US2362933A - Air conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1944. l H w. scl-IAEFERl 2,362,933

' AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed March a, 1941 2 sheds-snapt 1 NOV- 14" H. w. 'scHAE-FER v AIR' CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed uacn a, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 PatentedNov. 1,4, 194.4

Am coNDi'rrdNmG APPARATUS Harold William Schaefer, Chicago, Ill., assignorl to The Harry Alter Co.

ration of Illinois Chicago, Ill., a corpo- Application March s,1941,-sealNo.`3sz,325

sclaims., mms3-36) n This invention'lrelateslto air conditioning apparatusand particularly to that class of air conditioning apparatus which is employed inthe elimination of objectionable odors which fre- 'quently prevail in kitchens, hospitals, public rooms, experimental test laboratories, and pet/ shops or menageries.

Several methods are employed .in-the attempted elimination of such offensive odors.` First and most common is by dilution of the room air with fresh outdoorair.l 'I'his is objectionable incold weather and,y unless exceedingly large quantities of outdoor air are admitted, the odors frequently persist. 'Ihe use-of suction fans for the removal of odor-laden air is effective but, unless odors are to be circulated throughout an' entire building, requires the useI of `suction apparatus for each room or of suction'ducts leading to such apparatus. This involves objectionable expense. Sometimes incense or similar material having -a pleasing ,odor is discharged into the room containing the offensive odor. Thisjproceduredoes not eliminate .the odor. It only serves to masi; it-to a certain degree. j -The vpresent invention provides apparatus effectively absorbing such odors by drawing or forcing the room'air through a bed of material having the property of absorbingl odors contained in such air and thendischargingthe odorfree air back.1'nto the roorrl.` I have found that activated carbon in powdered `or comminuted form serves admirably as a material for absorbing odors and that odor-laden air passed through a relatively thin bed thereof emerges substantially odor free.

It is an important present invention to provide a portable'apparatus abject, therefore," of the Cv e embodying a bed orador-absorbing materialI and mechanism for causing odor-ladenv air to be forced therethroughI and discharged into a room from which the alrwas originally taken.

l s It is a further object ofthis invention topro vide odor-absorbing apparatus wherein the bed invention will be apparent from reference to the following 4specification and the accompanying drawings. I

Theinventionpin a preferred form, is shown on the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Eigure 1 is atop plan view of an apparatus embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is "a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is n.a central vertical section taken through apparatus embodying the present` invention with parts shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section on the line IV,-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a` diagrammatic showing of one method ofniabricating a wall of the odor absorbing cartridge.

As shownon' the drawings:

In the apparatus embodying principles of the presentinvention, there is provided astamped metal base portion having an integral bottom part 5 and an annularly extending 'outside upstanding wall 6. 'I'he Wall portion 6` terminates at its upper extremity in a beaded edge l. As shown in Figure 3, the height of the base portion as 4defined b'y the wall 6 is preferably approximately one-third that of the lair conditioning assembly.

Annular cartridge-positioning rings v8 rest on the upper face of the bottom portion 5 extend- .ing upwardly therefrom, and provide means for limiting the inward movement of the absorbent cartridge ina manner to bev described herein-l after. l-Secured to the inner side of the upstandof absorbing material is in cartridge form to permit of its' ready replacement when its' odor-re- -moving qualities have hausted. u

Itis-another object of vention-to provide simple, durable apparatus for use in the removal ofv oensiveodors from ro 9mthe present invention to providev a cartridge of odor-absorbing material y which is of improved andeconomical construcbeen substantially e x ing side wall portion 6 are a plurality of spacing brackets 9 which v are conveniently'attac'zhedv to,- the member 6 by bolts' or screws I D, as plainlyv shown in Figure 3.y 'I'hese spacing brackets 9 arel oiset .inwardly directly abovetheir points of attachment to the side Wall 6 v and extend upwardly in `a'plane parallel to but spaced inwardly fromthe plane of said portion 6.

At their upper ends the members 9 are again bent outwardly and upwardlyto afford attaching portionsin alignment; with portions ofsaid members attached to the base6 AAt such upper ends,

each of saidmembers 9 is attached'by removable bolts or screws\|| to a cup-shaped top or' cover member Whch'embodies an vannular Wall portion l2 extending in substantially the same plane as the bottom wall portion 3 and which further embodies a centrally apertured top portion I3.

Carried by said top portion I3 and positioned in the central aperture formed therein is a suction fan I4 driven by a moixir I5, the entire ian and motor assembly being carried by a bracket I6 attached to the top portion I3 near the edge of the central aperture ed on the cover member I3 and surrounding that portion of the fan I4 which projects from the casing is a grille type guard I1 constructed of wire, steel rod or in any suitable manner. This guard prevents accidents to occupants of the room who might otherwise accidentally come in contact with the rotating fan I4.

Each of the brackets 9 is spaced between the lower edge of the side wall I2 of the cover portion (which is beaded as at I2a) and the upper edge of the side wall section. An annular screen or grille I8, of relatively thin screen wire mate' rial, is positioned between the inner faces of the members 6 and I2 at their upper respectively and stapled 'to thev outer faces of spacer blocks I9 which are interposed between the said screen member' I8 and the extremities of `the offset portions of the brackets 9.

-The assembly of parts just described provides apparatus which, when the motor I and fan I4 are operated, will serve to draw air from a room in which the apparatus is positioned into the interior of the casing and force it outwardly through the screens or grillesv I8.

Reference will now be made to the removable odor-absorbing cartridge which is positioned in the path of the air in its movement just described.

This cartridge, which is most-plainly shown in Figures 3 and 4, in eect comprises odor-absorby ing filter beds of activated carbon material, such,

for example, as finely powdered or comminuted charcoal, which material has been found to have the property of absorbing odors from air and retaining such odors even though relatively large quantities of air are passed therethrough Over a considerable period of time. The removable cartridge which I have devised consists of a cylindrical member having spaced annular walls the outer portions of which are preferably formed of screen or wire cloth which is designated at and 2l in order to retain the powdered or comminuted material forming the filter bed'. These annular screen or wire cloth members 20- and 2I are each provided with a liner 20a and 2Ia respectively of textile material such, for example, as finely woven cotton cloth.

These outer and inner walls ofthe cartridge comprising the layers 2l and 2Ia and 20 and 20a respectively `are rolled into overlapping annular form as shown in Figure 4 and are retained in such annular cartridge form by top and bottom spacing blocks 22 and 23 (Figure 3). Positioned between walls 2li- 40a and 2|-2Ia and the end spacing blocks 22 sorbing material designated by the reference numeral 24 and which, as heretofore stated. comprises powdered or finely co inuted` activated carbonor charcoal. 4

The lower end of this cylindrical cartridge of odor-absorbing material engages over the outer periphery of the annular member B at the bottom of the apparatus while theupper end thereof engages over the outside of an annular gasket 2B depending from the cover I3.

Figure 5 diagrammatically illustrates one method of preparing the walls of the cartridge filter bed. As previously described. and in the and 23 is the bed of odor-abv therethrough. Supportand lower edges bed of moderate size construction Ishown in Figures 3 and 4, such walls comprise an inner cloth lining 20a and an outer annular screen or wire cloth 20 supporting such lining. The inner cloth lining and the outer screen or wire cloth retaining means for the inner wall of the cartridge are similarly designated by the reference numerals 2Ia and 2I, respectively. In the modification shown in Figure 5, the walls of the cartridge are formed in a slightly different manner, the annular screen or wire cloth 20 of a given wall in each instance being wound about itself for one complete turn. Thereupon the cloth lining 20a is wound upon said annular screen for one complete turn, after which the arrnular screen is again wound upon the cloth lining 20a for one additional turn. Thus in this arrangement, as shown in Figure 5, it is apparent that there are two layers of screen or wire cloth with an intervening layer of fabric cloth theref between. The composite wall structure so fabricated would form the outenwall of the absorbent filter cartridge while the inner wall comprising cloth 2Ia and screen or wire cloth 2l would be similarly formed. It will be apparent from the foregoing construction that air drawn into the casing by the fan I4 will, because of the plenum condition created within the casing, be forced outwardly through the filter being so forced outwardly through such filter bed in which its objectionable odors are absorbed, be discharged into the room through the grille I8.

Although I have found that a cartridge filter will remain effective for a long period of time, it is, of course, obvious that after continuous use, the cartridge may become so saturated as to no longer be effective. In such event, it is-a simple matter to remove the ex- 40 hausted cartridge of absorbent material and reafter which the cover the' device may be door air, and the use of this appar place it with a new one. This is accomplished by removing the-cover member I2, IB-removing the screws II, and simply lifting of! the annular cartridge assembly and replacing it with another; member I2, I3 is replaced and the screws II tion to retain the structure in assembled relation.

In addition to this feature of ready removal and replenishing ofthe odor-absorbing cartridge, the device herein described is readily portable and may be carried from room to room in a building to completely deodorize the air within such rooms. Since all working parts are completely enclosed. readily operated any place within the room without danger to the occupants since deodorizing of air within the room is accomplished by this apparatus without the necessity of dilution of the room air with cold outtus in no way affects heating economy.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the apparatus embodying this invention is pleasing in appearance, of simple and rugged construction, and is susceptible of economical manufacture.

I have disclosedia practical embodiment of the features of my invention. but I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction and arrangement shown and described, as changes and modincations may be made without departing from "the scope of this invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a casing comprising .a base member having an upstanding annular ange, spaced brackets sebed of activated carbonaceousl 30 material 24 and, after again being placed in posi` lengthwise of the casing cured to said flange having;l upwardly extending inwardly onset portions. a centrally apertured top member having a depending annular flange with its lower edge spaced from the upper vedge of the first mentioned flange removably secured to the upper ends of said brackets in substantially the samevertical plane as thel lflange of the base member, a grille extending between the said flanges and secured between the inner faces there f its lower =edge spaced from the upper edge of the Vfirst mentioned flange removably secured to the upper ends of said brackets in substantially the same vertical plane as the ange of the base member, a grille .extending between the said flanges and secured between the inner faces thereof' and said brackets, a motor driven fan carried by the top member and positioned in the aper y ture therein to circulate air through the casing and a filter bed of odor-absorbing material` psitioned inthe cas g between the grille and the fan in the path of such circulating air.

. 3. In an apparatus of the character described.. a casing comprising a base member having' an upstanding annular flange, spaced brackets secured to said flange having upwardly extendingv inwardly onset portions, a centrally apertured top member having a depending annular ange with its lower edge spaced from the upper edge of the rst mentioned flange removablysecured -to .the upper ends oi' said brackets in substantially the same4 vertical plane as the flange of the base member, a grille extending between the said flanges and secured between the inner faces thereof and said brackets. a motor driven fancarried by the top member and positionedv in the aperture therein to draw air into the casing and discharge it therefrom through said grille and a filter bed of odor-absorbing material removably mounted in the casing between thefan andthe grille.

4. In an apparatus of the character described,

a casing-comprising a base member having an upstandin'g annular flange, spacedbrackets'secured to said :flange having upwardly extending inwardly offset portions, a centrally apertured top member having-a depending annulari'iange with its lower edgespaced from the upper edge ofthe iirst mentioned flange removably secured to the upper ends of said brackets in substantially the same vertical plane as the flange of the base member, a grille extending between the -said flangesand secured between the inner faces thereof and said brackets.' a motor driven fan Aearned by che pmember and positioned in che aperturetherein to draw air into the casing and discharge it therefrom through said and a cylindrical cartridge of odor-absorbing material .positioned in the casing between `the fan and the grille and spaced inwardly from said grille.

5.v In anapparatusof the character described, a casing comprising. a base member having an upstanding annular flange, spaced brackets secured to said flange having upwardly extending inwardly offset portions. a centrally apertured top member having a depending annular flange with its lower edge spaced from the upper edge ,v of the first mentioned flange removably secured to they upper ends of said brackets in substantially the same vertical plane as the flanges of the base member, a grille extending between the said c flanges and secured between the inner faces thereof and said brackets, a motor driven .fan

' carriedby the top member and positioned in the aperture therein to circulate air through the grille and casing,- annular positioning means extending upwardly from the base member and spaced inwardly from the upstanding flange v' thereon, annular positioning means depending from the top member and spaced inwardly from the depending flange thereon anda cylindrical cartridge of odor-absorbing material positioned in thecasing in the path of-air flowing between the 'fan and grille held in position in said casing by. said means which extends upwardly from the base thereof vand depends -from the top thereof.

6. In apparatus of the lcharacter described, a

cylindrical casing having a closed bottom and a removable apertured top member, a motor driven fan carried by the top member and mounted in the aperture therein with the median line of the fan substantially in the plane of the aperture. guard means supported by the tpp 4member of the casing and extendingover the fan to prevent accidental 'contact therewith, screened discharge openings in the wall of the casing remote from .the fan to permit of .passage of air in relatively -"large quantities, and an'Iodor-removing lter vbed assembly of activated carbon mounted and so positioned inthecasing that air flowing between the fan and such screened opening necessarily l.

through said odorremoving lter bed. 7. A illtercartrldge ferait-treating apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced cylindrical walls each consisting oi' a continuous double layer of 'metallic screen with a layer of textile fabric therebetween and comminuted odor-absorbent material between'said walls.

8. Air treating apparatu'scomprlsing confronting casing members each having an end-wall, one of said end walls having an opening therethrough, bracket members spaced around the'peripheries of said casing members and removably connecting them together in spaced apart relation, a rotatablefan carried by said one end wall within the opening therethrough for drawing air into said casing 'members and discharging the drawn-in air through :the space therebetween,

`and a' lter member. in said casing members seated against said end' walls and saidbracket members to cover the space between said casing members whereby' air discharged by said fan passesthrough the filter member.

. minori)l scrum.

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