Sound-attenuating housing

Abstract

Sound-attenuating housing ( 10 ) for a heat pump ( 34 ) comprises a base chassis ( 11 ), a first sub-chassis ( 17 ) and a second sub-chassis ( 19 ). The base chassis ( 11 ) is surrounded by upstanding walls ( 12 - 15 ) and has a top ( 16 ) adapted to engage with the upstanding walls ( 12 - 15 ), thereby to form an enclosure for the heat pump ( 34 ). The first sub-chassis ( 17 ) is provided within the enclosure, and is mounted on the base chassis ( 11 ) via-anti-vibration mounts ( 18 ). The second subchassis ( 19 ) is provided within the enclosure, and is mounted on the first sub-chassis ( 17 ) via anti-vibration mounts ( 21 ). The second sub-chassis ( 19 ) forms a mounting surface for a heat pump compressor ( 25 ), whilst the first sub-chassis ( 17 ) forms a mounting surface for other components of the heat pump ( 34 ).

1 . Sound-attenuating housing for a heat pump, said housing comprising:
 a base chassis, upstanding walls surrounding said base chassis, and a top engaging with said upstanding walls, thereby to form an enclosure for a heat pump;   a first sub-chassis provided within the enclosure and provided with first anti-vibration mounts, said first sub-chassis being mounted on said the base chassis via said first anti-vibration mounts; and   a second sub-chassis provided within the enclosure and provided with second anti-vibration mounts, said second sub-chassis being mounted on the first sub-chassis via said second anti-vibration mounts;   wherein the second sub-chassis forms a mounting surface for a compressor of a heat pump, and the first sub-chassis forms a mounting surface for other components of said heat pump.   
     
     
         2 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base chassis is provided with third anti-vibration mounts located externally of the enclosure, for mounting said housing within a building. 
     
     
         3 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the base chassis is provided with mounting brackets, said base chassis being mounted on said mounting brackets via the third anti-vibration mounts, wherein said mounting brackets are arranged to receive loft joists, thereby to enable said housing to be mounted in a loft of a building. 
     
     
         4 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is at least partially lined with a foam selected from the group consisting of acoustic dampening foam and sound mass barrier foam. 
     
     
         5 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the base chassis, the first sub-chassis and the second sub-chassis is lined with a foam selected from the group consisting of acoustic dampening foam and sound mass barrier foam. 
     
     
         6 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a dividing wall arranged at least partially to surround the second sub-chassis, thereby to isolate a compressor of a heat pump mounted thereon from other components of said heat pump mounted on the first sub-chassis. 
     
     
         7 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the dividing wall is lined with a foam selected from the group consisting of acoustic dampening foam and sound mass barrier foam. 
     
     
         8 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises acoustic dampening foam having a thickness of at least 50 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises sound mass barrier foam having a thickness of at least 12 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising flexible connectors to enable fluid connection of components of a heat pump mounted within the enclosure to and from a domestic hot water heating system. 
     
     
         11 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base chassis, walls, top, first sub-chassis and second sub-chassis are each formed from steel plate panels having a thickness of at least 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the dividing wall is formed from a steel plate panel having a thickness of at least 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing is for an air source heat pump, and wherein one component selected from the upstanding walls and the top, comprises an air inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said one component selected from the upstanding walls and the top, comprising the air inlet, is further adapted to house a fan to drive air into the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein one component selected from the upstanding walls and the top, comprises an air outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first sub-chassis has a mounting surface for a heat pump evaporator located adjacent the air outlet. 
     
     
         17 . A sound-attenuated heat pump assembly comprising:
 the sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 1 ; and   a heat pump, comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, mounted within the enclosure of said housing;   wherein the compressor is mounted on the second sub-chassis of the housing, and the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator are mounted on the first sub-chassis of the housing.   
     
     
         18 . The sound-attenuated heat pump assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the sound-attenuating housing is for an air source heat pump; and wherein one component selected from the upstanding walls and the top comprises an air inlet, and one component selected from the upstanding walls and the top comprises an air outlet;   the heat pump is an air source heat pump;   said heat pump assembly further comprises a fan, mounted in or adjacent said air inlet; and   the evaporator is mounted adjacent the air outlet.   
     
     
         19 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the enclosure is entirely lined with a foam selected from the group consisting of acoustic dampening foam and sound mass barrier foam. 
     
     
         20 . The sound-attenuating housing as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein each of the base chassis, the first sub-chassis and the second sub-chassis is lined with a foam selected from the group consisting of acoustic dampening foam and sound mass barrier foam.