U.S. patent application number 11/299407 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for modular portable compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sullair Corporation. Invention is credited to Dale E. Husted.
Application Number | 20070134104 11/299407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38139562 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070134104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Husted; Dale E. |
June 14, 2007 |
Modular portable compressor
Abstract
A portable compressor package comprises a sub-frame module that
comprises the mechanical components of an apparatus for ease of
assembly in combination with associated structural modules for
minimisation of assembly time and ease of assembly.
Inventors: |
Husted; Dale E.; (Rolling
Prairie, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
4747 Harrison Avenue
P.O. Box 7002
Rockford
IL
61125-7002
US
|
Assignee: |
Sullair Corporation
|
Family ID: |
38139562 |
Appl. No.: |
11/299407 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/360 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/12 20130101;
F04B 39/14 20130101; F04B 35/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/360 |
International
Class: |
F04B 35/00 20060101
F04B035/00 |
Claims
1. A portable compressor assembly with machinery comprising at
least a compressor driven by a prime mover, comprising: a sub-frame
module comprising a chassis for mounting the machinery and a
lifting bail; a containment frame module for supporting, protecting
and transporting the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module; and
a canopy module mounted on the containment frame that covers and
protects the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module, comprising
a plurality of ventilation louvers and access doors.
2. The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the sub-frame module
further comprises a plurality of mounting flanges for attaching it
to the containment frame module.
3. The compressor assembly of claim 2, wherein the containment
frame module further comprises a plurality of mounting flanges for
attaching it to the sub-frame module.
4. The compressor assembly of claim 3, further comprising a
plurality of fasteners that pass through apertures in the sub-frame
mounting flanges to clamp the sub-frame module to the containment
frame module.
5. The compressor assembly of claim 4, wherein the fasteners
comprise threaded bolts that screw into mating threaded apertures
in the containment frame module flanges.
6. The compressor assembly of claim 5, wherein the mating threaded
apertures in the containment frame module flanges comprise threaded
nuts fastened to the containment frame module flanges.
7. The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the canopy module
further comprises mounting flanges for attaching it to the
containment frame module.
8. The compressor assembly of claim 8, wherein the containment
frame module further comprises mounting flanges for attaching it to
the canopy module.
9. The compressor assembly of claim 9, further comprising a
plurality of fasteners that pass through apertures in the canopy
mounting flanges to clamp the sub-frame module to the containment
frame module.
10. The compressor assembly of claim 10, wherein the fasteners
comprise threaded bolts that screw into mating threaded apertures
in the containment frame module flanges.
11. The compressor assembly of claim 11, wherein the mating
threaded apertures in the containment frame module flanges comprise
threaded nuts fastened to the containment frame module flanges.
12. The compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the containment
frame module further comprises a containment shield for protecting
the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module and a support frame
for supporting and transporting the machinery mounted on the
sub-frame module.
13. The compressor assembly of claim 13, further comprising a
plurality of wheel/axle assemblies.
14. The compressor assembly of claim 14, further comprising a
trailer hitch.
15. A portable compressor assembly with machinery comprising at
least a compressor driven by a prime mover, comprising: a sub-frame
module comprising a chassis for mounting the machinery, a lifting
bail and a plurality of mounting flanges; a containment frame
module comprising a containment shield for protecting the machinery
mounted on the sub-frame module, a support frame for supporting and
transporting the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module and a
plurality of mounting flanges, at least some of which engage
respective ones of the sub-frame mounting flanges; and a canopy
module mounted on the containment frame that covers and protects
the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module, comprising a
plurality of ventilation louvers, access doors and a plurality of
mounting flanges, at least some of which engage respective ones of
the containment frame mounting flanges.
16. The compressor assembly of claim 16, further comprising a
plurality of fasteners that pass through apertures in the sub-frame
mounting flanges to clamp the sub-frame module to the containment
frame module.
17. The compressor assembly of claim 17, wherein the fasteners
comprise threaded bolts that screw into mating threaded apertures
in the containment frame module flanges.
18. The compressor assembly of claim 18, wherein the mating
threaded apertures in the containment frame module flanges comprise
threaded nuts fastened to the containment frame module flanges.
19. The compressor assembly of claim 16, further comprising a
plurality of fasteners that pass through apertures in the canopy
mounting flanges to clamp the sub-frame module to the containment
frame module.
20. The compressor assembly of claim 20, wherein the fasteners
comprise threaded bolts that screw into mating threaded apertures
in the containment frame module flanges.
21. The compressor assembly of claim 21, wherein the mating
threaded apertures in the containment frame module flanges comprise
threaded nuts fastened to the containment frame module flanges.
22. The compressor assembly of claim 16, further comprising a
plurality of wheel/axle assemblies.
23. The compressor assembly of claim 23, further comprising a
trailer hitch.
24. A portable compressor assembly with machinery comprising at
least a compressor driven by a prime mover, comprising: a sub-frame
module comprising a chassis for mounting the machinery, a lifting
bail and a plurality of mounting flanges; a containment frame
module comprising a containment shield for protecting the machinery
mounted on the sub-frame module, a support frame for supporting and
transporting the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module, a
plurality of mounting flanges, at least some of which engage
respective ones of the sub-frame mounting flanges, a plurality of
wheel/axle assemblies and a trailer hitch; and a canopy module
mounted on the containment frame that covers and protects the
machinery mounted on the sub-frame module, comprising a plurality
of ventilation louvers, access doors and a plurality of mounting
flanges, at least some of which engage respective ones of the
containment frame mounting flanges.
25. The compressor assembly of claim 25, further comprising a
plurality of fasteners that pass through apertures in the sub-frame
mounting flanges to clamp the sub-frame module to the containment
frame module.
26. The compressor assembly of claim 26, wherein the fasteners
comprise threaded bolts that screw into mating threaded apertures
in the containment frame module flanges.
27. The compressor assembly of claim 27, wherein the mating
threaded apertures in the containment frame module flanges comprise
threaded nuts fastened to the containment frame module flanges.
28. The compressor assembly of claim 25, further comprising a
plurality of fasteners that pass through apertures in the canopy
mounting flanges to clamp the sub-frame module to the containment
frame module.
29. The compressor assembly of claim 29, wherein the fasteners
comprise threaded bolts that screw into mating threaded apertures
in the containment frame module flanges.
30. The compressor assembly of claim 30, wherein the mating
threaded apertures in the containment frame module flanges comprise
threaded nuts fastened to the containment frame module flanges.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to portable compressor equipment, and
more particularly to portable compressor equipment of modular
design.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Traditionally, portable compressors for compressing gas,
such as air and natural gases, have a single integrated unit
design. The various components for the compressor are mounted and
assembled sequentially on a single chassis or frame. Because the
compressor components mount onto the chassis or frame sequentially,
it is impossible to assemble different portions of the compressor
at the same time in order to reduce assembly time. Furthermore,
mounting many components directly on the compressor chassis or
frame is often difficult and physically challenging. Assembly in
this manner may thereby cause unnecessary physical strain or injury
to assemblers.
[0003] Although other industries have employed modular techniques
to aid in assembly or servicing of equipment, such as the vehicular
and industrial tool industries, such modular techniques have not
addressed the modularisation of mechanical components of an
apparatus for ease of assembly in combination with minimisation of
assembly time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention comprises a portable compressor package with a
sub-frame module that comprises the mechanical components of an
apparatus for ease of assembly in combination with associated
structural modules for minimisation of assembly time and ease of
assembly. More specifically, a compressor according to the
invention comprises a sub-frame module that contains the machinery
for the compressor, a containment frame module for supporting and
transporting the sub-frame module and a canopy module for jacketing
the machinery contained in the sub-frame module.
[0005] Generally, the invention comprises a portable compressor
assembly with machinery comprising at least a compressor driven by
a prime mover, comprising: a sub-frame module comprising a
sub-frame for mounting the machinery and a lifting bail; a
containment frame module for supporting, protecting and
transporting the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module; and a
canopy module mounted on the containment frame that covers and
protects the machinery mounted on the sub-frame module, comprising
a plurality of ventilation louvers and access doors.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and side views, respectively, of a
sub-frame module ready to mount to a containment frame module for a
portable compressor according to a possible embodiment of the
invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a detailed cut-away side view of one of a
plurality of alignment guides useful for aligning the sub-frame
module with the containment frame module during assembly of the
portable compressor.
[0008] FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and side views, respectively, of a
sub-frame module mounted to a containment frame module for a
portable compressor according to a possible embodiment of the
invention.
[0009] FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and side views, respectively, of a
canopy module ready to mount to a sub-frame module and a
containment frame module for a portable compressor according to a
possible embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIGS. 8 and 9 are top and side views, respectively, of a
canopy module mounted to a sub-frame module and a containment frame
module for a portable compressor according to a possible embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and side views, respectively, of a
sub-frame module 2 ready to mount to a containment frame 4 module
for a portable compressor according to a possible embodiment of the
invention. The sub-frame module 2 preferably comprises a chassis
for mounting most of the operating components for the compressor.
These most commonly comprise a prime mover 6, typically a diesel
engine, a compressor 8 coupled to the prime mover 6, an air cooling
system 10, such as a cooler module, an accumulator 12, such as an
air tank, a lifting bail 14. The sub-frame module 2 also mounts
sundry components associated with the aforementioned components,
such as batteries, hose lines, hydraulic tubing lines and so forth.
Lastly, the sub-frame module 2 comprises a plurality of mounting
pads or flanges 16 for mounting the sub-frame module 2 to the
containment frame module 4.
[0012] It is convenient to mount the sub-frame module 2 on a
movable platform, such as a scissor lift table, during assembly of
the aforementioned components onto it. In this way, the position of
the sub-frame module 2 is adjustable to any height desired to
minimise physical strain whilst mounting the components.
[0013] The containment frame module 4 comprises a containment
barrier or shield 18 and support frame 18 for supporting the
sub-frame module 2. The containment shield 18 protects the ambient
surroundings from any fluids, such as oil or fuel, that may drip
from components mounted on the sub-frame module 2. The containment
shield 18 also protects the components mounted on the sub-frame
module 2 from exposure to the ambient surroundings underneath the
containment frame module 4, such as flying rocks, splashing water
and mud. The support frame 20 provides structural support for the
sub-frame module 2.
[0014] The containment frame module 4 also comprises a plurality of
mounting pads or flanges 22 that attach to the mounting flanges 16
on the sub-frame module 2 to hold the sub-frame module 2 in place
once mounted. The containment frame module 4 may also comprise
means for transporting the portable compressor, such as a plurality
of wheel/axle assemblies 24 and a trailer hitch 26.
[0015] A plurality of assembly guides 28 assist mounting of the
sub-frame module 2 to the containment frame module 4. The assembly
guides 28 comprise generally cylindrical elements that mount in
sockets or apertures 30 in the containment frame module 4.
Typically, the apertures 30 are located in selected ones of the
mounting flanges 22, although they could be positioned otherwise,
such as in various positions in the support frame 20. Preferably,
two of the assembly guides 28 mount in apertures 30 that are
located near opposite corners of the containment frame module 4.
Preferably, the apertures 30 and insertion ends of the assembly
guides 28 are threaded so that the assembly guides 28 screw into
their mating apertures 30 for secure mounting. The apertures 30 may
conveniently comprise threaded nuts fastened to their respective
mounting flanges 22. Flats 32 along the assembly guides 28 near
their insertion ends assist screwing them into the apertures
30.
[0016] The sub-frame module 2 has a plurality of apertures 34 for
receiving the assembly guides 28 during mounting of the sub-frame
module 2 onto the containment frame module 4. Typically, the
apertures 34 are located in selected ones of the mounting flanges
16, although they could be positioned otherwise, such as in various
other positions in the sub-frame module 20. In any case, the
apertures 34 are aligned on the so that when they receive their
mating assembly guides 28, the sub-frame module 2 is correctly
aligned for mounting onto the containment frame module 4.
[0017] With the sub-frame module 2 positioned over the containment
frame module 4, such as with a lifting crane (not shown) that
attaches to the lifting bail 14, the sub-frame module 2 starts to
drop onto the containment frame module 4. Preferably, one of the
assembly guides 28 is longer so that a simple rotation of the
sub-frame module 2 as it drops allows it to engage first with its
corresponding aperture 34 in the sub-frame module 2, thus
establishing initial alignment with the containment frame module 4.
As the sub-frame module 2 continues to drop, a slight additional
rotation of the sub-frame module 2 as needed allows another
assembly guide 28 to engage with its corresponding aperture 34 in
the sub-frame module 2. This establishes correct positioning of the
sub-frame module 2 onto the containment frame module 4 as the
sub-frame module 2 comes to rest in place on the containment frame
module 4 and the mounting flanges 16 on the sub-frame module 2
engage their respective mounting flanges 22 on the containment
frame module 4.
[0018] Removal of the assembly guides 28 from their mating
apertures 34 is possible after the sub-frame module 2 comes to rest
on the containment frame module 4. FIG. 3 is a detailed side view
of one of the alignment guides 28 inserted into its mating mounting
flange 22 on the containment frame module 4, and its mating
mounting flange 16 on the sub-frame module 2 shown before
engagement with the alignment rod 28, after engagement with the
alignment rod 28 and upon coming to rest on its respective mounting
flange 22, as indicated by mounting flanges 16, 16' and 16'',
respectively.
[0019] Flats 36 along the assembly guides 28 near their free ends
assist screwing them out of the apertures 30. The mounting flanges
16 and 22 have mating attachment points that may comprise
additional apertures 38 and 40 or the apertures 30 and 34
themselves. Suitable fasteners 42 clamp the sub-frame module 2 to
the containment frame module 4 to form a rigid assembly as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5. It is convenient for the fasteners 42 to comprise
threaded bolts and their mating apertures 40 to comprise mating
threaded nuts that are fastened to their respective mounting
flanges 16.
[0020] FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and side views, respectively, of a
canopy module 44 ready to mount to the mounted sub-frame module 2
and the containment frame module 4 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
canopy module 44 comprises a cover 46 that typically comprises a
plurality of louvers 48 for ventilation and a plurality of access
doors 50 for maintenance and servicing of the aforementioned
components mounted to the sub-frame module 2. The canopy module 44
also comprises a plurality of mounting pads or flanges 52 that
attach to a plurality of mounting pads or flanges 56 on the
containment frame module 4 to mount the canopy module 44 over the
sub-frame module 2 to the containment frame module 4.
[0021] The mounting flanges 52 and 54 have mating attachment points
that may comprise apertures 56 and 58 respectively. Suitable
fasteners 42 clamp the canopy module 44 to the containment frame
module 4 to form the complete portable compressor assembly as shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is convenient for the fasteners 42 to comprise
threaded bolts and their mating apertures 58 to comprise mating
threaded nuts that are fastened to their respective mounting
flanges 54.
[0022] Described above is a portable compressor package with a
sub-frame module that comprises the mechanical components of an
apparatus for ease of assembly in combination with associated
structural modules for minimisation of assembly time and ease of
assembly. The described embodiment of the invention is only an
illustrative implementation of the invention wherein changes and
substitutions of the various parts and arrangement thereof are
within the scope of the invention as set forth in the attached
claims.
* * * * *