DE102008042587A1 - Cooling system, particularly cooling bag for transporting cooled material independently from connection at electronic line network, has energy storage unit and refrigeration unit which is provided with energy by energy storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooling system has an energy storage unit (2) and a refrigeration unit (1) which is provided with energy by energy storage unit and produces cooling energy. A part of the cooling energy generated by the refrigeration unit is used for cooling the energy storage unit. A cooling medium path is provided for the flow of a cooling medium. A section of the cooling medium path is connected in a thermo conducting manner with the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit has a lithium battery, a lithium-ion cell, a lithium-polymer cell, a lithium titanate cell or a lithium-iron-phosphate cell. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) an energy storage unit with a cylindrical electrolytic cell; (2) a cooling method by which the refrigeration unit is provided with energy by the energy storage unit for producing cooling energy; and (3) a manufacturing method for manufacturing an energy storage unit.

Description

The The present invention relates to refrigeration systems, associated ones Energy storage units, a cooling method and a manufacturing method for energy storage units, and in particular for mains independent cooling systems.

The Setting and maintaining defined temperatures, especially in the area from + 40 ° C to -30 ° C, is an urgent one Task of refrigeration, z. In the medical field: Keeping cool sera, preparations, organs and. etc .; in the apparatus area to maintain the optimum operating temperature: Computers, apparatus, computers; for cooling processing materials grinding, cutting, polishing for precision drives, Precious etc.

In In some cases, eg. For outdoor activities, should a cooling system, such. B. a cooler, independent for the transport of refrigerated goods be operated from a connection to an electrical line network can. Includes a suitable cooling system in addition to the refrigeration unit for generating cold, with the the refrigerator, in which the refrigerated goods is cooled, an energy storage unit to to supply the refrigeration unit with cold.

The Cooling units work preferably - by utilization the heat of vaporization - according to the principle of compression and absorption chillers.

The compression refrigeration process uses ammonia or other special organic liquids (see: Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol A11, p 358, 1988 VCH Verlag, Weinheim ) are compressed (compression refrigerators) and then vaporized (evaporator) by means of a nozzle, and the heat of evaporation required for evaporation is removed from the environment (eg a coolant).

When absorption cooler z. B. a mixture of ammonia / water by an absorber ammonia (NH ₃ ) withdrawn (gas phase process). Due to the forced evaporation of NH ₃ , cooling occurs. By heating the absorber, the NH ₃ is released again and fed back to the outer circulation system. Advantageously, this method comes without moving parts (compressor with piston).

Another cooling method is the thermoelectric cooling by means of the Peltier effect. Here, the cooling proceeds from a block of two different metals or waveguides, one surface of which cools when current flows while the opposite surface heats up. (please refer: Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol B3, 19-1, 19-3, 19-7, 19-25, 20-14, 1988, VCH Verlag, Weinheim ; "Cooling" off http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BChlung ).

The generated cold either directly cools one or more outer surfaces of the cooling space, or it cools a coolant in a cooling circuit, which in turn cools one or more outer surfaces of the cooling space. Coolant (see. Ullman, aa O. ) are inert gases or liquids.

For independent of a mains power supply can, for. B. gas cartridges are used. An alternative is the use of rechargeable batteries or batteries. A cooling system with battery is z. B. in the patent DE 41 15 964 C1 described. Commercially, a cooling system with battery by Waeco as Waeco CoolFreeze CF-32UP ( http://www.waeco.com/de/252_2372.php ).

Batteries often use Li-ion cells or lithium-polymer cells. For these cells, there is a problem in possible heating with a corresponding power loss. Overheating can even lead to failure (see: Heat generation in a cell; Incidents during normal cycling in Lithium Ion Batteries, edited by M. Wakihara and O. Yamamoto p. 86-94, VCH Weinheim, 1998 ).

Therefore is used in systems containing Li-ion cells or lithium-polymer cells operated, such. As the Waeco CoolFreeze CF-32UP, often one Temperature monitoring of the battery used, which is the device Switch off before overheating the battery. In this case but also the refrigerated goods in the refrigerator no longer be cooled, which may be disadvantageous.

Also for other energy storage units, eg. B. batteries or other types of accumulators, there is a temperature range optimal efficiency.

Summary of the invention

task The invention is an improved cooling system, a associated energy storage unit, a cooling method and a manufacturing method of such an energy storage unit specify.

This The goal is an integration of the operation of the cooling unit used energy storage unit reached in the cooling of the cooling system.

The present invention provides a cooling system, an energy storage unit, a cooling method and a manufacturing method for producing an energy Giespeichereinheit according to the independent claims ready. Further details are given in the respective dependent claims.

in the Individually, according to a first aspect of the invention, a cooling system with an energy storage unit and a cooling unit provided, which supplies power from the energy storage unit is generated and cold, being part of the refrigeration unit generated cold for cooling the energy storage unit is used or can be used.

In Such a cooling system is avoided that the Energy storage unit heated and therefore it to failure comes. Also, the energy storage unit in a temperature range optimal efficiency.

The Cooling system may further include a coolant path for having a flow of a coolant through the produced cold is cooled, with a section the coolant path thermally conductive with the energy storage unit connected is.

Thereby Both a refrigerator and the energy storage unit be cooled by a coolant circuit, which allows a simple construction of the cooling system.

In Such a cooling system, the energy storage unit have a portion of the coolant path.

This enables a particularly efficient cold transfer on the energy storage unit and a compact design.

In Such a cooling system, the coolant path forming a cooling circuit that covers the portion of the coolant path, which has the energy storage unit contains.

Especially a closed cooling circuit allows one effective use of the coolant and an energy-saving Operation of the cooling system.

The Cooling system may further include a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature and a regulator, the cooling for the energy storage unit used cold depending on the detected temperature is controlled.

So the temperature of the energy storage unit can be regulated, in particular to the temperature in a temperature interval optimal Efficiency of the energy storage unit.

The Cooling system with temperature sensor and regulator can also a coolant path with a portion that conducts heat is connected to the energy storage unit, and a flow control device for controlling a refrigerant flow rate therethrough Section, wherein the flow control device in Dependent on the measured temperature set by the controller becomes.

On This type can simply control the temperature of the energy storage unit be achieved in a system with a cooling circuit.

To A second aspect of the present invention is an energy storage unit provided for a cooling system according to the first aspect, having a coolant path.

This enables a particularly efficient cold transfer on the energy storage unit and a compact design.

The Energy storage unit may be a substantially cylindrical Electrolyte cell having a substantially parallel to Cylinder axis extending between the base surfaces of the cylinder Includes tube that can serve as a coolant path.

These Embodiment is particularly advantageous when the Energy storage unit has only a single electrolyte cell.

at the energy storage unit according to the second aspect of the invention can also at least one electrolytic cell in a housing be arranged and the coolant path through the housing to lead.

These Embodiment is particularly advantageous when the Energy storage unit has a plurality of electrolyte cells.

To A third aspect of the invention is a cooling method provided in which a cooling unit for generating Cold supplied with energy from an energy storage unit is, with part of the generated cold for cooling the energy storage unit is used or used can.

hereby prevents the energy storage unit heats up and it therefore comes to failure. Also, the energy storage unit in a temperature range of optimum efficiency can be operated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method for manufacturing an energy storage unit according to a Ausfüh Example of the second aspect of the present invention is provided, in which the pipe serving as a coolant path is used as a winding mandrel for the electrolytic cell.

Therefore you do not need an additional manufacturing step for producing the coolant path.

Further Details, advantages and embodiments are the following detailed description together with the attached Drawings visible.

Brief description of the drawings

1a) shows a block diagram of a cooling system according to the invention;

1b) shows a block diagram of another cooling system according to the invention;

2a) shows a block diagram of a refrigerant circuit with an electrolytic cell according to the invention;

2 B) shows an electrolytic cell according to the invention;

3a) shows a block diagram of a refrigerant circuit with a battery according to the invention;

3b) shows a cross section of a battery according to the invention; and

4 shows an arrangement of components of a cooling system according to the invention.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

In the following description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings will be the same or similar Components provided with the same or similar reference numerals.

1a) shows an embodiment of a cooling system according to the present invention. This designates 1 a cooling unit, 2 an energy storage unit, 3 a fridge, 4 a coolant line and 41 a valve.

The cooling unit in the present embodiment is a compression refrigeration machine, in the z. B. ammonia or other special organic liquids compressed (compression refrigeration units) and then vaporized by means of a nozzle (evaporator), wherein the evaporation heat required for evaporation of the environment (eg., Cooling circuit means) is withdrawn ( Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol A11, p 358, 1988 VCH Verlag, Weinheim ). In the embodiment, a standard cooling unit is used, as it is z. B. offered by the companies Miele, Bosch, Bauknecht or Siemens, which is suitable for operation with Li cells.

The Energy storage unit 2 in the present embodiment is a lithium-ion cell (Li-ion cell).

Lithium-ion (Polymer) cells have a voltage of 3.2 to 3.5 volts and have as individual cells nominal capacities of 6 Ah (z. B. Type 6 Ah HP - 341450 LPP of the GAIA accumulator plants) to z. B. 485 Ah (the HE cell 1702100, also from the GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke).

The energy storage unit 2 also includes a coolant path, as described below.

The fridge 3 includes a substantially closed or closable interior, for storing refrigerated goods, eg. As food, medical preparations, serums, organs and. Ä., Or to maintain the optimum operating temperature of operated therein devices such. As computers serves. The volume of the cold room can be between a few ml and several 100 l.

The fridge 3 also includes a coolant path. The coolant path consists of a coolant line, which leads through the interior of the refrigerator. Alternatively, the coolant line can also lead through one or more of the walls of the interior, which are thermally conductively connected to the interior.

The coolant line 4 forms a coolant path between the cooling unit 1 , the energy storage unit 2 , and the refrigerator 3 through which a coolant flows. The coolant is an inert gas or a liquid ( see. Ullmann, op. Cit ).

According to 1a) is the cooling unit 1 through a coolant line 4 with the fridge 3 , or more precisely with the coolant path of the cooling space 3 , connected. From the fridge 3 from the coolant path branches 4 in a branch, the back to the cooling unit 1 leads, and a branch passing through the valve 41 and about the energy storage unit 2 , or more precisely, the coolant path of the energy storage unit 2 , back to the cooling unit 1 leads. The coolant path 4 So forms in the embodiment together with the cooling unit 1 , the energy storage unit 2 , the fridge 3 and the valve 41 a closed cooling circuit.

The following is the operation of the present invention explained.

The refrigeration unit 1 cools the coolant that is in the from the coolant line 4 , the refrigeration unit 1 , the energy storage unit 2 , the fridge 3 and the valve 41 circulated cooling circuit circulates. The energy required for this is provided by the energy storage unit 2 the coolant unit 1 made available. From the cooling unit 1 The coolant flows to the coolant path of the refrigerator 3 to cool this.

From the fridge 3 the coolant flow branches out. Part of the coolant flows through the coolant line 4 directly back to the cooling unit 1 , Another part flows through the coolant line 4 and the valve 41 to the coolant path of the energy storage unit 2 to cool them. From the energy storage unit 2 the coolant flows through the coolant line 4 back to the cooling unit to be cooled again.

The flow of through the energy storage unit 2 flowing coolant can through the valve 41 be set. For this purpose there is a temperature sensor (not shown) on the energy storage unit 2 , A regulator (not shown) regulates the flow of coolant through the energy storage unit 2 by adjusting the valve 41 such that the measured temperature is within a specified range. The regulator may have the ability to shut off the cooling system, even if the valve is fully opened 41 the cooling is insufficient to the energy storage unit 2 to keep in the specified temperature range.

The following is the energy storage unit 2 described in more detail.

2 shows an electrolytic cell 21 (eg a Li-ion cell) serving as an energy storage unit 2 used in the embodiment. In 2a) is shown as the electrolyte cell 21 and the refrigeration unit 1 together with coolant lines 4 form a coolant circuit, which forms part of the in 1a) shown coolant circuit is.

2a) shows the electrolyte cell 21 , The electrolytic cell 21 has essentially cylindrical shape. On the bases of the cylinder are the poles 22 , These poles are formed as tubes and have an external thread for Polkontaktierung (eg with pole nuts, washers, etc.). The tubes of the poles form together with a pipe connected to them 23 through the cylinder a coolant path. The tube has, for example, a copper part for the anode, an Al part for the cathode and a plastic intermediate part.

As a coolant are preferably - especially because of the ozone problem - "soft" fluorohydrocarbons such as perfluoro-tert.butanol, hexafluoropropanol, perfluorobutyltetrahydrofuran, tri- (tetra- or hexa) - fluoropropanone, or pentane or cyclopentane or a mixture of these substances used. As a coolant, water, salts or ionic liquids are not used in this configuration, so that no corrosion of the pipe 23 or the respective pole and connection systems 22 can be done.

There the tube is mounted symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is, the tube in the production of the electrolyte cell (Li-ion Cell or Li-ion polymer cell) as a mandrel for the Trilaminate used the Li-based electrolytic cell to make a To get tube winding.

1b) shows an alternative embodiment. The refrigeration unit shown in this embodiment 1 , Energy storage unit 2 , Fridge 3 and valve 41 are identical to those of the first embodiment. However, the branches from the chiller 1 coming coolant line 4 , with a branch above the refrigerator 3 back to the cooling unit 1 leads, and the other branch through the valve 41 and about the energy storage unit 2 back to the cooling unit 1 leads. Also in this embodiment forms the coolant line together with the cooling unit 1 , the energy storage unit 2 , the fridge 3 and the valve 41 a coolant circuit, however, the coolant circuit through the energy storage unit 2 regardless of which through the refrigerator 3 ,

The The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown limited.

Instead of the compression refrigeration machine described in the embodiments can as a cooling unit 1 For example, an absorption cooler or a Peltier element are used.

When absorption cooler z. As a mixture of ammonia / water removed by an absorber ammonia (gas phase process), and by the forced evaporation (of the NH ₃ ) occurs a cooling. By heating the absorber, the NH ₃ is released again and fed back to the outer circulation system.

The Peltier element is cooled by a thermoelectric effect (Peltier effect). Here, the cooling proceeds from a block consisting of two different metals or waveguides, one surface of which cools when current flows, while the opposite surface heats up ( Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol B3, 19-1, 19-3, 19-7, 19-25, 20-14, 1988, VCH publishing house, Weinheim , Cooling off Wikipedia.org./wiki/K% (3% B chung)).

Advantageously, these two cooling methods come with no moving parts (compressor with piston). However, in a cooling system with a coolant, a pump or the like is required for the coolant through the coolant line 4 to the refrigerator 3 and to the energy storage unit 2 to transport.

Instead of the Li-ion cell of the embodiments may be used as energy storage unit 2 z. As well as a lithium battery, a lithium polymer cell, a lithium titanate cell, a lithium-iron-phosphate cell, or another type of battery or accumulator can be used.

For example Li-ion cells can be added to a battery system, preferably parallel, be interconnected, z. B. to the battery 60 Ah HE-490130250 the GAIA accumulator works.

In 3 is such a battery 25 shown. In 3a) is shown as the battery 25 and the refrigeration unit 1 together with coolant lines 4 form a coolant circuit, which forms part of the in 1a) or 1b) shown coolant circuit is.

A cross section of the battery 25 is in 3b) shown. Li-ion cells 27 are in a housing 28 appropriate. The Li cells 27 may be conventional Li cells or even Li cells in tube winding form as in the first embodiment. Coolant passes through a nozzle 26 in the housing and leaves it through another nozzle. This will make the Li-ion cells 27 flows around the coolant and thereby cooled.

The energy storage unit 2 may also include a housing in which Li-ion cells or other cells are mounted, and wherein at least a portion of the housing wall, a coolant path leads, so that the interior of the housing in which the Li-ion cells are cooled. In such a configuration, any conventional cells may be used.

The energy storage unit 2 can also be connected to a system for charging. Preferably for this come into account solar, water and wind energy systems that allow a network independent charging. The energy storage unit 2 may alternatively or additionally be connected to a vehicle battery or a power grid for charging.

The energy storage unit 2 is not limited to electrical energy storage units. You can z. B. also include a gas container, the gas for cooling in a cooling unit 1 is used, which works on the Joule-Thompson effect.

Instead of a closed refrigerator 3 can the refrigerator 3 also be open. This is the case, for example, in the cooling of machining materials during grinding, cutting, polishing for precision drives, or the like.

The coolant line 4 must be together with the cooling unit 1 , the energy storage unit 2 , the fridge 3 and the valve 41 do not form a closed cooling circuit. The coolant (eg air or water) can also be in the inlet of the refrigeration unit 1 taken from the environment and, after it has the refrigerator 3 and / or the energy storage unit 2 has cooled, be released to the environment.

The coolant path 4 can also with the cooling unit 1 form a cooling circuit without a coolant path of the energy storage unit 2 and / or the refrigerator 3 located in the cooling circuit. In such a configuration, the cooling line becomes 4 thermally conductive (eg via a metallic thermal bridge) with the energy storage unit 2 and / or the refrigerator 3 connected. The latter then need not have their own coolant path.

The temperature gauge and the regulator can also be omitted, and the valve 41 be set manually.

The valve 41 may also be omitted when the cross sections of the coolant line sections for the refrigerator 3 and the energy storage unit 2 be suitably dimensioned so that under the specified operating conditions no overheating or hypothermia of the energy storage unit occurs.

Alternatively or additionally, a valve in the section of the coolant path for the cooling space 3 and / or in the refrigerator 3 and the energy storage unit 2 common portion of the coolant path are attached. With two valves, an independent control of the cooling of the cold room and the energy storage unit is made possible.

The temperature measurement does not have to be in the energy storage unit 2 respectively. Alternatively, z. B. also the temperature of the energy storage unit 2 exiting coolant are measured. Another possibility is the ambient temperature of the energy storage unit 2 to measure, and the flow of coolant through the energy storage unit 2 according to a predefined table depending on the ambient temperature.

It can also handle the entire coolant line 4 be omitted with the coolant, if the cooling unit 1 the refrigerator 3 and the energy storage unit 2 cooled directly or via a solid heat pipe (typically by means of a metal).

This can, for example, when using Peltier elements as a cooling unit 1 be beneficial. Accordingly, z. B. the cooling unit two Peltier elements, the one directly the energy storage unit 2 and the other directly the refrigerator 3 cools. It is also possible that the refrigeration unit 1 has only one Peltier element that directly cools the refrigerator, and the energy storage unit 2 via a suitably dimensioned thermal bridge (eg a metal piece) to an end of the cooling space remote from the Peltier element 3 is thermally conductive connected. In such a cooling system, no moving parts are needed.

Appropriate Cooling systems without moving parts can also be used Construct adsorption chillers.

The entire cooling system may consist of separate units for the refrigeration unit 1 , the fridge 2 and the energy storage unit 3 be built in, or be fully or partially integrated in a unit, as in 4 shown. Coolant lines are in 4 not shown, as they are inside the cooling system between the components, ie the refrigeration unit 1 , the fridge 2 and the energy storage unit 3 , run. The boundaries between the components are designed to insulate heat. In the 4 shown arrangement is particularly advantageous for a portable, network independent cooling bag, because all components of the cooling bag are integrated in the unit, and not several movably connected individual components are to be transported.

Of the The scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and modifications, but is limited by the appended Claims specified.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 4115964 C1 [0009]

Cited non-patent literature

• - Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol A11, p 358, 1988 VCH Verlag, Weinheim [0005]
• - Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol B3, 19-1, 19-3, 19-7, 19-25, 20-14, 1988, VCH Verlag, Weinheim [0007]
• - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BChlung [0007]
• - Ullman, loc. Cit. [0008]
• - http://www.waeco.com/en/252_2372.php [0009]
• - heat generation in a cell; Incidents during normal cycling in Lithium Ion Batteries, edited by M. Wakihara and O. Yamamoto p. 86-94, VCH Weinheim, 1998. [0010]
• - Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol A11, p 358, 1988 VCH Verlag, Weinheim [0048]
• - see. Ullmann, loc. Cit. [0054]
• Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol B3, 19-1, 19-3, 19-7, 19-25, 20-14, 1988, VCH Verlag, Weinheim [0069]
• - Wikipedia.org./wiki/K% [0069]

Claims (13)

Cooling system ( 100 ) with an energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) and a cooling unit ( 1 ) generated by the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) is supplied with energy and generates cold, whereby a part of the of the cooling unit ( 1 ) generated cold for cooling the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) can be used. Cooling system according to claim 1, further comprising a coolant path ( 4 ) for a flow of a coolant that is cooled by the generated cold, wherein a portion of the coolant path ( 4 ) thermally conductive with the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) connected is. Cooling system according to claim 2, wherein the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) has a portion of the coolant path. Cooling system according to claim 3, wherein the coolant path forming a cooling circuit that covers the portion of the coolant path, which has the energy storage unit contains. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature and a controller, wherein for cooling the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) is controlled as a function of the detected temperature. Cooling system according to claim 5, further comprising a coolant path ( 4 ) with a portion that is thermally conductive with the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ), and a flow control device ( 41 ) for controlling a refrigerant flow rate through said portion, the flow control means being adjusted in response to the measured temperature by the controller. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) comprises a lithium battery, a lithium ion cell, a lithium polymer cell, a lithium titanate cell, or a lithium iron phosphate cell. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cooling unit ( 1 ) comprises a compression chiller, an absorption chiller or a Peltier element. Energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) for a cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, having a coolant path. Energy storage unit according to claim 9, comprising a substantially cylindrical electrolyte cell ( 21 ) having a substantially parallel to the cylinder axis between the base surfaces of the cylinder extending pipe ( 23 ), which may serve as a coolant path. Energy storage unit ( 25 ) according to claim 9, wherein at least one electrolyte cell ( 27 ) in a housing ( 28 ) and the coolant path ( 26 ) through the housing ( 28 ) leads. Cooling method in which a refrigeration unit ( 1 ) for generating cold with energy from an energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ), wherein a portion of the generated cold for cooling the energy storage unit ( 2 . 21 . 25 ) can be used. A manufacturing method for producing an energy storage unit according to claim 10, wherein the tube ( 23 ) as a winding mandrel for the electrolytic cell ( 21 ) is used.