Cooling devices for optical and / or electronic components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) for optical and / or electronic elements (4) of an apparatus (2), comprising at least one vortex tube (7) for generating cold air, at least one air-to-air heat exchanger (11, 11') comprising at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14'), the air-to-air heat exchanger (11, 11') further comprising a heat exchanger inlet (13) for receiving the cold air and directing it into the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (11, 11'), and a heat exchanger outlet (15) for discharging the air from the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14').

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device, and more particularly to a cooling device including a vortex tube and an air-to-air heat converter.

Background Art

[0002] Cooling of elements within a device is an important aspect in various industrial applications. Sufficient cooling is important for devices that include elements sensitive to heat or elements affected by high temperatures. Heat can be generated from the device itself or can arise from the surrounding environment.

[0003] The optical and electronic elements of a sorter are an example of elements sensitive to excessive heat. It is important that the optical elements of the sorter are not contaminated in any way so that the sorter can function accurately without interference. The temperature of the optical elements needs to be controlled below a specific threshold for the optical system to function correctly, since, for example, alignment can be disrupted due to thermal expansion. A temperature that is too high can cause, for example, displacement of the optical elements, drift of the grating, an increase in the noise level within the detector, melting of the light diodes, etc. The temperature of the electrical components can also be controlled, for example, to reduce noise, prevent melting, ensure optimal functioning, and prevent power-off due to a pre-set temperature level to prevent overheating.

[0004] In the most extreme locations, the ambient temperature can reach up to 65°C, and as such, commercially viable solutions are required for cooling the optical and / or electronic elements of the device.

[0005] Designing an optical system for industrial applications operating at elevated temperatures can pose the challenge of ensuring optimal performance and accuracy. Cooling of such an optical system can be achieved using cooling air or water flowing through a support jacket. In particular, cooling a 50°C ambient temperature is difficult in the space limitations within a vision sorter, since a rear cooling device is not available for use with a chiller.

[0006] Vortex cooling is an effective cooling option in environments above 50°C due to its high efficiency. Vortex tubes, also known as Ranque-Hilsch vortex tubes, are mechanical devices driven by compressed air that separate compressed gas into high-temperature and low-temperature flows. The gas exiting the high-temperature end of the vortex tube can reach temperatures of 200°C, while the gas exiting the low-temperature end can reach -50°C.

[0007] Air rotating around an axis is called a vortex. A vortex tube creates cold and hot air by forcing compressed air through a generating chamber that spins air at high speed (1,000,000 rpm) to create a vortex. The high-speed air heats up as it spins along the inner wall of the tube toward the control valve. A certain percentage of the hot, high-speed air is allowed to exit through the valve. The remaining (slower) airflow is forced to flow backward through the center of the high-speed airflow in a second vortex. The slower moving air transfers energy in the form of heat and cools down as it spins up the tube. The inner backflow vortex exits from the opposite end as cryogenic air.

[0008] A vortex tube can generate temperatures up to 56°C lower than the inlet air temperature. The proportion of hot air discharged can be varied to change the outlet cold air temperature; more discharge results in a colder airflow at a lower flow rate, and less discharge results in a warmer airflow at a higher flow rate.

[0009] Unfortunately, vortex coolers discharge cold air that can be contaminated with oil-like impurities, and this air is unsuitable for cooling optical elements and similar devices. While air filters can be installed to reduce or mitigate contamination issues, they commonly require cumbersome, repetitive maintenance, which does not provide a commercially viable solution for, for example, visual sorting machines.

[0010] Existing cooling devices are also typically built specifically for particular applications and are not designed to be easily added to existing applications.

[0011] Useful documents for understanding this technical field include U.S. Patent No. 10113734, European Patent No. 2839724, International Publication No. 2020261897, and U.S. Patent No. 6840628. [Overview of the project]

[0012] Considering the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that is suitable for use at high ambient temperatures (temperatures exceeding 50°C) and that provides clean cooling air.

[0013] Another objective is to provide a cooling device that can be optionally added to existing equipment in addition to existing cooling, in which case the existing cooling can be maintained, removed, or modified.

[0014] Another objective is to provide a cooling device that does not require an air filter and requires minimal maintenance.

[0015] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, and other objectives that will become apparent from the following description, a cooling device having the features defined in claim 1 is provided in accordance with the present invention. Preferred variations of the device will become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0016] According to a first embodiment, a cooling device for optical and / or electronic elements of an apparatus is provided. The cooling device includes at least one air-to-air heat converter including at least one vortex tube for generating cold air and at least one closed heat exchanger channel. The air-to-air heat converter further includes a heat exchanger inlet for receiving cold air and guiding it into at least one closed heat exchanger channel, and a heat exchanger outlet for discharging air from at least one closed heat exchanger channel.

[0017] Vortex tubes operate independently of ambient temperature, generating hot and cold airflows. When the cold airflow is directed through the heat exchanger inlet into the closed heat exchanger channel, the air-to-air heat converter is cooled, which can effectively cool the optical and / or electronic components of the device. The hot airflow is not directed into the closed heat exchanger channel, but is advantageously directed away from the air-to-air heat converter. As the cold air passes through the closed heat exchanger channel, it does not mix with the air surrounding the air-to-air heat converter, thus avoiding potential contamination of the ambient air.

[0018] According to one embodiment, if the closed heat exchanger channel is oriented such that the heat exchanger outlet is at or below the lowest point of the closed heat exchanger channel, the heat exchanger inlet is at or above the highest point of the closed heat exchanger channel so that cold air impurities and contaminants are expelled through the outlet due to gravity and the pressure of the cold air.

[0019] According to the embodiment, at least one closed heat exchanger channel includes a plurality of cooling ribs to increase the outer surface area of ​​the air-to-air heat converter.

[0020] According to the embodiment, the heat exchanger inlet is provided to the inlet manifold, the heat exchanger outlet is provided to the outlet manifold, and at least one closed heat exchanger channel includes a plurality of tubes for flowing cold air from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold.

[0021] According to the embodiment, the multiple tubes are U-shaped and arranged side-by-side with an air gap between each tube, allowing the airflow passing through each tube to increase cooling efficiency.

[0022] According to one embodiment, an inlet manifold is provided at the first distal end of a plurality of closed heat exchanger channels, and an outlet manifold is provided at the second distal end of a plurality of closed heat exchanger channels.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the cooling device further includes at least one fan for increasing the efficiency of the air-to-air heat converter.

[0024] According to one embodiment, at least one fan is provided adjacent to the inlet and outlet manifolds to circulate air passing through a plurality of closed heat exchanger channels.

[0025] According to the embodiment, a wall panel is provided between at least one vortex tube and at least one air-to-air heat converter, and an inlet connection allows cold air from at least one vortex tube to flow through the wall panel to at least one air-to-air heat converter.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the wall panel includes a recess for housing at least one air-to-air heat converter.

[0027] According to a second aspect, the apparatus includes optical and / or electronic elements housed in a cabinet, and at least one cooling device according to embodiments of the present invention for cooling the optical and / or electronic elements. The air-to-air heat converter of the at least one cooling device is located inside the cabinet, and the heat exchanger outlet is configured to discharge air to the outside of the cabinet through at least one closed heat exchanger channel.

[0028] When the cold air of the air-to-air heat exchanger passes through the closed heat exchanger channels, it does not mix with the air surrounding the air-to-air heat exchanger, avoiding potential contamination of the ambient air. The cold air escapes from the closed heat exchanger channels through the heat exchanger outlet and is discharged outside the cabinet. Thus, the optical and / or electronic elements housed inside the same cabinet as the air-to-air heat exchanger are cooled without the risk of contamination from the cold air.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the vortex tube hot end of at least one vortex tube is disposed outside the cabinet.

[0030] According to an embodiment, at least one vortex tube is disposed outside the cabinet and is connected to a device for providing pressurized air.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the device is a visual sorting device, and the optical and / or electronic elements preferably include a machine vision system and / or an image spectroscopy system.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the device additionally includes a primary cooling system, and at least one cooling device is activated at a predetermined temperature threshold.

[0033] The further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. However, while the detailed description and specific examples represent preferred variations of the concept of the present invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications within the scope of the concept of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description, and are provided merely by way of illustration.

[0034] Therefore, it should be understood that the concept of the present invention is not limited to specific component parts of a device, and that the device may vary as such. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific variations and should not be construed as limiting. When used herein and in the appended claims, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to mean that there is one or more elements unless the context otherwise explicitly indicates. Thus, for example, a reference to “a unit” or “the unit” may include several devices and similar ones. Furthermore, the words “comprising,” “including,” and “containing,” and similar phrases do not exclude other elements.

[0035] The aspects of the concept of the present invention, including its specific features and advantages, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to illustrate the general structure of the concept of the present invention. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of a device including a cooling device. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cooling device mounted on the apparatus. [Figure 3A] This is a top view of the first embodiment of the cooling device. [Figure 3B] This is a side view of the first embodiment of the cooling device. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air-to-air heat converter. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a heat exchanger channel. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an air-to-air heat converter. [Figure 7]This is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of an air-to-air heat converter. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an air-to-air heat converter. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] The concept of the present invention will be described more fully hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating currently preferred variants of the concept of the present invention. However, the concept of the present invention can be carried out in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the variants expressed herein, rather these variants are provided for thoroughness and completeness and fully convey the scope of the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a cooling device 1 located within the apparatus 2. The apparatus 2 includes a cabinet 3 with optical and / or electronic elements 4 located inside 5. The inside 5 of the cabinet 3 can be a clean environment and is shielded from the outside 6. The apparatus 2 could be a visual sorting device, such as a camera, and the optical and / or electronic elements 4 could be located in different places inside the apparatus 2. The optical and / or electronic elements 4 could be lenses, mirrors, glass windows, lasers, illumination, electromagnetic sources, detectors, scanners, or any means for identifying objects outside or near the apparatus 2, for example. The cabinet 3 could include a window 25, such as a window 25, through which the optical elements inside 5 interact with objects outside 6. Preferably, the optical and / or electronic elements 4 could include an illumination source and / or optical radiation detection device, such as a camera and / or spectrometer, and the camera and / or spectrometer could include a line or matrix detector. According to one embodiment, optical and / or electronic elements are part of or form part of a machine vision system and / or an image spectroscopy system.

[0039] The outside 6 of the device 2 may be dusty, warm ambient air. The ambient temperature outside 6 may, as such, exceed 50°C and sometimes exceed 65°C. If the ambient temperature is very high or is expected to be very high, the cabinet 3 may preferably be insulated to prevent the temperature inside 5 from being affected by the temperature outside 6.

[0040] The cooling device includes a vortex tube 7, and in the illustrated embodiment, includes one vortex tube 7. The cooling device 1 may include multiple vortex tubes 7 to increase the cooling capacity, as such. A vortex tube 7 is a well-known device for generating very cold air, as described in the background art chapter. The vortex tube 7 includes a gas inlet 8 through which a pressurized gas, such as compressed air, is supplied to the vortex tube 7. The vortex tube 7 converts the compressed air into a hot airflow and a cold airflow. The vortex tube 7 includes a hot end 9 from which hot air is discharged and a cold end 10 from which cold air is discharged. The hot airflow may be discharged directly to the outside 6, or, advantageously, may be directed further away from the vortex tube 7 and the device 2 to prevent the hot air from affecting the temperature inside 5.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the vortex tube 7 is located on the outside 6 of the cabinet 3 of the apparatus 2. Thus, both the hot end 9 and the cold end 10 of the vortex tube 7 in the illustrated embodiment are located on the outside of the cabinet 3. In an alternative embodiment, the vortex tube 7 may be partially or completely housed inside the cabinet 3. However, the hot end 9 must be connected to the outside 6 so that the hot airflow from the vortex tube 7 is discharged to the outside of the cabinet 3. The hot end 9, and alternatively, the connecting means for connecting the hot end 9 to the outside 6, must be isolated in this embodiment to prevent heat dissipation from the hot end 9 from affecting the temperature of the inside 5. In this alternative embodiment, a thermal brake may also be provided between the cabinet 3 and the hot end 9 of the vortex tube 7.

[0042] The cold end 10 of the vortex tube 7 is connected to the air-to-air heat converter 11 at the heat exchanger inlet 13. The components of the air-to-air heat converter 11 are shown inside the binding box A in Figure 1. The inlet connection 12 may connect the cold end 10 of the vortex tube 7 to the air-to-air heat converter 11, more specifically to the closed heat exchanger channel 14 of the air-to-air heat converter 11. Cold air from the vortex tube 7 is supplied to the air-to-air heat converter 11 as such. The inlet connection 12 may be a rigid tube, a flexible hose, a valve, or any means of connecting the vortex tube 7 to the air-to-air heat converter 11. The inlet connection 12 may preferably be made of a material that is isolated or has low thermal conductivity in order to minimize heat loss. The inlet connection 12 is optional, as the cold end 10 of the vortex tube 7 may be connected directly to the heat exchanger inlet 13.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the air-to-air heat converter 11 is located inside 5 of the apparatus 2. Preferably, the air-to-air heat converter 11 does not need to be exposed to the outside 6, and the cabinet 3 can isolate the air-to-air heat converter 11 of the vortex tube 7 and cooling device 1. More preferably, the air-to-air heat converter 11 does not need to have thermal conduction contact with the cabinet 3 to avoid heat loss. The air-to-air heat converter 11 may be positioned a short distance from the cabinet 3 as such. Alternatively or additionally, the air-to-air heat converter 11 may be isolated from the cabinet 3, or only elements with low thermal conductivity may be in contact with the cabinet 3.

[0044] The air-to-air heat converter 11 includes at least one closed heat exchanger channel 14, and the heat exchanger inlet 13 allows cold air from the vortex tube 7 to flow into the at least one closed heat exchanger channel 14. The fact that the heat exchanger channel is closed means that the only way air can enter the closed heat exchanger channel 14 is through the heat exchanger inlet 13, and the only way air can escape from the closed heat exchanger channel 14 is through the heat exchanger outlet 15. The closed heat exchanger channel 14 is preferably made from a material having high thermal conductivity, as known in the prior art of heat exchangers.

[0045] The heat exchanger outlet 15 is connected to the outside of the cabinet 3 so that air from the closed heat exchanger channel 14 is discharged to the outside 6. The heat exchanger outlet 15 may be connected to the outside 6 either directly or by an outlet connection 17. The outlet connection 17 may be a rigid tube, a flexible hose, a valve, or any means of guiding air from the air-to-air heat exchanger 11 to the outside 6. The outlet connection 17 may preferably be made of a material that is isolated or has low thermal conductivity to minimize heat loss. The outlet connection 17 is optional since the heat exchanger outlet 15 may be part of the closed heat exchanger channel 14. The heat exchanger outlet 15 may also be located directly in the cabinet 3 or may extend further away from the device 2. If the heat exchanger outlet 15 is located in or near the cabinet 3, a thermal brake may be provided between the heat exchanger outlet 15 and the cabinet 3.

[0046] Potentially contaminated cold air passing through the closed heat exchanger channel 14 does not mix with the air inside the device 2 5, and therefore the optical and / or electronic elements 4 are protected from contamination by the cold air. As the cold air flows through the closed heat exchanger channel 14, the air inside the device 2 5 is cooled, and the optical and / or electronic elements 4 are cooled.

[0047] The heat exchanger inlet 13 is preferably located at one end of the closed heat exchanger channel 14, and the heat exchanger outlet 15 is preferably located at the opposite end of the closed heat exchanger channel 14. The heat exchanger outlet 15 may preferably be located below the heat exchanger inlet 13, as in the illustrated embodiments. If the closed heat exchanger channel 14 is positioned such that the heat exchanger outlet 15 is at or below the lowest point of the closed heat exchanger channel 14, the heat exchanger inlet 13 may preferably be at or above the highest point of the closed heat exchanger channel 14. Due to this arrangement of the outlet 15 below the inlet 13, impurities in the cold air from the vortex tube 7 are induced through the closed heat exchanger channel 14 by gravity and the pressure of the cold air and are expelled through the heat exchanger outlet 15. Therefore, contamination from the air does not pose a risk to the efficiency or function of the air-to-air heat converter 11. Oil contamination does not accumulate in the closed heat exchanger channel 14, and the air-to-air heat converter 11 provides a self-cleaning effect.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the closed heat exchanger channel has no or substantially no curves that direct the flow upward during use, thereby preventing impurities from clogging the curves and increasing within the closed heat exchanger channel. An alternative way to express that the closed heat exchanger channel has no curves that direct the flow upward is that all bends within the channel are configured to direct the flow sideways or downward. According to one embodiment, the closed heat exchanger channel is straight or substantially straight to prevent impurities from clogging within the closed heat exchanger channel.

[0049] The cooling device 1 in Figure 1 includes two fans 18. The two fans 18 may preferably be positioned on either side of the closed heat exchanger channel 14 and are arranged to blow air toward the closed heat exchanger channel 14. This increases the efficiency of the air-to-air heat converter 11 by creating an airflow through the closed heat exchanger channel 14. The cooling device 1 may include any number of fans 18 as such. The fans 18 also create an airflow throughout the inside 5 of the cabinet 3, ensuring optimal cooling of the optical and / or electronic components 4.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the optical and / or electronic element 4 may be supplied directly to the air-to-air heat converter. The optical and / or electronic element 4 may, as such, be supplied directly to the heat exchanger channel for direct cooling. Such a configuration may not require the presence of a fan.

[0051] Cooling device 1 may also be a separate and distinct cooling system for apparatus 2. Such separate and distinct cooling systems may be primary cooling systems such as water coolers, rear coolers, thermoelectric coolers, convection coolers, and heat pumps, typically operating at ambient temperatures below 50°C. Generally, cooling device 1 may be configured to switch on when the temperature inside 5 or outside 6 of cabinet 3 exceeds a predetermined temperature limit. Cooling device 1 may be a secondary cooling system, especially for high temperatures, when the primary cooling system is insufficient to cool the optical and / or electronic components 4. Cooling device 1 may include, or be connected to, a temperature sensor that triggers cooling device 1 to turn on. Cooling device 1 may be triggered by the temperature of the optical and / or electronic components 4, which are particularly susceptible to temperature changes. Cooling device 1 may be activated at predetermined temperature thresholds, for example, 45°C, 50°C, 55°C, 60°C, or 65°C.

[0052] The following refers to Figures 2, 3A, and 3B. The figures show a first embodiment of two cooling devices 1 mounted on the apparatus 2. In this embodiment, the side wall of the cabinet 3 is replaced by a wall panel 19 containing the cooling devices 1.

[0053] The wall panel 19 may include a recess 20 that adds further space inside the apparatus 2. The air-to-air heat converter 11 may be located within the recess 20 of the wall panel 19. Thus, the recess 20 allows the cooling device 1 to be added to the apparatus 2 without occupying space from the previous interior of the apparatus 2. Figure 3A shows the wall panel 19 containing the cooling device 1 in isolation, as viewed from above, and Figure 3B is a view along arrow B in Figure 3A. Figure 3B shows the inside of the wall panel 19 and the recess 20.

[0054] Each cooling device 1 includes a vortex tube 7. The vortex tube 7 may be located outside the recess 20, and the air-to-air heat converter 11 may be located on the opposite side of the wall panel 19, i.e., inside the recess 20. The cold air discharged from the vortex tube 7 is guided through the wall panel 19 into the air-to-air heat converter 11 through an inlet connection 12 (not visible in Figure 2, see Figure 3B). The cold air flows through the heat exchanger inlet 13 into the closed heat exchanger channel of the air-to-air heat converter 11. The (warmer) air escapes from the closed heat exchanger channel through the heat exchanger outlet 15 and is guided to the outside 6 by an outlet connection 17. The air that has passed through the closed heat exchanger channel is thus discharged into the ambient air.

[0055] Each cooling device 1 in this embodiment includes four fans 18. Two fans 18 are arranged in pairs on each side of the closed heat exchanger channel. As illustrated with reference to Figure 1, the cooling device 1 may be introduced or added in addition to the separate and different cooling systems provided within the apparatus 2.

[0056] In another embodiment, the air-to-air heat converter may be housed in an entirely enclosed housing instead of a recess in a wall panel. A cooling device containing the air-to-air heat converter within a housing can be positioned and fixed almost anywhere on the apparatus and may be particularly suitable for cooling hot spots on the apparatus. In particular, the cooling device may preferably be positioned outside the apparatus, thereby allowing for easy addition. Multiple cooling devices may be positioned on the apparatus. When a cooling device is no longer needed, it can be easily removed from the apparatus. Such a cooling device may be a particularly inexpensive and versatile option.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of the air-to-air heat converter 11. Thus, the air-to-air heat converter 11 may be a first embodiment of the air-to-air heat converter shown inside the binding box A in Figure 1. The air-to-air heat converter 11 includes a closed heat exchanger channel 14 and may include fans 18. The illustrated embodiment includes four fans 18. Two fans 18 are provided on each side of the closed heat exchanger channel 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the closed heat exchanger channel 14 may be housed in a substantially rectangular cubic frame so that the closed heat exchanger channel 14 can be sandwiched between the fans 18.

[0058] The outside of the closed heat exchanger channel 14 may include one or more cooling ribs 21. The closed heat exchanger channel 14 may include a plurality of cooling ribs 21, such as those evenly distributed around the closed heat exchanger channel 14 or distributed in locations that provide an optimal cooling effect. The cooling ribs 21 increase the outer surface area of ​​the closed heat exchanger channel 14, thus increasing the cooling capacity. The cooling ribs 21 may preferably be located on the two larger sides of a generally flat rectangular cubic rib. A fan 18 blows hot air between the cooling ribs 21, and the air is cooled. The air-to-air heat converter 11 includes a heat exchanger inlet 13, which in the illustrated embodiment simply includes an opening into which cold air from the vortex tube can enter. A heat exchanger outlet (not visible in Figure 4) is provided somewhere on the air-to-air heat converter 11, preferably below the heat exchanger inlet 13 and on the opposite side of the heat exchanger inlet 13, as previously described.

[0059] Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of a closed heat exchanger channel 14. The figure shows the inside of the closed heat exchanger channel 14. The closed heat exchanger channel 14 may preferably be formed between two corresponding halves that form the closed heat exchanger channel 14 when installed together.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the closed heat exchanger channel 14 is formed as a narrow channel extending in a zigzag pattern. In the first embodiment of the closed heat exchanger channel 14, there is a single channel through which all air from the vortex tube must pass. The closed heat exchanger channel 14 is illustrated with a heat exchanger inlet 13 at the top and a heat exchanger outlet 15 at the bottom. Cooling ribs 21 are also provided for the closed heat exchanger channel 14.

[0061] Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the air-to-air heat converter 11', and Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of the air-to-air heat converter 11'. Therefore, the air-to-air heat converter 11 may be a second embodiment of the air-to-air heat converter shown inside the binding box A in Figure 1. In the second embodiment, the closed heat exchanger channel 14' includes a plurality of tubes. The tubes may be made from a material having high thermal conductivity, such as copper.

[0062] Each closed heat exchanger channel 14' may preferably be substantially U-shaped. Multiple closed heat exchanger channels 14' may also preferably be arranged side by side. The U-shaped tube may include two parallel legs (shown in Figure 7). A heat exchanger inlet (not shown) may be provided to an inlet manifold 22. The inlet manifold 22 may be a tube, distribution channel, or similar means for evenly distributing the cold air from the vortex tube to the multiple closed heat exchanger channels 14'. The closed heat exchanger channels 14' may be connected to a corresponding outlet manifold 23 at a heat exchanger outlet (not shown). In this embodiment, the cold air is therefore led from the vortex tube into the inlet manifold 22, through the multiple closed heat exchanger channels 14' to the outlet manifold 23, and discharged through the heat exchanger outlet.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the heat exchanger outlet is preferably located below the heat exchanger inlet so that impurities in the air from the vortex tube are transported through the closed heat exchanger channel 14' and blown out through the heat exchanger outlet by gravity and airflow pressure.

[0064] At least one fan 18 may be provided adjacent to the inlet and outlet manifolds 22, 23, preferably to circulate air passing through the closed heat exchanger channel 14'. The fan 18 may be provided between the inlet manifold 22 and the outlet manifold 23 so that the closed heat exchanger channel 14' is entirely exposed to airflow from the fan 18. Although the illustrated embodiment shows one fan 18, multiple fans 18 may be provided within the air-to-air heat converter 11'. The fan 18 draws air from inside the device and blows air passing through the closed heat exchanger channel 14'. The closed heat exchanger channel 14' is preferably arranged such that an air gap exists between each closed heat exchanger channel 14', allowing the airflow passing through each closed heat exchanger channel 14' to increase cooling efficiency. Preferably, the air-to-air heat converter 11' includes side walls 24 provided to each distal closed heat exchanger channel 14'. The side wall 24 directs the air from the fan 18 along and towards the closed heat exchanger channel 14', preventing the air from flowing anywhere and ensuring it passes through the closed heat exchanger channel 14'.

[0065] Figure 7 illustrates how air is blown in through the fan 18 and through the closed heat exchanger channel 14'. Cold air from at least one vortex tube enters the inlet manifold 22 and flows through the closed heat exchanger channel 14'. The air from the fan 18 is cooled as it passes through the closed heat exchanger channel 14'. The air that has passed through the multiple closed heat exchanger channels 14' is collected in the outlet manifold 23 and thereby discharged through the outlet.

[0066] Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the air-to-air heat converter 11''. In this embodiment, the optical and / or electronic elements are positioned adjacent to the closed heat exchanger channel 14''. The optical and / or electronic elements may be positioned directly on the closed heat exchanger channel 14'', or they may be positioned in close proximity. The optical and / or electronic elements may also be positioned inside an element housing 26, as in the illustrated embodiment. The element housing 26 may be fixed or positioned adjacent to the air-to-air heat converter 11''. The element housing 26 may be made from a material having high thermal conductivity, or it may be thermally insulated, or a combination thereof. The combination may include the element housing 26 having sides that are thermally conductive and provided to contact the closed heat exchanger channel 14'', but one or more of the remaining sides of the element housing 26 are insulated.

[0067] Optical and / or electronic elements may be manufactured and designed to be mounted directly on or housed adjacent to a closed heat exchanger channel 14'' to maximize the cooling of the optical and / or electronic elements. The air-to-air heat converter 11'' may additionally include fans 18 to increase the cooling efficiency to the ambient. An illustrated embodiment of the air-to-air heat converter 11'' includes three fans 18.

[0068] In addition, variations to the disclosed variants can be understood and achieved by those skilled in the art in the practice of the claimed invention, based on the study of the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude plurals. The mere fact that certain measures are enumerated in different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used to yield benefits.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) for the optical and / or electronic elements (4) of the apparatus (2), At least one vortex tube (7) for generating cold air, It includes at least one air-to-air heat converter (11, 11') which includes at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14'), The air-to-air heat exchanger (11, 11') further includes a heat exchanger inlet (13) for receiving the cold air and guiding it into the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (11, 11'), and a heat exchanger outlet (15) for discharging air from the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14'), The heat exchanger outlet (15) is located below the heat exchanger inlet (13) so that impurities and contaminants in the cold air are expelled through the heat exchanger outlet (15) due to gravity and the pressure of the cold air. A cooling device (1) wherein the closed heat exchanger channel (14) is oriented such that the heat exchanger outlet (15) is at or below the lowest point of the closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14'), and the heat exchanger inlet (13) is at or above the highest point of the closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14').

2. The cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14) includes a plurality of cooling ribs (21) for increasing the outer surface area of ​​the air-to-air heat converter (11, 11').

3. The cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger inlet (13) is supplied to an inlet manifold (22), the heat exchanger outlet (15) is supplied to an outlet manifold (23), and the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14') includes a plurality of tubes for flowing the cold air from the inlet manifold (22) to the outlet manifold (23).

4. The cooling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of tubes are U-shaped and are arranged side-by-side with an air gap between each tube so that the airflow passing through each tube can increase the cooling efficiency.

5. The cooling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inlet manifold (22) is provided at the first distal end of the plurality of closed heat exchanger channels (14'), and the outlet manifold (23) is provided at the second distal end of the plurality of closed heat exchanger channels (14').

6. The cooling device (1) according to claim 3, further comprising at least one fan (18) for increasing the efficiency of the air-to-air heat converter (11, 11').

7. The cooling device (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least one fan (18) is provided adjacent to the inlet manifold (22) and the outlet manifold (23) to circulate air passing through the plurality of closed heat exchanger channels (14').

8. The cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a wall panel (19) is provided between the at least one vortex tube (7) and the at least one air-to-air heat converter (11, 11'), and an inlet connection (12) allows cold air from the at least one vortex tube (7) to flow through the wall panel (19) to the at least one air-to-air heat converter (11, 11').

9. The cooling device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the wall panel (19) includes a recess (20) for housing the at least one air-to-air heat converter (11, 11').

10. Apparatus (2) comprising an optical and / or electronic element (4) housed within a cabinet (3), and at least one cooling device (1) according to claim 1 for cooling the optical and / or electronic element (4), wherein the air-to-air heat converter (11, 11') of the at least one cooling device (1) is located inside (5) the cabinet (3), and the heat exchanger outlet (15) is arranged to discharge air from the at least one closed heat exchanger channel (14, 14') to the outside (6) of the cabinet (3).

11. The apparatus (2) according to claim 10, wherein the vortex tube high-temperature end (9) of at least one vortex tube (7) is located on the outside (6) of the cabinet (3).

12. The apparatus (2) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one vortex tube (7) is located on the outside (6) of the cabinet (3) and connected to a device for providing pressurized air.

13. The apparatus (2) according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus (2) is a visual sorting apparatus, and the optical and / or electronic element (4) preferably includes a machine vision system and / or an image spectroscopy system.

14. The apparatus (2) according to claim 10, further comprising a primary cooling system, wherein the at least one cooling device (1) is activated at a predetermined temperature threshold.

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