Fluid cooling assembly and method

Abstract

A fluid cooling assembly comprising a compressor system, a frame structure, a cooler body, a fluid inlet in the cooler body fluidly interconnected to the compressor system, and a fluid outlet in the cooler body fluidly interconnected with the fluid inlet and the compressor system. The cooler body is pivotally movable about an axis away from the frame structure. The cooler body has a first and second edge, the first edge being located nearer the axis than the second edge. The fluid inlet and fluid outlet are located adjacent to the first edge of the cooler body, thus remaining fluidly interconnected to one another and the compressor system throughout movement of the cooler body toward and away from the frame structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluid cooling assembly comprising: 
 a compressor system positioned relative to a frame structure;    a cooler body having at least a first edge, the cooler body first edge pivotally coupled to the frame structure such that the cooler body is movable about an axis along an arcuate path between a first position in which the cooler body is in operative relation to the frame structure and a second position in which the cooler body is spaced away from the frame structure;    a fluid inlet entering the cooler body and fluidly interconnected with the compressor system; and    a fluid outlet exiting the cooler body and fluidly interconnected with the fluid inlet and the compressor system;    the fluid inlet and fluid outlet located adjacent the cooler body first edge such that the fluid inlet and fluid outlet remain fluidly interconnected with the compressor system and one another during movement of the cooler body between the first position and the second position.    
     
     
         2 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooler body first edge is spaced a distance from the axis in the first position.  
     
     
         3 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the axis is substantially horizontal.  
     
     
         4 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first edge of the cooler body is a lower edge of the cooler body, such that the first edge pivots away and down relative to the axis as the cooler body moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         5 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first edge of the cooler body is an upper edge of the cooler body, such that the first edge pivots away and up relative to the axis as the cooler body moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         6 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the axis is positioned substantially vertically, and wherein the first edge of the cooler body is a side edge of the cooler body such that the first edge moves away from the axis as the cooler body moves from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         7 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket positioned to couple the cooler body to the frame structure such that the cooler body first edge is spaced a distance from the axis.  
     
     
         8 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the bracket has a base and legs, the legs each being disposed at an angle with respect to the base.  
     
     
         9 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a cooler body air inlet and a cooler body air outlet, wherein the air inlet and air outlet remain fluidly interconnected to one another and to the compressor system as the cooler body moves between the first and second positions.  
     
     
         10 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a cooler body air inlet and a cooler body air outlet fluidly interconnected with one another and with the compressor system, wherein the air inlet and air outlet are disconnected from one of the cooler body and the compressor system prior to moving the cooler body between the first and second positions.  
     
     
         11 . A fluid cooling assembly comprising: 
 a compressor system;    a frame structure adjacent the compressor system;    a cooler body adjacent the frame structure, the cooler body pivotally movable relative to the frame structure about an axis, the cooler body having: 
 first and second edges; and a fluid inlet and fluid outlet fluidly interconnected with one another and the compressor system, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet located adjacent the cooler body first edge to allow the fluid inlet and fluid outlet to remain fluidly interconnected with one another and with the compressor system as the cooler body is pivoted toward and away from the frame structure;  
   a first position of the cooler body in which the cooler body first and second edges are spaced a distance from the axis;    a second position of the cooler body in which the cooler body first and second edges are spaced a greater distance from the axis; and    a bracket rotatable about the axis and positioned to pivotally couple the cooler body first edge to the frame structure such that as the bracket is rotated about the axis, the cooler body moves between the first position and the second position.    
     
     
         12 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the bracket has a base and legs, the legs each being disposed at an angle with respect to the base.  
     
     
         13 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first edge is located nearer the axis than the second edge.  
     
     
         14 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the axis is substantially horizontal.  
     
     
         15 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first edge is pivoted away and down relative to the axis as the cooler body is moved from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         16 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first edge is pivoted away and up relative to the axis as the cooler body is moved from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         17 . The fluid cooling assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the axis is substantially vertical, and wherein the first edge is pivoted away from the axis as the cooler body is moved from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         18 . A method for cleaning a fluid cooling assembly, the fluid cooling assembly comprising a compressor system adjacent a frame structure and a cooler body, the cooler body having first and second edges and a surface to be cleaned; the method comprising: 
 providing a bracket coupling the cooler body first edge to the frame structure, the bracket rotatable about an axis adjacent the frame structure;    providing a fluid inlet and fluid outlet adjacent the cooler body first edge fluidly interconnected to one another and to the compressor system;    rotating the bracket about the axis adjacent the frame structure;    moving the cooler body first and second edges away from the frame structure as the bracket is rotated about the axis;    exposing the surface of the cooler body as the cooler body moves away from the frame structure; and    cleaning the surface of the cooler body while maintaining the fluid interconnection between the fluid inlet, fluid outlet and the compressor system.    
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising disconnecting at least one of a cooler body air inlet and a cooler body air outlet prior to rotating the bracket about the axis.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the axis is substantially horizontal, and wherein moving the cooler body first and second edges away from the frame structure includes moving the cooler body first and second edges away and down relative to the axis.