AU2019203882A1

AU2019203882A1 - Generator housing and generator assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2019203882A1
Application number: AU2019203882A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Vincent Keogh
Original assignee: LAA Industries Pty Ltd
Current assignee: LAA Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-01-28
Filing date: 2019-06-03
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-28
Also published as: AU2015200395A1; AU2019203882B2

Abstract

Abstract A generator assembly 10 comprises a base containment 20, a fuel tank 30 disposed within the base containment 20, a base plate 40 and a canopy 50. The base containment 20 comprises a base wall 21 and four side walls 22 which define a rectangular receiving space 23 having an open top. The fuel tank 30 is dimensioned to fit within the receiving space 23. The base plate 40 comprises attachment holes 45 along its edges for attachment to the base containment. Components 60 of the generator assembly 10 are mounted to the upper surface of the base plate 40. The canopy 50 comprises a top wall 51, and downwardly extending side walls which define an internal space 83 which receives the components 60. 24' FIGURE 2 26

Description

GENERATOR HOUSING AND GENERATOR ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a generator housing, and a generator assembly with the housing.

Background of the Invention [2] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[3] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [4] The present invention provides a generator assembly comprising:

a base section comprising:

a base containment having a base wall and four side walls which define a receiving space, the base containment having upright corner structure members with container corners at their lower ends, a fuel tank disposed within the base containment, and a base plate mounted to the base containment, wherein the fuel tank is substantially enclosed by the base containment and the base plate, and components of the generator assembly are mounted to the base plate, and a removable canopy mounted to the base section, the canopy comprising a top wall and downwardly extending side walls which define an internal space for receiving the components, the canopy further comprising upright corner structure members having container corners at their upper ends, and wherein the corner structure members of the canopy are respectively aligned with the corner structure members of the base containment.

[5] Preferably, the canopy is mounted to the base section only at its lower peripheral portions.

[6] Preferably, the base containment comprises forklift tyne openings [7] Preferably, a top wall of the fuel tank is substantially aligned or below an upper edge of the base containment.

2019203882 03 Jun 2019 [8] Preferably, the base plate comprises a generally planar body having mounting formations for components of the generator assembly.

[9] Preferably, the base containment provides base and perimeter protection for the fuel tank.

[10] Preferably, the components of the generator assembly comprise an engine, a radiator, an alternator, and an exhaust manifold.

[11] Preferably, the components are mounted within an envelope which extends upwardly from the base section and generally inwardly of the edges of the base section.

[12] Preferably, the components comprise a utilities panel which extends upwardly and substantially aligned with a side edge of the base section.

[13] Preferably, one side wall of the canopy provides an opening for receiving a utilities panel.

[14] Preferably, one side wall of the canopy comprises access doors for accessing the components.

[15] Preferably, the generator assembly comprises external attachment brackets.

[16] Preferably, the utilities panel comprises a fuel inlet.

[17] Preferably, the base section comprises at least one secondary fuel inlet.

[18] Preferably, the base section comprises at least two or three secondary fuel inlets.

[19] Preferably, the base plate comprises a perimeter raised edge which directs any spilt fuel/hydrocarbons into the base containment.

[20] The present invention also provides a generator housing comprising:

a base section comprising:

a base containment having a base wall and four side walls which define a receiving space, the base containment having upright corner structure members with container corners at their lower ends, a fuel tank disposed within the base containment, and a base plate mounted to the base containment, wherein the fuel tank is substantially enclosed by the base containment and the base plate, and components of the generator assembly are to be mounted to the base plate, and a removable canopy mounted to the base section, the canopy comprising a top wall and downwardly extending side walls which define an internal space for receiving the

2019203882 03 Jun 2019 components, the canopy further comprising upright corner structure members having container corners at their upper ends, and wherein the corner structure members of the canopy are respectively aligned with the corner structure members of the base containment.

[21] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [22] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[23] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a generator assembly in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a base containment for the generator assembly of Figure 1;

[25] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fuel tank for the generator assembly of Figure 1;

[26] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a base plate for the generator assembly of Figure 1;

[27] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled base containment, fuel tank, base plate and other components of the generator assembly of Figure 1;

[28] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a canopy for the generator assembly of Figure 1;

[29] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the canopy mounted to the assembly of Figure 5;

[30] Fig. 8 shows brackets attached to the assembly of Figure 7.

Description of Embodiments [31] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[32] Figures 1 shows a generator assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The generator assembly 10 comprises a base containment 20, a fuel tank 30 (shown in Figure 3 and disposed within the base containment 20), a base plate 40 and a canopy 50.

[33] Figure 2 shows the base containment 20 which comprises a base wall 21 and four side walls 22 which define a rectangular receiving space 23 therebetween having an open top. The base wall 21 is raised and the base containment 20 is formed with forklift tyne openings 24 at a lower section thereof which extend below the base wall 21. The base containment 20 also

2019203882 03 Jun 2019 comprises upright corner structure members 25 having container corners 26 at its lower ends. The base containment 20 in the embodiment is made from metal.

[34] Figure 3 shows the fuel tank 30 which comprises a hollow generally rectangular prism container. The fuel tank 30 is dimensioned to fit within the receiving space 23 of the base containment 20. When received therein, a top wall 31 of the fuel tank 30 is substantially aligned or below an upper edge 27 of the side walls 22. The top wall 31 comprises a number of protrusion openings 33 which act as inlets and outlets for the fuel tank 30. The fuel tank 30 is made from metal or plastics material.

[35] Figure 4 shows the base plate 40 which comprises a generally planar body having a number of openings 42 therein through which the protrusion openings 33 of the fuel tank 30 extend through. The base plate 40 also comprises mounting formations 44 for mounting components of the generator assembly thereto. The base plate 40 further comprises attachment holes 45 along its edges for attachment to the base containment, and corner cutouts 47. The base plate comprises a perimeter raised edge 49 which directs any spilt fuel/hydrocarbons into the base containment 20. The base plate 40 in the example is made from metal.

[36] Figure 5 shows the assembled base containment 20, fuel tank 30, base plate 40 and other components 60 of the generator assembly 10. The fuel tank 30 is substantially wholly received within the receiving space 23 of the base containment 20. The base wall 21 and side walls 22 of the base containment 20 thus provide base and perimeter protection for the fuel tank 30, as well as containment of any spilt fuel/hydrocarbons. The base plate 40 is mounted to the upper edges 27 of the side walls 22. Thus, the fuel tank 30 is substantially enclosed by the base containment 20 and the base plate 40 and protected thereby.

[37] The base plate cutouts 47 allow the corner structure members 25 to be not covered by the base plate 20.

[38] Components 60 of the generator assembly 10 are mounted to the upper surface of the base plate 40. These components 60 include an engine 61, radiator 62, alternator 63, exhaust manifold 64, and utilities panel 65 which are all mounted to the single base plate 40. These components 60 are mounted within an envelope which extends upwardly from the base plate 40 and generally inwardly of the edges of the base plate 40, except for the utilities panel 65 which extends upwardly and substantially aligned with a side edge of the base plate 40.

[39] Figure 6 shows the canopy 50. The canopy 50 comprises a top wall 51, and downwardly extending side walls being a front wall 52, a rear wall 53, a first side wall 54 and an opposite second side wall 55. The walls 51 to 55 define an internal space 83 of the canopy 50 which receives the components 60.

2019203882 03 Jun 2019 [40] The canopy 50 comprises upright corner structure members 56 having container corners 57 at their upper ends. The front wall 52 extends about two-thirds of the length from the second side wall 55, leaving an opening 58 which receives the utilities panel 65. The front wall 52 comprises access doors 59 for accessing some of the components 60 when assembled and a fire extinguisher compartment 81. The rear wall 53 similarly comprises access doors 59b. The front wall 52, first side wall 54 and the top wall 51 comprise grill openings 71 for allowing air to circulate within the canopy 50 and for heat to escape.

[41] Figure 7 shows the canopy 50 mounted to the assembly of Figure 5. Lower edges of the canopy 50 are attached to upper edges of the base containment 20. The corner structure members 56 of the canopy 50 are respectively aligned with the corner structure members 25 of the base containment 20. This provides a strong rigid structure which allows the generator assembly 10 to support other containers or structures if desired, such as other generator assemblies 10. The container corners 26 and 57 allow for such generator assemblies to be lifted or connected to each other as required. The container corners 26 and 57 can also be used as tie down points.

[42] Figure 8 shows the attachment of external brackets 74 to the first side wall 54, which allows the mounting of a control box 76 to the brackets 74 (see Figure 1).

[43] The generator assembly 10 provides a number of user friendly and easy maintenance features. The structure of the generator assembly 10 provides modular components (base containment 20, fuel tank 30, base plate 40 and canopy 50) which can be standardised for a range of generator models from 20 kVA to 300 kVA. This number of structure components is also a reduction from that of the prior art.

[44] The canopy 50 is attached to a base section 90 (comprising the base containment 20, fuel tank 30, and the base plate 40), only at its lower peripheral portions. This allows the canopy 50 to be easily removed, and the removal/attachment of the canopy 50 does not interfere with the components 60.

[45] The structure of the generator assembly 10 allows the end user to take off the outer canopy 50, entirely as a single piece as shown in Figure 6 via the corners 57. The outer canopy 50 can be removed without having to remove any panels or doors, or disconnect any electrical components, fuel lines and hoses to carry out any maintenance or repairs on all of the generator parts 60 as revealed in Figure 5. Other generators consist of a series of beams and mounting structures which have to be disconnected before the canopy can be removed for any maintenance or servicing. The container corners 57 for example can be used in removing the canopy 50.

2019203882 03 Jun 2019 [46] The external brackets 74 allow the addition of optional components such as the control box 76 for power distribution and motor control, as well as any other desired additional components.

[47] The utilities panel 65 houses an electrical distribution panel and includes a fuel inlet 82 (see Fig. 1 and 7) which can be easily accessed, for refilling the fuel tank 30. This fuel inlet 82 provides a fuel fast fill and normal fill option. The utilities panel 65 also includes an internal/external fill option 91 for remote filling of the tank 30.

[48] As shown in Figure 5, the base plate 40 and fuel tank 30 include a secondary fuel inlet 84 which provides a remote fill option when the canopy 50 is removed. The generator assembly 10 thus provides both external and internal fuel fill options.

[49] The utilities panel 65 provides control and fuel fill access in a single location which provides ease of use to the end user.

[50] The base containment 20 further provides perimeter protection for the fuel tank 30. The base containment 20 prevents any fuel/hydrocarbon spillage as it will contain any leaked fuel from the fuel tank 30. The base containment 20 is made from metal in the embodiment and is not affected by hydrocarbons. Having the fuel tank 30 in the base containment 20 also lowers the centre of gravity of the whole generator assembly 10 which improves stability in use and transport.

[51] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example,

Claims

1. A generator assembly comprising:

a base section comprising:

2. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the canopy is mounted to the base section only at its lower peripheral portions.

3. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the base containment comprises forklift tyne openings

4. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein a top wall of the fuel tank is substantially aligned or below an upper edge of the base containment.

5. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the base plate comprises a generally planar body having mounting formations for components of the generator assembly.

6. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the base containment provides base and perimeter protection for the fuel tank.

7. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the components of the generator assembly comprise an engine, a radiator, an alternator, and an exhaust manifold.

8. The generator assembly of claim 7 wherein the components are mounted within an envelope which extends upwardly from the base section and generally inwardly of the edges of the base section.

2019203882 03 Jun 2019

9. The generator assembly of claim 8 wherein the components comprise a utilities panel which extends upwardly and substantially aligned with a side edge of the base section.

10. The generator assembly of claim 9 wherein one side wall of the canopy provides an opening for receiving a utilities panel.

11. The generator assembly of claim 9 wherein one side wall of the canopy comprises access doors for accessing the components.

12. Thegeneratorassembly of claim 1 wherein the generator assembly comprises external attachment brackets.

13. The generator assembly of claim 9 wherein the utilities panel comprises a fuel inlet.

14. The generator assembly of claim 13 wherein the base section comprises at least one secondary fuel inlet.

15. The generator assembly of claim 14 wherein the base section comprises at least two or three secondary fuel inlets.

16. The generator assembly of claim 1 wherein the base plate comprises a perimeter raised edge which directs any spilt fuel/hydrocarbons into the base containment.

17. A generator housing comprising:

a base section comprising:

a base containment having a base wall and four side walls which define a receiving space, the base containment having upright corner structure members with container corners at their lower ends, a fuel tank disposed within the base containment, and a base plate mounted to the base containment, wherein the fuel tank is substantially enclosed by the base containment and the base plate, and components of the generator assembly are to be mounted to the base plate, and a removable canopy mounted to the base section, the canopy comprising a top wall and downwardly extending side walls which define an internal space for receiving the components, the canopy further comprising upright corner structure members having container corners at their upper ends, and wherein the corner structure members of the canopy are respectively aligned with the corner structure members of the base containment.