DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The disclosure generally relates to cover assemblies for heat exchangers. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a portable hinge assembly, a system, and a method for facilitating removal and installation of the cover assemblies for heat exchangers.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Chillers or heat exchangers undergo routine servicing and inspection checks as part of standard maintenance procedures in facilities such as hospitals, malls, and the like. Alternatively, chillers may be subject to inspection when cooling requirements are not met adequately. During such inspections, periodic removal of these covers by authorized personnel may be desired. Considering the location and weight of such covers, it is a cumbersome task to remove the cover or to re-install the same.

[0003] Currently, removal of chiller covers are accomplished using hand operated davit swing arms, chain falls, ratchet hoists, and brute force. Alternatively, rigging equipment may be used to safely lower the chiller covers to a level surface. This involves additional cost of rigging equipment, transportation, and additional manpower. Moreover, in the event of malfunctioning of the rigging equipment, extensive downtime may cause delays in functioning of critical facilities such as hospitals and the like. The use of additional rigging equipment also necessitates trained personnel for servicing. Even after taking necessary precautions, it is seen that injury due to malfunction or damage to the existing rigging equipment is common. A solution that facilitates easy and convenient removal of a chiller cover, is therefore desirable.

[0004] Although, various solutions are currently implemented for removing or installing the cover of the chillers. However, such solutions suffer from various disadvantages. For example, swingarm devices or existing rigging equipment are bulky and are permanently attached to the chiller through clamps. Alternatively, custom made clamping or hinge devices are known that allow removal of the chiller cover. However, these devices are made for a chiller of a particular size and is typically permanently installed as a part of the chiller. As such, the existing devices cannot be reused or be adjusted for use with chillers of varied sizes.

[0005] Therefore, a device for facilitating removal of a chiller cover that is compact and portable, is desirable. Moreover, a device that is easy to attach and remove from the chiller cover and therefore reusable, is desired. Furthermore, a device that is relatively lightweight and simple to assemble, is desired. Additionally, a device that can be adjusted to be used with chiller covers of different sizes without disadvantageously increasing the downtime of the chiller, is therefore desired.

SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the disclosure, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the disclosure.
[0007] Disclosed herein is a portable hinge assembly for facilitating removal and installation of a cover assembly of a heat exchanger. The portable hinge assembly includes a first support bracket adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of a supporting plate of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger. The first support bracket includes a first flange portion, a web portion, and a second flange portion. The web portion is perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extends from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion. The web portion includes at least two slot portions. Each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of the supporting plate. The second flange portion is oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion. The first flange portion and the second flange portion include a first set of holes to receive bolt fasteners. Similarly, the portable hinge assembly includes a second support bracket adapted to be removably fastened to a front surface of a heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger. Moreover, the second support bracket is removably fastened to the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the first support bracket. The second support bracket also includes a first flange portion, a web portion, and a second flange portion. The web portion is perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extends from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion. The web portion includes at least two slot portions such that each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of the heat exchanger cover. The second flange portion is oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion. The first flange portion and the second flange portion include a second set of holes to receive bolt fasteners and adapted to align with the first set of holes of the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the first support bracket. The at least two supporting handles are adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of the heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger. Each of the at least two supporting handles align with a corresponding slot portion aligned with the at least one bolt opening of the heat exchanger cover.
[0008] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the portable hinge assembly further includes at least four guiding pins adapted to be inserted into at least four bolt openings from the plurality of bolt openings of the heat exchanger cover.
[0009] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the inserted at least four guiding pins facilitate movement of the heat exchanger cover in a first direction away from the supporting plate of the cover assembly and in a second direction towards the supporting plate.
[0010] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the movement of the heat exchanger cover along the inserted at least four guiding pins defines a gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and a front surface of the supporting plate.
[0011] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the first flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the first flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one bolt fastener.
[0012] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the second flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the second flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one bolt fastener.
[0013] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the second support bracket is pivotable relative to the first support bracket.
[0014] Also disclosed herein, is a system for facilitating removal and installation of a cover assembly of a heat exchanger. The system includes a first support bracket, a second support bracket, at least two supporting handles, and at least four guiding pins. The first support bracket includes a web portion perpendicularly oriented relative to a first flange portion and extending from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion. The web portion includes at least two slot portions. Each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of a supporting plate. The second flange portion is oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion. Moreover, the first flange portion and the second flange portion include a first set of holes to receive bolt fasteners. The second support bracket includes a web portion perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extending from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion. The web portion includes at least two slot portions such that each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of a heat exchanger cover. The second flange portion is oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion. The first flange portion and the second flange portion include a second set of holes to receive the bolt fasteners and adapted to align with the first set of holes of the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the first support bracket. The at least two supporting handles are adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of the heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger. Each of the at least two supporting handles align with a corresponding slot portion aligned with the at least one bolt opening of the heat exchanger cover. The at least four guiding pins are adapted to be inserted into at least four bolt openings from the plurality of bolt openings of the heat exchanger cover.
[0015] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the inserted at least four guiding pins facilitate movement of the heat exchanger cover in a first direction away from the supporting plate of the cover assembly and in a second direction towards the supporting plate.
[0016] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the movement of the heat exchanger cover along the inserted at least four guiding pins defines a gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and a front surface of the supporting plate.
[0017] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the at least two supporting handles are positioned in the gap defined between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and the front surface of the supporting plate.
[0018] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the first flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the first flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one bolt fastener.
[0019] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the second flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the second flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one bolt fastener.
[0020] In one or more embodiments according to the disclosure, the second support bracket is pivotable relative to the first support bracket.
[0021] A method for facilitating removal and installation of a cover assembly of a heat exchanger, is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of removing at least one bolt fastener from a heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly. Next, at least one slot portion of a first support bracket is aligned with a first bolt opening defined in the heat exchanger cover and a supporting plate. The first support bracket is fastened to a rear surface of the supporting plate of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger using at least one first bolt fastener through the aligned at least one slot portion. Then, the at least one slot portion of a second support bracket is aligned with the first bolt opening defined in the heat exchanger cover. A first flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to a first flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one second bolt fastener. A second flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to a second flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one third bolt fastener. At least four bolt fasteners are removed from the heat exchanger cover. Next at least four guiding pins are inserted into at least four bolt openings defined in the heat exchanger cover. All remaining bolt fasteners are removed from the heat exchanger cover. The heat exchanger cover is moved along the inserted at least four guiding pins to define a gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and a front surface of the supporting plate. At least one supporting handle is inserted into the gap to align with the first bolt opening of the heat exchanger cover. The at least one supporting handle is fastened to the heat exchanger cover and the second support bracket is fastened to the heat exchanger cover using at least one fourth bolt fastener.
[0022] To further clarify the advantages and features of the method and system, a more particular description of the method and system will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates an assembled view of a portable hinge assembly;
[0025] FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a first support bracket of the portable hinge assembly;
[0026] FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a second support bracket of the portable hinge assembly;
[0027] FIG. 1D exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a supporting handle of the portable hinge assembly;
[0028] FIGS. 2A-2H exemplarily illustrates a process of removing a heat exchanger cover using the portable hinge assembly; and
[0029] FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a flowchart indicating a method for facilitating removal and installation of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger
[0030] FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a flowchart indicating a method for facilitating removal and installation of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger.

[0031] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the disclosure. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.
[0033] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0034] Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “one or more embodiments” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0035] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.
[0036] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates an assembled view of a portable hinge assembly 100. The portable hinge assembly 100, disclosed herein, facilitates removal and installation of a cover assembly 101 of a heat exchanger 102. The portable hinge assembly 100 includes a first support bracket 103, a second support bracket 104, and at least two supporting handles 105. In an embodiment, the first support bracket 103 is adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of a supporting plate 101a of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102. Similarly, the second support bracket 104 is adapted to be removably fastened to a front surface of a heat exchanger cover 101b of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102.
[0038] Further, when assembled, the second support bracket 104 is removably fastened to a first flange portion 103a and a second flange portion 103c of the first support bracket 103 using at least one second bolt fastener 107b and at least one third bolt fastener 107c, shown and described in the detailed description of FIG. 1B. As such, the second support bracket 104 and the first support bracket 103 form a hinged connection and are adapted to pivot about an axis X-X’. The at least two supporting handles 105 are adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102.
[0039] FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the first support bracket 103 of the portable hinge assembly 100. The first support bracket 103 includes the first flange portion 103a, a web portion 103b, and the second flange portion 103c. In an embodiment, the web portion 103b is perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion 103a. The web portion 103b extends from the first flange portion 103a toward the second flange portion 103c and includes at least two slot portions 103d. Each slot portion 103d is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings (not shown) of the supporting plate 101a. The second flange portion 103c is oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion 103b and oriented parallel relative to the first flange portion 103a such that the first flange portion 103c, the web portion 103b, and the second flange portion 103c collectively define a C-shaped profile. Both the first flange portion 103a and the second flange portion 103c also include a first set of holes (103a’, 103c’) to receive the at least one second bolt fastener 107b and the at least one third bolt fastener 107c as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0040] FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the second support bracket 104 of the portable hinge assembly 100. The second support bracket 104 includes a first flange portion 104a, a web portion 104b, and a second flange portion 104c. The web portion 104b is perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion 104a and extends from the first flange portion 104a toward the second flange portion 104c. The web portion 104b includes at least two slot portions 104d such that each slot portion 104d is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings 101b’ (shown in FIG. 2A) of the heat exchanger cover 101b shown in FIG. 1A.
[0041] The second flange portion 104c is oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion 104b and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion 104a such that the first flange portion 104a, the web portion 104b, and the second flange portion 104c collectively define a C-shaped profile. In an embodiment, the first flange portion 104a and the second flange portion 104c are of greater length than the first flange portion 103a and the second flange portion 103c of the first support bracket 103 shown in FIG. 1B. This increase in length ensures the second support bracket 104 is spaced away from the first support bracket 103.
[0042] In an embodiment, the first flange portion 104a and the second flange portion 104c includes a second set of holes (104a’, 104c’) to receive bolt fasteners 107. During assembly, the second set of holes (104a’, 104c’) are adapted to align with the first set of holes (103a’, 103c’) of the first flange portion 103a and the second flange portion 103c of the first support bracket 103 described in the detailed description of FIG. 1B. During assembly, the first flange portion 104a of the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the first flange portion 103a of the first support bracket 103 using at least one bolt fastener. Similarly, the second flange portion 104c of the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the second flange portion 103c of the first support bracket 103 using at least one bolt fastener. As a result, the second support bracket 104 is pivotable relative to the first support bracket 103.
[0043] FIG. 1D exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the supporting handle 105 of the portable hinge assembly 100. In an embodiment, the at least two supporting handles 105 are provided to be removably fastened to a rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102 as shown in FIG. 1A. In an embodiment, each of the at least two supporting handles 105 includes a handle portion 105a and a fastener receiving head 105b such that each of the at least two supporting handles 105 align with a corresponding slot portion 104d aligned with the at least one bolt opening 101b’ from the plurality of bolt openings 101b’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b shown in FIG. 2A.
[0044] In an embodiment, the portable hinge assembly 100 is provided as part of a system for facilitating removal and installation of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102. The system includes the first support bracket 103 as shown in FIG. 1B, the second support bracket 104 as shown in FIG. 1C, the at least two supporting handles 105 as shown in FIG. 1D, and at least four guiding pins 106 shown in FIGS. 2E-2H. The at least four guiding pins 106 are adapted to be inserted into at least four bolt openings 101b’’ from the plurality of bolt openings 101b’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0045] FIGS. 2A-2H exemplarily illustrates a step by step process of removing the heat exchanger cover 101b using the portable hinge assembly 100.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2A, at least one bolt fastener 107 is removed from the plurality of bolt openings 101b’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b of the cover assembly 101.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2B, the at least one slot portion 103d of the first support bracket 103 is aligned with at least one first bolt opening 101b’’’. The at least one first bolt opening 101b’’’ is defined in the heat exchanger cover 101b and the supporting plate 101a. The first support bracket 103 is fastened to the rear surface of the supporting plate 101a of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102 using at least one first bolt fastener 107a through the aligned at least one slot portion 103d.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 2C, the at least one slot portion 104d of the second support bracket 104 is aligned with the first bolt opening 101b’’’ defined in the heat exchanger cover 101b. The first flange portion 104a of the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the first flange portion 103a of the first support bracket 103 using the at least one second bolt fastener 107b. Similarly, the second flange portion 104c of the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the second flange portion 103c of the first support bracket 103 using the at least one third bolt fastener 107c.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2D, the at least four bolt fasteners 107 are removed from the heat exchanger cover 101b. Preferably, the at least four bolt fasteners 107 may be positioned along vertices of an imaginary square superimposed on the heat exchanger cover 101b. Alternatively, each of the bolt fasteners 107 after 4-6 bolt fasteners 107 may be selectively removed from the heat exchanger cover 101b. The bolt fasteners 107 are removed to provide space for the at least four guiding pins 106 shown and described later in the disclosure.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2D and 2E, the at least four guiding pins 106 are inserted into the at least four bolt openings 101b’’ defined in the heat exchanger cover 101b. The inserted at least four guiding pins 106 facilitate movement of the heat exchanger cover 101b in a first direction away from the supporting plate 101a of the cover assembly 101 and in a second direction towards the supporting plate 101a. The movement of the heat exchanger cover 101b along the inserted at least four guiding pins 106 defines a gap (not shown) between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b and a front surface of the supporting plate 101a.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2F, once the at least four guiding pins 106 are inserted, all the remaining bolt fasteners 107 are removed from the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2G, the heat exchanger cover 101b is moved along the inserted at least four guiding pins 106 to define the gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b and the front surface of the supporting plate 101a. The at least one supporting handle 105 is inserted into the gap to align with the first bolt opening 101b’’’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2H, the at least one supporting handle 105 is fastened to the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b. The at least one slot portion 104d of the second support bracket 104 is aligned with the first bolt opening 101b’’’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b. Simultaneously, the at least one supporting handle 105 positioned behind the heat exchanger cover 101b is aligned with the at least one slot portion 104d and the first bolt opening 101b’’’ such that the at least one fourth bolt fastener 107d is inserted through the aligned components. Moreover, the second support bracket 104 is fastened to a front surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b using the at least one fourth bolt fastener 107d.
[0054] FIGS. 3A-3B exemplarily illustrates a flowchart indicating a method 300 for facilitating removal and installation of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in the description of FIGS. 1A-2H are not explained in the description of FIG. 3.
[0055] At Step 301, the at least one bolt fastener 107 is removed from the heat exchanger cover 101b of the cover assembly 101.
[0056] At Step 303, the at least one slot portion 103d of the first support bracket 103 is aligned with the first bolt opening 101b’’’ defined in the heat exchanger cover 101b and the supporting plate 101a.
[0057] At Step 305, the first support bracket 103 is fastened to the rear surface of the supporting plate 101a of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102 using the at least one first bolt fastener 107a through the aligned at least one slot portion 103d.
[0058] At Step 307, the at least one slot portion 104d of the second support bracket 104 is aligned with the first bolt opening 101b’’’ defined in the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0059] At Step 309, the first flange portion 104a of the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the first flange portion 103a of the first support bracket 103 using the at least one second bolt fastener 107b.
[0060] At Step 311, the second flange portion 104c of the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the second flange portion 103c of the first support bracket 103 using the at least one third bolt fastener 107c.
[0061] At Step 313, the at least four bolt fasteners 107 are removed from the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0062] At Step 315, the at least four guiding pins 106 are inserted into the at least four bolt openings 101b’’ defined in the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0063] At Step 317, all the remaining bolt fasteners 107 are removed from the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0064] At Step 319, the heat exchanger cover 101b is moved along the inserted at least four guiding pins 106 to define the gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b and the front surface of the supporting plate 101a.
[0065] At Step 321, the at least one supporting handle 105 is inserted into the gap to align with the first bolt opening 101b’’’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b.
[0066] At Step 323, the at least one supporting handle 105 is fastened to the heat exchanger cover 101b and the second support bracket 104 is fastened to the heat exchanger cover 101b using the at least one fourth bolt fastener 107d.
[0067] The portable hinge assembly 100, disclosed herein, is provided as part of a system for facilitating removal and installation of the cover assembly 101 of the heat exchanger 102. The system includes the first support bracket 103 as shown in FIG. 1B, the second support bracket 104 as shown in FIG. 1C, at least two supporting handles 105 as shown in FIG. 1D, and the at least four guiding pins 106 shown in FIGS. 2E-2H. The at least four guiding pins 106 are adapted to be inserted into the at least four bolt openings 101b’’ from the plurality of bolt openings 101b’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b for facilitating forward movement of the heat exchanger cover 101b. This allows the at least two supporting handles 105 to be fastened to the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover 101b. This means no additional tapping or reaming process is required for threading the bolt openings 101b’ of the heat exchanger cover 101b as in the case of existing solutions. Advantageously, removal and installation time of the heat exchanger cover 101b is reduced thereby reducing downtime during maintenance or inspection of the chiller equipment or the heat exchanger 102. Furthermore, no additional tools, lubricating oils, or battery guns are required for the reaming or tapping process thereby reducing costs further.
[0068] The components of the portable hinge assembly 100 in addition to the at least four guiding pins 106, and several of the bolt fasteners 107 can be provided as part of a kit. The kit can be reused multiple times by service personnel and weighs about 10kgs. This means the kit can be easily carried by authorized personnel during inspection, can be used for removal/installation of the heat exchanger cover 101b, and can be dismantled and reused at a different site. As such, multiple chillers, or heat exchangers 102 can be serviced using the same kit thereby considerably reducing costs and downtime of the chiller or the heat exchanger 102.
[0069] The provision of the at least two slot portions 103d of the first support bracket 103 and the at least two slot portions 104d of the second support bracket 104, shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, allows the use of the portable hinge assembly 100 for chillers or the heat exchanger covers 101b of different sizes. For example, in the heat exchanger covers 101b having smaller diameter, the spacing between the adjacent bolt fasteners 107 will be smaller than in the case of heat exchanger covers 101b having larger diameter. Irrespective of the spacing between the bolt fasteners 107, the provision of the slot portions (103d, 104d) ensure alignment with at least three bolt fasteners 107 of the heat exchanger cover 101b. As a result, advantageously, a single portable hinge assembly 100 can be used for the heat exchanger covers 101b of different sizes or diameters.
[0070] As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0071] Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts.
[0072] The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.

[0073] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above regarding specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.
,CLAIMS:1. A portable hinge assembly for facilitating removal and installation of a cover assembly of a heat exchanger, the portable hinge assembly comprising:
a first support bracket adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of a supporting plate of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger, the first support bracket comprising:
a first flange portion;
a web portion perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extending from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion, the web portion comprising at least two slot portions, wherein each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of the supporting plate; and
the second flange portion oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative to the first flange portion,
wherein the first flange portion and the second flange portion comprise a first set of holes to receive bolt fasteners;
a second support bracket adapted to be removably fastened to a front surface of a heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger and removably fastened to the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the first support bracket, the second support bracket comprising:
a first flange portion;
a web portion perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extending from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion, the web portion comprising at least two slot portions, wherein each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of the heat exchanger cover; and
the second flange portion oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative to the first flange portion,
wherein the first flange portion and the second flange portion comprise a second set of holes to receive bolt fasteners and adapted to align with the first set of holes of the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the first support bracket; and
at least two supporting handles adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of the heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger, wherein each of the at least two supporting handles align with a corresponding slot portion aligned with the at least one bolt opening of the heat exchanger cover.

2. The portable hinge assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least four guiding pins adapted to be inserted into at least four bolt openings from the plurality of bolt openings of the heat exchanger cover.

3. The portable hinge assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inserted at least four guiding pins facilitate movement of the heat exchanger cover in a first direction away from the supporting plate of the cover assembly and in a second direction towards the supporting plate.

4. The portable hinge assembly according to claims 1-3, wherein the movement of the heat exchanger cover along the inserted at least four guiding pins defines a gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and a front surface of the supporting plate.

5. The portable hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the first flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one second bolt fastener.

6. The portable hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the second flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one third bolt fastener.

7. The portable hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second support bracket is pivotable relative to the first support bracket.

8. A system for facilitating removal and installation of a cover assembly of a heat exchanger, the system comprising:
a first support bracket comprising:
a first flange portion;
a web portion perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extending from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion, the web portion comprising at least two slot portions, wherein each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of a supporting plate; and
the second flange portion oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion,
wherein the first flange portion and the second flange portion comprise a first set of holes to receive bolt fasteners;
a second support bracket comprising:
a first flange portion;
a web portion perpendicularly oriented relative to the first flange portion and extending from the first flange portion toward a second flange portion, the web portion comprising at least two slot portions, wherein each slot portion is adapted to align with at least one of a plurality of bolt openings of a heat exchanger cover; and
the second flange portion oriented perpendicular relative to the web portion and oriented parallel relative the first flange portion,
wherein the first flange portion and the second flange portion comprises a second set of holes to receive bolt fasteners and adapted to align with the first set of holes of the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the first support bracket;
at least two supporting handles adapted to be removably fastened to a rear surface of the heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger, wherein each of the at least two supporting handles align with a corresponding slot portion aligned with the at least one bolt opening of the heat exchanger cover; and
at least four guiding pins adapted to be inserted into at least four bolt openings from the plurality of bolt openings of the heat exchanger cover.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the inserted at least four guiding pins facilitate movement of the heat exchanger cover in a first direction away from the supporting plate of the cover assembly and in a second direction towards the supporting plate.

10. The system according to claims 8 or 9, wherein the movement of the heat exchanger cover along the inserted at least four guiding pins defines a gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and a front surface of the supporting plate.

11.The system according to claims 8 or 10, wherein the at least two supporting handles are positioned in the gap defined between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and the front surface of the supporting plate.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the first flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one second bolt fastener.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein the second flange portion of the second support bracket is fastened to the second flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one third bolt fastener.

14. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second support bracket is pivotable relative to the first support bracket.

15. A method for facilitating removal and installation of a cover assembly of a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
removing at least one bolt fastener from a heat exchanger cover of the cover assembly;
aligning at least one slot portion of a first support bracket with a first bolt opening defined in the heat exchanger cover and a supporting plate;
fastening the first support bracket to a rear surface of the supporting plate of the cover assembly of the heat exchanger using at least one first bolt fastener through the aligned at least one slot portion;
aligning at least one slot portion of a second support bracket with the first bolt opening defined in the heat exchanger cover;
fastening a first flange portion of the second support bracket to a first flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one second bolt fastener;
fastening a second flange portion of the second support bracket to a second flange portion of the first support bracket using at least one third bolt fastener;
removing at least four bolt fasteners from the heat exchanger cover;
inserting at least four guiding pins into at least four bolt openings defined in the heat exchanger cover;
removing all remaining bolt fasteners from the heat exchanger cover upon insertion of the at least four guiding pins;
facilitating movement of the heat exchanger cover along the inserted at least four guiding pins to define a gap between the rear surface of the heat exchanger cover and a front surface of the supporting plate;
inserting at least one supporting handle into the gap to align with the first bolt opening of the heat exchanger cover; and
fastening the at least one supporting handle to the heat exchanger cover and the second support bracket to the heat exchanger cover using at least one fourth bolt fastener.