Modular system for heating and/or cooling requirements

Abstract

A racked modular system for heating and/or cooling requirements includes a first plurality of equipment modules, a second plurality of equipment modules, a first storage rack and a second storage rack. The first storage rack is constructed and arranged to receive the first plurality of equipment modules. The second storage rack is constructed and arranged to receive the second plurality of equipment modules. The disclosed system also includes a plurality of water manifolds which are constructed and arranged for interconnecting the first plurality of equipment modules with the second plurality of equipment modules. In one exemplary embodiment the equipment modules are chillers.

1 . A racked modular system comprising:
 a first plurality of equipment modules;   a second plurality of equipment modules;   a first storage rack constructed and arranged to receive said first plurality of equipment modules;   a second storage rack constructed and arranged to receive said second plurality of equipment modules; and   a plurality of water manifolds constructed and arranged for providing a common connection for said first plurality of equipment modules and for said second plurality of equipment modules.   
     
     
         2 . The racked modular system of  claim 1  wherein said equipment modules are modular chillers. 
     
     
         3 . The racked modular system of  claim 1  which further includes a pipe chase. 
     
     
         4 . The racked modular system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of water manifolds include a chilled water outlet manifold, a condenser water inlet manifold and a condenser water outlet manifold. 
     
     
         5 . The racked modular system of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of water manifolds further includes a chilled water inlet manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The racked modular system of  claim 1  wherein said first storage rack includes a plurality of slide out rails. 
     
     
         7 . The racked modular system of  claim 1  wherein said second storage rack includes a plurality of slide out rails. 
     
     
         8 . The racked modular system of  claim 1  which further includes an electrical module. 
     
     
         9 . The racked modular system of  claim 8  which further includes an acoustical sound and ventilation package. 
     
     
         10 . A modular chiller for assembly into a racked modular system, said modular chiller having various component parts comprising:
 a compressor;   a condenser;   an evaporator;   a control panel;   a water inlet;   a water outlet; and   a structural housing which is constructed and arranged to enclose the component parts such that said modular chiller is constructed and arranged for slide-in installation into a storage rack with other modular chillers of a like construction.   
     
     
         11 . The modular chiller of  claim 10  which further includes a piping, electric and control wiring chase. 
     
     
         12 . The modular chiller of  claim 11  which further includes a structural chase support for said piping, electric and control wiring chase. 
     
     
         13 . The modular chiller of  claim 11  wherein said piping, electric and control wiring chase is constructed and arranged to connect said modular chiller or a plurality of said modular chillers with a main hydronic piping system. 
     
     
         14 . A racked modular system which is constructed and arranged to provide a design standard that uses a multi-module racking concept for construction of a complete HVAC or process heating and/or cooling system comprising:
 a structural storage rack constructed and arranged to define a plurality of compartments each of which is constructed and arranged to receive an equipment module;   a plurality of equipment modules which are received by said structural storage rack;   a plurality of fluid conduits which are constructed and arranged to circulate fluid through each equipment module; and   wherein said structural storage rack and said plurality of equipment modules are constructed and arranged for each equipment module to slide in and out of its corresponding compartment.   
     
     
         15 . The racked modular system of  claim 14  which further includes an interface module for providing one or more common functions to said plurality of modules. 
     
     
         16 . The racked modular system of  claim 15  wherein said one or more common functions include piping, wiring, power and/or control. 
     
     
         17 . The racked modular system of  claim 14  wherein one or more of said equipment modules is a chiller. 
     
     
         18 . A racked modular system comprising:
 a plurality of equipment modules;   a storage rack constructed arranged to receive said plurality of equipment modules;   a plurality of fluid conduits constructed and arranged to provide fluid to said plurality of equipment modules; and   an interface module for providing one or more common functions to said plurality of equipment modules.   
     
     
         19 . An outdoor cooler or condensing system comprises in combination with the  claim 18  racked modular system an air cooled condenser or fluid cooler. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said air cooled condenser or fluid cooler is positioned above said plurality of equipment modules. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said air cooled condenser or fluid cooler is positioned beside said plurality of equipment modules. 
     
     
         22 . An equipment module and a framework package combination comprising:
 an equipment module which is constructed and arranged for performing an HVAC function;   a framework package which is constructed and arranged to provide fluid to and receive fluid from said equipment module; and   connection means extending between said equipment module and said frame work package for enabling said equipment module to be removed from said combination.   
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 22  wherein said equipment module is a refrigeration module including a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 22  wherein said framework package includes fixed hydronic piping. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 22  wherein said connection means includes a flex connector. 
     
     
         26 . The combination of  claim 22  wherein said equipment module includes a plurality of isolation valves and said framework package includes a plurality of isolation valves. 
     
     
         27 . A racked modular system comprising:
 a first equipment module;   a second equipment module;   a first storage rack constructed and arranged to receive said first equipment module;   a second storage rack constructed and arranged to receive said second equipment module; and   a plurality of water manifolds constructed and arranged for providing a common connection for said first equipment module and for said second equipment module.