EP2344737A1

EP2344737A1 - A cover unit for controlling noise from engines or the like

Info

Publication number: EP2344737A1
Application number: EP09753135A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sami Jussila
Original assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
Current assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
Priority date: 2008-11-13
Filing date: 2009-10-14
Publication date: 2011-07-20
Also published as: FI20086077A7; CN102209843A; FI20086077L; WO2010055196A1; RU2011123794A

Abstract

The invention relates toa cover unit for controlling noise from engines or the like, resting on a solid base and adapted to cover at least substantially the en- tire engine. The cover unit (1) comprises a frame structure (2) including a num- ber of vertical and horizontal support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d) connected to each other so as to form a skeleton frame around the engine, and a number of noise absorbing panel elements (3,3,3) supported on the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d), at least the majority of the panel elements being detachably supported to the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d).

Description

A COVER UNIT FOR CONTROLLING NOISE FROM ENGINES OR THE LIKE

Technical field

The invention relates to a cover unit for controlling noise from engines or the like, resting on a solid base and adapted to cover at least substantially the entire engine in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

Background art

Motors and engines and specifically large internal combustion engines generate a lot of harmful noise when running. Therefore, depending on the location of the engines in each case, such as engine rooms in ships and power plants, ever- stricter limits on noise levels have to be complied with. As a consequence it is important to try to minimise the level of noise produced.

In principle the level of noise can be reduced for instance by modifications in the engines, such as selecting low-noise components and engine types and by reduction of internal noise mechanisms, as well as by the design of the engine rooms. In addition improved engine covers could be developed and applied.

An object of the invention is to provide a cover unit for improved noise control for engines or motors, specifically large internal combustion engines. Further object of the invention is to provide an engine cover unit, which is easy to install and allows good possibilities for providing service for the engine.

Disclosure of the invention

The objects of the invention can be met substantially as is disclosed in claim 1 and in the other claims presenting more details of the invention. According to the invention the cover unit comprises a frame structure including a number of vertical and horizontal support elements connected to each other so as to form a skeleton frame around the engine and a number of noise absorbing panel elements supported on the support elements. At least the majority of the panel elements are detachably supported to the support elements. Hereby the cover unit is easy to install and allows easy access to the engine from different sides thereof.

Firm basis for the frame structure can be ensured when it is fixed on a support structure arranged on the base. The support structure comprises with advantage support profile elements provided with vibration dampening fixing means for the frame structure and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the engine on either side thereof.

A light-weight construction with sufficient strength can be achieved when the support elements are of aluminium profile.

Easy access to the engine is further improved when at least the majority of, preferably all the vertically oriented panel elements are turnably supported on the support elements of the frame structure. Further, at least the majority of, preferably all the panel elements are with advantage provided with a swing bolt handle arrangement for lockably attaching and detaching the panel elements with regard to the support elements of the frame structure. In this case the engine may be accessed from its all sides and from above. Hereby also all the panel elements can be easily changed if necessary.

The arrangement may with advantage include also frame support elements allowing oblique orientation of the respective panel elements to be attached thereto. This improves the appearance of the design and saves space.

Form the viewpoint of efficient operation of the engine it is important that the ar- rangement further includes panel elements provided with louver means for air supply.

In order to provide good acoustic properties the panel elements include a porous absorber part, preferably of foamed polyurethane, and a corrugated or perforated plate element, preferably of aluminium. The corrugated or perforated plate element is arranged between the porous absorber part and a plate element of aluminium.

In case the engine is an internal combustion engine, the cover unit includes a panel element provided with a lead-through means for the exhaust pipe of the engine.

Brief Description of Drawings

In the following the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

- Figure 1 illustrates an assembled cover unit according to the invention,

- Figure 2 shows the supporting frame structure of the cover unit of figure 1 ,

- Figures 3 and 4 show support structure elements and means for supporting the frame structure,

- Figures 5a - 5d show support elements included in the supporting frame,

- Figures 6a - 6e show a panel element and its parts,

- Figures 7a and 7b show another panel element, and

- Figure 8 shows an exhaust pipe fixing assembly to be ulitised in connection with the panel element of figures 7a and 7b.

Detailed Description of Drawings

With reference to figures 1 and 2 a cover unit 1 includes a frame structure 2 including a number of vertical and horizontal support elements connected to each other and provided with different panel elements 3, 3' and 3" detachably fixed threreto. The frame structure 2 and thus the whole cover unit 1 rests on a sup- port structure 4 arranged on the base of the not shown engine in each case. The figures 3 and 4 show in more detail the support structure 4, which includes two support profile elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the engine on its either side. These elements are provided with vibration dampening fixing means 4a and 4b for the frame structure 2. As apparent from figure 4 one of the fixing means 4b comprises a plate support 4b1 provided with a screw bolt 4b2 and a vibration dampening member 4b3.

As is disclosed in figures 5a - 5d the frame structure may with advantage be prefabricated to include frame element including a number of support profiles fixed together to form a rib support.

Figure 6a shows a front view of a panel element 3', which is provided with louver means 3'd for supply of air. The panel element 3' is provided with hinges 3'e so that it is turnably attached to the frame element in question. In addition it is provided with a swing bolt 3'f operable by a handle so that the panel element 3' can be locked and unlocked to attach and detach it with regard to the support element.

With reference to figures 6b - 6e the panel element 3' comprises a porous absorber part 3'a, preferably of foamed polyurethane, a corrugated or perforated plate element 3'b, preferably of aluminium, and a further plate element 3'c of aluminium as well. All these parts are provided with an opening for the louver means 3'd, which is fixed to the innermost plate element 3'c.

All the panel elements have with advantage the same basic construction including said three different sheets, whether or not provided with louver means. In practice only the vertical panel elements are attached to the support elements of the frame by means of hinges, but all the elements are advantageously pro- vided with the swing bolt handle arrangement so as to be easily removable when necessary.

Figures 7a and 7b show another panel element 3" which is utilised for providing a lead-through for an exhaust pipe in case the engine is an internal combustion engine. In analogy with the panel element 3' of figure 6a also the element 3" is provided with a louver means 3"d attached to the innermost plate element 3"c. In addition it is provided with two swing bolts 3"f with handle operation arranged at either end of it and with means 3"g for attaching an exhaust pipe fixing assembly 5 disclosed in figure 8. The exhaust pipe fixing assembly 5 comprises two pipe parts 5a and 5b, fitting means 5c for connection with said attaching means 3"g and flange means 5d for fixing to the exhaust pipe of the engine (not shown) and further to outward piping means for leading the exhaust gases away from the engine room or other location of the engine.

Suitable sealing means may be utilised in various places between the mutual attachment of the various elements included in the covet unit so as to further reduce the noise and vibrations produced.

It is clear that the invention is not limited to the examples mentioned above but can be implemented in many other different embodiments within the scope of the inventive idea.

Claims

1. A cover unit for controlling noise from engines or the like, resting on a solid base and adapted to cover at least substantially the entire engine, the cover unit (1 ) comprising a frame structure (2) including a number of vertical and horizontal support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d) connected to each other so as to form a skeleton frame around the engine, and a number of noise absorbing panel elements (3, 3', 3") supported on the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d), at least the majority of the panel elements being detachably supported to the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d), characterised in that the frame structure (2) is fixed on a support structure (4) arranged on the base, said support structure (4) comprising support profile elements provided with vibration dampening fixing means (4a,4b) for the frame structure (2).

2. A cover unit according to claim 1 , characterised in that the vibration dampening fixing means (4a,4b) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the engine on either side thereof.

3. A cover unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d) are of aluminium profile.

4. A cover unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the majority of, preferably all the vertically oriented panel elements are turnably supported on the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d) of the frame structure (2).

5. A cover unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the majority of, preferably all the panel elements (3, 3', 3") are provided with a swing bolt handle arrangement (3'f) for lockably attaching and detaching the panel elements (3,3', 3") with regard to the support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d) of the frame structure (2).

6. A cover unit arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes frame support elements (2a,2b,2c,2d) allowing oblique orientation of the respective panel elements to be attached thereto.

7. A cover unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes panel elements (3', 3") provided with louver means (3'd,3"d) for air supply.

8. A cover unit according to any one of the preceding claims, character- ised in that the panel elements (3, 3', 3") include a porous absorber part (3'a), preferably of foamed polyurethane, and a corrugated or perforated plate element (3'b), preferably of aluminium.

9. A cover unit according to claim 9, characterised in that the corrugated or perforated plate element (3'b) is arranged between the porous absorber part (3'a) and a plate element (3'c) of aluminium.

10. A cover unit arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, where the engine is a large internal combustion engine, characterised in that it includes a panel element (3") provided with a lead-through means (3"g) for the exhaust pipe of the engine.