AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Description

PATENT FOR INDUSTRIAL INVENTION WITH THE TITLE “AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM” of Blue-Airco Srl 5 in San Colombano Certenoli (GE) and PORTOFINO MARINE SERVICES LLC in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) Inventors: CERRAI, Bernardo; NANNEI, Enrico; ROGNONI, Raffaele DESCRIPTION TEXT 10 TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air conditioning system of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim. The object of the present invention is an air conditioning system which finds application mainly, but not exclusively, in the nautical field and, in 15 particular, in recreational boating. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE There are currently known systems for regulating the temperature in closed environments on board vessels. In particular, the systems can function as heat pumps, capable of conveying heat from rooms 20 internal to the outside of the vessel. For example, these systems can perform the function of lowering or increasing the temperature of internal environments to the vessel at a set temperature value. Therefore, these systems These can be the well-known heat pumps, in which a working fluid or refrigerant circulates inside a refrigerant circuit, in which the working fluid passes through a 25 evaporator, in which it absorbs heat from the internal environment which, for example, you want to cool, and the working fluid is conveyed into a compressor, and then passes into a condenser, in which the fluid exchanges heat with the external environment, and then passes through a valve or expansion device from which it is reintroduced in the evaporator to repeat the cycle. By reversing the cycle these 5 systems can operate space heating. In particular, these systems allow for more efficient heat exchange taking advantage of the availability of water present outside, which is taken directly from outside the vessel by means of a pumping system. In fact, the collected water can be sent to the heat exchangers of the circuit 10 refrigerant, in order to make the heat exchanges faster and more efficient occur between the internal environment and the working fluid. Therefore, the water is collected, it is passed through the exchangers and is then discharged outside of the vessel. The prior art described includes some important drawbacks. 15 In particular, since it may be necessary on board vessels To operate multiple air conditioning units, a system of distribution of the water drawn to the individual air conditioners. This solution involves high energy consumption. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 In this situation the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise an air conditioning system, even if made up of one or more subassemblies, capable to substantially overcome at least some of the drawbacks mentioned. Within the scope of this technical task, it is an important aim of the invention to obtain an air conditioning system capable of reducing energy consumption. 25 Another important aim of the invention is to create a system of air conditioning capable of making the heat exchange between the inside and outside more efficient the outside. The technical task and the specified purposes are achieved by a plant of conditioning as claimed in the attached claim 1. 5 Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the united drawings, in which: 10 Fig. 1 shows a diagram of an air conditioning system according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF FAVORITE CREATIONS In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "about" or other similar ones 15 terms such as "almost" or "substantially", are to be understood as unless measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, above all, unless there is a slight deviation from the value, size, shape or geometric reference to which it is associated. For example, such terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a deviation of no more than 10% of the value 20 same. Also, when used, terms such as “first”, “second”, “superior”, “inferior”, “main” and “secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or relative position, but can simply be used for more clearly distinguish between different components. 25 Unless otherwise specified, as is apparent from the following discussions, it is considered that terms such as "treatment", "informatics", "determination", "calculation", or similar, are refer to the action and / or processes of a computer or similar computing device electronic that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical, such as quantities electronic records of a computer system and / or memories in, other similar data 5 represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registries or other devices for storing, transmitting or displaying information. The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533:1975). 10 With reference to the Figures, the system according to the invention is globally indicated with the number 1. It is an air conditioning system that can be made up of a plurality of subsets. In particular, it is capable of transferring heat from the first environments to at least an external environment. For example, the first environments can be closed environments. 15 Even more specifically, they can be closed environments on board vessels, such as pleasure boats. The external environment includes water. For example, the external environment can be a watercourse, a lake or the sea on which the boat floats. System 1 includes heat pumps 2. Each of them is capable of at least 20 transfer heat from one of the first environments to at least the external environment. For example, inside each of the first rooms there may be a heat pump 2 and each of them conveys heat to the external environment. Each of them can include its own refrigerant circuit in which a working fluid circulates. heat pumps 2 include heat exchangers 20. They include the 25 condensers in which the working fluid is in the vapor state condensation following cooling from contact with the external environment. Each heat pump 2 may include a valve or expansion member which allows the passage of the low pressure part of the condensed fluid, a evaporator in which the condensed fluid absorbs the heat of the first environment in contact 5 with it and evaporates and a compressor that increases the pressure of the fluid to the state of steam and sends it to the heat exchanger 20. The heat exchangers 20 are in fluid passage connection with the environment external and water. In fact, it is advantageously conveyed towards the heat exchangers 20, flowing from the external environment to the heat exchangers 20. 10 Therefore, water taken from the external environment, such as sea water, comes into contact with the heat exchangers 20. In this way, it acts as a carrier thermal that makes the heat exchange from the heat exchanger more efficient 20 to the external environment. The water is heated or cooled by the reversal of the cycle (heat pump) from contact with the heat exchangers 20 is then expelled 15 and reintroduced into the external environment. In this regard, system 1 includes a working circuit 8, therefore heating or cooling. It is designed to connect the environment with a fluid passage external with heat exchangers 20. In particular, the working circuit 8 can include pipes in which water can circulate. In this way the water 20 taken from the external environment is advantageously conveyed towards the heat exchangers 20. Advantageously, the working circuit 8 comprises an access chamber 80. It It is a chamber in fluid passage connection with the heat exchangers 20. Furthermore, it defines a plurality of accesses 80a. Each of them is capable of placing in 25 fluid passage connection chamber 80 with one of the heat exchangers 20. Therefore, chamber 80 can divert the flow of water from the environment external to one or more of the accesses 80a. From a single access 80a the water can transit towards the heat exchanger 20 to which it is connected by pipes. A single access 80a can be in connection with fluid passage even with two 5 or more heat exchangers 20. Alternatively, more accesses 80a can be in fluid passage connection with the same heat exchanger 20. In general, a single access 80a can be in fluid passage connection with a single heat exchanger 20. In general, the 80 chamber allows for a smooth connection in parallel. 10 The chamber 80 may comprise internal walls made of metallic material or of material plastic. The material chosen depends on the type of water taken and its composition. The metallic material has the advantage of facilitating cooling of the water passing through chamber 80. The plastic material has the advantage of better resist corrosion from salt water, such as seawater. 15 The system 1 advantageously comprises a plurality of valves 5. Each of they are placed in one of the accesses 80a. Each valve 5 is configured for allow or prevent the passage of water from chamber 80 to one of the exchangers of heat 20. In particular, it can allow or prevent the passage of water through passage 80a in fluid passage connection with the exchanger 20 heat 20 in which you want the drawn water to flow or not. Furthermore, the 5 valves are advantageously configured to regulate the flow rate of the water conveyed to one of the heat exchangers 20. Therefore, they can adjust the opening of the passage 80a in which it is placed in proportion to the flow rate of water that you want to send to the heat exchanger 20 connected to the 25 step 80a. Valves 5 are preferably solenoid valves. They are advantageous from the moment that require only electronic control to be operated and regulated. System 1 includes a fluid dynamic pump 3. It is a pump configured 5 to take water from the external environment and convey the water through the circuit of work 8 towards the heat exchangers 20. It therefore allows the passage of water taken from the external environment. Advantageously, the fluid dynamic pump 3 is variable speed. In this way it is It is possible to regulate the flow rate of water reaching the heat exchangers 20. 10 Therefore, a variable speed pump can allow the water taken to flow with the desired flow rate for each heat exchanger 20. Furthermore, the flow rate can be varied during pump operation. System 1 has the advantage of being able to send water to heat exchangers 20 by regulating the flow rate, sending water to only the 20 activated heat exchangers, and 15 being able to vary the flow rate depending on the operating conditions and for adapt it to the commands given to the relevant heat pumps 2 which modify their operating conditions. The system 1 comprises an electronic processor 4. It is operationally connected to the fluid pump 3, the heat pumps 2 and the valves 5. In 20 In particular, the processor 4 is configured to control the ignition, the shutdown and operation of the fluid pump 3 and the pumps heat 2. Furthermore, the processor 4 is configured to regulate the operation of the valves 5 and the speed of the fluid dynamic pump 3. The processor 4, in response to the activation of a selected heat pump 2, can 25 preferably selectively open the valve 5 located in the access 80a in fluid passage connection with the corresponding heat exchanger 20 of the heat pump 2 selected. Therefore, the processor 4 can operate the valves 5 associated with the heat pumps 2 that are operated. The valves 5 associated with the 20 heat exchangers not in operation remain closed. In this way, it is achieved 5 an energy saving, since the operation of the system 1 is not centralized, but only the parts of the system 1 associated with the operation of the 2 heat pumps operated. Therefore, the fluid pump 3 can also be operated in such a way as to have a number of turns proportional to the 80a accesses opened and to the exchangers of 10 heat 20 operated. The processor 4 can implement regulation algorithms speed of the fluid dynamic pump 3 in proportion to the operating conditions of the 2 heat pumps operated and the number of 2 heat pumps operated. The system 1 may preferably include second sensors 7. They may be operationally connected to heat pumps 2, chamber 80 and 15 to the processor 4. In particular, the second sensors 7 can be configured to measure water flow and / or temperature and / or pressure. For example, they They can be flowmeters. Processor 4 can regulate the pump speed. fluid dynamics 3 in response to the value measured by the second flow sensors 7, or temperatures, or pressure and the number of heat pumps 2 operated. In 20 in particular, the variation of the speed of the fluid dynamic pump 3 can continue until the measured value falls within a range of flow values, or temperatures, or predetermined pressure. The second sensors 7 can, therefore, advantageously send the data relating to the measured flow values, or temperatures, or pressure to the processor 4 and the latter, based on the range of 25 values ​​of flow rate, or temperature, or predetermined pressure, sends a signal in response to vary the speed. The predetermined range of values ​​can be associated by the algorithms to the number of heat pumps 2 in operation and to the conditions of operation of the same established by a user. The system 1 may preferably comprise first sensors 6. They may be 5 placed in the first rooms, operationally connected to heat pumps 2 and to the processor 4. The first sensors 6 are configured to detect the temperature of the first environments. Furthermore, they can send the temperature values ​​to the processor 4 detected in the first environments. The system 1 may comprise detection units 40. For example, the detection units 10 detection 40 can be processors. They can be operationally connected to the first sensors 6 and to the processor 4. In particular, they they are configured to command the processor 4 to close each valve 5 access to the heat exchanger 20 of the heat pump 2 when at least one of the first sensors 6 detects in said heat pump 2 a temperature having a value 15 in a predetermined range. The predetermined range can be set by a user. Therefore, each detection unit 40 can compare the value of temperature detected by the first sensor 6 to which it is connected and compare it to the range of predetermined temperature values. If the detected value falls within the range of values, the detection unit sends a signal to the processor 4 and the latter in response 20 upon receiving the signal, it commands the closing of valve 5 of access 80a which connects room 80 to heat pump 2 whose temperature was detected. In this way, the temperature control of the first rooms is advantageously automated, in relation to some operational phases. The first sensors 6 may preferably be operationally connected to the 25 heat exchangers 20. Furthermore, the processor 4 defines a first mode of operation. In this operating mode, the processor 4 varies the aperture of the valves 5 at the accesses 80a in the passage connection fluid with heat exchangers 20 when the first sensors 6 measure in correspondence of these heat exchangers 20 temperature values ​​out of a 5 predetermined range of temperature values. For example, if the value of temperature detected by a first sensor 6 is higher than the range values predetermined for heat pump 2 corresponding to that sensor 6, processor 4 sends a signal to valve 5 so that it opens more. In this way, the regulation of the water flow can 10 advantageously influence the temperature regulation of the first room in where the heat pump 2 is present. In particular, the regulation of the valve 5 can be of the proportional type when you want to control the temperature of condensation in the heat exchanger 20. Processor 4 may preferably define a second operating mode. 15 In this mode the processor 4 opens all the valves 5 so that for each of the 80a accesses the water has the maximum flow and the pump fluid dynamics 3 has maximum speed. This mode is advantageous for the maintenance operations in which it is necessary to clean and possibly empty any sediment or residues in the cooling circuit 8. Therefore, it is flushed 20 water at maximum flow in all 80a accesses in order to clean the passages. The system 1 may preferably comprise two fluid-dynamic pumps 3. Each of them can be configured to take water from the external environment and convey the water through the cooling circuit 8 towards the exchangers of heat 20. Both fluid pumps 3 can be operationally 25 connected to processor 4. In this regard, processor 4 can define a first drive mode. In this mode, the processor 4 operates one of the pumps fluid dynamics 3 in response to a user command. For example, using a command interface, a user can set the first drive mode and the processor 4 drives the fluid pump in response 5 3 selected. If one of the two pumps is faulty, the processor 4 activates only the pump working. Furthermore, the processor 4 can define a second drive mode in which the processor 4 operates both fluid pumps 3 alternately in response to a user command. Therefore, the user can select the second 10 operating modes and processor 4 operates the two pumps alternately fluid dynamics 3. Therefore, it assigns a time interval of operation for each fluid pump 3, at the end of which the pump is deactivated fluid dynamics 3 is in operation and the other is activated. In this way, both 3 fluid dynamic pumps are used, avoiding maintenance problems 15 associated with the use of only one of the two. The invention also concerns a vessel. It is a vessel comprising a system 1. In detail, the vessel can be a pleasure boat. In In particular, the vessel includes the first rooms. Therefore, the water taken It can be the water buoyancy of the vessel. The vessel has the 20 advantage of being able to use a system 1 which allows for a reduction in space. In In particular, this aspect is advantageous for pleasure boats where the spaces on board are limited. The operation of the plant 1 previously described in structural terms is the following. 25 When a heat pump 2 is operated in a first room, the processor 4 operates the fluid pump 3 and commands the opening of the valve 5 on the access 80a to heat exchanger 20 of the operated heat pump 2. Subsequently, whenever a heat pump 2 is operated, the processor 4 opens the corresponding valve 5. The fluid pump 3 sucks in the water 5 taken from the external environment and introduces it into the working circuit 8. The water introduced in the circuit it enters chamber 80 and from there it enters the open ports 80a. From each access 80a opened, the water reaches the corresponding exchanger heat 20. When the water reaches the heat exchanger, it cools or heats the pipe in which the working fluid of heat pump 2 flows, making it 10 condensing and removing the heat. The heated water flows into the environment. external and is reintroduced into the water of the external environment. The water flow can be adjusted by varying the speed (or number of revolutions) of the fluid dynamic pump 3. The speed can also be varied in response to the number of valves 5 open, at the water flow rate, if this does not correspond to a 15 value in a predetermined range, and at the temperature set for the pumps heat 2. The settable speed values ​​can be divided into levels, which can be selected or set. In the first operating mode, the processor 4 varies the aperture of the valve 5 when the detected temperature values ​​are outside a range 20 predetermined values. In the second operating mode (or maintenance mode), the processor 4 opens all valves 5 and brings the fluid pump 3 to maximum speed, in so as to pass a large quantity of water into the working circuit 8 and clean the circuit. This mode can be activated when the 2 heat pumps are 25 deactivated. The system 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages. In fact, since it allows the regulation of the pump speed fluid dynamics, it allows substantial energy savings, since The energy consumption of the fluid dynamic pump can be adjusted according to the 5 real actuation needs. In fact, the water is selectively sent only to heat exchangers of active heat pumps. System 1 therefore allows for better efficiency. relating to the heat exchange between internal and external environments. Another advantage is given by the regulation of the parameters that govern the passage 10 of the water in the cooling circuit. In fact, system 1 allows you to regulate both the flow of water by regulating the opening of the valves, both of the Fluid dynamic pump speed. This allows for different interventions. on the flow of water passing through the working circuit 8. System 1 can advantageously operate with two pumps which can be 15 operated alternately or by operating only one. In this way, In case of damage to one of the pumps, the pump can be used working fluid dynamics. Furthermore, system 1 is advantageous due to its compactness. In fact, it can to be used on pleasure boats, where spaces are typically limited 20 and equipment that takes up limited space is required. Therefore, the vessel including system 1 has the advantage of being able to save on the spaces occupied from the air conditioning system and to achieve energy savings associated with the its use. The invention is susceptible to variations within the scope of the inventive concept 25 defined by the claims. In this context all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, the shapes and sizes can be any.

Claims

1. Air conditioning system (1) designed to transfer heat from first environments to at least one external environment, said external environment comprising water, and comprising: - heat pumps (2) each designed to transfer heat from at least one of said first environments to at least said external environment and comprising heat exchangers (20); - a working circuit (8) designed to place said external environment in fluid passage connection with said heat exchangers (20); - a fluid dynamic pump (3) configured to take said water from said external environment and convey said water through said working circuit (8) towards said heat exchangers (20); - said heat exchangers (20) being in fluid passage connection with said external environment and said water, conveyed towards said heat exchangers (20), flowing from said external environment to said heat exchangers (20);- an electronic processor (4) operatively connected to said fluid-dynamic pump (3) and to said heat pumps (2) and configured to control the switching on, switching off and operation of said fluid-dynamic pump (3) and said heat pumps (2); and characterised in that: - said working circuit (8) comprises an access chamber (80), said chamber (80) being in fluid passage connection with said heat exchangers (20) and defining a plurality of accesses (80a), each of said accesses (80a) being able to place said chamber (80) in fluid passage connection with one of said heat exchangers (20); - comprises a plurality of valves (5) each located in one of said accesses (80a) and configured to allow or prevent the passage of said water from said chamber (80) to said one of said heat exchangers (20) and to regulate the flow rate of said water conveyed to said one of said heat exchangers (20);- said fluid dynamic pump (3) being variable speed; - said processor (4) being operationally connected to said valves (5) and being configured to regulate the operation of said valves (5) and the speed of said fluid dynamic pump (3).; 2. System (1) according to claim 1, comprising: - first sensors (6) located in said first environments, operatively connected to said heat pumps (2) and to said processor (4) and configured to detect the temperature of said first environments; - detection units (40) operatively connected to said first sensors (6) and to said processor (4) and configured to command said processor (4) to close each said valve (5) for access to one of said heat exchangers (20) of one of said heat pumps (2) when at least one of said first sensors (6) detects in said one of said heat pumps (2) a temperature having a value in a predetermined range.

3. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said processor (4), in response to the activation of one of said selected heat pumps (2), selectively opens one of said valves (5) located in one of said accesses (80a) in fluid passage connection with the corresponding one of said heat exchangers (20) of said one of said selected heat pumps (2).

4. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two fluid dynamic pumps (3), each of said fluid dynamic pumps (3) being configured to draw said water from said external environment and convey said water through said working circuit (8) towards said heat exchangers (20) and being operatively connected to said processor (4), said processor (4) defining: - a first operating mode in which said processor (4) operates one of said fluid dynamic pumps (3) in response to a command from a user; - a second operating mode in which said processor (4) operates both said fluid dynamic pumps (3) alternately in response to a command from a user.

5. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said valves (5) are solenoid valves.

6. System (1) according to claim 2, wherein said first sensors (6) are operatively connected to said heat exchangers (20) and said processor (4) defines a first operating mode in which said processor (4) varies the opening of said valves (5) in correspondence with said accesses (80a) in fluid passage connection with said heat exchangers (20) when said first sensors (6) measure in correspondence with said heat exchangers (20) temperature values ​​outside a predetermined range of temperature values.

7. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said chamber (80) comprises internal walls made of metallic material or plastic material.

8. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising second sensors (7) operatively connected to said heat pumps (2), to said chamber (80) and to said processor (4) and configured to measure at least the flow rate of said water, said processor (4) varying said speed in response to the value measured by said second sensors (7) of said flow rate and to the number of heat pumps (2) operated, until said measured value falls within a predetermined range of flow rates.

9. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising second sensors (7) operatively connected to said heat pumps (2), to said chamber (80) and to said processor (4) and configured to measure at least the pressure of the working fluid.

10. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising second sensors (7) operatively connected to said heat pumps (2), to said chamber (80) and to said processor (4) and configured to measure at least the temperature of said water.

11. System (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said processor (4) defines a second operating mode in which said processor (4) opens all said valves (5) in such a way that for each of said accesses (80a) said water has the maximum flow rate and said fluid dynamic pump (3) has the maximum speed.

12. A vessel comprising an air conditioning system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, said vessel comprising said first environments.