Shroud Structure

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes a shroud structure. The shroud structure can include at least two distinct pieces. The shroud structure can include various recesses, apertures, and/or cavities each configured to at least partially receive one or more components of a heat pump system. The shroud structure can include an air inlet aperture in fluid communication with a cavity, which is configured to be in fluid communication with an evaporator of the heat pump system. On the opposite side of the evaporator, a fan outlet can be configured to be in fluid communication with the evaporator such that air can flow through the shroud structure.

1 . A shroud structure for a heat pump system, the shroud structure comprising:
 a plurality of foam sections comprising a first foam section and a second foam section, each of the plurality of sections having an internal surface configured to abut a corresponding internal surface of another of the plurality of foam sections,   wherein:   the first foam section comprises one or more first recesses, each of the one or more first recesses being configured to at least partially receive a corresponding component of the heat pump system, and   the second foam section comprises one or more second recesses extending into the second foam section from a bottom side of the second foam section, the one or more second recesses being configured to at least partially receive a corresponding component of the heat pump system.   
     
     
         2 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more second recesses is configured to slideably receive at least a portion of the corresponding component of the heat pump system to thereby secure the second foam section to the heat pump system. 
     
     
         3 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of foam sections includes a protrusion or a socket, each protrusion being configured to slideably interface with a corresponding socket. 
     
     
         4 . The shroud structure of  claim 3 , wherein each protrusion extends from an inner surface of one of the plurality of foam sections and a width of the protrusion is greater at a tip end of the protrusion than at a base end of the protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The shroud structure of  claim 3 , wherein each socket extends into an inner surface of one of the plurality of foam sections and a width of the socket at a first depth relative the inner surface is less than a thickness of the socket at a second depth that is greater than the first depth. 
     
     
         6 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first foam section further comprises a fan aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a fan. 
     
     
         7 . The shroud structure of  claim 6 , wherein the first foam section is configured to transmit a load of the fan to a surface underlying the first foam section. 
     
     
         8 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first recesses includes an evaporator recess configured to at least partially receive a portion of an evaporator of the heat pump system. 
     
     
         9 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first foam section further comprises a condensation collector including (i) a bottom surface configured to be located below an evaporator of the heat pump system and (ii) a condensation outlet, the bottom surface being sloped downwardly toward the condensation outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second recesses includes a compressor recess configured to at least partially receive a compressor of the heat pump system. 
     
     
         11 . The shroud structure of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of foam sections comprise polyethylene or polyurethane. 
     
     
         12 . A method of installing a shroud structure onto a heat pump system, the method comprising:
 providing the shroud structure of  claim 1 ;   installing the first foam section onto the heat pump system, whereby the one or more first recesses of the first foam receive a corresponding component of the heat pump system; and   installing the second foam section onto the heat pump system, whereby the one or more second recesses at least partially receive a corresponding component of the heat pump system.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first foam section comprises a socket and the second foam section comprises a protrusion, and installing the first or second foam section comprises sliding the protrusion into the socket. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second foam sections combine to substantially and/or entirely surround one or more components of the heat pump system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more components comprise a compressor, a fan, and/or an evaporator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the shroud structure has a generally cylindrical shape.