EP3412271B1 - Portable cooling apparatus with refrigerant liquid recovery - Google Patents
Portable cooling apparatus with refrigerant liquid recovery Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3412271B1 EP3412271B1 EP18176564.5A EP18176564A EP3412271B1 EP 3412271 B1 EP3412271 B1 EP 3412271B1 EP 18176564 A EP18176564 A EP 18176564A EP 3412271 B1 EP3412271 B1 EP 3412271B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cooling
- refrigerant fluid
- cooling apparatus
- solenoid valve
- way solenoid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims description 161
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 title claims description 45
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title claims description 27
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title description 19
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 59
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N alstonine Natural products C1=CC2=C3C=CC=CC3=NC2=C2N1C[C@H]1[C@H](C)OC=C(C(=O)OC)[C@H]1C2 WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000002309 gasification Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036316 preload Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G17/00—Coffins; Funeral wrappings; Funeral urns
- A61G17/002—Coffins with cooling arrangements for the corpse
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B45/00—Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D15/00—Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
- F25B2400/19—Pumping down refrigerant from one part of the cycle to another part of the cycle, e.g. when the cycle is changed from cooling to heating, or before a defrost cycle is started
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/40—Fluid line arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/12—Portable refrigerators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
- F25D31/001—Plate freezers
Description
- The present invention relates to a portable cooling apparatus used for low temperature maintaining of a bier within a coffin.
- In particular, the present invention relates to an optimized cooling apparatus for the refrigerant liquid or fluid recovery phase from the cooling plate within the system once the maintaining operative activity of the cooling of the plate has ended.
- As it is well known in the specific field of coffins, cooling apparatuses comprising at least two distinct components exist: a main cooling circuit with relative compressor and at least one cooling plate constituting the evaporator of the cooling circuit.
- In the cooling circuit a refrigerant fluid circulates, for instance freon; however, the use of other less polluting fluids, the so-called ozone-friends, has been spreading for some years.
- The cooling plate usually comprises a serpentine of the roll-bond type pre-loaded with the refrigerant fluid and removably connected to the main cooling circuit by means of sealing and fast-coupling connections located on the inlet and outlet ducts of the serpentine.
- A structure of this type is disclosed for instance in
European patents n° 0 230 595 and0 631 097 to the same Applicant. - It should be noticed that the components of the main cooling circuit, obviously including the compressor, are re-usable for being connected to other cooling plates; conversely, the cooling plate is a disposable or single-use element of the cooling circuit since it is left in the coffin even after the final closure.
- However, the prior art has already suggested producing cooling plates likely to decompose over time; these plates are made of components in biodegradable material.
- It is also appropriate highlighting how the quantity of refrigerant liquid present within the plate during the normal operative condition is greater than that of pre-load of the plate at environment temperature.
- In fact, a minimum fluid quantity must always be guaranteed to ensure a sufficient autonomy to the cooling apparatus.
- Precisely considering the latter need, though advantageous under various points of view, given the wide evolution they have been subjected over time, the known cooling apparatuses suffer from different problems when the maintaining operative phase of the cooling of the plate has ended.
- In fact, since the moment when the detachment of the cooling apparatus is carried out, it is necessary to perform a standard procedure, called by the skilled persons "liquid or fluid recovery from the cooling plate".
- This procedure consists in re-absorbing the refrigerant fluid left within the cooling plate after the end of the service.
- Sometimes not very scrupulous operators of the field, in order to speed up the decoupling of the cooling plate from the circuit, cut the tube connected to the cooling plate during suction, to allow the pumping of the liquid left in the cooling plate.
- As it may be easily understood, this gross modus operandi involves several drawbacks. Mainly this clearly involves a non-complete recovery of the refrigerant gas. Furthermore, there is an ecological impact, though minimized by the adoption of a last-generation gas, since the cut of the tube inevitably results in the loss of a large quantity of refrigerant fluid due to the difference in pressure between the liquid/gas in the tube and the environment pressure.
- Moreover, it is clear how the "liquid recovery phase from the cooling plate" constitutes an important phase even as far as the economic impact is concerned.
- In the field of air conditioning systems, a solution disclosed in
US 2008/229774 A1 is known, which relates to a device of recovery and reuse of liquid by means of dedicated ball valves. The use of said valves turns out to be ineffective in this technical field due to a non-particularly precise regulation and to the possibility for the fluid to stagnate within the obturator after the closure. - In the same field of air conditioning systems,
US 2017/115042 document discloses a recovery system which provides for the discharge of uncondensed gases into the circuit by opening a valve. However, none of these solutions relate to the field of coffins. - The total recovery of the fluid left within the plate is a need felt in different technical fields since it involves a lower filling up frequency for the subsequent use of the cooling apparatus. In the present technical field of coffins this drawback has not been solved yet.
- An object of the present invention is thus to totally recover the quantity of the left refrigerant fluid present in the cooling plate once the operative phase has ended. Said object is linked to the need of reducing the number of the expensive filling up operations to be periodically carried out in order to ensure a proper autonomy to the cooling apparatus, but also to ecological needs.
- In fact, a further object is to prevent the dispersion of the refrigerant fluid in the environment during the detachment of the cooling plate from the cooling circuit.
- Furthermore, the invention has the object of making the use of the cooling apparatus simpler and more practical, so that it can be activated not only directly by the user, but also through a remote control that can be operated by any fixed or mobile telecommunication device.
- A further object is to provide a cooling apparatus able to keep track of the possible malfunctions, so as to keep memory of the problems encountered during the maintenance phase.
- Yet a further object is to provide for the cooling apparatus to be equipped with an optimized casing for the transport phase of the same, duly considering the problems linked to weight, size and support for dragging the cooling apparatus itself.
- Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple and intuitive configuration to make the cooling apparatus of practical use by any user, even the non-specialized ones.
- The solution idea underlying the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus able to commutate between two alternative circuits to be used in the operative phase and in the liquid recovery phase from the cooling plate, respectively.
- Based on this solution idea, the technical problem is solved by a cooling apparatus comprising a cooling circuit and a fast-coupling cooling plate, which further comprises a three-way solenoid valve on the delivery branch of the cooling plate. Said valve is controlled by a control electronic system of the functional states of said circuit.
- The invention is defined by the claims. More embodiments, specifications and details are given in the following.
- More particularly, the invention relates to a cooling apparatus (1) for coffins, comprising
- a cooling circuit comprising:
- ∘ a compressor;
- ∘ a condenser;
- ∘ one or more expansion valves;
- ∘ a heat exchanger;
- ∘ a collection reservoir;
- a cooling plate removably connectable with fast-coupling with said cooling circuit and preferably of the disposable type, to carry out a heat exchange state with the inside of a coffin, said cooling plate being composed of at least one serpentine permanently installed in the coffin and pre-loaded with under pressure refrigerant fluid;
- a control electronic system incorporating a control unit of the functional states of said cooling circuit;
- a three-way solenoid valve on a delivery duct of said cooling plate to allow a refrigerant fluid recovery from said cooling plate at the end of the operative phase of said cooling apparatus, governed by said control system; as well as a unidirectional valve placed between said three-way solenoid valve and said heat exchanger, to prevent the backflow of refrigerant fluid in the recovery phase of said refrigerant fluid.
- Thanks to the commutation of the operation of the three-way valve a more rapid and safer recovery of fluid by said cooling plate is allowed at the end of the operative phase of the cooling apparatus.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, the cooling circuit of the cooling apparatus comprises a first two-way solenoid valve and a second two-way solenoid valve on the delivery and return branches of said cooling plate respectively, to prevent the backflow of the refrigerant fluid in the actuating, operative and refrigerant liquid recovery phases.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, the above unidirectional valve is a two-way solenoid valve placed between the three-way solenoid valve and the heat exchanger, to prevent the backflow of fluid in the recovery phase of said refrigerant fluid.
- Still according to another aspect of the present invention, the cooling circuit of the cooling apparatus comprises a first pressure transducer, for detecting the minimum operative pressure of the cooling circuit.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, in the cooling circuit of the cooling apparatus a second pressure transducer is moreover comprised, for detecting the maximum operative pressure of said cooling circuit.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, the cooling circuit of the cooling apparatus further comprises a pressure switch cooperating with the first pressure transducer, for the control of the correct coupling of the cooling plate with the cooling circuit itself.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, the cooling apparatus further comprises an internal memory for storing the fault history suffered in the operative phase.
- Still according to another aspect of the present invention, the cooling circuit comprises an internal circuit to the control unit for the remote control of said cooling apparatus by a fixed or portable control device.
- In this sense, a communication protocol is established between the cooling apparatus and an external device, such as for instance a mobile telecommunication device like a smartphone or a tablet with a dedicated platform and with a control logic governed by the pressure sensors.
- In this way it is possible to always have full control of the operation of the compressor in the operative phase. It is also possible to carry out a check-up before starting the operative phase.
- Furthermore, according to a further aspect of the present invention, the cooling apparatus is installed within a portable casing. Said portable casing is provided with a gripping handle and the arrangement of wheels at the support base of the casing itself.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, the portable casing is further equipped with a telescopic handle to ensure easy dragging of the casing.
- The features and advantages of the cooling apparatus according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings.
- In said drawings:
-
Figure 1 represents a perspective and schematic view of the cooling apparatus according to the present invention; -
Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c represent schematic views, respectively: front, side and bottom of the cooling apparatus ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 represents a functional block diagram of the operative phases of the cooling apparatus according to the present invention; -
Figure 4 represents a functional block diagram of the "recovery phase of the fluid from the cooling plate". - With reference to the figures, and particularly to
figures 1 ,2a, 2b, and 2c ,reference number 1 globally and schematically indicates a cooling apparatus realized according to the present invention. - The
cooling apparatus 1 essentially comprises acooling circuit 2 and acooling plate 3. - The
cooling plate 3 is preferably a disposable element to be placed within a coffin and connected by means of adelivery duct 4 and areturn duct 5 to thecooling circuit 2. In this sense theplate 3 can be made of biodegradable material or it can be made using a metal preform. - Within the cooling plate 3 a serpentine 6 of the roll-bond type is placed, which is pre-loaded with the refrigerant fluid and removably connected to the main cooling circuit by means of first and second sealing and fast-coupling
connections delivery 4 and return 5 ducts, respectively, of the serpentine 6. - The
cooling circuit 2 is essentially constituted by acompressor 9, which sends a refrigerant fluid in the gaseous state into acondenser 10 by an outlet duct of thecompressor 9. - Said
condenser 10 is cooled by afan 12. - From the condenser 10 a duct 13 branches off, through which the refrigerant fluid reaches a
collection reservoir 14. - From the
collection reservoir 14 the refrigerant fluid in the liquid form passes through aduct 15 towards a first two-way solenoid valve 16. - In the operative conditions said two-
way solenoid valve 16 is open and allows the fluid to pass towards aduct 17 that leads to one ormore expansion valves 18. All the valves mentioned in this disclosure are to be intended as solenoid valves governed by control electric signals emitted by a control unit of a controlelectronic system 33. - Advantageously, according to the invention, downstream of the expansion valve/s 18 there is a
duct 19, which carries the fluid towards a three-way solenoid valve 20 that is configured, in the operative phase, to make the fluid pass through afirst outlet 21 towards thedelivery duct 4 of thecooling plate 3. - From the second sealing and fast-
coupling connection 8 thereturn duct 5 of thecooling plate 3 branches off, which carries the refrigerant fluid towards a second two-way solenoid valve 22, which, open in the operative conditions, carries the fluid towards aduct 23 leading to aheat exchanger 24. - From the
heat exchanger 24 the fluid thus passes to the return duct of thecompressor 25. - Advantageously, according to the invention, a control
electronic system 33 is provided, which is incorporated and fed within thecooling apparatus 1. - Said
control system 33 incorporates a control unit having inlets that receive electric signals from the various sensors and transducers of thecooling apparatus 1 and control outlets connected to the various actuators of the same apparatus, i.e. to the control solenoid valves. - Said control system is accessible at the outside through a
connector 39 which acts as an external interconnection. - The
compressor 9 is further provided with aservice connection 26. - At said service connection 26 a first
main transducer 27 is connected, which detects the minimum pressure during the whole operation of thecooling apparatus 1. - A
second transducer 28 is further provided on the delivery connection of the compressor, to detect the maximum pressure during the whole operation of thecooling apparatus 1. - The first and
second transducers compressor 9 always works within a range of pre-established pressures. If the limits imposed are not respected, the control system automatically stops thecompressor 9. - As a further safety sensor, a
pressure switch 29 is provided, which is connected on theduct 19 present between theexpansion valve 18 and the three-way solenoid valve 20. - Said
pressure switch 29, by detecting whether the pressure within theduct 19 is comprised between maximum and minimum design nominal values, detects whether there is a correct coupling of thecooling plate 3, by means of the first and second sealing and fast-couplingconnections - A second
supplementary branch 30 of thecooling circuit 2 is provided between asecond outlet 31 of the three-way valve 20 and theheat exchanger 24. - The supplementary branch is used for the "liquid recovery phase from the cooling plate".
- On said supplementary branch 30 a
unidirectional valve 32 is located. - Alternatively to the
unidirectional valve 32, it is possible to provide a third solenoid valve, in order to ensure better insulation from the outside, preventing air from entering the circuit, after having carried out the fluid recovery or in case adefective cooling plate 3 has been used. - A control electronic system is further present, which incorporates a control unit that controls the configuration of the above-mentioned valves, which the user can interface with, also by means of a fast-coupling connector accessible from the outside.
- Hereinafter the operation of the cooling apparatus will be described, both in the operative phase and in the "liquid recovery phase from the cooling plate", these two distinct phases will be mainly detailed with particular reference to
figures 3 and4 with diagram blocks. - During the operative phase, the refrigerant fluid initially undergoes a compression through the
compressor 9. - From the
compressor 9 the high pressure refrigerant fluid is sent to thecondenser 10. - Within the
condenser 10 said refrigerant fluid undergoes a change in state by condensation, changing into the liquid form. - From the condenser the refrigerant fluid passes, as previously said, into the
collection reservoir 14. - From the collection reservoir and passing through the first two-way solenoid valve, the fluid is directed towards the
expansion valve 18. - Passing through said
expansion valve 18, the refrigerant fluid undergoes a change in pressure and a partial phase transition, reaching a partially gaseous and partially liquid condition. - In this intermediate condition the fluid is thus sent towards the three-
way solenoid valve 20 and therefore, through itsfirst outlet 21, towards the coolingplate 3. - Within the
cooling plate 3 the refrigerant fluid undergoes a new change in state passing from the liquid/gaseous form present at the first sealing and fast-coupling connection 7 of the serpentine 6 to a gaseous form at the second sealing and fast-coupling connection 8. - Said change in phase leads to the absorption of heat and to the desired refrigeration.
- From the
cooling plate 3, passing through the second two-way solenoid valve 22, the refrigerant fluid is directed to theheat exchanger 24 and, thus, again to thecompressor 9. - Once the operative phase has ended, when it is necessary to definitively close the coffin, the already mentioned "liquid or fluid recovery phase from the cooling plate" follows.
- Said phase essentially consists in the isolation of the
cooling plate 3 from thecooling circuit 2 and from the use of thecompressor 9 analogously to a vacuum pump. Within the cooling plate the fluid thus undergoes a depression and returns towards thecollection reservoir 14 in the liquid form. - Meanwhile, also the hermetic chamber of the compressor empties and takes up a negative pressure.
- In order to obtain the described effects, the above-mentioned particular combination and arrangement of
solenoid valves cooling plate 3 after the end of the recovery itself. - In particular, the circuit controls the activation and configuration of the valves as follows.
- In a first phase the closing of the first two-
way solenoid valve 16 is carried out. - During this phase most of the refrigerant fluid present in the cooling plate is absorbed.
- The compressor always remains in operation until the internal pressure of the serpentine 6 of the
cooling plate 3 reaches a value equal to about - 0.60 bars, anyway a value below zero bar. In this way, a state of partial vacuum is produced. - Once this pressure value has been reached in the serpentine 6, the
compressor 9 is stopped. - In a second intermediate phase the
compressor 9 remains inactive for a predetermined period of time, for instance about 30 seconds. - In this phase the possible remains of refrigerant fluid left in the
cooling plate 3 gasify, due to the effect of the slight increase in temperature, while a general stabilization of the pressure along thewhole cooling circuit 2 occurs. - Once the waiting time has expired, the compressor is restarted, while the pressure returns to the value of about -0.60 bars.
- Once this threshold has been exceeded, the commutation of the operation of the three-
way solenoid valve 20 occurs, with the closing of thefirst inlet 19 and the opening of thesecond outlet 31. - In the final phase the removal of the left cooling fluid from the
cooling plate 3 continues. - With the three-
way solenoid valve 20 in commutated operation the first and second sealing and fast-couplingconnections cooling plate 3 are connected in common towards theheat exchanger 24. - In this phase the value of the pressure drops further up to about -0.85 bars.
- The third phase of the refrigerant liquid recovery lasts in turn for a predetermined period of time, for example for about 40 seconds.
- At the end of this predetermined time the second two-
way solenoid valve 22 is also closed and the compressor is definitively stopped. - The recovery cycle has now ended.
- The cooling apparatus according to the present invention also allows operation for short periods under low pressure conditions and outside the design limits. However, at the end of an operation of this type, a check at the maintenance centers is recommended to ensure that this operation has not affected or damaged the mechanical or electronic components of the cooling apparatus itself.
- Therefore, advantageously, the quantity of residual refrigerant fluid present in the
cooling plate 3 at the end of the operative phase is totally recovered, with the detachment of thecooling plate 3 from thecooling circuit 2. The result is a greatly reduced environmental impact, as well as a positive economic impact due to the recovery of the refrigerant fluid that would otherwise be lost. - Furthermore, thanks to an internal memory for storing the fault history suffered in the operative phase, advantageously the
cooling apparatus 1 according to the invention allows a simplified periodic maintenance procedure by the operator. - A further advantage of the invention consists in providing a circuit within a
control system 33 for the remote control of thecooling apparatus 1 by an external fixed or portable control device. - For this reason, a communication protocol is established between the
cooling apparatus 1 and an external device, such as for instance a mobile telecommunication device like a smartphone or a tablet with a dedicated platform and with a control logic governed by thetransducers compressor 9. - In this way it is possible to always have full control of the operation of the
compressor 9 in the operative phase. It is also possible to carry out a check-up before starting the operative phase. - Furthermore, as a further advantage, the
cooling apparatus 1 is installed within aportable casing 34. Said portable casing provides agripping handle 35 and the arrangement ofwheels 36 at a supportingbase 37 of thecasing 34 itself. - The portable casing is further equipped with a
telescopic handle 38 to ensure a simplified dragging of the casing. - Thanks to the presence of a casing so conformed, the cooling apparatus is highly handy, thus simplifying the transport by the users, like a trolley.
- The skilled person will understand that the embodiment disclosed can undergo various changes and variations according to specific and contingent needs, all within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims (11)
- Cooling apparatus (1) for coffins, comprising- a cooling circuit (2) comprising:∘ a compressor (9);∘ a condenser (10);∘ one or more expansion valves (18);∘ a heat exchanger (24);∘ a collection reservoir (14);- a disposable cooling plate (3) to be placed within a coffin and removably connectable with fast-coupling with said cooling circuit (2), to carry out a heat exchange state with the inside of the coffin, said cooling plate (3) being composed of at least one serpentine (6), permanently installed and left in the coffin after the final closure and pre-loaded with under pressure refrigerant fluid;characterized in that said cooling circuit (2) further comprises:- a control electronic system (33) incorporating a control unit of the functional states of said cooling circuit (2);- a three-way solenoid valve (20) on a delivery duct (4) of said cooling plate (3) to allow a recovery of refrigerant fluid from said cooling plate (3) at the end of the operative phase of said cooling apparatus (1) governed by said control system (33); as well as a unidirectional valve (32) placed between said three-way solenoid valve (20) and said heat exchanger (24), to prevent the backflow of refrigerant fluid in the recovery phase of said refrigerant fluid.
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to claim 1, wherein said cooling circuit (2) further comprises a first two-way solenoid valve (16) and a second two-way solenoid valve (22), respectively, on a duct (15) exiting from said collection reservoir (14), and on a return duct (5) of said cooling plate (3), to prevent the backflow of said refrigerant fluid in the recovery phase of the refrigerant fluid.
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to claim 1, wherein said cooling circuit (2) further comprises a two-way solenoid valve (32) placed between said three-way solenoid valve (20) and said heat exchanger (24), to prevent the backflow of refrigerant fluid in the recovery phase of said refrigerant fluid.
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said cooling circuit (2) further comprises a first pressure transducer (27), for detecting the minimum operative pressure of said cooling circuit (2).
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said cooling circuit (2) further comprises a second pressure transducer (28), for detecting the maximum operative pressure of said cooling circuit (2).
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said cooling circuit (2) further comprises a pressure switch (29) for the control of a correct coupling of said cooling plate (3) to said cooling circuit (2).
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by further comprising an internal memory for storing the fault history suffered in the operative phase.
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by further comprising an internal circuit to said control unit for the remote control of said cooling apparatus (1) by a fixed or portable control device.
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by being installed within a portable casing (34), equipped with wheels (36) for easy transport.
- Cooling apparatus (1), according to claim 9, characterized by further comprising a telescopic handle (38) for easy dragging of said casing (34).
- Method for recovering a refrigerant fluid from a cooling plate of a cooling apparatus according to claim 2, comprising the following phases:- closing of the first two-way solenoid valve (16), and continued operation of said compressor (9) until the reaching of an internal pressure of said cooling plate (3) less than zero bar, absorbing most of the refrigerant fluid present in said cooling plate (3);- stopping of said compressor (9) for about a predetermined period, generating a gasification of possible remains of refrigerant fluid left in said cooling plate (3) and a pressure stabilization along said cooling circuit (2);- restarting of said compressor (9), bringing back the pressure to the aforesaid value less than zero bar, commutating of operation of said three-way solenoid valve (20), closing a first inlet (19) and opening a second outlet (31), further reducing the value of the internal pressure of said cooling circuit (2);- closing of said second two-way solenoid valve (22) and stopping of said compressor (9).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102017000062432A IT201700062432A1 (en) | 2017-06-07 | 2017-06-07 | Portable refrigeration unit with refrigerant fluid recovery |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3412271A1 EP3412271A1 (en) | 2018-12-12 |
EP3412271B1 true EP3412271B1 (en) | 2021-11-03 |
Family
ID=60766032
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18176564.5A Active EP3412271B1 (en) | 2017-06-07 | 2018-06-07 | Portable cooling apparatus with refrigerant liquid recovery |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3412271B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201700062432A1 (en) |
PT (1) | PT3412271T (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2549922A1 (en) * | 1975-11-06 | 1977-05-18 | Nethery Howard J | Cryoanaesthesia of gangrenous extremities - using freezing pad connected to cooling component with compressor |
IT209042Z2 (en) | 1985-12-20 | 1988-09-02 | Zorsol Di Alberto Cipelletti & | COOLING GROUP FOR DEAD BONNETS. |
IT1264864B1 (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1996-10-17 | Nuova Zorsol Srl | COOLING UNIT FOR MORTUARY COFFINS WITH DETACHABLE COOLING PLATE AND FLUID RECOVERY |
US8082750B2 (en) * | 2007-03-22 | 2011-12-27 | Cps Products, Inc. | Device for automatic processing of contaminated refrigerant from an air conditioning system |
CN204027419U (en) * | 2014-07-17 | 2014-12-17 | 贵阳中化开磷化肥有限公司 | A kind of portable set cooling worm cleaning-machine structure |
US10054346B2 (en) * | 2015-10-27 | 2018-08-21 | Mahle Aftermarket Italy S.P.A. | Method for checking the presence of incondensable gases in climate recovery and charging station |
-
2017
- 2017-06-07 IT IT102017000062432A patent/IT201700062432A1/en unknown
-
2018
- 2018-06-07 EP EP18176564.5A patent/EP3412271B1/en active Active
- 2018-06-07 PT PT181765645T patent/PT3412271T/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3412271A1 (en) | 2018-12-12 |
IT201700062432A1 (en) | 2018-12-07 |
PT3412271T (en) | 2022-02-03 |
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