Modular ventilated unit and heat exchange plant equipped with the ventilated unit

Abstract

The invention concerns a ventilated unit (10) comprising at least one module (20, 30) equipped with at least one battery (21, 31) in which there circulates a heat transfer liquid to be cooled by heat exchange with a flow of ambient air (F), at least one inlet duct (14) through which the heat transfer liquid is fed at inlet into the battery (21, 31), and at least one outlet duct (15) through which the heat transfer liquid exits from the battery (21, 31). The module (20, 30) comprises a containing structure (23) which supports the battery (21, 31) in a removable manner by means of connection means (35), and the ventilated unit (10) comprises quick coupling members (17) and a pair of valves (16) to connect / disconnect the battery (21, 31) to / from the inlet and outlet ducts (14, 15).

Description

[0001] “MODULAR VENTILATED UNIT AND HEAT EXCHANGE PLANT

[0002] EQUIPPED WITH THE VENTILATED UNIT”

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention concerns a modular ventilated unit containing heat exchange modules for a plant, as well as the heat exchange plant equipped with the ventilated unit. In particular, the ventilated unit comprises at least one heat exchange module.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Heat exchange modules usable in commercial or industrial type plants, such as ambient air cooling systems, also known in the sector by the term “dry coolers”, are known.

[0007] These plants usually comprise a plurality of cooling machines, also called ventilated units, each defined by a plurality of heat exchange modules that can operate, for example, as cooling modules for cooling a fluid using ambient air.

[0008] Each heat exchange module can comprise, for example in an upper part thereof, one or more fan devices for generating an air flow from one or more inlet zones to an outlet zone, and one or more heat exchange batteries provided with a plurality of heat exchange elements in which the fluid to be cooled circulates, the heat exchange elements being interposed with fins to maximize heat exchange.

[0009] Each heat exchange element comprises a plurality of channels that are the same for the entire length of the exchanger, known as “round tube” in the traditional version, or as micro-channels in the case of micro-channel exchangers.

[0010] Each module comprises at least one inlet manifold and at least one outlet manifold, which are connected to respective upper and lower ends of the heat exchange elements in order to feed the fluid into the channels and make it flow out of them, respectively. The fluid to be cooled can be, for example, water mixed with ethylene or propylene glycol.

[0011] The batteries can be disposed inclined by a same mirror angle with respect to a base of the heat exchange module, substantially forming a V-shaped disposition, or they can also have different configurations.

[0012] In some known plants, the modules comprise only two round tube batteries, that is, with a single inlet manifold and a single outlet manifold, both very long, for example up to 12 meters.

[0013] There are several disadvantages to this series disposition of the heat exchange modules. For example, as the yield demand increases, the length of the exchanger increases, which leads to an increase in pressure losses.

[0014] In solutions known in the art, any internal maintenance of the ventilated unit’s exchanger requires disassembling the entire upper part of the ventilated unit in order to access it. These operations are complex and require interrupting the operation of at least the ventilated unit involved for a long time. All these problems negatively impact the overall effectiveness of the plant.

[0015] A further problem is related to the fact that known plants have overall sizes and weights that make moving them, in particular from the manufacturer to the installation site, inefficient, and require a careful design of their support structure. By virtue of the fact that these plants are usually installed on roofs or canopies, the high weights also mean it is necessary to provide adequate structural support reinforcements.

[0016] US 6988538 discloses a micro-channel condenser for condensing a refrigerant in a refrigeration system and expelling the heat removed from the refrigerant into ambient air. The condenser comprises at least two coils connected together in series or parallel, and configured so that the refrigerant passes through them, entering the coils in a gaseous state and exiting from them in a liquid state. There are inlet and outlet manifolds for each coil, respectively to feed the refrigerant to the coils and to let it out of the coils. In one version, shown in fig. 10, US 6988538 discloses three units, each formed by a pair of coils connected in series, whereby one coil of the pair is connected to the inlet manifold, and the other coil of the pair is connected to the outlet manifold. The connections are made by means of releasable sealing couplings allowing to easily connect / disconnect each unit from the manifolds.

[0017] Also in this last solution, in which it is possible to selectively detach the units from the plant so as to vary the thermal load or to allow maintenance of the units, no valves for managing the flow are described.

[0018] US 6988538 does not disclose the presence of valves, which would be necessary to guarantee the partial operation of the condenser, which however is very complex to implement in order to avoid thermal imbalances of the refrigeration system. WO 2018 / 162914 discloses a radiator equipped with round tube batteries for cooling a motor of an electric generator. This solution does not disclose a structure that allows to selectively remove a battery, nor is there described the possibility of partializing the operation of the radiator, fluidically isolating the battery that has to be removed from the ducts in which the fluid to be cooled circulates.

[0019] There is therefore the need to perfect a ventilated unit comprising at least one heat exchange module and a plant equipped with such unit, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0020] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a ventilated unit comprising at least one heat exchange module which allows to reduce the pressure loss of the heat transfer fluid during the passage through the channels of the heat exchange elements.

[0021] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a ventilated unit comprising heat exchange modules which allows to disassemble each battery installed in the module independently of the others in the event it needs repairing or replacing following a fault, and also to carry out cleaning operations without having to interrupt the operation of the entire ventilated unit.

[0022] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a ventilated unit consisting of heat exchange modules which have overall sizes and weights smaller than those of plants of the prior art, allowing both to move them more efficiently and also to have greater installation versatility thanks to a lower weight per unit of surface area.

[0023] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0024] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0026] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a ventilated unit according to the present invention comprises at least one heat exchange module equipped with at least one fan device configured to generate a flow of ambient air, at least one battery in which there circulates a heat transfer liquid to be cooled by heat exchange with the flow of ambient air, and a containing structure which supports the at least one battery and the at least one fan device.

[0027] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, each battery comprises a first manifold and a second manifold, both placed horizontally, between which there extends a plurality of heat exchange elements parallel to each other to connect the first and the second manifold, wherein each heat exchange element is provided with a plurality of apertures through which the heat transfer liquid circulates and is disposed in such a way that the plurality of apertures has longitudinal axes all parallel to each other and oriented vertically or inclined according to an inclination having a prevalent vertical component.

[0028] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the ventilated unit further comprises at least one inlet duct and at least one outlet duct through which the heat transfer liquid is respectively fed at inlet into, and made to exit from, the battery.

[0029] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the ventilated unit comprises connection means to remove and re-insert the at least one battery from / into the containing structure in a removable manner. The connection means can be mechanical elements of a known type, such as for example screws, bolts, rivets or suchlike.

[0030] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the ventilated unit comprises quick coupling members to connect / disconnect each battery to / from the inlet and outlet ducts, and at least one pair of valves associated with each battery to alternatively allow or prevent the flow of heat transfer liquid from the inlet duct toward the battery and from the latter toward the outlet duct.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, the ventilated unit comprises a plurality of heat exchange modules disposed in succession. Each heat exchange module can comprise four or eight batteries and two fan devices disposed above the batteries. In one variant, each heat exchange module can comprise a single fan disposed above the batteries present.

[0032] The heat transfer liquid is intended to circulate through all the heat exchange modules present in the ventilated unit. The sizes of the inlet and outlet ducts are chosen so that the distributed losses of load are reasonably low, so that the distribution of the flow across the batteries is substantially uniform. Doing so achieves at least the advantage of reducing the pressure drop of the heat transfer liquid, regardless of the number of heat exchange modules provided in a same ventilated unit.

[0033] According to one aspect of the present invention, one of either the first manifold or the second manifold is connected to the inlet duct, and the other is connected to the outlet duct, the inlet and outlet ducts being disposed substantially horizontally.

[0034] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the containing structure comprises an openable and / or removable panel which covers an access aperture, which allows access to the inside of the heat exchange module for an effective cleaning of the batteries even inside the module. The panel and the access aperture are located in correspondence with a lateral wall of the containing structure.

[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first manifold is located in the vicinity of a rest plane, for example a floor, the floor of a canopy, the ground, etc., on which the ventilated unit is installed, and the second manifold is in the vicinity of the fan device. The heat exchange module rests on supporting profiles so that a rest base of the containing structure is placed at a certain height from the rest plane.

[0036] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the heat exchange module comprises at least one pair of batteries located parallel to each other and fluidically connected so as to define a single outflow path for the heat transfer liquid. Each battery of the pair of batteries comprises a respective lower manifold so that one of the lower manifolds is connected to the inlet duct and the other of the lower manifolds is connected to the outlet duct, and an upper manifold in correspondence with which the series connection between the two batteries of the pair of batteries is realized.

[0037] In this embodiment, between the lower manifold and the respective inlet or outlet duct to which it is connected there is interposed one respective valve of the pair of valves.

[0038] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each battery comprises a venting member, configured to allow to vent any air present in the battery. Advantageously, the venting member is made of a material more resistant to corrosion than the material of the battery, such as for example copper, stainless steel or plastic. Favorably, the venting member is equipped with an opening and closing element to allow to vent any air present in the respective battery. More advantageously, the venting member is connected to the second manifold, that is, to the manifold disposed at the top. According to some embodiments, the venting member comprises a tubular member fluidically connected to the upper manifold and equipped with the opening and closing element.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, the ventilated unit comprises an internal partition for separating the containing structure into two parts, so that each part comprises at least one pair of batteries and at least one respective fan device disposed above them. Thanks to this partition, it is also possible to isolate half of each module, allowing, for example, the right or left half to operate regularly, while the other half is not operational, for example due to ordinary or extraordinary maintenance, or cleaning of the corresponding batteries.

[0040] According to one aspect of the present invention, the ventilated unit comprises a plurality of the heat exchange modules, all connected in parallel to the same inlet and outlet ducts, wherein each of the heat exchange modules comprises at least one pair of the batteries.

[0041] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a heat exchange plant comprises a heat transfer liquid feeding and collecting system configured to be connected to the inlet duct and to the outlet duct, and a plurality of ventilated units as defined above, connected in series or in parallel. Preferably, the plant also comprises a plurality of ducts connected to the feeding and collecting system and connected, or connectable, to the ventilated units, in particular to the inlet and outlet ducts.

[0042] In some embodiments, it is also possible to connect the inlet and outlet ducts serving two or more ventilated units in series, suitably sized in correlation to the flow rate of the heat transfer liquid and to the number of heat exchange modules comprised in each ventilated unit.

[0043] Thanks to the presence of the quick coupling members and valves, it is possible to fluidically disconnect the batteries from the inlet and outlet ducts, while thanks to the presence of the connection means it is possible to easily and quickly connect / disconnect the batteries to / from the containing structure.

[0044] In this way, after closing the corresponding valves, it is possible to both isolate a battery from the inlet and outlet ducts when it is necessary to carry out maintenance on it or replace it, and also to easily disassemble the battery from the ventilated unit’s containing structure.

[0045] Subsequently, by acting on the connection means, it is possible to remove the battery from the containing structure.

[0046] Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the openable and / or removable panel that covers the access aperture, it is possible to access the internal compartment of the containing structure to carry out an effective cleaning of the batteries, even from inside the module.

[0047] Advantageously, during these operations for maintenance or cleaning of a battery, the other batteries of the same module, as well as the other modules included in the same ventilated unit, all function normally. The disposition of the batteries in the ventilated unit allows to intervene on the affected battery as needed, without having to stop the entire ventilated unit.

[0048] The possibility of isolating each battery allows to intervene on it without having to interrupt the operation of the entire ventilated unit.

[0049] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0051] - fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a ventilated unit consisting of two prior art heat exchangers;

[0052] - fig. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a ventilated unit comprising heat exchange modules according to the present invention;

[0053] - fig. 3 is a schematic lateral view of the ventilated unit of fig. 2;

[0054] - fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of a heat exchange plant comprising a plurality of ventilated units of fig. 2;

[0055] - fig. 5 is a schematic and partly exploded three-dimensional view of a heat exchange module comprised in the ventilated unit of fig. 2;

[0056] - fig. 6 is a schematic lateral view of the module of fig. 5;

[0057] - fig. 6A is a partly sectioned, enlarged three-dimensional view of a detail of the heat exchange module of figs. 5 and 6;

[0058] - fig. 7 is a schematic front view of the module of fig. 5 during a step of removal of a heat exchange battery;

[0059] - figs. 8, 9, and 9A are schematic front views of three alternative versions of heat exchange batteries; and

[0060] - fig. 10 is a schematic lateral view of a further variant of a heat exchange module according to the present invention.

[0061] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0062] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0064] With reference to figs. 2 and 3, a ventilated unit 10 according to the present invention comprises five heat exchange modules 20, each of which comprises four heat exchange batteries 21 and two fan devices 22. Each fan device 22 is associated with two respective heat exchange batteries 21, which together define heat exchange means.

[0065] In other versions, it is clear that each ventilated unit 10 can comprise a different number of heat exchange modules 20, depending on the needs (for example the available spaces and the necessary cooling capacity) and the configuration of the plant.

[0066] The batteries of the modules 20 of a same ventilated unit 10 are fluidically connected to at least one heat transfer fluid feeding system 101, for example of a corresponding heat exchange plant 100 (fig. 4).

[0067] Within the scope of the present invention, the ventilated units 10 operate as a so-called “dry cooler”, therefore the heat transfer fluid is in the liquid state.

[0068] Such a plant 100, shown by way of example in fig. 4, typically comprises a plurality of ducts 102 connected to the feeding system 101, and connectable to the ventilated units 10, as will be explained below.

[0069] The modules 20 are attached to a support structure 11 , which in this example comprises two supporting profiles 12 (fig. 2) by means of which the modules rest on a rest plane P, for example a floor, a roof or a canopy.

[0070] The modules 20 are preferably reciprocally connected at an upper part thereof by means of suitable joining members 13.

[0071] Each heat exchange module 100 substantially comprises a containing structure 23 that defines a frame inside which the various components described below are disposed. The frame consists of an upper covering element 23 A, a rest base 23B and two lateral walls 23C connected both to the covering element 23A and also to the rest base 23B (figs. 2, 3 and 5).

[0072] The rest bases 23 B of the modules 20 are attached to the supporting profiles 12 of the support structure 11. Preferably, the rest bases 23B are disposed at a certain height H from the rest plane P.

[0073] In the example shown, the fan device 22 is disposed in correspondence with an upper part of the module 20, in particular it is connected to the upper covering element 23 A.

[0074] The fan device 22 is configured to generate an air flow F, by suctioning external air, from one or more lateral inlet zones ZI to a corresponding upper outlet zone ZU (fig. 6).

[0075] The four heat exchange batteries 21 are disposed two by two inclined by a same mirror angle a with respect to a central axis A of the module 20, substantially forming a “V” (fig. 6). Specifically, the batteries 21 are disposed according to respective axes of inclination Al and A2 which mirror each other with respect to the central axis A, which is also a plane of symmetry. The mirror angle a is comprised between 0° and 90°, preferably between approximately 45° and approximately 70°. Two batteries 21 are disposed along a same axis of inclination Al, A2, aligned with each other. Each battery 21 along one respective axis of inclination Al, A2 is preferably facing a respective battery 21 of the other axis of inclination A2, Al. In alternative solutions, the above-mentioned angles a can be different from each other.

[0076] In some embodiments, each module 20 can comprise an internal separation partition, not shown, which divides the compartment inside the containing structure 23 into two parts, so as to separate the two batteries aligned along the same axis of inclination Al, A2 from each other.

[0077] According to other embodiments, not shown, the batteries 21 can be vertical, or can have a different inclination, according to a configuration whereby the narrow side of the “V” is located at the top, in correspondence with the fan devices 22.

[0078] Each battery 21 is preferably of a known type, in particular defined as a microchannel heat exchanger.

[0079] Each battery 21 therefore comprises a plurality of modular heat exchange elements 210 and, preferably, a plurality of fins 220 (fig. 6 A) interposed to the heat exchange elements 210, according to a configuration well known in the art, to increase the exchange efficiency. Specifically, each fin 220 is interposed between two heat exchange elements 210 disposed consecutively, one after the other, in the battery 21 itself.

[0080] For example, the heat exchange elements 210 can be formed by so-called multiport (MP) plates, for example obtained by extrusion or by bending.

[0081] Each heat exchange element 210 comprises a plurality of apertures 230 in which the heat transfer fluid circulates (fig. 6A), for example configured as channels or micro-channels, disposed in sequence and parallel to each other. The heat exchange element 210 is disposed so that the apertures 230 have longitudinal axes X all parallel to each other. In the example shown, the longitudinal axes X are parallel to the corresponding axis of inclination Al, A2.

[0082] In other versions, not shown, in which the batteries 21 are disposed vertically, the longitudinal axes X are disposed vertically.

[0083] Each battery comprises a pair of manifolds fluidically connected to all of the battery’s heat exchange elements 210.

[0084] In particular, each battery comprises a first manifold 211, or lower manifold, and a second manifold 212, or upper manifold, both horizontal and respectively connected to upper 210a and lower 210b ends of the heat exchange elements 210, to make at least one heat transfer liquid circulate in the channels (fig. 6). The latter can be water combined with ethylene or propylene glycol.

[0085] The first manifold 211 is usually disposed in the vicinity of the rest plane P, while the second manifold 212 is usually disposed in the vicinity of the fan device 22. Preferably, the distance D (fig. 6) between two first manifolds 211 of two batteries which are inclined according to the two different axes of inclination Al, A2 is such as to guarantee both an adequate air flow F and also a large heat exchange surface.

[0086] The heat transfer liquid usually has a temperature higher than the inlet temperature of the air flow F entering from the inlet zone ZI. In this way, thanks to the heat exchange between the air flow F and the heat transfer liquid circulating in the heat exchange elements 210 it is possible to change the temperatures of the fluids. Typically, based on the operating temperatures of the fluids, it is possible to lower the temperature of the heat transfer liquid, which releases heat to the air flow F, which undergoes a correlated temperature increase.

[0087] The heat exchange modules 20 therefore have the lateral walls 23 C disposed laterally to the modules 10, and advantageously aligned with each other. The lateral walls 23 C are each equipped with a respective removable panel 23 D that covers an access aperture 23 E, which allows access to the inside of the module 20 to facilitate the operations for cleaning the batteries 21 (figs. 2, 3 and 5).

[0088] Each module 20 comprises connection means 35, of a type known in the art and schematized in figs. 2 and 5, configured to temporarily connect the batteries 21 to the containing structure 23. By way of a non-limiting example, the connection means 35 can be of a mechanical type and provide threaded elements such as screws, bolts or rivets. In other embodiments, the connection means 35 can be configured as a snap-in connection, or a shape connection, or an interference connection, or a magnetic connection, or other similar types of connection.

[0089] By acting on the connection means 35, the operator can disassemble each battery 21 from a corresponding structural frame that keeps it anchored to the containing structure 23.

[0090] In an alternative version, not shown, linear guides can be provided, typically horizontal and attached to the containing structure, and the battery can be removed from, or inserted into, the support structure by sliding it on these linear guides.

[0091] The removal of the battery 21, and its subsequent re-insertion, are therefore quick and simple, and allow to carry out the necessary operations for maintaining or restoring the battery easily.

[0092] It should also be stated that the configuration of the batteries 21 described here has numerous advantages in terms of volume of the ventilated units 10, their footprint and their weight. These advantages result in a greater ease in transporting the ventilated units 10, and make their installation easier. In particular, the lower weight of the ventilated units 10 is particularly advantageous, since they are often installed at a certain height, on raised platforms or on the roofs of buildings.

[0093] Each ventilated unit 10 also comprises at least one inlet duct 14 and at least one outlet duct 15, for the inflow and outflow of the heat transfer liquid to / from the batteries 21, respectively. These ducts 14, 15 are also connectable to the ducts 102 of the heat exchange plant 100, so as to be fluidically connected to the heat transfer liquid feeding system 101.

[0094] Each of these ducts 14, 15 is directly connected to the individual batteries 21. In this way, the batteries 21 of a same ventilated unit 10 are connected in parallel from a fluidic point of view. This allows to considerably decrease the pressure losses of the heat transfer liquid, regardless of the number of modules 20 that are connected to the ducts 14, 15.

[0095] In addition, for ease of installation and maintenance, the inlet and outlet ducts 14, 15 can all be provided in correspondence with the lower part of the modules 20 (figs. 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9).

[0096] To this end, the inlet ducts 14 and the outlet ducts 15 comprise respective branches 14A, 15A connecting them to each pair of batteries 21 of a module 20 (figs. 3 and 7). In this variant, the ducts 14, 15 each comprise two branches 14A, 15 A for each battery 21.

[0097] With each branch 14A, 15A there is associated a respective valve 16 configured to fluidically isolate each battery 21 from the circulation of the heat transfer liquid that flows through the inlet and outlet ducts 14 and 15.

[0098] The ventilated unit 10 is also equipped with quick coupling members 17 to connect the branches 14 A, 15 A with the first and second manifolds 211, 212. These quick coupling members 17, which create a watertight connection, can be bayonet or snap-in couplings, or flanged bodies, and can be placed around the connection between the branches on one side, and the ducts on the other side, to allow a quick connection between them.

[0099] These quick coupling members 17 allow to connect / disconnect each battery 21 to / from the ducts 14, 15 easily and quickly, so as to facilitate maintenance operations, in particular when it is necessary to remove the batteries 21 from a module 20 or after the batteries have been re-inserted into the module itself.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, shown in figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8, two inlet ducts 14 and two outlet ducts 15 are provided. For each module 20, each inlet duct 14 and each outlet duct 15 are connected to a respective one of the batteries 21 of a same axis of inclination Al , A2.

[0101] Preferably, in this embodiment the batteries are disposed according to a configuration that in the sector is called “double-pass”.

[0102] In these batteries, the first manifold 211 is divided internally into two parts by means of an internal partition 213, so as to form an inlet section 214 and an outlet section 215 of the heat transfer liquid.

[0103] The inlet section 214 of each battery 21 is fluidically connected to a respective inlet duct 14 so as to allow the heat transfer liquid to enter the battery. The heat transfer liquid then flows through the heat exchange elements 210 disposed in correspondence with the inlet section 214, as indicated by the arrows Fl, and reaches the second manifold 212. From here, the heat transfer liquid enters further heat exchange elements 210 disposed in correspondence with the outlet section 215 and reaches the latter, according to the direction indicated by the arrows F2, from which it then enters the outlet duct 15.

[0104] In this embodiment, the batteries 21 are also provided with a venting member 25 (fig. 8) configured to allow to vent any air that may be present inside the batteries 21 together with the heat transfer liquid.

[0105] The venting member 25 is advantageously fluidically connected to the manifold located at the top, that is, in this example to the second manifold 212. Such a position is advantageous for an effective venting action since, as known, any air bubbles present inside the heat transfer liquid tend to rise upward. This prevents possible localized corrosion phenomena that could damage the battery’s manifolds and therefore lead to the occurrence of leaks.

[0106] The venting member 25 comprises in particular a tubular member 250 placed parallel to the second manifold 212 and fluidically connected thereto by means of connection pipes 251. At one of the ends of the tubular member there is provided an opening and closing element 252 configured to allow the outflow of any air to the outside. The opening and closing element 252 can be of a known type, such as for example a valve member or a cock.

[0107] Advantageously, the venting member 25, namely its components indicated above, are made of a material more resistant to corrosion than the materials with which the heat exchange batteries 21 are made. By way of a non-limiting example, the venting member 250 can be made of copper, stainless steel or plastic. These are materials more resistant to corrosion than aluminum, which inlet and outlet manifolds are usually made of.

[0108] Other embodiments, shown in figs. 9 and 9 A, provide a single inlet duct 14 configured to feed the heat transfer liquid to both batteries 21, and two outlet ducts 15 each configured for the passage of the heat transfer liquid exiting from a respective battery 21.

[0109] More precisely, the single inlet duct 14 is connected to the second manifold 212 of each battery 21, while the two outlet ducts 15 are fluidically connected to the first manifold 211 of one respective battery 21.

[0110] In this embodiment, the batteries 21 are configured according to a configuration referred to in the sector as “single-pass”, since the heat transfer liquid passes through all the heat exchange elements 210 of the battery 21 unidirectionally, from one manifold to another, as indicated by the arrows F in figs. 9 and 9A.

[0111] In the embodiment of fig. 9, in which all the inlet and outlet ducts 14, 15 are disposed below the modules 20, a connection branch 212A is provided connecting the inlet duct 14 to the second manifolds 212 disposed above, which in this example are configured as inlet manifolds.

[0112] According to a variant, not shown, two connection branches 212A can be provided, which connect the inlet duct 14 with a respective second manifold 212 of a corresponding battery 21.

[0113] In the alternative variant of fig. 9A, it can be provided that the inlet duct 14 and the corresponding branch 14A are located at the top with respect to the batteries 21, so as to connect them directly to the second manifolds 212, which act as inlet manifolds, without the need to provide the connection branch 212A.

[0114] Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a heat exchange module 30, which differs from the previously described embodiments in that it comprises eight batteries 31 A, 31 B instead of four. In correspondence with each axis of inclination Al, A2 there are four batteries 31 A, 3 IB associated in pairs, in each of which the two batteries 31 A, 3 IB are overlapping, that is, placed parallel to each other and to the corresponding axis of inclination Al, A2.

[0115] In this way, the air passing through them has to pass through two successive batteries 31 A, 3 IB, which results in a more efficient heat exchange. As seen from fig. 10, each pair of batteries 31 A, 3 IB comprises an internal battery 31A and an external battery 3 IB. The internal battery 31 A faces the inside of the compartment inside the containing structure 23, while the external battery 3 IB faces the outside of the heat exchange module 30.

[0116] Preferably, each pair of batteries 31 A, 3 IB, that is, each pair of overlapping batteries 31 A, 3 IB, forms a single flow path for the heat transfer liquid. For this purpose, the second manifolds 312A, 312B, or upper manifolds, of both batteries are fluidically connected, so that the carrier fluid passes directly from one to the other. The fluidic connection is realized here by means of at least one fitting 313, preferably curved and tubular.

[0117] In one variant, not shown, the fitting 313 may be absent and instead of the two second manifolds 312A, 312B a single manifold can be provided that connects the batteries 31 A, 3 IB of the pair in series.

[0118] The first manifold 311 A, 31 IB, or lower manifold, of one of the two batteries 31 A, 3 IB acts as an inlet manifold for the pair, while the first manifold 31 IB, 311 A, or lower manifold, of the other battery 3 IB, 31 A acts as an outlet manifold for the pair. In the example shown, the couple is configured so that the heat transfer liquid enters the internal battery 31A and exits from the external battery 3 IB. For this purpose, the first manifold 311A of the battery 21 A is connected to the inlet duct 14, while the first manifold 31 IB of the external battery 3 IB is connected to the outlet duct 15.

[0119] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the ventilated unit 10 and to the corresponding plant as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0120] We must clarify that even in the embodiments described above with reference to figs. 8, 9, 9 A and 10, the conformation of the heat exchange elements 210 is as the one described previously with reference to fig. 6A.

[0121] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of ventilated units and of heat exchange plants equipped with such ventilated units, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Ventilated unit (10) comprising at least one heat exchange module (20, 30) equipped with: at least one fan device (22) configured to generate a flow of ambient air (F), at least one battery (21, 31) in which there circulates a heat transfer liquid to be cooled by heat exchange with said flow of ambient air (F), a containing structure (23) which supports said at least one battery (21, 31) and said at least one fan device (22), wherein each battery (21, 31) comprises a first manifold (211) and a second manifold (212), both placed horizontally, between which there extends a plurality of heat exchange elements (210) parallel to each other to connect said first and said second manifold (211, 212), wherein each heat exchange element (210) is provided with a plurality of apertures (230) through which said heat transfer liquid circulates and is disposed in such a way that said plurality of apertures (230) has longitudinal axes (X) all parallel to each other and oriented vertically or inclined according to an inclination having a prevalent vertical component, wherein said ventilated unit (10) further comprises at least one inlet duct (14) and at least one outlet duct (15) through which said heat transfer liquid is respectively fed at inlet into, and made to exit from, said at least one battery (21, 31) and is characterized in that it comprises: connection means (35) to remove and re-insert said at least one battery (21, 31) from / into said containing structure (23) in a removable manner, quick coupling members (17) to connect / disconnect said at least one battery (21 , 31) from said inlet and outlet ducts (14, 15), at least one pair of valves (16) associated with each battery (21, 31) to alternatively allow or prevent the flow of heat transfer liquid from said inlet duct (14) toward said battery (21, 31) and from the latter toward said outlet duct (15).

2. Ventilated unit (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that one of either said first manifold (211) or said second manifold (212) is connected to said inlet duct (14) and the other is connected to said outlet duct (15), said inlet and outlet ducts (14,15) being disposed substantially horizontally.

3. Ventilated unit (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first manifold (211) is located in the vicinity of a rest plane (P) on which said ventilated unit (10)is installed and said second manifold (212) is in the vicinity of said fan device (22), wherein a distance (D) is provided between two first manifolds (211) of each pair of batteries (21).

4. Ventilated unit (10) as in claim 3, characterized in that said module (20, 30) rests on supporting profiles (12) so that a rest base (23B) of said containing structure (23) is placed at a height (H) from said rest plane (P).

5. Ventilated unit (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said heat exchange module (30) comprises at least one pair of batteries (31 A, 3 IB) located parallel to each other and fluidically connected in series so as to define a single outflow path for said heat transfer liquid, wherein each battery of said pair of batteries (31 A, 3 IB) comprises a respective lower manifold (311 A, 31 IB) so that one of said lower manifolds (311 A) is connected to said inlet ductand the other of said lower manifolds (31 IB) is connected to said outlet duct (15), and an upper manifold (312 A, 312B) in correspondence with which the series connection between the two batteries of said pair of batteries (31 A, 3 IB) is realized.

6. Ventilated unit (10) as in claim 5, characterized in that between said lower manifold (311 A, 31 IB) and the respective inlet (14) or outlet (15) duct to which it is connected there is interposed one respective valve of said pair of valves (16).

7. Ventilated unit (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said containing structure (23) comprises an openable and / or removable panel (23D) which covers an access aperture (23 E), which allows access to the inside of said heat exchange module (20, 30), said panel (23 D) and said access aperture (23 E) being located in correspondence with a lateral wall (23C) of said containing structure (23).

8. Ventilated unit (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each battery (21) comprises a venting member (25) made of a material more resistant to corrosion than the material of said battery (21) and equipped with an opening and closing element (252) to vent any air present inside the battery (21), and preferably connected to said second manifold (212).

9. Ventilated unit (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises an internal partition for separating the containing structure (23) into two parts, so that each part comprises at least one pair of batteries (21) and at least one respective fan device (22) disposed above them.

10. Ventilated unit (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said heat exchange modules (20, 30) all connected in parallel to the same inlet (14) and outlet (15) ducts, wherein each of said heat exchange modules (20, 30) comprises at least one pair of said batteries (21, 31).

11. Heat exchange plant (100) comprising a heat transfer liquid feeding and collecting system (101) configured to be connected to said inlet duct (14) and to said outlet duct (15), and a plurality of ventilated units (10) as in any claim hereinbefore connected in series or in parallel.

Images