Engine enclosure with panel retainer assemblies

Abstract

An engine enclosure includes a frame, multiple roof panels, and multiple retainer assemblies. The roof panels are disposed on the frame and include one or more threaded receptacles. The retainer assemblies are configured to releasably secure the roof panels to the frame. The retainer assemblies include a clamp, and a threaded fastener. The clamp includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed adjacent to the frame. The second portion is substantially offset from the first portion and includes an aperture. The threaded fastener is disposed within the aperture and releasably fastened to the threaded receptacle.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An engine enclosure including:
 a frame;   a plurality of roof panels disposed on the frame, the roof panels including one or more threaded receptacles; and   one or more retainer assemblies configured to releasably secure the roof panels to the frame, the retainer assemblies including:
 a clamp including:
 a first portion disposed adjacent to the frame; and 
 a second portion substantially offset from the first portion, the second portion including an aperture; and 
 
 a threaded fastener disposed within the aperture and releasably fastened to the threaded receptacle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The engine enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the frame is one of square shaped and I-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The engine enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp further includes a middle portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The engine enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a ledge member, wherein the first portion of the clamp is disposed adjacent to the ledge member such that the ledge member is trapped between the roof panel and the first portion of the clamp. 
     
     
         5 . The engine enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the roof panels include one or more screw bosses defining the threaded receptacles. 
     
     
         6 . The engine enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer assembly further includes a spring and a washer disposed between the clamp and the threaded fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The engine enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded receptacle is located on the roof panel between an edge of the frame and an edge of the roof panel. 
     
     
         8 . A power system including:
 an engine; and   an engine enclosure including:
 a frame disposed around the engine; 
 a plurality of roof panels disposed on the frame, the roof panels including one or more threaded receptacles; and 
 one or more retainer assemblies configured to releasably secure the roof panels to the frame, the retainer assemblies including:
 a clamp including:
 a first portion disposed adjacent to the frame; and 
 a second portion substantially offset from the first portion, the second portion including an aperture; and 
 
 
 a threaded fastener disposed within the aperture and releasably fastened to the threaded receptacle. 
   
     
     
         9 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein a cross section of the frame is one of square shaped and I-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the clamp further includes a middle portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         11 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the frame includes a ledge member. 
     
     
         12 . The power system of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the clamp is disposed adjacent to the ledge member such that the ledge member of the frame is trapped between the roof panel and the first portion of the clamp. 
     
     
         13 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the roof panels include one or more screw bosses defining the threaded receptacles. 
     
     
         14 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer assembly further includes a spring and a washer disposed between the clamp and the threaded fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the threaded receptacle is located on the roof panel between an edge of the frame and an edge of the roof panel. 
     
     
         16 . The power system of  claim 8  further including an engine air system connected to the engine via openings on the roof panels. 
     
     
         17 . The power system of  claim 8  further including a ventilation system connected to the engine enclosure via openings on the roof panels. 
     
     
         18 . The power system of  claim 8 , wherein the engine enclosure further includes one or more side panels including an opening, wherein an engine exhaust system is connected to the engine via the opening on the side panel. 
     
     
         19 . A method of installing a power system, the method including:
 positioning a frame around an engine of the power system;   positioning one or more roof panels on the frame;   positioning a first portion of a clamp adjacent to the frame;   positioning a second portion of the clamp adjacent to the roof panel;   axially aligning an aperture of the second portion of the clamp to a threaded receptacle of the roof panel;   positioning a threaded fastener within the aperture; and   releasably fastening the threaded fastener to the threaded receptacle such that the roof panel is releasably secured to the frame.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein positioning one or more roof panels on the frame includes moving the roof panels such that openings associated with the roof panels align with an engine air system and a ventilation system.