Switchgear Cabinet Arrangement with Forced Ventilation

Abstract

The invention relates to a switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) having at least one switchgear cabinet housing (2) and a cooling device (3), the cooling device (3) having a refrigerant circuit (4) with a combustible refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit (4) having an evaporator (5) arranged in the inner air circuit (9) of the cooling device (3) through which air received into the switchgear cabinet housing (2) flows. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) further comprises forced ventilation (6) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), which forced ventilation (6) is in an operative state when a leak in the refrigerant circuit (4) is detected and otherwise in an inoperative state, and in the operative state, ambient air of the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) is conveyed into the switchgear cabinet housing (2) and / or air received into the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is conveyed out of the switchgear cabinet housing (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switchgear cabinet arrangement having at least one switchgear cabinet housing and a cooling device, the cooling device having a refrigerant circuit with a combustible refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit is arranged in the inner air circuit of the cooling device and has an evaporator through which air received by the switchgear cabinet housing flows. This type of switchgear cabinet arrangement is described in DE 10 2018 109 604 A1.

[0002] Directive 2006 / 42 / EC (Machinery Directive) requires eliminating the risk of explosion and fire caused by gases used in machinery. Therefore, in the case of a switchgear cabinet cooling device, if leakage is assumed in the refrigerant-conducting components, there is a possibility that the combustible gas (refrigerant) will enter the switchgear cabinet and ignite at internal joints that generate arcs during operation. Without a safety function to reliably prevent this, a switchgear cabinet cooling device using a combustible refrigerant cannot meet the Machinery Directive and cannot operate while ensuring the necessary safety for the end-user.

[0003] Known switchgear cabinet arrangements from the prior art have the disadvantage that they are relatively complex to implement because, for example, different actively driven closing members are required and must operate when leakage is detected or when combustible refrigerant enters the interior of the switchgear cabinet.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to further develop the switchgear cabinet arrangement described at the beginning so that it can be implemented using simple technical means and accordingly provided at low cost.

[0005] This object is achieved by a switchgear cabinet arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims in each case.

[0006] Thus, in the case of the switchgear cabinet arrangement of the type described at the beginning, the switchgear cabinet housing is provided with forced ventilation which is in an operative state when a leak in the refrigerant circuit of the cooling device is detected and in an inoperative state otherwise. In the operative state, the ambient air around the switchgear cabinet arrangement is intended to be conveyed into the switchgear cabinet housing and / or the air received in the switchgear cabinet housing is intended to be conveyed out of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0007] The refrigerant circuit can be, for example, a component of a refrigerator and / or a component of a passive refrigerant circuit, for example a refrigerant circuit of natural circulation driven by a geodesic height difference such as a heat pipe. Thus, the refrigerant circuit can be configured either as an active refrigerant circuit or as a passive refrigerant circuit. In principle, the present invention is not limited to the use of a specific method for producing refrigeration. In particular, all means related to the forced ventilation according to the present invention can be configured independently of the refrigerant circuit and, in particular, it is not necessary to monitor the refrigerant circuit itself in order to infer a leak in the refrigerant circuit.

[0008] The refrigerant circuit can have a condenser in the outside air circuit of the cooling device, which outside air circuit is fluidly separated from the inside air circuit and through which the ambient air conducted through the outside air circuit flows through the condenser.

[0009] In the inoperative state, the forced ventilation can be fluidly closed via an adjustable closure member. In this case, the interior of the switchgear cabinet housing can be fluidly separated from the ambient air around the switchgear cabinet housing. In particular, it is desirable that there is no air exchange between the inside air circuit and the outside air circuit.

[0010] The forced ventilation can have at least one fan, and by this fan, in the operating state of the forced ventilation, ambient air is transported into the switchgear cabinet housing. Alternatively, the fan can also be configured to blow out the air received within the switchgear cabinet housing to the surroundings.

[0011] The forced ventilation can have at least one air guide path between the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet housing and the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing. The air guide path can be closed via a closing member, preferably a non-return flap, in the non-operating state of the forced ventilation. For this purpose, the non-return flap can be pretensioned in its closed position so that no air volume flow occurs that opens the non-return flap when the fan is in the non-operating state.

[0012] The at least one air guide path can be a component of the cooling device or can be configured independently of the cooling device. If the air guide path is a component of the cooling device, the at least one further air guide path can likewise be a component of the cooling device or a component of the switchgear cabinet housing. The two air guide paths can be configured to supply air to the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing and to discharge air from the inside to the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet housing. At least one of the air guide paths can accordingly have a fan.

[0013] The cooling device can have two air guide paths, at least one of which has a fan. In this case, at least one of the air guide paths can have a closing member, preferably a check flap. The closing member can be permeable only in the direction of the air flow generated by the fan. The closing member can in particular be pretensioned in a closed position that closes the associated air guide path when the fan stops. Thus, the closing member opens when the fan operates. Thus, the closing member can be opened in the flow direction generated by the fan and can close the air guide path in the opposite direction. In the permeation direction, the closing member, for example a check flap, can be opened by the dynamic pressure generated during operation of the fan.

[0014] The switchgear cabinet arrangement can have at least one refrigerant sensor for detecting combustible refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing. The refrigerant sensor can in principle be arranged at any desired location of the switchgear cabinet arrangement where the sensor is exposed in the event of a leak in the refrigerant circuit into the air inside the switchgear cabinet housing acted upon by the evaporating refrigerant. This can be anywhere on the desired side of the switchgear cabinet housing that faces the inside. Alternatively, the refrigerant sensor can also be arranged on the outside of the cooling device facing the inside. Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor can be arranged, for example, inside the cooling device, for example in the inner air circuit of the cooling device. Further alternatively, the refrigerant sensor can form part of the filter fan of the switchgear cabinet arrangement and can be arranged either on the side of the filter fan facing the inside or in the inner region of the filter fan acted upon by the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing. In particular, for redundancy purposes, a plurality of the above refrigerant sensors can be provided, preferably at least two of the redundant refrigerant sensors being arranged at different positions of the above installation locations of the switchgear cabinet arrangement.

[0015] The switchgear cabinet arrangement can have at least one single-channel refrigerant sensor that is sensitive to at least one flammable refrigerant, such as R32, R1234yf, R1234ze, propane, or butane.

[0016] If the switchgear cabinet arrangement has at least two of the above-mentioned refrigerant sensors, it can be provided that at least two refrigerant sensors are sensitive to at least one identical flammable refrigerant. In this case, at least two refrigerant sensors can be configured to output their respective sensor signals in a single-channel manner, preferably via the same channel.

[0017] At least one refrigerant sensor can be configured to transfer the detection of the flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet to a control and regulation unit in order to initiate safety measures for reducing the concentration of the flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing. In this case, the control and regulation unit can be arranged inside or outside the switchgear cabinet arrangement, for example, outside the switchgear cabinet housing and outside the cooling device, and can be connected to at least one refrigerant sensor via a signal interface for signal transmission. The control and regulation unit can be configured to shift the forced ventilation of the switchgear cabinet housing from a non-operating state to an operating state.

[0018] At least one refrigerant sensor can be configured to transfer the detection of the flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the housing of the switchgear cabinet to a control and regulation unit arranged in the cooling device. In this case, the cooling device can be configured to initiate safety measures for reducing the concentration of the flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing, and preferably can be configured to shift the forced ventilation of the switchgear cabinet housing from a non-operating state to an operating state.

[0019] At least one refrigerant sensor can be arranged in the air outlet flow of the inner air circuit from the cooling device into the interior of the switchgear cabinet, or in the air inlet flow of the outer air circuit from around the switchgear cabinet to the cooling device.

[0020] The cooling device can have at least one additional fan, by means of which ambient air from around the switchgear cabinet arrangement is sucked into the housing of the cooling device and blown into the interior of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0021] When a combustible refrigerant is detected by at least one refrigerant sensor, the cooling device can be configured to be shut down such that at least one compressor of the cooling device is shut down. The switchgear cabinet arrangement can further have a safety device configured to avoid an incorrect (accidental) restart of the compressor. At least one fan can have a refrigerant sensor, which is actuated by the air received in the switchgear cabinet housing, and at least one fan is configured for ventilation or aeration of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0022] At least one fan can blow the air received in the switchgear cabinet housing out around the switchgear cabinet housing, and can blow the air from around the switchgear cabinet housing into the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0023] The switchgear cabinet arrangement can have at least one further fan configured as an inlet or outlet filter fan. Preferably, at least one fan and at least one further fan are configured as fans having opposite flow directions with respect to the interior of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0024] At least one fan can be arranged in an opening of a vertical or horizontal wall of the switchgear cabinet housing, and can in particular be configured separately from the cooling device.

[0025] The refrigerant sensor can be arranged either inside the housing of at least one fan on the circuit board of the fan controller or outside at least one fan, and can be connected to the fan controller either wired or wirelessly. Alternatively, the refrigerant sensor can be fixed to the switchgear cabinet housing inside the switchgear cabinet housing and can be connected to the fan controller via a wireless or wired signal interface.

[0026] An alarm output can be provided that is configured to output an alarm signal when the fan transitions from a non-operating state to an operating state. The alarm signal supplied via the alarm output can be used, for example, for the cascaded operation (control) of at least one further fan.

[0027] The fan can have an alarm input that is configured to trigger forced ventilation when an alarm signal is input. The alarm input can be connected either wirelessly or wired to the alarm output of a further fan in the switchgear cabinet arrangement for the transmission of the alarm signal.

[0028] For forced ventilation, an air guide can be provided at the base of the switchgear cabinet housing, through which the interior of the switchgear cabinet housing is in fluid communication with the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet housing via the base of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0029] The air guide inside the base can have at least one fan, and by this fan, in the operating state of forced ventilation, ambient air is transported into the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing, or the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing is transported from the inside to the surroundings.

[0030] The base can be separated from the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing via at least one base plate. For this purpose, the at least one base plate can be at least partially air-permeable, for example perforated. The base plate can form a fluid transfer part between the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing and the air guide inside the base. Alternatively or additionally, at least two base plates can be formed firmly, i.e., without openings, and arranged at intervals from each other. For example, an air-permeable cable bushing is formed between the base plates, and this cable bushing communicates with the air guide inside the base.

[0031] The fluid transfer part can be an opening in the base plate, and preferably a fan is attached to this opening, but it is not necessarily so. By the fan, the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing is discharged to the surroundings through the air guide, or ambient air is introduced into the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0032] The air-permeable base plate can be formed at least partially as a cable bushing penetrating the base plate and / or as an air-permeable non-woven fabric, for example a filter substrate.

[0033] A fan can be arranged at an opening in a flat part of the switchgear cabinet housing, and by means of this fan, ambient air can be blown into the interior of the switchgear cabinet housing, or air received inside can be discharged to the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet arrangement. In this case, pressure compensation (pressure equalization) can be carried out via an air guide, such that ambient air is guided inside, or air received inside is discharged to the surroundings.

[0034] The switchgear cabinet housing can have at least one air inlet or air outlet, which is preferably configured as an opening in at least one flat part. The flat part can be, for example, a side wall, rear wall, door element or roof element of the switchgear cabinet housing.

[0035] In one embodiment, at least one fan is arranged at the opening, and the switchgear cabinet housing or the base has at least one further air inlet or air outlet, preferably at least one further opening.

[0036] At least one refrigerant sensor can be arranged inside the base, for example in the housing of a forced ventilation fan and / or in the air guide, or on the upper side of the base facing the interior of the switchgear cabinet, for example on the base plate of the base, or above the base in the switchgear cabinet housing, in order to detect flammable refrigerant.

[0037] The switchgear cabinet arrangement can further comprise at least one refrigerant sensor arranged inside the air guide or acted upon by the air guide together with the air guided through the air guide. In this case, the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing can preferably be discharged to the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet arrangement via the air guide.

[0038] At least one refrigerant sensor can be a component of the fan and can be exposed on the side surface of the fan housing facing the inside of the switchgear cabinet housing. Alternatively or additionally, the refrigerant sensor or a further refrigerant sensor can be arranged inside the housing of the switchgear cabinet and can be connected via a wired or wireless signal interface to a control and adjustment unit for shifting forced ventilation from a non-operating state to an operating state. The control and adjustment unit can be a component of the fan or can be formed independently of the fan.

[0039] At least one fan can be provided at the opening in the roof of the switchgear cabinet housing, and the fan is configured to transport the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing to the outside of the switchgear cabinet housing. In this case, the switchgear cabinet housing can preferably have at least one air inlet, preferably an opening in the flat part of the switchgear cabinet housing, in the lower region of the switchgear cabinet housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] The following further details of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a switchgear cabinet arrangement according to the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a further embodiment of a switchgear cabinet arrangement according to the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a further embodiment of a switchgear cabinet arrangement according to the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a further embodiment of a switchgear cabinet arrangement according to the present invention;

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a further embodiment of the switchgear cabinet arrangement according to the present invention;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a further embodiment of the switchgear cabinet arrangement according to the present invention;

[0047] Figure 7 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a filter fan;

[0048] Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the filter fan; and

[0049] Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the filter fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The embodiment of the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is distinguished in that all means related to forced ventilation according to the present invention are integrated in the cooling device 2, in particular the first and second air guide paths 12, 13 each having a backflow prevention flap 14 in each case, and the fan 10 integrated in the first air guide path 12 are integrated. Here, the forced ventilation 6 is configured independently of both the inner air circuit 9 and the outer air circuit 8 of the cooling device 3. In particular, there is no fluid transfer between the forced ventilation 6, in particular the air guide paths 12, 13, and the inner air circuit 9 and the outer air circuit.

[0051] The refrigerant sensor 15 provided to detect leakage due to concentration of flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing 2 is also arranged on the outer surface of the cooling device 3 facing the inside 11, and the cooling device 2 projects into the switchgear cabinet housing 2 through a vertical side wall or a rear wall or a door element through the outer surface, and the inner air circuit 9 is fluidly connected to the air received inside the inside 11. The cooling device 3 includes a refrigerator having an evaporator 5 in the inner air circuit 9, a condenser 7 in the outer air circuit 8, a compressor 18, and an expansion valve in a known manner. Alternatively or additionally, the refrigerant sensor 15 or a further refrigerant sensor 15 can be arranged inside the cooling device 3, for example, in the air guide of the inner air circuit 9, for example, in the region of the opening where the inner air circuit 9 opens into the inside 11 of the switchgear cabinet housing 2.

[0052] If the concentration of the flammable refrigerant in the air received in the interior 11 is detected via the refrigerant sensor 15 as exceeding a threshold value, a corresponding sensor signal can be received, evaluated, and converted by the control and regulation unit 16 into a corresponding control signal for triggering the forced ventilation according to the invention. In this embodiment, when it is detected that the threshold value has been exceeded, the fan 10 is started. The fan 10 in the air guide path 12 is configured to blow ambient air from around the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1 through the air guide path 12 into the interior 11 of the switchgear cabinet housing 2. The closing member 14, in this embodiment the backflow prevention flap generated by the fan 10, has a pretension to its closed position such that the first air guide path 12 is closed when the fan 10 stops. Similarly, the backflow prevention flap 14 has a pretension applied to its closed position of the second air guide path 13. If an overpressure occurs in the interior 11 of the switchgear cabinet via the fan 10 by opening the backflow prevention flap 14 in the first air guide path 12, the backflow prevention flap 14 opens in the second air guide path 13 against its pretension, so that the overpressure in the switchgear cabinet housing 2 can be reduced. In this case, the air received in the interior 11 of the switchgear cabinet and filled with the flammable refrigerant is blown out via the second air guide path 13 and thus via the housing 17 of the cooling device 3 around the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1, so that an exceedance of an important threshold value for safety reasons with respect to the concentration of the flammable refrigerant in the atmosphere of the interior 11 of the switchgear cabinet housing 2 is avoided.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the switchgear cabinet housing 2 is provided so as to stand on the base 20. This can be a common switchgear cabinet base on which the frame of the switchgear cabinet housing is installed. For forced ventilation, in this embodiment, the base 20 has an air guide 19, and the interior 11 of the switchgear cabinet housing 2 is in fluid communication with the periphery of the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1 through this air guide. In this example, three fans 10 are arranged on the base 20, particularly as components of the air guide 19. Depending on the embodiment, it is also possible to arrange a different number of fans 10. The fans 10 are configured to suck ambient air into the air guide 19 and blow it into the interior 11 through the base plate 21, or, conversely to the air guide direction, to blow the air received in the interior 11 to the surroundings through the base plate 21 and the air guide 19. The fans 10 can be configured as filter fans and close the air guide 19 with respect to the periphery of the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1. The base plate 21 can be fluid-permeable, for example perforated, and forms the end of the air guide 19 facing the interior 11.

[0054] The refrigerant sensor 15 can be provided in the base, particularly in the region of the base plate. The refrigerant sensor can also be arranged within the air guide, for example within an air guiding passage. Alternatively, the refrigerant sensor 15 can be arranged above the base within the switchgear cabinet housing, for example, inside the flat part of the switchgear cabinet housing 2 facing the interior.

[0055] The base 20 further has a cable bushing 26 formed separately from the air guide 19 in terms of fluid. Through the cable bushing 26, lines (cables) from the periphery of the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1 can be introduced into the interior 11 through the base 19.

[0056] The switchgear cabinet housing 2 has openings 20 in its flat parts, in particular in the side walls, rear wall, front wall or door, or roof. As shown in FIG. 2, it is not necessary for all of the flat parts to have their respective openings 20. A smaller number of openings 20 is also conceivable. The openings 20 can function, in particular, for the supply of additional fresh air or for the discharge of air acted upon by the refrigerant, and in particular for pressure compensation when the fan 10 of the air guide 19 operates at the base 20. In order to increase the air flow rate, at least one of the openings 20 can be provided with an additional fan 27, for example a filter fan.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the forced ventilation has a fan 10 on the roof of the switchgear cabinet housing 2 and an air inlet or air outlet 23 on the side wall of the housing 2. A refrigerant sensor 15 arranged inside the switchgear cabinet housing is connected to a control and adjustment unit 16 via a signal line. The control and adjustment unit 16 is configured to operate the fan 10 when the refrigerant concentration in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing 2 exceeds a threshold value by the refrigerant sensor 15. In the above-described embodiment, the fan 10 can be configured to blow ambient air into the interior 11 such that the air inlet or air outlet 23 actually has the function of an air outlet, or to blow the air received inside the interior 11 out of the switchgear cabinet housing 2 such that the air inlet or air outlet 23 has the function of an air inlet.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, at least one opening in the base plate into which at least one fan is inserted is provided for air transfer between the air guides 19 in the base 20, instead of the perforated base plate. The fan 10 further comprises a refrigerant sensor 15. However, deviating therefrom, the refrigerant sensor 15 may also not be a component of the fan 10 and can also be connected to the fan 10, for example, in the manner described with reference to FIG. 3. In the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, accordingly, the control and adjustment unit (not shown) is a component of the fan 10 and is realized as a compact structural unit together with the fan 10. Thus, the air guide in turn has an air inlet or air outlet 23 at its end facing the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet arrangement 1, and this air inlet or air outlet can be an opening in the base 20 that is closed, for example, by a filter insert, for example, a filter substrate.

[0059] Different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the fan 10 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is arranged in the opening of the door element of the switchgear cabinet housing 2.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a variant of the invention in which, similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 3, all components related to forced ventilation according to the invention are realized by the fan 10 and an additional air inlet or air outlet 23. Thus, this embodiment is particularly suitable as a retrofit solution when the cooling device 3 is not changed, in particular not replaced. In particular in this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor is a component of the fan 10 and can in particular be configured as a filter fan inserted into the opening in the flat part of the switchgear cabinet housing. For pressure correction, an additional air inlet or air outlet 23 is required. The air inlet or air outlet is preferably closed by a filter mat so as to comply with the relevant IP protection class.

[0061] In Embodiments 7 to 9, in particular, a fan 10 received in a uniform housing 28 including a control and adjustment unit 16 necessary for operation during a leakage will be described. The fan 10 can be configured as, for example, a filter fan attached to an opening of a switch gear cabinet housing 2 as shown in the drawing. The switch gear cabinet housing 2 has, on the air inlet side, a filter element 30 that blocks the air inlet all around, for example, a non-woven fabric. In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the refrigerant sensor 15 is a component of the control and adjustment unit 16 and is arranged, for example, on its circuit board. For the cascade connection of the signals of the sensor 15, an alarm output for transferring an alarm signal generated from the signal of the sensor 15 by the control and adjustment unit 16 is provided in the housing 28, for example, to operate a further filter fan that itself does not have the sensor 15 and does not have control and adjustment electronics regarding this point. Similarly, an alarm input 25 can be provided to operate (control) the fan 10 when the sensor 15 assigned to the fan 10 itself does not detect a leak, but another sensor (not shown) of another fan or a sensor arranged at another location within the switch gear cabinet housing has already detected a leak. For example, since another sensor is arranged closer to the location of the leak than the sensor 15 shown in FIG. 7.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the sensor 15 is arranged outside the housing of the inlet (suction port) or outlet (discharge port) filter fan 28, for example, at any desired location within the interior 11 of the switch gear cabinet housing 2. The connection point 32 of the inlet or outlet filter fan 28 is connected to the sensor 15 in the interior 11 in a wired or wireless manner.

[0063] The embodiment according to FIG. 9 shows a variant in which the sensor 15 is directly connected to the control and adjustment unit, for example, fixedly wired to the circuit board of the control and adjustment unit 16.

[0064] The features of the present invention disclosed in the above description, drawings, and claims may be essential both individually and in any desired combination for the implementation of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0065] 1 Switch gear cabinet arrangement 2 Switch gear cabinet housing 3 Cooling device 4 Refrigerant circuit 5 Evaporator 6 Forced ventilation 7 Condenser 8 Outer air circuit 9 Inner air circuit 10 Fan 11 Inside 12 Air guide path 13 Air guide path 14 Closing member 15 Refrigerant sensor 16 Control and adjustment unit 17 Housing 18 Compressor 19 Air guide 20 Base 21 Base plate 22 Opening 23 Air inlet or air outlet 24 Alarm output 25 Alarm input 26 Cable bushing 27 Additional fan 28 Inlet or outlet filter fan 29 Fan housing 30 Filter substrate

Claims

1. A switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) having at least one switchgear cabinet housing (2) and at least one cooling device (3), wherein the cooling device (3) has a refrigerant circuit (4) having a flammable refrigerant, and the refrigerant circuit (4) is arranged within an inner air circuit (9) of the cooling device (3) and has an evaporator (5) through which air received within the switchgear cabinet housing (2) flows, and the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) further comprises forced ventilation (6) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), which forced ventilation (6) is in an operative state when a leak in the refrigerant circuit (4) is detected and otherwise in an inoperative state, and in the operative state, ambient air around the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) is conveyed into the switchgear cabinet housing (2) and / or air received within the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is conveyed out of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), characterized by the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1).

2. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant circuit (4) is a component of a refrigerator and / or a heat pipe.

3. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant circuit (4) has a condenser (7) within an outer air circuit (8) of the cooling device (3), the outer air circuit (8) being fluidly separated from the inner air circuit (9), and ambient air conducted through the outer air circuit (8) flows through the condenser (7).

4. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the inoperative state, the forced ventilation (6) is fluidly closed via an adjustable closure member (14), and the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is fluidly separated from the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet housing (2).

5. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the forced ventilation (6) has at least one fan (10), and by means of this fan (10), in the operative state of the forced ventilation (6), ambient air is transported into the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2).

6. The forced ventilation (6) has at least one air guide path (12) between the periphery of the switch gear cabinet housing (2) and the interior (11) of the switch gear cabinet housing (2), and this air guide path (12) is closed via a closing member (14), preferably a check valve flap, in the non-operating state of the forced ventilation (6). The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The at least one air guide path (12) is a component of the cooling device (3), and at least one further air guide path (13) is likewise a component of the cooling device (3) or a component of the switch gear cabinet housing (2). The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 6.

8. The cooling device (3) has two air guide paths (12, 13), at least one of which (12) has a fan (10), and at least one of the air guide paths (12, 13) has a closing member (14), preferably a check valve flap, that is permeable only in the direction of the air flow generated by the fan (10). The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 7.

9. Having at least one refrigerant sensor (15) for detecting combustible refrigerant in the air received inside the switch gear cabinet housing (2). The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) has at least one single-channel refrigerant sensor (15) that is sensitive to at least one combustible refrigerant, such as R32, R1234yf, r1234ze, propane or butane. The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 9.

11. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 9 or 10, having at least two refrigerant sensors (15) for detecting a flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2), wherein the at least two refrigerant sensors (15) are sensitive to at least one identical flammable refrigerant, such as R32, R1234yf, R1234ze, propane or butane, and the at least two refrigerant sensors (15) are preferably configured to output respective sensor signals in a single-channel manner, preferably via the same channel.

12. The at least one refrigerant sensor (15) is configured to transfer the detection of a flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2) to a control and regulation unit (16) in order to initiate safety measures for reducing the concentration of the flammable refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2), the control and regulation unit (16) being arranged inside or outside the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1), preferably outside, for example outside the switchgear cabinet housing (2) and outside the cooling device (3), and being connected to the at least one refrigerant sensor (15) via a signal interface for signal transmission, the control and regulation unit (16) being configured to shift the forced ventilation (6) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) from the non-operating state to the operating state. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. The at least one refrigerant sensor (15) is configured to transfer the detection of combustible refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2) to a control and regulation unit (16) arranged in the cooling device (3), and the cooling device (3) is preferably configured to start a safety measure for reducing the concentration of combustible refrigerant in the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2), so as to shift the forced ventilation (6) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) from the non-operating state to the operating state. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. The at least one refrigerant sensor (15) is arranged in the air outlet flow of the inner air circuit (9) from the cooling device (3) to the inside (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) or in the air inlet flow of the inner air circuit (8) from the inside (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) to the cooling device (3). The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. The cooling device (3) has at least one additional fan, by which ambient air from around the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) is sucked into the housing (17) of the cooling device (3) and blown into the inside (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2). The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. When the at least one refrigerant sensor (15) detects a combustible refrigerant, the cooling device (3) is configured to be stopped such that at least one compressor (18) of the cooling device (3) is stopped, and the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) further has a safety device configured to avoid an incorrect restart of the compressor (18). The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

17. The at least one fan (10) has a refrigerant sensor (15) that is actuated by air received within the switchgear cabinet housing (2), and the at least one fan (10) is configured for ventilation or aeration of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 5.

18. By means of the at least one fan (10), air received within the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is blown out around the switchgear cabinet housing (2), or ambient air around the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is blown into the switchgear cabinet housing (2), the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 17.

19. Comprising at least one further fan (27) configured as an inlet or outlet filter fan (28), and preferably the at least one fan (10) and the at least one further fan (27) are configured as fans having opposite flow directions with respect to the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 17 or 18.

20. The at least one fan (10) is arranged at an opening in a vertical or horizontal wall of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), in particular configured separately from the cooling device (3), the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. The refrigerant sensor (15) is arranged on a circuit board of a controller of the fan (10) within a housing (29) of the at least one fan (10), or is arranged outside the at least one fan (10) and is connected to the controller of the fan (10) by wire or wirelessly, or is fixed to the switchgear cabinet housing (2) inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2) and is connected to the controller of the fan (10) via a wireless or wired signal interface, the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. An alarm output (24) configured to output an alarm signal when the fan (10) transitions from a non-operating state to an operating state, which the fan (10) has, of the switchgear cabinet arrangement according to any one of claims 17 to 21.

23. The fan (10) has an alarm input (25) configured to trigger the forced ventilation when an alarm signal is input, and the alarm input (25) is wirelessly or wiredly connected to an alarm output (24) of a further fan (27) of the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) for transmitting the alarm signal, of the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. The forced ventilation has an air guide (19) at a base (20) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), and through this air guide (19), the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is fluidly communicated to the surroundings of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) through the base (20) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), of the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. The air guide (19) within the base (20) has at least one fan (10), and by this fan (10), in the operating state of the forced ventilation (6), ambient air is transported into the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) or air received in the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is transported from the interior (11) to the surroundings, of the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 22.

26. The base (20) is separated from the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) via at least one base plate (21), the at least one base plate (21) is at least partially air-permeable, for example perforated, and the at least one base plate (21) is a fluid transfer section between the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) and the air guide (19) within the base (20), of the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 22 or 23.

27. The fluid transfer part is the opening (22) of the at least one base plate (21), and preferably a fan (10) is attached to this opening (22). By this fan (10), the air received inside (11) of the switch gear cabinet housing (2) is discharged to the surroundings through the air guide (19), or the ambient air is introduced into the inside (11) of the switch gear cabinet housing (2). The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 26.

28. The at least one base plate (21) with air permeability is formed at least partially as a cable bushing (26) penetrating the at least one base plate (21), and / or as an air-permeable non-woven fabric, for example a filter substrate (30). The switch gear cabinet arrangement according to claim 26 or 27.

29. A fan (10) is arranged at the opening (22) of the flat part of the switch gear cabinet housing (2). By this fan (10), the ambient air is blown into the inside (11) of the switch gear cabinet housing (2), or the air received inside (11) is discharged to the surroundings of the switch gear cabinet arrangement (1). Pressure compensation is carried out through the air guide (19), and the ambient air is led into the inside (11), or the air received inside (11) is discharged to the surroundings. The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 1.

30. The switch gear cabinet housing (2) has at least one flat part, for example the side wall, rear wall, door element, or roof element of the switch gear cabinet housing (2), with at least one air inlet or outlet (23), preferably an opening. The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 26.

31. At least one of the fans (10) is arranged at the opening (22), and the switch gear cabinet housing (2) or the base (20) has at least one additional air inlet (23) or air outlet (23), preferably at least one additional opening. The switch gear cabinet arrangement (1) according to claim 27.

32. At least one refrigerant sensor (15) for detecting a flammable refrigerant is arranged within the base (20), for example within the housing (29) of the forced ventilation fan (10) and / or within the air guide (19), or on the upper side of the base (19) facing the inside of the switchgear cabinet, for example on the base plate (21) of the base (20), or above the base (19) within the switchgear cabinet housing (2), the switchgear cabinet arrangement according to any one of claims 9 to 31.

33. The switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 32, further comprising at least one refrigerant sensor (15) arranged within the air guide (19) or acted upon by the air guide (19) together with the air guided through the air guide (19), preferably with the air received within the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) being discharged around the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) via the air guide (19).

34. The at least one refrigerant sensor (15) is part of the fan (10) and is exposed on the side of the housing (29) of the fan (10) facing the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), or the at least one refrigerant sensor (15) is arranged within the interior (11) of the switchgear cabinet housing (2) and is connected via a wired or wireless signal interface to a control and adjustment unit (16) for shifting the forced ventilation from the non-operating state to the operating state, the control and adjustment unit (16) being part of the fan (10) or formed independently of the fan (10), the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 32.

35. At least one fan (10) is arranged in an opening (22) provided in the roof of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), and through this opening (22), the air received inside the switchgear cabinet housing (2) is transported to the outside of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), where the switchgear cabinet housing (2) preferably has at least one air inlet in the lower region of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), preferably an opening (22) in the flat part of the switchgear cabinet housing (2), the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 34.

36. The interiors of a plurality of switchgear cabinet housings are fluidly connected to each other, and at least one of the switchgear cabinet housings does not have means for monitoring the presence of a combustible refrigerant in the air received inside each of the switchgear cabinet housings, the switchgear cabinet arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

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