Air conditioning unit and method of installing the same

Abstract

An air conditioning unit and method of mounting the same in an opening in a wall, particularly an opening housing a window. The unit includes a front section disposed inside the building on a first side of the opening; and a rear section disposed outside the building on a second side of the opening. A duct extends between the front and rear sections and is clampingly engaged between the sill and a bottom end of the window. The duct includes a first duct member that moves cooled air in a first direction towards the inside of the building; and a second duct member that moves return air in a second direction away from the inside of the building. The duct is changeable in length to alter the distance between the front and rear sections so as to accommodate the air conditioning unit's installation in windows in different thickness walls.

1 . An air conditioning unit for mounting in an opening defined in an exterior wall of a building, said unit comprising:
 a front section adapted to be situated within an interior space within the building and on a first side of the wall;   a rear section adapted to be situated outside the building and on a second side of the wall;   a duct extending between the front and rear sections; and wherein the duct is adapted to be disposed within the opening;   a first group of operating components located in the front section; and   a second group of operating components located in the rear section.   
     
     
         2 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first group of operating components includes an evaporator. 
     
     
         3 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first group of operating components includes a blower. 
     
     
         4 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second group of operating components includes a condenser. 
     
     
         5 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second group of operating components includes a compressor. 
     
     
         6 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second group of operating components includes a fan. 
     
     
         7 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front section includes a top end and bottom end; and the rear section includes a top end and a bottom end; and wherein the top ends may be generally coplanar and the bottom ends may be generally coplanar. 
     
     
         8 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front section includes a top end and bottom end; and the rear section includes a top end and a bottom end; and wherein the front section and the rear section may be of generally the same height, where the height of each of the front section and rear section is measured from the top end to the bottom end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the duct is of a length measured between the front and rear sections; and the length of the duct is selectively changeable to alter a distance between the front and rear sections. 
     
     
         10 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the duct includes a first region adjacent the front section of the unit; and a second region adjacent the rear section of the unit; and the first region is telescopingly engaged with the second region. 
     
     
         11 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the duct comprises a first duct member that extends between the front and rear sections; and a second duct member that extends between the front and rear sections; and the first and second duct members may be disposed laterally adjacent each other. 
     
     
         12 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the first duct member is configured to permit airflow from the front section to the rear section; and the second duct member is configured to permit airflow from the rear section to the front section. 
     
     
         13 . The air conditioning unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front section, the rear section and the duct form a generally U-shaped member when viewed from the side. 
     
     
         14 . In combination:
 a wall having a front surface and a rear surface;   an opening defined in the wall and extending between the front and rear surfaces;   an air conditioning unit that is engageable in the opening; said air conditioning unit comprising:   
       a front section; 
       a rear section; and 
       a duct extending between the front and rear sections; and wherein a lower wall of the duct rests upon an upper portion of the wall defining a bottom of the opening; the front section is disposed adjacent the front surface of the wall; and the rear section is disposed adjacent the rear surface of the wall; 
       a first group of operating components located in the front section; and 
       a second group of operating components located in the rear section. 
     
     
         15 . The combination as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the first group of operating components comprises one or both of an evaporator and a blower. 
     
     
         16 . The combination as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the second group of operating components comprises one or more of a condenser, a compressor or a fan. 
     
     
         17 . The combination as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the front section and the rear section may be of substantially the same height, where the height is measured from a top end of the front or rear section and a bottom end of the front or rear section. 
     
     
         18 . The combination as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the air conditioning unit is generally U-shaped when viewed from the side. 
     
     
         19 . The combination as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the duct is of a length measured between the front and rear sections; and the length of the duct is selectively changeable to alter a distance between the front and rear sections of the air conditioning unit. 
     
     
         20 . The combination as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising a window mounted in the opening defined in the wall; and wherein a lower region of the window engages an upper wall of the duct and retains the air conditioning unit in place. 
     
     
         21 . The combination as defined in  claim 20 , wherein each of the front section and rear section of the air conditioning unit may be substantially free of contact with a lower window member and a window sill. 
     
     
         22 . A method of installing an air conditioning unit in a window disposed in an opening in a wall of a building; said method comprising steps of:
 changing a length of a duct that extends between a front section and a rear section of the air conditioning unit, so that the length is greater than wall's thickness;
 resting a lower wall of the duct on a sill of the window; 
 positioning the front section of the air conditioning unit inside the building and adjacent a first side of the wall beneath the window sill; 
 positioning the rear section of the air conditioning unit outside the building and adjacent a second side of the wall beneath the window sill; 
 operating a first group of operating components provided in the front section; and 
 operating a second group of operating components provided in the rear section. 
   
     
     
         23 . The method as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the step of operating the first group of operating components comprises operating one or both of an evaporator and a blower. 
     
     
         24 . The method as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the step of operating the second group of operating components comprises operating one or more of a condenser, a compressor or a fan.