Systems and methods for hvac outdoor unit with grill forming a support structure

Abstract

Systems and methods for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with outdoor units having grills forming a support structure are provided. For example, an HVAC system may have an outdoor unit having a grill with vertical struts and horizontal struts which form one or more support structures, which may be in a rectangular shape for example. The support structure may receive a hook, clip, or other support portion of an HVAC maintenance device such as a refrigerant manifold gauge system or other HVAC gauge system. The support structure may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane along which the grill extends, thereby avoiding any damage to the components of the outdoor unit by the maintenance device. The support structure and drill may be designed to withstand the weight of the maintenance device without deformation or damage.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a first heat exchanger configured to receive a fluid;   a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger via an expansion valve and configured to receive the fluid;   a compressor in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;   a fan configured to induce an airflow over the first heat exchanger;   a housing configured to house the first heat exchanger, the fan, and the compressor within the housing, the housing having an opening adjacent to the first heat exchanger; and   a grill sized and configured to cover the opening and having a first set of parallel struts in a first direction and a second set of parallel struts in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first set of parallel struts and the second set of parallel struts oriented along a first plane,   wherein a first and second strut of the first set of parallel struts are adjacent and connected at a first end of the first strut and a second end of the second strut via a support structure, the support structure oriented in third direction perpendicular to the first plane, the support structure configured to receive and support a maintenance device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is rectangular shaped having four corners. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is configured to be bent to transition from an initial position orientated along the first plane to a final position oriented in the third direction. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a tubular structure and is configured to receive a hook of the maintenance device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the maintenance device is a refrigerant manifold gauge system or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) gauge system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is configured to support the maintenance device without deformation of the support structure and without causing deformation of the grill. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more struts of the first set of parallel struts comprises an eyelet for coupling the strut to the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more struts of the second set of parallel struts comprises an eyelet for coupling the strut to the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an expansion valve in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the system is a heat pump or air conditioning system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is triangular shaped having three corners. 
     
     
         11 . An outdoor unit of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the outdoor unit comprising:
 a first heat exchanger configured to receive a fluid;   a compressor configured to circulate a fluid through the first heat exchanger;   a fan configured to induce an airflow over the first heat exchanger;   a housing configured to house the first heat exchanger, the fan, and the compressor within the housing, the housing having an opening adjacent to the first heat exchanger; and   a grill sized and configured to cover the opening and having a first set of parallel struts in a first direction and a second set of parallel struts in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first set of parallel struts and the second set of parallel struts oriented along a first plane,   wherein a first and second strut of the first set of parallel struts are adjacent and connected at a first end of the first strut and a second end of the second strut via a support structure, the support structure oriented in third direction perpendicular to the first plane, the support structure configured to receive and support a maintenance device.   
     
     
         12 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is rectangular shaped having four corners. 
     
     
         13 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is configured to bend to transition from an initial position orientated along the first plane to a final position oriented in the third direction. 
     
     
         14 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is a tubular structure and is configured to receive a hook structure of the maintenance device. 
     
     
         15 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the maintenance device is a refrigerant manifold gauge system or an HVAC gauge system. 
     
     
         16 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is configured to support the maintenance device without deformation of the support structure and without causing deformation of the grill. 
     
     
         17 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein one or more struts of the first set of parallel struts comprises an eyelet for coupling the strut to the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein one or more struts of the second set of parallel struts comprises an eyelet for coupling the strut to the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the first heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger via an expansion valve and the compressor is in fluid communication with the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         20 . The outdoor unit of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is triangular shaped having three corners.