Modular industrial equipment facility

Abstract

A modular industrial equipment facility is provided. This facility includes a plurality of pre-assembled, portable modules that may further include a plurality of internal modules, and a plurality of terminal modules for connecting to the plurality of internal modules, wherein each module may be configured to operate either in combination with or independent of the other modules. These modules are typically intended for use with heavy, industrial grade equipment. The internal modules and terminal modules may be arranged to form a single, integrated structure that has the appearance of a permanent, non-modular building. This invention may also include a computerized monitoring and control system that may further include a local component that monitors and controls the operation of equipment that may be housed in the various modules; and a remote monitoring and control component that is capable of monitoring and controlling the operation of the equipment in the various modules. Pre-installed ductwork and computerized air handling allow the facility to be expanded or contracted without significant structural modifications.

1 ) An industrial system, comprising: 
 (a) a plant or factory for performing an industrial process; and    (b) a modular industrial equipment facility connected to the plant or factory, wherein the modular equipment facility further comprises: 
 (i) a plurality of internal modules, wherein each of the internal modules further comprises at least one substantially non-weight bearing external wall;  
 (ii) a plurality of terminal modules for use with the plurality of internal modules, wherein each of the terminal modules further comprises at least two external substantially non-weight bearing walls; and  
 (iii) wherein the internal modules and terminal modules are arranged to form an integrated structure.  
   
   
   
       2 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computerized monitoring and control system in communication with the modular equipment facility, wherein the monitoring and control system further comprises: a local component within the facility and a remote component separate from the facility and in communication with the local component.  
   
   
       3 ) The industrial system of  claim 2 , wherein the local component is located in one of the internal modules or in one of the terminal modules, and further comprises computer hardware and software for operating the equipment facility.  
   
   
       4 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein the plant or factory is an automotive manufacturing facility.  
   
   
       5 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular equipment facility is an air compressor facility, and wherein the air compressor facility is substantially automated and provides a substantially continuous supply of compressed air to the plant or factory.  
   
   
       6 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the internal modules further comprises an air compressor/dryer, and wherein each internal module is configured to operate the air compressor/dryer either in combination with or independent of the other air compressors.  
   
   
       7 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the modules further comprises pre-wired electrical lines and connections.  
   
   
       8 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the internal modules further comprises air-handling components, and wherein the air-handling components further comprise: filters; fans; dampers; and air ducts.  
   
   
       9 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of terminal modules each further comprise at least one vent for providing ventilation to the interior of the modular industrial equipment facility.  
   
   
       10 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the internal modules and each of the terminal modules is adapted to be crane lifted.  
   
   
       11 ) The industrial system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular industrial equipment facility may be modified by adding modules or removing modules.  
   
   
       12 ) An industrial equipment facility, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of preassembled, portable equipment modules, wherein the plurality of preassembled, portable equipment modules further comprises: 
 (i) a plurality of internal equipment modules, wherein each of the internal equipment modules further comprises at least one substantially non-weight bearing external wall; and  
 (ii) a plurality of terminal modules for use with the plurality of internal equipment modules, wherein each of the terminal equipment modules further comprises at least two external substantially non-weight bearing walls; and  
   (b) wherein the plurality of preassembled, portable equipment modules are arranged to form a single, integrated structure.    
   
   
       13 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , further comprising a computerized monitoring and control system in communication with the equipment facility, wherein the monitoring and control system further comprises: a component located within the facility and a component located remotely from the facility, wherein the remotely located component is in communication with the control component located within the facility.  
   
   
       14 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 13 , wherein the local control component is located in one of the internal modules or in one of the terminal modules, and further comprises computer hardware and software for operating the equipment facility.  
   
   
       15 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , wherein each of the internal equipment modules further comprises an air compressor/dryer unit, and wherein each air compressor/dryer unit operates either in combination with or independent of the other air compressor/dryer units.  
   
   
       16 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , wherein each of the modules further comprises pre-wired electrical lines and connections for connecting to the other modules.  
   
   
       17 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , wherein each of the internal modules further comprises air-handling components, and wherein the air-handling components further comprise: filters; fans; dampers; and air ducts.  
   
   
       18 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , wherein at least two of the plurality of terminal equipment modules each further comprises at least one vent for providing ventilation to the interior of the industrial equipment facility.  
   
   
       19 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , wherein each of the internal equipment modules and each of the terminal equipment modules are adapted to be crane lifted.  
   
   
       20 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 12 , wherein the industrial equipment facility may be modified by adding equipment modules or removing equipment modules.  
   
   
       21 ) An industrial equipment facility, comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of individual equipment modules; wherein the equipment modules are arranged to form an integrated structure;    (b) an industrial air compressor/dryer installed in at least two of the individual equipment modules, wherein each air compressor/dryer draws cooling air and compressor intake air from the environment outside of the industrial equipment facility;    (c) a plurality of air-handling components connected to or in communication with each of the at least two industrial air compressor/dryers; wherein the plurality of air-handling components further comprises: coolers, dampers, fans, air ducts, and temperature sensors;    (d) a computerized monitoring and control system in communication with the air-handling components in each equipment module and each air compressor/dryer for monitoring and controlling the operation of each air compressor/dryer; and    (e) wherein the computerized monitoring and control system operates each air compressor/dryer unit in combination with or independent of the other air compressor/dryers.    
   
   
       22 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 21 , further comprising electric switchgear connected to the at least two industrial air compressor/dryers; and a source of electric power connected to the electric switchgear.  
   
   
       23 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 21 , wherein the computerized monitoring and control system further comprises a component located within the facility and a component located remotely from the facility, wherein the remotely located component is in communication with the component located within the facility.  
   
   
       24 ) The industrial equipment facility of  claim 22 , wherein the communication between the component located within the facility and the component located remotely from the facility is wireless.  
   
   
       25 ) A method for constructing, installing and operating an industrial equipment facility, comprising: 
 (a) fabricating a plurality of internal equipment modules, wherein each of the internal modules further comprises at least one substantially non weight-bearing external wall;    (b) fabricating a plurality of terminal equipment modules, wherein each of the terminal modules further comprises at least two substantially non weight-bearing external walls;    (c) placing industrial equipment within some or all of the internal modules and the terminal modules;    (d) transporting the internal modules and the terminal modules to a predetermined site;    (e) arranging the internal modules and terminal modules at the predetermined site to form an integrated structure; and    (f) connecting the industrial equipment within the equipment modules to a computerized monitoring and control system, wherein the computerized system further comprises: a component located within the facility and a component located remotely from the facility, wherein the remotely located component is in communication with the component located within the facility.    
   
   
       26 ) The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of installing 110 V or single phase electric lines and connections into each equipment module prior to transporting the module.  
   
   
       27 ) The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of installing air-handling components in the internal modules, wherein the air-handling components further comprise: filters; fans; dampers; and air ducts.  
   
   
       28 ) The method of  claim 25 , wherein the industrial equipment further comprises air compressor/dryers and electrical switchgear.  
   
   
       29 ) The method of  claim 25 , wherein the remote component further comprises a remote access device.  
   
   
       30 ) The method of  claim 25 , wherein the control system further comprises at least one camera installed within the industrial equipment facility for visually monitoring the industrial equipment.