Cooling system and method

Abstract

A fluid communication system for providing coolant to and exhausting coolant from a cooling unit includes flexible tubing and a plurality of support members. Each support member is configured to be secured to a support structure and to be releasably secured to the flexible tubing. Each support member includes a first part and a mating second part, with the first and second parts being configured to be secured to one another with the flexible tubing disposed in between. A method of installing a fluid communication system of a cooling system is further disclosed.

1 . A fluid communication system for providing coolant to and exhausting coolant from a cooling unit, the fluid communication system comprising: 
 flexible tubing; and    a plurality of support members, each support member being configured to be secured to a support structure and to be releasably secured to the flexible tubing, each support member comprising a first part and a mating second part, the first and second parts being configured to be secured to one another with the flexible tubing disposed in between.    
   
   
       2 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , wherein each support member is further configured to secure two lengths of flexible tubing.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second parts of each support member has two flanges, the flanges of the first part being adapted to mate with and secure the first part to the flanges of the second part.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid communication system of  claim 3 , wherein each flange of each of the first and second part of each support member has an anti-rotation boss and a boss receptacle, the arrangement being such that the boss of a flange is adapted to be received within a boss receptacle of a flange of a mating part.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , wherein each support member is adapted to be releasably secured to another support member.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid communication system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second parts has a surface and an interconnect provided on the surface, the arrangement being such that the interconnect of the first part is releasably inserted into a mating interconnect of the second part to attach a support member to another support member.  
   
   
       7 . The fluid communication system of  claim 6 , wherein the interconnect may be configured as one of a dovetail attachment and a dovetail receptacle.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , wherein each support member is configured to be secured to a support rod.  
   
   
       9 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , further comprising a distribution box adapted to deliver chilled coolant to and to receive heated coolant from the flexible tubing.  
   
   
       10 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tubing comprises a polyethylene inner layer, an aluminum center layer, and a polyethylene outer layer.  
   
   
       11 . The fluid communication system of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of insulation applied over the flexible tubing.  
   
   
       12 . A method of installing a fluid communication system of a cooling system of the type comprising a cooling unit and a source adapted to provide chilled coolant to the cooling unit, the method comprising: 
 providing a fluid communication system comprising a length of flexible tubing having two opposite ends, and a plurality of support members to support the flexible tubing;    connecting one end of the length of flexible tubing to the source;    connecting the other end of the length of flexible tubing to the cooling unit;    releasably connecting the plurality of support members to the length of flexible tubing; and    attaching the support members to a structure.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , applying an insulation layer over the length of flexible tubing.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein releasably connecting the plurality of support members to the length of flexible tubing, for each support member, comprises securing first and second mating parts of the support member over the flexible tubing.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein securing first and second mating parts of the support member over the flexible tubing comprises tying the first and second parts together with at least one zip tie.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein securing first and second mating parts of the support member over the flexible tubing comprises screwing at least one screw fastener.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing a fluid communication system comprising a length of flexible tubing having two opposite ends and a continuous length sufficient to connect the cooling unit to the source.