Device for transporting and installing a compressor

A device for transporting and installing a compressor is provided. The device includes a container serving to receive the compressor, with at least one removable planar side element, as well as a multipart lifting device which may be disassembled into its individual parts for transportation, and may be arranged in the container and after assembling the individual parts is designed such that the compressor may be fastened to the lifting device and may be lifted by means of the lifting device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of German application No. 102012202461.1 DE filed Feb. 17, 2012. All of the applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

A device for transporting and installing a compressor is provided, in particular, for a cooling circuit of a magnetic resonance tomograph.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Magnetic resonance tomographs are used in many applications in medicine for diagnosing different diseases. Magnetic resonance tomographs which have superconducting components which are cooled, in particular, by means of liquid helium may be derived from the prior art. By way of example, a superconducting wire of a magnet system of the magnetic resonance tomograph is arranged in a tank of liquid coolant, in particular helium. The coolant absorbs heat when the superconducting component is cooled and is thus transferred into the gaseous phase. In order to transfer the helium gas thus produced into the liquid state again, a cooling head is immersed in the helium tank. Highly compressed helium gas in said cooling head is decompressed to produce low temperatures, and compressed again via a second circuit by means of a compressor.

Accordingly, a cooling circuit of the magnetic resonance tomograph has a compressor which is used to compress gaseous coolant, in particular helium. In this case, the compressor is typically arranged in a service chamber of the magnetic resonance installation. Said service chamber is often very narrow and difficult to access, so that when replacing the compressor as a result of a fault or due to maintenance, said compressor being able to weigh up to 130 kg, this may result in problems when positioning or lifting the compressor due to the restricted space.

Various types of transport containers are known from the prior art.

Thus, a transport and packing container which is able to be disassembled is disclosed in the German utility model DE 20 2007 019 041 U1, said container consisting of removable bottom parts and top parts with peripheral webs arranged vertically thereon as well as side and front walls which may be erected on the bottom plate along the peripheral webs. The flexible arrangement of the side and front walls when packaging and/or unloading the goods to be transported makes it possible to erect only some of the side and front walls so that easy access to the container is ensured.

The German utility model DE 296 00 677 U1 discloses a closable transport box in which a foldable hand cart is arranged in order to ensure that the box is able to be transported at all times. The transport box substantially consists of a box body and a closable box lid pivotably mounted thereon, wherein side walls are arranged on the box lid such that it is able to receive the hand cart in the folded-up state. Moreover, an intermediate lid is provided, said intermediate lid being pivotably mounted on the side wall of the box lid via which the box lid is mounted on the box body, so that the intermediate lid is able to close the receiving space of the box lid in which the foldable hand cart is accommodated. For transporting the box, therefore, after opening the box lid and the intermediate lid, the folded-up hand cart may be removed, and after being folded out, said hand cart ensures that the box is able to be easily transported.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Proceeding from this prior art, it is an object to specify an improved device for transporting and installing the compressor which, in particular, facilitates replacement required by maintenance.

The object is achieved by a device of the type cited in the introduction, the device having a container serving to receive the compressor, with at least one removable side element as well as a multipart lifting device which is able to be disassembled into its individual parts for transportation and is able to be arranged in the container and after assembling the individual parts is designed such that the compressor may be fastened to the lifting device and may be lifted by means of the lifting device.

The divisible container is a standard packaging unit which is suitable for all common types of compressor and serves both for delivering the new compressor and returning the replaced compressor. Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, packaging material is saved and the costs associated therewith reduced. Moreover, the device for transporting and installing provides a multifunctional concept for the replacement of compressors, which permits the compressor to be able to be replaced by a single maintenance person. Thus, in particular, the lifting device which comprises a plurality of parts and is transported in the container in the disassembled state together with the compressor serves, when installing the compressor, in particular for lifting the compressor onto a rolling truck or the like. The lifting device is able to be constructed locally in the service chamber, so that introducing a potentially bulky lift truck into a service chamber which is difficult to access is avoided. Thus, in particular, the compressor may be lifted by means of the lifting device onto a rolling truck, the outer dimensions thereof being optimally adapted to the outer dimensions of the compressor, so that minimal space is required when maneuvering inside the service chamber.

The container provided for transporting the compressor is divisible and has the at least one removable side element. Preferably, a plurality of side elements of the container are removable, wherein for removing the compressor from the substantially cuboidal container, the side elements laterally defining the compressor and the side element arranged at the top are dismantled from the side element arranged on the bottom, on which the compressor stands. By means of the lifting device, the compressor is able to be lifted from the side element forming the bottom surface of the container, so that said side element is able to be easily replaced by the rolling truck which is pushed under the compressor.

In an embodiment, the at least one side element of the container, in particular the side element forming the bottom surface of the container, has a reduced-friction surface coating. When replacing the compressor, the reduced-friction surface coating is used to slide the compressor to be replaced in a simple manner, in particular from a cabinet base which is typically manufactured from metal, onto the side element. The remaining side elements of the container may be subsequently assembled so that the container is able to serve for the return transport of the used compressor.

The reduced-friction surface coating may consist of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), which is characterized by reduced abrasion and thus is suitable for replacing a plurality of compressors. It is a drawback that commercially available compressors for magnetic resonance tomographs are of different sizes, in particular relative to a longitudinal axis of the compressor. In order to permit a standardized transportation concept, it is provided that at least one bracket for fixing the compressor is arranged inside the container, said bracket being able to be adjusted along a predetermined axis and being able to be locked in position. The bracket is able to be locked in position in a plurality of positions, so that different types of compressor may be fixed by the bracket. This ensures secure transportation of the compressor arranged in the container and thus may contribute to preventing damage to the compressor caused by transportation.

In an embodiment, it is provided that at least one further bracket which is able to be adjusted and locked in position is arranged inside the container so that the compressor is able to be locked in a predeterminable position relative to the predetermined axis and/or additionally relative to a further axis extending perpendicular to the predetermined axis. Thus it is possible, in particular, to fix the compressor centrally in the container, said compressor, in particular, potentially having a weight of more than 100 kg. This has the advantage that the weight is evenly distributed, so that handling of the container during transportation is facilitated and tilting is eliminated.

According to exemplary embodiments, it is provided that the bracket and/or the further bracket is displaceably mounted on the container. The bracket and/or the further bracket is thus connected to the container and may accordingly be displaced along the predetermined axis and/or relative to the further axis extending perpendicular thereto, in order to fix the compressor. For locking the bracket in position, conventional plug connections, latching connections and/or clamping connections are used which are sufficiently known in the prior art and do not require further description. Alternatively, the bracket and/or the further bracket, in particular the further bracket forming the abutment for the displaceable bracket, is fixedly connected to one of the side elements of the container.

Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the compressor and/or parts of the multipart lifting device which are arranged in the container for transportation, are fixed in the container by means of releasable securing means, in particular clamping blocks, straps and/or screw connections. Accordingly, the container is provided with screw threads for receiving the screw connections and/or eyes for fixing the strap, so that the compressor and/or the parts of the multipart lifting device may be fixed in the container. This increases the security when transporting the compressor and reduces the risk of damage during transportation.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of roller elements are arranged on the container, in particular on the side element forming the bottom surface of the container. This permits easy displacement of the container, in particular inside the service chamber, by a single maintenance person, without an additional lift truck being necessary. The compressor and the lifting device may be easily transported whilst still in the packaged state to a suitable point inside the service chamber and then installed.

In an exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the roller elements are arranged on the at least one removable side element, so that said side element may be used as an additional rolling truck, for example for transporting the compressor to be replaced. Advantageously, the side element provided for replacing the compressor, which has the reduced-friction surface coating, is provided with roller elements so that said side element serves as an additional rolling truck.

Preferably, at least one of the roller elements is pivotably mounted in order to increase the maneuverability of the container and/or the compressor arranged on the side element forming the rolling truck.

In one development, it is provided to equip the container with two handle elements which may be extended or folded out and which permit a maintenance person to tilt the container relative to its vertical alignment by lifting. Advantageously, at least two roller elements are provided at the bottom of the container on which the tilted container rests. The container may be displaced in this tilted state—in a manner similar to a push cart—which, in particular, may be performed by a single person without a great deal of effort.

The multipart lifting device which, together with the compressor, is transported in the container comprises two hydraulic lifts, in particular oil pressure lifting systems, and a multipart support frame which is disassembled into its individual parts for transportation. In the mounted state, the support frame of the lifting device is arranged between the hydraulic lifts such that the compressor fastened to the support frame may be lifted and/or lowered in the vertical direction.

Moreover, the lifting device comprises at least one fastening device which may be releasably attached to the support frame and serves for fastening the compressor to the support frame. In this case, the fastening device may be of universal configuration so that said fastening device is suitable for fastening to different types of commercially available compressor. Alternatively, the fastening device transported in the container is accordingly adapted to the type of compressor transported.

Preferably, the at least one fastening device may be adjusted along the support frame. In this case, for example, the support frame may have a recess which extends over at least one portion of the support frame and is suitable for receiving a clamping screw which connects the fastening device to the support frame. The adjustable arrangement of the fastening device on the support frame permits the use of the lifting device for lifting compressors, which differ in particular with regard to the arrangement of retaining eyes or the like which are provided for connecting to the fastening device. The device is thus suitable for installing different types of commercially available compressor.

Additionally, it is provided to configure the at least one fastening device to be longitudinally adjustable, so that the position of the fastening device may be adapted in a direction extending perpendicular to the support frame. In a particularly advantageous manner, this further increases the compatibility of the lifting device for installing different compressors of different designs.

Accordingly, it is provided that a linear or angled extension arm may be fastened to the at least one fastening device which, in particular, makes it possible to engage in a retaining eye arranged on the compressor or on the compressor housing at the side and/or at the bottom, so as to be fastened therein.

Preferably, the support frame has a plurality of fastening devices, in particular three or four, able to be adjusted in a horizontal plane, so that reliable fastening of the compressor and/or the compressor housing to the support frame is ensured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1shows in a perspective view a container1of a device2for transporting and installing a compressor3which is provided, in particular, for a cooling circuit of a magnetic resonance tomograph. The container1has a cuboidal shape and has a plurality of planar side elements4which are releasably connected together. The side element4forming the bottom surface of the container1and arranged on the bottom face is mounted on blocks5so that the side element4forming the bottom surface of the cube is spaced apart from the floor in the vertical direction and it is possible for a lift truck to drive under the container1and to be engaged thereunder. For transporting the container1, handles6which may be folded out are arranged on said container.

The container1has two extendable handle elements7, as shown in the perspective view ofFIG. 2, which in the extended state serve for the transportation of the container1. To this end, it is provided to lift the container1by means of the handle elements7in order to tilt said container relative to a vertical direction, so that it rests on roller elements8arranged on the bottom face of the container1. The tilted container1may then be moved forward in the manner of a push cart which, in particular, permits the transportation of the container1with the parts arranged therein by a single person.

The side element4arranged on the top face which forms the cover of the container1has a reduced-friction surface coating9. When replacing a compressor, said surface coating is used so as to be able to push the compressor to be replaced easily onto the side element4forming the cover of the container1.

FIG. 3shows the container1in the disassembled state, all removable side elements4having been removed so that the view of the parts previously arranged in the container1is exposed. The compressor3is fastened to the side element4forming the bottom surface of the container1. To this end, a bracket10, which is displaceably mounted on the side element4and which fixes the position of the compressor3relative to an axis, is locked in position. Relative to a further axis extending perpendicular thereto, the position of the compressor3is fixed by means of opposingly arranged clamping blocks11. The clamping blocks11are fastened by means of securing means configured as screw connections12to the side element4forming the bottom surface of the container1. A strap13additionally fixes the position of the compressor3. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the strap13is fastened to eyes of the clamping blocks11.

Moreover, two hydraulic lifts14which in the example shown here are configured as oil pressure lifting systems, are releasably fastened to the side element4by means of screw connections12. Each hydraulic lift14has a tripod15which is used both when installing the hydraulic lifts14and when fastening the hydraulic lifts14to the side element4. For the latter usage, the tripod15has corresponding recesses suitable for receiving fastening means, in particular screws.

During transportation, moreover, lever rods21are arranged in the container1, said lever rods being provided for actuating the hydraulic lifts14. Moreover, the device2comprises fastening devices16for installing and for transporting the compressor3and a multipart support frame17, not shown inFIG. 3in any more detail.

FIG. 4shows a further perspective view of the components of the device2fastened to the side element4forming the bottom surface of the container1. A further bracket18fixedly connected to the side element4is clearly seen, said further bracket serving as an abutment for the bracket10and for fixing the compressor3relative to the axis corresponding to the longitudinal extent of the container1. The two clamping blocks11which are fixed to the side element4, fix the position of the compressor3relative to the further axis extending perpendicular to the axis. The compressor3has retaining eyes19which are connected to the fastening devices16when the compressor3is intended to be lifted by means of the lifting device20.

FIG. 5shows the lifting device20of the device2according to a first exemplary embodiment. The lifting device20has the multipart support frame17which in the mounted state has a stepped profile, which permits a removal of the compressor3from the container1even when the side elements4are only partially removed.

Three fastening devices16are releasably fastened to the support frame17, said fastening devices being held by means of corresponding screw connections in elongate recesses22which extend over at least one region of the support frame17. The position of the fastening devices16along the support frame17is thus predeterminable so that the fastening devices16, which are provided for fastening to the retaining eyes19of the compressor3, are adjustable along the support frame17. This permits the fastening of compressors3of different designs to the lifting device20. Moreover, the fastening devices16may be adjusted in their length, so that even retaining eyes19which are spaced apart at variable intervals in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the support frame17may be reached by the fastening devices16.

FIG. 6shows the lifting device20according to a second exemplary embodiment. In this case, an extension arm23is fastened to one of the fastening devices16, said extension arm being provided for connecting to a retaining eye19of the compressor3, which is arranged at the bottom of the compressor3to be lifted. To this end, the extension arm23has an angled shape.

FIG. 7shows in a further perspective view a third embodiment of the lifting device20. In this case, four fastening devices16are provided, arranged adjustably along the support frame17, said fastening devices being configured to be connected to retaining eyes19. It goes without saying that the exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS. 4-7substantially correspond to one another. In particular, it is provided that the fastening devices16are provided adjustably on the support frame17, each fastening device16being longitudinally adjustable, so that an adjustment in a horizontal plane is possible.

FIG. 8shows by way of example a compressor3which is lifted by means of the lifting device20of the first exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 5. In the example shown here, the compressor3itself has further roller elements24which facilitate the transportation.

A replacement of a faulty compressor or a replacement required by maintenance may, for example, take place by the container1, which contains the compressor3intended as the replacement and the remaining parts of the device2for installing the compressor3, being initially positioned at a suitable point inside a service chamber. Then the side elements4of the divisible container1are removed so that an arrangement as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4may be seen. The side element4forming the cover of the container1, and which has the reduced-friction surface coating9and roller elements8, is used to transport the compressor to be replaced. To this end, the reduced-friction surface coating9which in this case consists of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) permits the particularly easy sliding of the compressor to be replaced onto the side element4. The lifting device20is used for installing the compressor3, wherein the fastening devices16are connected to corresponding retaining eyes19of the compressor3. According to the arrangement and alignment of the retaining eyes19on the compressor3, the fastening devices16are arranged along the support frame17and/or the length of the respective fastening device16is adjusted.