Multi-Vacuum Enclosure

Abstract

A multi-vacuum enclosure configured to control the airflow so that the pumps and motors included therein are not exposed to excess heat. A vacuum system embodying the multi-vacuum enclosure includes a set of pump bays each including a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use. The enclosure may include at least one fan positioned proximate to an enclosure air outlet and configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure air intake upwards both to pump air intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet. The enclosure may include an exhaust manifold configured to receive heated air expelled from pump air exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps, such that the heated air is isolated from a remainder of the interior of the enclosure and is expelled from the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/746,219, filed Jan. 16, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multi-vacuum systems for use in medical, laboratory, and/or other similar industries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuum systems used in medical, laboratory, and industrial settings are constructed of one or more vacuum pumps mounted to support frames and operated by a control panel. These systems typically have an open structure, which permits the significant noise and heat generated by the system to escape. There exists a continued need for an improved system that reduces the noise and heat escaping such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a multi-vacuum enclosure configured to control the airflow so that the pumps and motors included therein are not exposed to excess heat. For example, one aspect of the disclosure relates to a vacuum system comprising a frame and a plurality of panels attached to the frame that form an enclosure for a set of pump bays. For example, the enclosure may include at least a first pump bay and a second pump bay positioned above the first pump bay. Each pump bay includes a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use, and each vacuum pump includes a pump air intake and a pump air exhaust. The enclosure includes an enclosure air intake through which ambient air from the environment surrounding the enclosure enters the enclosure, and an enclosure air outlet through which air within the enclosure is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure. The first pump bay is open to the second pump bay, permitting air to pass freely between the pump bays. For example, a motor and a vacuum pump of the second pump bay may be supported by a support structure that permits air to pass freely between the first pump bay and the second pump bay. The enclosure air intake and the enclosure air outlet each bridge an interior and exterior of the enclosure. The enclosure air intake is located on a side of the enclosure and is positioned proximate to an intake of the vacuum pump of a first pump bay, and the enclosure air outlet is positioned vertically above and aligned with the vacuum pumps of the set of pump bays.

In various embodiments, the enclosure further includes at least one fan positioned proximate to the enclosure air outlet and configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure air intake upwards both to the pump air intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet. The ambient air entering the enclosure air intake that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet cools the area within the enclosure surrounding the vacuum pumps of the set of pump bays.

In various embodiments, the enclosure further includes an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the pump air exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps. Ambient air entering the pump air intakes of the vacuum pumps cools its respective vacuum pump and is expelled as heated air via the respective pump air exhaust into the exhaust manifold. The heated air exiting the pump air exhausts is isolated from the remainder of the interior of the enclosure and is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold located in a top surface of the enclosure. The heated air is expelled via the pump air exhaust directly into the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of the enclosure.

In some embodiments, at least one of the enclosure air intake and the enclosure air outlet includes at least one baffle arranged to prevent the emission of sound generated by either the motor or the vacuum pump to the environment surrounding the enclosure. In some embodiments, the vacuum system comprises a baffle positioned proximate to the enclosure air intake that is configured to split the ambient air entering the enclosure air intake into separate flow paths for at least the pump air intake of the vacuum pump in a first pump bay and the pump air intake of the vacuum pump in a second pump bay. In such embodiments, the baffle positioned proximate to the enclosure air intake may also include sound absorbing material.

Another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a method of generating a vacuum system. The method comprises enclosing a set of pump assemblies in an enclosure defined by a plurality of panels attached to a frame. The pump assemblies include at least a first pump assembly and a second pump assembly each including a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use. The method further comprises forming an enclosure air intake in a side of the enclosure through which ambient air from the environment surrounding the enclosure enters the enclosure, and forming an enclosure air outlet in a top surface of the enclosure through which air within the enclosure is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises providing a fan positioned proximate to the enclosure air outlet and configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure air intake upwards both to pump air intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet. The ambient air entering the enclosure air intake that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet cools the area within the enclosure surrounding the vacuum pumps.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises forming an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with pump air exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps. The ambient air entering the pump air intakes of the vacuum pumps cools the respective vacuum pump and is expelled as heated air via the respective pump air exhaust into the exhaust manifold. The heated air exiting the pump air exhausts is isolated from the remainder of the interior of the enclosure and is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold located in a top surface of the enclosure. The heated air is expelled via the pump air directly into the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of the enclosure.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination thereof, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawing, all of which form a part of this specification. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict perspective views of an example multi-vacuum enclosure, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of an example multi-vacuum enclosure without side panels, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective view of the example multi-vacuum enclosure depicted in FIG. 2, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a rear perspective view of an example multi-vacuum enclosure without panels, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a front perspective view of the example multi-vacuum enclosure depicted in FIG. 4, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict perspective views of an example vacuum pump for use within a multi-vacuum enclosure, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict various isolated views of an example exhaust manifold, according to one or more aspects described herein;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict various views of an example multi-vacuum enclosure without panels that includes three pump bays, according to one or more aspects described herein; and

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an example method of generating a multi-vacuum enclosure, according to one or more aspects described herein.

These drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. For clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.

The invention described herein may be utilized with various enclosed vacuum products that desire an ambient air temperature for proper cooling. Use of the multi-vacuum enclosure described herein allows for the installation of multi-pump vacuum systems in environments where objectionable noise levels would otherwise be observed. Additionally, the multi-vacuum enclosure described herein facilitates the management of heat generated by the vacuum pumps in a manner that allows near ambient temperature air to be present in the desired areas of the vacuum pump.

In traditional open system vacuum pumps, heat dispersal occurs in a non-directed manner, necessitating comprehensive room cooling and ventilation to maintain a suitable operational environment. The system described herein includes ductwork (or manifolds) and fans strategically arranged to convey the heat to another acceptable location. This heat conveyance may be utilized in enclosed compressor systems.

In various embodiments, a system utilizing the multi-vacuum enclosure described herein may include one, two, three, and/or other numbers of vacuum pumps in a single enclosure whereby a control panel may be integrated within the enclosure. The enclosure(s) may be designed to reduce the perceived noise from the vacuum pump-motor modules by the operator by a significant margin. Additionally, in the case of a medical and/or laboratory system, the enclosure system may include piping, check valves, isolation valves, cooling fans, and temperature monitoring. In one embodiment, a secondary and tertiary enclosure may be added to the overall system allowing the primary enclosure's control panel to operate all pumps individually.

Fundamental to proper performance of vacuum-motor modules is that the vacuum-motor modules are not exposed to excess heat. Normal to the operation of vacuum pumps is the production of heat. The enclosure described herein is configured to have effective air flow management to move the heat from the vacuum pump out of the enclosure faster than it can build up. Multiple methods of controlling the airflow have been developed so that the pumps and motors are not exposed to excess heat in the cabinets. For example, in some embodiments, the enclosure may include one or more fans positioned towards the top of the enclosure that are configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure upwards both to the intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards an outlet at the top of the enclosure. The ambient air that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps towards the outlet cools the area within the enclosure surrounding the vacuum pumps of the set of pump bays. In some embodiments, the enclosure may include an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps. Ambient air entering each vacuum pump cools the vacuum pump and is expelled as heated air via the pump's exhaust into the exhaust manifold. The heated air exiting the exhaust is isolated from the remainder of the interior of the enclosure and is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold located in a top surface of the enclosure. The heated air may be expelled via the pump's exhaust directly into the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of the enclosure.

As depicted in the accompanying figures, a system utilizing the multi-vacuum enclosure described herein may include fan(s) positioned towards the top of the enclosure that are configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure upwards both to the intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards an outlet at the top of the enclosure, as well as an exhaust manifold configured to receive and isolate heated air expelled from exhaust of each of the vacuum pumps. However, in some embodiments, a system utilizing the multi-vacuum enclosure described herein may include only one such technique (either fan(s) configured to pull the air upwards or an exhaust manifold as described herein) to control the airflow within the enclosure.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict perspective views of an example multi-vacuum enclosure 100 according to one or more aspects described herein. For example, FIG. 1A depicts a front perspective view (“F”) showing a front/left side of enclosure 100, and FIG. 1B depicts a rear perspective view (“R”) showing a rear/right side of enclosure 100. In various embodiments, multi-vacuum enclosure 100 may comprise at least a frame 110 and a set of one or more panels 112. The set of panels 112 may be removably attached to the frame 110 and define an enclosure in which other components are contained. As described herein, a top surface 114 of enclosure 100 may include one or more outlets via which air (particularly hot air) may be expelled from enclosure 100 into the environment surrounding enclosure 100.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 depict perspective views of multi-vacuum enclosure 100 without side panels 112, according to one or more aspects described herein. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view showing the rear/left side of enclosure 100, and FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective view showing the front/right side of enclosure 100. In various embodiments, the frame 100 and the set of panels 112 may form the exterior of enclosure 100 and define a set of pump bays. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 2-5, enclosure 100 may include at least a first pump bay 120 and a second pump bay 130 positioned above first pump bay 120. However, as discussed herein and depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, enclosure may one, two, three, and/or other numbers of vacuum pumps with a vacuum pump bay for each pump assembly. In various embodiments, each pump bay may be configured to receive a pump assembly having a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use. For example, first pump bay 120 may include a motor 122 and a vacuum pump 124, and second pump bay 130 may include a motor 132 and a vacuum pump 134. In various embodiments, first pump bay 120 is open to second pump bay 130, permitting air to pass freely between the pump bays. For example, motor 132 and a vacuum pump 134 of second pump bay 130 may be supported by a support structure that permits air to pass freely between first pump bay 120 and second pump bay 130. For example, in some embodiments, pump assemblies may be supported by slats, components attached to frame 120 and configured to suspend the pump assembly within a pump bay, and/or otherwise secured within enclosure 100 in a manner that does not prevent air from flowing freely between the pump bays. In other words, the majority of the interior of the enclosure comprises a large cavity that includes each of the included pump bays.

In various embodiments, enclosure 100 includes an enclosure air intake 140, an enclosure air outlet 150, an enclosure air manifold 170 with an outlet 176 (as described further herein with respect to FIG. 5, FIGS. 6A and 6B, and FIGS. 7A and 7B), and/or one or more other intakes, outlets, manifolds, or other ductwork or structures configured to receive, control, and/or expel air that passes through enclosure 100. In various embodiments, enclosure air intake 140 and enclosure air outlet 150 each bridge an interior and exterior of enclosure 100. In various embodiments, enclosure air intake 140 is an intake through which ambient air from the environment surrounding the enclosure enters the enclosure. In various embodiments, enclosure air intake 140 is located in a side of enclosure 100. In some embodiments, enclosure air intake 140 is positioned proximate to an intake of vacuum pump 124 of first pump bay 120 (e.g., pump air intake 126). In various embodiments, enclosure air outlet 150 is an outlet through which air within the enclosure is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure. In various embodiments, enclosure air outlet 150 is an outlet in a top surface 114 of enclosure 100. In some embodiments, enclosure air outlet 150 is positioned vertically above and aligned with the vacuum pumps 124, 134 of the set of pump bays 120, 130. In some embodiments, enclosure 100 may include multiple enclosure air intakes 140 and/or multiple enclosure air outlets 150 (e.g., as described further herein with respect to FIG. 4).

In some embodiments, one or both of enclosure air intake 140 and enclosure air outlet 150 may include at least one baffle arranged to prevent the emission of sound generated by either the motor 122, 132 or the vacuum pumps 124, 134 to the environment surrounding enclosure 100. In some embodiments, enclosure 100 may include a baffle positioned proximate to enclosure air intake 140 that is configured to split the ambient air entering enclosure air intake 140 into separate flow paths for at least the pump air intake 126 of vacuum pump 124 in first pump bay 120 and the pump air intake 136 of vacuum pump 134 in second pump bay 130. In such embodiments, the baffle positioned proximate to enclosure air intake 140 may also include sound absorbing material.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 depict perspective views of multi-vacuum enclosure 100 without panels 112, according to one or more aspects described herein. For example, FIG. 4 depicts a rear perspective view of enclosure 100 without panels 112, and FIG. 5 depicts a front perspective view of enclosure 100 without panels 112. As depicted in FIG. 4, in various embodiments, enclosure 100 may include at least one fan 160 positioned proximate to enclosure air outlet 150 and configured to pull ambient air entering enclosure air intake 140 upwards both to the pump air intakes 126, 136 (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) of vacuum pumps 124, 134 and up around an outside of vacuum pumps 124, 134 towards enclosure air outlet 150. In such embodiments, the ambient air entering enclosure air intake 140 that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps towards enclosure air outlet 150 cools the area within enclosure 100 surrounding the vacuum pumps of the set of pump bays. As depicted in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, enclosure 100 may include at least two fans 160, one towards each end of enclosure 100, configured to pull air within enclosure 100 up and out of enclosure 100. In some embodiments, enclosure 100 may include angled ducting into which fan(s) 160 pull the air before the air is expelled from enclosure 100 via enclosure air outlet 150. In some embodiments, the angled ducting may help reduce the emission of sound generated by either the motor or the vacuum pump into the environment surrounding the enclosure.

As depicted in FIG. 5, in various embodiments, enclosure 100 may include an exhaust manifold 170 in fluid communication with pump air exhausts 128, 138 of each of vacuum pumps 124, 134. For example, FIGS. 6A and 6B depict perspective views of a vacuum pump 124, 134 for use within multi-vacuum enclosure 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. In various embodiments, each vacuum pump 124, 134 may include at least a pump air intake 126, 136 and a pump air exhaust 128, 138. In various embodiments, each vacuum pump 124, 134 may be oriented such that pump air intake 126, 136 is facing toward a rear side of enclosure 100 having enclosure air intake 140. As ambient air enters enclosure 100 via enclosure air intake 140, the ambient air enters the pump air intakes 126, 136 of vacuum pumps 124, 134 and cools its respective vacuum pump. That ambient air is then expelled as heated air via the respective pump air exhaust 128, 138. In various embodiments, vacuum pumps 124, 134 may include one or more internal fans configured to cause air to be pulled into the vacuum pump via pump air intake 126, 136 and expelled via pump air exhaust 128, 138. For example, vacuum pumps 124, 134 may include at least one fan positioned proximate to pump air intake 126, 136 and configured to cause ambient air entering enclosure air intake 140 to be pulled into the vacuum pump, and at least one other fan positioned proximate to pump air exhaust 128, 138 and configured to cause air within the vacuum pump to be expelled via pump air exhaust 128, 138.

In various embodiments, the air expelled as heated air via pump air exhaust 128, 138 is expelled into exhaust manifold 170. FIGS. 7A and 7B depict various isolated views of exhaust manifold 170, according to one or more aspects described herein. For example, FIG. 7A depicts a front perspective view of exhaust manifold 170, and FIG. 7B depicts a rear view of exhaust manifold 170. In various embodiments, exhaust manifold 170 includes a set of front inlets 172, a set of rear outlets 174, and an outlet 176 in a top surface 114 of enclosure (depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

In various embodiments, air expelled as heated air via pump air exhaust 128, 138 is expelled into a corresponding front inlet 172 on a front side of exhaust manifold 170 and out a corresponding rear outlet 174 on a rear side of exhaust manifold 170. In various embodiments, front inlets 172 may be aligned with pump air exhaust 128, 138. In some embodiments, each front inlet 172 may be configured to receive the pump air exhaust 128, 138. For example, the pump air exhausts 128, 138 may be configured to fit within front inlets 172. In other embodiments, the front inlets 172 and pump air exhausts 128, 138 may simply be substantially aligned such that heated air passes (or is forcibly expelled via vacuum pump 124, 134) directly into the front inlets 172 and then into exhaust manifold 170. Once the heated air enters exhaust manifold 170, the heated air then rises within exhaust manifold 170 and is expelled from enclosure 100 via outlet 176. For example, the heated air enters the rear side of exhaust manifold from rear outlets 174 as indicated by arrows a1, a2 shown in FIG. 5). In various embodiments, the heated air exiting the pump air exhaust 128, 138 is isolated from the remainder of the interior of enclosure 100 and is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via outlet 174 of exhaust manifold 170 located in top surface 114 of enclosure 100. For example, the heated air may be expelled via pump air exhaust 128, 138 directly into exhaust manifold 170, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of enclosure 100.

As described herein, fans within the vacuum pumps 124, 134 and fan(s) 160 installed at the top of enclosure 100 create two separate hot exhaust air paths. The two paths are used to maintain an acceptable temperature around the body of vacuum pumps 124, 134, as the paths allow the channeling of outside air into vacuum pumps 124, 134 and around the outside of the body of vacuum pumps 124, 134.

As described herein, the enclosure design permits one, two, three, and/or other numbers of vacuum pumps in a single enclosure while still controlling the airflow within the enclosure with fan(s) positioned towards the top of the enclosure that are configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure upwards both to the intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards an outlet at the top of the enclosure and/or with an exhaust manifold configured to receive and isolate heated air expelled from exhaust of each of the vacuum pumps. For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B depict various views of an example multi-vacuum enclosure without panels that includes three pump bays, according to one or more aspects described herein.

In various embodiments, an operating system of multi-vacuum enclosure 100 may include a controller configured to allow control parameters (e.g., temperature) surrounding motors 122, 132 and/or vacuum pumps 124, 134 within the first and second pump bays 120, 130 to be controlled remotely and/or individually. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to automatically control the temperature measured in at least one portion of the enclosure. For example, one or more pre-programmed operations, modes, and/or operating profiles may be stored in electronic storage accessible by the operating system of multi-vacuum enclosure 100.

The enclosure described herein may have, for example, one, two, or three vacuum pump-motor assemblies arranged in a vertical stack supported by appropriate framework fabricated from welded and/or bolted support structure. In some embodiments, the support structure may be adapted to facilitate the installation of generally flat panels with sound reducing foam attached to the panels. Additionally, the support structure may be adapted to allow ventilation for the cooling air necessary to prevent the pumps and motors from overheating inside the confined space created by the sound enclosure. The support structure may allow for the installing of upper cooling fans to drive the air flow to the pump's air intake and around the outer shell of the motor.

Within the enclosure, ductwork (or manifolds) may be assembled to create separate airflow paths that may keep the pump's air exhaust from entering the main enclosure and may keep the main enclosure from having static air from building up heat around the outside shells of the pumps. The ductwork (or manifolds) may be arranged to have low restriction to airflow yet have sound containing baffles and geometry to prevent the escape of noise from the enclosure.

In some embodiments, the support structure may be further adapted to create a space for the electrical controls and devices that may be used to operate the vacuum pumps and accessories. In some embodiments, piping, check valves, and isolation valves may be used to facilitate the operation of the vacuum pumps enclosed in said structure.

In some embodiments, the cooling air outlet may be on a single surface on the top of the enclosure so that hot air capture and conveyance may be facilitated.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 900 of generating a multi-vacuum enclosure, according to one or more aspects described herein. The operations of process 900 presented below are intended to be illustrative and, as such, should not be viewed as limiting. In some implementations, process 900 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. In some implementations, two or more of the operations of process 900 may occur substantially simultaneously. The described operations may be accomplished using some or all of the components described in detail above with respect to the vacuum system of multi-vacuum enclosure 100.

In an operation 902, process 900 may include enclosing a set of pump assemblies in an enclosure defined by a plurality of panels attached to a frame. In various embodiments, the set of pump assemblies includes at least a first pump assembly and a second pump assembly positioned above the first pump assembly. In various embodiments, the pump assemblies each include a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use, and the vacuum pumps each include a pump air intake and a pump air exhaust.

In an operation 904, process 900 may include forming an enclosure air intake in a side of the enclosure through which ambient air from the environment surrounding the enclosure enters the enclosure. The enclosure air intake bridges an interior and exterior of the enclosure. In various embodiments, the enclosure air intake is positioned proximate to an intake of the vacuum pump of a first pump bay (i.e., a pump bay positioned at the bottom of the set of pump assemblies).

In an operation 906, process 900 may include forming an enclosure air outlet in a top surface of the enclosure through which air within the enclosure is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure. The enclosure air outlet bridges an interior and exterior of the enclosure. In various embodiments, the enclosure air outlet is positioned vertically above and aligned with the vacuum pumps of the set of pump assemblies.

In an operation 908, process 900 may include providing a fan positioned proximate to the enclosure air outlet and configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure air intake upwards both to pump air intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet. Ambient air entering the enclosure air intake that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet cools the area within the enclosure surrounding the vacuum pumps.

In an operation 910, process 900 may include forming an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with pump air exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps. Ambient air entering the pump air intakes of the vacuum pumps cools the respective vacuum pump and is expelled as heated air via the respective pump air exhaust of the vacuum pumps. In various embodiments, the heated air expelled via the pump air exhausts is expelled into the exhaust manifold. The heated air exiting the pump air exhausts may be isolated from the remainder of the interior of the enclosure and expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold located in a top surface of the enclosure. The heated air may be expelled via the pump air exhausts directly into the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of the enclosure.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by this description.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “various embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “one series of embodiments”, or the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like, various features are described, which may be variously combined and included in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may be preferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

The language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum system comprising:

an enclosure comprising a frame and a plurality of panels attached to the frame, the enclosure including at least a first pump bay and a second pump bay positioned above the first pump bay, wherein the first pump bay and the second pump bay each include a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use, wherein the vacuum pumps each include a pump air intake and a pump air exhaust;

an enclosure air intake bridging an interior and exterior of the enclosure through which ambient air from an environment surrounding the enclosure enters the enclosure, wherein the enclosure air intake is located in a side of the enclosure;

an enclosure air outlet bridging an interior and exterior of the enclosure through which air within the enclosure is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure, wherein the enclosure air outlet is located in a top surface of the enclosure;

at least one fan positioned proximate to the enclosure air outlet and configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure air intake upwards both to the pump air intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet; and

an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the pump air exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps, wherein ambient air entering the pump air intakes of the vacuum pumps cools the respective vacuum pump and is expelled as heated air via the respective pump air exhaust into the exhaust manifold, wherein the heated air exiting the pump air exhausts is isolated from a remainder of the interior of the enclosure and is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold located in a top surface of the enclosure.

2. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein the first pump bay is open to the second pump bay, permitting air to pass freely between the first pump bay and the second pump bay.

3. The vacuum system of claim 2, wherein a motor and a vacuum pump of the second pump bay are supported by a support structure that permits air to pass freely between the first pump bay and the second pump bay.

4. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure air intake is located on a side of the enclosure and is positioned proximate to an intake of the vacuum pump of the first pump bay.

5. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure air outlet is positioned vertically above and aligned with the vacuum pumps of the first pump bay and the second pump bay.

6. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein the ambient air entering the enclosure air intake that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps of the first pump bay and the second pump bay towards the enclosure air outlet cools the area within the enclosure surrounding the vacuum pumps of the first pump bay and the second pump bay.

7. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein the heated air is expelled via the pump air exhaust directly into the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of the enclosure.

8. The vacuum system of claim 1, the vacuum system further comprising a baffle positioned proximate to the enclosure air intake and configured to split the ambient air entering the enclosure air intake into separate flow paths for at least the pump air intake of the vacuum pump in the first pump bay and the pump air intake of the vacuum pump in the second pump bay.

9. The vacuum system of claim 8, wherein the baffle is provided with sound absorbing material.

10. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the enclosure air intake and the enclosure air outlet includes at least one baffle arranged to prevent the emission of sound generated by either the motor or the vacuum pump to the environment surrounding the enclosure.

11. The vacuum system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pumps comprise oilless claw vacuum pumps.

12. The vacuum system of claim 1, the vacuum system further comprising a third pump bay positioned above the second pump bay and the first pump bay, the third pump bay including a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use.

13. A method of generating a multi-vacuum enclosure, the method comprising:

enclosing a set of pump assemblies in an enclosure defined by a plurality of panels attached to a frame, wherein the pump assemblies include at least a first pump assembly and a second pump assembly each including a motor and a vacuum pump driven by the motor during use;

forming an enclosure air intake in a side of the enclosure through which ambient air from an environment surrounding the enclosure enters the enclosure;

forming an enclosure air outlet in a top surface of the enclosure through which air within the enclosure is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure;

providing a fan positioned proximate to the enclosure air outlet and configured to pull ambient air entering the enclosure air intake upwards both to pump air intakes of each of the vacuum pumps and around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet; and

forming an exhaust manifold in fluid communication with pump air exhausts of each of the vacuum pumps, wherein ambient air entering the pump air intakes of the vacuum pumps cools the respective vacuum pump and is expelled as heated air via the respective pump air exhaust into the exhaust manifold, and wherein the heated air exiting the pump air exhausts is isolated from a remainder of the interior of the enclosure and is expelled back into the environment surrounding the enclosure via an outlet of the exhaust manifold located in a top surface of the enclosure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein ambient air entering the enclosure air intake that is pulled upwards around the vacuum pumps towards the enclosure air outlet cools the area within the enclosure surrounding the vacuum pumps.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the heated air is expelled via the pump air exhausts directly into the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing the heated air from entering the remainder of the interior of the enclosure.