Patent Application
20240401842
This disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) unit. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a forklift receptacle integrated into the HVACR unit for loading and unloading the HVACR unit from a transporting vehicle.
An HVACR unit can include a circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. At the HVACR unit manufacturer, the assembled HVACR unit can be placed on the floor of a warehouse spaces. The HVACR unit can be loaded onto a truck, transported to the site of the user, and unloaded to be installed.
This disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) unit. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a forklift receptacle integrated into the HVACR unit for loading and unloading the HVACR unit from a transporting vehicle.
The HVACR unit can be arranged to be frequently transported between the manufacturer and one or more users, e.g., in an HVACR rental service. HVACR units can loaded and unloaded into a transporting vehicle by any lifting equipment such as a forklift, a crane, or the like. Forklifts are generally more available in industrial setting and more suitable for being transported with the HVACR unit than a crane system.
The transporting vehicle can be a flatbed truck having a bed or deck integrated to the truck or included in a detachable trailer of the truck. The bed or deck of a flatbed truck can be configured to transport cargo. Under current Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, maximum cargo dimensions allowable on a flatbed truck is 24 feet (length) by 102 inches (width) by 102 inches (height), or 7315.2 millimeters (mm) (length) by 2590.8 mm (width) by 2590.8 mm (height). A stepped bed truck, having a bed or a section of the bed closer to the ground, can transport cargo that is taller than 102 inches. However, a stepped bed truck is less available than flatbed trucks such that the logistic efficiency of transporting cargo can be lower and costs can be higher.
Some HVACR unit designs have a height of 2500 mm, marginally smaller than the maximum allowable height of 2590.8 mm. The length of such HVACR units can be at or above 5813 mm, or 7155 mm. Such HVACR units can have capacity of at or above 120, 140, 160, 180, or 200 tons (nominal), characterized, e.g., by its compressor capacity. Such HVACR units can have a weight of at least 10,000 lbs., 12,000 lbs., 14,000 lbs., 15,000 lbs., 17,000 lbs., or more.
Standard pallets have a height of 6.5 inches (about 165.1 mm), and a minimum height of the opening for receiving a tine of a forklift is 127 mm. With an HVACR unit generally having a height of about 2500 mm, when stacked on a pallet, the overall height can exceed the height limit of 2590.8 mm allowable by DOT. By integrating the forklift receptacle into the frame of an HVACR unit, the overall height of the HVACR unit and forklift receptacle can be within DOT requirement and suitable for being transported on flatbed trucks.
HVACR units are generally designed to be rested on a support surface, e.g., on the roof, the ground, the bed of a truck, a pallet, or the like. A bottom frame member of HVACR units are configured to evenly transfer weight to the support surface. A plurality of lifting plates or crane lugs can be located evenly across the HVAVR unit for lifting or hoisting the HVACR unit with a crane. When lifted by a forklift, the HVACR unit should support its weight at the forklift receptacle through corresponding lateral supporting structures, for controlling deflection on the base member due to the weight of the components of the HVACR units. The forklift receptacle is generally narrower than the spacing of the lifting plates or crane lugs, such that the weight on the end of the HVACR unit can cause more deflection to the HVACR unit.
The forklift receptacle can include one or more openings for receiving tines of a forklift. A distance between the centers of a first opening and a center of a second opening for receiving tines of a forklift (“a center-to-center distance”) can be between 54 inches and 60 inches, or 1371.6 mm to 1524 mm. In an embodiment, each of the openings for receiving one of the tines of a forklift is at least 4 inches (tall) by 10 inches (wide), or 127 by 245 mm. The forklift receptacle is configured be overlapped, in the longitudinal direction of the HVACR unit, with a center of mass of the HVACR unit for stability in transport by forklifts. In an embodiment, the forklift receptacle is configured to have a midpoint overlapping with the center of mass of the HVACR unit for stability in transport by forklifts.
In an embodiment, an HVACR unit is disclosed. The HVACR unit includes a circuit that includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and an expander. A heat exchanger assembly includes a fan and one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the fan being configured to draw air through the heat exchanger assembly for exchanging thermal energy with a working fluid in the circuit. A frame includes a unit support disposed on a base, the unit support being configured to laterally support the heat exchanger assembly, and the base being configured to vertically support the heat exchanger assembly. A forklift receptacle is disposed in the HVACR unit. The forklift receptacle includes one or more channels configured to respectively receive one or more tines of a forklift for lifting the HVACR unit, and the forklift receptacle overlaps with a center of mass of the HVACR unit in a longitudinal direction of the HVACR unit.
In an embodiment, a first channel of the one or more channels includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end relative to the tubular body; a pocket disposed in the tubular body; and an opening disposed on the first end of the tubular body and configured to receive a first tine of the one or more tines of the forklift into the pocket. In an embodiment, the base includes a unit base and a forklift base, the unit base is at least partially recessed into the forklift base, the forklift receptacle is disposed in the forklift base.
In an embodiment, the base includes a unit base and a forklift base. The forklift receptacle is disposed in the unit support of the frame. The unit base is attached to the unit support.
In an embodiment, the unit base includes two side members connected to two end members, and one or more support beams spanned across and attached to the two side members. The forklift base includes two side members connected to two end members. The one or more channels is spanned across and attached to the two side members of the forklift base, and one or more cutouts is disposed on a bottom side of the two side members of the unit base. The one or more cutouts is configured to respectively fit over the one or more channels of the forklift receptacle.
In an embodiment, the unit base includes one or more splice plates disposed respectively over the one or more cutouts.
In an embodiment, the forklift base includes a first guide plate attached to a first side member of the two side members of the forklift base; and a second guide plate attached to a second side member of the two side members of the forklift base. A distance between a top of the first guide plate and a top of the second guide plate is longer than a distance between a lower section of the first guide plate and a lower section of the second guide plate such that the unit base, being lowered from above the forklift base, is guided toward a center of the forklift base by the first guide plate or the second guide plate.
In an embodiment, the base includes one or more connector plates configured to attach the unit base to the forklift base.
In an embodiment, the forklift base includes one or more crane lugs disposed on the forklift base configured to receive a cable for hoisting the HVACR unit.
In an embodiment, a height of the HVACR unit is smaller than or equal to 102 inches, and a width of the HVACR unit is smaller than or equal to 102 inches.
In an embodiment, a first channel of the one or more channels is configured to receive a first tine of the one or more tines of the forklift; and a second channel of the one or more channels is configured to receive a second tine of the one or more tines the forklift. The first channel and the second channel are disposed to overlap longitudinally with the center of mass of the HVACR unit.
In an embodiment, a distance between a center of the first channel and a center of the second channel is between 54 inches and 60 inches.
In an embodiment, the pocket is at least 5 inches tall and at least 10 inches wide.
In an embodiment, the HVACR unit includes a counterweight receptacle configured to receive a counterweight configured to adjust the center of mass of the HVACR unit to a center of the forklift receptacle in the longitudinal direction.
In an embodiment, a method for transporting an HVACR unit. The method includes providing a forklift receptacle in the HVACR unit, the forklift receptacle includes one or more channels for receiving one or more tines of a forklift, and the forklift receptacle overlapping with a center of mass of the HVACR unit in a longitudinal direction of the HVACR unit; inserting the one or more tines of the forklift respectively into the one or more channels of the forklift receptacle; raising the one or more tines of the forklift to lift the HVACR unit by the forklift receptacle. The HVACR unit includes a circuit having a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and an expander; and a heat exchanger assembly having a fan and one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the fan being configured to draw air through the heat exchanger assembly for exchanging thermal energy with a working fluid in the circuit. The method includes loading the HVACR unit into a bed of a truck or a trailer.
In an embodiment, the forklift receptacle is disposed in a base of a frame of the HVACR unit; and the base includes a unit base and a forklift base. The method includes lowering the unit base to be at least partially recessed in the forklift base such that: a height of the HVACR unit is smaller than or equal to 102 inches; and the forklift receptacle is supporting a weight of the HVACR unit, through the forklift base, when the HVACR unit is lifted by the forklift receptacle.
In an embodiment, the method includes guiding the lowering of the unit base, by a first guide plate and a second guide plate disposed on the forklift base, toward a center of the forklift base.
In an embodiment, the forklift receptacle is disposed in a unit support of a frame of the HVACR unit, and the forklift receptacle is configured to vertically support a weight of the HVACR unit, through the unit support of the frame, when the HVACR unit is lifted.
In an embodiment, the method includes attaching a counterweight to a counterweight receptacle on the HVACR unit; and adjusting a weight of the counterweight so that the center of mass of the HVACR unit is located at a center of the forklift receptacle in the longitudinal direction of the HVACR unit.
In an embodiment, the method includes unloading the HVACR unit from the bed of the flatbed truck using at the forklift receptacle.
References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described in this specification can be practiced.
Like reference numbers represent like parts throughout.
This disclosure relates generally to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) unit. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a forklift receptacle integrated into the HVACR unit for loading and unloading the HVACR unit from a transporting vehicle.
The circuit 10 is exemplary and can include additional components. For example, in an embodiment, the circuit 10 includes other components such as, but not limited to, an economizer heat exchanger, one or more flow control devices, a receiver tank, a dryer, a suction-liquid heat exchanger, or the like. In embodiments, the circuit 10 can be configured to perform a single stage, two stages, or more than two stages of vapor-compression cycle(s).
The compressor 12, the condenser 14, the expander 16, and the evaporator 18 are fluidly connected by a working fluid. In an embodiment, the circuit 10 can be configured to be a cooling system (e.g., an air conditioning system) capable of operating in a cooling mode. In an embodiment, the circuit 10 can be configured to be a heat pump system that can operate in both a cooling mode and a heating/defrost mode.
The circuit 10 can operate according to generally known principles. The circuit 10 can be configured to heat or cool a liquid process fluid (e.g., a heat transfer fluid or medium such as, but not limited to, water, glycol, or the like), in which case the circuit 10 may be generally representative of a liquid chiller system. The circuit 10 can alternatively be configured to heat or cool a gaseous process fluid (e.g., a heat transfer medium or fluid such as, but not limited to, air or the like), in which case the circuit 10 may be generally representative of an air conditioner or heat pump.
In operation, the compressor 12 compresses a working fluid (e.g., a heat transfer fluid such as a refrigerant or the like) from a relatively lower pressure gas to a relatively higher-pressure gas. The relatively higher-pressure gas is also at a relatively higher temperature, which is discharged from the compressor 12 and flows through the condenser 14. In an embodiment, the condenser 14 and/or the evaporator 18 can include a plurality of heat exchanging coils connected in series or parallel.
As illustrated in
The circuit 150 is configured to provide climate control to a controlled space. In an embodiment, the circuit 150 includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and an expander (shown in
In an embodiment, corresponding components of the circuit 150 can be included in the HVACR unit 100. Corresponding components can include one or more controllers, sensors, pumps, fluid control devices, conduits, conduit couplings, connecters, safety devices, and/or the like.
The frame 160 provides a structure for supporting some or all of the circuit 150 and its corresponding components. In an embodiment, the frame 160 includes a unit support 165 disposed on a base 166. The unit support 165 can be an upper portion of the frame 160 for providing support in the lateral and/or longitudinal direction for the heat exchanger assembly 170, the corresponding components, or the like. The unit support 165 can be configured to transfer weight to the base 166 to provide vertical support. The base 166 is a lower portion of the frame 160 for providing vertical support, e.g., for the heat exchanger assembly 170, the corresponding components, or the like. In an embodiment, the frame 160 supports, at least, the compressor, the condenser, the evaporator, and the expander of the circuit 150. In an embodiment, the lateral direction can be X, the longitudinal direction can be Y, and the vertical direction can be Z as shown in
The one or more heat exchanger assemblies 170 can each be configured to include one or more fans 175 and one or more heat exchangers 178 for the working fluid to exchange thermal energy with the air. The one or more heat exchanger assemblies 170 can be supported by the frame 160. As illustrated in the embodiment of
The heat exchanger assembly 170 includes the heat exchanger 178 and one or more fans 175. It is appreciated that the heat exchanger 178 can include one or more heat exchanging units or sections for exchanging thermal energy. In an embodiment of the HVACR unit 100 being configured to be a chiller that can be operated in a cooling mode, the heat exchanger 178 in the heat exchanger assembly 170 is operated as an evaporator. In another embodiment of the HVACR unit 100 being configured to be a heat pump that can be operated in a cooling mode, or a heating/defrosting mode. In such embodiment, the heat exchanger 178 in the heat exchanger assembly 170 is operated as an evaporator in a cooling mode, or a condenser in a heating or defrosting mode.
The one or more fans 175 is configured to draw air through the heat exchanger assembly 170 for exchanging thermal energy with the working fluid. In the illustrative example of
The forklift receptacle 180 is included in the HVACR unit 100 and configured to receive one or more tines of a forklift for lifting the HVACR unit 100. The forklift can lift the HVACR unit 100 with the tines at the forklift receptacle 180. The forklift receptacle 180 can include one or more channels (e.g., channels 182, 186) arranged to respectively received the one or more tines of a forklift. In the illustrative example of
The forklift receptacle 180 is integrated into HVACR unit 100. In an embodiment, the forklift receptacle 180 is located in the frame 160, with corresponding supporting structures for lifting the HVACR unit 100 at the forklift receptacle 180 located in the frame 160. In another embodiment, the forklift receptacle 180 is located in the base 166 of the frame 160. In yet another embodiment, the forklift receptacle 180 is located in the forklift base 190.
In an embodiment, the base 166 of the frame 160 includes a unit base 168. The unit base 168 is configured to vertically support the HVACR unit 100. In an embodiment, the unit base 168 provides such vertical support by distributing the weight of the HVACR unit 100 to a support surface, when the HVACR unit 100 is placed on a support surface (e.g., a ground, a rooftop, a bed of a truck or the like).
In an embodiment, the unit base 168 is configured to support the weight of the HVACR unit 100 when suspended by a forklift receptacle 180 disposed in the frame 160, or the unit support 165 of the frame 160, for lifting the HVACR unit 100. In such embodiment, the frame 160 can include reinforcement members connecting the forklift receptacle 180 to the unit base 168, the unit support 165, or the like, so that the weight HVACR unit 100 can be suspended at the forklift receptacle 180 without damages, for example, from frame deflections.
In another embodiment, the base 166 includes a unit base 168 and a forklift base 190. The unit based 168 is configured to transfer the weight of the HVACR unit 100 across the forklift base 190. The forklift base 190 is configured to support the weight of in the HVACR unit 100 when the HVACR unit 100 is lifted by the forklift receptacle 180. The forklift base 190 can be included in the HVACR unit 100 for providing vertical support for the HVACR unit 100, for reducing deflection of the HVACR unit 100, and/or for including the forklift receptacle 180. The forklift base 190 is configured to receive the frame 160 such that the frame 160, and/or the unit base 168, is recessed at least partially into the forklift base 190.
It is appreciated that, the HVACR unit 100 operates the circuit 10 to exchange thermal energy with a process fluid (e.g., air, water, glycol, combinations thereof, or the like). The HVACR unit 100 can be an air-cooled chiller in an embodiment. In such embodiment, the circuit 150 can be configured to cool the process fluid. In another embodiment, the HVACR unit 100 can be configured to be an air conditioner or heat pump. In such embodiment, the circuit 150 can be configured to heat or cool the process fluid. The circuit 10 can be applied in a variety of systems to provide climate control (e.g., controlling temperature, humidity, air quality, or the like) to a controlled space. The controlled space can be a room, an office, a house, a building, a warehouse, a factory, a commercial building, and the like. An HVACR unit 100, having the circuit 10, can be disposed remotely from the controlled space. For example, the HVACR unit can be located on the ground next to, or on the roof of, a building for providing climate control for an interior of the building through air duct(s). In an embodiment, the HVACR unit 100 can be a packaged unit that contains, in a frame or housing, at least the compressor, the condenser, the evaporator, and the expander of the circuit 150 for providing climate control to the controlled space.
The unit support 165 includes one or more supporting members 167 that, e.g., connects the one or more heat exchanger assemblies 170 to the frame 160, and/or providing supports in the lateral direction, the longitudinal direction, and/or the vertical direction of the HVACR unit 100.
The forklift base 190 can be included in the HVACR unit 100 for providing vertical support for the HVACR unit 100, for reducing deflection of the HVACR unit 100, and/or for including the forklift receptacle 180. The unit base 168 (obstructed) extends into and is supported by the forklift base 190. For example, such vertical support can be provided when the HVACR unit 100 is lifted by a forklift such that, the forklift receptacle 180 being the contact point(s) providing a lifting force, and the other part of the HVACR unit 100 is suspended in air.
In another embodiment, the forklift receptacle 180A can be disposed in the frame 160, or the unit support 165, for providing vertical support for the HVACR unit 100, for reducing deflection of the HVACR unit 100, and/or for including the forklift receptacle 180.
The HVACR unit 100 has a height H. In an embodiment, the height H is defined as a vertical distance from a bottom of the HVACR unit 100 to the top of the HVACR unit 100. The bottom of HVACR unit 100 can be the bottom surface of the forklift base 190, the top of the HVACR unit 100 can be the highest point of the fan housing 176. The height H is at or about, or less than, 2590.8 mm or 102 inches. In an embodiment, the height H is at or about, or more than 2500 mm. In an example, a distance between the highest point of the fan housing 176 to the bottom of the unit base 168 can be at or about 2500 mm.
As shown in
A plurality of crane lugs 416 are disposed on the first side member 415 and the second side member 420 respectively. The crane lugs 416 can be one or more lifting plates providing anchor points that are suitable for receiving and attaching one or more cables for crane lifting. It is appreciated that, in an embodiment, the crane lugs 416 disposed on the second side member 420 are obstructed by the second side member 420. In an embodiment, the crane lugs 416 are attached to an outer side 417 of the first side member 415 and the second side member 420.
A plurality of guide plates 418 are disposed on the first side member 415 and the second side member 420 respectively. In the view of
One or more position limiters 426 can be disposed on the first end member 425. The limiters 426 can be configured to control the longitudinal position of, e.g., the unit base (shown in
The internal support assembly 450 includes one or more cross supports 451 and/or corner supports 455 for providing rigidity to the forklift base 400. The cross supports 451 are disposed across and attached to the first side member 415 and the second member 420. The corner supports 455 are configured to be attached to one of the side members 415, 420 to one of the end members 425, 430. In an embodiment, the cross supports 451 and/or the corner supports 455 are arranged to provide vertical support to the weight of the HVACR unit, and transferring the weight from the supports 451, 455, to the side members 415, 420, and to the forklift receptacle 480.
The forklift receptacle 480 spans across and attaches to the first side member 415 and the second side member 420. In an embodiment, the forklift receptacle 480 can be the forklift receptacle 180 as shown and described with respect to
It is appreciated that, in an embodiment, the forklift receptacle 480 can have any shape so long as the channel(s) can receive the tine(s) of a forklift that is suitable to support the weight of the HVACR system, and stably transporting, loading, and unloading the HVACR unit to a flatbed truck.
It is further appreciated that, one or more, or all, of the members 415, 420, 425, and 430, and the support members 451, 455 can be an I-beam or C-channel beam to provide rigidity for forklift base 400 to support the weight of the HVACR unit (e.g., HVACR unit 100 of
As shown in
The first side member 561 and the second side member 562 can be two rails configured for connecting the end members 563, the interior support assembly 570, and/or the unit support 510.
The unit support 510 includes one or more supporting members 520 configured to support, for example, the heat exchanger assemblies 170 of
The supporting members 520 includes a plurality of corner poles 525, a plurality of internal poles 528, and a plurality of angled braces 530 for reinforcing the corner poles 525 and/or the internal poles 528.
As shown in
As shown in
The unit base 600 includes one or more cross supports 605 spans access and attaches to the first side member 561 and the second side member 562. One or more support rails 606 is disposed between the cross supports 605 and/or the end members 563, 564. One or more angled supports 607 can be disposed between the side members 561, 562, the end members 563, 564, the cross supports 605, and/or the support rails 606.
The cross supports 605, support rails 606, and/or the angled supports 607 are configured to support HVACR unit components and/or to transfer the weight to other members in the base of the HVACR unit. In an embodiment, one or more the cross supports 605 can be configured to rest on the cross support of the forklift base and the forklift receptacle (e.g., cross support 451 in
One or more cutouts 610 is disposed on a bottom side of the two side members 561, 562 of the unit base 600, the one or more cutouts 610 is configured to respectively fit over the forklift receptacle (e.g., forklift receptacle 480 of
One or more splice plates 620 is disposed respectively over the one or more cutouts 610 from above the cutouts 610. The one or more cross supports 605 can be disposed over the splice plates 620 for attaching the first side member 561 and/or the second side member 562 via the splice plates 620.
A plurality of crane lugs 630 disposed on the first side member 561 and second side member 562. The crane lugs 630 can be holes in the side members 561, 562 that provide anchor points for receiving and attaching one or more cables for crane lifting.
As shown in
As shown in
The embodiment of
The embodiment of
The embodiment of
The embodiment of
As illustrate in
In an embodiment, the forklift receptacle can be arranged such that a center of mass is near the middle of the two channels such that the respective weights supported by each of the channels are within 10% of one another, or within 5% of one another.
The overall length of HVACR units can generally be 200 inches to 24 feet. The channels of the forklift receptacle are disposed closer to the center due to (1) the center-to-center distance being 54 to 60 inches, (2) the center of mass of the HVACR unit being at or near the middle from the two ends (shown, e.g., in
Any one of aspects 1-14 can be combined with any one of aspects 15-20.
Aspect 1. An HVACR unit, comprising:
The terminology used in this specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.
With regard to the preceding description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This specification and the embodiments described are exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202321366744.6 | May 2023 | CN | national |
