Modular equipment platform and related method thereof

Abstract

A modular, self-contained unit that includes utility input and output connections and connective pathways in communication with the input and output connections that provide an internal flowpath for utilities such as, but not limited to, chilled and heated domestic water, chilled water, processed chilled water, compressed air, various gaseous services, electricity, and digital data communications. The internal flowpaths may also comprise a service pathway in communication with an isolation component that allows control and use of the utility by an end user (or other end-user equipment, end-user systems, or end-use devices). The self-contained modular units may be directly or indirectly in communication with similar self-contained modular units, such that the utility services may flow through and into multiple units. The self-contained units may be moved manually, automatically, or electrically through various implements, and the self-contained units may be sized to allow easy entry into spaces through standard openings to the spaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prefabricated, first self-contained unit comprising:
 a first utility connection, as specified, and a second utility connection, as specified, wherein said first utility connection and said second utility connection are configured to have compatible mating connections with one another;   a service pathway configured to connect said first utility connection and said second utility connection and which carries a specified utility; and   an isolation component in communication with said service pathway to provide access of use for said service pathway carrying said specified utility.   
     
     
         2 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first utility connection is configured to receive at least one of the following utilities:
 chilled water, distilled water, electricity, gas supply, fiber optics, processed chilled water, digital communication, compressed air, domestic water, drain connection, or exhaust/vacuum.   
     
     
         3 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said second utility connection is configured to receive at least one of the following utilities:
 chilled water, distilled water, electricity, gas supply, fiber optics, processed chilled water, digital communication, compressed air, domestic water, drain connection, or exhaust/vacuum.   
     
     
         4 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said isolation component is configured to access at least one of the following utilities:
 chilled water, distilled water, electricity, gas supply, fiber optics, processed chilled water, digital communication, compressed air, domestic water, drain connection, or exhaust/vacuum.   
     
     
         5 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said isolation component further comprises at least one of the following modules:
 electrical transformation device, pneumatic pressure regulation device, hydraulic pressure regulation device, pneumatic pressure regulation device, electrical conversion device, electrical storage device, data processor, or surge volume receptacle for liquid or gaseous utilities.   
     
     
         6 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said service pathway further comprises at least one of the following modules:
 electrical transformation device, pneumatic pressure regulation device, hydraulic pressure regulation device, electrical conversion device, data processor, electrical storage device, or surge volume receptacle for liquid or gaseous utilities.   
     
     
         7 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said unit is configured to be mated to second self-contained unit mechanically and/or electrically. 
     
     
         8 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 7 , wherein said second said self-contained unit is configured as said first self-contained unit of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 7 , wherein said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit may be affixed to a side-mounted docking station. 
     
     
         10 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 9 , wherein said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit further comprise s locking mechanisms disposed on said side-mounted docking station to prevent movement of said first self-contained unit and second self-contained unit. 
     
     
         11 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 7 , wherein said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit may be affixed to a top and/or bottom-mounted docking station. 
     
     
         12 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 11 , wherein said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit further comprise locking mechanisms disposed on said top and/or bottom-mounted docking station to prevent movement of said first self-contained unit and second self-contained unit. 
     
     
         13 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 7 , wherein said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit further comprise locking mechanisms to prevent movement of said first self-contained unit and second self-contained unit. 
     
     
         14 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 7 , wherein said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit are integrally configured to allow said first unit and second unit to be moved manually. 
     
     
         15 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first self-contained unit may be affixed to a side-mounted docking stations. 
     
     
         16 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 15 , wherein said first self-contained unit further comprise s locking mechanisms disposed on said side-mounted docking station to prevent movement of said first self-contained unit. 
     
     
         17 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first self-contained unit may be affixed to a top and/or bottom-mounted docking station. 
     
     
         18 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 17 , wherein said first self-contained unit further comprise locking mechanisms disposed on said top and/or bottom-mounted docking station to prevent movement of said first self-contained. 
     
     
         19 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first self-contained unit further comprises a locking mechanism to prevent movement of said first self-contained unit. 
     
     
         20 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first self-contained unit is integrally configured to allow said unit to be moved manually. 
     
     
         21 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 1 , wherein said isolation component is configured to be in communication with at least one end-user device, at least one end-user system, and/or at least one end-user equipment item. 
     
     
         22 . The first self-contained unit of  claim 21 , wherein said at least one end-user device, at least one end-user system, and/or at least one end-user equipment item may include any combination of one or more of the following:
 oven, refrigerator, air compressor, vacuum pump, nitrogen generator, hydrogen generator, sink, icemaker, beer taps, carbonated beverages, self-contained fryers, laser cutter, 3d printer, coffee/espresso machine, frozen yogurt machine, soldering station, woodworking tools, water filtration system, parts washer, pottery kiln, fryer unit, cash register, dust collector, work bench, microscope, computer, recording device, audiovisual projection system, television, and water pick, Bunsen burner, or electron spectrometer.   
     
     
         23 . A method of mating a first prefabricated, self-contained unit and a second prefabricated, self-contained unit, said method comprising:
 connecting a second utility connection of said first self-contained unit with a first utility connection of said second self-contained unit to have compatible mating connections with one another;   connecting a first service pathway to a first utility connection of said second self-contained unit and said second utility connection of said first self-contained unit;   connecting a second service pathway to a first utility connection of said second self-contained unit and a second utility connection of said first self-contained unit; and   isolating each of respective said first service pathway and said second service pathway to provide access of use for said service pathway carrying said specified utility.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising moving said first self-contained unit and/or second self-contained unit, wherein moving includes advancing said first self-contained unit and/or second self-contained unit through doors and/or wall openings of specified widths and heights. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said moving occurs on pallet jack, hand truck, forklift, caster wheels, robot, conveyer belt, or other mechanical or electrical transport equipment. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 joining said first self-contained unit and said second self-contained unit to a docking station mount.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said docking station mount may be any combination of one or more of the following: side-mounted docking station or top and/or bottom-mounted docking station. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said providing access of use includes providing an isolation component. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said isolation component comprises at least one of the following modules:
 electrical transformation device, pneumatic pressure regulation device, hydraulic pressure regulation device, pneumatic pressure regulation device, electrical conversion device, electrical storage device, data processor, or surge volume receptacle for liquid or gaseous utilities.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said isolation component is configured to be in communication with at least one end-user device, at least one end-user system, and/or at least one end-user equipment item. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one end-user device, at least one end-user system, and/or at least one end-user equipment item may include any combination of one or more of the following:
 oven, refrigerator, air compressor, vacuum pump, nitrogen generator, hydrogen generator, sink, icemaker, beer taps, carbonated beverages, self-contained fryers, laser cutter, 3d printer, coffee/espresso machine, frozen yogurt machine, soldering station, woodworking tools, water filtration system, parts washer, pottery kiln, fryer unit, cash register, dust collector, work bench, microscope, computer, recording device, audiovisual projection system, television, and water pick, Bunsen burner, or electron spectrometer.