CZ35013U1 - Temperature control system in the technological space and technological space - Google Patents

Description

Field of technology

The technical solution relates to the field of air conditioning of technological spaces, specifically focusing on cooling, ie removal of heat from small technological spaces to meet the upper limit of operating conditions, and heat recovery to meet the lower temperature limit of operating conditions of equipment located in these technological spaces.

Prior art

In the current state of the art, solutions for air-conditioning systems of the "split" type, which use a heat pump with direct evaporation, are known in the field of air conditioning of small technological spaces. The disadvantage of such systems lies primarily in the energy intensity of their operation, the requirements for inspections and maintenance, and also in the fact that they contain refrigerant, which represents an environmental burden or a risk factor in terms of fire safety. In addition, due to the risk of technology freezing (unless the system is operated in heat pump mode with heating function), it is often supplemented by a direct heater, which has a high consumption and its hot surface can also pose a risk.

Less-energy-intensive methods are the so-called "free-cooling" (or "free-air-cooling") solutions, which use the flow of outdoor air to cool the technological space, and thus do not require any additional refrigerant for their operation, which could represent an environmental burden. or risk in terms of fire safety. This method is mainly used to compensate for high temperatures inside the process space, where cooler outdoor air is supplied to this space by electronically controlled fans, while warmer exhaust air escapes from this space through the exhaust flap. However, standard "free-cooling" solutions do not provide sufficient reliability when it is necessary to ensure compliance with the lower temperature limit of operating conditions of air-conditioned equipment. For this purpose, it is necessary to additionally use an external heat source, usually an electric heater.

A more complex solution, enabling the upper and lower temperature limits of operating conditions to be observed, is disclosed in patent document US10451295 B2, which describes a device for air conditioning of technological spaces with the support of five different modes. Among the supported modes, in addition to the "free-air-cooling" mode, there is also, for example, the so-called "free-air-coolig-with-retum" mode, which consists in the use of warm air accumulated in the upper part of the process space. recirculated and mixed with cooler air supplied to the process space. The disadvantage of the mentioned device is mainly its complex construction, which includes a large number of components, which increases the risk of equipment failure, while its repair or maintenance can also be problematic or expensive. In addition, the anticipated higher costs for the operation, production or acquisition of this air-conditioning unit, resulting from the complex design and the large number of supported functions, do not allow mass deployment of this equipment where such a sophisticated design is not absolutely necessary and limit its use for special purposes, when the greatest demands are placed on the quality or reliability of air conditioning. This further, for example, makes it impossible globally, for example, to save energy that free-cooling otherwise offers.

It would therefore be appropriate to come up with a solution that would be characterized by sufficient reliability in terms of ensuring the upper and lower temperature limits of operating conditions of air-conditioned technology and at the same time sufficiently simple construction, with low operational and low maintenance requirements, enabling mass deployment of this solution.

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The essence of the technical solution

The above-mentioned shortcomings are eliminated to some extent by a temperature control system in the process space comprising an air conditioning unit, a control unit, an exhaust flap for exhausting hot air from the process space and at least two temperature sensors, the control unit being electrically connected to the air conditioning unit and at least two temperature sensors. sensors, wherein at least one temperature sensor is located inside the process space and at least one temperature sensor is located outside the process space, the air conditioning unit comprising a supply duct for supplying cold air from the outside to the air conditioning unit, a recirculation duct for supplying warm air from the process space to air conditioning units and an exhaust duct for discharging air from the air conditioning unit into the process space, the air conditioning unit further comprising at least one fan, a supply flap and a recirculation flap. The essence of this system is that the supply flap has a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the supply flap is set to completely cover the supply channel, and in the second position the supply flap is set so as not to at least partially cover the supply channel, and that the recirculation flap has a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the recirculation flap is set to completely cover the recirculation channel and in the second position the recirculation flap is set so as not to at least partially cover the recirculation channel. The recirculation damper is coupled to the supply damper, the positions of the recirculation damper and the supply damper and the fan speed being set on the basis of the temperature information at the selected reference points.

The advantage of the presented technical solution lies mainly in the fact that it is characterized by simple construction, low maintenance and low operating costs and at the same time ensures high reliability in terms of ensuring the upper and lower temperature limits of operating conditions of air-conditioned technology, even without the need for external cooling source. or heat pump or electric heater. This also increases the potential of this technical solution for mass deployment on the market. The design of the coupled dampers allows easy switching between two operating modes, ie between cooling mode and heat recovery mode, while heat accumulates in the upper part of the air-conditioned space even when the heat losses of the space shell are so high that cooling or freezing occurs. lower part of the technological space. By recirculating warmer air from the ceiling to the floor, the temperature field in the technological space is homogenized, thus preventing their local cooling or freezing.

The temperature control system in the process space preferably further comprises external cooling, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the external cooling. External cooling can be used when a strict guarantee of the upper temperature limit of the operating conditions of air-conditioned devices is required, regardless of the outdoor air temperature. The temperature control system in the process space preferably further comprises an external heat source, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the external heat source. An external heat source can be used if a strict guarantee of the lower temperature limit of the operating conditions of air-conditioned devices is required, regardless of the outdoor air temperature. The connection of external cooling and an external heat source is only an optional alternative for the above-mentioned extreme cases, while reliable cooling using the system according to the presented solution is ensured even without the connection of these elements.

Preferably, two temperature sensors are located in the process space, the first temperature sensor being located in the upper part of the process space and the second temperature sensor being located in the lower part of the process space. This ensures that the temperature is monitored at these reference points, while the information on the measured values is used to switch between the individual modes. Specifically, based on the temperature information in the lower part of the technological space, the heat recovery mode can be started.

The air conditioning unit preferably comprises a filter stage comprising a filter and a filter control element, wherein the filter control element is preferably implemented as any element selected from the group consisting of a timer and a differential pressure switch. Thanks to this, the filtration of air from the external environment and air from the technological space is ensured.

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The air conditioning unit preferably comprises two fans located in two parallel branches of the air duct. By controlling the fan speed, it is possible to change the cooling capacity of the air conditioning unit according to the information on the temperature inside the process space and outside the process space. Based on these temperatures, the fan speed can be reduced until the fan is completely switched off, which ensures above all the low energy consumption of the device and its economical operation.

The temperature control system in the process space further preferably comprises a sensor for measuring the humidity. Humidity information is another indicator for users of the quality of the environment in which air-conditioned equipment is stored.

The above-mentioned shortcomings are also eliminated to some extent by the technological space comprising a plurality of heat generating devices, the essence of which consists in comprising a temperature control system according to the present technical solution and being provided with an inlet for supplying cold outdoor air to the technological space and an outlet for exhaust of hot hot air from the technological space, while the air-conditioning unit is located in the technological space to the inlet opening of the technological space. Air conditioning of the technological space by the system according to the presented technical solution has the benefit where the stored technology requires a certain controlled temperature zone. Thanks to the presented technical solution, there is no deviation from this zone either due to external weather conditions or due to the actual development of heat inside the technological space.

Explanation of drawings

The essence of the technical solution is further clarified on examples of its implementation, which are described using the attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a system for temperature control in the technological space with emphasis on the arrangement of the air conditioning unit and without the control unit, Fig. 2 schematically shows a system for temperature control in the technological space with the control unit and its electrical connection with individual system components .

Examples of technical solution

The technical solution will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the respective drawings.

In a first exemplary embodiment, the temperature control system in the process space 2 comprises an air conditioning unit 1, a control unit 3 electrically connected to the air conditioning unit 1, an exhaust flap 4 for discharging waste hot air from the process space 2, at least one temperature sensor 5 located inside. technological space 2, and at least one temperature sensor 5, which is located outside the technological space 2. The technological space 2 further comprises a plurality of heat generating devices and is closed except for two openings, namely the inlet opening 15 of the technological space 2 for cold air supply from outside. environment to the technological space 2 and the outlet opening 16 of the technological space 2 for the removal of waste hot air from the technological space 2 to the external environment. The outlet opening 16 of the technological space 2 is provided with an exhaust flap 4 for the removal of waste hot air from the technological space 2 to the external environment. The exhaust flap 4 is controlled by a servomotor 18 which is electrically connected to the control unit 3. Alternatively, the exhaust flap 4 is implemented as a pressure flap, wherein in this alternative embodiment the exhaust flap 4 is not electrically connected to the servomotor 18. The plurality of heat generating devices comprises

-3GB 35013 UI, for example, manufacturing, telecommunications, security or measuring equipment, however, is not limited to these types of equipment.

The air conditioning unit] is realized in the first exemplary embodiment of the present technical solution according to Fig. 1 as a box adapted to store the internal functional components of the air conditioning unit 1, this box being closed except for three openings and including a supply duct 9 for supplying cold air from the outside. to the air conditioning unit 1, a recirculation duct 10 for supplying hot air from the process space 2 to the air conditioning unit 1 and an exhaust duct 11 for discharging air from the air conditioning unit 1 to the process space 2. The air conditioning unit 1 is located in the process space 2 such that the supply duct 9 adjoins the inlet opening 15 of the technological space 2, thus allowing the supply of relatively cooler air from the outside environment to the air conditioning unit L. In FIG. 1, the direction of air flow is shown by straight arrows.

The air conditioning unit 1 comprises a supply flap 8 and a recirculation flap 7, the supply flap 8 being located in the supply duct 9 and the recirculation flap 7 being located in the recirculation duct 10. The supply flap 8 has a first position and a second position, with the supply flap 8 in the first position. the supply flap 8 is set so as to completely cover the supply duct 9, thus preventing the supply of cold air from the outside to the air conditioning unit 1, and in the second position of the supply flap 8, the supply flap 8 is set so as not at least partially covering the supply duct 9. thus supplying cold air from the outside to the air conditioning unit 1. The recirculation flap 7 has a first position and a second position, and in the first position of the recirculation flap 7 the recirculation flap 7 is set to completely cover the recirculation duct 10, thus preventing the supply of warm air from technological space 2 to the air conditioning unit 1, and in the second position of the recirculation flap 7 there is a recirculation flap 7 is set so that it at least partially does not cover the recirculation duct 10. and thus does not prevent the supply of hot air from the process space 2 to the air conditioning unit. In addition to said first and second positions of the supply flap 8 and the recirculation flap 7, these flaps may have different intermediate positions, i.e. These are the so-called mixing flaps.

The supply flap 8 and the recirculation flap 7 are coupled and controlled by means of a servomotor 18, which is electrically connected to the control unit 3 and ensures adjustment of the supply flap 8 and the recirculation flap 7 to the first and second positions based on temperature information at selected reference points. At these reference points there are temperature sensors 5, the temperature sensors 5 also being electrically connected to the control unit 3.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the coupling of the supply flap 8 and the recirculation flap 7 is mechanical, the supply flap 8 being mechanically connected to the recirculation flap 7 and both flaps being actuated by one servomotor 18 so that when the supply flap 8 is set to the first position of the supply flap 8, the recirculation flap 7 is simultaneously set to the second position of the recirculation flap 7. When, on the other hand, the supply flap 8 is set to the second position of the supply flap 8, the recirculation flap 7 is simultaneously set to the first position of the recirculation flap 7. Alternatively electric, wherein the supply flap 8 is controlled by the first servomotor 18 and the recirculation flap 7 is controlled by the second servomotor 18, both servomotors 18 being electrically connected to the control unit 3. The supply flap 8 and the recirculation flap 7 are controlled by these servomotors so that when the supply flap 8 is set to the first position of the supply flap 8, it is at the same time recirculating flap 7 is set to the second position of the recirculation flap 7. When, on the other hand, the supply flap 8 is set to the second position of the supply flap 8, the recirculation flap 7 is simultaneously set to the first position of the recirculation flap 7.

The air conditioning unit 1 further preferably comprises a filter stage for filtering ambient air and air from the process space 2, the filter stage comprising a filter 14 and an actuating element 17 for controlling the filter 14. The actuating element 17 for controlling the filter 14 is controlled by a control unit 3 and is implemented as a timer, alternatively as a differential pressure switch.

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In the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1, the air conditioning unit 1 comprises one filter 14, which is located in the air duct, which is formed by connecting the supply duct 9 and the recirculation duct 10. In an alternative embodiment, the air conditioning unit comprises two filters 14, the first filter 14 being is located in the supply channel 9 and the second filter 14 is located in the recirculation channel 10. In another alternative embodiment, the air conditioning unit 1 comprises several filtration stages.

The air conditioning unit 1 further comprises a fan section comprising at least one fan 6 for transporting air from the air conditioning unit 1 to the process space 2. In the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1, the air conditioning unit 1 comprises two fans 6 located individually in two parallel branches of the air duct. The fan 6 is preferably driven by an EC motor 19 (Electronically Commutated), which exhibits high efficiency even at lower fan speeds 6. The EC motor 19 is electrically connected to the control unit 3. The power of the EC motor 19 is preferably twice 100 W, while being supplied with a direct voltage of 48 V and a current of 2.5 A flows through it. The blades of a fan 6 driven by such an EC motor 19 rotate at a speed of 2850 revolutions per minute. These values correspond to a preferred embodiment, and the actual values may differ from these values if a reliable function of the fan 6 for transporting air from the air conditioning unit 1 to the process space 2 is ensured. These values further correspond to a situation where the air conditioning unit 1 comprises one filtration stage. In the case where the air conditioning unit 1 includes multiple filtration stages, the values of these parameters generally differ from the stated values.

Alternatively, the fan 6 is driven by another type of motor, taking into account the application, the required power and efficiency.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the control unit 3 is electrically connected to the air conditioning unit 1, in particular the control unit 3 is electrically connected to the servomotor 18 for controlling the supply damper 8 and the recirculation damper 7, as well as the control element 17 for controlling the filter 14 and EC motors. 19 fans 6 within the fan section. Furthermore, the control unit 3 is electrically connected to the servomotor 18 for controlling the exhaust flap 4 for discharging the exhaust hot air from the process space 2 to the outside environment, in case the exhaust flap 4 is not realized as a pressure relief flap. In a preferred embodiment, the servomotor 18 is supplied with a DC voltage of 24 V and is characterized by a torque of 2 Nm.

The control unit 3 is further electrically connected to temperature sensors 5 for measuring the temperature at selected reference points, as shown in Fig. 2, the temperature control system in the process space 2 according to the present technical solution comprising at least two temperature sensors 5, at least one the temperature sensor 5 is located inside the process space 2 and at least one temperature sensor 5 is located outside the process space 2, or is located in the supply duct 9, where it senses the temperature of the air supplied to the air conditioning unit 1 from the outside. In the preferred embodiment according to FIG. 2, the process space 2 comprises two temperature sensors 5, the first temperature sensor 5 being located in the upper part of the process space 2, i.e. close to the ceiling of the process space 2, and the second temperature sensor 5 located in the lower part of the process space 2. space 2, i.e. close to the floor of the technological space 2. The temperature control system in the technological space 2 thus preferably comprises three temperature sensors 5, while in addition to two temperature sensors 5 located at the ceiling and the floor of the technological space 2 said system also comprises other temperature sensors. sensor 5 mino the technological space 2, optionally located in the supply channel 9. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 5 is also located in the exhaust channel 11 for measuring the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioning unit 1 into the technological space 2. The temperature sensors 5 are preferably implemented as thermocouples. resistance of 10 kQ.

The system for temperature control in the process space 2 further in an alternative embodiment comprises external cooling 12 and an external heat source 13 for the case where a strict guarantee of the upper and lower temperature limits of operating conditions of air-conditioned devices is required. when a narrow range of required room temperatures is required

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2. The external cooling 12 and the external heat source 13 are in this embodiment electrically connected to the control unit 3. The external cooling 12 is preferably implemented as a split air conditioning system which uses a direct evaporative heat pump, the control unit 3 allowing connection of up to two of these air conditioning systems. In an preferred embodiment, the external heat source 13 is realized as electric heating. The system for regulating the temperature in the process space 2 may further comprise one or more humidity sensors, a control panel, a fault signal or an electrical fire signal, these other external components being electrically connected to the control unit 3.

Temperature control in technological space 2 using the system according to the presented technical solution is based on two operating modes, the first operating mode corresponds to cooling the technological space 2 by air flow from the external environment to the technological space 2 and the second working mode corresponds to tempering the technological space 2 using recuperation heat accumulated typically in the upper part of the technological space 2.

In the first operating mode, the supply flap 8 is set to its second position, in which it does not at least partially cover the supply channel 9, and the recirculation flap? is simultaneously set to its first position, in which it completely covers the recirculation channel 10. This allows the use of a running fan 6 to allow cooler air to flow from the outside through the supply channel 9 and then through the exhaust channel 11 into the process space 2, while the waste hot air escapes from the process. space 2 to the outside environment via exhaust flap 4. The cooling capacity of the air conditioning unit 1 is regulated by the amount of colder air supplied, namely by controlling the speed of the fan 6 based on temperature information inside the technology space 2 and outside the technology space 2. 6 are reduced until the fan 6 is completely switched off.

In the second operating mode, the supply flap 8 is set to its first position, in which it completely covers the supply channel 9, and the recirculation flap 7 is simultaneously set to its second position, in which it does not at least partially cover the recirculation channel 10. allowed the flow of warm air accumulated in the upper part of the technological space 2 through the recirculation channel 10 and subsequently through the exhaust channel 11 back into the technological space 2.

The system for temperature control in the technological space 2 according to the present technical solution operates in the first operating mode in case the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5 located outside the technological space 2 is lower than the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5 located inside the technological space 2 by a value set by the user. in the parameters of the control unit 3.

The system for temperature control in the technological space 2 according to the presented technical solution 2 operates in the second operating mode if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5 located inside the technological space 2, specifically in the lower part of the technological space 2, is lower than the desired temperature set by the operator. system in the parameters of the control unit 3.

Industrial applicability

The above-described system for temperature control in the technological space can also be used, for example, in geographically distributed production sites, in mobile technological or production equipment, arranged, for example, in a container arrangement, or in island systems. I.e. also where there is a lack of electricity capacity and it is necessary to look for solutions for the minimum energy consumption needed for air conditioning of technological spaces.

Claims (9)

A system for regulating the temperature in a process space (2), comprising an air conditioning unit (1), a control unit (3), an exhaust flap (4) for discharging waste hot air from the process space (2) and at least two temperature sensors (5). , wherein the control unit (3) is electrically connected to the air conditioning unit (1) and at least two temperature sensors (5), wherein at least one temperature sensor (5) is located inside the process space (2) and at least one temperature sensor (5) is located outside the process space (2), the air conditioning unit (1) comprising a supply duct (9) for supplying cold air from the outside to the air conditioning unit (1), a recirculation duct (10) for supplying warm air from the process space (2) to the air conditioning unit (1) and the exhaust duct (11) for discharging air from the air conditioning unit (1) to the process space (2), the air conditioning unit (1) further comprising at least one fan (6), a supply flap (8) and a recirculation key. apk (7), characterized in that the supply flap (8) has a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the supply flap (8) is set so as to completely cover the supply channel (9), and in the second position the supply the flap (8) is set so as not to at least partially cover the supply channel (9), and that the recirculation flap (7) has a first position and a second position, the recirculation flap (7) being set in the first position to completely cover the recirculation channel ( 10), and in the second position the recirculation flap (7) is set so as not to at least partially cover the recirculation channel (10), the recirculation flap (7) being coupled to the supply flap (8), the positions of the recirculation flap (7) and the supply the dampers (8) and the fan speed (6) are set on the basis of the temperature information at the selected reference points. The system for controlling the temperature in the process space (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises external cooling (12), wherein the control unit (3) is electrically connected to the external cooling (12). A system for regulating the temperature in a process space (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an external heat source (13), the control unit (3) being electrically connected to the external heat source (13). Temperature control system in the process space (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two temperature sensors (5) are arranged in the process space (2), the first temperature sensor (5) being located in the upper part technological space (2) and the second temperature sensor (5) is located in the lower part of the technological space (2). A system for regulating the temperature in a process space (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning unit (1) comprises a filtration stage comprising a filter (14) and an actuating element (17) for actuating the filter (14). The system for regulating the temperature in the process space (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control element (17) for controlling the filter (14) is implemented as any element selected from the group consisting of a timer and a differential pressure switch. A system for controlling the temperature in a process space (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air conditioning unit (1) comprises two fans (6) located in two parallel branches of the air duct. A system for regulating the temperature in a process space (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a sensor for measuring the humidity of the air. Process space (2) comprising a plurality of heat generating devices, characterized in that it comprises a temperature control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and that it is provided with an inlet opening (15) for supplying cold outdoor air to the process space (2). -7 CZ 35013 UI and an outlet opening (16) for the removal of waste hot air from the process space (2), wherein the air conditioning unit (1) is located in the process space (2) to the inlet opening (15) of the process space (2).