Jacket for Heat Pump Components of an Integrated Heat Pump Water Heater

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/709,729, filed Oct. 21, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to water heaters and more particularly to a jacket for heat pump components of an integrated heat pump water heater and related methods of using and manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND

Heat pump water heaters generally may include a water storage tank, a heat pump, and a housing. According to different water heater configurations, the heat pump may be used instead of or in addition to an alternate heat source, such as electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners, to heat water for use within a building. The heat pump generally may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger operating as a condenser for heating water, an expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger operating as an evaporator, with these heat pump components being connected to one another by piping to form a closed-loop circuit through which a refrigerant is passed. The housing typically may enclose the water storage tank and, depending on the configuration of the water heater, also may enclose some or all of the heat pump components.

In contrast to split-system heat pump water heaters, integrated heat pump water heaters may provide the water storage tank and the heat pump packaged as an integrated unit. In this manner, a single housing may enclose both the water storage tank and the heat pump components, although the housing may include multiple portions each separately enclosing one or more components of the heat pump water heater. For example, the housing may include a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion coupled to one another, with the lower housing portion enclosing at least the water storage tank and the upper housing portion enclosing at least some of the heat pump components. The lower housing portion often may include a bottom pan disposed below the water storage tank, a middle pan disposed above the water storage tank, and a lower jacket disposed between the bottom pan and the middle pan and encircling the water storage tank. Meanwhile, the upper housing portion often may include a top pan and an upper jacket disposed between the middle pan and the top pan and encircling at least some of the heat pump components. According to existing integrated heat pump water heaters, the configuration of the upper housing portion may be associated with certain drawbacks, including: (i) complicated, time-consuming, and costly manufacturing processes required to form and assemble components of the upper housing portion, (ii) potential misalignment between components of the upper housing portion or between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion during assembly, (iii) cumbersome and time-consuming disassembly of the upper housing portion for servicing the enclosed heat pump components, and/or (iv) undesirable noise caused by vibration of the upper housing portion during operation of the heat pump water heater.

A need remains for improved integrated heat pump water heaters, upper housing portions for enclosing heat pump components of such water heaters, upper jackets for encircling or enclosing heat pump components of such water heaters, and related methods of using and manufacturing the same, which may overcome one or more of the foregoing drawbacks associated with existing integrated heat pump water heaters and related methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating examples of the disclosure, in which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical items. Certain examples of the present disclosure may include elements, components, and/or configurations other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some of the elements, components, and/or configurations illustrated in the drawings may not be present in certain examples.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an integrated heat pump water heater in accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, showing a water storage tank, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a heat pump, a controller, a display, and a housing including a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing heat pump components of the heat pump, a foam core, and a first jacket portion of an upper jacket of the upper housing portion.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing the first jacket portion and a second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing a controller opening, internal ribs, and external ribs of the first jacket portion.

FIG. 1F is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing an airflow opening, an integrated grille, and external ribs of the first jacket portion.

FIG. 1G is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing a mount of the first jacket portion releasably coupled to a bracket via a stud and a clip.

FIG. 1H is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing a tab of the first jacket portion, with the tab including an arm and a protrusion.

FIG. 1I is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing a tab and a receptacle of the first jacket portion.

FIG. 1J is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1K is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1L is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1M is a bottom view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1N is a perspective view of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A in accordance with one or more other examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 1O is a side view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing the first jacket portion including a plurality of first tabs.

FIG. 1P is a partial side view of a portion of the first jacket portion, the second jacket portion, and a rod of the upper housing portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 1A, showing the first tabs of the first jacket portion and second tabs of the second jacket portion having holes for aligning with one another and removably receiving the rod therethrough.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an upper portion of an integrated heat pump water heater in accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, showing an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a controller, and a housing including an upper housing portion, with the upper housing portion including a top pan and an upper jacket including a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the upper portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the controller, the top pan, the first jacket portion, and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing.

FIG. 2C is a partially-exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing heat pump components of a heat pump, the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the controller, a middle pan, the top pan, the first jacket portion, and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing a mount, receptacles, and openings of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing mounts, receptacles, and internal ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing tabs, mounts, and internal ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 2G is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing the tabs and the mounts of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 2H is a perspective view of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing openings of the top pan.

FIG. 2I is a perspective view of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing the openings, mounts, and internal ribs of the top pan.

FIG. 2J is a cross-sectional perspective view of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion releasably coupled to one another by tab-receptacle connections and snap-fit connections.

FIG. 2K is a cross-sectional perspective view of one of the tab-receptacle connections between the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2L is a cross-sectional perspective view of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion releasably coupled to one another by the tab-receptacle connections and the snap-fit connections.

FIG. 2M is a cross-sectional perspective view of one of the snap-fit connections between the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2N is a cross-sectional side view of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing the upper jacket coupled to the top pan via snap-fit connections and brackets and also showing snap-fit connections and brackets for coupling the upper jacket to the middle pan.

FIG. 2O is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing one of the snap-fit connections and one of the brackets coupling the upper jacket to the top pan.

FIG. 2P is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing one of the snap-fit connections and one of the brackets for coupling the upper jacket to the top pan.

FIG. 2Q is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the upper housing portion and the middle pan of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 2A, showing one of the snap-fit connections and one of the brackets coupling the upper jacket to the middle pan.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an upper portion of an integrated heat pump water heater in accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, showing an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a controller, and a housing including an upper housing portion, with the upper housing portion including a top pan including a first top-pan portion and a second top-pan portion and an upper jacket including a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the upper portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the controller, the first top-pan portion and the second top-pan portion of the top pan, and the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing.

FIG. 3C is a partially-exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing heat pump components of a heat pump, the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the controller, a middle pan, the first top-pan portion and the second top-pan portion of the top pan, and the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing a mount, receptacles, and openings of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing mounts, receptacles, and internal ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 3F is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing tabs, mounts, and internal ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 3G is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the tabs and the mounts of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 3H is a top view of the second top-pan portion of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing cutouts of the second top-pan portion.

FIG. 3I is a bottom view of the second top-pan portion of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the cutouts, mounts, receptacles, and internal ribs of the second top-pan portion.

FIG. 3J is a top view of the first top-pan portion of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing an opening and cutouts of the first top-pan portion.

FIG. 3K is a bottom view of the first top-pan portion of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the opening, the cutouts, mounts, tabs, and internal ribs of the first top-pan portion.

FIG. 3L is a cross-sectional side view of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the upper jacket coupled to the top pan via snap-fit connections, fixed connections, and brackets and also showing snap-fit connections and brackets for coupling the upper jacket to the middle pan.

FIG. 3M is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing one of the snap-fit connections and one of the brackets coupling the upper jacket to the top pan, specifically the second jacket portion to the second top-pan portion.

FIG. 3N is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing one of the snap-fit connections and one of the brackets for coupling the upper jacket to the top pan, specifically the second jacket portion to the second top-pan portion.

FIG. 3O is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing one of the fixed connections and one of the brackets coupling the upper jacket to the top pan, specifically the first jacket portion to the first top-pan portion.

FIG. 3P is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing one of the fixed connections and one of the brackets coupling the upper jacket to the top pan, specifically the first jacket portion to the first top-pan portion.

FIG. 3Q is a bottom view of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the first top-pan portion and the second top-pan portion releasably coupled to each other by the tabs and the receptacles.

FIG. 3R is a cross-sectional side view of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the first top-pan portion and the second top-pan portion releasably coupled to each other by one of the tabs and one of the receptacles.

FIG. 3S is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion of the top pan of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 3A, showing the first top-pan portion and the second top-pan portion releasably coupled to each other by one of the tabs and one of the receptacles.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an upper portion of an integrated heat pump water heater in accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, showing a housing including an upper housing portion including an upper jacket including a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the upper portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion of the upper housing portion of the housing.

FIG. 4C is a partially-exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing heat pump components of a heat pump, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a controller, a middle pan, and the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing cutouts, receptacles, openings, and external ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 4E is a perspective view of the second jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing the cutouts, the receptacles, the openings, the external ribs, internal ribs, and mounts of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing cutouts, tabs, mounts, external ribs, and internal ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 4G is a perspective view of the first jacket portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing the cutouts, the tabs, the mounts, and the external ribs of the second jacket portion.

FIG. 4H is a perspective view of a portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion releasably coupled to each other by the tabs and the receptacles.

FIG. 4I is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion releasably coupled to each other by one of the tabs and one of the receptacles.

FIG. 4J is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion of the upper jacket of the upper housing portion of the housing of the integrated heat pump water heater of FIG. 4A, showing the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion releasably coupled to each other by one of the tabs and one of the receptacles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describing some examples consistent with the present disclosure. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some examples may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specific examples disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in the art may realize other examples that, although not specifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure. In addition, to avoid unnecessary repetition, one or more features shown and described in association with one example may be incorporated into other examples unless specifically described otherwise or if the one or more features would make an example non-functional. In some instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the examples.

The present disclosure provides improved integrated heat pump water heaters, upper housing portions for enclosing heat pump components of such water heaters, upper jackets for encircling or enclosing heat pump components of such water heaters, and related methods of using and manufacturing the same.

Heat pump water heaters generally may include a water storage tank, a heat pump, and a housing. According to different water heater configurations, the heat pump may be used instead of or in addition to an alternate heat source, such as electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners, to heat water for use within a building. The heat pump generally may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger operating as a condenser for heating water, an expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger operating as an evaporator, with these heat pump components being connected to one another by piping to form a closed-loop circuit through which a refrigerant is passed. The housing typically may enclose the water storage tank and, depending on the configuration of the water heater, also may enclose some or all of the heat pump components.

In contrast to split-system heat pump water heaters, integrated heat pump water heaters may provide the water storage tank and the heat pump packaged as an integrated unit. In this manner, a single housing may enclose both the water storage tank and the heat pump components, although the housing may include multiple portions each separately enclosing one or more components of the heat pump water heater. For example, the housing may include a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion coupled to one another, with the lower housing portion enclosing at least the water storage tank and the upper housing portion enclosing at least some of the heat pump components. The lower housing portion often may include a bottom pan disposed below the water storage tank, a middle pan disposed above the water storage tank, and a lower jacket disposed between the bottom pan and the middle pan and encircling the water storage tank. Meanwhile, the upper housing portion often may include a top pan and an upper jacket disposed between the middle pan and the top pan and encircling at least some of the heat pump components. In some configurations, the upper housing portion may enclose the compressor, the expansion valve, the evaporator, and a portion of the piping of the heat pump, while the lower housing portion may enclose the water storage tank, the condenser, and another portion of the piping of the heat pump. For example, the condenser may be a coiled heat exchanger that is wrapped around the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. As another example, the condenser may be an internal heat exchanger that is disposed within the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In other configurations, the upper housing portion may enclose the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, the evaporator, and the piping of the heat pump, while the lower housing portion may enclose the water storage tank. For example, the condenser may be a plate-and-frame heat exchanger that is spaced apart from the water storage tank and heats water that is removed from and the returned to the tank via a circulation loop.

According to existing integrated heat pump water heaters, the upper housing portion typically may include a round metal jacket and a circular metal top pan that is disposed above and coupled to the jacket. In this manner, the jacket may encircle the heat pump components disposed above the middle pan, and the jacket and the top together may enclose those heat pump components. Such configuration of the upper housing portion, however, may be associated with certain drawbacks. For example, the manufacturing processes required to form and assemble the jacket and the top pan may be complicated, time-consuming, and costly. In particular, these metal components may be individually fabricated, punched, rolled, and then fastened together using screws or other threaded fasteners, which may result in a high operation cost and time. Another drawback is potential misalignment between the jacket and the top pan or between the jacket and the middle pan during assembly, which may result from variations in forming these components and mating features thereof. Additionally, disassembly of the upper housing portion, for example, for servicing the enclosed heat pump components, may be cumbersome and time-consuming, as a technician may be required to remove numerous threaded fasteners coupling the jacket to the top pan and/or the middle pan in order to access the heat pump components. Yet another drawback relates to significant vibration of the jacket and/or the top pan during operation of the heat pump water heater, which may result in undesirable noise.

The disclosed integrated heat pump water heaters, upper housing portions for enclosing heat pump components, upper jackets for encircling or enclosing heat pump components, and related methods of using and manufacturing the same, as provided herein, advantageously may overcome one or more of the foregoing drawbacks associated with existing integrated heat pump water heaters and related methods. As described herein, components of the upper housing portion may be formed of molded plastic and configured to be releasably coupled to one another by mating features, such as resiliently deflectable tabs and mating receptacles. In this manner, disclosed configurations of the upper housing portion may avoid the time-consuming and costly processes associated with forming and assembling components of existing upper housing portion designs. Additionally, the techniques used for forming and assembling the components of the disclosed upper housing portions may minimize variations and thus potential misalignment between the components as well as with mating components. The configurations of the disclosed upper housing portions also may simplify disassembly, thereby improving serviceability of the enclosed heat pump components. In particular, the need to remove threaded fasteners may be eliminated, as mating features, such as resiliently deflectable tabs, may allow components of the upper housing portion to be easily and quickly removed from one another. Finally, as described herein, components of the disclosed upper housing portions may include features and/or be constructed of materials that inhibit vibration and thus minimize undesirable noise during operation of the heat pump water heater.

As described herein, in one aspect, a heat pump water heater may include a water storage tank, a middle pan disposed above the water storage tank, heat pump components disposed above the middle pan, and a jacket covering the heat pump components. The jacket may include a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion. The first jacket portion may include a first sidewall and a plurality of first tabs extending from the first sidewall. Each of the first tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first sidewall. The second jacket portion may include a second sidewall, a plurality of first receptacles disposed along the second sidewall, and a plurality of openings defined in an external surface of the second sidewall. Each of the first receptacles may removably receive a respective one of the first tabs therein to releasably couple the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. Each of the openings may be in communication with a respective one of the first receptacles.

In some examples, each of the first tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first sidewall from a first position to a second position, a portion of each of the first tabs may engage a respective one of the openings when the first tabs are received within the first receptacles and in the first position, thereby coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, and the portion of each of the first tabs may disengage the respective one of the openings when the first tabs are received within the first receptacles and in the second position, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. In some examples, the first sidewall and the first tabs may be integrally formed with one another, and the second sidewall and the first receptacles may be integrally formed with one another.

In some examples, the first jacket portion also may include a first top wall coupled to the first sidewall, and a plurality of second tabs extending from the first top wall, with each of the second tabs being resiliently deflectable relative to the first top wall, and the second jacket portion also may include a second top wall coupled to the second sidewall, and a plurality of second receptacles disposed along the second top wall, with each of the second receptacles removably receiving a respective one of the second tabs therein to releasably couple the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. In some examples, the first sidewall, the first top wall, the first tabs, and the second tabs may be integrally formed with one another, and the second sidewall, the second top wall, the first receptacles, and the second receptacles may be integrally formed with one another. In some examples, the first sidewall, the first top wall, the first tabs, and the second tabs may be formed of plastic, and the second sidewall, the second top wall, the first receptacles, and the second receptacles may be formed of plastic. In some examples, the first sidewall and the first top wall may be releasably coupled to one another via one or more first snap-fit connections, and/or the second sidewall and the second top wall are releasably coupled to one another via one or more second snap-fit connections.

In some examples, the first jacket portion and the middle pan may be releasably coupled to one another via one or more first snap-fit connections, and/or the second jacket portion and the middle pan are releasably coupled to one another via one or more second snap-fit connections. In some examples, the second jacket portion also may include a plurality of second tabs extending from the second sidewall, with each of the second tabs being resiliently deflectable relative to the second sidewall, and the first jacket portion also may include a plurality of second receptacles disposed along the first sidewall, with each of the second receptacles removably receiving a respective one of the second tabs therein to releasably couple the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. In some examples, the jacket may be devoid of threaded fasteners coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion to one another. In this manner, the first and second jacket portions can be coupled together and decoupled without the use of any tools (toolless assembly/disassembly).

According to another aspect, a heat pump water heater may include a water storage tank, a middle pan disposed above the water storage tank, heat pump components disposed above the middle pan, and a jacket covering the heat pump components. The jacket may include a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion. The first jacket portion may include a first sidewall, a first top wall coupled to the first sidewall, and a plurality of first tabs extending from the first top wall. Each of the first tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first top wall. The second jacket portion may include a second sidewall, a second top wall coupled to the second sidewall, a plurality of first receptacles disposed along the second top wall, and a plurality of openings defined in an external surface of the second top wall. Each of the first receptacles may removably receive a respective one of the first tabs therein to releasably couple the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. Each of the openings may be in communication with a respective one of the first receptacles.

In some examples, each of the first tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first top wall from a first position to a second position, a portion of each of the first tabs may engage a respective one of the openings when the first tabs are received within the first receptacles and in the first position, thereby coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, and the portion of each of the first tabs may disengage the respective one of the openings when the first tabs are received within the first receptacles and in the second position, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. In some examples, the first sidewall, the first top wall, and the first tabs may be integrally formed with one another, and the second sidewall, the second top wall, and the first receptacles may be integrally formed with one another. In some examples, the first jacket portion and the middle pan may be releasably coupled to one another via one or more first snap-fit connections, and/or the second jacket portion and the middle pan are releasably coupled to one another via one or more second snap-fit connections. In some examples, the jacket may be devoid of threaded fasteners coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion to one another.

According to another aspect, a heat pump water heater may include a water storage tank, a middle pan disposed above the water storage tank, heat pump components disposed above the middle pan, and a jacket covering the heat pump components. The jacket may include a first jacket portion and a second jacket portion. The first jacket portion may include a first sidewall, a first top wall integrally formed with the first sidewall, a plurality of first tabs extending from the first sidewall, and a plurality of second tabs extending from the first top wall. Each of the first tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first sidewall, and each of the second tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first top wall. The second jacket portion may include a second sidewall, a second top wall integrally formed with the second sidewall, a plurality of first receptacles disposed along the second sidewall, and a plurality of second receptacles disposed along the second top wall. Each of the first receptacles may removably receive a respective one of the first tabs therein to releasably couple the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, and each of the second receptacles may removably receive a respective one of the second tabs therein to releasably couple the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion.

In some examples, the second jacket portion also may include a plurality of first openings defined in an external surface of the second sidewall, with each of the first openings being in communication with a respective one of the first receptacles, and a plurality of second openings defined in an external surface of the second top wall, with each of the first openings being in communication with a respective one of the second receptacles, each of the first tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first sidewall from a first position to a second position, a portion of each of the first tabs may engage a respective one of the first openings when the first tabs are received within the first receptacles and in the first position, thereby coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, the portion of each of the first tabs may disengage the respective one of the first openings when the first tabs are received within the first receptacles and in the second position, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, each of the second tabs may be resiliently deflectable relative to the first top wall from a first position to a second position, a portion of each of the second tabs may engage a respective one of the second openings when the second tabs are received within the second receptacles and in the first position, thereby coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion, and the portion of each of the second tabs may disengage the respective one of the second openings when the second tabs are received within the second receptacles and in the second position, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion. In some examples, the first sidewall, the first top wall, the first tabs, and the second tabs may be integrally formed with one another, and the second sidewall, the second top wall, the first receptacles, and the second receptacles may be integrally formed with one another. In some examples, the first jacket portion and the middle pan may be releasably coupled to one another via one or more first snap-fit connections, and/or the second jacket portion and the middle pan may be releasably coupled to one another via one or more second snap-fit connections. In some examples, the jacket may be devoid of threaded fasteners coupling the first jacket portion and the second jacket portion to one another.

Still other features, benefits, and advantages of the disclosed integrated heat pump water heaters, upper housing portions for enclosing heat pump components of such water heaters, upper jackets for encircling or enclosing heat pump components of such water heaters, and related methods of using and manufacturing the same over conventional systems and techniques will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1P illustrate a heat pump water heater (which also may be referred to as an “integrated heat pump water heater” or simply a “water heater”) 100, components, and features thereof, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. As described herein, the heat pump water heater 100 may be used for heating water for use within a building. As shown, the heat pump water heater 100 may be configured as an integrated heat pump water heater, although certain aspects of the disclosed heat pump water heater 100 may be similarly applied to split-system heat pump water heaters. As shown, the heat pump water heater 100 may include a water storage tank (which also may be referred to as simply a “tank”) 110, a heat pump (which also may be referred to as a “heat transfer unit”) 120, and a housing (which also may be referred to as an “enclosure”) 130. The water storage tank 110 may contain and store hot water for subsequent delivery to various locations within the building, as needed. The heat pump 120 may be used instead of or in addition to an alternate heat source, such as electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners, to heat the water. In some examples, the heat pump water heater 100 may include, in addition to the heat pump 120, one or more electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners. The housing 130 may enclose the water storage tank 110 and the heat pump 120. As described herein, portions of the housing 130 advantageously may be configured to simplify and reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembly of the housing 130, avoid misalignment of components of the housing 130 during assembly, ease disassembly of portions of the housing 130 for servicing the heat pump 120, and/or minimize vibration of portions of the housing 130 and noise caused thereby during operation of the heat pump water heater 100.

As shown, the water storage tank 110 may be disposed in a lower portion of the heat pump water heater 100, below the heat pump 120 or at least a portion of the heat pump 120, although other arrangements of the water storage tank 110 may be used in other examples. The water storage tank 110 may be coupled to and in fluid communication with an inlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “cold water pipe”) 111 and an outlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “hot water pipe”) 112. The inlet pipe 111 may be in fluid communication with and receive cold water from a water source and configured to deliver the cold water into the water storage tank 110 for heating. The outlet pipe 112 may be in fluid communication with a plurality of water outlets (e.g., faucets, etc.) within the building and configured to deliver the heated water from the water storage tank 110 to the water outlets upon a demand for hot water. In some examples, as shown, the inlet pipe 111 and the outlet pipe 112 may extend vertically upward from the water storage tank 110 to the top of the heat pump water heater 100. Other arrangements of the inlet pipe 111 and the outlet pipe 112, may be used in other examples, such as the inlet pipe 111 and the outlet pipe 112 extending horizontally from the water storage tank 110 at various points along the side of the heat pump water heater 100.

As shown, at least a portion of the heat pump 120 may be disposed in an upper portion of the heat pump water heater 100, above the water storage tank 110, although other arrangements of the heat pump 120 may be used in other examples. The heat pump 120 may include a plurality of heat pump components. In particular, the heat pump 120 may include a compressor 121, a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve 123, and an evaporator 124 connected to one another by piping to form a closed-loop circuit through which a refrigerant is passed. Various configurations of the compressor 121, the condenser, the expansion valve 123, and the evaporator 124 may be used in different examples. In some examples, the condenser may be a coiled heat exchanger that is wrapped around the water storage tank 110 and heats water within the tank 110. In other examples, the condenser may be an internal heat exchanger that is disposed within the water storage tank 110 and heats water within the tank 110. In still other examples, the condenser may be a plate-and-frame heat exchanger that is spaced apart from the water storage tank 110 and heats water that is removed from and the returned to the tank 110 via a circulation loop. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations of the compressor 121, the expansion valve 123, and the evaporator 124 are merely examples, and that other configurations of these heat pump components may be used in other examples. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 1B, at least a portion of the heat pump 120, and the components thereof, may be covered by a foam core (which also may be referred to as a “foam shroud”) 125. In some examples, as shown, the heat pump water heater 100 may include a controller 126 and a display 127 in operable communication with the heat pump 120. The controller 126 may be configured to control operation of the heat pump 120 and the components thereof according to selected operating parameters. The display 127 may be configured to visually display one or more operating parameters of the heat pump 120. In some examples, the display 127 may include or may be configured to operate as a user interface, allowing a user to interact with the display 127 to view, select, and/or modify operating parameters of the heat pump 120.

The housing 130 may enclose and protect a majority of the other components of the heat pump water heater 100. As shown, the housing 130 may include a lower housing portion (which also may be referred to as a “first housing portion” or a “tank housing portion”) 140 and an upper housing portion (which also may be referred to as a “second housing portion” or a “heat-pump housing portion”) 150. The lower housing portion 140 may enclose the water storage tank 110, while the upper housing portion 150 may enclose at least some, and in some cases, all, of the heat pump components of the heat pump 120, depending on the configuration of the condenser of the heat pump 120. In some examples, the lower housing portion 140 also may enclose some of the heat pump components of the heat pump 120, such as the condenser and connected piping when the condenser is a coiled heat exchanger or an internal heat exchanger. As shown, the lower housing portion 140 may include a bottom pan 141, a middle pan (which also may be referred to as a “lower top pan”) 142, and a lower jacket (which also may be referred to as a “first jacket,” a “lower shroud,” or a “first shroud”) 143. The bottom pan 141 may be disposed below the water storage tank 110, the middle pan 142 may be disposed above the water storage tank 110, and the lower jacket 143 may encircle the water storage tank 110. In some examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan 141, the middle pan 142, and the lower jacket 143 may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding. In other examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan 141, the middle pan 142, and the lower jacket 143 may be formed of metal, such as by conventional techniques of forming and fabricating sheet metal components.

As shown, the upper housing portion 150 may include an upper jacket (which also may be referred to as a “second jacket,” an “upper shroud,” or a “second shroud”) 151. The upper jacket 151 may cover the heat pump components that are disposed above the middle pan 142. As shown, the upper jacket 151 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the upper jacket 151 may have an inlet pipe opening 156 through which the inlet pipe 111 extends out of the upper jacket 151 and an outlet pipe opening 157 through which the outlet pipe 112 extends out of the upper jacket 151. According to the illustrated example, the upper jacket 151 may include a first jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “rear jacket portion”) 160 and a second jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “front jacket portion”) 180 releasably coupled to one another. As described herein, the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 may include features configured to allow the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from one another as well as the middle pan 142. In this manner, the upper housing portion 150 may be easily assembled for covering the enclosed heat pump components and at least partially disassembled, when desired, for servicing the heat pump components. In some examples, the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding.

The first jacket portion 160 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 161 and a top wall (which also may be referred to as a “horizontal wall”) 162 coupled to one another. As shown, the sidewall 161 and the top wall 162 may be integrally formed with one another as a single component. The first jacket portion 160 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the first jacket portion 160 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air opening”) 163, a controller opening 165, and a plurality of vent openings 166. The airflow opening 163 may be defined in the top wall 162 and configured to allow a flow of air to pass into the interior space of the upper housing portion 150 during operation of the heat pump 120. In some examples, as shown, the first jacket portion 160 may include a grille (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air grille”) 164 disposed within the airflow opening 163 and coupled to the top wall 162. As shown, the grille 164 may be integrally formed with the top wall 162. The controller opening 165 may be defined in the top wall 162 and may receive a portion of the controller 126 therein. The vent openings 166 may be defined in the sidewall 161 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 150. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the first jacket portion 160 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

The first jacket portion 160 also may have a plurality of cutouts 167 that align with corresponding cutouts of the second jacket portion 160 when the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 are coupled to one another. As shown, one of the cutouts 167 corresponds to a cutout of the second jacket portion 180 to form the inlet pipe opening 156, and another of the cutouts 167 corresponds to another cutout of the second jacket portion 180 to form the outlet pipe opening 157. Based on this configuration, the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 may be easily coupled to and decoupled from one another without interference from the inlet pipe 111 or the outlet pipe 112. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the cutouts of the first jacket portion 160 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional cutouts may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 160 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 161 and the top wall 162. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the first jacket portion 160 and/or to minimize vibration of the first jacket portion 160 during operation of the heat pump water heater 100 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In particular, the first jacket portion 160 may include a plurality of internal ribs 168 and/or a plurality of external ribs 169. In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 168 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 161, and the external ribs 169 may be disposed along the external side of the top wall 162. As shown, the internal ribs 168 may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 168 may be used. As shown, the external ribs 169 may include a plurality of ribs oriented to form an array of hexagons. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first jacket portion 160 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 160 may include a plurality of tabs (which also may be referred to as “resiliently deflectable tabs”) 170 extending from each of the sidewall 161 and the top wall 162. In some examples, as shown, the tabs 170 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 161 and the top wall 162. As described herein, the tabs 170 may cooperate with mating receptacles of the second jacket portion 180 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 160 may include two (2) of the tabs 170 extending from the sidewall 161 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the sidewall 161, and three (3) of the tabs 170 extending from the top wall 162 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the top wall 162. More or fewer of the tabs 170 may be used in other examples. Each of the tabs 170 may be resiliently deflectable, relative to the respective wall (i.e., the sidewall 161 or the top wall 162) from which the tab 170 extends, from a first position (i.e., a natural or home position) to a second position (i.e., a resiliently deflected position). As shown, each of the tabs 170 may include an arm 171 extending away from the respective wall (i.e., the sidewall 161 or the top wall 162) from which the tab 170 extends, and a protrusion 172 disposed at or near a free end of the arm 171. As described herein, the protrusion 172 may cooperate with a mating opening of the second jacket portion 180 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 170 of the first jacket portion 160 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 160 may include a plurality of receptacles 174 disposed along the sidewall 161. In some examples, as shown, the receptacles 174 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 161 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 161. As described herein, the receptacles 174 may cooperate with mating tabs of the second jacket portion 180 to couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 160 may include two (2) of the receptacles 174 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 161. More or fewer of the receptacles 174 may be used in other examples. Each of the receptacles 174 may be configured to removably receive a respective tab of the second jacket portion 180 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. As shown, the first jacket portion 160 also may include a plurality of openings (which also may be referred to as “access openings”) 175 defined in an external surface of the sidewall 161. As shown, each of the openings 175 may be in communication with a respective one of the receptacles 174. As described herein, when one of the tabs of the second jacket portion 180 is received within one of the receptacles 174 and in its non-deflected position, a portion of the tab, such as a protrusion thereof, may engage the respective opening 175 for the receptacle 174, thereby coupling the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. Conversely, when one of the tabs of the second jacket portion 180 is received within one of the receptacles 174 and is in its deflected position, for example, by a user pressing the tab through the respective opening 175 for the receptacle 174, the portion of the tab may disengage the opening 175, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 from one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the receptacles 174 and the openings 175 of the first jacket portion 160 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional receptacles and openings may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 160 may include a plurality of mounts 176 disposed along the sidewall 161. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 176 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 161 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 161. As described herein, the mounts 176 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 160 and the middle pan 142, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 160 and the middle pan 142, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 160 may include two (2) of the mounts 176 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 161 near the bottom of the sidewall 161. More or fewer of the mounts 176 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 176, a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 177 may be coupled to the mount 176, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud 177 may extend away from the mount 176 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 178 that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 179, such as by threaded fasteners. The bracket 179 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 142, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, the brackets 179 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 142, while the clips 178 and the studs 177 may allow the first jacket portion 160 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from the middle pan 142, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 176 of the first jacket portion 160 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 177, clips 178, and brackets 179, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 160 and the middle pan 142.

The second jacket portion 180 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 181 and a top wall (which also may be referred to as a “horizontal wall”) 182 coupled to one another. As shown, the sidewall 181 and the top wall 182 may be integrally formed with one another as a single component. The second jacket portion 180 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the second jacket portion 180 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air opening”) 183, a display opening 185, and a plurality of vent openings 186. The airflow opening 183 may be defined in the sidewall 181 and configured to allow a flow of air to pass out of the interior space of the upper housing portion 150 during operation of the heat pump 120. In some examples, as shown, the second jacket portion 180 may include a grille (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air grille”) 184 disposed within the airflow opening 183 and coupled to the sidewall 181. As shown, the grille 184 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 181. The display opening 185 may be defined in the sidewall 181 and may receive a portion of the display 127 therein. The vent openings 186 may be defined in the sidewall 181 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 150. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the second jacket portion 180 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

The second jacket portion 180 also may have a plurality of cutouts 187 that align with the corresponding cutouts 167 of the first jacket portion 160 when the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 are coupled to one another. As shown, one of the cutouts 187 corresponds to one of the cutouts 167 of the first jacket portion 160 to form the inlet pipe opening 156, and another of the cutouts 187 corresponds to another of the cutouts 167 of the first jacket portion 160 to form the outlet pipe opening 157. Based on this configuration, the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 may be easily coupled to and decoupled from one another without interference from the inlet pipe 111 or the outlet pipe 112. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the cutouts of the second jacket portion 180 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional cutouts may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 180 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 181 and the top wall 182. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the second jacket portion 180 and/or to minimize vibration of the second jacket portion 180 during operation of the heat pump water heater 100 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In particular, the second jacket portion 180 may include a plurality of internal ribs (not shown) and/or a plurality of external ribs 189. In some examples, the internal ribs, which may be configured in a manner similar to the internal ribs 168 of the first jacket portion 160, may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 181, and the external ribs 189 may be disposed along the external side of the top wall 182. Similar to the internal ribs 168 of the first jacket portion 160, the internal ribs of the second jacket portion 180 may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs may be used. As shown, the external ribs 189 may include a plurality of ribs oriented to form an array of hexagons. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first jacket portion 180 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 180 may include a plurality of tabs (which also may be referred to as “resiliently deflectable tabs”) 190 extending from the sidewall 181. In some examples, as shown, the tabs 190 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 181. As described herein, the tabs 190 may cooperate with the mating receptacles 174 of the first jacket portion 160 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 180 may include two (2) of the tabs 190 extending from the sidewall 181 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the sidewall 181. More or fewer of the tabs 190 may be used in other examples. Each of the tabs 190 may be resiliently deflectable, relative to the sidewall 181 from which the tab 190 extends, from a first position (i.e., a natural or home position) to a second position (i.e., a resiliently deflected position). As shown, each of the tabs 190 may include an arm 191 extending away from the sidewall 181, and a protrusion 192 disposed at or near a free end of the arm 191. As described herein, the protrusion 192 may cooperate with a mating opening 175 of the first jacket portion 160 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 190 of the second jacket portion 180 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 180 may include a plurality of receptacles 194 disposed along each of the sidewall 181 and the top wall 182. In some examples, as shown, the receptacles 194 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 181 and the top wall 182, with some of the receptacles 194 being disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 181 and some of the receptacles 194 being disposed along the external side of the top wall 182. As described herein, the receptacles 194 may cooperate with the mating tabs 170 of the first jacket portion 160 to couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 180 may include two (2) of the receptacles 194 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 181 and three (3) of the receptacles 194 disposed along the external side of the top wall 182. More or fewer of the receptacles 194 may be used in other examples. Each of the receptacles 194 may be configured to removably receive a respective tab 170 of the first jacket portion 160 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. As shown, the second jacket portion 180 also may include a plurality of openings (which also may be referred to as “access openings”) 195 defined in an external surface of the sidewall 181 and in an external surface of the top wall 182. As shown, each of the openings 195 may be in communication with a respective one of the receptacles 194. As described herein, when one of the tabs 170 of the first jacket portion 160 is received within one of the receptacles 194 and in its non-deflected position, a portion of the tab 170, such as the protrusion 172 thereof, may engage the respective opening 195 for the receptacle 194, thereby coupling the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 to one another. Conversely, when one of the tabs 170 of the first jacket portion 160 is received within one of the receptacles 194 and is in its deflected position, for example, by a user pressing the tab 170 through the respective opening 195 for the receptacle 194, the portion of the tab 170 may disengage the opening 195, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion 160 and the second jacket portion 180 from one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the receptacles 194 and the openings 195 of the second jacket portion 180 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional receptacles and openings may be used.

The second jacket portion 180 may include a plurality of mounts 176, similar to those of the first jacket portion 160, disposed along the sidewall 181. In some examples, the mounts 176 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 181 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 181. As described herein, the mounts 176 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 180 and the middle pan 142, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the second jacket portion 180 and the middle pan 142, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 180 may include two (2) of the mounts 176 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 181 near the bottom of the sidewall 181. More or fewer of the mounts 176 may be used in other examples. For each of the mounts 176, a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 177 may be coupled to the mount 176, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud 177 may extend away from the mount 176 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 178 that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 179, such as by threaded fasteners. The bracket 179 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 142, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, the brackets 179 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 142, while the clips 178 and the studs 177 may allow the second jacket portion 180 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from the middle pan 142, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 176 of the second jacket portion 180 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 177, clips 178, and brackets 179, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 180 and the middle pan 142.

FIGS. 1N-1P illustrate an alternative version of an upper housing portion 150a, components, and features thereof, as may be used for the heat pump water heater 100 instead of the upper housing portion 150. Certain similarities and differences between the upper housing portion 150a and the upper housing portion 150 described above will be appreciated from the following description and the corresponding drawings. As shown, the upper housing portion 150a may include an upper jacket 151a that includes a first jacket portion 160a and a second jacket portion 180a. As described herein, particular differences relate to features for releasably coupling the first jacket portion 160a and the second jacket portion 180a to one another. The first jacket portion 160a may include a sidewall 161a and a top wall 162a, and the second jacket portion 180a similarly may include a sidewall 181a and a top wall 182a. As shown, the first jacket portion 160a may include a plurality of tabs 170a extending from the sidewall 161a, and the second jacket portion 180a may include a plurality of tabs 190a extending from the sidewall 181a. Each of the tabs 170a may include an arm 171a extending away from the sidewall 161a and having a hole 172a extending through the arm 171a near the free end thereof. Similarly, each of the tabs 190a may include an arm 191a extending away from the sidewall 181a and having a hole 192a extending through the arm 191a near the free end thereof. As shown in FIG. 1P, when the first jacket portion 160a and the second jacket portion 180a are aligned and positioned adjacent one another, the holes 172a of the tabs 170a may align with the holes 192a of the tabs 190a, and a rod (which also may be referred to as a “retaining rod”) 173a may be inserted through all of the holes 172a, 192a. In this manner, the first jacket portion 160a and the second jacket portion 180a may be releasably coupled to one another when the rod 173a extends through the holes 172a, 192a, thereby restraining movement of the first jacket portion 160a and the second jacket portion 180a relative to one another. To disassemble the upper housing portion 150a, for example, for servicing heat pump components covered thereby, the rod 173a may be removed from the holes 172a, 192a, allowing the separation of the first jacket portion 160a and the second jacket portion 180a. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 170a, 190a are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used. Further, in some examples, the tabs 170a, 190a or similar tabs for use with a retaining rod may be used in combination with other features described herein for releasably coupling the first jacket portion 160a and the second jacket portion 180a.

FIGS. 2A-2P illustrate an upper portion of another heat pump water heater (which also may be referred to as an “integrated heat pump water heater” or simply a “water heater”) 200, components, and features thereof, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. Certain similarities and differences between the heat pump water heater 200 and the heat pump water heater 100 described above will be appreciated from the following description and the corresponding drawings. As described herein, the heat pump water heater 200 may be used for heating water for use within a building. The heat pump water heater 200 may be configured as an integrated heat pump water heater, although certain aspects of the disclosed heat pump water heater 200 may be similarly applied to split-system heat pump water heaters. The heat pump water heater 200 may include a water storage tank (which may be the same as or similar to the water storage tank 110 above), a heat pump (which also may be referred to as a “heat transfer unit”) 220, and a housing (which also may be referred to as an “enclosure”) 230. The water storage tank may contain and store hot water for subsequent delivery to various locations within the building, as needed. The heat pump 220 may be used instead of or in addition to an alternate heat source, such as electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners, to heat the water. In some examples, the heat pump water heater 200 may include, in addition to the heat pump 220, one or more electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners. The housing 230 may enclose the water storage tank and the heat pump 220. As described herein, portions of the housing 230 advantageously may be configured to simplify and reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembly of the housing 230, avoid misalignment of components of the housing 230 during assembly, ease disassembly of portions of the housing 230 for servicing the heat pump 220, and/or minimize vibration of portions of the housing 230 and noise caused thereby during operation of the heat pump water heater 200.

The water storage tank may be disposed in a lower portion of the heat pump water heater 200, below the heat pump 220 or at least a portion of the heat pump 220, although other arrangements of the water storage tank may be used in other examples. The water storage tank may be coupled to and in fluid communication with an inlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “cold water pipe”) 211 and an outlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “hot water pipe”) 212. The inlet pipe 211 may be in fluid communication with and receive cold water from a water source and configured to deliver the cold water into the water storage tank for heating. The outlet pipe 212 may be in fluid communication with a plurality of water outlets (e.g., faucets, etc.) within the building and configured to deliver the heated water from the water storage tank to the water outlets upon a demand for hot water. In some examples, as shown, the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212 may extend vertically upward from the water storage tank to the top of the heat pump water heater 200. Other arrangements of the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212, may be used in other examples, such as the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212 extending horizontally from the water storage tank at various points along the side of the heat pump water heater 200.

As shown, at least a portion of the heat pump 220 may be disposed in an upper portion of the heat pump water heater 200, above the water storage tank, although other arrangements of the heat pump 220 may be used in other examples. The heat pump 220 may include a plurality of heat pump components. In particular, the heat pump 220 may include a compressor 221, a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve 223, and an evaporator 224 connected to one another by piping to form a closed-loop circuit through which a refrigerant is passed. Various configurations of the compressor 221, the condenser, the expansion valve 223, and the evaporator 224 may be used in different examples. In some examples, the condenser may be a coiled heat exchanger that is wrapped around the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In other examples, the condenser may be an internal heat exchanger that is disposed within the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In still other examples, the condenser may be a plate-and-frame heat exchanger that is spaced apart from the water storage tank and heats water that is removed from and the returned to the tank via a circulation loop. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations of the compressor 221, the expansion valve 223, and the evaporator 224 are merely examples, and that other configurations of these heat pump components may be used in other examples. In some examples, at least a portion of the heat pump 220, and the components thereof, may be covered by a foam core (which may be the same as or similar to the foam core 125 above). In some examples, the heat pump water heater 200 may include a controller 226 and a display (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the display 127 above) in operable communication with the heat pump 220. The controller 226 may be configured to control operation of the heat pump 220 and the components thereof according to selected operating parameters. The display may be configured to visually display one or more operating parameters of the heat pump 220. In some examples, the display may include or may be configured to operate as a user interface, allowing a user to interact with the display to view, select, and/or modify operating parameters of the heat pump 220.

The housing 230 may enclose and protect a majority of the other components of the heat pump water heater 200. The housing 230 may include a lower housing portion (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the lower housing portion 140 above) and an upper housing portion (which also may be referred to as a “second housing portion” or a “heat-pump housing portion”) 250. The lower housing portion may enclose the water storage tank, while the upper housing portion 250 may enclose at least some, and in some cases, all, of the heat pump components of the heat pump 220, depending on the configuration of the condenser of the heat pump 220. In some examples, the lower housing portion also may enclose some of the heat pump components of the heat pump 220, such as the condenser and connected piping when the condenser is a coiled heat exchanger or an internal heat exchanger. The lower housing portion may include a bottom pan (not shown), a middle pan (which also may be referred to as a “lower top pan”) 242, and a lower jacket (not shown). The bottom pan may be disposed below the water storage tank, the middle pan 242 may be disposed above the water storage tank, and the lower jacket may encircle the water storage tank. In some examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan, the middle pan 242, and the lower jacket may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding. In other examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan, the middle pan 242, and the lower jacket may be formed of metal, such as by conventional techniques of forming and fabricating sheet metal components.

As shown, the upper housing portion 250 may include an upper jacket (which also may be referred to as a “second jacket,” an “upper shroud,” or a “second shroud”) 251 and a top pan (which also may be referred to as an “upper top pan”) 252 releasably coupled to one another. The upper jacket 251 and the top pan 252 together may cover the heat pump components that are disposed above the middle pan 242. The upper jacket 251 may include a first jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “rear jacket portion”) 260 and a second jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “front jacket portion”) 280 releasably coupled to one another. As described herein, the top pan 252, the first jacket portion 260, and the second jacket portion 280 may include features configured to allow the top pan 252, the first jacket portion 260, and the second jacket portion 280 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from one another as well as the middle pan 242. In this manner, the upper housing portion 250 may be easily assembled for covering the enclosed heat pump components and at least partially disassembled, when desired, for servicing the heat pump components. In some examples, the top pan 252, the first jacket portion 260, and the second jacket portion 280 may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding.

As shown, the top pan 252 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the top pan 252 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air opening”) 253, a controller opening 255, an inlet pipe opening 256, and an outlet pipe opening 257. The airflow opening 253 may be configured to allow a flow of air to pass into the interior space of the upper housing portion 250 during operation of the heat pump 220. In some examples, as shown, a grille (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air grille”) 254 may be disposed within the airflow opening 253 and coupled to the top pan 252. The controller opening 255 may receive a portion of the controller 226 therein. The inlet pipe opening 256 may allow the inlet pipe 211 to extend therethrough and out of the upper housing portion 250, and the outlet pipe opening 257 may allow the outlet pipe 212 to extend therethrough and out of the upper housing portion 250. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the top pan 252 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

As shown, the top pan 252 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the wall of the top pan 252. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the top pan 252 and/or to minimize vibration of the top pan 252 during operation of the heat pump water heater 200 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In some examples, as shown, the top pan 252 may include a plurality of internal ribs 258. In some examples, the top pan 252 additionally or alternatively may include a plurality of external ribs (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the external ribs 169 above). In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 258 may be disposed along the internal side of the wall of the top pan 252 and may include horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 258 may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the top pan 252 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the top pan 252 may include a plurality of mounts 259 disposed along the interior side of the wall of the top pan 252. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 259 may be integrally formed with the wall of the top pan 252. As described herein, the mounts 259 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the top pan 252 and the upper jacket 251, specifically each of the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 thereof, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the top pan 252 and the upper jacket 251, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the top pan 252 may include two (2) of the mounts 259 disposed near the rear end of the top pan 252 to facilitate connections with the first jacket portion 260 and another two (2) of the mounts 259 disposed near the front end of the top pan 252 to facilitate connections with the second jacket portion 280. More or fewer of the mounts 259 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 259, a bracket 279 may be fixedly coupled thereto such as by a threaded fastener. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 259 of the top pan 252 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used.

The first jacket portion 260 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 261. In some examples, the first jacket portion 260 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. For example, the first jacket portion 260 may have a plurality of vent openings (not shown) defined in the sidewall 261 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 250. The first jacket portion 260 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 261. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the first jacket portion 260 and/or to minimize vibration of the first jacket portion 260 during operation of the heat pump water heater 200 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In some examples, as shown, the first jacket portion 260 may include a plurality of internal ribs 268 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261. In some examples, the first jacket portion 260 additionally or alternatively may include a plurality of external ribs (not shown). In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 268 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261 and may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 268 may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first jacket portion 260 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 260 may include a plurality of tabs (which also may be referred to as “resiliently deflectable tabs”) 270 extending from the sidewall 261. In some examples, as shown, the tabs 270 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 261. As described herein, the tabs 270 may cooperate with mating receptacles of the second jacket portion 280 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 260 may include three (3) of the tabs 270 extending from the sidewall 261 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the sidewall 261. More or fewer of the tabs 270 may be used in other examples. Each of the tabs 270 may be resiliently deflectable, relative to the sidewall 261, from a first position (i.e., a natural or home position) to a second position (i.e., a resiliently deflected position). As shown, each of the tabs 270 may include an arm 271 extending away from the sidewall 261, and a protrusion 272 disposed at or near a free end of the arm 271. As described herein, the protrusion 272 may cooperate with a mating opening of the second jacket portion 280 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 270 of the first jacket portion 260 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 260 may include a plurality of mounts 273 disposed along the sidewall 261. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 273 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 261 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261. As described herein, the mounts 273 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 260 may include three (3) of the mounts 273 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261. More or fewer of the mounts 273 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 273, a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 275 may be coupled to the mount 273, for example, by threaded fasteners. The clip 275 may be configured to releasably engage a free-end portion of a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 274 that is fixedly coupled to a mating mount of the second jacket portion 280, as described below. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 273 of the first jacket portion 260 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 274 and clips 275, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280.

As shown, the first jacket portion 260 may include a plurality of mounts 276 disposed along the sidewall 261. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 276 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 261 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261. As described herein, the mounts 276 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 260 and the middle pan 242 and between the first jacket portion 260 and the top pan 252, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 260 and each of the middle pan 242 and the top pan 252, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 260 may include two (2) of the mounts 276 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261 near the bottom of the sidewall 261 and another two (2) of the mounts 276 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 261 near the top of the sidewall 261. More or fewer of the mounts 276 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 276, a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 277 may be coupled to the mount 276, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud 277 may extend away from the mount 276 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 278 that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 279, such as by threaded fasteners. The respective bracket 279 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 242 or the top pan 252, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, two (2) of the brackets 279 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 242 and another two (2) of the brackets 279 may be fixedly coupled to the top pan 252, while the clips 278 and the studs 277 may allow the first jacket portion 260 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from each of the middle pan 242 and the top pan 252, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 276 of the first jacket portion 260 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 277, clips 278, and brackets 279, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 260 and each of the middle pan 242 and the top pan 252.

The second jacket portion 280 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 281. The second jacket portion 280 may have a plurality of openings extending through the sidewall 281. As shown, the second jacket portion 280 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air opening”) 283 defined in the sidewall 281 and configured to allow a flow of air to pass out of the interior space of the upper housing portion 250 during operation of the heat pump 220. In some examples, as shown, a grille (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air grille”) 284 may be disposed within the airflow opening 283 when the upper housing portion 250 is assembled, although the grille 284 may be coupled to a portion of the heat pump 220 and/or the middle pan 242. In some examples, the second jacket portion 280 may have a plurality of vent openings (not shown) defined in the sidewall 281 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 250. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the second jacket portion 280 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 280 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 281. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the second jacket portion 280 and/or to minimize vibration of the second jacket portion 280 during operation of the heat pump water heater 200 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In particular, the second jacket portion 280 may include a plurality of internal ribs 288 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281. In some examples, the second jacket portion 280 additionally or alternatively may include a plurality of external ribs (not shown). In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 288 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281 and may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 288 may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the second jacket portion 280 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 280 may include a plurality of mounts 290 disposed along the sidewall 281. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 290 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 281 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281. As described herein, the mounts 290 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 280 may include three (3) of the mounts 290 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281. More or fewer of the mounts 290 may be used in other examples. A respective one of the studs 274 may be fixedly coupled to each of the mounts 290, such as by a threaded connection therebetween, and extend away from the respective mount 290. As shown, for each of the studs 274, a free-end portion of the stud 274 may extend through an opening of the corresponding mount 273 of the first jacket portion 260 and releasably engage the corresponding clip 275 coupled thereto. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 290 of the second jacket portion 280 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 274 and clips 275, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280.

As shown, the second jacket portion 280 may include a plurality of receptacles 294 disposed along the sidewall 281. In some examples, as shown, the receptacles 294 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 281 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281. As described herein, the receptacles 294 may cooperate with the mating tabs 270 of the first jacket portion 260 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 280 may include three (3) of the receptacles 294 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281. More or fewer of the receptacles 294 may be used in other examples. Each of the receptacles 294 may be configured to removably receive a respective tab 270 of the first jacket portion 260 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 to one another. As shown, the second jacket portion 280 also may include a plurality of openings (which also may be referred to as “access openings”) 295 defined in an external surface of the sidewall 281. As shown, each of the openings 295 may be in communication with a respective one of the receptacles 294. As described herein, when one of the tabs 270 of the first jacket portion 260 is received within one of the receptacles 294 and in its non-deflected position, a portion of the tab 270, such as the protrusion 272 thereof, may engage the respective opening 295 for the receptacle 294, thereby coupling the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 to one another. Conversely, when one of the tabs 270 of the first jacket portion 260 is received within one of the receptacles 294 and is in its deflected position, for example, by a user pressing the tab 270 through the respective opening 295 for the receptacle 294, the portion of the tab 270 may disengage the opening 295, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion 260 and the second jacket portion 280 from one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the receptacles 294 and the openings 295 of the second jacket portion 280 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional receptacles and openings may be used.

The second jacket portion 280 may include a plurality of mounts 276, similar to those of the first jacket portion 260, disposed along the sidewall 281. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 276 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 281 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281. As described herein, the mounts 276 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 280 and the middle pan 242 and between the second jacket portion 280 and the top pan 252, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the second jacket portion 280 and each of the middle pan 242 and the top pan 252, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 280 may include two (2) of the mounts 276 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281 near the bottom of the sidewall 281 and another two (2) of the mounts 276 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 281 near the top of the sidewall 281. More or fewer of the mounts 276 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 276, a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 277 may be coupled to the mount 276, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud 277 may extend away from the mount 276 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 278 that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 279, such as by threaded fasteners. The respective bracket 279 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 242 or the top pan 252, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, two (2) of the brackets 279 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 242 and another two (2) of the brackets 279 may be fixedly coupled to the top pan 252, while the clips 278 and the studs 277 may allow the second jacket portion 280 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from each of the middle pan 242 and the top pan 252, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 276 of the second jacket portion 280 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 277, clips 278, and brackets 279, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 280 and each of the middle pan 242 and the top pan 252.

FIGS. 3A-3S illustrate an upper portion of another heat pump water heater (which also may be referred to as an “integrated heat pump water heater” or simply a “water heater”) 300, components, and features thereof, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. Certain similarities and differences between the heat pump water heater 300 and the heat pump water heaters 100, 200 described above will be appreciated from the following description and the corresponding drawings. As described herein, the heat pump water heater 300 may be used for heating water for use within a building. The heat pump water heater 300 may be configured as an integrated heat pump water heater, although certain aspects of the disclosed heat pump water heater 300 may be similarly applied to split-system heat pump water heaters. The heat pump water heater 300 may include a water storage tank (which may be the same as or similar to the water storage tank 110 above), a heat pump (which also may be referred to as a “heat transfer unit”) 320, and a housing (which also may be referred to as an “enclosure”) 330. The water storage tank may contain and store hot water for subsequent delivery to various locations within the building, as needed. The heat pump 320 may be used instead of or in addition to an alternate heat source, such as electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners, to heat the water. In some examples, the heat pump water heater 300 may include, in addition to the heat pump 320, one or more electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners. The housing 330 may enclose the water storage tank and the heat pump 320. As described herein, portions of the housing 330 advantageously may be configured to simplify and reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembly of the housing 330, avoid misalignment of components of the housing 330 during assembly, ease disassembly of portions of the housing 330 for servicing the heat pump 320, and/or minimize vibration of portions of the housing 330 and noise caused thereby during operation of the heat pump water heater 300.

The water storage tank may be disposed in a lower portion of the heat pump water heater 300, below the heat pump 320 or at least a portion of the heat pump 320, although other arrangements of the water storage tank may be used in other examples. The water storage tank may be coupled to and in fluid communication with an inlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “cold water pipe”) 311 and an outlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “hot water pipe”) 312. The inlet pipe 311 may be in fluid communication with and receive cold water from a water source and configured to deliver the cold water into the water storage tank for heating. The outlet pipe 312 may be in fluid communication with a plurality of water outlets (e.g., faucets, etc.) within the building and configured to deliver the heated water from the water storage tank to the water outlets upon a demand for hot water. In some examples, as shown, the inlet pipe 311 and the outlet pipe 312 may extend vertically upward from the water storage tank to the top of the heat pump water heater 300. Other arrangements of the inlet pipe 311 and the outlet pipe 312, may be used in other examples, such as the inlet pipe 311 and the outlet pipe 312 extending horizontally from the water storage tank at various points along the side of the heat pump water heater 300.

As shown, at least a portion of the heat pump 320 may be disposed in an upper portion of the heat pump water heater 300, above the water storage tank, although other arrangements of the heat pump 320 may be used in other examples. The heat pump 320 may include a plurality of heat pump components. In particular, the heat pump 320 may include a compressor 321, a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve 323, and an evaporator 324 connected to one another by piping to form a closed-loop circuit through which a refrigerant is passed. Various configurations of the compressor 321, the condenser, the expansion valve 323, and the evaporator 324 may be used in different examples. In some examples, the condenser may be a coiled heat exchanger that is wrapped around the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In other examples, the condenser may be an internal heat exchanger that is disposed within the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In still other examples, the condenser may be a plate-and-frame heat exchanger that is spaced apart from the water storage tank and heats water that is removed from and the returned to the tank via a circulation loop. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations of the compressor 321, the expansion valve 323, and the evaporator 324 are merely examples, and that other configurations of these heat pump components may be used in other examples. In some examples, at least a portion of the heat pump 320, and the components thereof, may be covered by a foam core (which may be the same as or similar to the foam core 125 above). In some examples, the heat pump water heater 300 may include a controller 326 and a display (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the display 127 above) in operable communication with the heat pump 320. The controller 326 may be configured to control operation of the heat pump 320 and the components thereof according to selected operating parameters. The display may be configured to visually display one or more operating parameters of the heat pump 320. In some examples, the display may include or may be configured to operate as a user interface, allowing a user to interact with the display to view, select, and/or modify operating parameters of the heat pump 320.

The housing 330 may enclose and protect a majority of the other components of the heat pump water heater 300. The housing 330 may include a lower housing portion (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the lower housing portion 140 above) and an upper housing portion (which also may be referred to as a “second housing portion” or a “heat-pump housing portion”) 350. The lower housing portion may enclose the water storage tank, while the upper housing portion 350 may enclose at least some, and in some cases, all, of the heat pump components of the heat pump 320, depending on the configuration of the condenser of the heat pump 320. In some examples, the lower housing portion also may enclose some of the heat pump components of the heat pump 320, such as the condenser and connected piping when the condenser is a coiled heat exchanger or an internal heat exchanger. The lower housing portion may include a bottom pan (not shown), a middle pan (which also may be referred to as a “lower top pan”) 342, and a lower jacket (not shown). The bottom pan may be disposed below the water storage tank, the middle pan 342 may be disposed above the water storage tank, and the lower jacket may encircle the water storage tank. In some examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan, the middle pan 342, and the lower jacket may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding. In other examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan, the middle pan 342, and the lower jacket may be formed of metal, such as by conventional techniques of forming and fabricating sheet metal components.

As shown, the upper housing portion 350 may include an upper jacket (which also may be referred to as a “second jacket,” an “upper shroud,” or a “second shroud”) 351 and a top pan (which also may be referred to as an “upper top pan”) 352 releasably coupled to one another. The upper jacket 351 and the top pan 352 together may cover the heat pump components that are disposed above the middle pan 342. The upper jacket 351 may include a first jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “rear jacket portion”) 360 and a second jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “front jacket portion”) 380 releasably coupled to one another. In a similar manner, the top pan 352 may include a first top-pan portion (which also may be referred to as a “rear top-pan portion”) 352a and a second top-pan portion (which also may be referred to as a “front top-pan portion”) 352b releasably coupled to one another. As described herein, the first top-pan portion 352a, the second top-pan portion 352b, the first jacket portion 360, and the second jacket portion 380 may include features configured to allow the first top-pan portion 352a, the second top-pan portion 352b, the first jacket portion 360, and the second jacket portion 380 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from one another as well as the middle pan 342. In this manner, the upper housing portion 350 may be easily assembled for covering the enclosed heat pump components and at least partially disassembled, when desired, for servicing the heat pump components. In some examples, the first top-pan portion 352a, the second top-pan portion 352b, the first jacket portion 360, and the second jacket portion 380 may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding.

As shown, the top pan 352 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the top pan 352 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air opening”) 353, a controller opening 355, an inlet pipe opening 356, and an outlet pipe opening 357. The airflow opening 353 may be configured to allow a flow of air to pass into the interior space of the upper housing portion 350 during operation of the heat pump 320. In some examples, as shown, a grille (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air grille”) 354 may be disposed within the airflow opening 353 and coupled to the top pan 352. The controller opening 355 may receive a portion of the controller 326 therein. The inlet pipe opening 356 may allow the inlet pipe 311 to extend therethrough and out of the upper housing portion 350, and the outlet pipe opening 357 may allow the outlet pipe 312 to extend therethrough and out of the upper housing portion 350. As shown, the airflow opening 353 may be defined in the first top-pan portion 352a and extend through the wall thereof. In contrast, the controller opening 355, the inlet pipe opening 356, and the outlet pipe opening 357 each may be defined by mating corresponding cutouts of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b when the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b are coupled to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the top pan 352 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

As shown, each of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the respective wall thereof. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the top pan 352 and/or to minimize vibration of the top pan 352 during operation of the heat pump water heater 300 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In some examples, as shown, each of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b may include a plurality of internal ribs 358a, 358b. In some examples, each of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b additionally or alternatively may include a plurality of external ribs (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the external ribs 169 above). In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 358a, 358b may be disposed along the internal side of the respective walls of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b and may include horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 358a, 358b may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, each of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b may include a plurality of mounts 359a, 359b disposed along the interior side of the respective wall of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 359a, 359b may be integrally formed with the respective wall of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 359a of the first top-pan portion 352a may cooperate with additional components to provide fixed connections between the first top-pan portion 352a and the first jacket portion 360. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 359b of the second top-pan portion 352b may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second top-pan portion 352b and the second jacket portion 380, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the second top-pan portion 352b and the second jacket portion 380, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first top-pan 352a may include two (2) of the mounts 359a disposed near the rear end of the first top-pan 352a to facilitate connections with the first jacket portion 360, and the second top-pan portion 352b may include two (2) of the mounts 359b disposed near the front end of the second top-pan portion 352b to facilitate connections with the second jacket portion 380. More or fewer of the mounts 359a, 359b may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 359a, 359b, a bracket 379 may be fixedly coupled thereto such as by a threaded fastener. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 359a, 359b of the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used.

As shown, the first top-pan portion 352a may include a plurality of tabs (which also may be referred to as “resiliently deflectable tabs”) 360a extending from the wall of the first top-pan portion 352a. In some examples, as shown, the tabs 360a may be integrally formed with the wall of the first top-pan portion 352a. As described herein, the tabs 360a may cooperate with mating receptacles of the second top-pan portion 352b to releasably couple the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b to one another. According to the illustrated example, the first top-pan portion 352a may include five (5) of the tabs 360a extending from the wall of the first top-pan portion 352a and being resiliently deflectable relative to the wall. More or fewer of the tabs 360a may be used in other examples. Each of the tabs 360a may be resiliently deflectable, relative to the wall of the first top-pan portion 352a, from a first position (i.e., a natural or home position) to a second position (i.e., a resiliently deflected position). As shown, each of the tabs 360a may include an arm 361a extending away from the wall, and a protrusion 362a disposed at or near a free end of the arm 361a. As described herein, the protrusion 362a may cooperate with a mating opening of the second top-pan portion 352b to releasably couple the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 360a of the first top-pan portion 352a are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used.

As shown, the second top-pan portion 352b may include a plurality of receptacles 364b disposed along the wall of the second top-pan portion 352b. In some examples, as shown, the receptacles 364b may be integrally formed with the wall of the second top-pan portion 352b and disposed along the internal side of the wall. As described herein, the receptacles 364b may cooperate with the mating tabs 360a of the first top-pan portion 352a to releasably couple the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b to one another. According to the illustrated example, the second top-pan portion 352b may include five (5) of the receptacles 364b disposed along the internal side of the wall of the second top-pan portion 352b. More or fewer of the receptacles 364b may be used in other examples. Each of the receptacles 364b may be configured to removably receive a respective tab 360a of the first top-pan portion 352a to releasably couple the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b to one another. As shown, the second top-pan portion 352b also may include a plurality of openings (which also may be referred to as “access openings”) 365b defined along an internal surface of the wall of the second top-pan portion 352b. As shown, each of the openings 365b may be in communication with a respective one of the receptacles 364b. As described herein, when one of the tabs 360a of the first top-pan portion 352a is received within one of the receptacles 364b and in its non-deflected position, a portion of the tab 360a, such as the protrusion 362a thereof, may engage the respective opening 365b for the receptacle 364b, thereby coupling the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b to one another. Conversely, when one of the tabs 360a of the first top-pan portion 352a is received within one of the receptacles 364b and is in its deflected position, for example, by a user pressing the tab 360a through the respective opening 365b for the receptacle 364b, the portion of the tab 360a may disengage the opening 365b, thereby decoupling the first top-pan portion 352a and the second top-pan portion 352b from one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the receptacles 364b and the openings 365b of the second top-pan portion 352b are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional receptacles and openings may be used.

The first jacket portion 360 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 361. In some examples, the first jacket portion 360 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. For example, the first jacket portion 360 may have a plurality of vent openings (not shown) defined in the sidewall 361 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 350. The first jacket portion 360 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 361. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the first jacket portion 360 and/or to minimize vibration of the first jacket portion 360 during operation of the heat pump water heater 300 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In some examples, as shown, the first jacket portion 360 may include a plurality of internal ribs 368 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361. In some examples, the first jacket portion 360 additionally or alternatively may include a plurality of external ribs (not shown). In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 368 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361 and may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 368 may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first jacket portion 360 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 360 may include a plurality of tabs (which also may be referred to as “resiliently deflectable tabs”) 370 extending from the sidewall 361. In some examples, as shown, the tabs 370 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 361. As described herein, the tabs 370 may cooperate with mating receptacles of the second jacket portion 380 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 360 may include three (3) of the tabs 370 extending from the sidewall 361 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the sidewall 361. More or fewer of the tabs 370 may be used in other examples. Each of the tabs 370 may be resiliently deflectable, relative to the sidewall 361, from a first position (i.e., a natural or home position) to a second position (i.e., a resiliently deflected position). As shown, each of the tabs 370 may include an arm 371 extending away from the sidewall 361, and a protrusion 372 disposed at or near a free end of the arm 371. As described herein, the protrusion 372 may cooperate with a mating opening of the second jacket portion 380 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380 to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 370 of the first jacket portion 360 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 360 may include a plurality of mounts 373 disposed along the sidewall 361. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 373 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 361 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361. As described herein, the mounts 373 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 360 may include three (3) of the mounts 373 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361. More or fewer of the mounts 373 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 373, a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 375 may be coupled to the mount 373, for example, by threaded fasteners. The clip 375 may be configured to releasably engage a free-end portion of a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 374 that is fixedly coupled to a mating mount of the second jacket portion 380, as described below. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 373 of the first jacket portion 360 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 374 and clips 375, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380.

As shown, the first jacket portion 360 may include a plurality of mounts 376 disposed along the sidewall 361. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 376 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 361 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361. As described herein, the mounts 376 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the middle pan 342 and fixed connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the top pan 352, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 360 and the middle pan 342, as desired, while maintaining attachment between the first jacket portion 360 and the top pan 352. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 360 may include two (2) of the mounts 276 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361 near the bottom of the sidewall 361 and another two (2) of the mounts 376 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 361 near the top of the sidewall 361. More or fewer of the mounts 376 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 376 disposed near the bottom of the sidewall 361, a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 377 may be coupled to the mount 376, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud 377 may extend away from the mount 376 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 378 that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 379, such as by threaded fasteners. The respective bracket 379 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 342, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, the brackets 379 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 342, while the clips 378 and the studs 377 may allow the first jacket portion 360 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from the middle pan 342, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 376 of the first jacket portion 360 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 377, clips 378, and brackets 379, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the middle pan 342.

The second jacket portion 380 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 381. The second jacket portion 380 may have a plurality of openings extending through the sidewall 381. As shown, the second jacket portion 380 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air opening”) 383 defined in the sidewall 381 and configured to allow a flow of air to pass out of the interior space of the upper housing portion 350 during operation of the heat pump 320. In some examples, as shown, a grille (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air grille”) 384 may be disposed within the airflow opening 383 when the upper housing portion 350 is assembled, although the grille 384 may be coupled to a portion of the heat pump 320 and/or the middle pan 342. In some examples, the second jacket portion 380 may have a plurality of vent openings (not shown) defined in the sidewall 381 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 350. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the second jacket portion 380 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 380 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 381. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the second jacket portion 380 and/or to minimize vibration of the second jacket portion 380 during operation of the heat pump water heater 300 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In particular, the second jacket portion 380 may include a plurality of internal ribs 388 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381. In some examples, the second jacket portion 380 additionally or alternatively may include a plurality of external ribs (not shown). In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 388 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381 and may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 388 may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the second jacket portion 380 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 380 may include a plurality of mounts 390 disposed along the sidewall 381. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 390 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 381 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381. As described herein, the mounts 390 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 380 may include three (3) of the mounts 390 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381. More or fewer of the mounts 390 may be used in other examples. A respective one of the studs 374 may be fixedly coupled to each of the mounts 390, such as by a threaded connection therebetween, and extend away from the respective mount 390. As shown, for each of the studs 374, a free-end portion of the stud 374 may extend through an opening of the corresponding mount 373 of the first jacket portion 360 and releasably engage the corresponding clip 375 coupled thereto. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 390 of the second jacket portion 380 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 374 and clips 375, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380.

As shown, the second jacket portion 380 may include a plurality of receptacles 394 disposed along the sidewall 381. In some examples, as shown, the receptacles 394 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 381 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381. As described herein, the receptacles 394 may cooperate with the mating tabs 370 of the first jacket portion 360 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 380 may include three (3) of the receptacles 394 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381. More or fewer of the receptacles 394 may be used in other examples. Each of the receptacles 394 may be configured to removably receive a respective tab 370 of the first jacket portion 360 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380 to one another. As shown, the second jacket portion 380 also may include a plurality of openings (which also may be referred to as “access openings”) 395 defined in an external surface of the sidewall 381. As shown, each of the openings 395 may be in communication with a respective one of the receptacles 394. As described herein, when one of the tabs 370 of the first jacket portion 360 is received within one of the receptacles 394 and in its non-deflected position, a portion of the tab 370, such as the protrusion 372 thereof, may engage the respective opening 395 for the receptacle 394, thereby coupling the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380 to one another. Conversely, when one of the tabs 370 of the first jacket portion 360 is received within one of the receptacles 394 and is in its deflected position, for example, by a user pressing the tab 370 through the respective opening 395 for the receptacle 394, the portion of the tab 370 may disengage the opening 395, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion 360 and the second jacket portion 380 from one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the receptacles 394 and the openings 395 of the second jacket portion 380 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional receptacles and openings may be used.

The second jacket portion 380 may include a plurality of mounts 376, similar to those of the first jacket portion 360, disposed along the sidewall 381. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 376 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 381 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381. As described herein, the mounts 376 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 380 and the middle pan 342 and between the second jacket portion 380 and the top pan 352, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the second jacket portion 380 and each of the middle pan 342 and the top pan 352, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 380 may include two (2) of the mounts 376 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381 near the bottom of the sidewall 381 and another two (2) of the mounts 376 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 381 near the top of the sidewall 381. More or fewer of the mounts 376 may be used in other examples. As shown, for each of the mounts 376, a stud (which also may be referred to as a “ball stud,” a “threaded stud,” or a “self-tapping stud,”) 377 may be coupled to the mount 376, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud 377 may extend away from the mount 376 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (which also may be referred to as a “spring clip,” a “ball clip,” a “clamp,” a “spring clamp,” or a “ball clamp”) 378 that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 379, such as by threaded fasteners. The respective bracket 379 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 342 or the top pan 352, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, two (2) of the brackets 379 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 342 and another two (2) of the brackets 379 may be fixedly coupled to the top pan 352, while the clips 378 and the studs 377 may allow the second jacket portion 380 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from each of the middle pan 342 and the top pan 352, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 376 of the second jacket portion 380 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the illustrated studs 377, clips 378, and brackets 379, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 380 and each of the middle pan 342 and the top pan 352.

FIGS. 4A-4J illustrate an upper portion of another heat pump water heater (which also may be referred to as an “integrated heat pump water heater” or simply a “water heater”) 400, components, and features thereof, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. Certain similarities and differences between the heat pump water heater 400 and the heat pump water heaters 100, 200, 300 described above will be appreciated from the following description and the corresponding drawings. As described herein, the heat pump water heater 400 may be used for heating water for use within a building. The heat pump water heater 400 may be configured as an integrated heat pump water heater, although certain aspects of the disclosed heat pump water heater 400 may be similarly applied to split-system heat pump water heaters. The heat pump water heater 400 may include a water storage tank (which may be the same as or similar to the water storage tank 110 above), a heat pump (which also may be referred to as a “heat transfer unit”) 420, and a housing (which also may be referred to as an “enclosure”) 430. The water storage tank may contain and store hot water for subsequent delivery to various locations within the building, as needed. The heat pump 420 may be used instead of or in addition to an alternate heat source, such as electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners, to heat the water. In some examples, the heat pump water heater 400 may include, in addition to the heat pump 420, one or more electric resistive heating elements or gas fuel burners. The housing 430 may enclose the water storage tank and the heat pump 420. As described herein, portions of the housing 430 advantageously may be configured to simplify and reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembly of the housing 430, avoid misalignment of components of the housing 430 during assembly, ease disassembly of portions of the housing 430 for servicing the heat pump 420, and/or minimize vibration of portions of the housing 430 and noise caused thereby during operation of the heat pump water heater 400.

The water storage tank may be disposed in a lower portion of the heat pump water heater 400, below the heat pump 420 or at least a portion of the heat pump 420, although other arrangements of the water storage tank may be used in other examples. The water storage tank may be coupled to and in fluid communication with an inlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “cold water pipe”) 411 and an outlet pipe (which also may be referred to as a “hot water pipe”) 412. The inlet pipe 411 may be in fluid communication with and receive cold water from a water source and configured to deliver the cold water into the water storage tank for heating. The outlet pipe 412 may be in fluid communication with a plurality of water outlets (e.g., faucets, etc.) within the building and configured to deliver the heated water from the water storage tank to the water outlets upon a demand for hot water. In some examples, as shown, the inlet pipe 411 and the outlet pipe 412 may extend vertically upward from the water storage tank to the top of the heat pump water heater 400. Other arrangements of the inlet pipe 411 and the outlet pipe 412, may be used in other examples, such as the inlet pipe 411 and the outlet pipe 412 extending horizontally from the water storage tank at various points along the side of the heat pump water heater 400.

As shown, at least a portion of the heat pump 420 may be disposed in an upper portion of the heat pump water heater 400, above the water storage tank, although other arrangements of the heat pump 420 may be used in other examples. The heat pump 420 may include a plurality of heat pump components. In particular, the heat pump 420 may include a compressor 421, a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve 423, and an evaporator 424 connected to one another by piping to form a closed-loop circuit through which a refrigerant is passed. Various configurations of the compressor 421, the condenser, the expansion valve 423, and the evaporator 424 may be used in different examples. In some examples, the condenser may be a coiled heat exchanger that is wrapped around the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In other examples, the condenser may be an internal heat exchanger that is disposed within the water storage tank and heats water within the tank. In still other examples, the condenser may be a plate-and-frame heat exchanger that is spaced apart from the water storage tank and heats water that is removed from and the returned to the tank via a circulation loop. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations of the compressor 421, the expansion valve 423, and the evaporator 424 are merely examples, and that other configurations of these heat pump components may be used in other examples. In some examples, at least a portion of the heat pump 420, and the components thereof, may be covered by a foam core (which may be the same as or similar to the foam core 125 above). In some examples, the heat pump water heater 400 may include a controller 426 and a display (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the display 127 above) in operable communication with the heat pump 420. The controller 426 may be configured to control operation of the heat pump 420 and the components thereof according to selected operating parameters. The display may be configured to visually display one or more operating parameters of the heat pump 420. In some examples, the display may include or may be configured to operate as a user interface, allowing a user to interact with the display to view, select, and/or modify operating parameters of the heat pump 420.

The housing 430 may enclose and protect a majority of the other components of the heat pump water heater 400. The housing 430 may include a lower housing portion (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the lower housing portion 140 above) and an upper housing portion (which also may be referred to as a “second housing portion” or a “heat-pump housing portion”) 450. The lower housing portion may enclose the water storage tank, while the upper housing portion 450 may enclose at least some, and in some cases, all, of the heat pump components of the heat pump 420, depending on the configuration of the condenser of the heat pump 420. In some examples, the lower housing portion also may enclose some of the heat pump components of the heat pump 420, such as the condenser and connected piping when the condenser is a coiled heat exchanger or an internal heat exchanger. The lower housing portion may include a bottom pan (not shown), a middle pan (which also may be referred to as a “lower top pan”) 442, and a lower jacket (not shown). The bottom pan may be disposed below the water storage tank, the middle pan 442 may be disposed above the water storage tank, and the lower jacket may encircle the water storage tank. In some examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan, the middle pan 442, and the lower jacket may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding. In other examples, one or more, or all, of the bottom pan, the middle pan 442, and the lower jacket may be formed of metal, such as by conventional techniques of forming and fabricating sheet metal components.

As shown, the upper housing portion 450 may include an upper jacket (which also may be referred to as a “second jacket,” an “upper shroud,” or a “second shroud”) 451. The upper jacket 451 may cover the heat pump components that are disposed above the middle pan 442. As shown, the upper jacket 451 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the upper jacket 451 may have a controller opening 455, an inlet pipe opening 456, and an outlet pipe opening 457. The controller opening 455 may receive a portion of the controller 426 therein. The inlet pipe opening 456 may allow the inlet pipe 411 to extend therethrough and out of the upper housing portion 450, and the outlet pipe opening 457 may allow the outlet pipe 412 to extend therethrough and out of the upper housing portion 450. According to the illustrated example, the upper jacket 451 may include a first jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “rear jacket portion”) 460 and a second jacket portion (which also may be referred to as a “front jacket portion”) 480 releasably coupled to one another. As described herein, the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 may include features configured to allow the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from one another as well as the middle pan 442. In this manner, the upper housing portion 450 may be easily assembled for covering the enclosed heat pump components and at least partially disassembled, when desired, for servicing the heat pump components. In some examples, the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 may be formed of plastic, such as by injection molding.

The first jacket portion 460 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 461 and a top wall (which also may be referred to as a “horizontal wall”) 462 coupled to one another. As shown, the sidewall 461 and the top wall 462 may be integrally formed with one another as a single component. The first jacket portion 460 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. As shown, the first jacket portion 460 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air opening”) 463 defined in the top wall 462 and configured to allow a flow of air to pass into the interior space of the upper housing portion 450 during operation of the heat pump 420. In some examples, as shown, a grille (which also may be referred to as an “inlet air grille”) 464 may be disposed within the airflow opening 463 and coupled to the top wall 462. In some examples, the first jacket portion 460 may have a plurality of vent openings (not shown) defined in the sidewall 461 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 450. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the first jacket portion 460 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

The first jacket portion 460 also may have a plurality of cutouts 467 that align with corresponding cutouts of the second jacket portion 460 when the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 are coupled to one another. As shown, one of the cutouts 467 corresponds to a cutout of the second jacket portion 480 to form the controller opening 455, another of the cutouts 467 corresponds to a cutout of the second jacket portion 480 to form the inlet pipe opening 456, and still another of the cutouts 467 corresponds to another cutout of the second jacket portion 480 to form the outlet pipe opening 457. Based on this configuration, the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 may be easily coupled to and decoupled from one another without interference from the controller 426, the inlet pipe 411, or the outlet pipe 412. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the cutouts of the first jacket portion 460 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional cutouts may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 460 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 461 and the top wall 462. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the first jacket portion 460 and/or to minimize vibration of the first jacket portion 460 during operation of the heat pump water heater 400 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In particular, the first jacket portion 460 may include a plurality of internal ribs 468 and/or a plurality of external ribs 469. In some examples, as shown, the internal ribs 468 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 461, and the external ribs 469 may be disposed along the external side of the top wall 462. As shown, the internal ribs 468 may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs 468 may be used. As shown, the external ribs 469 may include a plurality of horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the external ribs 469 may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first jacket portion 460 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 460 may include a plurality of tabs (which also may be referred to as “resiliently deflectable tabs”) 470 extending from each of the sidewall 461 and the top wall 462. In some examples, as shown, the tabs 470 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 461 and the top wall 462. As described herein, the tabs 470 may cooperate with mating receptacles of the second jacket portion 480 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 460 may include three (3) of the tabs 470 extending from the sidewall 461 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the sidewall 461, and five (5) of the tabs 470 extending from the top wall 462 and being resiliently deflectable relative to the top wall 462. More or fewer of the tabs 470 may be used in other examples. Each of the tabs 470 may be resiliently deflectable, relative to the respective wall (i.e., the sidewall 461 or the top wall 462) from which the tab 470 extends, from a first position (i.e., a natural or home position) to a second position (i.e., a resiliently deflected position). As shown, each of the tabs 470 may include an arm 471 extending away from the respective wall (i.e., the sidewall 461 or the top wall 462) from which the tab 470 extends, and a protrusion 472 disposed at or near a free end of the arm 471. As described herein, the protrusion 472 may cooperate with a mating opening of the second jacket portion 480 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 to one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the tabs 470 of the first jacket portion 460 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional tabs may be used.

As shown, the first jacket portion 460 may include a plurality of mounts 473 disposed along the sidewall 461. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 473 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 461 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 461. As described herein, the mounts 473 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 460 may include three (3) of the mounts 473 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 461. More or fewer of the mounts 473 may be used in other examples. For each of the mounts 473, a clip (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to clip 375 above) may be coupled to the mount 473, for example, by threaded fasteners. The clip may be configured to releasably engage a free-end portion of a stud (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the stud 374 above) that is fixedly coupled to a mating mount of the second jacket portion 480, as described below. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 473 of the first jacket portion 460 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the described studs and clips, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480.

As shown, the first jacket portion 460 may include a plurality of mounts 476 disposed along the sidewall 461. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 476 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 461 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 461. As described herein, the mounts 476 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 460 and the middle pan 442, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 460 and the middle pan 442, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the first jacket portion 460 may include two (2) of the mounts 476 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 461 near the bottom of the sidewall 461. More or fewer of the mounts 476 may be used in other examples. For each of the mounts 476, a stud (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the stud 177 above) may be coupled to the mount 476, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud may extend away from the mount 476 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the clip 178 above) that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 479, such as by threaded fasteners. The bracket 479 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 442, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, the brackets 479 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 442, while the clips and the studs may allow the first jacket portion 460 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from the middle pan 442, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 476 of the first jacket portion 460 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the described studs, clips, and brackets 479, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 460 and the middle pan 442.

The second jacket portion 480 may include a sidewall (which also may be referred to as a “vertical wall”) 481 and a top wall (which also may be referred to as a “horizontal wall”) 482 coupled to one another. As shown, the sidewall 481 and the top wall 482 may be integrally formed with one another as a single component. The second jacket portion 480 may have a plurality of openings extending therethrough. In particular, the second jacket portion 480 may have an airflow opening (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air opening”) 483 defined in the sidewall 481 and configured to allow a flow of air to pass out of the interior space of the upper housing portion 450 during operation of the heat pump 420. In some examples, as shown, a grille (which also may be referred to as an “outlet air grille”) 484 may be disposed within the airflow opening 483 when the upper housing portion 450 is assembled, although the grille 484 may be coupled to a portion of the heat pump 420 and/or the middle pan 442. In some examples, the second jacket portion 480 may have a plurality of vent openings (not shown) defined in the sidewall 481 and configured to allow airflow therethrough for passive ventilation of the interior space of the upper housing portion 450. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the openings of the second jacket portion 480 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional openings may be used.

The second jacket portion 480 also may have a plurality of cutouts 487 that align with the corresponding cutouts 467 of the first jacket portion 460 when the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 are coupled to one another. As shown, one of the cutouts 487 corresponds to one of the cutouts 467 of the first jacket portion 460 to form the controller opening 455, another of the cutouts 487 corresponds to one of the cutouts 467 of the first jacket portion 460 to form the inlet pipe opening 456, and still another of the cutouts 487 corresponds to another of the cutouts 467 of the first jacket portion 460 to form the outlet pipe opening 457. Based on this configuration, the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 may be easily coupled to and decoupled from one another without interference from the controller 426, the inlet pipe 411, or the outlet pipe 412. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the cutouts of the second jacket portion 480 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional cutouts may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 480 may include a plurality of ribs disposed along the sidewall 481 and the top wall 482. The ribs may be configured to improve structural integrity of the second jacket portion 480 and/or to minimize vibration of the second jacket portion 480 during operation of the heat pump water heater 400 as well as noise generated by such vibration. In particular, the second jacket portion 480 may include a plurality of internal ribs 488 and a plurality of external ribs 489. In some examples, the internal ribs 488 may be disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481, and the external ribs 489 may be disposed along the external side of the top wall 482. The internal ribs 488 of the second jacket portion 480 may include vertically-oriented ribs and horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs may be used. As shown, the external ribs 489 may include horizontally-oriented ribs that form an array of rectangles or squares, although other arrangements of the internal ribs may be used. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the ribs of the first jacket portion 480 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional ribs may be used.

As shown, the second jacket portion 480 may include a plurality of mounts 490 disposed along the sidewall 481. In some examples, as shown, the mounts 490 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 481 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481. As described herein, the mounts 490 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 480 may include three (3) of the mounts 490 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481. More or fewer of the mounts 490 may be used in other examples. A respective one of the studs may be fixedly coupled to each of the mounts 490, such as by a threaded connection therebetween, and extend away from the respective mount. For each of the studs, a free-end portion of the stud may extend through an opening of the corresponding mount 473 of the first jacket portion 460 and releasably engage the corresponding clip coupled thereto. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 490 of the second jacket portion 480 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the described studs and clips, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480.

As shown, the second jacket portion 480 may include a plurality of receptacles 494 disposed along each of the sidewall 481 and the top wall 482. In some examples, as shown, the receptacles 494 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 481 and the top wall 482, with some of the receptacles 494 being disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481 and some of the receptacles 494 being disposed along the external side of the top wall 482. As described herein, the receptacles 494 may cooperate with the mating tabs 470 of the first jacket portion 460 to couple the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 to one another. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 480 may include three (3) of the receptacles 494 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481 and five (5) of the receptacles 494 disposed along the external side of the top wall 482. More or fewer of the receptacles 494 may be used in other examples. Each of the receptacles 494 may be configured to removably receive a respective tab 470 of the first jacket portion 460 to releasably couple the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 to one another. As shown, the second jacket portion 480 also may include a plurality of openings (which also may be referred to as “access openings”) 495 defined in an external surface of the sidewall 481 and in an external surface of the top wall 482. As shown, each of the openings 495 may be in communication with a respective one of the receptacles 494. As described herein, when one of the tabs 470 of the first jacket portion 460 is received within one of the receptacles 494 and in its non-deflected position, a portion of the tab 470, such as the protrusion 472 thereof, may engage the respective opening 495 for the receptacle 494, thereby coupling the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 to one another. Conversely, when one of the tabs 470 of the first jacket portion 460 is received within one of the receptacles 494 and is in its deflected position, for example, by a user pressing the tab 470 through the respective opening 495 for the receptacle 494, the portion of the tab 470 may disengage the opening 495, thereby decoupling the first jacket portion 460 and the second jacket portion 480 from one another. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the receptacles 494 and the openings 495 of the second jacket portion 480 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional receptacles and openings may be used.

The second jacket portion 480 may include a plurality of mounts 476 disposed along the sidewall 481. In some examples, the mounts 476 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 481 and disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481. As described herein, the mounts 476 may cooperate with additional components to provide snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 480 and the middle pan 442, thereby allowing for quick attachment and detachment between the second jacket portion 480 and the middle pan 442, as desired. According to the illustrated example, the second jacket portion 480 may include two (2) of the mounts 476 disposed along the internal side of the sidewall 481 near the bottom of the sidewall 481. More or fewer of the mounts 476 may be used in other examples. For each of the mounts 476, a stud (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to stud 177 above) may be coupled to the mount 476, for example, by a threaded connection. A free-end portion of the stud may extend away from the mount 476 and be configured to releasably engage a clip (not shown; which may be the same as or similar to the clip 178 above) that is fixedly coupled to a bracket 479, such as by threaded fasteners. The bracket 479 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 442, such as by threaded fasteners. In this manner, the brackets 479 may be fixedly coupled to the middle pan 442, while the clips and the studs may allow the second jacket portion 480 to be quickly and easily coupled to and decoupled from the middle pan 442, as desired. It will be appreciated that the illustrated configurations, shapes, and locations of the mounts 476 of the second jacket portion 480 are merely examples, and that other configurations, shapes, and locations of these and additional mounts may be used. Further, alternative mechanisms, different from the described studs, clips, and brackets 479, may be used to provide the snap-fit connections or quick-connect connections between the second jacket portion 480 and the middle pan 442.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “example” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.