Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6675542
-
Patent Number
6,675,542
-
Date Filed
Friday, June 14, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 13, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 791
- 052 3021
- 052 144
- 052 145
- 454 188
- 454 254
- 454 339
- 454 370
- 454 269
- 454 270
- 454 271
- 454 272
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A housing includes side walls having a plurality of offset sections with air exit gaps defined between adjacent sections and a roof with an air exit gap defined therein. The housing also includes an air intake section and a door section. The air flow is balanced so sufficient air flows through the structure to maintain proper environmental conditions inside the structure while noise is contained within the structure. Acoustic panels are mounted on the structure to further absorb noise. The structure can be designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well. Lifting eyes as well as anchors can also be included and the structure can be either fabricated on site or elsewhere and shipped as needed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the general art of static structures, and to the particular field of gasoline engine housing structures.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Many industrial operations require the use of gasoline engines. Drilling operations and the like are examples of such industrial operations. However, those skilled in the art will be able to envision many other such operations.
The engines used in such operations are often located outdoors. This presents several problems. Included among the problems is the exposure of the engine to the environment, which is especially difficult if the environment is harsh. Still other problems include the noise generated by the engine when it is in operation, which can create environmental issues with neighbors, especially in or near residential areas. Since an engine of this sort is not visually appealing, such engines may create problems associated with the aesthetics of such an engine. It is also noted that an exposed engine may be subject to vandalism.
Buildings presently used in industries, such as the gas exploration industry, are generally one-piece units with a screen wire opening on one end and openable doors on the other end. Such buildings cannot be totally closed during engine operation because such total closure may prevent air from flowing to the engine during engine operation thereby endangering the engine from overheating or even creating a danger of accumulated exhaust gases near the engine. Access to an engine in such buildings may be difficult and the building may not be amenable to accommodating various sizes of engines.
Still further, some presently available buildings are fabricated from metal which generally cannot be made aesthetically pleasing and may amplify noise associated with engine operation.
Still further, many presently available buildings are not easily moved from one site to another and may have to be transported from an assembly area to the site. This may create transportation issues.
PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a main object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that is easily constructed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that will substantially reduce engine noise at neighboring locations while still permitting proper air flow to the engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can be constructed at one location and easily transported to another location.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can be constructed on site.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can be made aesthetically pleasing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can protect the engine from environmental conditions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can protect the engine from vandalism.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can protect the engine from unforseen problems associated with open air operation and exposure of the engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can protect the engine while controlling emissions associated with the engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that can protect the engine while also controlling heat associated with engine operation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that is amenable to a wide variety of engine sizes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing for an engine, such as a gasoline engine, that will protect the engine while also permitting easy access to the engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These, and other, objects are achieved by a static structure for housing a gasoline engine which comprises a front end wall, a rear end wall, a loadable door in the front end wall, a shroud unit on the rear end wall, a roof, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a plurality of offset sections in both the first side wall and the second side wall. Each offset section of the plurality of offset sections is spaced apart from offset sections immediately adjacent thereto, and an air exit gap is defined between each offset section and the offset sections adjacent thereto. The air gaps are sized to permit air to flow out of the interior of the static structure but will keep most, if not all, of the noise associated with engine operation within the structure. The walls and roof of the structure can be painted and shaped to present a pleasing aesthetic appearance that blends with the area in which the structure is located. Siding and shingles can also be added if desired.
The structure further includes an air exit gap defined through the roof with the roof air gap being sized to cooperate with the exit air gaps in the walls to permit air flow and heat flow out of the structure while containing noise within the structure. Air flows into the structure via an air intake duct connected to the shroud unit. An acoustic panel is mounted on each offset section and a plurality of acoustic panels are mounted on the roof. The acoustic panels absorb noise and contain such noise in the structure. An inlet air gap is defined between the shroud unit and the rear wall, with the inlet air gap being fluidically connected to said air intake duct.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the static structure embodying the present invention in a set up configuration.
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the static structure embodying the present invention.
FIG. 3
is rear end elevational view of the static structure.
FIG. 4
is a top plan view of a portion of a side wall of the static structure embodying the present invention showing the offset portions thereof.
FIG. 5
is a side elevational view of the static structure of the present invention.
FIG. 6
is an end perspective view of the static structure of the present invention.
FIG. 7
is a top plan view of the static structure of the present invention.
FIG. 8
is a side perspective view of the static structure of the present invention.
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of an anchoring structure.
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of a shroud unit.
FIG. 11
is a side perspective view of the air intake duct of the structure of the present invention.
FIG. 12
is a front perspective view of the air intake duct.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is embodied in a static structure
10
for housing a gasoline engine broadly comprising a front end wall
12
, a rear end wall
14
, a first side wall
16
, a second side wall
18
and a roof
20
. In general, the structure is placed on ground G around a gasoline engine
22
(see
FIG. 11
) to cool that engine and the elements associated therewith while simultaneously abating the noise associated with operation of that engine. Structure
10
includes an air flow/noise abatement control system that permits just enough air to flow past the gasoline engine to keep it cool, but not so much air as to permit an undue amount of noise to escape from the structure. Structure
10
also protects the gasoline engine from the elements, especially if the engine is operating in very harsh environments.
More specifically, referring to
FIGS. 2 and 7
, it can be seen that front end wall
12
has an inside surface
30
, an outside surface
32
, a bottom edge
34
that is located on the ground when the front end wall is in a set-up configuration such as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, and a top edge
36
spaced apart from the bottom edge. A longitudinal axis
38
extends between top edge
36
and bottom edge
34
. The front end wall further includes a first side edge
40
, a second side edge
42
and a transverse axis
44
which extends between first side edge
40
and second side edge
42
. A plurality of studs, such as stud
46
, are located on the inside surface
30
of the front end wall
12
and extend from the top edge
36
of the front end wall
12
to the bottom edge
34
of the front end wall
12
. The studs
46
are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the transverse axis
44
of the front end wall
12
.
A plurality of acoustic panels, such as acoustic panel
48
, are mounted on the inside surface
30
of the front end wall
12
between the studs
46
with each acoustic panel
48
being located between adjacent studs
46
. The front end wall
12
has a length dimension
50
extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis
38
from the top edge
36
to the bottom edge
34
of the front end wall
12
and a width dimension
52
extending in the direction of the transverse axis
44
from the first side edge
40
to the second side edge
42
of the front end wall
12
.
Double doors
54
are located on the front end wall
12
and include an inside surface
56
on each door of the double doors
54
, an outside surface
58
on each door of the double doors
54
, a lock
60
on the double doors
54
, and hinges, such as hinge
62
, connect each of the doors of the double doors
54
to the front end wall
12
. Acoustic panels, such as acoustic panel
64
, are located on each door of the double doors
54
. The doors swing out as indicated in
FIG. 7
to permit a gasoline engine
22
to be moved into and out of the structure
10
. The double doors
54
provide sufficient space for most engines to move therethrough; however, if a very large engine is encountered, the entire structure
10
can be erected around the engine and then dismantled as necessary. One form of the doors includes double doors, each of which is six to seven feet in height, with an overall door opening being as much as seven feet wide to allow easy machinery access. The overall structure is, in one form of the invention, ten feet wide and twelve feet long.
As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 7
, structure
10
further includes the rear end wall
14
. Rear end wall
14
includes an inside surface
72
, an outside surface
74
, a bottom edge
76
that is located on the ground when the rear end wall
14
is in a set-up configuration, and a top edge
78
spaced apart from the bottom edge
76
of the rear end wall
14
. A longitudinal axis
80
extends between the top edge
78
of the rear end wall
14
and the bottom edge
76
of the rear end wall
14
. Rear end wall
14
further includes a first side edge
82
and a second side edge
84
. A transverse axis
86
extends between the first side edge
82
of the rear end wall
14
and the second side edge
84
of the rear end wall
14
.
A plurality of studs, such as stud
88
, are mounted on the inside surface
72
of the rear end wall
14
and extend from the top edge
78
of the rear end wall
14
to the bottom edge
76
of the rear end wall
14
. The studs
88
are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the transverse axis
86
of the rear end wall
14
. A plurality of acoustic panels, such as acoustic panel
90
, are mounted on the inside surface
72
of the rear end wall
14
between the studs
88
with each acoustic panel
90
being located between adjacent studs
88
on the rear end wall
14
. Rear end wall
14
further includes a length dimension
92
extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis
80
from the top edge
78
to the bottom edge
76
of the rear end wall
14
, and a width dimension
94
extends in the direction of the transverse axis
86
from the first side edge
82
of the rear end wall
14
to the second side edge
84
of the rear end wall
14
.
An opening
96
is defined through the rear end wall
14
and being defined by a bottom edge
98
, a first side
100
spaced from the first side edge
82
of the rear end wall
14
in the direction of the transverse axis
86
of the rear end wall
14
, a second side
102
spaced from the second side edge
84
of the rear end wall
14
in the direction of the transverse axis
86
of the rear end wall
14
, a top edge
104
which extends in the direction of the transverse axis
86
of the rear end wall
14
between the first side
100
of the opening
96
and the second side
102
of the opening
96
and is spaced apart from the top edge
78
of the rear end wall
14
in the direction of the longitudinal axis
80
of the rear end wall
14
. The opening
96
further includes a width dimension
105
which extends between the first side
100
of the opening
96
and the second side
102
of the opening
96
in the. direction of the transverse axis
86
of the rear end wall
14
, and a length dimension
106
(see
FIG. 11
) which extends between the top edge
104
of the opening
96
and the bottom edge
98
of the opening
96
,in the direction of the longitudinal axis
80
of the rear end wall
14
.
Structure
10
further includes a shroud unit
110
on the rear end wall
14
which includes a front wall
112
spaced apart from the outside surface
74
of the rear end wall
14
. The front wall
112
includes an inside surface
114
which is spaced apart from the outside surface
74
of the rear end wall
14
, a first side edge
116
which is spaced apart from the first side
100
of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
, a second side edge
118
which is spaced apart from the second side
102
of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
. A transverse axis
120
extends between the first side edge
116
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and the second side edge
118
of the shroud unit
110
. The front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
further includes a top edge
122
which is spaced apart from the top edge
104
of the opening
96
of the rear end wall
14
and spaced apart from the outside surface
74
of the rear end wall
14
, and a bottom edge
124
that is spaced apart from the ground when the shroud unit
110
is in the set-up configuration and is spaced apart from the bottom edge
76
of the rear end wall
14
. The front wall
112
further includes a longitudinal axis
126
extending between the top edge
122
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and the bottom edge
124
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and a width dimension
130
measured in the direction of the transverse axis
120
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
. The width dimension of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
is greater than the width dimension of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
. The front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
further includes a length dimension
132
measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis
126
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
, and the length dimension of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
is less than the length dimension of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
.
The relative dimensions of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and the opening
96
in the rear wall of the structure
10
creates a first air intake gap
140
between the first side edge
116
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and the first side
100
of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
and a second air intake gap
142
defined between the second side edge
118
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and the second side
102
of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
.
The shroud unit
110
further includes a top wall
144
connecting the top edge
122
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
to the outside surface
74
of the rear end wall
14
adjacent to the top edge
104
of the opening
96
in the rear end wall
14
. Due to the relative dimensions of the opening
96
in the rear wall and the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
, the top wall
144
of the shroud unit
110
slopes toward the bottom edge
124
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
.
The shroud unit
110
further includes support struts, such as support strut
150
, on the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
. The preferred form of the structure
10
includes four support struts, one on each corner of the front wall
112
. Each support strut
150
includes a proximal end
152
fixed to the inside surface
114
of the front wall
112
of the shroud unit
110
and extends toward the rear end wall
14
. The support struts
150
converge toward each other from the proximal ends
152
and have distal ends, such as distal end
156
of strut
150
, which are spaced apart from the proximal ends
152
of the struts
150
. The support struts
150
are spaced apart from each other. The shroud unit
110
can be removed in some forms of the structure
10
.
An intake air duct unit
160
is located on the rear wall and includes a first duct unit side wall
162
having a proximal end
164
located adjacent to the rear end wall
14
and a distal end
166
spaced apart from the inside surface
72
of the rear end wall
14
. Duct unit
160
further includes a second duct unit side wall
168
having a proximal end
170
located adjacent to the rear end wall
14
and a distal end
171
spaced apart from the inside surface
72
of the rear end wall
14
. The shroud unit
110
further includes a shroud unit top wall
172
(
FIG. 10
) having a proximal end
174
located adjacent to the rear end wall
14
and a distal end
176
spaced apart from the rear end wall
14
. Duct unit
160
further includes a duct unit top wall
177
and a duct unit bottom wall
178
. Shroud unit
110
further includes a shroud unit bottom wall
180
having a proximal end
182
located adjacent to the rear end wall
14
and a distal end
184
spaced apart from the inside surface
72
of the rear end wall
14
.
As can be seen in
FIGS. 7 and 12
, first duct unit side wall
162
, second duct unit side wall
168
, duct unit top wall
177
and duct unit bottom wall
178
define an air intake duct opening
188
that is spaced apart from the inner surface
72
of the rear end wall
14
. An intake air path shown in
FIG. 7
by dotted lines
190
, is defined between the first air intake gap
140
and the second air intake gap
142
of the shroud unit
110
and the air intake duct opening
188
.
An intake air fan
200
is shown in FIG.
7
and is located near the air intake duct opening
188
to be in fluid communication with the intake air path
190
of the shroud unit
110
to draw outside air through the air intake path
190
and onto a gasoline engine
22
or other such device that is housed in structure
10
. The fan
200
can be removably positioned within the structure
10
if desired. The structure
10
can also be formed of any suitable materials.
Referring to
FIGS. 2
,
4
and
7
, it can be seen that first side wall
16
of structure
10
extends between the front end wall
12
and the rear end wall
14
. First side wall
16
includes an inside surface
202
, an outside surface
204
, a bottom edge
206
that is located on the ground when the first side wall
16
is in a set-up configuration and a top edge
208
spaced apart from the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
. A longitudinal axis
210
extends between the top edge
208
of the first side wall
16
and the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
. Side wall
16
further includes a first side edge
212
and a second side edge
214
. A transverse axis
216
extends between the first side edge
212
of the first side wall
16
and the second side edge
214
of the first side wall
16
.
A plurality of studs, such as stud
220
, are located on the inside surface
202
of the first side wall
16
and extend from the top edge
208
of the first side wall
16
to the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
. The studs
220
are spaced apart from each other along the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
. First side wall
16
has a length dimension
222
extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis
210
of the first side wall
16
from the top edge
208
of the first side wall
16
to the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
and a width dimension
224
extending in the direction of the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
from the first side edge
212
of the first side wall
16
to the second side edge
214
of the first side wall
16
. The structure
10
further includes a first front corner
226
located between the first side edge
212
of the first side wall
16
and the first side edge
40
of the front end wall
12
and a first rear corner
228
located between the second side edge
214
of the first side wall
16
and the first side edge
82
of the rear end wall
14
.
As can be seen in
FIGS. 4 and 7
, structure
10
includes a plurality of offset sections in the first side wall
16
. Each offset section includes an inside surface
230
, outside surface
232
and two studs, such as studs
220
A and
220
B, on the inside surface
230
of each offset section. Each offset section further includes a first side edge
234
extending between the top edge
208
of the first side wall
16
and the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
and a second side edge
236
extending between the top edge
208
of the first side wall
16
and the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
, with the second side edge
236
of each offset section being spaced apart from the first side edge
234
of the offset section in the direction of the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
.
As can be seen in
FIGS. 4 and 7
, the plurality of offset sections include a first corner section
240
located adjacent to first front corner
226
defined between the first side wall
16
and the front end wall
12
. First corner section
240
includes a first corner section first side edge
242
located at the first corner defined between the first side wall
16
and the front end wall
12
and a first corner section second side edge
244
spaced apart from the first corner section first side edge
242
in the direction of the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
. The plurality of offset sections further include a second corner section
250
located adjacent to first rear corner
228
defined between the second side edge
214
of the first side wall
16
and the first side edge
82
of the rear end wall
14
and having a second corner section first side edge
252
located at the first rear corner defined between the first side wall
16
and the rear end wall
14
and a second corner section second side edge
254
spaced apart from the second corner section first side edge
252
in the direction of the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
. As can be seen in
FIG. 7
, the outside surface of the first corner section
240
is positioned to be coplanar with the outside surface of the second corner section
250
.
The studs on the first corner section
240
and on the second corner section
250
have inside surfaces
256
that are spaced apart from the inside surface of the first corner section
240
and the second corner section
250
. A first corner section acoustic panel
258
is mounted on the inside surfaces of the studs on the first corner section
240
and a second corner section acoustic panel
260
is mounted on the inside surfaces of the studs on the second corner section
250
.
The plurality of offset sections further include a first intermediate offset section
262
positioned between the first corner section
240
and the second corner section
250
. First intermediate offset section
262
includes an inside surface
264
, an outside surface
266
, two studs
220
C and
220
D on the inside surface
264
of the first intermediate offset section
262
, a first intermediate offset section first side edge
268
, a first intermediate offset section second side edge
270
which is spaced apart from the first intermediate section first side edge
268
in the direction of the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
, a first intermediate offset section top edge
272
that is coplanar with the top edge
208
of the first side wall
16
and a first intermediate offset section bottom edge (not visible in
FIG. 7
, and which is congruent with top edge
272
) that is coplanar with the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
. An acoustic panel
276
is mounted on the inside surface
264
of the first intermediate offset section
262
between the two studs of the first intermediate offset section
262
.
The plurality of offset sections further including a second intermediate offset section
280
positioned between the first corner section
240
and the second corner section
250
. Second intermediate offset section
280
includes an inside surface
282
, an outside surface
284
, and two studs
220
E and
220
F on the inside surface
282
of the second intermediate offset section
280
. Each of the two studs on the inside surface
282
of the second intermediate offset section
280
has an inside surface
286
that is spaced apart from the inside surface
282
of the second intermediate offset section
280
. Second intermediate offset section
280
further includes a second intermediate offset section first side edge
288
, a second intermediate offset section second side edge
290
spaced apart from the second intermediate section first side edge
288
in the direction of the transverse axis
216
of the first side wall
16
, a second intermediate section top edge
292
that is coplanar with the top edge
104
of the first side wall
16
and a second intermediate section bottom edge (not seen in FIG.
7
and congruent with top edge
292
) that is coplanar with the bottom edge
206
of the first side wall
16
. An acoustic panel
294
is mounted on the inside surfaces
286
of the studs mounted on the inside surface
282
of the second intermediate offset section
280
and is spaced apart from the inside surface
282
of the second intermediate offset section
280
. The outside surface of the intermediate offset section
298
that is located adjacent to the first corner section
240
is spaced apart from the acoustic panel on the first corner section in the direction of the transverse axis
44
of the front end wall
12
and defines a first side wall exit air gap
300
between the intermediate offset section adjacent to the first corner section
240
and the first corner section
240
. The outside surface
266
of the first intermediate offset section
262
is spaced apart from the acoustic panel on the second corner section
250
to define a second side wall exit air gap
302
between the first intermediate offset section
262
and the second corner section
250
. The outside surface
284
of the second intermediate offset section
280
is coplanar with the outside surfaces of the first corner section
240
and the second corner section
250
.
The plurality of offset sections further include a third intermediate offset section
308
which is identical to the first intermediate offset section
262
and includes a first side edge
310
located near the first side edge
288
of the second intermediate offset section
280
. Outside surface
312
of the third intermediate offset section
308
is spaced apart from the acoustic panel
294
on the second intermediate offset section
280
defining a third side wall exit air gap
316
between the second intermediate offset section
280
and the third intermediate offset section
308
. The outside surface
312
of the third intermediate offset section
308
is coplanar with the outside surface
266
of the first intermediate offset section
262
.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teaching of the present disclosure, the offset sections of the side wall define a plurality of air exit gaps through which air from inside structure
10
flows as indicated by arrows, such as air exit flow arrow
320
in FIG.
7
. The exit air gaps are sized to permit free flow of air out of the structure
10
but to keep sound inside the structure
10
. A preferred exit air gap size is 1 ¾ inches.
Structure
10
further includes second side wall
18
extending between the front end wall
12
and the rear end wall
14
. Second side wall
18
is identical to the just-described first side wall
16
and has a plurality of offset panels and a plurality of exit air gaps defined between adjacent offset panels, with adjacent panels of the second side wall
18
being offset from each other in the direction of the transverse axis
44
of the front end wall
12
. Odd number panels have outside surfaces that are coplanar with each other and even number panels have outside surfaces that are coplanar with each other as just described in reference to side wall
16
. Further description of side wall
18
will not be presented, with the above description of side wall
16
being incorporated and referenced for such description.
As shown in
FIGS. 2
,
3
, and
5
, structure
10
further includes roof
20
on the top edge
36
of the front end wall
12
and the top edge
78
of the rear end wall
14
. Roof
20
includes a first roof section
340
which has an inside surface
342
, an outside surface
344
, a proximal end
346
fixed to the first side wall
16
, a distal end
348
spaced apart from the first side wall
16
in the direction of the transverse axis
44
of the front end wall
12
and a plurality of acoustic panels, such as acoustic panel
350
indicated in
FIG. 5
, mounted on the inside surface
342
of the first roof section
340
. Acoustic panels
350
are identical to the acoustic panels mounted on the walls of the structure. Roof
20
further includes a second roof section
360
having an inside surface
362
, an outside surface
364
, a proximal end
366
fixed to the second side wall
18
and a distal end
368
spaced apart from the second side wall
18
in the direction of the transverse axis
44
of the front end wall
16
. A plurality of acoustic panels, identical to the above-discussed acoustic panels, are mounted on the inside surface
362
of the second roof section
360
. The acoustic panels on the second roof section
360
are not shown in the interest of clarity of the figures.
The distal end
348
of the first roof section
340
is spaced apart from the distal end
368
of the second roof section
360
and a roof exit air gap
370
is defined between the two distal ends
348
and
368
.
A plurality of roof exit air gap covering walls cover the roof air gap
370
and include a front supporting end wall
374
on the top edge
36
of the front end wall
12
, a rear supporting end wall
376
on the top edge
78
of the rear end wall
14
, a first covering wall
378
extending from the front supporting end wall
374
to the rear supporting end wall
376
and spaced apart from the distal ends
348
and
368
of the first and second roof sections
340
and
360
and spaced apart from the outside surfaces
344
and
364
of the first and second roof sections
340
and
360
. The first covering wall
378
includes a distal end
380
and a proximal end
382
. The roof
20
further includes a second covering wall
384
extending from the front supporting end wall
374
to the rear supporting end wall
376
and spaced apart from the distal ends
348
and
368
of the first and second roof sections
340
and
360
and spaced apart from the outside surfaces
344
and
364
of the first and second roof sections
340
and
360
. The second covering wall
384
includes a distal end
386
and a proximal end
388
with the proximal end
388
of the second covering wall
384
engaging the proximal end
382
of the first covering wall
378
. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 6
, a first roof exit air gap
390
is located between the first covering wall
378
and the outside surface
344
of the first roof section
340
. A second roof exit air gap
392
is located between the second covering wall
384
and the outside surface
364
of the second roof section
360
. The first and second roof exit air gaps
390
and
392
are sized to permit air flow from the inside of the structure
10
while reducing noise flow out of the structure
10
. The gaps
390
and
392
are sized and located to prevent moisture from flowing into the structure.
All of the offset sections are connected together by bolts or the like and screens can be placed over the gaps to prevent insects or birds or other undesirable objects from entering the structure
10
via the gaps. The acoustic panels can also be formed of fire retardant materials if desired.
Structure
10
can be moved in parts or as a whole from one site to another. In order to permit the structure
10
to be moved as a whole, structure
10
includes a plurality of lifting eyes, such as lifting eye
400
shown in FIGS.
6
and
8
, attached to the side walls. In the preferred form of the structure
10
, lifting eyes
400
are located on all four corners of the structure
10
.
In order to ensure secure set up of the structure
10
, structure
10
further includes a plurality of anchors, such as anchor
410
shown in
FIG. 9
securely connecting the structure
10
to the ground. As shown in
FIG. 9
, each anchor
410
includes an earth anchor
412
embedded in the earth when in the set-up configuration of the anchor, a wall attachment element
414
attached to one of the first and second side walls
16
and
18
in the set-up configuration of the anchor and a tether
416
connecting the earth anchor
412
to the wall attachment element
414
in the set-up configuration of the anchor
410
.
It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.
Claims
- 1. A static structure for housing a gasoline engine comprising:a) a front end wall having (1) an inside surface, (2) an outside surface, (3) a bottom edge that is located on the ground when said front end wall is in a set-up configuration, (4) a top edge spaced apart from the bottom edge, (5) a longitudinal axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, (6) a first side edge, (7) a second side edge, (8) a transverse axis extending between the first side edge and the second side edge, (9) a plurality of studs on the inside surface of said front end wall and extending from the top edge of said front end wall to the bottom edge of said front end wall, the studs being spaced apart from each other in the direction of the transverse axis of said front end wall, (10) a plurality of acoustic panels mounted on the inside surface of said front end wall between the studs with each acoustic panel being located between adjacent studs, (11) a length dimension extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the top edge to the bottom edge of said front end wall, (12) a width dimension extending in the direction of the transverse axis from the first side edge to the second side edge of said front end wall, and (13) double doors on said front end wall and including (A) an inside surface on each door of the double doors, (B) an outside surface on each door of the double doors, (C) a lock on the double doors, (D) hinges connecting each of the doors of the double doors to said front end wall, and (E) acoustic panels on each door of the double doors; b) a rear end wall having (1) an inside surface, (2) an outside surface, (3) a bottom edge that is located on the ground when said rear end wall is in a set-up configuration, (4) a top edge spaced apart from the bottom edge of said rear end wall, (5) a longitudinal axis extending between the top edge of said rear end wall and the bottom edge of said rear end wall, (6) a first side edge, (7) a second side edge, (8) a transverse axis extending between the first side edge of said rear end wall and the second side edge of said rear end wall, (9) a plurality of studs on the inside surface of said rear end wall and extending from the top edge of said rear end wall to the bottom edge of said rear end wall, the studs being spaced apart from each other in the direction of the transverse axis of said rear end wall, (10) a plurality of acoustic panels mounted on the inside surface of said rear end wall between the studs with each acoustic panel being located between adjacent studs on said rear end wall, (11) a length dimension extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the top edge to the bottom edge of said rear end wall, (12) a width dimension extending in the direction of the transverse axis from the first side edge of said rear end wall to the second side edge of said rear end wall, (13) an opening through said rear end wall and being defined by (A) a bottom edge, (B) a first side spaced from the first side edge of said rear end wall in the direction of the transverse axis of said rear end wall, (C) a second side spaced from the second side edge of said rear end wall in the direction of the transverse axis of said rear end wall, (D) a top edge which extends in the direction of the transverse axis of said rear end wall between the first side of the opening and the second side of the opening and is spaced apart from the top edge of said rear end wall in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said rear end wall, (E) a width dimension which extends between the first side of the opening and the second side of the opening in the direction of the transverse axis of said rear end wall, and (F) a length dimension which extends between the top edge of the opening and the bottom of the opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said rear end wall, (14) a shroud unit on said rear end wall and which includes (A) a front wall spaced apart from the outside surface of said rear end wall which includes (i) an inside surface which is spaced apart from the outside surface of said rear end wall, (ii) a first side edge which is spaced apart from the first side of the opening in said rear end wall, (iii) a second side edge which is spaced apart from the second side of the opening in said rear end wall, (iv) a transverse axis extending between the first side edge of the front wall of the shroud unit and the second side edge of the shroud unit, (v) a top edge which is spaced apart from the top edge of the opening of said rear end wall and spaced apart from the outside surface of said rear end wall, (vi) a bottom edge that is spaced apart from the ground when the shroud unit is in the set-up configuration and is spaced apart from the bottom edge of said rear end wall, (vii) a longitudinal axis extending between the top edge of the front wall of said shroud unit and the bottom edge of the front wall of said shroud unit, (viii) a width dimension measured in the direction of the transverse axis of the front wall of said shroud unit, with the width dimension of the front wall of said shroud unit being greater than the width dimension of the opening in said rear end wall, (ix) a length dimension measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the front wall of said shroud unit, with the length dimension of the front wall of said shroud unit being less than the length dimension of the opening in the rear end wall, (x) a first air intake gap defined between the first side edge of the front wall of the shroud unit and the first side of the opening in said rear end wall, and (xi) a second air intake gap defined between the second side edge of the front wall of the shroud unit and the second side of the opening in said rear end wall, (B) a top wall connecting the top edge of the front wall of the shroud unit to the outside surface of said rear end wall adjacent to the top edge of the opening in said rear end wall, the top wall of said shroud unit sloping toward the bottom edge of the front wall of said shroud unit, (C) support struts on the front wall of said shroud unit, each support strut including a proximal end fixed to the inside surface of the front wall of the shroud unit and extending toward said rear end wall, the support struts converging toward each other from the proximal ends and having distal ends spaced apart from the proximal ends, the support struts being spaced apart from each other, (D) an intake air duct unit on said rear wall and including (i) a first duct unit side wall having a proximal end located adjacent to said rear end wall and a distal end spaced apart from the inside surface of said rear end wall, (ii) a second duct unit side wall having a proximal end located adjacent to said rear end wall and a distal end spaced apart from the inside surface of said rear end wall, (iii) a duct unit top wall having a proximal end located adjacent to said rear end wall and a distal end spaced apart from the inside surface of said rear end wall, (iv) a duct unit bottom wall having a proximal end located adjacent to said rear end wall and a distal end spaced apart from the inside surface of said rear end wall, (v) the distal ends of the duct unit first side wall, the duct unit second side wall, the duct unit top wall and the duct unit bottom wall all being coplanar with each other and defining an air intake duct opening that is spaced apart from the inner surface of said rear end wall, and (vi) an intake air path defined between the first and second air intake gaps of the shroud unit and the air intake duct opening; c) an intake air fan located near the air intake duct opening to be in fluid communication with the intake air path of the shroud unit; d) a first side wall extending between said front end wall and said rear end wall and having (1) an inside surface, (2) an outside surface, (3) a bottom edge that is located on the ground when said first side wall is in a set-up configuration, (4) a top edge spaced apart from the bottom edge of said first side wall, (5) a longitudinal axis extending between the top edge of said first side wall and the bottom edge of said first side wall, (6) a first side edge, (7) a second side edge, (8) a transverse axis extending between the first side edge of the first side wall and the second side edge of the first side wall, (9) a plurality of studs on the inside surface of said first side wall and extending from the top edge of said first end wall to the bottom edge of said first side wall, the studs being spaced apart from each other in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall, (10) a length dimension extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said first side wall from the top edge of said first side wall to the bottom edge of said first side wall, (11) a width dimension extending in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall from the first side edge of said first side wall to the second side edge of said first side wall, (12) a first front corner located between the first side edge of said first side wall and the first side edge of said front end wall, (13) a first rear corner located between the second side edge of said first side wall and the first side edge of said rear end wall, (14) a plurality of offset sections in said first side wall, each offset section including (A) an inside surface, (B) an outside surface, (C) two studs on the inside surface of the offset section, (D) a first side edge extending between the top edge of said first side wall and the bottom edge of said first side wall, (E) a second side edge extending between the top edge of said first side wall and the bottom edge of said first side wall and spaced apart from the first side edge of the offset section in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall, (15) said plurality of offset sections including (A) a first corner section located adjacent to the first corner defined between said first side wall and said front end wall and having a first corner section first side edge located at the first corner defined between said first side wall and said front end wall, and a first corner section second side edge spaced apart from the first corner section first side edge in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall, (B) a second corner section located adjacent to the first rear corner defined between the second edge of said side wall and the first side edge of said rear end wall and having a second corner section first side edge located at the first rear corner defined between said first side wall and said rear end wall, and a second corner section second side edge spaced apart from the second corner section first side edge in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall, (16) the outside surface of the first corner section being coplanar with the outside surface of the second corner section, (17) the studs on the first corner section and on the second corner section having inside surfaces that are spaced apart from the inside surface of the first corner section and the second corner section, (18) a first corner section acoustic panel mounted on the inside surfaces of the studs on the first corner section, (19) a second corner section acoustic panel mounted on the inside surfaces of the studs on the second corner section, (20) a first intermediate offset section positioned between the first corner section and the second corner section, the first intermediate offset section including (A) an inside surface, (B) an outside surface, (C) two studs on the inside surface of the first intermediate offset section, (D) a first intermediate offset section first side edge, (E) a first intermediate offset section second side edge which is spaced apart from the first intermediate section first side edge in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall, (F) a first intermediate offset section top edge that is coplanar with the top edge of said first side wall, (G) a first intermediate offset section bottom edge that is coplanar with the bottom edge of said first side wall, (H) an acoustic panel mounted on the inside surface of the first intermediate offset section between the two studs of the first intermediate offset section, (21) a second intermediate offset section positioned between the first corner section and the second corner section, the second intermediate offset section including (A) an inside surface, (B) an outside surface, (C) two studs on the inside surface of the second intermediate offset section, each of the two studs on the inside surface of the second intermediate offset section having an inside surface that is spaced apart from the inside surface of the second intermediate offset section, (D) a second intermediate offset section first side edge, (E) a second intermediate offset section second side edge which is spaced apart from the second intermediate offset section first side edge in the direction of the transverse axis of said first side wall, (F) a second intermediate offset section top edge that is coplanar with the top edge of said first side wall, (G) a second intermediate offset section bottom edge that is coplanar with the bottom edge of said first side wall, (H) an acoustic panel mounted on the inside surfaces of the studs on the inside surface of the second intermediate offset section and spaced apart from the inside surface of the second intermediate offset section, (22) the outside surface of the intermediate offset section adjacent to the first corner section being spaced apart from the acoustic panel on the first corner section in the direction of the transverse axis of said front end wall and defining a first side wall exit air gap between the first intermediate offset section and the first corner section, (23) the outside surface of the second offset section being spaced apart from the acoustic panel on the second corner section to define a second side wall exit air gap between the first intermediate offset section and the second intermediate offset section, (24) the outside surface of the second intermediate offset section being coplanar with the outside surfaces of the first and second corner sections, and (25) a third intermediate offset section which is identical to the first intermediate offset section and which includes a first side edge located near the second side edge of the second intermediate offset section, the outside surface of the third intermediate offset section being spaced apart from the acoustic panel on the second intermediate offset section and defining a third side wall exit air gap between the second intermediate offset section and the third intermediate offset section, the outside surface of the third intermediate offset section being coplanar with the outside surface of the first intermediate offset section; e) a second side wall extending between said front end wall and said rear end wall and having a plurality of offset panels and a plurality of exit air gaps defined between adjacent offset panels, with adjacent panels of said second side wall being offset from each other in the direction of the transverse axis of said front end wall, with odd number panels having outside surfaces that are coplanar with each other and even number panels having outside surfaces that are coplanar with each other; f) a roof on the top edges of the front end wall and the rear end wall, said roof including (1) a first roof section having (A) an inside surface, (B) an outside surface, (C) a proximal end fixed to said first side wall, (D) a distal end spaced apart from said first side wall in the direction of the transverse axis of said front end wall, and (E) a plurality of acoustic panels mounted on the inside surface of the first roof section, (2) a second roof section having (A) an inside surface, (B) an outside surface, (C) a proximal end fixed to said second side wall, (D) a distal end spaced apart from said second side wall in the direction of the transverse axis of said front end wall, and (E) a plurality of acoustic panels mounted on the inside surface of the second roof section, (3) the distal end of the first roof section being spaced apart from the distal end of the second roof section and defining a roof exit air gap, (4) a plurality of roof exit air gap covering walls which include (A) a front supporting end wall on the top edge of said front end wall, (B) a rear supporting end wall on the top edge of said rear end wall, (C) a first covering wall extending from the front supporting end wall to the rear supporting end wall and spaced apart from the distal ends of the first and second roof sections and spaced apart from the outside surfaces of the first and second roof sections, the first covering wall including a distal end and a proximal end, (D) a second covering wall extending from the front supporting end wall to the rear supporting end wall and spaced apart from the distal ends of the first and second roof sections and spaced apart from the outside surfaces of the first and second roof sections, the second covering wall including a distal end and a proximal end, with the proximal end of the second covering wall engaging the proximal end of the first covering wall, (E) a first roof exit air gap located between the first covering wall and the outside surface of the first roof section, and (F) a second roof exit air gap located between the second covering wall and the outside surface of the second roof section; g) a plurality of lifting eyes attached to said side walls; and h) a plurality of anchors with each anchor including (1) an earth anchor embedded in the earth when in the set-up configuration of the anchor, (2) a wall attachment element attached to one of the first and second side walls in the set-up configuration of the anchor, and (3) a tether connecting the earth anchor to the wall attachment element in the set-up configuration of the anchor.
- 2. The static structure as described in claim 1 further including a supporting pallet interposed between the bottom edges of said rear end wall, said front end wall and said side walls and the ground in the set-up configuration.
- 3. A static structure for housing a gasoline engine comprising:a) a front end wall; b) a rear end wall; c) a door in said front end wall; d) a shroud unit on said rear end wall; e) a roof; f) a first side wall; g) a second side wall; h) a plurality of offset sections in both said first side wall and said second side wall, each offset section of said plurality of offset sections being spaced apart from offset sections immediately adjacent thereto; i) an air exit gap defined between each offset section and the offset sections adjacent thereto; j) an air exit gap defined through said roof; k) an air intake duct connected to said shroud unit; l) an air intake fan fluidically connected to said air intake duct, m) an acoustic panel mounted on each offset section; n) a plurality of acoustic panels mounted on said roof; and o) an inlet air gap defined between said shroud unit and said rear wall, with said inlet air gap being fluidically connected to said air intake duct.
US Referenced Citations (25)
