U.S. patent application number 14/743638 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for heating and cooling system for hazardous environments.
The applicant listed for this patent is TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.. Invention is credited to Larry L. Dancey, Robert M. Myerholtz, JR..
Application Number | 20160370019 14/743638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55809378 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160370019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myerholtz, JR.; Robert M. ;
et al. |
December 22, 2016 |
HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS
Abstract
A heating and cooling apparatus for hazardous environments is
disclosed. The apparatus has a housing having an air inlet and an
air outlet. The apparatus further comprises a motor having a shaft
and an electrical component and a metallic impeller having an
impeller inlet and blades. The impeller inlet faces the air inlet
of the housing and the impeller is coupled to the shaft of the
motor. The apparatus also has an air filter removably positioned at
the air inlet of the housing. A coil is removably positioned inside
the housing between the air outlet and the impeller blades. A valve
is also coupled to the coil, the valve being operable to regulate
the temperature of the coil by controlling the flow of fluid into
the coil.
Inventors: |
Myerholtz, JR.; Robert M.;
(Weston, OH) ; Dancey; Larry L.; (Melfort,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55809378 |
Appl. No.: |
14/743638 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/84 20180101;
F24F 1/04 20130101; F24H 3/08 20130101; F24F 11/83 20180101; F24F
1/0018 20130101; F24F 2221/125 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 1/00 20060101
F24F001/00; F24H 3/08 20060101 F24H003/08; F24F 1/04 20060101
F24F001/04 |
Claims
1. A heating and cooling apparatus for hazardous environments
comprising: a housing having an air filter insert, the housing
further comprising: a first wall having an air inlet; and a second
wall having an air outlet; a motor having a shaft and an electrical
component, the motor being coupled to the housing so that at least
a portion of the shaft of the motor is positioned inside the
housing and at least a portion of the electrical component of the
motor is positioned outside the housing, wherein the motor runs
continuously when it is connected to a power source to reduce
electrical sparking; an impeller having an impeller inlet and
blades, the impeller inlet facing the air inlet of the first wall
and the impeller being coupled to the shaft of the motor, the
impeller being electrically grounded to reduce static buildup; an
air filter removably positioned inside an air filter support
through the air filter insert of the housing, the air filter being
positioned at the air inlet; a coil removably positioned inside a
coil support between the air outlet of the second wall and the
impeller blades, the coil being separated from the electrical
component of the motor by a housing wall to reduce overheating by
the motor; and a valve coupled to the coil via a valve support on
the housing, the valve being operable to regulate the temperature
of the coil by controlling the flow of fluid into the coil.
2. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
housing further comprises a containment chamber with water-tight
sides and a drain positioned below the coil.
3. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
impeller is electrically grounded via the motor shaft.
4. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is a
gap between the coil and the air outlet for greater airflow across
the coil.
5. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
impeller is positioned within an impeller support having a first
opening for allowing airflow into the impeller inlet and a second
opening for directing propelled air from the impeller toward the
coil.
6. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 5, wherein a mesh is
removably coupled to the second opening of the impeller support for
dispersing propelled air across the coil.
7. The heating and cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air
outlet is positioned substantially near the center of the coil.
8. A method for heating and cooling a hazardous environment
comprising: driving a motor coupled to a housing, the housing
comprising: a first wall having an air inlet; and a second wall
having an air outlet; wherein the motor has a shaft and an
electrical component, the motor being coupled to the housing so
that at least a portion of the shaft of the motor is positioned
inside the housing and at least a portion of the electrical
component of the motor is positioned outside the housing; using the
motor to drive an electrically grounded impeller coupled to the
motor shaft to draw air into the housing through the air inlet and
propel air out of the housing through the air outlet, the impeller
having an impeller inlet and impeller blades, the impeller drawing
air into the housing through the impeller inlet and the impeller
propelling air out of the housing through the air outlet; filtering
the drawn air through an air filter removably positioned inside an
air filter support that is positioned at the air inlet to remove
volatile particles in the drawn air; heating or cooling a coil
removably positioned inside a coil support between the air outlet
of the second wall and the impeller blades by passing heated or
cooled fluid through the coil; heating or cooling the propelled air
by propelling the air onto the heated or cooled coil; and
regulating the temperature of the propelled air by controlling the
flow of fluid into the coil by operating a valve coupled to the
coil.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the housing further comprises a
containment chamber with water-tight sides and a drain positioned
below the coil.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the impeller is electrically
grounded via the motor shaft.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein there is a gap between the coil
and the air outlet for greater airflow across the coil.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the impeller is positioned
within an impeller support having a first opening for allowing
airflow into the impeller inlet and a second opening for directing
propelled air from the impeller toward the coil.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a mesh is removably coupled to
the second opening of the impeller support for dispersing propelled
air across the coil.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the air outlet is positioned
substantially near the center of the coil.
15. A system for heating and cooling a hazardous environment
comprising: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the
housing further comprising; a motor having a shaft and an
electrical component, the motor being coupled to the housing so
that at least a portion of the driving component of the motor is
positioned inside the housing and at least a portion of the
electrical component of the motor is positioned outside the
housing; an impeller having an impeller inlet and blades, the
impeller inlet facing the air inlet of the housing, the impeller
being electrically grounded and being coupled to the shaft of the
motor; an air filter removably positioned at the air inlet of the
housing; a coil removably positioned inside the housing between the
air outlet and the impeller blades; and a valve coupled to the
coil, the valve being operable to regulate the temperature of the
coil by controlling the flow of fluid into the coil; a cart
comprising a base for supporting the housing and a plurality of
wheels for moving the housing; and a fluid temperature conditioner
located remote from the housing, the conditioner being coupled to
the coil and providing heated or cooled fluid to the coil.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the cart wheels are
semi-pneumatic to minimize the likelihood of bursting if the wheels
encounter a sharp object.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the air outlet is placed
substantially near the center of the coil and there is a gap
between the coil and the air outlet for greater airflow across the
coil.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the impeller is positioned
within an impeller support having a first opening for allowing
airflow into the impeller inlet and a second opening for directing
propelled air from the impeller toward the coil.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein a mesh is removably coupled to
the second opening of the impeller support for dispersing propelled
air across the coil.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a
containment chamber positioned below the coil.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to electro-mechanical
devices and specifically to a heating and cooling system for
hazardous environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is often necessary to heat or cool various environments
including hazardous environments. Current approaches for heating
and cooling hazardous environments are dangerous and immobile. It
is thus desirable to create a safe and mobile system that can heat
or cool hazardous environments for suitable periods of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to embodiments of the present disclosure,
disadvantages and problems associated with previous heating and
cooling systems for hazardous environments may be reduced or
eliminated.
[0004] In one embodiment, a heating and cooling apparatus for
hazardous environments comprises a housing having an air filter
insert. The housing further comprises a first wall having an air
inlet and a second wall having an air outlet. The apparatus has a
motor having a shaft and an electrical component, the motor being
coupled to the housing so that at least a portion of the shaft of
the motor is positioned inside the housing and at least a portion
of the electrical component of the motor is positioned outside the
housing. The motor runs continuously when it is connected to a
power source to reduce electrical sparking. The apparatus also has
an impeller having an impeller inlet and blades. The impeller inlet
faces the air inlet of the first wall and the impeller is coupled
to the shaft of the motor. The apparatus is electrically grounded
to reduce static buildup. An air filter is also removably
positioned inside an air filter support through the air filter
insert of the housing. The air filter is positioned at the air
inlet. A coil is removably positioned inside a coil support between
the air outlet of the second wall and the impeller blades so that
the coil is separated from the electrical component of the motor by
a housing wall to reduce any overheating by the motor.
Additionally, a valve is coupled to the coil and is operable to
regulate the temperature of the coil by controlling the flow of
fluid into the coil.
[0005] Certain embodiments may provide one or more advantages. One
advantage of one embodiment may include increased safety of the
heating and cooling apparatus by minimizing the static buildup by
the component parts of the apparatus. Another advantage of one
embodiment may include the minimizing of potential sparking and
breakdown of the apparatus that may occur inside a hazardous
environment by overheating the motor. Yet another advantage may be
the filtering of volatile particulate so that there is minimal
buildup of volatile particles inside the apparatus.
[0006] Various embodiments of the invention may include none, some,
or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other
technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] To provide a more complete understanding of the present
disclosure and the features and advantages thereof, reference is
made to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for heating and cooling a
hazardous environment;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for
heating or cooling a hazardous environment;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a heating and cooling
apparatus housing; and
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a heating and cooling apparatus placed
upon a cart.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 for heating and cooling a
hazardous environment. A hazardous environment may be one where
flammable or volatile vapors, dust or other hazardous materials are
present. For such environments, heating and cooling apparatuses
should reduce the possibility of electrical sparking by, for
example, reducing any static buildup. As briefly summarized here
and discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2 below, the
present embodiment achieves these technical advantages in several
ways.
[0013] First, in the present embodiment, apparatus 12 has a motor
that is partially positioned inside the housing and partially
outside the housing. This configuration of the motor reduces the
possibility of the motor overheating and causing electrical
sparking which may be dangerous in a volatile or hazardous
environment. Second, the motor of the present embodiment runs
continuously when it is connected to a power source. This further
reduces the possibility of electrical sparking that may occur when
the motor would otherwise be turned on or off inside the hazardous
or volatile environment. Third, the apparatus is electrically
grounded. This reduces buildup of static electricity, further
reducing the possibility of electrical sparking. Fourth, the
apparatus has an air filter that filters out volatile particulate.
This reduces buildup of volatile particulate inside the apparatus
that may ignite in case there is electrical sparking inside the
apparatus. And fifth, the apparatus has a containment chamber that
collects condensate or any liquid that might leak out of the coil
so that the apparatus can heat or cool the hazardous environment
without risking damaging the components inside the apparatus
housing.
[0014] In the present embodiment, apparatus 12 is coupled to a
fluid temperature conditioner 14 through a supply line 16 and
return line 18. Apparatus 12 has a housing 20 and one wall 36 of
housing 20 has an air inlet 22 formed therein. An air filter
support 24 is coupled to wall 36 inside housing 20 and is aligned
with air inlet 22. An air filter 26 is placed inside air filter
support 24. Housing 20 also has a coil support 28 that supports a
coil 30. Coil support 28 is positioned adjacent to a second wall 38
of housing 20. This second wall 38 has an air outlet 32 formed
therein.
[0015] Apparatus 12 draws air into housing 20 through air inlet 22.
The drawn air passes through air filter 26 as it enters housing 20.
Air filter 26 removes particulates from the air as air flows
through it. As described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2
below, apparatus 12 then redirects the drawn air and propels it
toward coil 30. Depending on the mode of operation, as the drawn
air flows over coil 30, the air is either heated or cooled. In one
embodiment, heated fluid flows from conditioner 14 to coil 30
through supply line 16. In another embodiment, cooled fluid flows
from conditioner 14 to coil 30 through supply line 16. Depending on
the mode of operation, the fluid either cools or heats coil 30 as
it flows through coil 30. The fluid then flows out of coil 30 and
back to conditioner 14 through return line 18. As the propelled air
passes over coil 30, it is either heated or cooled. The propelled
air then exits housing 20 through air outlet 32.
[0016] Fluid temperature conditioner 14 may be any system, device,
or apparatus for heating or cooling a fluid. In various
embodiments, conditioner 14 may be mobile or stationary.
Conditioner 14 may be powered by any power source including
generators, solar panels, batteries, the power grid, hydro-electric
power, wind turbines, geothermal energy or any other power source.
In some embodiments, conditioner 14 has multiple connections to
connect multiple lines and is operable to heat or cool fluids for
multiple apparatuses 12. In various embodiments, conditioner 14 may
heat or cool fluids to any suitable temperature. Conditioner 14 may
also include or be coupled to a pump for pumping the heated or
cooled fluid into the supply and return lines 16 and 18,
respectively. In one embodiment, conditioner 14 may be connected to
supply line 16 and return line 18, and conditioner 14 may both
supply and receive the heated or cooled fluid. In another
embodiment, conditioner 14 may only supply the heated or cooled
fluid.
[0017] Housing 20 may be any support structure for supporting the
various components of apparatus 12. In one embodiment, there may be
a motor cutout 34 in one corner of housing 20. Air inlet 22 may be
formed within a first housing wall 36 of housing 20. Air outlet 32
may be formed within a second housing wall 38 of housing 20. In one
embodiment, air outlet 32 may be positioned so that it is
substantially centered with respect to coil 30. Housing 20 may be
made of any suitable material including any non-ferrous metal. In
one embodiment, housing 20 may be made of aluminum to reduce the
buildup of static electricity. Housing 20 may have a housing cover
40 that may be placed on top of housing 20. Housing cover 40 may
keep propelled air from escaping housing 20 from the top of housing
20. Housing 20 may have a containment chamber 42 removably or
permanently coupled to second housing wall 38 and placed below coil
30. Containment chamber 42 may collect any fluid that may leak out
of coil 30. In embodiments where cooled fluid flows through coil
30, containment chamber 42 may collect liquid condensate that might
drip off of coil 30. In some embodiments, containment chamber 42
may direct fluid out of housing 20 through an egress or drain in
containment chamber 42. Containment chamber 42 may have watertight
sides so that any fluid collected in containment chamber 42 does
not flow further into housing 20.
[0018] Coil 30 may be formed by one or more tubes that are operable
to carry heated or cooled fluid. Coil 30 may be formed of any
material including any thermally conductive material. Coil 30 may
be formed of a non-ferrous metallic material to maximize thermal
conductivity and minimize static buildup. In some embodiments, coil
30 may be coupled to conditioner 14 by supply line 16 and a return
line 18. Supply line 16 may be coupled to one end of coil 30 and
return line 18 may be coupled to a different end of coil 30. Fluid
may flow from conditioner 14 into coil 30 through supply line 16.
Fluid may flow out of coil 30 through return line 18. In one
embodiment, coil 30 may be configured to draw between 60,000 BTUH
to 84,000 BTUH from the fluid.
[0019] Air filter 26 may be any device or apparatus that may remove
solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from
the air. Air filter 26 may contain chemicals for facilitating
removing volatile or hazardous particulates. Air filter 26 may be
made of any suitable material including, without limitation, paper,
foam, fiberglass, or cotton.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus 12 for
heating or cooling a hazardous environment. As discussed in
relation to FIG. 1 above, apparatus 12 has housing 20, air inlet
22, air filter support 24, air filter 26, coil support 28, and coil
30. FIG. 2 further shows impeller support 50 is placed inside
housing 20 and coupled to a third housing wall 54. A motor 56 is
also coupled to third housing wall 54 in motor cutout 34 of housing
20. Motor 56 is positioned so that a portion of motor 56, including
the Motor shaft, is positioned inside housing 20 and a portion of
motor 56 is positioned outside housing 20 in motor cutout 34. The
portion of motor 56 that is positioned inside housing 20 is coupled
to impeller 52. In this embodiment, air filter 26 is positioned
between the inlet 58 of impeller 52 and air inlet 22 of housing 20.
Additionally, coil 30 is positioned inside coil support 28 between
the outlet of impeller support 50 and air outlet 32 of housing
20.
[0021] In this embodiment, when motor 56 is turned on, it drives
impeller 52 and air is drawn into air inlet 22 by impeller 52.
Because air filter 26 is positioned between air inlet 22 and
impeller 52, air drawn into housing 20 by impeller 52 passes
through air filter 26 before it reaches impeller 52. Impeller 52
draws air in an axial direction and propels it out in a radial
direction. The propelled air passes over coil 30 and out of housing
20 through air outlet 32. Coil 30 is heated or cooled by using
fluid from conditioner 14 as described above in relation to FIG. 1.
As propelled air passes over coil 30, the propelled air becomes
warm or cool and thus alters the temperature of the environment
around apparatus 12.
[0022] Apparatus 12 is specifically designed so that it may be
safely operated in a hazardous environment. First, in the present
embodiment, a portion of motor 56 is positioned outside housing 20
while the shaft of motor 56 is positioned inside housing 20. To
minimize the possibility of sparking that may occur when motor 56
starts and stops, motor 56 may be switched on outside the hazardous
environment and may run the entire time apparatus 12 is in the
hazardous environment. Because apparatus 12 may be positioned
inside the hazardous environment for a prolonged period of time,
the continuous operation of motor 56 may generate considerable heat
and strain on motor 56. Any additional exposure to heat may cause
motor 56 to overheat. If motor 56 overheats, circuitry within motor
56 may short causing sparking which could be dangerous in a
hazardous environment. In the situations where apparatus 12 is
being used to heat a hazardous environment, it may be advantageous
to keep the electrical components within motor 56 separated from
coil 30. The configuration of the present embodiment achieves this
advantage by positioning a portion of motor 56 outside housing 20
which keeps motor 56 from being exposed to the additional heat from
coil 30 and reduce any overheating by motor 56.
[0023] Second, the present embodiment further reduces the
possibility of electrical sparking by using a motor 56 that runs
continuously while it is connected to a power source. In one
embodiment, motor 56 may not have an on/off switch. This reduces
the possibility of sparking that may occur when a motor 56 starts
or stops regularly. Conventional heating systems may regulate the
temperature of an environment by turning a motor on or off. The
present embodiment regulates the temperature of the hazardous
environment by controlling the flow of heated fluid into coil 30.
To make the environment warmer, more heated fluid is allowed into
coil 30. To cool the environment, the flow of heated fluid into
coil 30 is restricted. In this manner, motor 56 may run the entire
time apparatus 12 is in a hazardous environment thereby minimizing
the possibility of electrical sparking.
[0024] Third, in this embodiment, apparatus 12 is electrically
grounded. Moving air at high velocities over surfaces can induce an
electrical charge on those surfaces. Thus, as air is propelled
through and out of housing 20, electrical charge may build on
housing 20. This embodiment is configured so as to dissipate that
electrical charge through an electrical ground. By dissipating the
electrical charge, the possibility of electrical sparking caused by
the arcing of the electrical charge is reduced. In one embodiment,
impeller 52 is coupled to motor 56 so that motor 56 electrically
grounds impeller 52. This ensures that even as impeller 52 rotates,
there is limited buildup of static electricity on or around
impeller 52. Motor 56 is grounded through a ground conductor in the
power cable connected to motor 56. The ground conductor runs from
motor 56 to an earth-ground. In various embodiments, the
earth-ground is located outside the hazardous environment. Motor 56
is also coupled to housing 20. In one embodiment, housing 20 is
made of a conductive material, such as a metal, and is electrically
grounded through motor 56 as well. In this embodiment, the various
other components of apparatus 12 are also coupled to housing 20 and
are also grounded through motor 56.
[0025] Fourth, this embodiment filters air before the air reaches
coil 30. Because the air in a hazardous environment may contain
volatile particles, it may be dangerous for those vapors or
volatile particles to come in contact with impeller 52 or heated
coil 30 during operation. Additionally, any buildup of volatile
particulate inside apparatus 12 may be dangerous because any
accidental sparking of the electrical components inside apparatus
12 may ignite the particulate. Thus it is advantageous to filter
and/or neutralize volatile particles before they come in contact
with impeller 52 or heated coil 30.
[0026] Fifth, in this embodiment, containment chamber 42 collects
any condensate that might form on coil 30 when apparatus 12 is
cooling the hazardous environment. This prevents (or at least
lessens) the condensate from flowing into housing 20 and
potentially damaging impeller 52, air filter 26, or housing 20.
Damage to any of these components of apparatus 12 could result in
electrical sparking or buildup of volatile particulate inside
apparatus 12. Thus, it is advantageous to collect the liquid
condensate and direct it out of apparatus 12.
[0027] Coil support 28 may be any framework for supporting coil 30.
In one embodiment, coil support 28 may be positioned in between
impeller support 50 and air outlet 32. There may be a gap between
impeller support 50 and coil support 28 so that air propelled out
of impeller 52 may circulate around coil 30 before exiting housing
20 through air outlet 32. Coil support 28 may be positioned so that
when coil 30 is placed inside coil support 28, air outlet 32 is
centered on coil 30. This may further allow air to circulate around
coil 30 before exiting housing 20 through air outlet 32.
[0028] Impeller 52 may be any rotor that has an impeller inlet 58
surrounded by blades 60. Impeller 52 may be made of any material
including any non-ferrous metal. Because non-ferrous metals are
less likely to spark when they scrape against other metals, in
embodiments where impeller 52 is made of non-ferrous metal,
impeller 52 may not spark even if it is misaligned and scrapes
against other components of apparatus 12 during operation. Blades
60 may be arranged in any configuration so that when blades 60
rotate, air enters impeller 52 through impeller inlet 58 and is
pushed out radially through air outlet 32 of housing 20. Impeller
inlet 58 and blades 60 may be of any suitable size. In one
embodiment, a cone 62 may be placed between impeller inlet 58 and
air inlet 22. Cone 62 may guide air drawn into apparatus 12 from
air inlet 22 into impeller inlet 58. In some embodiments, impeller
52 may be coupled to motor 56 by a shaft. In one embodiment,
impeller 52 may be electrically grounded through the conductive
coupling of motor 56 to impeller 52 through the shaft of motor
56.
[0029] Impeller support 50 may be any framework within which
impeller 52 may be positioned. Impeller 52 may be positioned inside
impeller support 50 so that one portion of impeller support 50
aligns with impeller inlet 58 and a different portion of impeller
support 50 aligns with impeller blades 60. One portion of impeller
support 50 may be coupled to air filter support 24 so that impeller
inlet 58 faces air filter 26. In one embodiment, a foam or other
suitable material that restricts airflow may be placed around
impeller inlet 58. In this manner, air that is propelled out of
blades 60 is not drawn back into impeller 52 during operation. A
different portion of impeller support 50 may face coil 30 so that
air pushed out of blades 60 is directed toward coil 30. That
portion of impeller support 50 may have a mesh 64 for dispersing
air across coil 30 before the propelled air exits housing 20
through air outlet 32.
[0030] Motor 56 may be any electromechanical device that is capable
of rotating impeller 52. In various embodiments, motor 56 may be
powered by either direct current or alternating current. In some
embodiments, motor 56 may cause impeller 52 to rotate in a
clockwise direction while in other embodiments, motor 56 may cause
impeller 52 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. Motor 56
may have variable speeds of rotation which may depend upon the
amount of power that the motor draws. In some embodiments, motor 56
may not have a start/stop control mechanism such as an on/off
switch. Thus, an operator would not start and stop motor 56 while
apparatus 12 is deployed in a hazardous environment. This
configuration may minimize the risk of sparking caused by the
opening and closing of electrical circuits by a conventional
start/stop control mechanism.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates motor cutout 34 of housing 20. In this
embodiment, a portion of motor 56 that is coupled to the outside of
housing 20 is shown. Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates couplers 100a
and 100b and valve control 102 that are coupled to a fourth housing
wall 104. In some embodiments, couplers 100a and 100b may be
coupled to supply line 16 and return line 18 respectively. Couplers
100 may also be coupled to coil 30 so that heated or cooled fluid
may flow from supply line 16 through coupler 100a to coil 30. After
the fluid flows through coil 30, the fluid may flow back through
coupler 100b to return line 18.
[0032] In one embodiment, couplers 100 and valve control 102 may
all be coupled to a mixing valve such as a three-way mixing valve.
Valve control 102 may be in a diverting arrangement and may
regulate the amount of fluid that may flow into coil 30 from supply
line 16. For example, valve control 102 may be operated so that all
of the fluid from supply line 16 flows into coil 30. Analogously,
valve control 102 may be operated so that no fluid flows into coil
30 and all the fluid from supply line 16 is diverted to return line
18. Valve control 102 may also be operable to mix the fluid that
has already passed through coil 30 with fluid from supply line 16
before the fluid flows into coil 30. In this manner, valve control
102 may adjust the temperature of the fluid in coil 30. In one
embodiment, valve control 102 may be entirely mechanical with no
electrical components to reduce the possibility of sparking.
[0033] This embodiment enables temperature control at apparatus 12
by manipulating valve control 102 instead of turning motor 56 on or
off. This reduces the sparking that may occur when a motor 56
starts or stops regularly. This embodiment is further advantageous
because it allows for temperature control at apparatus 12 instead
of at conditioner 14 which may be placed at a remote location
during operation. Hazardous environments are often contained so
that the exposure of volatile fumes and dust to the outside
environment is minimized. As such, it may be dangerous and
difficult for an operator to regularly move between the hazardous
environment and conditioner 14. Thus, it is advantageous to have a
temperature control mechanism at apparatus 12 so that the
temperature of the hazardous environment may be adjusted without
increasing the likelihood of an accident in the hazardous
environment.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates apparatus 12 placed upon a cart 150. In
this embodiment, housing 20 has an air filter insert 154. Cart 150
has wheels 156a and 156b and a handle 158. As illustrated here,
apparatus 12 is placed upon cart 150 so that wheel 156b sits inside
motor cutout 34.
[0035] Air filter insert 154 may be any opening through which air
filter 26 may be inserted into housing 20. In one embodiment, air
filter insert 154 may open into air filter support 24. In the
present embodiment, air filter insert 154 is formed within a fifth
housing wall 152. In other embodiments, air filter insert 154 may
be formed on any other suitable portion of housing 20 including
housing cover 40.
[0036] Cart 150 may be any vehicle upon which apparatus 12 may be
placed. In one embodiment, cart 150 may be manually operable and
may not have any electrical or engine-driven components. Cart 150
may be made of any suitable material including a non-ferrous
metallic material. Cart 150 may be operable to move apparatus 12
into a hazardous environment. In one embodiment, cart 150 may have
wheels 156a and 156b, a handle 158 and a base 160. An operator may
place apparatus 12 upon base 160 and use handle 158 to move cart
150 on wheels 156a and 156b. An operator may also use handle 158 to
tilt cart 150 towards him or herself and onto wheels 156a and 156b.
Wheels 156a and 156b may be any wheels operable to move cart 150 on
paved or unpaved surfaces. In one embodiment, wheels 156a and 156b
may be semi-pneumatic so that they do not explode or get damaged if
they encounter a sharp object.
[0037] This configuration of apparatus 12 and cart 150 provides
significant advantages for moving and deploying apparatus 12 in
hazardous environments. First, the positioning of motor 56 inside
motor cutout 34 provides a counterweight to coil 30. This balancing
of weight provides stability to apparatus 12 when it is placed upon
cart 150. Second, the positioning of a portion of motor 56 inside
motor cutout 34 allows for the placement of coil 30 in close
proximity to motor 56 without the danger of overheating motor 56.
This allows for a compact configuration of apparatus 12 that may be
placed upon cart 150 and moved by an operator without requiring
additional machinery. The use of a manual cart 150 is particularly
advantageous because it may be dangerous to use trucks or other
engine-driven machinery in a hazardous environment.
[0038] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the
systems and apparatuses described herein without departing from the
scope of the disclosure. The components of the systems and
apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the
operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by more,
fewer, or other components. The methods may include more, fewer, or
other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable
order. Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may
be performed using any suitable logic. As used in this document,
"each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of
a set.
[0039] Although several embodiments have been illustrated and
described in detail, it will be recognized that substitutions and
alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.
To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on
this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto,
applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended
claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112(f) as it exists on the date of
filing hereof unless the words "means for" or "step for" are
explicitly used in the particular claim.
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