BACKGROUND The use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units are increasing as certain breakthroughs have enabled manufacturers to design and produce such units more efficiently, thereby potentially reducing the cost to consumers, for example. A common drawback to the use of HVAC units is the noise and vibrations generated by the motors, which may subsequently be transmitted throughout the unit. Such noise and vibrations are typically unappealing to consumers and attempts have been made to reduce such problems.

As an example, a typical air conditioner including an indoor machine portion and an outdoor machine portion each comprising a fan, wherein both the indoor and outdoor fans are connected to a common motor shaft.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional motor mount assembly for an integrated air conditioner. The conventional assembly includes a suspension panel 1, a motor mount 2 for mounting a motor 3. The motor mount 2 is rigidly connected to the suspension panel and comprises a suspension plate 2a and two perpendicularly extending side plates to which a motor is rigidly connected. Holes are also provided in the perpendicularly extending plates in order to provide ventilation for the motor for example. In this type of motor mounting assembly vibrations which are generated by the motor may be transmitted through this rigidly interconnected mount assembly.

Figure 2 illustrates a further conventional motor mount assembly for an integrated air conditioner. This conventional assembly includes a suspension panel 1, a barrier 6, a supporter 7 secured to the suspension panel 1, a motor mount 8 for mounting the motor 3 electrically welded to the supporter 7 and an indoor fan and an outdoor fan each of which are connected to a motor shaft 3a. Again, any vibrations which are created by the motor during operation or the rotation of the interconnected fans, may be transmitted through the motor mount assembly into the HVAC unit.

Figure 3 illustrates another conventional motor mount assembly for an integrated air conditioner. The conventional assembly includes a suspension panel 1, a barrier 6 upon which a motor 3 is mounted and subsequently connected to the suspension panel 1. In addition, a vibro-isolating rubber (not shown) can be provided between the motor 3 and the barrier 6.

In the above-described conventional air conditioners, however, it may hard to support the motor on the motor mount due to its weight. As a result of this fact, noise and vibrations may be generated by the potential imbalance of the motor supported by the motor mount. This vibration and noise created during the operation of the motor may be amplified due to resonance. Furthermore, the longevity of bearings and other elements interconnected with the motor shaft, may be reduced due to imbalance and thereby potentially further increasing noise and vibration.

This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a motor mount assembly. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor mount assembly for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising

at least one or more supporting members connected to one or more surfaces within the HVAC unit and at least one or more isolation members positioned on one or more surfaces of the supporting members. There are also at least one or more suspension members interconnected to the supporting members through the isolation members and at least one or more arm members with a first end attached to the suspension members and the second end extending away from the suspension members. The arm members also have a support area for an impeller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional motor mount assembly for an integrated air conditioner.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing another conventional motor mount assembly for an integrated air conditioner.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing further conventional fixture of motor for the integrated air conditioner.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6a is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a top perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a front perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a side perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention positioned in an HVAC unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions The term"Supporting Member"is used to define a means of support for a motor mount assembly to a unit. The support member is generally attached to a surface of a unit. An isolation member is positioned on the support member. A suspension member is then set on the support member. The support member is interconnected to the suspension member through the isolation member.

The term"Isolation Member"is used to define an isolating material utilised to absorb and/or diminish the transmission of noise or vibration from a motor or an impeller.

The isolation member is positioned on the supporting member and interconnects the suspension panel and the support member.

The term"Suspension Member"is used to define a component for a motor mount assembly to a unit. The extremities of the suspension member are set on the isolation member positioned on the support members. The suspension member also has an arm member for securing a motor or an impeller.

The term"Arm Member"is used to define another component of the motor mount assembly to a unit. It may comprise a means of support for a motor or impeller which is interconnected to the suspension member. The arm member is positioned perpendicular on one surface of the suspension member. The arm member is generally associated with a motor or an impeller.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The present invention provides a motor support assembly for use in reducing the vibration or noise that is transmitted from a motor to an HVAC unit containing the respective motor. The reduction of noise or vibration transmitted from a motor is achieved by positioning the motors or impellers in a suspended fashion rather than the commonly used approached of fixing the motor to an enclosure within a unit. The present invention provides a motor support assembly with support members fixed to surfaces of an HVAC unit. Isolation members are installed on the support members and interconnect the support members with suspension panels. The suspension panels have arm members positioned on one surface of the suspension panels. The arm members are positioned to secure a motor or an impeller in a HVAC unit.

SUPPORTING MEMBER In one embodiment, the supporting members are composed of a first support member, a second support member and a third support member. The first support member is defined as a narrow elongated member mounted along the entire length of an HVAC unit surface. The second and third support members are defined as support members mounted on another surface of the HVAC unit and wherein the second and third support members are separated by a space.

In one embodiment, the supporting members are defined as a first support member, a second support member, a third support member and a fourth support member. The first and second support members are mounted on one surface of an HVAC unit and the third and fourth support members are mounted on another surface of an HVAC unit. The support members mounted on surfaces of an HVAC unit are separated by spaces.

In one embodiment, the suspension member may be defined for example as a section of metal, plastic, resin or any other rigid material suitable to support the weight of commonly used motors in an HVAC unit or any other member that may be mounted on the support member such as the suspension member.

In one embodiment, the cross section shape of the supporting members may be for example, L-shaped, squared, squared and hollow with an open end or any other shape which would increase the overall integrity of the motor assembly and/or of the HVAC unit. The supporting member may also for example, have flanges at the extremities for ease of interconnecting with the suspension member and the isolation member.

ISOLA TIONMEMBER In one embodiment, the isolation member is an elongated piece of material with properties that minimise the transmission of vibrations. Such vibrational isolation may be achieved, by avoiding contact between a motor/bracket combination and the other elements (i. e. insulation, blower housing, etc..) by spacing the other apart from the motor bracket combination. The isolation members may have an adhesively backed side that adheres to the surface of the supporting member. The dimensions and density of isolation members may be determined by the type of isolation material that is selected. Those skilled in the art will realize that selection of an appropriate isolation material is made in consideration of requirements or needs as determined for each application for example, various sizes of the motors or impellers or the contact area of the isolation member with the suspension member and the support members. The isolation member may be composed of neoprene, plastic, rubber, etafoam, fiber material, silicone or bothyl for example. In one embodiment of the present invention , the isolation material is composed of Neoprene, closed cell, ASTM D 1056 2A1.

In one embodiment, the isolation member is positioned on the support members. In another embodiment of the present invention, the isolation member is positioned on the support member and between the suspension member and the arm member. In another embodiment of the present invention, the isolation material may be positioned as a gasket interconnecting the arm member and an impeller.

SUSPENSIONMEMBER In one embodiment, the suspension member is defined as a section of rigid material such as metal, plastic or any other material. The shape of the suspension member may be square, rectangular, flat, or any other shape that would reduce the transmission of

vibrations. The material selected for the manufacturing of the suspension member, as would be known by a worker skilled in the relevant, has a rigidity that will support the weight of commonly used motors in an HVAC unit and any other member that may be positioned on the suspension member. The extremities or edges of the suspension member may also have flanges in order to guide them during installation and/or for increased rigidity of the panel. The suspension members edges may also be even or composed of a combination of flanged and even edges. The suspension member may also have predetermined areas for securing an arm member to the suspension panel.

Such predetermined areas could be slidable slots or pre-drilled holes for the insertion of screws or rivets or any other means of attachment known to a worker skilled in the art. The suspension member may also have open areas allowing wires or any other material ease of passage from one surface of the suspension panel to the other.

ARMMEMBER In one embodiment, the arm member is defined as an elongated section of metal or others. The shape of the arm member may be square, rectangular, flat, circular, hollow or any other shape that will increase the rigidity of the arm member to support a motor or an impeller. The extremities of the arm member may have flanges for increased rigidity. The arm member may also have for example, an attachment means for a motor or impeller. The attachment means may be defined as pre-drilled holes, or a slot which allow for the installation of a motor or impeller. The arm member may also have flanges at one extremity for ease of installation onto the suspension member. The arm member may also have open areas for the installation of wires to the motors or impellers connected to the arm members.

In one embodiment, the arm member may be composed of metal, plastic or any other rigid substance having the required rigidity to support the weight of commonly used motors or impellers within an HVAC unit. The arm member is generally associated with a motor or an impeller and interconnecting the motor or impeller with the suspension member.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 4, the supporting member 10 is defined as an elongated member with an open end 20. The supporting member 10 also has a flange 30 located perpendicular to the open end 20 for ease of installation of an elongated isolation member 40. Two supporting members 50 and 60 are positioned opposite to the supporting member 10. The supporting members 50 and 60 are L- shaped for ease of installation of isolation members 70 and 80. The suspension members 90 and 100 are defined as sections of metal with flanges 110. The suspension member 90 has an open area 120 which allows the passage of wires for example from one surface of the suspension member 90 to the other. Predetermined holes 130 are also positioned on the suspension members 90 and 100 in order to secure arm members 140 and 150.

With further reference to Figure 4, the arm members 140 and 150 are elongated sections of metal. The arm members 140 and 150 are U-shaped for increase rigidity.

The arm member 140 has flanges 160 for ease of installation to the suspension member 90. The arm member 150 also has flanges 170 for ease of installation to the suspension member 100. The arm member 140 has a predetermined location 180 for securing an impeller 190. The arm member 150 also has a predetermined location 200 for securing an impeller 210. The arm members 140 has an open area 220 for allowing the passage of wires to connect the impeller 190 to a power source or a control on an HVAC unit.

The arm members 150 has an open area 230 for allowing the passage of wires to connect the impeller 210 to a power source or a control on an HVAC unit.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 5, the isolation member 40 is positioned in the open end 20 of the elongated support member 10. The isolation member 70 is positioned on support member 50 and the isolation member 80 is positioned on the support member 60. One extremity of the suspension member 90 is positioned on one surface of the isolation member 40 and the opposite surface of the isolation member 40 is positioned on the support member 10. The opposite extremity of the suspension 90 is positioned on one surface of the isolation member 70 and the opposite surface of the isolation member 70 is positioned on the support member 50.

One extremity of the suspension member 100 is positioned on one surface of the

isolation member 40. The opposite extremity of the suspension member 100 is positioned on one surface of the isolation member 80 and the opposite surface of the isolation member 80 is positioned on the support member 60.

With further reference to Figure 5, arm member 140 is attached to suspension member 90 through screws 240. Arm member 150 is attached to suspension member 100 also through screws 250. Arm member 140 has an impeller 190 attached to it and arm member 150 also has an impeller 210 attached to it. The suspension members 90 and 100 are installed in a manner as such that neither suspension members 90 and 100 are in contact with one another. The suspension members 90 and 100 are installed in such a manner wherein vibrations from one suspension panel is not transmitted to the other.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 6, the suspension member 90 is suspended through the isolation member 40 and 70. The extremity 260 of the suspension member 90 positioned on the isolation member 70 has an L-shape. The isolation member 40 is positioned in the open area 20 of the support member 10. The support member 10 has a semi-open square member 270 adjacent to the open area 20.

The semi-open square member 270 enables the support member 10 to be squared up with the enclosure of a unit (not shown). The presence of the semi-open square member 270 on the support member 10 enables an increase rigidity to the motor support assembly and to the overall unit (not shown). The suspension member 90 also has a flange edge 275 interconnecting the suspension member 90 with the unit enclosure.

In one embodiment of the present invention and with reference to Figure 6a, the suspension member 90 is positioned on isolation members 40 and 70. The support members 10 and 50 are designed to receive the isolation materials 40 and 70 through a u-shape design. The flange edge 275 of the suspension member 90 extends over the support members 10 and 50 (as shown through the dotted lines) and secures the suspension member 90 within the HVAC unit not shown. The arm member 140 interconnects the impeller 190 to the suspension member 90. In another embodiment of the present invention, the suspension members may be secured to the HVAC unit

through the use of screws. The use of screws to secure the suspension members may increase the noise of the HVAC unit during operation.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 7, one extremity of the suspension member 90 is positioned on the support member 10 and the opposite extremity of the suspension member 90 is positioned on the support member 50. One extremity of the suspension member 100 is also positioned on the support member 10 and the opposite extremity of the suspension member 100 is positioned on the support member 60. The open area 280 enables to limit the extent of noise or vibration generated by both impellers 190 and 210 that may be transmitted through the unit (not shown). In an alternate embodiment, the suspension member may be composed of a single member wherein the open area 280 is not present.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 8, impeller 190 is secured to the suspension member 90 (not shown) and positioned perpendicular to the arm member 140. Impeller 210 is secured to the suspension member 100 (not shown) and positioned perpendicular to the arm member 150.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 9, the motor mount assembly is positioned within a unit 290. Impellers 190 and 210 are opposite to one another. The suspension members 90 and 100 (not shown) are positioned near the upper surface of the unit 290. Arm member 140 is attached to suspension member 90 and arm member 150 is attached to suspension member 100. Impeller 190 is secured to a peripheral hole with an adapter 300 on the unit. Impeller 210 is secured to a peripheral hole with an adapter 310 on the unit.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.