System and apparatus for enclosing equipment

Abstract

An enclosure having a top and at least one side to surround equipment is disclosed. The enclosure includes a first set of ventilation ports disposed toward the bottom of the enclosure, a second set of ventilation ports disposed toward the top of the enclosure, and a baffle disposed proximate the top at the interior of the enclosure. The top of the opening of the first set of ventilation ports is disposed to be lower than the bottom of the equipment, the bottom of the opening of the second set of ventilation ports is disposed to be higher than the top of the equipment, and the baffle is configured to direct a cooling medium toward the second set of ventilation ports.

1 . An enclosure, comprising: 
 a plurality of surfaces configured to surround equipment, the plurality of surfaces comprising a top and at least one side;    the plurality of surfaces comprising a first set of ventilation ports disposed toward the bottom of the enclosure, and a second set of ventilation ports disposed toward the top of the enclosure; and    a baffle disposed proximate the top at the interior of the enclosure;    wherein the baffle is configured to direct a cooling medium toward the second set of ventilation ports;    wherein the top of the opening of the first set of ventilation ports is disposed to be lower than the bottom of the equipment; and    wherein the bottom of the opening of the second set of ventilation ports is disposed to be higher than the top of the equipment.    
   
   
       2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first set of ventilation ports are disposed on at least one side of the enclosure proximate to the bottom; and    the first set of ventilation ports are configured to direct the incoming cooling medium toward the bottom center of the equipment.    
   
   
       3 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first set of ventilation ports have a first ventilation area, and the second set of ventilation ports have a second ventilation area, which is equal to or larger than the first ventilation area.    
   
   
       4 . The enclosure of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the ratio of the second ventilation area to the first ventilation area is greater than or equal to 1.1 and less than or equal to 1.5.    
   
   
       5 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the ventilation ports, in conjunction with the baffle, are configured to maintain an ambient temperature within the enclosure less than or equal to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and to maintain a temperature difference between the top center and the bottom center of the equipment of less than or equal to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.    
   
   
       6 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on the at least one side of the enclosure proximate the top of the enclosure.    
   
   
       7 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the at least one side comprises two opposing sides;    the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on the two opposing sides proximate the top of the enclosure;    the baffle is configured to be upward sloping from a region proximate the top center of the equipment toward the sides in which the second set of ventilation ports are disposed.    
   
   
       8 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on only one side of the enclosure proximate the top of the enclosure;    the baffle is configured to be upward sloping from the side of the enclosure opposite the side at which the second set of ventilation ports are disposed toward the interior top of the enclosure.    
   
   
       9 . The enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the baffle is disposed at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to the enclosure side; and    the baffle is disposed such that the smallest distance from the equipment to the baffle will be equal to or less than the smallest distance from the equipment to the interior of the enclosure side from which the baffle slopes.    
   
   
       10 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the enclosure top comprises a pitch disposed to align with the center of the equipment, the pitch being elevated toward the equipment center; and    the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on the enclosure top, proximate to the peak of the pitch.    
   
   
       11 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the enclosure is configured for use with power plant equipment enclosed therein.    
   
   
       12 . A power plant system, comprising generating equipment, the generating equipment comprising a generator, the generator mechanically driven by a gas turbine or a steam turbine, the gas turbine comprising an inlet plenum, an exhaust diffuser, the power plant system further comprising: 
 an enclosure enclosing at least one of the generator, the gas turbine, the steam turbine, the inlet plenum, and the exhaust diffuser, or any combination of the foregoing, the enclosure comprising:    a plurality of surfaces configured to surround the equipment, the plurality of surfaces comprising a top and at least one side;    the plurality of surfaces comprising a first set of ventilation ports disposed toward the bottom of the enclosure, and a second set of ventilation ports disposed toward the top of the enclosure; and    a baffle disposed proximate the top at the interior of the enclosure;    wherein the baffle is configured to direct a cooling medium toward the second set of ventilation ports;    wherein the top of the opening of the first set of ventilation ports is disposed to be lower than the bottom of the equipment; and    wherein the bottom of the opening of the second set of ventilation ports is disposed to be higher than the top of the equipment.    
   
   
       13 . The power plant system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the first set of ventilation ports are disposed on at least one side of the enclosure proximate to the bottom; and    the first set of ventilation ports are configured to direct the incoming cooling medium toward the bottom center of the equipment.    
   
   
       14 . The power plant system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the first set of ventilation ports have a first ventilation area, and the second set of ventilation ports have a second ventilation area, which is equal to or larger than the first ventilation area.    
   
   
       15 . The power plant system of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the ratio of the second ventilation area to the first ventilation area is greater than or equal to 1.1 and less than or equal to 1.5.    
   
   
       16 . The power plant system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the ventilation ports, in conjunction with the baffle, are configured to maintain an ambient temperature within the enclosure less than or equal to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and to maintain a temperature difference between the top center and the bottom center of the equipment of less than or equal to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.    
   
   
       17 . The power plant system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on the at least one side of the enclosure proximate the top of the enclosure.    
   
   
       18 . The power plant system of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the at least one side comprises two opposing sides;    the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on the two opposing sides proximate the top of the enclosure;    the baffle is configured to be upward sloping from a region proximate the top center of the equipment toward the sides in which the second set of ventilation ports are disposed.    
   
   
       19 . The power plant system of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on only one side of the enclosure proximate the top of the enclosure;    the baffle is configured to be upward sloping from the side of the enclosure opposite the side at which the second set of ventilation ports are disposed toward the interior top of the enclosure.    
   
   
       20 . The power plant system of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 the baffle is disposed at an angle of about forty-five degrees relative to the enclosure side; and    the baffle is disposed such that the smallest distance from the equipment to the baffle will be equal to or less than the smallest distance from the equipment to the interior of the enclosure side from which the baffle slopes.    
   
   
       21 . The power plant system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the enclosure top comprises a pitch disposed to align with the center of the equipment, the pitch being elevated toward the equipment center; and    the second set of ventilation ports are disposed on the enclosure top, proximate to the peak of the pitch.