Patent Publication Number: US-11384528-B2

Title: System and methods for the preservation of mechanical assets

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/867,231 filed Jan. 10, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/293,390 filed Jun. 2, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,869,083, which claims the benefit of Ser. No. 12/587,510 filed Oct. 8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,099, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/195,526 filed Oct. 8, 2008, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a system and method for the preservation of mechanical assets. In particular, the present invention relates to a system including and methods using one or more preservation modules to facilitate such preservation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mechanical assets are acquired and retained for different reasons and for varying periods of time. For purposes of this application, the term “mechanical asset” or “asset” means an item of personal property that may be purely mechanical but that may be electromechanical, analog, or digital and/or may include electromechanical, analog, and/or digital components. Mechanical assets may be large in size—such as automobiles, airplanes, construction equipment, engines, spacecraft, tanks and other military equipment, tractors, locomotives or other train cars, and watercraft—or the components for same—such as engines, drive trains and seats. For purposes of this application, mechanical assets may be also relatively smaller in size—such as computer systems and components thereof, furniture, and tools. Mechanical assets are acquired at least initially for their utility in helping to perform a task including acting as a mode of transportation or facilitating construction or repair jobs. 
     All mechanical assets must be maintained in order that they can continue to operate as originally intended. The amount of maintenance that is needed to keep a mechanical asset in working order varies from asset to asset. However, generally the more the mechanical asset must be used for the original intended utilitarian purpose, the more maintenance is required. Mechanical assets also with more sensitive or complex components and subsystems generally require more maintenance than assets formed from one or more components or that include more durable or simplified subsystems. With time, the maintenance of mechanical assets in general working order becomes more and more challenging. Replacement components of such mechanical assets that may have been widely available—become with time scarce and more difficult to obtain. Salvaging such components from other mechanical assets is often the only way to maintain other mechanical assets. Unless steps are taken to preserve the asset, exposure to environmental conditions—such as the fluctuations in climate, moisture, salt or minerals from the ocean or a sea, and the sun—will cause the condition of the asset to degrade. If left unchecked, the degradation of the asset may in certain cases quickly place the asset in a non-working condition and limit its utilitarian value and value to collectors. 
     One simple known step taken to preserve a mechanical asset is to shield the asset from complete exposure to environmental conditions. Many systems, products, and methods are known by which a mechanical asset can be shielded in order to preserve the asset. Such shielding can be accomplished simply by positioning the asset under an extension of a building—including, such as under what is known in residential settings as a “car port”. Such a shield protects the asset from at least direct exposure to the sun and precipitation. The shielding of an asset can be accomplished also through the use also of tarpaulins—“tarps”—and other covers. These shields are flexible pieces of material that are at least large enough to fit over and come into contact with the asset to prevent it from being exposed to the sun and to precipitation. Forms of shields include shades or screens—that are placed by or in general contact with the windows of those assets having them—to block sunlight from entering the windowed areas, thereby shielding at least some of the asset from sun damage and the increased temperatures that sunlight causes within the closed spaces defined at least in part by the windows. Protective coatings applied to the upper surface and the under body of assets are used also to shield the components of the asset from direct contact with the environmental elements such as sun, precipitation, and moisture. Liquid components within assets are also shielded from the damage caused by unprotected exposure to the elements through the addition of stabilizing agents to the fluid. 
     It is clear that such shields are not complete solutions to the problem in that, for the most part, they protect only a portion or limited components of the complete asset from the environmental conditions. For example, car ports typically prevent an asset from being exposed to the direct rays of the sun when overhead or from precipitation falling generally vertically. However, car ports do not protect assets from sun damage caused by the sun when it is not overhead or when it is reflected. Also, car ports do not protect assets from wind blown rain and snow or from the variations in ambient temperature and moisture and wind. More immediate coverings—such as tarpaulins—prevent the asset from being directly exposed to the sun or precipitation but do not prevent the asset from suffering damage due to fluctuations in environmental temperature or moisture conditions. Protective coatings prevent exposure of some but not all the components of the mechanical asset. 
     More complete solutions that are intended to shield, and thereby preserve mechanical assets are storage facilities. Such storage facilities include those that are a room for storage of a mechanical asset that forms a part of another building that is not intended primarily for such storage. An attached garage is such a facility for the storage of a mechanical asset and is a room within a larger building that is intended as a residence. Another such storage facility is a stand alone building that is used largely solely for the storage of a mechanical asset. For example, such stand alone buildings include a free standing garage, a hanger, or a barn. Another such storage facility is an enclosure within a larger enclosure and to which access may be separately provided. Such a storage facility is commonly known as a storage locker or storage unit. 
     Most typically, more complete storage facilities are sited to allow easy ingress to and egress of the mechanical asset stored therein. For example, garages are sited so that the cars can be readily driven into and out of the garage and on to the street. Hangers are positioned so that planes can be pulled into and out of the facility after landing or for take off. Barns are located on farms so that the farm equipment such as tractors, combines, or trucks can be readily driven in and out of the facility as needed. Storage lockers or units are positioned in proximity to streets so that patrons can load equipment into or remove equipment out of the lockers or units. 
     These known storage facilities—because they are formed by walls joined to define a given interior volume of space—do typically shield assets from direct exposure to the sun, wind, precipitation, and the unprotected extremes of the temperature of the outside environment. However, because known storage facilities are formed from fixed walls joined together to form the interior volume, they cannot be resized on demand to efficiently accommodate assets of different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, such storage facilities typically do not allow the environmental conditions within the facilities to be controlled and, for example, altered to prevent more particularized types of degradation of the asset stored therein. For example, known storage facilities do not include systems by which the atmosphere may be selectively filtered to reduce or remove harmful components thereof—such as moisture, salt, or dirt—or to replace some of the components found typically therein with other components that facilitate the preservation of the asset—such as a noble gas—by the creation of a relatively inert environment. 
     For the above reasons, there is a need for a system and methods by which mechanical assets can be efficiently preserved for extended periods of time. The present invention satisfies this demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a novel system and methods by which one or more mechanical assets can be preserved. One embodiment of the system of the present invention includes one or more asset modules. For purposes of this application, an asset module includes volume definition elements by which at least the size and shape of the interior space within the module—termed for purposes of this application the “module volume”—may be efficiently defined as needed such as to accommodate the storage and facilitate the maintenance of mechanical assets of varying size. Certain embodiments of the present invention include a plurality of asset modules. Embodiments of the present invention include also asset modules positioned or nested one inside another. 
     More specifically, a volume definition element includes a substantially continuous module surface and at least one module surface transfer component. The volume definition element facilitates resizing of the asset module on demand on both a horizontal and vertical plane, thereby permitting each module to be sized so that mechanical assets of varying sizes and shapes can be accommodated within the asset module. 
     The substantially continuous module surface defines a module inner volume and a protective barrier around the asset module&#39;s contents. This barrier prevents exposure of the module inner volume to exterior environmental conditions, contaminants, and non-permitted access by and thereby the possible damage that could be done by people and animals. 
     The module surface transfer component is a transfer section of the substantially continuous module surface through the movement of which ingress and egress to and from the inner module volume is gained. An embodiment of the module surface transfer component includes elements by which the module surface transfer component may be moved. Movement of the module surface transfer component exposes an aperture through which access to the module inner volume. Other embodiments of the module surface transfer component include elements by which the module surface component may be also removed temporarily or permanently. If the module surface transfer component is removed permanently, certain embodiments of the invention permit the transfer component to be replaced thereby. 
     The module surface transfer component fills the aperture in the substantially continuous module surface that was created by the movement of the module surface transfer component to and allows mechanical assets, people, and other items to enter and exit the asset module. The module surface transfer component permits the asset module to be placed in at least two states. In the first state, the module surface transfer component covers the aperture in the substantially continuous surface that was created by the movement of the module surface transfer component. In the first state, ingress/egress to and from the asset module is not facilitated. In the second state, the aperture in the substantially continuous surface that was created by the movement of the module surface transfer component is not covered. In the second state, ingress/egress to and from the asset module is possible. 
     The ability to change the states of the ingress/egress control element may be enabled and disabled through use of an authentication element. By enabling and disabling the ability to change the state of the ingress/egress control element, access to the inner volume of the asset module can be controlled and limited. The authentication element may employ a human screener, lock and key, pin pad, magnetic ID (Identification), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), biometric, or any other authentication method known to one skilled in the art. 
     Embodiments of the asset module include preservation controls that permit the condition of the mechanical asset placed within the asset module to be monitored, maintained, and/or manipulated, thereby facilitating the preservation of the mechanical asset. Embodiments of the preservation controls are configured to be manipulated locally within the module or generally immediately outside the module, or distant from the module, such as through the use of one or more communication systems including the internet, phone line, cellular phone, pager, satellite, radio, or any other method known to one skilled in the art. Additional embodiments of the preservation controls include a computer system which permits the condition of the mechanical asset stored within an asset module to be automatically controlled. 
     Further embodiments include a closed system for controlling atmospheric conditions of a plurality of asset modules. An atmospheric control unit is capable of regulating, and thereby producing a controlled atmosphere within each asset module of the plurality of asset modules. The controlled atmosphere of each asset module of the plurality of asset modules may be defined by controlled atmospheric parameters. In certain embodiments, an atmosphere control unit permits one or more of each of the plurality of asset modules to provide a supplied gas having supplied gas parameters. The controlled atmospheric parameters may include a controlled atmospheric temperature, a controlled atmospheric pressure, a controlled atmospheric relative humidity, and a controlled atmospheric molecular composition. The supplied gas parameters may include a supplied gas temperature, a supplied gas pressure, a supplied gas relative humidity and a supplied gas molecular composition. The plurality of asset modules may include a selected asset module. The selected asset module may contain a selected controlled atmosphere. The selected controlled atmosphere may be defined by selected controlled atmospheric parameters. The selected controlled atmosphere may be capable of containing a selected supplied gas having selected supplied gas parameters. The selected controlled atmospheric parameters may include a selected controlled atmospheric temperature, a selected controlled atmospheric pressure, a selected controlled atmospheric relative humidity and a selected controlled atmospheric molecular composition. The selected supplied gas parameters may include a selected supplied gas temperature, a selected supplied gas pressure, a selected supplied gas relative humidity and a selected supplied gas molecular composition. The atmospheric control unit may be capable of controlling the selected supplied gas parameters to allow the selected supplied gas to be supplied to the selected asset module. The selected supplied gas may be supplied from a plurality of tanks connected to a tank control valve. The tank control valve may be capable of being controlled by the atmospheric control unit. The tank control valve may be capable of supplying the selected supplied gas with the selected supplied gas molecular composition. The tank control valve may be connected to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be capable of being controlled by the atmospheric control unit. The heat exchanger may be capable of supplying the selected supplied gas with selected supplied gas temperature. The heat exchanger may be connected to an output of a humidifier. The output of the humidifier may be capable of being controlled by the atmospheric control unit. The output of the humidifier may be capable of supplying the selected supplied gas with selected relative humidity. The output of the humidifier may be connected to a pressure supply valve. The pressure supply valve may be capable of being controlled by the atmospheric control unit. The pressure supply valve may be capable of controlling the selected supplied gas pressure. The pressure supply valve may be capable of supplying the selected supplied gas with said selected supplied gas pressure. The pressure supply valve may be connected to a common supply header. The common supply header may be capable of containing the selected supplied gas composed of the selected supplied gas temperature, the selected supplied gas pressure, the selected supplied gas relative humidity and the selected supplied gas molecular composition. The atmospheric control unit may be capable of controlling a flow of the selected supplied gas contained in the common supply header to the selected asset module. The atmospheric control unit may control flow of the selected supplied gas contained in the common supply header to the selected asset module through a flexible supply component into the selected asset module. The atmospheric control unit may be capable of monitoring the selected controlled atmospheric parameters, the atmospheric control unit controls the flow of the supplied gas contained in the common supply header until the selected controlled atmospheric parameters correspond to the selected supplied gas parameters. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the exterior of the outer asset module of the system, a section of the outer asset module is cut away. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system, a section of the outer asset module is cut away. 
         FIG. 3  shows an asset module whose inner volume is definable, in part, by movable vertical bounding elements. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an overhead view of a portion of the embodiment of the asset module shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 3B  shows a partial cutaway view of a portion of the embodiment of the asset module shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a series of asset modules whose inner volume is definable, in part, by different size, and shape vertical bounding elements. 
         FIG. 4B  shows one embodiment of a connection between asset module components shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a series of asset modules whose inner volume is definable, in part, by different size, and shape components. 
         FIG. 4D  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an asset module whose inner volume is definable in a vertical direction by nestable volume definition components. 
         FIG. 4E  is a detail view of  FIG. 4D . 
         FIG. 4F  is a top view of  FIG. 4D . 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system, in which a section of the outer asset module is cut away. 
         FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic view of the control system for control of the atmosphere of each asset module. 
         FIG. 6A  is a detail view of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a top portion of an asset module. 
         FIG. 7A  is a detail view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of a portion of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of a portion of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         FIG. 9A  is a detail view of a portion of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 10  shows an embodiment in which the condition of a mechanical asset within the asset module may be communicated to an external source. 
         FIG. 11  shows an embodiment in which the inflatable components of a mechanical asset may be maintained to proper inflation pressure. 
         FIG. 12  shows a wheeled stand by which a plurality of mechanical assets may be housed within an asset module. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a system  21  and methods for storing, maintaining and preserving one or more mechanical assets  15 . In the accompanying illustrations, the system  21  is shown with reference to an automobile. However, the system  21  advantageously may be used to preserve a wide variety of assets  15  including but not limited to one or more automobiles, airplanes, bicycles, construction equipment, engines, spacecraft, tanks, tractors, trains, and watercraft. Certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include one or more asset modules  31  contained within a single outer asset module  37 .  FIG. 1  illustrates an exterior of the single outer asset module  37  with a portion of the exterior of the outer asset module  37  cut-away to expose an interior of the outer asset module  37 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , embodiments of asset modules  31  include volume definition elements  41  by which at least the module volume  35  may be efficiently defined as needed such as to accommodate the storage, and facilitate the maintenance of one or more mechanical assets  15  such as those of varying size. 
     More specifically, the volume definition element  41  includes a substantially continuous module surface  43  and at least one module surface transfer component  45 . The volume definition element  41  facilitates resizing of the asset module  31  on demand relative to a horizontal and/or vertical plane, thereby permitting each module  31  to be sized so that one or more mechanical assets  15  of varying sizes and shapes can be accommodated within the asset module  31 . 
     The substantially continuous module surface  43  defines the module volume  35 , and forms a protective barrier relative to the asset module&#39;s contents. This protective barrier provides protection from exterior environmental conditions, contaminants, and non-permitted access by and thereby possible damage that could be done by people and animals. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , embodiments of the module surface transfer component  45  permit the development of an aperture  43 A by movement or removal of a section  43 S of the substantially continuous module surface  43  in order to facilitate ingress and egress to and from the asset module  31 . In embodiments of the section  43 S of the substantially continuous module surface  43  that are permanently removable, an ingress/egress control element  43 E may be used. Control element  43 E can be of a size that varies according to the size of the section  43 S moved or removed such as the sections  43 S shown by the numbers  51  and  53  in  FIG. 2 . The optional ingress/egress control elements  51  and  53  can be sized and shaped to fill the aperture  43 A in the substantially continuous module surface  43  and used to selectively expose the inner volume to external environmental conditions and allow mechanical assets, people, and other items to enter and exit the asset module  31 . Embodiments of the ingress/egress control element  51  and  53  can have at least two states. In the first state, the ingress/egress control element  51  and  53  covers the aperture  43 A in the substantially continuous module surface  43 . In the first state, ingress/egress to and from the asset module  31  is not facilitated. In the second state, the aperture  43 A in the substantially continuous module surface  43  that was created by the aperture  43 A is not covered; in the second state ingress/egress to and from the asset module  31  is facilitated. 
     The ability to change the states of the ingress/egress control element  51  and  53  may be enabled and disabled by an authentication element  55 . By enabling and disabling the ability to change and otherwise control the state of the ingress/egress control element  51  and  53 , access to the inside of the asset module  31  can be controlled. The authentication element  55  may employ a human screener, lock and key, pin pad, magnetic ID (Identification), RFID (“Radio Frequency Identification”), biometric, or any other authentication method known to one skilled in the art. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in one preferred embodiment of the system  21 , a plurality of asset modules  31  are contained within the single outer asset module  37 . Each of the asset modules  31  of this embodiment is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 , transverse vertical bounding elements  62 , and a horizontal bounding element  71 , or foundation  71 . An outboard vertical bounding element  39  may be configured as a portion of the single outer asset module  37 , or the outboard vertical bounding element  39  may alternatively be a transverse vertical bounding element  62 . Embodiments of the vertical bounding elements  61 ,  62  may be each comprised of a top edge  64 , a bottom edge  65 , and side edges  66 . The side edges  66  of each of the vertical bounding elements  61 ,  62  may be positioned proximal to the side edges  66  of vertical bounding elements  62 , thereby creating a continuous perimeter of vertical bounding elements  61 ,  62 . The bottom edges  65  of the vertical bounding elements  61  are fixed to a horizontal bounding element  71  or another ground anchoring portion of the system. 
     One preferred embodiment of the system  21 , includes a plurality of apertures  43 A in the substantially continuous surface  43 . An ingress/egress control element  51  and  53  may be inserted in each of the apertures  43 A. The first ingress/egress control  51  is constructed of a size and shape to allow the ingress and egress of the stored mechanical asset  15  but may be used for the ingress and egress of any person or item that fits. The second ingress/egress control  53  is constructed of a size and shape to allow the ingress and egress of people but may be used for the ingress and egress of any item that fits. Each ingress/egress control  51  and  53  may include an authentication element  55 . 
     Certain embodiments of the system  21  permit the size and shape of the asset module  31  to be changed by adjusting the position of the longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B , one preferred embodiment of the system  21  includes at least one longitudinal vertical bounding element  61  that is movable relative to the horizontal bounding element  71 . The embodiment of the system  21  shown in  FIG. 3  includes two longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 M, each of which includes bottom edges  65  configured to allow each of the elements  61 M to be moved relative to the other bounding elements  61 ,  62  and the horizontal bounding element  71 . To facilitate the positioning of the movable longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 M, the bottom edges  65  of the longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 M cooperatively engage tracks  201  positioned on, at, or below the surface  71 S of the horizontal bounding element  71 . 
     The embodiment of the system  21  shown in  FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B  include two tracks  201  positioned along two axes  201 A and  201 B that are generally parallel to each other and also below the surface  71 S of the horizontal bounding element  71 . To facilitate the generally releasable fastening of the position of each vertical bounding element  61 , certain embodiments of the elements  61  may include a bottom edge  65  having a fastener  67  having a fastener support area  67 S. One embodiment of the fastener  67  is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The illustrated fastener  67  includes a spring operated leg  67 L at a lower end  68  of which a foot  69  is attached. By movement of the leg  67 L downward, the foot  69  is moved out of engagement with the inner surface  203  of the track  201 , thereby allowing the longitudinal vertical bounding element  61  to be moved. 
     The size and shape of the asset module  31  can also be changed by adjusting the size, shape or number of transverse vertical bounding elements  62 . To illustrate, an embodiment of the system illustrated in  FIG. 4A  includes different shapes and size transverse vertical bounding elements  62  to create different size and shape asset modules  31 . The illustrated transverse vertical bounding elements  62  are replaceable and moveable. The transverse bounding elements  62  may be removed and replaced by different size and shape vertical bounding elements  62 A- 62 C. In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the transverse bounding elements  62  are mounted in tracks  201  positioned along axis  201 C to the horizontal bounding element  71  in a manner similar to the mounting of longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 M to surface  71 S. This allows the transverse bounding elements to be slid along tracks  201  to facilitate creating the size and shape asset module  31  desired. In another embodiment, the transverse bounding elements  62  are mounted to the horizontal bounding element  71  by anchors, or pins (not shown). In the embodiment of the system illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the transverse vertical bounding elements  62  may be connected to each other by “tongue-and-groove” connectors  74  and  75 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . In another embodiment, the transverse vertical bounding elements  62  may be connected by other shape grooves, fasteners, or pins (not shown). 
     The size and shape of the asset module  31  can additionally be changed by adjusting the size, shape or number of longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 . In an embodiment of the system illustrated in  FIG. 4C , longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 A- 61 F are utilized to create different size and shape asset modules  31 . In the embodiment of the system illustrated in  FIG. 4C , longitudinal vertical bounding elements, such as  61 A and  61 B and  61 E and  61 F are connected to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 4B  to create the size and shape asset module  31  desired. In another embodiment, the transverse bounding elements  62  may be connected by other shape grooves, fasteners, or pins (not shown). In another embodiment, the longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  may be mounted in longitudinally oriented tracks (not shown) which run perpendicular to tracks  201  which the longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  are already mounted in. This allows the transverse bounding elements to be slid along tracks in both the longitudinal and transverse directions to facilitate creating the size and shape asset module  31  desired. 
     In another embodiment, the size and shape of an asset module may be changed in a vertical direction through the use of nestable volume definition components  76  and  77  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4D-4F . One or more panels  77 A on volume definition component  77  are removable to allow entry of a mechanical asset  15  into an interior of the nested volume definition components  76  and  77 . The panels  76 A and  77 A may be removable through the use of tongue-and-groove connectors, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
     Volume definition components  76  and  77  are nestable to achieve a variety of different volumes by moving volume definition component  77  in a vertical direction relative to volume definition component  76 . For lightweight volume definition components, this may be accomplished by applying a manual force. For heavier volume definition components, movement of volume definition component  77  in a vertical direction relative to volume definition component  76  may be accomplished by means of mechanical assistance. These means include hand, or hydraulic jacks, or, a motor-operated assist mechanism, such as a motor-operated rack-and-pinion (not shown). 
       FIGS. 4D-4F  show that as the volume definition component  77  is moved vertically relative to volume definition component  76 , a pin  78  rigidly attached to volume definition component  77  moves vertically within a “zig-zag” rail system  79 . The illustrated “zig-zag” rail system  79  is attached to volume definition component  76 . The illustrated “zig-zag” rail system  79  has detent areas  79 A for detaining the pin  78  in the detent area  79 A. The illustrated pin  78  has a resilient head area  78 A which is capable of contracting through a narrow portion  79 B of the “zig-zag” rail system  79 . Once it is passed through the narrow portion  79 B of the “zig-zag” rail system  79 , the resilient head area  78 A expands, allowing the pin  78  to be detained in the detent area  79 A. Once the volume definition component  77  is nested at a desired vertical location relative to volume definition component  76 , volume definition component  77  is held in a fixed vertical position relative to volume definition component  76  by the resilient head area  78 A of pin  78  being detained within a desired detent area  79 A of the “zig-zag” rail system  79  at each corner of volume definition components  76  and  77 . 
     To facilitate the movement of the one or more vertical bounding elements  61  relative to the horizontal bounding elements  71 , embodiments of the system  21 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , include support components  23 , which support building service components, such as building HVAC (“Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning”)  81 , building and asset module  31  piping and tubing  83 , and electrical wiring connectable, as needed, for the thereby defined asset module  31 . In one embodiment, one or more of such support components  23  may be positioned above the asset modules  31 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Such embodiments advantageously allow the size and shape of the asset modules  31  to be changed without the need to reroute infrastructure components or to modify the asset module  31  to allow infrastructure components to run through it. 
     The above building service components allow control of the atmosphere and lighting of the building outside the asset modules. Embodiments of the invention advantageously allow for separate control of the atmosphere and lighting of each of the asset modules  31  as discussed below. Additional embodiments of the invention may include control of mechanical asset systems as discussed below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 6A , certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include a closed system  27  controlled by a closed system control system  28  for selectively producing a controlled atmosphere in each asset module  31 . An atmosphere control unit  101  is generally used for controlling the atmosphere within one or more asset modules  31  and more specifically to affect the temperature, moisture content, and airborne particle content, or relative humidity of the atmosphere in any one or more asset modules  31 . Certain preferred embodiments of the atmosphere control unit  101  can monitor/remove and/or exchange the gases which make up the atmosphere within the asset modules  31  and may exhaust those gases when they become undesirable or dangerous to a person or asset that may be in the asset module  31 . Such a gas is carbon monoxide that may be produced when, for example, an internal combustion engine is allowed to run without control. The atmosphere control unit  101  may further include one or more sensors  105 A,  105 B,  105 C and  105 D that provide information about conditions within the asset modules  31 , such as through visual, audible, and/or tactile means. For example, one such indicator  105 A may inform a visitor whether and when the composition of the atmosphere inside the asset module  31  is safe for human occupancy and when it is unsafe, depending upon the current molecular composition of an atmosphere inside the asset module. Indicator control unit  105 B may monitor the temperature within the control unit. Indicator control unit  105 C may monitor the relative humidity within the control unit. Indicator control unit  105 D may monitor the pressure within the control unit. The atmosphere control unit  101  is also used to control the molecular makeup of the controlled atmosphere within the asset module  31  for asset-preservation reasons. By replacing the existing asset module  31  non-controlled atmosphere composed of air with controlled atmosphere composed of an inert gas, oxidation and other reactions which may degrade the mechanical asset, may be eliminated or reduced. The atmosphere control unit may also control lighting within each asset module  31 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 6A  further illustrate a control system  28  for the closed system  27  including control of the closed system  27  by the atmospheric control unit  101 . The atmospheric control unit  101  receives input from indicators  105 A,  105 B,  105 C,  105 D, etc. that each asset module  31  may contain, on input parameters such as the temperature, pressure, relative humidity and molecular make-up of the atmosphere of each asset module  31  through lines c and d, j and k in  FIG. 6 . The atmospheric control unit  101  compares these input parameters to control parameters input by a client input through a central server unit  106 , or by other means. The atmospheric control unit  101  also may have the capability of reporting back on these parameters to a client, so that the client may monitor these atmospheric parameters remotely. After comparison of the input parameters to the control parameters, the atmospheric control unit may initiate any required changes to the atmosphere of each asset module  31 , by modifying and controlling atmospheric parameters of each asset module  31 . The atmospheric parameters controlled may include temperature, pressure, relative humidity and molecular composition of an atmosphere of each asset modules  31 . This may be accomplished by supplying gas from one of pressurized tanks  107  to the asset module  31 . Pressurized tanks  107  may contain a supply gas including oxygen, carbon-dioxide, nitrogen and helium. Sensors  117 A,  195 ,  196  and  197  in  FIG. 6A  allow these atmospheric parameters of gas supplied from pressurized tanks  107  to be monitored so as to allow control of atmospheric parameters in the asset module  31  based on monitored parameters of supplied gas to the asset module  31 . Further embodiments of the preservation controls may include a single set of components capable of controlling atmospheric parameters of the asset modules. Atmospheric parameters of the asset module may be controlled by allowing the atmosphere of each asset module to be part of the closed system  27 , which allows the atmospheric parameters to be controlled. The atmospheric parameters may be controlled include temperature, pressure, relative humidity and molecular composition of an atmosphere of each of the asset modules. 
     Pressurized tanks  107  containing gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium may be supplied to the asset modules  31  via a tank control valve  108 . The control valve  108  may allow selection of the type of gas desired and regulates the pressure and flow of the gas to be supplied to the asset modules  31 . Sensor  195  may monitor the molecular composition of supplied gas flowing from the control valve  108  and reports the supplied gas molecular composition to the atmospheric control unit  101 . After the supplied gas is regulated by the tank control valve  108 , the gas may pass through a heat exchanger  110 . The heat exchanger  110  cools, or heats the gas to the desired temperature. A heating/cooling unit  112  may supply the necessary temperature heat exchange fluid to properly regulate the temperature of the gases to the asset modules  31 . The heating/cooling unit  112  is regulated by the atmosphere control unit  101 . Sensor  196  may monitor the temperature of supplied gas flowing from the heat exchanger  110  and reports the supplied gas temperature to the atmospheric control unit  101 . After the supplied gas leaves the heating/cooling unit  112 , a humidifier  114  may be able to supply moisture to the gas, if and when the relative humidity of the gas is too low. The humidifier  114  supplies moisture through a humidifier control valve  116 . The humidifier  114  and humidifier control valve  116  may be controlled by the atmospheric control unit  101 . Sensor  197  may monitor the relative humidity of supplied gas flowing from the output of the humidifier  114  and reports the supplied gas relative humidity to the atmospheric control unit  101 . Finally, a pressure control valve  117 , which may be controlled by the atmospheric control unit  101 , that may regulate pressure of the gases to the asset modules  31 , based on pressure inputs supplied by pressure sensor  117 A and asset module  31  indicators  105 A and/or  105 B. Pressure sensor  117 A may monitor the pressure of supplied gas flowing from the pressure control valve  117  and may report the pressure of the supplied gas to the atmospheric control unit  101 . Symbols a-k in  FIGS. 6 and 6A  are used to assist match portions of line segments in these figures which have discontinuities in the same figure, or between  FIGS. 6 and 6A . 
     The supplied gases in closed system  27  described relative to  FIG. 6A  above may flow to the asset modules  31  through a supply header  118 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The supplied gas may then be directed to a selected asset module  31  by selective use the asset module inlet control valve  120 A for the selected asset module  31 . The control valve  120 A for each asset module  31  may be controlled by atmospheric control unit  101  through line a in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . The asset module inlet control valve  120 A for each asset module  31  may be located on an inlet branch  122 A to each asset module  31  in certain embodiments. In some embodiments, asset module inlet control valve may be controlled manually. Between each asset module inlet control valve  120 A and asset module  31  may be a flexible supply component  123 A. The flexible supply component  123 A may allow for a variable distance between the asset module inlet control valve  120 A and asset module  31  to accommodate asset modules  31  of varying height. When it is desired to supply a selected asset module  31  with a selected controlled atmosphere consisting of selected controlled atmospheric parameters including a selected controlled atmosphere molecular composition, selected controlled atmosphere temperature, selected controlled atmosphere pressure and selected controlled atmosphere relative humidity, supplied gas composed of a selected molecular composition, selected temperature, selected pressure and selected relative humidity, as specified by a client at central server unit  106 , the atmospheric control unit  101  may be supplied to the asset module  31 . The supplied gas may be supplied to the specified asset module  31 , until the selected controlled atmosphere molecular composition as monitored by sensor  105 A may be as specified by the client, the selected controlled atmosphere temperature as monitored by sensor  105 B may be as specified by the client, the selected controlled relative humidity as monitored by sensor  105 C may be as specified by the client, and the selected controlled atmosphere pressure as monitored by sensor  105 D may be as specified by the client. The asset module  31  may be normally pressurized to a pressure just slightly greater than atmospheric to prevent infiltration of air into the pressurized asset module. At this point the atmospheric control unit  101  closes asset module inlet control valve  120 A in order to maintain pressure inside the selected asset module  31 . Once pressurized, the atmospheric control unit  101  monitors the molecular composition, temperature, pressure, and relative humidity of the gas in the selected asset module  31  for any deviation from desired set points, and supplies additional gases to the asset module  31  as necessary, through the above described system  21 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when it is desired to remove the mechanical asset  15 , or enter an asset module  31 , the supplied gas may be removed by utilizing pump  124  to evacuate the asset module  31 . Pump  124  receives gases evacuated from an evacuated asset module  31  through discharge header  125 . Certain embodiments of discharge header  125  are connected to each asset module  31  through discharge flexible component  123 B, asset module discharge control valve  120 B and discharge branch  122 B. Each asset module  31  has an asset module discharge control valve  120 B to allow selective evacuation of each asset module  31 . The control valve  120 B for asset module  31  may be controlled by atmosphere control unit  101  through line b in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . In an alternate embodiment, the asset module discharge control valve  120 B may be controlled manually. Pump  124  discharges gas to either a holding tank  130 , or to a discharge line  133  which feeds back to the control valve  108 , to allow the gas to be returned to the appropriate tank  107  via tank control valve  108 . Hand operated valves  132  ( FIGS. 6 and 6A ) allow gas on the discharge side of pump  124  to be selectively routed to the holding tank  130 , or to the tank control valve  108 . Pump  124  is controlled by the atmospheric control unit  101  through line g in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . The above described components in  FIGS. 6 and 6A  all form a portion of the closed system  127 . 
     As illustrated in an embodiment of the system  21  in  FIGS. 7-9 , the top portion of the asset module  31  has a pressure boundary formed through use of a flexible sheet material cover  140 . The flexible sheet material cover  140  may be transparent. The flexible sheet material cover  140  may be initially contained around a rotatable roll  141 . After an asset module  31  is sized and positioned and a mechanical asset  15  may be located therein, a flexible sheet material cover holder panel  150  may be installed on a top surface of one of the two longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  forming a periphery of the asset module  31 . The top surface of one of the two longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  forming a periphery of the asset module and a lower surface of the flexible sheet material cover holder panel  150  are connected in certain embodiments with tongue-and-groove connectors as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The flexible sheet material cover  140  and attached rotatable roll  141  may be installed on an upper portion of the flexible sheet cover material cover holder panel  150 . A flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152  may be installed on a top surface of the other of the two longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  forming a periphery of the asset module  31 . The top surface of the of the two longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  forming a periphery of the asset module  31  and a lower surface of the flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152  are connected with tongue-and-groove connectors as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
     After the flexible sheet material cover holder panel  150  and flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152  are installed, an end of flexible sheet material cover  140  is pulled from rotatable roll  141 , across a span  148  between the two longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61  forming a periphery of the asset module  31 , and fastened to a fastening element on the flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152 . A gasket  149  may be installed proximal to the rotatable roll  141  prevents leakage alongside the bottom surface of flexible sheet material cover  140  proximal the rotatable roll  141 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the end of the flexible sheet material cover  140  has a strip magnet  153  installed on a bottom surface. This strip magnet  153  is held to magnetic metal strip  154  attached to flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152 , thereby permitting a seal to be formed between the flexible sheet material cover  140  and the flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152  (This is a method envisioned to satisfy invention objective). The installation of the flexible sheet material cover receiving panel  152 , along with longitudinal vertical bounding elements  61 , transverse vertical bounding elements  62 , horizontal bounding element  71  and outboard vertical bounding element  39  form a complete pressure boundary for the asset module  31 . If needed, to further improve integrity of the pressure boundary, disposable gasket material may be installed around edges where surfaces meet. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the flexible sheet material cover  140  contains a plurality of apertures  142 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each aperture may include a magnetic seal ring  144  located at the circumference of the aperture  142 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a lower portion of the suction flexible component  123 A and discharge flexible component  123 B may include a magnetic ring  146  attached to each flexible component  123 A and  123 B. 
     After installation of the flexible sheet material cover  140 , the flexible components  123 A and  123 B may be attached to the flexible sheet material cover  140  by selecting apertures  142  on the flexible sheet material cover  140  most proximal to the flexible components  123 A and  123 B. After the appropriate apertures  142  are selected, the flexible components  123 A and  123 B may be connected to the selected apertures  142 . This may be accomplished by allowing the magnetic ring  146  on the flexible components  123 A and  123 B and the magnetic metal seal ring  144  on the apertures  142  of the flexible sheet material cover  140  to come into contact, providing a sealing force between sealing surfaces on the magnetic ring  146  and the magnetic seal ring  144 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9A , a gasket  149 A may be installed around the outer circumference of the magnetic ring  146  and the magnetic seal ring  144  to further reduce the possibility of leakage past this sealing area. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , apertures  142  on the flexible sheet material cover  140  which may not be used are covered with covers  143  to prevent leakage of gases. In certain embodiments, the covers  143  may include attached magnetic rings  146 . This advantageously allows the covers  143  to be easily installed to the magnetic seal rings  144  in a manner similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 9A , to prevent leakage between the apertures  142  and covers  143 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include a diagnostic control  301  for monitoring and manipulating the onboard computer and sensors of the mechanical asset. The diagnostic control  301  can obtain information from the mechanical asset&#39;s sensors and onboard computers. The diagnostic control  301  can set certain parameters within the onboard computer The diagnostic control  301  can communicate with the mechanical asset using OBD (On-Board Diagnostics), OBD 1.5, IBD II, EOBD (European On-Board Diagnostics, EOBD II, or through another monitoring system. An example of such a diagnostic control is shown in  FIG. 8 . It includes an onboard wellness administrator  303  positionable within the asset  15  and which can communicate with an exterior communicator  305 . The exterior communicator  305  may then communicate through known wired or wireless means to provide data regarding the status of the mechanical asset  15 . The exterior communicator  305  is also capable of transmitting information to the control unit  101 . The control unit  101  may take corrective action when any adverse action received is possibly related to an adverse atmospheric condition, such as, for example, temperature, or relative humidity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include an asset-inflation-pressure control  103  for controlling the pressure of the mechanical asset&#39;s inflatable components. The asset-inflation-pressure control  103  can be constructed and operate in any manner known to someone skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the asset-inflation-pressure control may work by connecting a hose or tubing  187  to each tire. The pressure in the tube may be monitored by a pressure gauge and regulator  188 . When the pressure is above a predetermined set point, the pressure control unit  103  allows air to escape from the tube. When pressure is below a predetermined set point, pressured air may be supplied to the tubing  187  by an air pump or compressor (not shown). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include a wheeled stand  191  for allowing a plurality of mechanical assets  15  to be housed within an asset module  31 . 
     Certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include battery-charge control for monitoring, maintaining and manipulating the charge on the mechanical asset&#39;s battery (if present) (not shown). The battery-charge control can be constructed and operate in any manner obvious to someone skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the battery-charge control may work by connecting charging cables to the battery and run through an amp meter and to a charger. The charger can either send a charge to the battery or drain a charge from the battery, based on the readings of the meter and the input from the control user. 
     Certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  may include a lift control (not shown), which may be used to raise the mechanical asset  15  off the ground. The lift can be constructed and operate in any manner obvious to one skilled in the art. The lift control may be used to raise the mechanical asset  15  from the floor allowing access the underside of the mechanical asset  15 . The lift control may be further used to control the amount of pressure placed on the mechanical asset&#39;s ground anchoring portion. 
     Certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  may include rollers (not shown) under the drive wheels of the mechanical asset  15  which has drive wheels. The rollers allow the mechanical asset&#39;s drive wheels to turn while keeping the mechanical asset stationary. The rollers could further be connected to a dynamometer for measuring various performance characteristics of the mechanical asset 
     Certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  may include tools (not shown) for maintenance service on the mechanical asset  15 . A computer system may be used to identify the tools needed for a mechanical asset, to avoid storing unnecessary tools in or about the asset module  31 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with references to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred version contained herein.