Patent Publication Number: US-2022213832-A1

Title: Fan Shroud

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/251,450, filed Jan. 18, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/619,432, titled “Fan Shroud” and filed Jan. 19, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fan assemblies can be used to provide cooling airflow or other ventilation for electrical enclosures and other installations. In some cases, it may be useful to provide a shroud to cover a fan assembly. In some cases, it may be useful to provide a fan shroud on an exterior of an enclosure, with the shroud configured to selectively provide access to the fan assembly. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the invention provide a shroud assembly for use with an enclosure. A support frame can include at least one side wall with a locking slot, a hinge slot, and a notch. A shroud can include a first pin, a second pin, and a tab. The locking slot can be configured to receive the first pin to secure the shroud in a closed configuration. The hinge slot can be configured to receive the second pin to support the shroud in the closed configuration, in an open configuration, and during hinging of the shroud between the closed and open configurations. The tab can be configured to engage the notch to support the shroud at a predetermined angle relative to the support frame when the shroud is in the open configuration. 
     Some embodiments of the invention provide a support frame for a shroud assembly for use with an enclosure, with the shroud assembly including a shroud a first pin, a second pin, and a tab. A side wall of the support frame can include a locking slot, a serpentine hinge slot, and a notch. The locking slot can be configured to receive the first pin to secure the shroud in a closed configuration and to release the first pin for the shroud to move to an open configuration. The serpentine hinge slot can be configured to receive the second pin to support the shroud in the closed configuration, in an open configuration, and during hinging of the shroud between the closed and open configurations. The notch can be configured to engage the tab to support the shroud at a predetermined angle relative to the support frame when the shroud is in the open configuration. 
     Some embodiments of the invention provide shroud for a shroud assembly for use with an enclosure, with the shroud assembly including a support frame with a locking slot, a hinge slot, and a notch. The shroud can include a shroud body, a first pin, a second pin, and a tab. The first pin can be disposed to be received in the locking slot to secure the shroud in a closed configuration. The second pin can be disposed to be received in the hinge slot to support the shroud in the closed configuration, in an open configuration, and during hinging of the shroud between the closed and open configurations. The tab can be configured to engage the notch to support the shroud at a predetermined angle relative to the support frame when the shroud is in the open configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are isometric views of a shroud assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a closed configuration; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are isometric views of a shroud for use with the shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric partial view of the shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the open configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional partial views of the shroud of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , with a gasket installed; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric partial view of the shroud of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , without a gasket installed; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a support frame for use with the shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are isometric partial views of the support frame of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the support frame of  FIG. 9 , illustrating aspects of an assembly process for the shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric partial view of the shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the open configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Likewise, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and the like, are meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and/or C. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
     As also noted above, it may be useful to provide shrouds for fan openings or other features of enclosures. Embodiments of the invention can provide shroud assemblies (and components thereof) that can be readily installed on a variety of enclosures. Further, shrouds of some embodiments can be easily installed without requiring specialized tools or training, and can hinge open to allow access to otherwise protected components. In some embodiments, shrouds according to the invention can be configured to open only to a predetermined angle before being automatically stopped. 
       FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate a fan shroud assembly  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The fan shroud assembly  100  is configured to be selectively swung open for access to a fan assembly (not shown) or other equipment, and swung closed to protect the fan assembly from environmental factors such as water, dust, and debris. Generally, the fan shroud assembly  100  includes a support frame  102  and a shroud  104 . The support frame  102  is configured to be secured to an enclosure and the shroud  104  is configured to be supported by the support frame  102 . The fan shroud assembly  100  is shown in an example open configuration in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and in an example closed configuration in  FIG. 3 . 
     Fan shrouds according to the invention can be configured for use with a variety of fan assemblies. For example, in some arrangements, the fan shroud assembly  100  can be installed to shield a filter fan assembly, as may be useful to prevent excessive fouling or wetting of a filter, as well as to generally prevent unwanted ingress of substances into the relevant enclosure. In other embodiments other configurations are possible. Further, in some embodiments, shrouds or support frames may be differently configured than the shroud  104  or the support frame  102 . For example, other support frames may exhibit differently shaped or sized internal openings or other features, and other shrouds may exhibit different external profiles, differently sized or located openings, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, a gasket arrangement or other sealing element can be provided in order to further assist in protecting the relevant fan assembly. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , for example, the shroud  104  supports a single-piece gasket  106  that extends along the top and both vertical sides of the shroud  104  at an open back  104   a  of the of the shroud  104 . Thus arranged, the gasket  106  can seal against an enclosure when the fan shroud assembly  100  is closed (e.g., as in  FIG. 3 ). In other embodiments, other arrangements are possible, including arrangements with multiple-piece gaskets, other sealing elements, or no sealing elements. 
     As also noted above, different shrouds according to the invention can exhibit different arrangements of openings. As shown in  FIG. 3  in particular, for example, the shroud  104  provides a generally enclosed area when closed, but exhibits an open bottom  104   b  as well as the open back  104   a . This may be useful, for example, in order to provide a relatively unobstructed flow path for air to move to or from the fan assembly (not shown), while still generally shielding the fan assembly from the environment. In other embodiments, other flow paths may be provided. For example, in some embodiments, louvers or other semi-open features can be provided on the sides, top, or front of the shroud  104 , as appropriate. Similarly, in some embodiments, the bottom of the shroud  104  may be partially or fully closed. 
     In some embodiments, a body of a shroud can be formed from a single piece of material. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4  in particular, a body  110  of the shroud  104  includes side walls  112 ,  114 , a top wall  116 , a front wall  118 , and a bottom flange  120  that can be integrally formed from a single piece of sheet metal or other material. In some embodiments, seams of the body  110  can be welded or otherwise joined in order to provide air- or water-tight joints. In some embodiments, multiple pieces of material can be used to form a body of a shroud or various other components. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the body  110  is generally rectangular, with generally right angles at the various seams. Similarly, in the embodiment illustrated, the front wall  118  is slightly longer than the open back  104   a , as reflected in the slightly downward angle of the bottom edges of the side walls  112 ,  114 . In other embodiments, other arrangements are possible. 
     In some embodiments, additional components can be secured to a shroud, such as may help to secure the shroud to a support structure, allow prescribed (or other) movement of the shroud, or secure components (e.g., gaskets) to the shroud. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , for the shroud  104 , for example, a set of brackets  130  are secured (e.g., welded) to the interior of the side walls  112 ,  114  of the body  110 , and a bracket  132  is secured (e.g., welded) to the interior of the top wall  116 . The brackets  130 ,  132  can be formed from sheet metal, similarly to the body  110 , or from other material, as appropriate. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the brackets  130 ,  132  can be used to secure the gasket  106  to the body  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7  in particular, each of the brackets  130  (only one shown in  FIG. 7 ) include an offset portion that defines a channel  134  between each of the brackets  130  and the respective side wall  112 ,  114 . In some cases, including as illustrated, part of a flange of the gasket  106 , or another similar feature, can be inserted into the channel  134  in order to secure the gasket  106  (or other component) to the body  110 . Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 8  in particular, the bracket  132  includes an offset portion that defines a channel  136  between the bracket  132  and the top wall  116 . As with the channels  134 , the flange of the gasket  106 , or another similar feature, can be inserted into the channel  136  to further secure the gasket  106  to the body  110 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the channels  134 ,  136 , as defined by the brackets  130 ,  132 , extend to closely proximal ends, such that a continuous gasket can extend through all three of the channels  134 ,  136  while being substantially supported by the brackets  130 ,  132  and the shroud body  110 . This substantial support for a continuous gasket can be useful, for example, in order to help ensure appropriately continuous and reliable sealing around substantially the entire side and top perimeters of the shroud body  110 . 
     In some embodiments, brackets secured to a shroud body can be used for other purposes than (or in addition to) securing a sealing element. For example, the brackets  130 ,  132  or other components secured to the body  110  can provide features to secure the body  110  to the support frame  102  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  in particular, for example, the brackets  130  includes sets of protrusions configured as welded or otherwise secured pins  138 . As also described below, the pins  138  can be configured to engage corresponding features on the support frame  102  to hingedly secure the body  110 , and the shroud  104  generally, to the support frame  102 . 
     In some embodiments, other features can also be provided. For example, in the embodiment illustrated, each of the brackets  130  further includes a respective tab  140  towards a bottom end of the bracket  130 . In the embodiment illustrated, as illustrated in  FIG. 9  in particular, the tabs  140  can be integrally formed as folded-out portions of the brackets  130 . In other embodiments, other configurations are possible. As also discussed below, the tabs  140  can help to support the shroud  104  in an open configuration, at a predetermined angle. 
     Similarly to the shroud  104 , the support frame  102  can also be formed from sheet metal or other appropriate material, using a single folder piece of metal or multiple pieces of metal joined (e.g., welded) together. As illustrated in  FIG. 10  in particular, the support frame  102  is formed with two side walls  150  that are configured to extend at generally right angles relative to an enclosure wall (not shown) to which the shroud assembly  100  is mounted. Rear panels  152 ,  154  include mounting features such as mounting holes  156  to secure the support frame  102  to the enclosure. The rear panels  152 , together with the side walls  150 , also define a fan opening  158 . 
     Top and bottom walls  160 ,  162  extending between the side walls  150  can provide structural rigidity to the support frame  102 . The walls  160 ,  162  can also help to shield the relevant fan assembly, even when the shroud  104  is open. For example, in the embodiment illustrated, the top wall  160  includes an upturned flange  164  that can help to direct water or other substances away from the fan opening  158 . 
     Generally, support structures according to the invention can include slots to receive corresponding protrusions on an associated shroud. In order to appropriately support the shroud  104 , for example, each of the side walls  150  includes a hinge slot  170  and a locking slot  172 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11  in particular, the hinge slot  170  is somewhat longer than the locking slot  172  and is generally serpentine, with an entrance that includes a substantially horizontal portion  174  and a substantially vertical portion  176 . The locking slot  172  also includes a pin seat  178 , and an offset retention portion  180  that curves away from the vertical portion  176  and then back towards the pin seat  178  to define a retention protrusion  182 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12  in particular, the locking slot  172  includes a flared entrance portion  184  with a narrowed locking portion  186 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12  in particular, the hinge slot  170  and the locking slot  172  of each of the side walls  150  can receive the corresponding pin  138  on the shroud  104 . With the pins thus received, the weight of the shroud  104  can thereby help to secure the pins  138  within the slots  170 ,  172  and, correspondingly, help to secure the shroud  104  to the support frame  102  and to the enclosure. 
     To hinge the shroud  104  open, the shroud  104  can then be lifted slightly, so that the upper set of the pins  138  are aligned with the flared entrance portions  184  of the locking slots  172  (i.e., are clear of a protrusion that defines the top of the locking portion  186 ). With the pins  138  thus aligned, the shroud  104  can then be pivoted about the lower pins  138  to an open configuration (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). To return the shroud  104  to the closed configuration, the shroud  104  can then be pivoted about the lower pins  138  back towards the shroud  104  until the upper pins  138  re-enter the locking slots  172  and the shroud  104  is correspondingly secured in the closed configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the configuration of locking and hinge slots can assist users in appropriately opening and closing a shroud assembly. For example, the offset retention portions  180  of the hinge slots  170 , including the retention protrusions  182 , can engage the lower pins  138  to usefully provide resistance to any lifting of the shroud  104  beyond that which is necessary to remove the upper pins  138  from the locking slots  172 . Accordingly, for example, users can be provided with tactile feedback to help avoid inadvertent removal of the shroud  104  from the support frame  102 , including as the shroud  104  is lifted out of the locking slots  172  to be hinged open. 
     Similarly, the flared configuration of the entrance portions  184  of the locking slots  172  can help to automatically lift the shroud  104  to guide the upper pins  138  into the locking slots  172  as the shroud  104  is hinged closed. Accordingly, for example, users can simply swing the shroud  104  closed, with the flared entrance portions  184  providing any necessary lifting of the shroud  104  so that the upper pins  138  can be aligned to enter the locking slots  172 . Further, as the shroud  104  is thus lifted, the offset retention portions  180  of the hinge slots  170  can help to prevent the shroud  104  from being lifted excessively, such that the shroud  104  can be easily moved to a closed configuration without requiring significant attention or care from users. 
     In some embodiments, the configuration of a locking slot can assist users in separating a sealing element from an enclosure (i.e., in breaking a seal) with relative ease and without causing excessive wear on the seal. For example, as the shroud  104  is moved from a fully seated, fully closed configuration, the outwardly directed portion of the offset retention portion  180  of the hinge slots  170  can direct the corresponding pins  138  to move slightly outwardly, away from the relevant enclosure. Correspondingly, the shroud body  110  can be moved outwardly away from the enclosure, thereby effectively separating the gasket  106  from the enclosure. In some cases, this assisted breaking of a seal can result in substantially easier operation of the shroud assembly  100  than might otherwise be obtained. 
     In some embodiments, other features can be included. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , for example, a notch  190  and a hole  192  are provided in a lower portion of each of the side walls  150  of the support frame  102 , somewhat below the bottom ends of the pin seats  178 . In some embodiments, the holes  192  can be used to secure the shroud assembly  100  in a closed configuration. For example, a padlock or other securing device can be locked through one or both of the holes  192 , in engagement with a corresponding feature or features on the shroud  104 , such as a hole in either of the side walls  112 ,  114  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8 ), in order to prevent the shroud  104  from being hinged away from the support frame  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the notch  190  can help to secure the shroud  104  in a desired open orientation. As illustrated in  FIG. 13  in particular, when the shroud  104  is hinged open to a predetermined angle relative to the support frame  102 , and the enclosure in general, the tabs  140  on the brackets  130  can engage the side walls  150  at the notches  190  in order to stop the shroud  104  at the predetermined angle. As also illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the embodiment illustrated, the notches  190  and the tabs  140  are configured to stop the shroud  104  when the shroud  104  is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to vertical. In other embodiments, other angles are possible. In some embodiments, one or more notches can allow for multiple or customizable angles. In some embodiments, a notch and a corresponding tab can be provided on other features, such as on a shroud and a support frame, respectively. 
     In some embodiments, notches and tabs, such as the notches  190  and the tabs  140 , can help to secure a shroud at a predetermined angle without requiring a reorientation of the shroud from its hinging path. For example, in contrast to various conventional arrangements, the notches  190  and the tabs  140  can arrest the movement of the shroud  104  as the shroud  104  pivots, without, for example, requiring the pins  138  to slide to “holding” or “locking” positions. As with other features disclosed herein, this can contribute to simpler, more reliable, and more generally useful operation of some embodiments. 
     Thus, embodiments of the disclosure provide for an improved shroud assembly, as may be used with filter fan assemblies or other assemblies of various enclosures. In some embodiments, for example, a generally removable shroud can be configured to securely seal around an open portion of the shroud, and to be hinged open relative to a fixed support frame. Further, in some embodiments, a support frame can be configured to support a shroud at a predetermined open angle. 
     The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.