Cooling element for use in a cooling device of a closed-circuit respirator

Abstract

A cooling element (100) for use within a cooling device (600) of a closed-circuit respirator (690), includes a plate shaped cooling element housings (110, 120), each with a respective liquid-tight closure (112, 122) filled or to be filled with a coolant (211). The cooling element housings (110, 120) each have a plate outer wall (114, 124) and a plate inner wall (116, 126) arched in the direction of the plate outer wall, which form, together with additional side walls (115, 125), cooling element volumes (118, 128) for the coolant. The plate shape cooling housings can be fastened or are fastened to each other such that the one plate inner wall and another plate inner wall are located opposite each other and are arched away from one another.

Claims

1. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element comprising: a first plate shape cooling element housing comprising a first plate outer wall, a first plate inner wall extending in the same direction as the first plate outer wall and arched in the direction of the first plate outer wall, and first side walls, the first plate outer wall, the first plate inner wall and the first side walls cooperating to form a first cooling element volume with a liquid-tight closure, the first cooling element volume being filled or being fillable with a coolant; and a second plate shape cooling element housing comprising a second plate outer wall, a second plate inner wall extending in the same direction as the second plate outer wall and arched in the direction of the second plate outer wall, and second side walls, the second plate outer wall, the second plate inner wall and the second side walls cooperating to form a second cooling element volume with a liquid-tight closure, the second cooling element volume being filled or being fillable with a coolant, wherein the first plate shape cooling element housing is fastenable or is fastened via a fastening device to the second plate shape cooling element housing such that the first plate inner wall and the second plate inner wall are located opposite each other and are arched away from one another.

2. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the two plate shape cooling element housings are manufactured from a plastic.

3. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the two plate outer walls are configured to be stiffer than the two plate inner walls within the respective cooling element housing, so that an overpressure within the respective cooling element volume moves areas of the two plate inner walls that are arched away from one another towards one another.

4. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least one of the plate outer walls has a greater material thickness than the corresponding plate inner wall of the corresponding cooling element housing.

5. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 3, wherein: the plate outer wall and the plate inner wall of at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings are formed from two different materials; and the material of the plate outer wall of the at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings a higher modulus of elasticity than does the material of the plate inner wall of the at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings.

6. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings further comprises at least one elastic spacer, which is arranged at an arched-away area of an associated one of the plate inner walls such that the at least one elastic spacer applies a spring force between the two plate inner walls located opposite each other such that the at least one elastic spacer counteracts a movement of the arched-away area of the associated plate inner wall towards an arched-away area of the other plate inner wall.

7. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 6, wherein said at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings further comprises another elastic spacer to provide a plurality of elastic spacers.

8. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device cooling element in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one elastic spacer comprises a compression spring.

9. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device comprising: at least one cooling element comprising: a first plate shape cooling element housing comprising a first plate outer wall, a first plate inner wall extending in the same direction as the first plate outer wall and arched in the direction of the first plate outer wall, and first side walls, the first plate outer wall, the first plate inner wall and the first side walls cooperating to form a first cooling element volume with a liquid-tight closure, the first cooling element volume being filled or being fillable with a coolant; and a second plate shape cooling element housing comprising a second plate outer wall, a second plate inner wall extending in the same direction as the second plate outer wall and arched in the direction of the second plate outer wall, and second side walls, the second plate outer wall, the second plate inner wall and the second side walls cooperating to form a second cooling element volume with a liquid-tight closure, the second cooling element volume being filled or being fillable with a coolant, wherein the first plate shape cooling element housing is fastenable or is fastened via a fastening device to the second plate shape cooling element housing such that the first plate inner wall and the second plate inner wall are located opposite each other and are arched away from one another; and a device housing comprising a housing wall and with a gas inlet configured to admit a gas to be cooled into the device housing, a gas outlet configured to let the gas admitted through the gas inlet out of the device housing and a device volume enclosed by the housing wall, the device housing being configured to replaceably receive the at least one cooling element and being configured such that a gas stream of the gas to be cooled reaches the gas outlet from the gas inlet through the device volume containing the at least one cooling element.

10. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the device volume is configured to replaceably accommodate a plurality of cooling elements.

11. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a receiving compartment configured to receive the at least one cooling element, to position the at least one cooling element within the device volume, wherein the first plate outer wall and the second plate outer wall of the at least one cooling element are in contact with a corresponding receiving wall of the receiving compartment with the at least one cooling element arranged in the receiving compartment.

12. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the two plate outer walls are configured to be stiffer than the two plate inner walls within the respective cooling element housing, so that an overpressure within the respective cooling element volume moves areas of the two plate inner walls that are arched away from one another towards one another.

13. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one of the plate outer walls a greater material thickness than the corresponding plate inner wall of the corresponding cooling element housing.

14. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device in accordance with claim 12, wherein: the plate outer wall and the plate inner wall of at least one of the plate shape cooling element housing are formed from two different materials; and the material of the plate outer wall of the at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings has a higher modulus of elasticity than does the material of the plate inner wall of the at least one of the plate shape cooling element housings.

15. A closed-circuit respirator cooling device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the at least one cooling element further comprises at least one elastic spacer, which is arranged at an arched-away area of an associated one of the plate inner walls such that the at least one elastic spacer applies a spring force between the two plate inner walls located opposite each other such that the at least one elastic spacer counteracts a movement of the arched away area of the associated plate inner wall towards an arched-away area of the other plate inner wall.

16. A closed-circuit respirator comprising a cooling device, the cooling device comprising: at least one cooling element comprising: a first plate shape cooling element housing comprising a first plate outer wall, a first plate inner wall extending in the same direction as the first plate wall and arched in the direction of the first plate outer wall, and first side walls, the first plate outer wall, the first plate inner wall and the first side walls cooperating to form a first cooling element volume with a liquid-tight closure, the first cooling element volume being filled or being fillable with a coolant; and a second plate shape cooling element housing comprising a second plate outer wall, a second plate inner wall extending in the same direction as the second plate outer wall and arched in the direction of the second plate outer wall, and second side walls, the second plate outer wall, the second plate inner wall and the second side walls cooperating to form a second cooling element volume with a liquid-tight closure, the second cooling element volume being filled or being fillable with a coolant, wherein the first plate shape cooling element housing is fastenable or is fastened via a fastening device to the second plate shape cooling element housing such that the first plate inner wall and the second plate inner wall are located opposite each other and are arched away from one another; and a device housing comprising a housing wall and with a gas inlet configured to admit a gas to be cooled into the device housing, a gas outlet configured to let the gas admitted through the gas inlet out of the device housing and a device volume enclosed by the housing wall, the device housing being configured to replaceably receive the at least one cooling element and being configured such that a gas stream of the gas to be cooled reaches the gas outlet from the gas inlet through the device volume containing the at least one cooling element.

17. A closed-circuit respirator in accordance with claim 16, wherein the device volume is configured to replaceably accommodate a plurality of cooling elements.

18. A closed-circuit respirator in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a receiving compartment configured to receive the at least one cooling element, to position the at least one cooling element within the device volume, wherein the first plate outer wall and the second plate outer wall of the at least one cooling element are in contact a corresponding receiving wall of the receiving compartment with the at least one cooling element arranged in the receiving compartment.

19. A closed-circuit respirator in accordance with claim 16, wherein the two plate outer walls are configured to be stiffer than the two plate inner walls within the respective cooling element housing, so that an overpressure within the respective cooling element volume moves areas of the two plate inner walls that are arched away from one another towards one another.

20. A closed-circuit respirator in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at least one cooling element further comprises at least one elastic spacer, which is arranged at an arched-away area of an associated one of the plate inner walls such that the at least one elastic spacer applies a spring force between the two plate inner walls located opposite each other such that the at least one elastic spacer counteracts a movement of the arched-away area of the associated plate inner wall towards an arched-away area of the other plate inner wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a cooling element according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling element housing of the cooling element according to the present invention, which has a one-part configuration;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling element housing of the cooling element according to the present invention, which is formed from two materials;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment of the cooling element according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is an end view of a second exemplary embodiment of the cooling element according to the present invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of a cooling device according to the present invention within a closed-circuit respirator according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a cooling element 100 according to the present invention.

(9) The cooling element 100 is configured for use within a cooling device of a closed-circuit respirator and has a first plate shape cooling element housing 110 and a second plate shape cooling element housing 120.

(10) In the exemplary embodiment shown, both cooling element housings 110, 120 are made each in one part from a plastic. In particular, both cooling element housings 110, 120 are manufactured by a twin sheet process, in which two components are deep-drawn and then bonded or welded together.

(11) The two cooling element housings 110, 120 have here a liquid-tight closure 112, 122 each and are filled or can be filled with a coolant (not shown).

(12) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the liquid-tight closure 112, 122 is a non-detachable, permanent closure, namely, a welded opening, through which the coolant, in this case water, was filled in prior to the welding. In one exemplary embodiment, not shown, the liquid-tight closure is a weld seam enclosing the corresponding cooling element housing. In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, the liquid-tight closure is embodied by means of a reclosable screw cap.

(13) The first cooling element housing 110 has a first plate outer wall 114 and, essentially parallel thereto, a first plate inner wall 116 arched in the direction of the first plate outer wall 114. Together with additional first side walls 115, the first plate outer wall 114 and the first plate inner wall 116 form a first cooling element volume 118 for the coolant.

(14) Analogously to the first cooling element housing 110, the second cooling element housing 120 has a second plate outer wall 124 and, essentially parallel thereto, a second plate inner wall 126 arched in the direction of the second plate outer wall 124. Together with additional second side walls 125, the second plate outer wall 124 and the second plate inner wall 126 form a second cooling element volume 128 for the coolant.

(15) The respective arch 130, 130′ extends in the exemplary embodiment shown over the entire width of the corresponding cooling element housing 110, 120, so that a shortest first distance A1 is formed between the first plate outer wall 114 and the first plate inner wall 116 along a straight line and a shortest second distance A2 is formed between the second plate outer wall 124 and the second plate inner wall 126, likewise along a straight line. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the shortest distance A1 is essentially equal to the shortest distance A2 and it equals less than 3.0 cm, especially less than 1.5 cm and especially less than 1.0 cm. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the arch is spherical, so that a shortest distance is present between the plate outer wall and the plate inner wall at one point only. In another alternative or additional exemplary embodiment, arches are formed in a plurality of areas of the plate inner wall. In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, the two cooling element housings form different arches, especially different radii of curvature of the arch.

(16) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first plate shape cooling element housing 110 is fastened to the second plate shape cooling element housing 120 permanently via a fastening, namely, a bonding. In one exemplary embodiment, not shown, the fastening device is a mechanical fastening mechanism, especially a mechanical fastening mechanism leading to a detachable connection. In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, the first plate shape cooling element housing is welded to the second plate shape cooling element housing.

(17) The first plate shape cooling element housing 110 and the second plate shape cooling element housing 120 are arranged permanently at one another such that the first plate inner wall 116 and the second plate inner wall 126 are located opposite each other and are arched away from one another.

(18) Together with the additional side walls 115, 125, the two plate outer walls 114, 124 form the outer surface of the cooling element 100. The two plate outer walls 114, 124 have a stiffer configuration here than the two plate inner walls 116, 126, so that an overpressure within the respective cooling element volume 118, 128 causes the two plate inner walls 116, 126 to move at least partially towards one another. The two plate inner walls 116, 126 would correspondingly move away from one another at least partially in case of a vacuum within the respective cooling element volume 118, 128.

(19) FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a schematic cross section of a respective embodiment of a first cooling element housing 210, 310 of the cooling element according to the present invention, which has a one-part configuration (FIG. 2) and which is formed from two materials (FIG. 3).

(20) The two cooling element housings of a cooling element preferably have an identical or mutually mirror-symmetrical configuration. FIGS. 2 and 3 show each a first cooling element housing 210, 310 of two different cooling elements according to the present invention in cross-sectional views. The features by which a plate outer wall that is stiffer than the corresponding plate inner wall can be embodied during the manufacture of the cooling element are illustrated hereby.

(21) Just like the cooling element housing 110 shown in Figure, the first cooling element housing 210 shown in FIG. 2 is formed in one piece from a plastic, especially from a thermoplastic plastic, especially from a polyethylene. The plate outer wall 214 has a greater material thickness here than the plate inner wall 216. The plate outer wall 214 has a first material thickness D1 of at least 1.5 cm here, especially at least 2 mm and especially preferably at least 3 mm. The plate inner wall 216 has a second material thickness D2 of less than 1.5 mm and especially less than 1 mm in this case.

(22) The first cooling element housing 310 shown in FIG. 3 has, contrary to the cooling element housing 210 from FIG. 2, a multipart configuration. The cooling element housing 310 has a two-part configuration here, the plate inner wall 316 being formed from a material different from that of the plate outer wall 314. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the additional side walls 315 are formed from the same material as the plate outer wall 314. The plate inner wall 316 is preferably bonded or welded to the side walls 315 or is connected to the side walls 315 by connection in substance or in another, prior-art manner.

(23) The side walls 315 and the plate outer wall 314 are formed here from a material with a modulus of elasticity higher than that of the material of the plate inner wall 316. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the side walls 315 and the plate outer wall 314 are manufactured from a metal, whereas the plate inner wall 316 is formed from a thin-walled plastic.

(24) The two first cooling element housings 210, 310 are filled with a coolant 211, 311 in their respective cooling element volumes 218, 318. The coolant is water in this case. The respective liquid-tight closure is not shown here and in the following exemplary embodiments. It is, however, preferably formed by means of a welding process and the weld seam formed thereby.

(25) FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a respective perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the cooling element 400 according to the present invention.

(26) The cooling element 400 differs from the cooling element 100 from FIG. 1 in that the side walls 415, 425 and the two respective plate inner walls 416, 426 and plate outer walls 414, 424 are shaped slightly differently. The only essential difference between the cooling element 100 and the cooling element 400 is, however, that the cooling element 400 additionally has a number of elastic spacers 440.

(27) The elastic spacers 440 are arranged at the arched-away area of the first plate inner wall 416 in a respective spacer mount 442 such that a spring force is present between the two plate inner walls 416, 426 located opposite each other as soon as the two cooling element housings 410, 420 are connected to one another, the connection being a permanent connection in this case based on a bonding at the corners of the two cooling element housings 410, 420, as is shown in FIG. 5. The spring force now counteracts an approaching movement of the arched-away areas of the two plate inner walls 416, 426.

(28) The elastic spacers 440 are formed in this case by two elastic spacers 440, namely, two compression springs.

(29) In one exemplary embodiment, not shown, at least one elastic spacer is arranged both at the first plate inner wall and at the second plate inner wall of the cooling element.

(30) FIG. 4 shows a non-connected state of the first plate shape cooling element housing 410 and of the second plate shape cooling element housing 420, so that the two elastic spacers 440 are not in a compressed state.

(31) FIG. 5 shows the connected state of the first plate shape cooling element housing 410 and of the second plate shape cooling element housing 420, which state is intended for the use of the cooling element 400 according to the present invention. It can be seen hereby how the displacement of one of the two inner walls 416, 426 causes directly a pressure on the elastic spacer 440 configured as a compression spring.

(32) Even though the arch 430, 430′ of the plate inner wall 416, 426 of the respective cooling element housing 410, 420, which arch is present, cannot be seen based on the view in FIG. 4, the view in FIG. 5 does show that the two plate inner walls 416, 426 are configured fully analogously to the structure of the cooling element 100 explained within the framework of FIG. 1 such that a free area, into which the respective plate inner wall 416, 426 can move if an overpressure is present in the respective plate shape cooling element housing 410, 420, is formed with the two spacers 440. However, contrary to the cooling element 100 from FIG. 1, the plate inner walls 416, 426 and the plate outer walls 414, 424 have the same material thickness in the cooling element 400, namely, a material thickness between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm, especially between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm, namely, about 0.7 mm. A stiffer plate outer wall 414, 424 is obtained in this exemplary embodiment based on the structure of the plate outer walls 414, 424.

(33) The cooling of the cooling element 400 prior to a use is preferably carried out by a freezing aid (not shown). The expansion occurring during the cooling, for example, of water, to below the freezing point leads according to the present invention to a corresponding displacement of the two plate inner walls 416, 426 and is therefore possible, without the cooling element 400 being seized in the freezing aid based on the volume expansion.

(34) FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of a cooling device 600 according to the present invention.

(35) The cooling device 600 comprises at least one cooling element 400 according to the present invention, which corresponds to the cooling element 400 shown in FIG. 4 in this case, as well as a device housing 650.

(36) The device housing 650 has a gas inlet 654, which is configured to admit a gas 660 to be cooled (schematically indicated by its flow direction in FIG. 6) into the device housing 650. Furthermore, the device housing 650 has a gas outlet 656, which is configured to let the gas 660 to be cooled, which was admitted through the gas inlet 654 into the device housing 650, out of the device housing 650. The device housing 650 has, finally, a device volume 658 enclosed by a housing wall 670 of the device housing 650. The device volume 658 is configured here to receive a housing insert 680. The housing insert 680 is connected here to the housing wall 670 detachably via a mechanical connection, for example, a latching connection, or via a non-detachable, permanent connection, for example, by bonding or welding. There is a welded connection in the exemplary embodiment shown, and both the device housing 650 and the housing insert 680 are manufactured from a plastic, especially manufactured by means of an injection molding process.

(37) The housing insert 680 is shaped such that it has a plurality of receiving compartments 685, in this case four receiving compartments 685, into which a respective cooling element 400 according to the present invention each can be inserted. In one exemplary embodiment, not shown, at least six cooling elements according to the present invention can be inserted into the device volume of the cooling device. Cooling elements 400 according to the present invention can be inserted into the four receiving compartments 685 if they are shaped corresponding to the receiving compartments 685. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a respective receiving compartment 685 is shaped such that the two plate outer walls 414 of the cooling element 400 are essentially in contact with a corresponding receiving wall 687 of the corresponding receiving compartment 685 if the cooling element 400 is inserted into the receiving compartment 685.

(38) In one exemplary embodiment, not shown, at least one rail is provided at the housing wall instead of a receiving compartment in order to arrange the cooling element according to the present invention in the cooling device according to the present invention by means of the rail. No separate housing insert is provided in the cooling device according to the present invention in this exemplary embodiment, which is not shown.

(39) The device housing 650 is configured such that a gas stream of the gas 660 to be cooled can reach the gas outlet 656 from the gas inlet 654 through the device volume 658 containing the at least one cooling element 400. In the exemplary embodiment being shown, the gas 660 to be cooled has no direct contact with the cooling element 400, but only with the housing insert 680. However, since the cooling element 400 is directly in contact with the corresponding receiving wall 687, the gas 660 to be cooled is cooled sufficiently by the contact with the housing insert 680. Based on the existing plurality of receiving compartments 685, an specially large surface is provided for the heat exchange between the housing insert 680 and the gas 660 to be cooled. This makes possible an efficient and homogeneous cooling of the gas 660 to be cooled.

(40) The basic guiding of the breathing gas within the closed-circuit respirator 690 is known. In particular, arrangement of the cooling device 600 directly in front of an outlet of the closed-circuit respirator 690 is known, so that a user of the closed-circuit respirator 690 can use the breathing air cooled by the cooling device 600 almost directly. The gas outlet 656 is consequently arranged in the vicinity in space of the outlet of the closed-circuit respirator 690.

(41) Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the device housing 650 has a flap 675, which is mounted pivotably via a hinge at the housing wall 670. As a result, a user of the closed-circuit respirator 600 can have an especially rapid access to the cooling elements 400 arranged in the cooling device 600, for example, to remove or replace these cooling elements 400. The flap 675 makes, moreover, possible a secure and fixed position of the corresponding cooling element 400 in the corresponding receiving compartment 685 if it is closed. Due to the use of a separate cooling element, no sealing ring is necessary at the flap 675, unlike in the case of prior-art closed-circuit respirators, in which it is needed at times.

(42) A separate flap (not shown), accessible from the outside, is provided in the closed-circuit respirator 690 shown, which flap allows access after opening to the flap 675 and makes thereby possible the removal or replacement of the cooling element 400 especially rapidly. This is especially advantageous in case of a time-critical use of the closed-circuit respirator 690, as is common, for example, in the area of firefighting.

(43) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(44) 100, 400 Cooling element 110, 210, 310, 410 First cooling element housing 112, 122 Liquid-tight closure 114, 214, 314, 414 First plate outer surface 115, 315, 415 First side walls 116, 216, 316, 416 First plate inner surface 118, 218, 318 First cooling element volume 120, 420 Second cooling element housing 124, 424 Second plate outer surface 125, 425 Second side walls 126, 426 Second plate inner surface 128 Second cooling element volume 130, 130′, 430, 430′ Arch 211, 311 Coolant 440 Elastic spacer 442 Spacer mount 600 Cooling device 650 Device housing 654 Gas inlet 656 Gas outlet 658 Device volume 660 Gas to be cooled 670 Housing wall 675 Flap 680 Housing insert 685 Receiving compartment 687 Receiving wall 690 Closed-circuit respirator A1 Shortest first distance A2 Shortest second distance D1 First material thickness D2 Second material thickness