10  where the parts contact. Alternate means of fastening the compressor to the offset mounting foot include, such as, for example, providing the compressor with threaded projections that can extend through apertures in the main body of the offset mounting foot. The threaded projections can then be secured with mating threaded parts such as threaded nuts with washers. The offset mounting foot can be designed to include both the optional bosses of the apertures for receiving threaded fasteners. The offset mounting foot  10  with the attached compressor can then be located within a cabinet.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top view of offset mounting foot  10  of  FIG. 1 . This top view more clearly illustrates the profile of top surface  22 . The geometric center of the concavity is not coincident with respect to the geometric center of main body  14  or with respect to the appendages  12 ,  13 , but rather is offset from the geometric center, here in a direction toward perimeter surface section  19  so that the top surface does not have an appearance of symmetry. As illustrated in both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a bore  38  extends through the concavity. Ideally, the bore  38  is positioned through the minimum dimension of the offset concavity, ideally with the center of the bore at the lowest point (center) of the concavity in the profile of the top surface  22  of main body  14 . The bore is an optional item that can reduce the overall weight of offset mounting foot  10 , if weight reduction is desired. The bore is not restricted to the exemplary circular profile shown in the figures and may assume any other geometric profile. The bore includes perimeter walls extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. When present, the diameter of the bore is less than the diameter of the bottom of compressor housing when mounted onto offset mounting foot so that the compressor housing contacts the concave surface of offset mounting foot  10 . The bottom of the compressor may extend into and below bore  38 , but should not extend below main body bottom surface into contact with the mounting surface of the cabinet into which it is installed. Such contact is undesirable, as it permits vibrations to be directly transferred from the compressor to the cabinet. If further isolation of compressor vibration is desired, a resilient gasket can be installed around the perimeter of bore  38  between the compressor and the concavity, which can further dampen vibrations. Such a gasket can be constructed of the same or similar material as the mounting grommet discussed below. Thus, the size of the bore is limited by the size of the compressor, which is installed on the offset mounting foot. The offset mounting foot adjacent to the bore must include sufficient material to support an installed compressor while not allowing the bottom of an assembled compressor to extend to the bottom surface of the mounting foot.  
         [0027]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a plurality of appendages  12 ,  13  are substantially equally spaced about the main body. In the preferred embodiment, each appendage  12 ,  13  includes an aperture  32 . A means for damping, such as a soft mounting grommet made from a resilient elastomeric material such as EPDM rubber or other similar material, is attached to the mounting foot and contacts the floor of the cabinet. Preferably, a mounting grommet is inserted into the aperture and extends away from the compressor and the offset mounting foot, contacting the bottom of the cabinet into which the compressor is mounted. Other means for damping as known to those skilled in the art may be used. A typical mounting grommet  34  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The mounting grommet  34  assists in damping vibrations from the compressor. Each aperture  36  through grommet  34  receives a locating pin or projection from the cabinet into which the compressor is to be installed. Since the locating pins or projections are currently at four fixed locations within the cabinet in accordance with industry standards (currently on 7.5″ centers), the locations of apertures  32  in appendages is predetermined. Thus, while more appendages  12 ,  13  can be added, cabinets only will accommodate mounting grommets at the existing locations. Furthermore, if fewer than four appendages are utilized in an offset mounting foot, for example, three, the appendages currently must be spaced so that the apertures  32  correspond to the locating pins or projections of the cabinets, which functionally limits the spacing of the appendages. Of course, industry standards may change, or a manufacturer may design a cabinet with a corresponding mounting foot with fewer or more than the existing locating pins or projections, and may place these projections or pins at different locations than set forth by the existing standards. This would allow the spacing of the appendages to vary from the shown from the substantially equal spacing. Although the preferred embodiment of this invention is intended to accommodate industry standards, this invention is intended to accommodate such variations from current industry standards.  
         [0028]     As is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , because the concave profile of top surface  22  of main body  14  is offset from the geometric center of main body  14 , the appendages are not identical. As shown in the exemplary figures, the profile of top surface  22  is offset toward perimeter surface segment  19 , which also means that it is offset in the direction of appendages  12  and away from appendages  13 . When main body  14  is sufficiently large to completely accommodate the concavity, which forms the profile of top surface  22 , all appendages can be identical. However, a large main body adds weight to the structure and also undesirably makes it more difficult to install. In the preferred embodiment, concavity forming the profile rises to a maximum within the appendages, the maximum occurring near the edge of appendages  13  where the appendages meet main body  14 . However, the concavity forming the profile extends well beyond main body  14  and significantly into appendages  12  before reaching a maximum. In all the appendages  12 ,  13 , after reaching a maximum, the profile of the top surface of the appendages decreases outwardly toward the edge  40  of appendages  12 ,  13  distal from main body  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the profile of the appendages, after achieving a maximum, decreases in stepwise fashion as surfaces decreasing in height radially toward edges  40  and distal from the main body  14 . The stepwise appearance is due to a change in the rate of the slope as the edge  40  is approached. Because appendages  13  have a greater length over which to transition from the maximum height, the transition can be accomplished with a longer gradual radius change or taper than occurs in appendages  12 . In other words, the slope is more gentle in appendages  13  than in appendages  12 . The last portion  42 , which is substantially identical in each of appendages  12 ,  13 , is substantially parallel to the base or floor to which the offset mounting foot is to be assembled. Apertures  36  are substantially perpendicular to last portion  42  so as to maximize the contact of grommets  34  with the base or floor of the cabinet.  
         [0029]     The edge  40  of appendages  12 ,  13  lies between the maximum height achieved along the top surface of main body  14  and appendages  12 ,  13  as can best be seen by references to  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 4  is a cross section of the present invention through an appendage  12  and the offset concavity formed in the top surface of the offset mounting foot  10  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is schematic of a compressor  50  assembled onto an offset mounting foot  10  of the present invention. As can be seen, bottom surface  24  of main body  14  will contact the floor  52  or base of the cabinet at several points in cross-section, which represent an area of contact, which may be substantially concentric, between offset mounting foot  10  and the cabinet floor or base. As shown in the figures, the appendages do not contact the cabinet floor or base. Rather, the appendages are situated above the cabinet floor or base, but below the maximum height achieved by the concavity along either the main body or along the appendages. The mounting grommet  34 , not shown in  FIG. 5 , will extend through apertures  26  and contact the floor or base of the cabinet as discussed above. Because appendages  12 ,  13  are isolated from contact with the floor or base by mounting grommet  34 , they should not transmit vibrations to the cabinet, or if vibrations are transmitted, they will be damped. Any vibrations will be damped completely or substantially by the elastomeric and resilient mounting grommet  34 .  
         [0030]     While the present invention may be made by any well-known manufacturing process, including machining, casting or forging, and can be made from any material that is sufficiently strong to hold a compressor and can withstand a large number of vibrations without experiencing fatigue failure, the most economical method of manufacturing currently available is stamping of sheet metal stock. The starting material is steel having a thickness of between about 0.060 inches to about 0.250 inches, preferably however, 12 and 13 gage steel. The steel can be a carbon steel, a high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel, if additional strength is required, or a corrosion resistant stainless (CRES) steel if environmental conditions indicate that corrosion is or may be a problem. Of course, there is nothing to preclude the use of plastic materials that can be made by a variety of processes including but not limited to blow molding, injection molding etc, as long as the plastic material is sufficiently strong to hold a compressor and has sufficient fatigue resistance to withstand the cyclical vibrational stresses transmitted by the compressor. Certainly, composite materials are available having sufficient strength and fatigue resistance. These materials have a weight advantage over metal materials such as steel. While these materials are technically acceptable, they cannot currently compete economically with the low cost of stamped steel mounting feet, which is currently the preferred offset mounting foot material and method of manufacture.  
         [0031]     Although the offset mounting foot  10  of the present invention provides a tool that can be used to reduce the spatial envelope of a compressor mounted in a cabinet by allowing the compressor to be mounted toward an edge of the foot, the offset mounting foot of the present invention provides the unexpected advantage of reducing noise and reducing the vibrations transmitted to the cabinet in which the compressor is mounted. In the offset mounting foot  10  of the present invention, the four resilient grommets vibrate at different frequencies. Since these vibrations are related to the surface area and the velocity at which the vibrations are moving, separating the resonances at the four resilient grommets helps to reduce the effects of the mounting foot on the overall vibrational power of the compressor. In the sonic frequency range, this translates into reduced sound power and a compressor that sounds quieter.  
         [0032]     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.