Flexible lines for air conditioners used in enclosure cooling

Abstract

One aspect provides an air conditioner, including a compressor; a condenser; an evaporator; and one or more flexible lines connecting two or more of the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator to place them into fluid communication with one another. Other aspects include a method of providing flexible lines for an air conditioner as well as kits relating thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air conditioner, comprising:
 a compressor;   a condenser;   an evaporator; and   one or more flexible lines connecting two or more of the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator to place them into fluid communication with one another.   
     
     
         2 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The air conditioner of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise insulated rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , where the one or more flexible lines comprise a fitting at least at one end. 
     
     
         5 . The air conditioner of  claim 4 , where the fitting is complementary to a fitting of one or more of the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. 
     
     
         6 . The air conditioner of  claim 5 , wherein the complementary fitting is one of threaded and snapped on. 
     
     
         7 . The air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise a suction line and a discharge line. 
     
     
         8 . A method including:
 providing one or more fittings to one or more of a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator of an air conditioner; and   providing one or more flexible lines to place the one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator into fluid communication with a respective other of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 removing a copper tubing connecting to one or more of the compressor, a condenser and an evaporator of an air conditioner; and   replacing the copper tubing with the one or more flexible lines.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise insulated rubber. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , where the one or more flexible lines comprise a fitting at least at one end. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , where the fitting is complementary to a fitting of one or more of the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the complementary fitting is one of threaded and snapped on. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise a suction line and a discharge line. 
     
     
         16 . A kit, comprising:
 a set of one or more flexible lines; and   one or more fittings attachable to one or more of: (a) the one or more flexible lines; and (b) a component of an air conditioner.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the set of one or more flexible lines comprise a suction line and a discharge line. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise rubber. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise insulated rubber. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more fittings are configured to releasably attach to the component of the air conditioner, the component comprising one or more of a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and copper tubing.