Solar radiation screen for air conditioner condenser

Abstract

A solar radiation screen for an air conditioner condenser includes a support body defining an inward side configured to be placed proximate to the air conditioner condenser, and an outward side configured to be placed proximate to a source of air to be passed through the air conditioner condenser. A plurality of solar blocking surfaces are supported by the body, the solar blocking surfaces being downward sloping from a point proximate the inward side of the support body to a point proximate the outward side of the body. The solar blocking surfaces are spaced apart from one another to the allow the source of air to essentially pass freely over the solar blocking surfaces and through the condenser. The solar blocking surfaces can be downward sloping at an predetermined angle selected to prevent direct solar radiation from passing between the solar blocking surfaces and to the condenser.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A solar radiation screen for an air conditioner condenser, comprising: 
 a support body defining an inward side configured to be placed proximate to the air conditioner condenser, and an outward side configured to be placed proximate to a source of air to be passed through the air conditioner condenser;    a plurality of solar blocking surfaces supported by the body, the solar blocking surfaces being downward sloping from a point proximate the inward side of the support body to a point proximate the outward side of the body, the solar blocking surfaces being spaced apart from one another to the allow the source of air to essentially pass freely over the solar blocking surfaces and through the condenser.    
     
     
         2 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 1 , and wherein the support body comprises opposing side members which span between the inward side and the outward side of the support body, and the solar blocking surfaces are defined by ends, and further wherein the side members support the solar blocking surfaces at their ends.  
     
     
         3 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 2 , and further comprising at least one vertical support member disposed between the side members of the support body, and wherein the vertical support member further supports the solar blocking surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 2 , and wherein the solar blocking surfaces are pivotally supported at their ends by the side members.  
     
     
         5 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 1 , and wherein the solar blocking surface is defined by an upper surface upon which solar radiation can directly impinge when the screen is in use, and an opposite lower surface, and wherein the lower surface of the solar blocking surface is a light diffusing surface.  
     
     
         6 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 1 , and wherein the solar blocking surface is defined by an upper surface upon which solar radiation can directly impinge when the screen is in use, and an opposite lower surface, and wherein the upper surface of the solar blocking surface is a light diffusing surface.  
     
     
         7 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 1 , and wherein the solar blocking surfaces are downward sloping at an predetermined angle selected to prevent direct solar radiation from passing between the solar blocking surfaces and to the condenser.  
     
     
         8 . A solar radiation screen for an air conditioner condenser, comprising a sheet of material having an inward side configured to be placed proximate to the air conditioner condenser, and an outward side configured to be placed proximate to a source of air to be passed through the air conditioner condenser, the sheet of material defining a plurality of openings through which the source of air can pass to the condenser, the openings being overhung by solar blocking surfaces formed from the sheet of material, and sloping downward from a point proximate the outward side of the sheet of material to a point distal from the outward side of the sheet of material.  
     
     
         9 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 8 , and wherein the sheet of material is fabricated from a material selecting from the group consisting of metal or plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 8 , and wherein at least part of the condenser is defined by an outer shape, and further wherein the sheet of material is contoured to conform to the outer shape of the condenser.  
     
     
         11 . A solar radiation screen for an air conditioner condenser, comprising: 
 a plurality of hingedly connected adjacent solar screen panels, each said panel comprising: 
 a support body defining an inward side configured to be placed proximate to the air conditioner condenser, and an outward side configured to be placed proximate to a source of air to be passed through the air conditioner condenser; and  
 a plurality of solar blocking surfaces supported by the body, the solar blocking surfaces being downward sloping away from the condenser when the panel is located proximate the condenser, the solar blocking surfaces being spaced apart from one another to the allow the source of air to pass over the solar blocking surfaces and through the condenser.  
   
     
     
         12 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 11 , and wherein the solar blocking surfaces are downward sloping at an predetermined angle selected to prevent direct solar radiation from passing between the solar blocking surfaces and to the condenser.  
     
     
         13 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 11 , and wherein the solar blocking surfaces are downward sloping at an predetermined angle selected to reflect solar radiation directly impinging on the solar blocking surface away from the condenser.  
     
     
         14 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 11 , and wherein the solar blocking surfaces are defined by a horizontal length and a width perpendicular to the horizontal length, and wherein the width is selected to prevent direct solar radiation from passing between the solar blocking surfaces and to the condenser.  
     
     
         15 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 11 , and wherein the solar screen panels are hingedly connected by a flexible joint.  
     
     
         16 . A solar radiation screen for an air conditioner condenser, comprising a sheet of material defining a total area and having an inward side configured to be placed proximate to the air conditioner condenser, and an outward side configured to be placed proximate to a source of air to be passed through the air conditioner condenser, the sheet of material defining a plurality of openings through which the source of air can pass to the condenser, the openings collectively defining an opening area, and wherein the opening area is less than half of the total area.  
     
     
         17 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 16 , and wherein the opening area is less than one third of the total area.  
     
     
         18 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 16 , and wherein the outward side of the sheet of material is a surface configured to reflect a majority of direct solar radiation impinging on the outward side of the sheet of material.  
     
     
         19 . A solar radiation screen for an air conditioner condenser, comprising a body supporting a plurality of solar blocking surfaces, the solar blocking surfaces configured to block from the condenser at least about fifty percent of direct solar radiation which is anticipated as impinging on the solar radiation screen.  
     
     
         20 . The solar radiation screen of  claim 19 , and wherein the plurality of solar blocking surfaces are positioned on the body in a position to account for anticipated directions at which solar radiation will directly impinge on the solar radiation screen when in use.