Abstract:
A framework assembly comprises a tank rail containing a plurality of tank mounting apertures over a tank rail length and a pump-motor-group (PMG) support rail, arranged generally perpendicular to and mounted to the tank rail, and including a plurality of tank rail mounting apertures along a PMG support rail length. One of the tank rail or the PMG support rail includes a protuberance and the other of the tank rail and the PMG support rail includes a dimple sized and shaped to receive the protuberance. The tank rail and the PMG support rail attach to one another via the tank mounting apertures and the tank rail mounting apertures at any one of a plurality of optional points along the tank rail length.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Traditionally support framework on hydraulic systems consists of a welded structure. The manufacturing and assembly of such structures is expensive and time consuming. Additionally, a welded structure is only as good as the weld and welder doing the work, has an increased delivery time, and is rigid in that it does not allow for reconfiguration or reuse when upgraded with new or additional elements that mount to them (e.g., tanks, pump-motor-groups, accumulators, filters, coolers). A pump-motor-group, or PMG, may serve as a hydraulic power unit and includes an electric motor which drives a pump to provide hydraulic pressure in various applications (i.e., industrial applications such as hydraulic presses, service industries such as hydraulic-operated car washes, etc.). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In one aspect, the invention provides a framework assembly comprises a tank rail containing a plurality of tank mounting apertures over a tank rail length and a pump-motor-group (PMG) support rail, arranged generally perpendicular to and mounted to the tank rail, and including a plurality of tank rail mounting apertures along a PMG support rail length. One of the tank rail or the PMG support rail includes a protuberance and the other of the tank rail and the PMG support rail includes a dimple sized and shaped to receive the protuberance. The tank rail and the PMG support rail attach to one another via the tank mounting apertures and the tank rail mounting apertures at any one of a plurality of optional points along the tank rail length. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of a vertical rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1C  is a left side view of the vertical rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1D  is a front view of the vertical rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1E  is a right side view of the vertical rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in an alternative configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of a tank rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  is a front view of the tank rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the tank rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2E  is a right side view of the tank rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the hydraulic system including the framework assembly in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of a PMG rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a front view of the PMG rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the PMG rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3E  is a right side view of the PMG rail of the framework assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the hydraulic system including the framework assembly in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of a gusset of the framework assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is a front view of the gusset of the framework assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  is a right side view of the gusset of the framework assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the hydraulic system including the framework assembly in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of a driptray of the framework assembly. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5C  is a front view of the driptray of the framework assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5D  is a right side view of the driptray of the framework assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5E  is an enlarged view of an alignment or mating feature of the driptray. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in another alternative configuration. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in yet another alternative configuration. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in yet another alternative configuration. 
           [0034]      FIG. 9B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 10A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in yet another alternative configuration. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 11A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in another alternative configuration. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 12A  is a top view of a hydraulic system including a framework assembly in yet another alternative configuration. 
           [0040]      FIG. 12B  is a front view of the hydraulic system of  FIG. 12A . 
       
    
    
       [0041]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , a hydraulic system  8   a  includes five different pieces that, when bolted together, form a framework  10   a.  Each of the five pieces can be used more than once in a single framework  8   a.  The framework pieces include a tank rail  14 , a PMG support rail  16 , a vertical rail  12 , a gusset  18 , and a driptray  20 . The vertical, tank, and PMG support rails  12 ,  14 ,  16  may be manufactured in a variety of lengths L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , to meet a variety of application needs. The gusset  18  is a standardized piece that fits any length of the aforementioned rails  14 ,  16 ,  12 . The driptray  20  may be manufactured in a variety of lengths L 5  and widths W 5 , dependent on the size of the tank and PMG support rails  14 ,  16  used. Each of these components is further described in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 1A-5E . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 1A-1E  depict the vertical rail  12  of the framework assembly  10   a  for the hydraulic system  8   a.  The vertical rail  12 , as with all rails of a framework assembly  10   a - 10   h,  is made of steel and can be powder-coated. When the framework assembly  10   a  is in an assembled state, the length L 1  of the vertical rail  12  extends in a vertical orientation as shown in  FIG. 1D  and designated as the direction Z. The vertical rail  12  can be, as shown, symmetrical about a central plane P 1  perpendicular to the length L 1  of the vertical rail  12 . The vertical rails  12  contain a plurality of mounting channels  22  located adjacent the top  24 A and bottom  24 B of the rail  12  (i.e. adjacent the opposing lengthwise ends  24 A,  24 B of the vertical rail  12 ). The vertical mounting channels  22  correspond to various mounting apertures  40  found within a tank rail  14  and are shown on the front surface  28  of  FIG. 1D . While one component may contain channels, and the other may contain apertures, it is contemplated that the channel or aperture feature may be switched between the two components in other embodiments. While the term channel is typically understood to refer to an elongated aperture, the term aperture is understood to apply to both elongated apertures, or “channels”, and non-elongated apertures throughout the disclosure. 
         [0044]    When viewing the vertical rail  12  from the top  24 A (i.e. XY plane) as shown in  FIG. 1B , the vertical rail  12  is formed as a U-shape or an uneven U-shape depending on the location along the length L 1  at which the cross-section is viewed. This corresponds with a plurality of even leg sections  30  at the top and bottom of the vertical rail  12  and an uneven body section  32  in the middle  34  ( FIGS. 1C ,  1 E). The uneven body section  32  includes a support portion which extends beyond the cross-section of the even leg sections  30  and allows the vertical rail  12  to provide structural support when mated with the tank rail  14  as discussed below. At the transitions from the leg sections  30  to the body section  32 , a dimple  36  can be provided for easy alignment and secure mounting. A plurality of apertures  38  can be provided throughout the middle  34  of the vertical rail  12  on any side. The apertures  38  can be used for mounting to a gusset  18 . The vertical rail  12  can be provided in different lengths (e.g., ranging from 12 inches to 48 inches). 
         [0045]      FIGS. 2A-2E  depict the tank rail  14  for the framework assembly  10   b  for a hydraulic system  8   b.  The tank rail  14  is positioned generally perpendicular to the vertical rail  12  and mates with a plurality of vertical rails  12  if increased height is desired. The tank rail  14  can be symmetrical about a central plane P 2  perpendicular to a length L 2  of the tank rail  14 . The tank rail  14  includes a top surface  50 , the top surface supporting a tank  98 . A plurality of mounting apertures  40  and mounting channels  42  are provided along a front surface  44  ( FIG. 2C ) of the tank rail  14 , perpendicular to the top surface. The mounting apertures  40  and mounting channels  42  mate with the vertical mounting channels  22  of the vertical rail  12  to enable multiple possible mounting configurations depending on the length of the tank rail  14  and the location at which the vertical rail  12  is mounted along the tank rail  14 . Any mounting location within the framework assembly  10   b  is fixed via bolts  100  ( FIGS. 12A-12B ) and locking nuts (e.g., nylon locking nuts, or “ny-lock” nuts) to prevent the bolted connection from loosening; however, any functional alternative (e.g., other fasteners) may be used. Additionally, along the front surface  44 , a plurality of smaller driptray mounting apertures  46  are provided below the mounting apertures  40  for the vertical rails  12 . A plurality of evenly-spaced tank mounting apertures  48  are provided on a top surface  50  of the tank rail  14  ( FIG. 2B ). The top surface  50  of the tank rail  14  supports components of the hydraulic system  10   b,  in particular a tank  98 , and is located vertically above the bottom surface  52  shown in  FIG. 2D . A top surface of any rail is defined as a surface in the XY plane and located vertically above a bottom surface. The tank mounting apertures  48  allow a tank  98  to be mounted at various points along the tank rail  14  and also provides points for mounting a gusset  18  or a pump-motor-group support rail  16  (i.e., PMG support rail  16 ), described in more detail below. A plurality of ground mounting apertures  54  are provided on the bottom surface  52  at the center  56  and adjacent the opposing lengthwise ends  58 A,  58 B of the tank rail  14  ( FIG. 2D ). The ground mounting apertures  54  allow the entire framework assembly  10   b  to be rigidly mounted to the ground, a caster wheel or an alternative base structure. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 2E , viewing the tank rail  14  from an end  58 B (i.e. YZ plane), the tank rail  14  consists of four sides, with a short vertical inside  60  connected to the horizontal (Y-direction) bottom surface  52 , connected to the vertical front surface  44 , and connected to the generally horizontal (Y-direction) top surface  50  of the tank rail  14 . The top surface  50  of the tank rail  14  contains a protuberance  62  extending outward near the junction of the top surface  50  and the front surface  44 . The protuberance  62  may serve to direct any leakage above the rail  14  into a driptray  20 . The tank rail  14  can be provided in various lengths (e.g. ranging from 18 inches to 108 inches). 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3A-3E  depict the PMG support rail  16  of the framework assembly  10   b  for the hydraulic system  8   b.  The PMG support rail  16  is assembled generally perpendicular to the vertical rail  12  and the tank rail  14  and mates with the tank rail  14 . The PMG support rail  16  can be symmetrical about a central plane P 3  perpendicular to a length L 3  of the PMG support rail  16 . A tank rail mounting aperture or channel  64  is located adjacent each of the opposing lengthwise ends  66 A,  66 B of the PMG support rail  16  ( FIG. 3B ) (e.g., the aperture  64  is within three inches of the ends  66 A,  66 B, the aperture  64  is within a width or depth of the tank rail  14  of the ends  66 A,  66 B, the width and depth each perpendicular to the length of the tank rail  14 , etc.) the aperture  64  is within. This channel  64  mates with any of a plurality of optional points via the tank mounting apertures  48  of the tank rail  14  and is moveable along any point of the length L 2  of the tank rail  14 . A plurality of PMG mounting channels  68  are provided along the length L 3  of the PMG support rail  16 . The PMG mounting channels  68  allow a pump-motor-group  26  (i.e., PMG  26 ) to be mounted to the framework assembly  10   b.    
         [0048]    As viewed from the front ( FIG. 3C ) and side (i.e. cross section;  FIG. 3E ), the PMG support rail  16  includes an upper portion  70  and a lower portion  72  separated at each opposing lengthwise end  66 A,  66 B by a slit  74 . Each slit  74  allows the upper portion  70  of the PMG support rail  16  to be placed above the top surface  50  of the tank rail  14  while the lower portion  72  is provided between the top and bottom surfaces  50 ,  52  of the tank rail  14 . As seen in  FIG. 3C , the slit  74  also contains a dimple  76  that is generally complementary to (i.e. the same size and shape as) the protuberance  62  of the tank rail  14  such that the dimple  76  receives the protuberance  62 . The mating of the dimple  76  and the protuberance  62  provides assurance of correct alignment. An end channel  78  and a plurality of base channels  80  can also be provided on the ends  66 A,  66 B (i.e. cross-section;  FIG. 3E ) and a bottom surface  82  ( FIG. 3D ), respectively, as additional mounting points. The length L 3  of the PMG support rail  16  is dependent upon a tank size (e.g. 5-10 gal., 60 gal., 200 gal.) and in some constructions ranges from approximately 27 inches to approximately 78 inches. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict the gusset  18  of the framework assembly  10   a  for the hydraulic system  8   a.  The gusset  18  is a right triangle. In some constructions, the gusset  18  is approximately eight inches tall and eight inches in length. Flat plates  84  extend perpendicular to the triangular plate  86  along the vertical (i.e. Z-direction) and horizontal (i.e. perpendicular to the Z-direction) edges. The flat plates  84  contain a plurality of gusset mounting channels  92  that mate with various apertures and channels  48 ,  38  of the tank rail  14  and the vertical rail  12 . As shown, the gusset  18  can be located at a position where a tank rail  14  and a vertical rail  12  meet, and provides additional structural support for the framework assembly  10   a.  Despite the various usable lengths of both the tank rail  14  and the vertical rail  12 , the gusset  18  may be provided in a single size that mounts to any combination of rail sizes. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5A-5D  depict the driptray  20  of the framework assembly  10   b  for the hydraulic system  8   b.  The driptray  20  may be formed as a large flat pan. While the driptray  20  may not be provided in some embodiments, it can be used to catch any escaped fluids. The driptray  20  can contain a drain opening  94  at one end which can be attached to a tube  96  to prevent overflowing of the driptray  20 . The driptray  20  slides between the top  50  and bottom surfaces  52  of the tank rail  14  and includes apertures  90  for mounting to the driptray mounting apertures  46 . Each of a length L 5  and a width W 5  of the driptray  20  is dependent upon the particular length of the framework assembly  10   b  and the width and fluid capacity of the tank  98  to be used. For example, for five to ten gallon tanks  98 , the width W 5  of the driptray  20  can be about 27 inches, and the length L 5  of the driptray  20  can vary from 18 inches to 108 inches. The framework assembly  10   b  can be designed to accommodate a variety of tank sizes (e.g., ranging from five gallons to two hundred gallons). 
         [0051]    The invention provides standardized support pieces that when bolted together can form an infinite number of framework arrangements for use in flooded suction or positive suction hydraulic systems. This allows for a standardized, repetitive, cost effective, and quick delivery approach. All components can be removably coupled to form the framework  10   a - 10   h  without welding or other permanent attachments that require destructive means to separate. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 6A-12B  depict various embodiments of a framework assembly  10   b - h  for various layouts of hydraulic systems  8   b - 8   h,  respectively. Each embodiment contains a top view (A) and a front view (B).  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an assembly which, in addition to the PMG  26  and the tank  98 , includes only a plurality of PMG support rails  16  for mounting the PMG  26  to the top of the tank  98 . While the assembly  10   c  utilizes a component (i.e., PMG support rails  16 ) described above to create the assembly  10   c,  the layout does not take advantage of many of the securement features of other assemblies  10   a,    10   b,    10   d - h,  all of which mate a PMG support rail  16  to a tank rail  14 . 
         [0053]    The assembly  10   b  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  utilizes a plurality of tank rails  14  for mounting both a tank  98  and a plurality of PMG support rails  16 . A PMG  26  is mounted to the PMG support rails  16 . Each PMG support rail  16  mates with the tank rails  14 , and is held in place via multiple securement features. Two bolts  100  are used to secure each PMG support rail  16  to each tank rail  14 , one bolt  100  threaded perpendicular to the other bolt  100  (i.e., the mounting apertures  40  mating with the end channels  78  and the tank mounting apertures  48  mating with the tank rail mounting apertures  64 ). The use of two bolts  100 , angled (e.g., at ninety degrees) relative to one another prevents or limits potential bending and torsion stresses in the assembly  10   b,  and provides additional stiffness to the assembly  10   b.  Additionally, as the top surface  50  of the tank rail  14  slides within the slit  74  of each PMG support rail  16 , the protuberance  62  aligns with and is received by the dimple  76 , providing further security. Although, as shown, the tank rail  14  includes the protuberance  62  and the PMG support rail  16  includes the dimple  76 , it is well within the scope of the invention to locate the protuberance  62  on the PMG support rail  16  and locate the dimple  76  on the tank rail  14 . With varying layouts, assemblies  10   a  and  10   d - 10   h  take advantage of the same securement features as those shown in assembly  10   b  and described above. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  employ the same basic structure as the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B , but vary the length of the tank rails  14  and add an additional PMG  26 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  place the tank  98  between two PMGs  26 .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a configuration where the desired length is greater than the maximum length of an available tank rail  14 . If the desired overall length is greater than the length of an available tank rail  14 , a separate, second, assembly can be provided adjacent the first assembly. 
         [0055]    Furthermore, in  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  12 A, and  12 B, the framework assembly utilizing the vertical rails  12  creates two levels of tank rails  14  and allows the tank  98  to be placed over a PMG  26  ( FIGS. 11A-11B ), multiple PMGs  26  ( FIGS. 12A-12B ), and/or a driptray  20  ( FIGS. 12A-12B ). The tank rails  14  are bolted to the vertical rails  12  and are additionally secured in place by resting the upper tank rail  14  upon the top-facing support shoulders  33  of the uneven body section  34  and resting the bottom-facing support shoulders  33  of the uneven body section  34  on the lower tank rail  14  (i.e., mating the dimples  36  of the vertical rail  12  with the protuberances  62  on the upper and lower tank rails  14 ). With the tank  98  located above the PMG  26 , flooded suction can be used in place of positive suction.  FIG. 12B  additionally shows the use of a gusset  18  to provide further support to the increased height of the framework assembly  10   h.