MODULAR ADIABATIC COOLING APPARATUS AND RELATED INSTALLATION METHOD

Abstract

A modular adiabatic cooling apparatus comprises a lower module and an upper module which is provided with a ventilator, wherein each of said modules comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing, and a pair of adiabatic evaporative cooling panels, each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger, and reciprocal guide and coupler disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces, and have a non-operating configuration in which the lower and upper modules are separated from each other, and an operating configuration in which the upper module is stacked one on top of the lower module.

Claims

1. A modular adiabatic cooling apparatus comprising a lower module and an upper module which is provided with a ventilator, wherein each of said modules comprises, pre-installed, a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in the vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing, and a pair of adiabatic evaporative cooling panels, each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger, wherein said modules comprise reciprocal guide and coupler disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces and have a non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other, and an operating configuration in which they are disposed stacked one on top of the other and in which said upper module is located resting on said lower module in correspondence with respective rest portions and said guide and coupler are reciprocally engaged.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said modules comprise respective support structures which, in said operating configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define said rest portions.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said modules comprise respective support structures disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers and comprise horizontal support elements and vertical support elements connected to said horizontal support elements by connection brackets, wherein the lower and upper surfaces of said facing horizontal support elements constitute said rest portions.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said guides are defined respectively by a lower shoulder element associated with each heat exchanger of said upper module, and by an upper shoulder element associated with a respective heat exchanger of said lower module, the shoulder elements being conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other.

5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said modules comprise, pre-installed, respective electrical wiring, which, in said operating configuration, are connected by respective connectors.

6. The apparatus as in claim 1, comprising an upper distributor disposed above each upper evaporative cooling panel, wherein each of said modules already comprises pre-installed respective lower and upper pipes suitable to define at least part of a fluid circuit suitable to supply water at least to said upper distributor, wherein said pipes, in said operating configuration, are connected by a fluid connection joint.

7. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein, between each of said upper evaporative cooling panels and the respective lower evaporative cooling panel therebelow, a distribution panel to distribute the water in a longitudinal direction is positioned.

8. The apparatus as in claim 6, comprising a lower distributor disposed above each lower evaporative cooling panel, wherein said upper distributor is connected by said fluid circuit to a water source and said lower distributor is connected to a water collection tank positioned below the respective upper evaporative cooling panel.

9. The apparatus as in claim 6, comprising a lower distributor disposed above each lower evaporative cooling panel, wherein said upper distributors and said lower distributors are connected to a water source.

10. A method for installing a cooling apparatus, including steps for: transporting, to an installation site, a pre-assembled lower module that comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in the vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing and a pair of evaporative cooling panels each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger; transporting, to the installation site, a pre-assembled upper module that comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in the vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing and a pair of evaporative cooling panels each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger and a ventilator; positioning said upper module above said lower module, engaging respective guide and coupler with each other in order to align them correctly and placing said upper module resting on said lower module in correspondence with respective rest portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following disclosure of some embodiments, provided merely by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 is an exploded axonometric view of a cooling apparatus according to the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 in a first non-operating configuration;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 in a second operating configuration;

[0046] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 3;

[0047] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate respective variants of the fluid circuit for supplying water to the evaporative cooling panels in a cooling apparatus according to the invention;

[0048] FIG. 9 is an axonometric view of a variant of cooling apparatus according to the invention.

[0049] We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0050] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] With reference to FIG. 1, a cooling apparatus 10 for process fluids or data processing centres has a modular structure comprising at least a lower module 11 and an upper module 21, which have at least a first non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other (FIG. 2) and a second operating configuration in which they are stacked one on top of the other (FIG. 3).

[0052] The lower module 11 comprises two heat exchangers 12 and 13, disposed parallel in a vertical direction, on opposite lower sides of a housing 14 and a pair of evaporative cooling panels 15, 16, each disposed on an external side of one of the lower heat exchangers 12, 13.

[0053] The lower module 11 is provided at the bottom with a rest base 17 that closes the housing 14 at the bottom.

[0054] Such components are advantageously pre-assembled in a manufacturing plant, so that the lower module 11 can be transported in assembled form to the place where it is to be used.

[0055] The upper module 21 comprises two upper heat exchangers 22, 23, disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing 24 and a pair of evaporative cooling panels 25, 26, each disposed on an external side of one of the upper heat exchangers 22, 23.

[0056] Each heat exchanger 12, 13, 22, 23 is associated at one end with respective manifolds 30 of the fluid to be cooled and at the opposite end with respective earhooks completing the fluid path.

[0057] The evaporative cooling panels 15, 16, 25, 26 are made of absorbent and permeable material, for example cellulose-based.

[0058] According to preferred embodiments, the upper module 21 comprises a ventilator 20, which is disposed on the top of the housing 24 in an intermediate position between the two heat exchangers 22, 23.

[0059] The pre-assembled upper module 21 preferably integrates the ventilator 20 therein.

[0060] In particular, the ventilator 20 can be integrated into an upper cover 27 of the upper module 21 and be pre-assembled together with the other components in the production plant.

[0061] Preferably, the two modules 11, 21 have respective dimensions of height H, width W and length L such that they can be transported on a truck without requiring exceptional transport. By way of example, the height H may be comprised between 2.8 and 3 m, the width L between 2.5 and 2.6 m, preferably about 2.55 m and the length L between 10 and 12 m.

[0062] According to embodiments, the lower module 11 and the upper module 21 comprise respective guide 31 and reciprocal coupler 32 disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces 19, 29.

[0063] In the second operating configuration the upper module 21 is located resting on the lower module 11 in correspondence with respective rest portions 33, 34 of the coupler 32 and the guide 31 are reciprocally engaged with each other.

[0064] In accordance with embodiments, the lower 11 and upper 21 modules comprise respective frame support structures 18, 28 which, in the operating device configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define the rest portions 33, 34.

[0065] Preferably the support structures 18, 28 having bearing function are disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers 12, 13, 22, 23.

[0066] The support structure 18 of the lower module 11 comprises respective horizontal support elements 43, also called crosspieces, and vertical support elements 36, also called struts, which connect the horizontal support elements 43 to the rest base 17 or to any lower crosspieces (not illustrated) by respective brackets 37.

[0067] The horizontal support elements 43 may be connected so as to form an upper frame 35 that delimits the edge of the open end of the housing 14.

[0068] These vertical connection elements 36 cooperate with the internal sides 38 of the lower heat exchangers 12, 13.

[0069] In the lower module 11, the heat exchangers 12, 13 and the panels 15, 18 are supported on the rest base 17 by ground brackets, not illustrated.

[0070] The support structure 28 of the upper module 21 comprises respective horizontal support elements 44, or crosspieces, and vertical support elements 41, or struts, connected to the horizontal support elements 44 by respective brackets 37.

[0071] The horizontal support elements 44 can be connected to form a lower frame 39 that delimits the edge of the lower open end of the housing 24, and respectively a top frame 40 disposed in correspondence with the opposite end.

[0072] These vertical connection elements 41 cooperate with the internal lateral sides 42 of the upper heat exchangers 22, 23.

[0073] The top frame 40 may be connected to the upper cover 27.

[0074] In the upper module 21, the heat exchangers 22, 23 are attached to the horizontal support members 44, while the panels 25, 26 are attached to the sides 42 of the heat exchangers 22, 23 and to reinforcement brackets 49.

[0075] The surfaces respectively facing the horizontal support elements 43, 44 on the respective connection faces 19, 29 of the two modules 11, 21 define the rest portions 33, 34.

[0076] In accordance with embodiments, the coupler 32 comprise one or more locking brackets 45 (FIG. 4) configured to cooperate at least with the horizontal support elements 43, 44 which are respectively facing to define a stable reciprocal connection between them.

[0077] The brackets 45 can have a U shape in such a way as to be positioned astride the horizontal support elements 43, 44 superimposed and attached to each of them by a fastener 46, preferably of a removable type such as screws, bolts, pins or the like.

[0078] According to embodiments, in the operating configuration the upper module 21 and the lower module 11 rest substantially only in correspondence with the rest portions 33, 34 of the frames 35, 39, while between the respective heat exchangers 12, 13, 22, 23 and the panels 15, 16, 25, 26 there is a gap.

[0079] According to embodiments, each upper heat exchanger 22, 23 is associated with a respective lower shoulder element 47, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the bottom, and each lower heat exchanger 12, 13 is associated with a respective upper shoulder element 48, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the top.

[0080] Preferably, the lower shoulder element 47 and the upper shoulder element 48 are conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other, thus defining the guide 31.

[0081] According to embodiments, at the support structures 18, 28, preferably on the horizontal connection elements 43, 44 disposed in correspondence with the respective upper faces of the two modules 11, 21, respective hooking and lifting elements, for example eyebolts, or the like, not illustrated, can be connected, by which the two modules 11, 21 can be lifted by a crane to be positioned respectively on a means of transport or on the installation site.

[0082] The two upper 21 and lower 11 modules comprise respective electrical wiring 50, 51 suitable to be connected, in use, by respective quick-connectors 52 to provide the electrical power to at least one motor of the ventilator 20.

[0083] The apparatus 10 further comprises a fluid circuit 54 connectable, in use, by a connection line, to a water source 55, for example a water mains or a collection tank, and configured to supply water to the panels 15, 16, 25, 26.

[0084] According to embodiments, the fluid circuit 54 comprises at least one upper distributor 56 disposed above each upper panel 25, 26.

[0085] The upper distributor 56 can comprise a plurality of nozzles, or a pipe provided with a plurality of holes distributed in the longitudinal direction, or possibly a distributor panel, not illustrated, through which the water coming from the water source 55 can be uniformly distributed on the panel 25, 26 in the longitudinal direction.

[0086] Advantageously, each of the two modules 11, 21 already comprises pre-installed respective lower 57 and upper 58 pipes suitable to define at least part of the fluid circuit 54.

[0087] The upper pipe 58 is connected by respective conduits 60 to each upper distributor 56.

[0088] In the operating configuration the two pipes 57, 58 are connected by a fluid connection joint 59, preferably of a flexible type. The lower pipe 57, in use, is connected to the water source 55.

[0089] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate some embodiment variants of the fluid circuit 54.

[0090] According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, for each pair of superimposed panels 15, 25, 16, 26 there is provided only one distributor 56 disposed above each upper panel 25, 26.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the upper panel 25, 26 and the lower panel 15, 16 are placed substantially in continuity with each other, although preferably not resting. In use, the water leaks through the upper panel 25, 26 and subsequently also through the lower panel 15, 16, to then possibly be collected in a tank 61 and circulated again by a pump 62 through the fluid circuit 54 toward the upper distributor 56.

[0092] In accordance with a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, between the upper panel 25, 26 and the lower panel 15, 16 a distribution panel 63 is positioned, i.e. a panel made of absorbent and permeable material, configured to receive the water leaked through the upper panel 25, 26 and distribute it in the longitudinal direction so as to cause the evaporative cooling of the underlying lower panel 15, 16 to be uniform.

[0093] Also in this variant for each pair of superimposed panels there are provided only respective upper distributors 56 disposed above the upper panels 25, 26 while the lower panels 15, 16 receive water from the overlying panels.

[0094] According to a third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the fluid circuit 54 comprises both an upper distributor 56 positioned above each upper panel 25, 26, and a lower distributor 64 disposed above each lower panel 15, 16.

[0095] Each upper distributor 56 is connected to the water source 55, while each lower distributor 64 is connected to a water collection tank 65 positioned below the upper panel 25, 26 and configured to collect water leaked through it.

[0096] Thus, while each upper distributor 56 receives water from the water source 55, each lower distributor 64 receives water that is leaked through the upper panel 25, 26.

[0097] According to a fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, for each pair of superimposed panels, the fluid circuit 54 comprises both a distributor 56 and a lower distributor 64, each of which is connected to the water source 55.

[0098] According to such embodiment, each lower 57 and upper 58 pipe is connected by respective conduits 60 to each lower 64 and respectively upper 56 distributor.

[0099] Below each lower 15, 16 and/or upper panel 25, 26 a respective water collection tank 61, 65 can be provided, which can be connected to a common tank, not illustrated, from which the water can be circulated again through the fluid circuit 54.

[0100] The two distributors 56 can be associated with respective pumps 62 or other feed means, in such a way as to be controlled independently of each other.

[0101] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment variant of an apparatus 10 comprising a plurality of lower modules 11, in this case three, and respective upper modules 21 superimposed thereon. In this way it is possible to create cooling apparatuses 10 having the required dimensions from time to time.

[0102] Embodiments described herein also refer to a method for installing a cooling apparatus 10, which provides to: [0103] transport a pre-assembled lower module 11 to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers 12, 13 disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing 14 and a pair of humidification panels 15, 16 each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger 12, 13; [0104] transport a pre-assembled upper module 21 to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers 22, 23 disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing 24 and a pair of evaporative cooling panels 25, 26 each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger 22, 23 and a ventilator 20; [0105] position the upper module 21 above the lower module 11, engaging respective guide 31 and coupler 32 with each other in order to align them correctly and place the upper module 21 resting on the lower module 11 in correspondence with respective rest portions 33, 34.

[0106] The method provides in particular for aligning and engaging with each other respective lower 47 and upper 48 shoulder elements provided on the upper 21 and lower 11 module that act as a guide 31, positioning in contact respective transverse elements 43, 44 of the support structures 18, 28 of the two modules 11, 21 and connecting them to each other, preferably by brackets 45 and removable fasteners 46.

[0107] According to embodiments, the method provides for reciprocally connecting the electrical wiring 50, 51 of the two modules 11, 21 by quick-type connectors 52.

[0108] The method also provides for connecting the lower 57 and upper 58 pipes together by a fluid connection joint 59 that can be advantageously screwed to both ends, and possibly connect the fluid circuit 54 to a water source 55.

[0109] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the cooling apparatus 10 and the installation method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0110] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of a cooling apparatus 10 and installation methods, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0111] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

[0112] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.