Description

It is signific~nt to note that both the room air conditioner industry and the plasticsindustry have had similar patterns of growth. Both had their inception in the early 1930’s.and both began a dynamic period of growth during the mid 1950’s that still continues today.The result of this parallel pattern of growth has been a unique situation of interaction.providing challenges and opportunities for both industries. That challenge calls for thedevelopment of new plastic materials and processes to meet the needs of a rapidly growingroom air conditioner industry.Technical improvements have been a major factor in the growth of the room air conditionerindustry. Today’s product has less weight, a smaller size, an improved appearance andfeatures, greater reliability, and lower cost. Consider, for example, a very early unitdeveloped by General Electric over 40 years ago. It was a large and bulky machine thatweighed over 400 lbs, and it was made entirely of steel. A unit built today can be carriedhome and easily installed. Until ‘recently, however, the major advances have been made in theareas of heat transfer, compressor design, and air flow technology. The broad use of plasticshas not been a major contributing factor, but in the 1970’s plastics will playa major role inair conditioner design. These applications are only the forerunner of more dynamic conceptsto come.

Citation: Symposium, ASHRAE Transactions, Volume 80, Part 2, Montreal, QC

Product Details

Published:

1974

Number of Pages:

5

File Size:

1 file , 290 KB

Product Code(s):

D-MO-74-02-3