(19)
(11) EP 1 229 243 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
20.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/47

(43) Date of publication A2:
07.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/32

(21) Application number: 02250734.7

(22) Date of filing: 02.02.2002
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F04B 41/00, F04B 39/00, F04C 29/04, F04C 23/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 05.02.2001 US 777210
26.10.2001 US 45521

(71) Applicant: INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Sharp, Stephen J.
    Cornelius, North Carolina 28031 (US)
  • Lucas, Michael J.
    Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 (US)
  • Kumar, Subodh
    Mooresville, North Carolina 28117 (US)
  • Haddock, Craig
    Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 (US)

(74) Representative: Every, David Aidan et al
MARKS & CLERK, Sussex House, 83-85 Mosley Street
Manchester M2 3LG
Manchester M2 3LG (GB)

   


(54) Enclosure for an air compressor


(57) An air compressor unit having an enclosure that permits adequate cooling air flow, and reduces the amount of noise that emanates from the air compressor unit. The enclosure has a partition that separates the interior of the enclosure into two compartments: a discharge compartment and a component compartment. A discharge aperture is in fluid flow communication with the discharge compartment. A compressor and motor are contained in the component compartment. The component compartment may be separated in a first compartment and a second compartment. Inlets allow cooling air to enter the enclosure, and a discharge aperture permits the cooling air to exit the enclosure. A blower draws cooling air into the enclosure through the inlets. An aftercooler is located between the compressor and the discharge aperture. The enclosure and compartments are configured to reduce the amount of direct "line of sight" noise that emanates from the air compressor unit.






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